Manchester United have made funds available for new boss Michael Carrick to make his first January signing.
Carrick was appointed caretaker manager at Old Trafford on Tuesday, a little over a week since Ruben Amorim lost his job.
Another former United midfielder, Darren Fletcher, was placed in charge of the side on a temporary basis after Amorim’s 14-month reign came to an abrupt end.
Fletcher oversaw two disappointing results – a 2-2 draw with relegation-threatened Burnley and a 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Brighton.
After taking over from Fletcher, Carrick’s first assignment as caretaker boss – a role he will fulfil until the end of the season – is a daunting derby against Manchester City.
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Carrick will hope to impress in the job, if not to earn a permanent contract – Manchester United are expected to look elsewhere for Amorim’s long-term replacement – but boost his chances of getting a similar job after he was let go by Middlesbrough in the summer.
While United are already out of both domestic cup competitions, Champions League football is still on the line with United hoping Carrick can secure a top-four spot.
Carrick will not receive a huge amount of financial support during the January transfer window, with United expected to wait until the summer to launch moves for long-term targets Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton.
But Manchester United are open to signing a midfielder before the January transfer deadline and have made funds available for Ruben Neves.
Neves has been heavily linked with a move back to Europe after spending the last two-and-a-half seasons at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
Given he is believed to be available at around £20m, Manchester United are willing to make an exception on their fairly strict January transfer policy and bid for Neves, according to The Guardian.
One of the reasons Amorim reportedly fell out with his bosses at Old Trafford was United’s decision not to back him with significant January signings.
Neves made over 200 Premier League appearances for Wolves before completing a £47m move to Al-Hilal in the summer of 2023.
Carrick's to-do list - Four things he must fix quickly to halt slide
Manchester United were incredibly generous leading up to Christmas and over the festive period, handing out points at home to Everton, West Ham, Bournemouth and Wolves before draws away to Leeds and Burnley.
But as is stands, they are firmly within touching distance of the Champions League spots, just a point off fifth place.
Even after being knocked out of the FA Cup, there is still plenty to salvage from the season - if Carrick and his staff can make some quick fixes.
Solve Sesko's struggles up front
Benjamin Sesko has had some fleeting moments of promise this season but the jury is still out. At times, the Slovenia international has looked effective foil for Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, holding the ball up and linking play intelligently in the final third.
But questions over his physicality and unconvincing finishing remain. His performance against Burnley largely summed things up - scoring twice with two excellent finishes in the second-half but only after a thoroughly wretched display in the opening 45 where he could barely keep the ball under control.
Another goal against Brighton on Sunday means the 22-year-old has scored more under Darren Fletcher than he did under Amorim. A change of system and playing style has offered early promise.
Abandon the dreaded 3-4-3
It would serve as a huge shock were Carrick to persist with the system that became nothing but a cross to bear for Amorim.
Carrick very rarely deviated from a 4-2-3-1 formation at Middlesbrough, sometimes to his detriment, with a lack of a 'plan B' often cited as one of the reasons his failed to achieve promotion.
But this system appears to be perfectly suited to the Red Devils squad. Too often it has been a case of square pegs in round holes for United over the last year. Simplifying matters may be the interim boss' best course of action in the six months he has.
Reintegrate Mainoo and revive his United fortunes
As he may have been privately hoping for all season, Kobbie Mainoo has managed to outlast Ruben Amorim. With no Premier League starts to his name, it has been a miserable campaign but the change in system will surely open up a role in midfield for the 20-year-old.
United are desperately short of the controlling, calm presence Carrick once provided in the engine room. Who better to teach Mainoo the ropes.
It's a two-way street - United need inspiration in midfield and Mainoo needs to deliver if he is to stand any chance of forcing his way into Thomas Tuchel's England squad heading to the World Cup next summer. There can be no more excuses.
Unleash Fernandes in his old role
Restoring Mainoo to midfield and a shift in system could see Bruno Fernandes restored to the more advanced role where he has historically been at his prolific best in Manchester.
The Portugal international scored 44 goals and laid on 35 assists in his 97 games while Carrick served as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's assistant, averaging 0.81 goal contributions per game.
It might require some tinkering with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo also in the picture but the rewards could be enormous.
Fernandes has performed admirably in his deeper role this season but it is further up the pitch where he is most dangerous. Amid reports the captain has had enough of Old Trafford, keeping him happy is a top priority.
Tony Mogan, live sports editor,
The Portugal international was strongly linked with Manchester United, as well as Arsenal, at various points during his Wolves career.
Neves has, somewhat surprisingly given the lower quality in Saudi, kept his place in the Portugal team and will almost certainly be part of their World Cup squad next summer.
Carrick is expected to appoint Gareth Southgate’s former England assistant Steve Holland as his No. 2 despite an offer from club legend Wayne Rooney.
Asked if he would be open to joining Carrick’s coaching staff, Rooney said on his BBC podcast: ‘Of course I would. It’s a no-brainer.
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‘I’m not begging a job here by the way. Just so everyone knows, if I was asked to go in of course I would. Appointing the manager is the most important thing.
‘Whether Michael goes in or if that’s Fletch [Darren Fletcher] or John O’Shea or myself, it needs people who know the football club.
‘It needs people who know the football club. Roy Keane. I know Roy has had his opinions, I said about Roy going in earlier in the season.
‘By having people who know the club, who care for the club and understand what it takes to be a Manchester United player. That’s where the club needs to be.’
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