Manchester United round-up as Michael Carrick receives backing and one of his players changes his mind
It remains to be seen whether Michael Carrick will be kept on after the summer(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
As Manchester United attempt to sew up a place in the Champions League, long-term plans are being hatched at Old Trafford. Priority number one is to appoint a permanent manager, with Michael Carrick in the frame following a positive interim spell.
However, after his early momentum subsided a little, there are legitimate calls for United to swoop for a proven top-level boss. The squad, while improved from this time last season, still needs work, with midfield an area of focus.
It may be quicker to name the middlemen who haven’t been linked with Old Trafford. Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid is the latest player to be named as a potential arrival.
On the pitch, after last weekend’s win at Chelsea, United are preparing to host Brentford. Here’s a round-up of the latest news from Old Trafford…
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Carrick backing
Alan Shearer has called for United to appoint Carrick on a permanent basis, but only on a short-term deal. The Newcastle icon has argued United’s cycle of hiring and firing reflects badly on the club hierarchy, who have had to pay off bosses since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.
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Speaking on The Rest is Football show with Gary Lineker, Shearer said it was time for a different approach. He said: “I think that’s such a poor look.”
He added: “Under Michael, [they] have definitely improved and it looks as if they’re going to qualify for Champions League. I guess if they do, I’d be for giving him the job.
“Not on a long term basis and they’ll make mistakes as they’ve done last time, but maybe even give him a one-year deal with different incentives in it if he hits different targets.”
Alan Shearer would give Carrick the job, but only on a short-term contract(Image: Getty)
Carrick told ‘no’
Matheus Cunha has revealed how he told Carrick he could operate in a new position. The Brazilian predominantly operated through the middle during his time at Wolves but believes he can be just as effective out wide.
When Carrick suggested United lacked natural wingers early on his interim reign, Cunha took matters into his own hands, displaying belief in his own ability and willingness to help the team. He told TNT Sports: “I know I have these skills to dribble and this is amazing because I spoke to Michael when he arrived.
Matheus Cunha told Carrick he was the answer to a positional problem(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
“He said, ‘Hey, we need one winger, maybe we’ll put Patrick [Dorgu] there because he’s on the left.’ I said to him, ‘No, you can put me there and I will do the things.’
“Now, when there’s training, I dribble more, I have more winger qualities. To get the ball, go one against one, everything like that.
“I played more in the middle at Wolves. To show this kind of skill, I feel like I can adapt well in different positions.”
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