Manchester United made a huge statement on Sunday in the Premier League by beating Arsenal 3-2, and they look like a totally transformed team under the leadership of new manager Michael Carrick, who is rather unsurprisingly good given he functioned as a coach on the field back when he was an underappreciated legendary midfielder at Old Trafford.
Part of the reason for Man United’s success under Carrick is the fact that they brought in more attacking difference makers this summer. Bryan Mbeumo was one of the best players in the entire Premier League last season for Brentford and has continued his quality at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, Matheus Cunha was also carrying a much worse Wolves side to relevancy in 2024/25, and under Carrick, the Brazilian international looks like a monster unleashed, shining next to Bruno Fernandes as top playmakers.
Manchester United may have a shot
What’s crazy is that Manchester United could have the opening to add an even more talented playmaker to the mix in Cole Palmer. There have been whispers of discontent from the former Premier League Player of the Season at Stamford Bridge, with rumors spreading that Palmer could be wanting out.
Well, there is now a concrete link that Manchester United fans can latch onto. According to The Sun’s Samuel Luckhurst, Cole Palmer misses his hometown of Wythenshawe and would very much welcome interest from Man United in 2026, whereas he would be loathe to return to Manchester City.
A long time Manchester United reporter like Luckhurst reporting of a Palmer to Man U link is the hope that the fans needed in order to follow this transfer saga a little more closely.
It is highly unlikely that Palmer moves this winter, and it is unlikely at all that the England international leaves Stamford Bridge precisely because he is still young and one of the best players in the Premier League.
But any small shred of legitimate hope that Manchester United have of signing Palmer is something they 100 percent have to follow up on, because a player like Palmer is simply that good.
Palmer can create chances out of nothing and score goals out of nothing with his solo dribbling ability and his technical ball striking with that left foot of his, blessed with all sorts of shooting range.
He isn’t having his best season in 2025/26 for Chelsea, but he may be disgruntled. And the homesickness and ties to Manchester United are definitely things the Red Devils can use.
Joe Soriano is the editor of The Trivela Effect and a FanSided Hall of Famer who has covered world football since 2010. He’s led top digital communities like The Real Champs (Real Madrid) and has run sites covering Tottenham, Liverpool, Juventus, and Schalke. He also helped manage NFL Spin Zone and Daily DDT, covering the NFL and pro wrestling.