Manchester United transfer round-up with a Barcelona star up for grabs while former player rips into a long-serving duo
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick has been given some advice about two members of his squad(Image: Copa, Getty Images)
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Manchester United will be hoping to influence the Premier League title race again when they travel to table-toppers Arsenal on Sunday. Red Devils supporters are still celebrating Saturday's derby triumph, which delivered a significant setback to Manchester City's title ambitions.
It marked a perfect beginning for new interim manager Michael Carrick, who has taken charge until the season's end following Ruben Amorim's dismissal. Carrick isn't anticipated to oversee many transfers, if any, this month as he maintains the current squad is capable of securing Champions League qualification.
Nevertheless, preparations are underway behind the scenes for summer business, both arrivals and exits, given the necessity to refresh the squad before next season. Here's the latest transfer news and views...
Barca star on radar
United may need to act swiftly after being linked with Barcelona and Spain midfielder Marc Casado.
The 22-year-old is reportedly frustrated by his limited playing time under Barca manager Hansi Flick and could depart as soon as this month, with Atletico Madrid at the front of the queue as they seek a replacement for Conor Gallagher following his move to Tottenham.
Marc Casado
Marc Casado is interested in playing abroad after struggling for game time at Barcelona(Image: Icon Sport via Getty Images)
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The Red Devils, alongside Wolves, are also interested in Casado, according to Mundo Deportivo. Premier League sides could hold an advantage, as Casado is believed to prefer a move overseas should he leave Barcelona.
Nevertheless, this may depend on whether those clubs are prepared to act this month rather than wait until summer, when United's managerial situation should be more settled.
'Duo must be let go'
United have been told to dispose of Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, as they are symbols of the club's recent struggles. That is according to former Old Trafford defender Paul Parker, who has delivered a blistering critique of the long-serving pair.
Parker, who featured for United during the early 1990s, believes Maguire and Shaw, who cost the club a combined £110million, should be let go at the earliest opportunity. The ex-England defender told MyBettingSites.co.uk: "I think Maguire and Shaw are a symbol of what has gone wrong at Man United.
Harry Maguire holds his chin with his left hand
Maguire has been told it's time to leave United(Image: Richard Sellers/Allstar, Getty Images)
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"I can't get my head around people thinking they are the solution. Both of them should have been offloaded a long time ago, but they are still here collecting their paychecks.
"The fact that they are still here is a joke. Are they the worst players in the team? No, but they have been here for so long, taking up space in the squad and performing below what you expect from a Manchester United player.
"Has it been impossible to get rid of them? It is definitely a possibility that they just like being part of Manchester United and earning a lot of money, but that tells me a lot about their ambitions.
Luke Shaw during the Premier League match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford.
Luke Shaw has been at United more than a decade(Image: James Gill - Danehouse, Getty Images)
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"If they had real ambition, they would move on to a club where they could make a difference. They can play at Manchester United, but they can't make a difference."
Maguire, whose deal runs out this summer, has reportedly attracted attention from Inter Milan this month. For the time being, he seems to feature in Carrick's thinking, having featured in the victory over City. But Parker continued: "None of them are getting better. At their age, they have to realise that it is time to move on.
"Can they do a good job under Carrick? Maybe, if he changes the playing style drastically, and he might have to if he wants to keep his job. But the way Manchester United should be going forward, being attack-minded, just doesn't suit them."