Manchester United have now joined the race to sign a young midfield star, who is represented by the same agent as Kobbie Mainoo.
Rooney backs Carrick for permanent Man Utd job
It was another satisfying weekend for Man United, who are beginning to make things look easy again under Michael Carrick's interim guidance.
The Red Devils have gone from the chaos and misery of Ruben Amorim's spell to ensuring that victories over top four rivals Aston Villa feel nothing more than routine. The former midfielder has, in many ways, done what he did so often throughout his playing career and calmed the storm at Old Trafford.
The interim boss has earned plenty of backing as a result of Man United's turnaround, including from Wayne Rooney.
The former striker even backed Carrick for the permanent job last week, saying: "I know him very well,” Rooney said. “I know his character, his personality. It needed a calm head, but someone who knows the place and the players needed some love, and he has given them that.
"We have seen the players play with more quality, more together as a team, and they look like a very strong team. For me, why would you change?"
Bruno-Fernandes-1 Related
Alongside Bruno: Man Utd star just proved why he's the best in the league
Manchester United got back to winning ways in emphatic fashion in the Premier League, as Unai Emery's Aston Villa lost 3-1 at Old Trafford.
Carrick, however, is not letting the noise get in the way of the job that he has to do. He responded to Rooney after another impressive win, telling reporters: "There’s not that much noise is there? I don’t mean Wayne, just in general. It’s only noise if you listen to it.
"It doesn’t affect me one bit, to be honest. I’m in this position at the moment, doing the best I can, loving it obviously, and we keep pushing for more."
Man United manager Michael Carrick
What Carrick has also done is ensure that United are still an attractive club to join and that should go a long way in the race to sign a midfield gem.
Man Utd send officials to join Yirenkyi race
According to TeamTalk, Man United have now sent officials to make checks on Caleb Yirenkyi, with the race heating up to sign the Nordsjaelland midfielder.
Dubbed "outstanding" by talent scout Jacek Kulig last month, Yirenkyi is the latest talent to come out of the Right to Dream Academy and certainly won't be the last.
At 20 years old, he's found himself on the radar of Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion ahead of what could be an intense battle this summer, but the fact he shares the same agency as Mainoo, CAA Stellar, could create a smooth path in negotiations for United.
Hojlund-Man-Utd-Lyon Related
[The next Hojlund: Man Utd enter talks over summer deal for "incredible" CF](https://www.footballfancast.com/the-next-hojlund-man-utd-enter-talks-over-summer-deal-for-pio-esposito/ "The next Hojlund: Man Utd enter talks over summer deal for "incredible" CF")
Manchester United appear to be targeting a new talisman ahead of the summer window.
Brighton's interest should come as little shock, but it now seems as though the top six are looking to cut out the middle man and land a young talent before his price skyrockets.