Michael Carrick will look to guide Manchester United to a finish in the Champions League places, while the squad could do with additions before the January transfer window shuts
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick has some big decisions to make when he takes charge of Manchester United(Image: DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
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Michael Carrick is set to become the new Manchester United interim head coach this week after an agreement was reached in principle to give the former midfielder the job until the end of the season.
Carrick's first game in charge of United will be Saturday's Manchester derby, before he takes charge of the final 16 games of the Premier League season. With no domestic cup competitions to compete for, the objective is to seal Champions League football for next season.
Right now, United sit seventh in the Premier League table after 21 games. Following back-to-back draws to Wolves and Burnley, they are three points behind Liverpool in fourth, but just one off Brentford in fifth.
It's understood that United will only strengthen Carrick's squad on two conditions. The first being if long-term targets become available, and if they need to prevent other teams from taking pole position to sign a player they are monitoring.
A long list of players have been linked with a move to Old Trafford, predominantly midfielders. The position is a priority at Old Trafford with Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba all on their radar. Still, it is expected that any move will be made until the end of the season.
Ruben Neves
Ruben Neves' contract at Al-Hilal expires in June 2026 and he is a real target for Manchester United this month(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
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Yet there are a couple of deals that could materialise this window due to the two conditions set and the opportunity in the market. When Carrick takes charge of United, his strongest team will welcome the arrival of two players.
Starting in goal, Senne Lammens is the first choice, and that isn't changing. With Carrick expected to bring his 4-2-3-1 style of play to Old Trafford, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez are all options at centre-back.
However, Bournemouth's Marcos Senesi is available after deciding not to renew his contract. The Argentine's current deal expires in the summer, meaning he is free to agree a pre-contract with clubs in Europe.
Marcos Senesi
Marcos Senesi's contract at Bournemouth is due to expire at the end of the season(Image: AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
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That doesn't rule out United striking this month, and the prospect of losing him for nothing is likely to force Bournemouth to accept an offer. At 30, the centre-back improves United's backline and would fit into Carrick's back four with no trouble.
Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu will contend for the left-back role, with the former impressing this season upon returning to full fitness. At right-back, Noussair Mazraoui's absence due to AFCON has been telling with Diogo Dalot underperforming.
The midfield pivot is the big question mark, and Carrick will give each player a clean canvas. Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo are the three natural central midfielders, but there are concerns. Casemiro's presence leaves United lacking legs, and Ugarte's adaptation to England has been a struggle.
Mainoo would be many people's first choice in midfield, and there are worries over his partner. The bargain deal to sign Ruben Neves, understood to be around £20million, would crush that trouble.
The Al-Hilal midfielder, like Senesi, is in the final six months of his contract in Saudi Arabia and has previously turned down extension offers. United previously wanted Neves before his move away from Wolves, and at £20m, he would be the ideal midfielder improvement for Carrick.
Carrick has a fortune of riches in the final third with United's strongest position by some distance. Captain Bruno Fernandes is a guarantee in the No. 10 position; it's his best position, and there isn't a better option.
Bruno Fernandes and Michael Carrick
Bruno Fernandes will be a key player in Michael Carrick's tenure at the club(Image: 2020 Getty Images)
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Bryan Mbeumo and Amad will both return from AFCON in time for United's clash against Manchester City, adding some much-needed firepower to the final third. Since signing from Brentford in the summer, Mbeumo has scored six goals in the Premier League and has often been United's most dangerous player.
For Amad, his versatility means he is within a shout of playing in several positions. The left-wing role will see one of Amad or Matheus Cunha start, both players having their strengths and weaknesses that make it a tough decision for Carrick.
Benjamin Sesko is the default option at centre-forward after United coughed up £74m for him in the summer. After a difficult opening five months in England, the striker has still scored five goals, including three in the last two games.
Away from the strongest XI, Carrick has good options off the bench. Dorgu, Dalot and Yoro all offer quality in defence when required, as do Casemiro and Ugarte. In attack, Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount have both proved they can make a difference when called upon and Shea Lacey's emergence provides the excitement fans want to see.
Carrick's strongest potential United XI (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Senesi, Shaw; Neves, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko.