Manchester United are currently on track to qualify for next season’s Champions League, which will give them more buying power in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Michael Carrick has Manchester United on track for a successful season (Image: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Regardless of what happens in the final week of the Premier League campaign, it’s going to be a turbulent summer for Manchester United.
But the performances of Michael Carrick and others between now and May could play a key role in shaping what the summer transfer window will look like for whoever takes charge at Old Trafford next season – whether it’s Carrick or another manager.
United’s signings from last summer, which saw them revamp their attack, have had a huge impact and the onus is now on the club hierarchy to ensure further progress.
The goals have already been identified and three priority areas have been identified. And with the big decision of deciding on a head coach on the agenda, another summer of change is approaching…
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Maguire transfer petition
Harry Maguire is set to extend his contract at Old Trafford beyond this summer, but he has played a key role in United’s much-improved season, which has turned a corner since Ruben Amorim’s departure.
But Maguire stressed the need for reinforcements if United are to make the most of the progress they have made under Carrick. After backing the former United and Tottenham midfielder permanently in the head coaching role, the defender touched on adding players ahead of the big summer.
He said: “It’s going to go well, it’s going to be a thorough process and it’s going to be a great summer. We know that for Manchester United. We need bodies, bodies to help the team. We know that. We need to improve the team. We need more bodies. It’s going to be a big recruitment in management and I’m sure the hierarchy will respond appropriately.”
For a prestigious club like United, every summer is always a big event in the transfer market. But United are in a good position going into it and have a huge chance of taking things further if they get the next window right.
Key targets emerge
Manchester United are also among the clubs interested in Elliott Anderson (Image: Getty Images)
It’s probably the worst kept secret in football that United are keen to renovate their engine room in the summer. And they have already been linked with a number of top midfielders, including Elliott Anderson and Carlos Baleva. Casemiro’s departure means United will be adding at least one new midfielder to their squad this summer, but none of United’s reported targets will come cheap, with Andersson and Baleva both likely to cost £100m.
United’s need for a left winger has become clear in recent weeks, with Carrick abandoning Ruben Amorim’s favored three-back formation. Sky Sports report that United are indeed looking for a right-handed left winger, with two targets for the summer: Everton’s Irimian Ndiaye and RB Leipzig’s Yann Diomande, with the latter also on the radar of Liverpool.
Iliman Ndiaye is also a player to watch for United (Image: Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport via Getty Images)
The left-back is also on United’s wanted list, and they are big fans of Lewis Hall, adding to his growing reputation for brilliant performances in Newcastle colors. Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Braun is also a player to watch.
Brian Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha are proven players in the Premier League, having both been signed domestically from Brentford and Wolves, and both enjoyed great success. Given their success, it’s entirely possible that United would prefer raiding domestic rivals over overseas clubs.
Champions League windfall
Manchester United are on track to qualify for the Champions League (Image: Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)
Some of Manchester United’s reported transfer targets come with huge value, meaning finishing in the top four and qualifying for the Champions League could become more important than ever.
Carrick won seven of his 10 league games in charge, lifting United to third place and giving United a chance to return to Europe’s top competition.
If they continue and complete the job, the club’s finances will receive a significant boost. And it would strengthen United’s spending and attraction power in the transfer market, giving whoever takes charge next season a strong foundation for further development.
Who is in charge?
Another pressing question surrounding United and their summer transfer plans is who will be in the dugout.
Carrick was initially hired with a mandate to lead the Red Devils to the end of the season before a higher profile permanent appointment was made. However, his impressive form under the former United player has led to growing calls for him to be appointed.
In any case, as Ruben Amorim regretted, United operate under a structure in which recruitment is no longer entirely the responsibility of the manager. Recruiting director Christopher Vibel and director of football Jason Wilcox are already making battle plans for the summer season, which could ease some of the uncertainty on the sidelines.
This should reduce the risk of a delayed start, especially given the fact that the World Cup is likely to host some of the bigger hits.
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