Manchester United could lose out on one of their transfer targets as Liverpool have named him as their own “top target”.
Manchester United are likely not to be big spenders this January, unfortunately for Michael Carrick and Red Devils fans, but this could mean serious business in the summer transfer window.
Last season, United added Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu and Ayden Heaven to Rúben Amorim’s squad in January, before an even more exciting summer window.
Diego Leon was the first to join – his deal was sealed in January, but he couldn’t join due to his age at the time – then followed Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Benjamin Šeško was announced before the final game of pre-season, against David de Gea’s Fiorentina, with Senne Lammens joining on Deadline Day.
This was all without the help of Champions League football. Carrick’s target for his interim spell will be a top-four finish in the Premier League, while top-five may suffice due to UEFA’s new coefficient rulings.
He won’t benefit from the increased funds – apart from a nice bonus, you would assume – but it could help United outdo their business from last summer for their new head coach.
While Carrick appeared to solve every issue against Manchester City, with the best performance Old Trafford has seen in decades, he did not. United will have to spend big in the summer window if they want to compete in Europe and the Premier League, no matter who takes charge of the senior squad.
United’s midfield search continues
United’s main focus this summer will be the midfield. Casemiro looks set to leave unless he starts every game until the end of the season – automatically triggering a one-year extension – and Manuel Ugarte could be forced out after a poor two seasons at the club, despite playing under his former manager Rúben Amorim.
Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton will be at the top of Jason Wilcox’s list, but a move for any is not easy.
Anderson could be the easiest of the three due to Nottingham Forest’s poor form since Nuno Espirito Santo’s departure, but he won’t be short of suitors, especially if he continues as Thomas Tuchel’s starting defensive midfielder for England.
United tried for Baleba in the summer window, but were priced out of a deal. The Cameroon international has been in poor form for the majority of the campaign, but Brighton are unlikely to drop their price tag to below £100 million.
And last, but certainly not least, Wharton. Crystal Palace appear to be in the midst of disaster, with Marc Guehi leaving for Manchester City, Jean-Phillipe Mateta looking likely to go too and Oliver Glasner in fumes with the ownership. This surely leaves Wharton as an open door for United, right? Wrong.
Liverpool name Wharton as “top target”
According to Fichajes, Wharton has now been named as Liverpool’s “top target”, with Crystal Palace valuing him at £65 million.
However, United and Chelsea are also in the hunt for Palace’s star midfielder, so the price tag may be driven much higher. Football Insider have previously reported he could be worth as much as £150 million.
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United are unlikely to pay upwards of £100 million for the England international, with other positions also needed in the summer.
Kobbie Mainoo’s reintroduction could lead United to sign more of a ball-winner than a ball-player for the double pivot, as someone to partner Mainoo, although Carrick seems to view him as more of an advanced player.
In the summer, Carrick told Rio Ferdinand: “I think he’s [Mainoo’s] more of an attacker. I don’t see him as a holding midfielder. I think he’s probably that line above with that little bit more freedom.” If Carrick remains in charge, United may look for two defensive midfielders, allowing Mainoo to push forward.
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