Manchester United’s return to the Champions League has all but confirmed that Michael Carrick will be the club’s next permanent head coach. A 3-2 win over Liverpool on Sunday got the job done.
Carrick has yet to put pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Red Devils. But it is now “expected” that INEOS will offer him the role full-time.
United’s season is essentially finished, as they have secured Champions League qualification with three games to spare. Rumours are swirling over plans for the future, but also the short term, and Matheus Cunha has responded to a report.
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Cunha Refutes ‘Rest Agreement’
A report from ESPN Brazil landed on Monday night and it claimed that United had agreed with Brazil to rest Cunha for the following three games. The Red Devils attacker, who scored in the Liverpool win, has laughed this off.
Cunha posted an image on his Instagram story of himself celebrating with the caption: “What? (laughing face and love heart).”
Cunha returned to action in the win against the Merseysiders after sitting out a 2-1 victory against Brentford last Monday. He nursed a hip flexor problem but returned for the game on the weekend.
Three New Midfielders
If the reports are true, United are ready to set aside £150m to rebuild their midfield this summer. They ideally want three new midfielders and there are three categories their targets fall under.
The first are top targets to replace Casemiro such as Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton who could cost £80m. The second has Manuel Ugarte’s likely exit in mind and is £40m for the likes of Mateus Fernandes and Alex Scott.
The third category is £20m for a squad player and Southampton’s Shea Charles is included in this. It’s great to see INEOS focus so heavily on midfield with it being the main problem area this season.
Ratcliffe Plan
United’s co-owner Jim Ratcliffe is said to have been a key voice in the club’s move for Benjamin Sesko last summer. The Slovenian striker arrived from RB Leipzig in a £73m deal.
Laurie Whitwell said on the Talk of the Devils podcast:
“Sir Jim Ratcliffe was a voice for United going for Benjamin Sesko last summer, a striker rather than a midfielder at that moment when they had a certain amount of money to spend. I think he certainly has an idea about how much he would like United to spend on certain areas.”
The “idea” part of that quote is a really good sign, showing that there is a clear vision coming from INEOS. Last summer, the focus was on attack, and now this summer it seems to be midfield.
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