Michael Carrick has backed a move for Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers to join Manchester United this summer, according to reports.
The United interim boss has given a ‘glowing endorsement’ of his former Middlesbrough player, suggesting internally that he believes Rogers would be a strong fit for his tactical set-up.
The Old Trafford side are said to be seriously considering a summer move for Rogers, who has no shortage of Premier League suitors amid his standout season at Villa Park.
The England international only signed a new six-year contract with Villa in October, extending his stay in the West Midlands until June 2031.
Carrick Wants Morgan Rogers at Old Trafford
Morgan Rogers
According to TEAMtalk, Carrick’s recommendation to director of football Jason Wilcox has only strengthened United’s interest in Rogers ahead of the summer.
However, any move for the 23-year-old will not come cheap, with Aston Villa in a strong negotiating position after recently extending his contract.
Villa are expected to demand a club-record fee for Rogers this summer, potentially surpassing the £100m sale of Jack Grealish to Manchester City in 2021.
There is a sense Rogers is now valued on a similar scale, and a move in the region of £100m would make him the most expensive United signing ever, surpassing Paul Pogba's £90m arrival in 2016.
Rogers played under Carrick at Middlesbrough during the 2023-24 campaign, scoring seven goals and providing nine assists in 33 appearances in all competitions.
In February 2024, the ‘superstar’ 23-year-old joined Villa in a deal worth about £15m. Middlesbrough are owed a 20 per cent sell-on clause, which further inflates the Villans’ asking price this summer.
Chelsea and Arsenal are both believed to be interested in Rogers ahead of the summer, while Paris Saint-Germain are also monitoring the England international, as per Sky Sports.
Man Utd Making Checks on Murillo
murillo
Manchester United have not ruled out signing a new central defender despite extending Harry Maguire’s contract this week.
According to reports, the Red Devils have made checks on a number of left-footed centre-backs ahead of the summer, including Nottingham Forest star Murillo.
United have been without Matthijs de Ligt for the past four months due to a lengthy recovery from a back injury, while fellow centre-back Lisandro Martinez has missed the last five games with a calf setback.
Murillo is believed to be open to a move away from Forest, who are 16th in the Premier League standings with seven games remaining, two points off the bottom three.