Manchester United can strengthen their Champions League spot with victory over Bournemouth on Friday night as club chiefs look towards the summer
Jake Bayliss Senior Sports Writer and Neil Docking
08:32, 19 Mar 2026Updated 08:33, 19 Mar 2026
Michael Carrick
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Michael Carrick's Manchester United future beyond the end of the season remains unknown
Manchester United will look to consolidate their grip on a Champions League position as the team gear up to take on Bournemouth on Friday evening.
Michael Carrick's squad can extend their advantage over the pursuing teams with a favourable outcome against the Cherries. The interim manager claimed another impressive victory over Aston Villa in their previous outing, establishing a three-point cushion in third place.
Strikes from Casemiro, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko contributed to the revitalised mood that Carrick has fostered since assuming control. The journey to Bournemouth represents another examination of United's Champions League qualities as they look towards a big summer. Here's all the latest news from Old Trafford.
Mason Mount of Manchester United
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Mason Mount of Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)
Michael Carrick plan
The United manager has revealed he will not hurry Mason Mount back into his starting XI, reports the Mirror.
The 27-year-old recently re-joined the matchday squad against Villa, but hasn't featured since Carrick's opening match in charge two months ago.
"Starting would be too much, I think, at this point, [for Mason]," Carrick explained. "Just for the training time and the exposure he's had, really.
"But it's brilliant to have him back. He's a fantastic player, Mason, and great to have around the group again.
"So [I'm] delighted to have him back and, obviously, the break coming up now gives him a chance to get even more up to speed. So, in some ways, that's come at a good time for him."
Jadon Sancho in the crosshairs
Jadon Sancho has struggled for form at Aston Villa
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Jadon Sancho has struggled in England(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho has reportedly caught the eye of his former club Borussia Dortmund.
The 25-year-old winger is currently on loan at Aston Villa, where he has scored just one goal in 29 games in all competitions.
The Times suggests Dortmund are hopeful of signing Sancho for a third stint when his United contract runs out in the summer.
The club previously refrained from signing wingers in the transfer market due to manager Niko Kovac's favoured playing style, but the coach is said to have given his blessing for a deal to be pursued.
Bought from Dortmund for £73m in 2021, Sancho endured an abysmal spell at United and the massive flop briefly returned to the German club in 2024.
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He spent the previous season with Chelsea before securing a last-minute move to Villa, where he has made 18 league appearances this campaign.