Manchester United are pushing for Champions League qualification, but they also have a potentially pivotal summer transfer window on the horizon
Michael Carrick celebrating after Manchester United's win at Everton
Michael Carrick celebrating after Manchester United's win at Everton(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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Sunday's meeting with Crystal Palace will offer Manchester United another chance to strengthen their hold on a top-four position. They are yet to taste defeat since Michael Carrick took over as interim manager and currently sit fourth, three points ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool.
Carrick's team still have to face both of their closest challengers before the end of the season. Victory in games like this weekend's - where they are hoping to complete a league double over the Eagles - could help give them a buffer in the race for Champions League qualification.
If United do indeed end up in the top four, it could bolster their hopes of landing their top transfer targets. They spent more than £200million last summer on players who have regularly started under Carrick and his predecessor Ruben Amorim but more work is likely to be needed.
There's also the question of how to raise additional funds, separate from the savings on wages which will be made when top earner Casemiro leaves upon the expiry of his contract. Here are Mirror Football's latest lines from around Old Trafford, including the latest on the transfer front.
Five could be sold
United could potentially raise as much as £170million by cashing in on five first-team stars. According to the MEN, a quintet of sales would free up funds to push for Nottingham Forest pair Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White, who could be available for the right price even if Forest stave off relegation.
Two of those sales won't come as a surprise. Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund could fetch around £64m between them if Barcelona and Napoli make good on options agreed in loan moves for the pair, though Barca are said to be exploring a discount on their £26m Rashford agreement.
Captain Bruno Fernandes could also be allowed to leave following Saudi interest, with The Mail reporting clubs outside the Premier League can land the midfielder for £56.8m. Throw in another combined £48m for Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount - based on January reports and Transfermarkt valuations - and the funds for a double Forest raid could be in place.
Onana on his way back
Andre Onana is keen to return and fight for his starting spot at Manchester United, according to The Guardian. The goalkeeper is currently on a season-long loan at Trabzonspor but is not expected to stay in Turkey beyond the summer.
Andre Onana playing for Trabzonspor against Fenerbahce
Andre Onana playing for Trabzonspor against Fenerbahce(Image: Gerrit van Keulen/Soccrates Images/Getty Images)
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Cameroon international Onana was brought in as first choice under Erik ten Hag but was allowed to leave on loan after some high-profile errors last season. United signed Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp just days before the former Inter star's departure and the new keeper has earned praise from Carrick in recent weeks.
"Senne is quite quiet and unassuming at times, but he's got a real steel," Carrick said of Belgian stopper Lammens after Monday's win at Everton. "The jump he made to come here is huge. To take it like he has done and just get on with things speaks volumes about his personality."
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