Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of Michael Carrick as interim head coach with the new boss now looking towards potential transfer activity.
Michael Carrick during the Sky Bet Championship match between Luton Town FC and Middlesbrough FC.
Michael Carrick has been confirmed as Manchester United's interim head coach. (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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Manchester United have completed the task of bringing in a replacement for Ruben Amorim - albeit on an interim basis until the summer.
Michael Carrick has arrived at United as interim head coach until the end of the season, beating off competition from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The club will search for a permanent successor when the end of the current campaign comes around.
The new boss will be thrown in at the deep end, starting on Saturday with the Manchester Derby at Old Trafford (12.30pm kick-off). Just over a week later the team travel to take on league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
But it’s not just matters on the pitch that Carrick will have to deal with. He has joined in the midst of the January transfer window with both incomings and outgoings before the end of the month still possible.
United have been linked with both over the last few weeks. Here’s a look at some of the latest reports surrounding potential transfer activity at Old Trafford.
£20m U-turn
Manchester United will make funds available for Carrick for the remainder of the January transfer window, with Ruben Neves a target, according to The Guardian. The former Wolves captain is expected to be available for around £20 million.
United are expected to wait until the summer to make moves for midfield targets, including Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton. However, it is said that the club are still willing to give Carrick some funds to strengthen his squad before the end of the window.
It is reported that money will be made available for a potential move for Neves should it become possible to sign him - or for other players on the club’s wishlist.
The stance looks to be a U-turn from the one outlined by Ruben Amorim at the start of the window. "The transfer window is not going to change," he said.
"We have no conversation to have any change in the squad. There is a process, there is an idea - that is going to continue."
Ruben Neves during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Hilal and Al Nassr.
Manchester United have been linked with a transfer interest in Ruben Neves. (Image: Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)
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West Ham battle
United’s Premier League rivals West Ham have joined the race for RB Leipzig defender El Chadaille Bitshiabu, according to Quotidiano Spotivo, putting a potential move to Old Trafford in more doubt.
United have been linked with an interest in the defender, but seem to face competition from several different clubs. As well as the Hammers, Leeds United, Bournemouth, AS Monaco and Lyon are the teams listed as showing an interest in the 20-year-old.
The defender has struggled for regular game time so far this season, making just three Bundesliga appearances. He returned from a hamstring injury before Germany’s winter break as a late substitute in the 3-1 loss against Bayer Leverkusen.
Exit talks
Turkish side Galatasaray are in talks to sign United midfielder Manuel Ugarte in the January transfer window, according to reports in Turkey. Haber Sarikirmizi claim that Galatasaray are optimistic about their chances of completing a deal.
Talks are said to be around a loan deal with an option to buy. It is also reported that two of Ugarte's Uruguay teammates in Fernando Muslera and Lucas Torreira have been working to convince the midfielder to make the move to Turkey.
Journalist Yakup Cınar adds: "The player will leave Manchester United 100%."
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