Manchester United are hunting down a Liverpool transfer target as Michael Carrick has sent a clear message to club chiefs over wanting more transfers – now
Michael Carrick has called for more transfers to improve his Manchester United squad’s chances of competing at the top of the Premier League.
And the former Red Devils and England midfielder might just get his wish as he seeks to compete on four fronts this coming season, having bagged an improbable third-placed finish and qualified for the Champions League last season after replacing the hapless Ruben Amorim and turning around United’s fortunes. He’s also hinted that Marcus Rashford may be back for good.
The Premier League giants have bolstered their engine room with the signings of Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, but there’s still much to be done before the season opener against newly-promoted Hull City next Saturday, including clearing out the deadwood of the dressing room. Here’s all the latest news from Old Trafford.
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‘Contact made’ over PSG star
United are said to have made an enquiry about Paris Saint-Germain prodigy Ibrahim Mbaye – the Paris Saint-Germain ace wanted by bitter rivals Liverpool, reports the Mirror.
Although the 18-year-old is considered one of Europe’s most promising young talents, the European champions need to free up space in their squad following the influx of new talent this summer.
World Cup victor Ferran Torres now seems set for a move to Parc des Princes, which would further limit Mbaye’s opportunities for first-team football.
According to AS, the circumstances have alerted a host of major clubs. Alongside United and Liverpool, the likes of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Roma and Aston Villa have been mentioned as having interest in the player.
It’s claimed PSG are said to be willing to release him for just £42million. The 6ft 1in attacker represented France at every level up to Under 20s. But he then changed his allegiance to Senegal.
The teen, who has bagged four goals in 41 appearances for PSG, famously came on as a substitute and scored in a 3–1 defeat against France on his World Cup debut, becoming the youngest African goalscorer in World Cup history.
United pocket ‘sizeable’ fee
Young United winger Ethan Williams has been transferred to Peterborough for a “sizeable disclosed fee,” according to the League One club.
The 20-year-old has been permitted to depart after featuring in the pre-season tour of Scandinavia. Having failed to secure a senior start for United, he has been allowed to move on to further his career.
Speaking following his switch to the League One outfit, Williams said: “I have enjoyed my time at United and it’s always tough to leave a place like that.
“But there comes a time in your career where you have to make tough decisions to develop yourself and Peterborough is renowned for helping younger players.”
Peterborough manager Luke Williams said: “Ethan is a player that will give us another option in the wide areas. He is quick, direct and will be a threat and I am looking forward to working with him.”
Carrick comments
Carrick believes Rashford, 28, could prove “exciting” for United this season after welcoming the outcast back into the fold following his infamous spat with Amorim and departure to Barcelona on loan.
The United boss said: “He’s a very good player, and I think if you’re going to have a career over 10 or 15 years, there’s going to be times when things go in a direction and maybe a different direction.
“I think there are ups and downs, and that doesn’t judge you as a one-off kind of judgment. It’s what happens over time, and now we’re in a positive place as a group, and Marcus can offer us so much. He has done, and he can do again, so in that respect, it’s quite exciting.”
Carrick added: ” He’s our player, he came back Sunday night, he arrived with Kobbie, and Lisandro came the day after, and he’s part of the group like anybody else. He came in, he’s trained really well.
“I’ve known him a long time, like I’ve known some of the others a long time, so I don’t treat him any different to anybody else, but it’s been good to have him around the group again this week. So I’m really positive with that.”
Carrick also urged United chiefs to “keep pushing for more” during the transfer window, as he wants additional quality and depth.