Man Utd to use break to shape Carrick decision, Mainoo deal and transfer plans

[p]The Red Devils sit third in the Premier League table, holding a seven-point cushion over sixth-placed [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/chelsea/4fGZN2oK/"]Chelsea[/a] as they tighten their grip on Champions League qualification.[/p][p]With a top-five finish set to secure a place in Europe’s elite competition, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-united/ppjDR086/"]United[/a] can begin to look beyond the current campaign and focus on the next phase of their development.[/p][p]The breathing room allows key decision-makers to address several important matters behind the scenes. [/p][p]One of the main items on the agenda is the managerial situation. The club continue to assess [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/carrick-michael/phM8NElP/"]Michael Carrick[/a]’s work, weighing up whether his impact and tactical approach warrant consideration for the role on a permanent basis.[/p][p]They are still eyeing other names, and initial explorations around interest and availability for figures like Julian Nagelsmann, Roberto De Zerbi and Andoni Iraola have begun. [/p][p][b]But Carrick's initial success and the process that follows is primarily on the table.[/b][/p][image alt="Man Utd's recent form" id="8589f654-6b54-4a94-93d9-6c3f41665b85" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="5fd19c10-d329-4501-9091-386213cc76be" original-width="1200" original-height="1200" /][p]Attention is also turning to contract renewals, with priority placed on securing the futures of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mainoo-kobbie/nBy3DbC3/"]Kobbie Mainoo[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/maguire-harry/xG8v3YRA/"]Harry Maguire[/a].[/p][p]Both situations are expected to progress during this break, with growing confidence agreements are going to be reached on both fronts.[/p][p]Perhaps the most exciting news is that meetings around recruitment planning is also gathering pace, with United now starting to draw up their shortlist of targets ahead of the summer window.[/p][p][b]Midfield is expected to be a key focus of that rebuild, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/newcastle-utd/p6ahwuwJ/"]Newcastle United[/a]’s [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/bruno-guimaraes/xtyKanzU/"]Bruno Guimaraes[/a] the latest Premier League name linked with a move to Old Trafford.[/b][/p][p]Sources have played down the strength of those links for now, but he joins a growing list of options including [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/tonali-sandro/fmQVO5TQ/"]Sandro Tonali[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/baleba-carlos/UwTdoLQl/"]Carlos Baleba[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/anderson-elliott/KdYCbsbE/"]Elliot Anderson[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/wharton-adam/v5IYUpDm/"]Adam Wharton[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/joao-gomes/rcOLZhUD/"]Joao Gomes[/a] as the club intensify their search for reinforcements.[/p][p]Alongside their domestic targets, United are exploring options across Europe and beyond as they refine their midfield possibilities ahead of a crucial window.[/p][p]Discussions during the international break are expected to centre on which profiles are realistically attainable, with the aim of signing two midfielders to strengthen the squad for next season.[/p][p][b]Outside of that, we understand United have begun looking for another exciting left-sided player as well as options for the defence. [/b][/p][p]Sources indicate there is a clear determination to maximise this opportunity, with targets set to become more ambitious as Champions League football now comes back into view.[/p][image alt="Flashscore" id="0f685dd0-10a2-43d8-9966-361f00f7203c" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="de748a23-9202-4deb-af37-17ccbff4c97b" original-width="1200" original-height="380" /]