Manchester United have made the change at Old Trafford, bringing an end to Ruben Amorim’s rocky tenure and parachuting in Michael Carrick for the remainder of the season.
The arrival of the Englishman has been well-timed by the INEOS regime too, with the five-time Premier League winner facing a favourable run of fixtures that begins with, oh wait, meetings with Manchester City and Arsenal.
A dismal start could sour the mood even further at Old Trafford, although those two upcoming games could also allow Carrick to build momentum in the best possible fashion, with Champions League qualification still very much the INEOS-led target.
For all the world it looks as if the current squad in Manchester is what the 44-year-old will have to work with between now and May, with any incomings unlikely, even with funds said to be available.
That said, if there is a chance to strike before the end of the month, United desperately need to do so…
Man Utd's transfer priorities after Carrick hire
INEOS, and a raft of supporters, will no doubt be glad to see the back of Amorim’s much-maligned 3-4-2-1 system, with the Portuguese’s stubborn set-up arguably having cost the Red Devils in key home match-ups against the likes of Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Jason Wilcox is believed to be a big proponent of a 4-3-3, hence the constant butting of heads with Amorim, with Carrick likely to deploy something similar, having largely favoured a 4-2-3-1 at Middlesbrough.
The issue is, Wilcox and co have assembled a squad so devoid of depth in midfield, while the exits of Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford have left Carrick and his staff without a recognised left-winger.
Reports this week have revealed that United could look to sign a new forward on that flank on loan, having missed out on long-term target Antoine Semenyo, although quite who would be available and suitable is another matter.
Indeed, with Joshua Zirkzee also tipped to return to Serie A to join Roma, another centre-forward is arguably required, with the Old Trafford side having been linked with the likes of Jean-Philippe Mateta of late.
Fletcher’s Starting XIs
Burnley
Position
Brighton
Lammens
GK
Lammens
Dalot
RB
Dalot
Heaven
CB
Yoro
Martinez
CB
Martinez
Shaw
LB
Dorgu
Casemiro
DM
Mainoo
Ugarte
DM
Ugarte
Cunha
RM
Mount
Fernandes
CAM
Fernandes
Dorgu
LM
Cunha
Sesko
ST
Sesko
Figures like the Crystal Palace man are unlikely to move mid-season, however, while Carrick’s pressing concern could well be in midfield, albeit with there at least one attainable target on the market right now.
Man Utd could sign the new Carrick on bargain deal
Ever since Carrick’s own retirement in 2018, the midfield department has been an issue under a succession of managers, with the future of every senior midfielder on the books currently up for debate heading into this summer.
In need of a ready-made replacement and upgrade, United could look to former Premier League star, Ruben Neves, with reports earlier this month revealing that the Portugal international could be available for just £20m.
That knock-down price is as a result of his expiring contract at Saudi side Al Hilal, with the 28-year-old having made the move to the Middle East in 2023, after six years at Molineux
While the Portuguese link may have made Neves a leading Amorim target, that status should not have changed under Carrick, not least with there arguably a likeness between the pair.
Indeed, speaking back in 2020, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp suggested that watching Neves was like watching the ex-United man in his pomp:
It is easy to see where that comparison has stemmed from, with Neves also something of an unsung, albeit hugely influential figure from his deep-lying berth, having been hailed as the “most underrated player in world football” by analyst Raj Chohan.
Such a description could well have fit Carrick during his United days, while the pair are also alike in possessing that knack for the spectacular, if not exactly proving prolific.
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For someone who was not a regular scorer, Carrick boasts a catalogue of stunning strikes in a United shirt, namely his brace in the 7-1 thrashing of Roma back in 2006/07.
Neves too boasts a penchant for rifling home from range, with the “midfield general” – as described by Statman Dave – producing wonderstrike after wonderstrike for the Old Gold in the past.
Like his potential future boss, the experienced talent is a largely unfussy, unflashy talent who can orchestrate things in front of the back four, having ranked in the top 20% of midfielders in his last Premier League season (2022/23) for progressive passes per 90, as well as in the top 14% for interceptions, as per FBref.
At a time of such turbulence and chaos at Old Trafford, the Red Devils are in need of a Carrick-esque figure to steady the ship in the centre of the park, with Neves surely the perfect fit.
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5 ByRobbie Walls