Manchester United’s summer transfer window is already taking shape even with all that uncertainty still swirling around Michael Carrick’s future. The interim boss has steadied the ship, no doubt, but the noise coming out of Old Trafford this week is all about who might be walking out the door.
Friday’s dramatic draw at Bournemouth dented those top four hopes, mind. Still, Carrick’s side remain well placed to gatecrash the Champions League places. If they pull it off, the clamour for him to get the gig permanently will only grow louder. But while the manager situation plays out, the recruitment team are already working the phones.
And it’s Napoli who appear to be doing the most dialling.
The Serie A champions are eyeing a rather audacious raid on Manchester, with reports suggesting they’re targeting four United players who are all out of contract this summer. Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Tyrell Malacia and Tom Heaton are all in the final six months of their deals and Antonio Conte fancies a bargain.
CalcioNapoli24 broke the news, and it makes sense when you think about it. The Italians have already struck gold once, plucking Scott McTominay from United in the summer of 2024. The Scot has been a monster for them. Now they want to reunite him with a few familiar faces.
Of the quartet, only Maguire and Casemiro are currently pulling serious minutes under Carrick. Casemiro has already announced he’s off on a free this summer, though there’s whispers he could yet perform a U turn and sign on for another year. A classic contract dance, that one.
Maguire’s situation is slightly different. The Athletic’s David Ornstein reckons the 33 year old is in advanced talks over a new short term deal, one that would see him take a significant pay cut nearly halving his wages to stay put. But the lure of Naples, of a fresh start under Conte and a reunion with McTominay, might just turn his head.
Rasmus Hojlund, currently on loan with the Serie A side, can also vouch for the lifestyle.
If Malacia does end up heading to Italy, United have already identified a potential replacement. Step forward Alphonso Davies.
The Canadian left back has had a nightmare of a season under Vincent Kompany, plagued by injuries including an ACL tear that kept him out for months. But when he’s fit, he’s electric. And Bild’s Christian Falk is reporting that United are very much interested.
With Luke Shaw still battling his own fitness woes brilliant when available, but rarely available and Patrick Dorgu being used further forward under Carrick, there’s a genuine need for competition on the left flank. Diogo Dalot has settled back in at right back since the interim boss took over in January, so the left side is the problem area.
Davies only signed a new Bayern deal last year, one that runs until 2030. But the German giants are said to be growing frustrated with the value they’re getting from a player who can’t stay on the pitch. A decent offer this summer might just convince them to cut their losses.
It’s a bold move, no doubt. But then again, this is Manchester United. Bold moves are what they do whether they work out or not is another story entirely.
