Erik ten Hag has brought nine new players to Manchester United since his appointment last year and four of them, three in the most recent January transfer window, have been short-term loans.
The Dutchman swiftly identified areas in which United needed to improve and midfield was seen as the most pressing issue, with Casemiro and Christian Eriksen both signed to strengthen that department.
Wide areas were also looked at however, with Cody Gakpo among those to be heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford. Eventually, after a long summer of links, the Reds landed Antony from Ajax.
Now, just after the mid-season market closed, United are being linked with another winger but this time, it’s Atletico Madrid star Yannick Carrasco.
The Belgian international has less than 18 months remaining on his contract in the Spanish capital and according to reports, his faltering status under Diego Simeone could make him an attractive prospect for United.
That’s according to Spanish outlet AS, via Sport Witness, who say that United could emerge as one of the leading candidates to sign the 29-year-old.
As per the report, Atletico Madrid have already brokered a deal with Barcelona over his sale but should that transfer collapse, United are ‘attentive’ to the situation and could get involved.
SN’s verdict…
The deal agreed with Barcelona is said to set the Catalan club back €20m – a figure United would be unlikely to be willing to pay for a player who would, most likely, become a backup to Marcus Rashford.
In truth, Rashford’s stunning season makes him almost undroppable and the only way United would consider signing a replacement is if the 25-year-old does not extend his contract, which also expires in 2024.
Who writes this rubbish? They rejected him in January, have three players for each of right and left wing, so are not going to buy Carrasco.
Reports have also stated they want to buy Ansu Fati from Barcelona, more fiction!