Manchester United have just six games left in the Premier League season as the Red Devils battle for Champions League qualification while transfer and manager speculation mounts
Manchester United have a huge decision to make in the summer regarding the future of Michael Carrick and his playing squad.
It’s been a tough week so far for the interim manager. And he has been dealt another blow as Harry Maguire has been ruled out of Saturday’s match against Chelsea. The FA announced the experienced defender will face an additional one-match suspension and a £30,000 fine for “acting in an improper manner and/or using abusive words towards the fourth official” in a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth in March.
This throws a wrench into Carrick’s plans, with Lisandro Martinez also facing a ban for his hair pull on Dominic Calvert-Lewin during Monday’s demoralising 2-1 defeat to bitter rivals Leeds. The United boss will need to rejig his defensive line-up ahead of the crucial showdown at Stamford Bridge in the hunt for a Champions League place. Here’s all the latest news from Old Trafford.
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Andoni Iraola’s potential first signings
Andoni Iraola has confirmed he will be leaving Bournemouth at the end of the season after rejecting offers to extend his contract.
United have previously been linked with the Spaniard, with rumours suggesting the Cherries manager would be open to a move, reports the Mirror.
If United were to appoint Iraola, he could potentially lure two current Bournemouth stars to join him at Old Trafford.
The Daily Mail suggests Marcos Senesi and Eli Junior Kroupi have both been “considered” by the Manchester side.
Argentine centre-back Senesi, 28, is due to become a free agent in the summer, making his transfer relatively straightforward. However, Kroupi is just 19-years-old and is contracted to Bournemouth until 2030.
The French forward’s current stats, which include 10 goals this season, have attracted interest from several of Europe’s top clubs.
SunSport claims that the Cherries want Kroupi to become their “first-ever £80million player,” meaning United may have to outbid other teams for his signature.
Jadon Sancho update
Jadon Sancho has been informed by manager Unai Emery that it is “too soon” to contemplate a permanent move to Aston Villa.
The £73m United mega flop has four goal contributions to his name while on loan in Birmingham and is currently recuperating from a shoulder injury.
Emery insists the club are solely focused on on-field matters at the moment. He said: “We are focused 100% on our objective, and to speak about the individual futures doesn’t make sense.
Speaking specifically about Sancho, Emery added: “We spoke a lot during the season with him and me, especially about his task with us, how we need his performance and his qualities.
“But now it is about tomorrow. He is coming back [from injury], and he is a fantastic player, and he needs to be consistent.”
Emery commented on 26-year-old Sancho’s absence: “It is a pity that he was injured in the last weeks because he finished before the break, fantastic.
“Now we are playing matches to check everything and to get our objective collectively. Hopefully, we can get the best of him, and this is our challenge as well.”