Manchester United have reportedly submitted a £20 million offer for one of their midfield targets following the derby win.
Manchester United’s victory against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon will give Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox much to think about with just two weeks left of the transfer window.
From a game where fans didn’t expect much, Michael Carrick delivered an unbelievable performance upon his return to the Old Trafford dugout. He is now four games unbeaten as United manager following his caretaker stint after Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s sacking.
While Carrick is only expected to be the head coach until the end of the season, for 16 more Premier League games, performances like the derby showing could force United’s higher-ups into appointing him as the permanent boss in the summer.
If he is to be trusted with the full-time role, he should be given new additions in the January transfer window to bolster his push for a Champions League spot.
Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo were among the better players against City, but new midfielders are a must for Carrick. Due to the change in formation, Casemiro, Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte are the only three senior players who can play in the double pivot. Jack Fletcher and Sékou Koné could push for a regular role before the end of the season, but a new addition would make sense.
United submit Neves offer
Rúben Neves (formerly of Wolverhampton Wanderers) has been linked to United for years on end, but it seems the transfer saga could finally come to an end.
Fichajes have reported that United have submitted an offer worth £20 million for the Portugal international. Al Hilal, his current club, are said to be “seriously considering” the offer as United look to “send a clear message to the transfer market”.
Neves could play a similar role to Mainoo’s against City, while also being able to fill in for Casemiro in a more defensive position. His signing would allow Bruno Fernandes to focus on regaining his form as a No.10 after his impressive performance in the derby.
Neves’ Al Hilal contract expires at the end of the season, so United are looking to sign him for a lower fee than would normally be demanded for the former Wolves midfielder.
Right player, wrong time
Neves is a quality deep-lying playmaker. There’s no doubting that. But he isn’t the type of player United need anymore. Under Rúben Amorim, Neves would’ve played a key role in central midfield, but Mainoo’s performance against City shows United don’t need another player like the England international.
Rather than signing another playmaker, United should look for a high-energy defensive midfielder who can play next to Mainoo.
Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton have all been mentioned in the past, but United’s fondness for the Brighton man is well known. Baleba may be the favourite for the position if United can agree a deal, but that won’t be easy – as seen towards the end of the summer transfer window.
If United can agree a deal for one of those three in January, it will be a huge coup for the club and Carrick. The head coach will be able to use his midfield expertise to guide them into the side and improve them week after week.
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