All the latest news from Manchester United

Manchester United will be looking on enviously this midweek as the Champions League knockout stages progress. United have been missing from Europe’s elite competition for two seasons – but that appears poised to change in the next campaign thanks to Michael Carrick.

The former Middlesbrough manager has orchestrated a remarkable transformation in the club’s trajectory since taking over from Ruben Amorim in January. Carrick has steered United to seven victories from his nine matches at the helm, including a 3-1 triumph over Aston Villa last Sunday.

That impressive run has propelled the 13-time Premier League winners into the top four, where they now hold a five-point advantage over Liverpool in fifth. Success against Bournemouth on Friday evening would strengthen that standing further before their closest challengers – Chelsea, Villa and Arne Slot’s side – play catch-up over the weekend.

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Ahead of all that, the MEN delivers the latest developments from Old Trafford, including reports surrounding summer transfer strategies and a pair of United players facing uncertain futures.

Summer plans

There’s seldom a quiet summer at Old Trafford. That pattern looks set to persist once the window opens with whomever United opt for in the dugout next season.

According to The Sun, Manchester United have plans to overhaul their midfield once the current season concludes, with the addition of two new central midfielders. United already appear thin in the middle of the pitch, even without considering the impending departure of Casemiro, whose contract is due to expire.

His exit will leave Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte as the squad’s only dedicated central midfielders, which won’t suffice for a campaign that will involve European football in some capacity, barring a disastrous end to the season. Over the past year, United have been linked with numerous players, including Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba.

Only time will tell who the decision-makers at Old Trafford choose to focus on. However, it seems almost certain that United’s midfield will sport a fresh look by the start of the next season.

Double plea

Football fans always have an opinion on who should stay or go, and it appears United’s players are no different. Two members of Carrick’s team have made appeals to the board in recent days, although at least one seems likely to be ignored.

Matheus Cunha, has confessed that he’s persistently urging Casemiro to reconsider his decision to leave the club. Speaking to TNT Sports Brazil, he said: “I’m always asking him, ‘Come on, stay at Manchester United! Just one year with me, let’s go for a second year.'”

Leny Yoro echoed this sentiment, stating: “I think everyone wanted him [Casemiro] to stay. He’s a really important player for us. He showed it again [vs Aston Villa at the weekend].”

Yoro also hopes that one other player, in particular, will remain at Old Trafford. He is particularly fond of Harry Maguire and has encouraged the England international to renew his contract.

Maguire’s current deal expires in the summer, and whilst discussions about a new contract have taken place, it would likely necessitate a reduction in his salary.

Yoro added: “If he can stay next season, it’s really good for us. So I hope he’s going to extend his contract and he can stay with us. We’ll see. We’ll see anyway.”

Harry Maguire has been thriving under Michael Carrick but is yet to sign a new Manchester United contract with his current deal set to expire in June

Manchester United defender Leny Yoro hopes Harry Maguire will sign a new contract at the club. The rest of the Old Trafford dressing room shares this view, according to reports.

Since completing his £80million move from Leicester City in 2019, centre-half Maguire has been a mainstay within the United first team, scoring crucial goals and even enjoying a spell as captain.

The 33-year-old has played for seven different managers, both interim and permanent, during his tenure and has thus far flourished under the stewardship of Michael Carrick. However, he has entered the final three months of his contract and there are no concrete updates regarding a renewal.

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Some reports suggest a two-year deal in which Maguire would take a pay cut is in the works and Yoro, who’s partnered him in defence for the last four matches, has spoken out about the Englishman possibly extending his stay at the club.

After the 3-1 victory against Aston Villa on Sunday, in which Maguire played every minute, Yoro said: “Having Harry in the team is good for us. I hope he’s going to extend his contract and he can stay with us. With all the experiences he has, he spoke to me a lot on the pitch and gave a lot of tips. That is helping me a lot.

“Even before the game, during the week, we speak a lot about the opponent. Sometimes he speaks before the game, or at halftime about positioning as well. Playing with him is really good for me.”

In February reports emerged suggesting that the majority of Yoro’s team-mates would also like to see Maguire remain at the club. A source told The Sun: “The players think it would be madness if he was not offered a new deal.

“Harry has endured plenty of ups and downs at United but has come through all that and is playing really well. He’s very well-respected in the dressing room. He is passing on a lot of knowledge to some of the younger players like Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro. Everyone likes him and respects him and the majority of the players want the club to give him a deal.”

Carrick, who has orchestrated seven wins from his first nine matches in charge this year, was asked about Maguire a few weeks ago and perhaps dropped a hint about a contract renewal.

He said: “Harry’s an impressive character. He’s had a great career so far. Hopefully there’s a lot more to come. The journey and the experiences that he’s had, certainly since he’s been here and with England as well, showed exactly what he is.

“I think we all know the player that he is and what he’s capable of doing. Experience helps. His attributes help, and his character. His willingness to put himself out there. He’s really impressive at his age and he’s been really important for us.”

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Two Manchester United players have shown their determination to return to the starting line-up under interim head coach Michael Carrick

Manchester United duo Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro have been putting in the extra work as they look to return to the starting line-up. United have not played a match in more than a week, having had a free weekend due to not being in action in the FA Cup.

United have just the Premier League to focus on between now and the end of the season, which has allowed the players to have more time to rest and recover between fixtures.

Michael Carrick was installed as the club’s interim head coach until the end of the season last month, and has picked up 13 points from a possible 15 on offer so far, with four wins and one draw.

However, Heaven and Yoro have seen their minutes on the pitch reduced since Carrick took interim charge at Old Trafford last month.

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Yoro has played just 23 minutes of football since Carrick took charge, which have come as late substitute appearances in two matches. Heaven, meanwhile, has made just one appearance as a substitute in the win over Manchester City last month, and has remained on the bench ever since.

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On Wednesday, Heaven posted a series of photos on Instagram of himself taking part in a training programme in Dubai, and was joined by Yoro in several of the photos.

Heaven’s post to his 569,000 followers went on to receive 37,800 likes, including one from United captain Bruno Fernandes.

Fernandes went on to leave a tongue-in-cheek comment on the post, which read: “Did you go to Dubai just for some extra trainings?” The comment was accompanied by a smirking face emoji, implying that Fernandes was made the remark as a joke.

With Heaven and Yoro remaining most unused by Carrick in the last five matches, United’s interim head coach has instead chosen to start Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez at the heart of the defence.

It remains to be seen if Yoro or Heaven will be given any minutes when United face Everton in their next Premier League fixture next Monday night.

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