Key choices facing Man United before the upcoming season

Manchester United are currently in a strong position to achieve Champions League qualification following a notable improvement in their performances and results since Michael Carrick took over as coach after the dismissal of Ruben Amorim in January.

United have ascended to third place in the Premier League, having garnered 19 points from a possible 24 since Carrick’s appointment. They will face fourth-placed Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday, aware that a victory would significantly enhance their chances of finishing in the top five.

However, despite the positive shift in results since Carrick’s arrival, there remains uncertainty regarding the 44-year-old’s future beyond his contract, which expires in May. The club has yet to finalize a permanent manager, with Carrick being one of several candidates under consideration. Additionally, efforts are underway behind the scenes to ensure that the club secures its key transfer targets this summer, irrespective of who is appointed as head coach.

What is the current status of Carrick and United’s recruitment strategies? ESPN has consulted multiple sources to gather insights.

Will Carrick be appointed permanently?

play0:59Nicol: Manchester United haven’t been sensational under Carrick

Steve Nicol notes that Manchester United’s unbeaten streak ending against 10-man Newcastle indicates they are still not a flawless team.

There is no doubt that Carrick has made a positive impression on the United hierarchy since taking on the head coach position on January 13.

The former United midfielder began with two surprising victories against title contenders Manchester City and Arsenal, and the team has maintained that strong form, suffering their first loss under Carrick in last week’s last-minute 2-1 defeat to Newcastle.

Moreover, Carrick has made a notable impact off the field as well. Sources inform ESPN that he has gained respect within the United hierarchy for his composed and thoughtful demeanor when interacting with the media, demonstrating that the pressures of the role are manageable, contrary to the experiences suggested by Amorim and his predecessor Erik ten Hag at times. However, ESPN sources indicate that there is no urgency internally to grant Carrick the position on a permanent basis. Concerns regarding recruitment and whether potential new players need clarity on who they will be playing for next season are not viewed as critical factors in the hiring process.

Carrick was brought in to provide United with stability, and he has surpassed that expectation, but there is an acknowledgment within the club that the positive momentum could diminish, necessitating a comprehensive recruitment process.

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On Carrick’s side, the former Middlesbrough coach has attracted interest from EFL Championship and Premier League clubs in recent months, but prior to United’s approach, he was willing to take an extended break from management. Nevertheless, his tenure at United has significantly elevated his profile, and sources have indicated to ESPN that he will receive numerous offers should he not secure the position at Old Trafford.

If not Carrick, who are Man United considering?

Thomas Tuchel’s choice to extend his contract as England manager, along with expectations that Carlo Ancelotti will do the same with Brazil, has notably influenced United’s list of coaching candidates, sources have informed ESPN.

Tuchel was close to accepting the United position during the uncertainty surrounding Ten Hag’s future at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season—Ten Hag was dismissed early in the following season just months after extending his contract—but neither party felt the timing was appropriate.

United’s preferred candidate would be a coach who has secured either the Premier League, Champions League, or both, and both Tuchel and Ancelotti fit that criterion.

ESPN sources have stated that there is also a need for a coach with elite tactical expertise—again, a quality that Tuchel and Ancelotti possess—and this is an area where Carrick has yet to demonstrate proficiency, although the appointment of first-team coach Steve Holland has had a significant and swift effect on United’s organization. With Tuchel and Ancelotti now out of contention, there are no credible candidates who fulfill the primary requirement of having won major trophies.

The next tier of candidates includes Aston Villa’s Unai Emery, Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, former Brighton and Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi, and Germany’s Julian Nagelsmann.

Sources have indicated that USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino is not considered a viable option, with senior figures at United anticipating his return to Tottenham Hotspur once his contract with the United States Soccer Federation concludes after the World Cup.

While Emery, Iraola, Glasner, De Zerbi, and Nagelsmann are all accomplished coaches, and likely possess greater tactical credentials at the highest level than Carrick has shown, only Emery would likely be viewed by United supporters as an improvement. However, ESPN sources have noted that Emery’s “old-school” demand for control over all aspects of the football department, including player recruitment, would not align well with United’s structure, which includes director of football Jason Wilcox, director of recruitment Christopher Vivell, and CEO Omar Berrada, and their collaborative decision-making approach.

Away from the manager search, what are Man United’s transfer plans?

Sources have informed ESPN that United is entering the summer transfer window with a clear need for two midfielders and a left winger. There may be additional signings beyond this priority list, including a backup goalkeeper, but there is a commitment to address the long-standing midfield issue and enhance options in wide positions.

The decision not to extend Casemiro’s contract upon its expiration this summer was anticipated, but there is an understanding within the club that the departure of the 34-year-old will create a significant void in terms of the former Real Madrid player’s experience and his ability to score crucial goals. Casemiro has netted six Premier League goals this season.

Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is United’s primary target, and despite strong competition from Manchester City, ESPN sources indicate there is still optimism at Old Trafford that the 23-year-old could be persuaded to join United.

Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is another option, along with Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, and United is also exploring the European market for alternative possibilities.

ESPN sources have mentioned that Newcastle midfielders Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães would both be of interest if they were to become available, but there is an acknowledgment at Old Trafford that negotiating a reasonable financial deal for either player would be extremely challenging. (Last summer’s standoff with Liverpool and Alexander Isak was cited as a recent example of their tough negotiation tactics.)

Carrick’s success in rejuvenating the United career of Kobbie Mainoo, who was frequently overlooked by Amorim, has alleviated the concern of the 20-year-old leaving the club this summer, although the England midfielder has yet to discuss a new contract. His current deal runs until 2027, but United has the option to extend it for an additional year.

There is confidence that a midfield comprising Mainoo and two new signings, supported by the versatility of several players in the squad, including Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount, will provide United with the necessary strength and depth to compete at the highest level, particularly if they return to the Champions League.

The pursuit of a left winger may seem unexpected given Patrick Dorgu’s impressive performances under Carrick prior to his hamstring injury, but ESPN sources have indicated that United seeks further options in wide areas. Efforts were made to acquire Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth to fulfill this need in January, but sources have stated that United were unable and unwilling to match the salary offered to the 26-year-old by Manchester City.

Will there be another summer clear-out at Man United?

More than two years after taking over football operations at United from the Glazer family, the club’s majority owners, minority shareholders INEOS are still working to rectify the fallout from several unsuccessful transfer windows in which the club overspent on underperforming players—many of whom remain at the club on high wages. United still owes £422 million in outstanding transfer payments, with £238 million of that amount due to be repaid by the end of next season, but they are unlikely to recover their investment on players such as Rasmus Højlund (signed for £64 million), Joshua Zirkzee (£36.5 million), Manuel Ugarte (£50.5 million), André Onana (£43.8 million), and Mason Mount (£55 million).

United will entertain offers for all—Hojlund and Onana are currently on loan at Napoli and Trabzonspor, respectively, this season—while sources have expressed confidence that Marcus Rashford will find a new club this summer, even if Barcelona opts not to finalize a deal at a pre-agreed fee of £26 million at the conclusion of his season-long loan at Camp Nou.

Jadon Sancho’s troubled tenure at United—the former England winger joined for £73 million from Borussia Dortmund in 2021—will conclude this summer when his contract expires, resulting in a savings of £300,000 per week in wages for United, while defender Tyrell Malacia will also leave as a free agent.

The future of Harry Maguire remains uncertain. The 33-year-old, who became the world’s most expensive player when he transferred from Leicester City for £80 million in 2019, is out of contract this summer, but he has played a crucial role when fit this season, solidifying the defense, mentoring younger players, and posing a genuine threat during set pieces.

ESPN sources have indicated that a new contract may still be offered by United, but with reduced wages and potentially only for an additional year. While Maguire’s experience is valued by United, ESPN sources suggest that the England defender will likely receive a longer contract and a more lucrative financial package elsewhere, so any decision regarding his future may hinge on whether he prefers to stay at United or seek greater financial security at another club.

What other issues might need fixing?

The future of captain Bruno Fernandes could become a concern this summer due to the Portugal international’s contract expiring at the end of next season. United have the option to extend the 31-year-old’s deal by an additional 12 months, but Fernandes negotiated a release clause in his contract that permits him to leave if a club offers £57 million to United.

United and Fernandes face a significant decision regarding his future at the end of the season. From the club’s standpoint, this summer presents the final opportunity to secure a substantial fee for Fernandes, while the player—who will turn 32 in September—might also view it as his last chance to negotiate a lucrative contract elsewhere, likely in the Saudi Pro League. However, if United returns to the Champions League under Carrick, Fernandes may be inclined to fulfill his contract at Old Trafford.

Currently, this issue is quietly simmering in the background, but it could evolve into a major storyline this summer.