While Manchester United wait to make a decision on their permanent manager, there have been developments when it comes to the current squad and potential targets
Michael Carrick watching his Manchester United team against West Ham(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United are in the middle of a two-week break thanks to their early elimination from the FA Cup. More than a week has passed since they drew at West Ham and they won’t return to action until Monday’s trip to Everton.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, then, a lot of the conversation around the club has focused on the summer. There will be a decision needed on Michael Carrick’s future as manager, with results in the final 12 games of the season likely to be a factor, while some movement will take place in the transfer market regardless of who is in the dugout.
Casemiro’s exit has already been confirmed, with the Brazil international looking to go out with a bang before he departs in the summer. There are more question marks when it comes to Marcus Rashford, though the on-loan star still looks more likely than not to make a permanent move to Barcelona.
We’ve got an update on another of United’s loanees, as well as a different Barca battle. Here are Mirror Football‘s latest talking points from around Old Trafford.
Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings
READ MORE: Man Utd’s £109.5m transfer spending blocks Alexis Mac Allister from dream shirt numbersREAD MORE: Benjamin Sesko makes his true thoughts on Michael Carrick known after benching admission
Kone loan concern
The winter transfer window was a quiet one for Manchester United but one bit of business saw Sekou Kone sent on loan to Lausanne-Sport. The Malian midfielder’s move hasn’t gone to plan so far, though.
Kone made his debut as a substitute against Thun in a Swiss Super League defeat. He has been an unused sub in each of Lausanne’s other two February games, though, and has now been omitted from the club’s Conference League squad.
United cited potential involvement in Europe as a reason for sending Kone to Switzerland. Now, according to The Mail, there is concern from Old Trafford following the omission.
Lausanne finished ninth in the Conference League standings before Christmas, losing just one of their six league phase matches. That means they’re seeded for the play-off round, where they have been drawn against Czech side Sigma Olomouc.
Fresh Barcelona battle
Manchester United could be in line for not one but two Barcelona targets, according to reports in Germany. Borussia Dortmund right-back Julian Ryerson is one of those men, with Kennert Eichhorn the second.
According to BILD (via Sport Witness), teenage sensation Eichhorn has caught the eye of some big hitters with his form for Hertha Berlin. Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, Barcelona and Real Madrid have been named as potential suitors, along with United.
Eichhorn only turned 16 in July but played himself into Hertha’s first team before suffering an ankle injury which has kept him out of the last three games. He has played in 12 of his team’s 2. Bundesliga matches this term as Stefan Leitl’s side sit sixth in the table.
The defensive midfielder is reported to have a release clause in the region of £10million. He is expected to move this summer, even if Hertha are able to secure promotion back to the top flight.
FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! Latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook page
Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
