- Read Man Utd’s Editor in Chief Matt Guyett’s thoughts
- A must-win clash with Leeds tonight
- Harry Maguire extension and Morgan Rogers interest
Manchester United are probably the most talked about club in world football. Even Real Madrid fans are constantly mentioning the Reds, and I should know, having driven one of the club’s fan sites for the past four months.
But the mood around Old Trafford has been a stark contrast to that at the Santiago Bernabéu. United find themselves in a positive situation heading into the final stretch of the season.
Michael Carrick took his troops to Dublin for a four-day training camp during a 24-day break. It feels like a lifetime ago that we saw his team in action, and that came in a rather frustrating 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
Leeds is a must-win
Manchester United will have enjoyed this weekend’s Premier League results, as most of their top-five rivals dropped points. Chelsea were beaten 3-0 by Manchester City, Aston Villa drew 1-1 against Nottingham Forest and Brentford and Everton settled on a 2-2 draw.
That means Carrick’s men move a step closer to a return to the Champions League with a win over Leeds United tonight (April 13th). Villa’s draw means they are level with us, but with a worse goal difference.
Tonight gives United the chance to move three clear of the Villans and six clear of Liverpool, who beat Fulham 2-0. It’s important to get back to winning ways following the Bournemouth draw.
Dropping points against rivals Leeds could prove problematic because the winning momentum goes out the window. Carrick has won all six of his games at Old Trafford, and maintaining such a record goes a long way in building confidence in the short and long term.
Maguire Deserved It
What a turnaround it has been for Harry Maguire, who is the embodiment of resilience. His United days looked to be numbered in the latter stages of Erik ten Hag’s reign.
Maguire didn’t succumb to the unwarranted mockery he received throughout the first half of his Old Trafford spell. He knuckled down and played his way back into the defence with performances that have helped the Reds through a nightmare period.
The winner against Lyon last season and his display alongside Lisandro Martinez in Manchester City’s January victory serve as perfect examples. He’s become one of Carrick’s most important players, and I am delighted the club have rewarded him with a new one-year deal.
By the way, Thomas Tuchel’s suggestion that the 33-year-old is his fifth-choice centre-back is laughable. If he wants to guide England to World Cup glory, he’d be foolish not to be starting Maguire in his defence.
Rogers Feels Right
If United are keen to pull off a blockbuster signing this summer, the priority should be a Casemiro replacement. In an ideal world, that player is Elliot Anderson but it looks inevitable that he’ll be heading for Manchester City instead.
The Reds still need to sign not one but two new midfielders with Casemiro qualities. I’d probably go with Adam Wharton and Mateus Fernandes, two differing profiles.
But this new Morgan Rogers transfer rumour is compelling. There are suggestions that he could cost around £100m.
If United want to bring a future replacement for Bruno Fernandes to the Theatre of Dreams, Rogers is ideal. We have been linked with Cole Palmer, but I prefer the Aston Villa man who has completely outperformed the Chelsea star this season.
Rogers is a luxury signing, though, as INEOS have more important areas of the squad to address. But if we are set for a record-breaking summer, I’d be more than happy to see the Villans playmaker arrive alongside two midfielders, a left winger and potentially a left-footed centre-back.
