Liverpool are now facing the concern that Manchester United could leapfrog them in the race to sign a big-money defender this summer.
Neville: Man Utd need "best class of manager"
For the first time in what feels like a long time, Man United are in the driving seat against Liverpool in the Premier League and are on course to secure Champions League football.
With nine games left to play, Michael Carrick has so far completed the perfect job as interim boss - losing just once. Whether it's enough to land the permanent job remains to be seen, but it's certainly done his career prospects after this spell no harm.
Man United manager Michael Carrick
Man United legend and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville recently had his say on Carrick's chances, saying on the Stick to Football podcast: "Manchester United have to pursue another manager right now around the fact of you don't know how the results are going to go.
"But little things like Thomas Tuchel re-signing with England does start to take away the options for Manchester United and they don't harm Michael's chances of getting the job. If he gets United into the Champions League there will be a lot of fever around that he should be appointed.
"I'm not against him being appointed, I love him to bits. But I think Manchester United should go for the best class of manager available."
The interim boss isn't the only option that Man United will look at, of course. Alongside Carrick, the likes of Roberto De Zerbi and Julian Nagelsmann have threatened to steal the headlines as of late.
Man-Utd-Michael-Carrick-Newcastle Related
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After Carrick's first defeat, the news that one of football's most talented coaches wants the Man United job comes at a good time.
De Zerbi would be the easiest to approach, given that he's a free agent after leaving Marseille earlier this season. Nagelsmann, meanwhile, could be worth the wait when his contract with Germany comes to an end after the World Cup.
Liverpool facing Man Utd threat in Lukeba race
Whoever is next in the hot seat could get the chance to get one over on Liverpool right away. According to TeamTalk, Man United have now entered talks to sign Castello Lukeba, sparking fears at Anfield that their move could be hijacked by their biggest rivals this summer.
castello-lukeba-rb-leipzig
The Reds are still on course to lose Ibrahima Konate on a free this summer, with contract talks yet to reach a resolution, and the arrival of young Jeremie Jacquet is unlikely to provide an instant replacement. That's where Lukeba, instead, could prove crucial.
The RB Leipzig man looks set to have a big decision to make. If it comes down to Champions League qualification, however, then Liverpool are likely to miss out. As things stand, they sit sixth, behind fifth-place Chelsea on goal difference and three behind Man United and Aston Villa inside the top four.
Dubbed "excellent" by Como scout Ben Mattinson back in 2024, Lukeba has only kicked on ever since and now has two of England's biggest clubs fighting for his signature.