Manchester United’s turnaround in form under manager Michael Carrick has been astonishing and looks increasingly likely for the interim manager to secure a permanent post.
The 44-year-old has been in charge of eight games since returning to Old Trafford, winning six of them and suffering just one defeat in the process.
As a result of their recent efforts in the Premier League, the Red Devils currently sit third, three points behind Liverpool, who are closing in on Champions League qualification.
A return to Europe’s biggest club competition is clearly Carrick’s goal. It gave the fan base a reason to be positive after a disastrous period under coach Ruben Amorim.
Qualifying for such competitions could bring huge amounts of money into the hierarchy and could allow for further reinforcements in the summer transfer window.
Manchester United are looking for a new midfielder this summer
Current midfielder Casemiro is set to leave United at the end of the season, and finding a replacement has been a priority in recent months.
The Red Devils are keeping an eye on Nottingham Forest star Elliott Anderson ahead of a potential summer transfer.
However, any deal is likely to come at a significant cost to the ranks, with the Reds currently demanding a fee in the region of £100m to let their star player go.
Such a transfer fee is a club record, which may be a bit unrealistic, but it has also resulted in teammate Ibrahim Sangare recently catching the team’s attention.
According to CaughtOffside, staff behind the scenes at Old Trafford have been keeping a close eye on the Ivorian throughout the ongoing campaign.
The report also states that his 6ft 3in physique could make him the perfect ball-winner in the heart of the side, something desperately needed when Casemiro leaves.
However, like Anderson, Forest are unwilling to part with the 28-year-old but could be open to business if an interested party offers a fee of around £45m.
Why Sangare could be United’s next Keen
United have never been without a dominant midfielder, as seen in Roy Keane’s impressive 12-year spell at Old Trafford.
The Irishman joined the Red Devils in the summer of 1993 for a reported £3.75 million, which broke the British transfer record at the time.
Such a fee could prove to be a bargain for Sir Alex Ferguson. The talent made 479 appearances for the club and could even become captain in the long run.
Keane also won seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the iconic Champions League in 1999 during his time with Theater of Dreams.
His move to join the club just over 30 years ago will undoubtedly go down as one of the best in the club’s history, and the hierarchy have a chance to repeat such a move this summer.
The Irishman had joined from Nottingham Forest many years ago and Sangare had the opportunity to emulate such a move during the upcoming transfer window.
The Ivory Coast international will no doubt not be supporters’ first choice this summer, but the 28-year-old will certainly be a great addition in their attempts to strengthen their midfield.
He made 21 league appearances this season, scoring four goals and an assist at the City Ground, including a wonder strike against Tottenham Hotspur.
However, it is without the ball that Sangare has made a huge impression, and his fundamental stats make him the perfect successor to the departing Casemiro.
The Forest star has made 2.7 tackles and 0.7 blocked shots per 90 so far this season, ranking him in the top 5% of all players in his division this season for both totals.
Ibrahim Sangare – PL statistics (2025/26) | |
|---|---|
Statistics (every 90) | tally |
games played | twenty one |
goals and assists | 4 |
Pass accuracy | 87% |
dribbling success | 56% |
won a duel | 50% |
The tackle I made | 2.7 |
blocked shot | 0.7 |
Number of balls collected | 4.3 |
He also has 4.3 ball recoveries and 2.2 clearances per 90, further supporting his sensational ability to break up play in the center of the team.
Sangare was equally impressive in possession, completing 56% of his subsequent dribble attempts and achieving an 87% passing accuracy.
His all-round qualities make him one of the best deep midfielders in the division, a player United will desperately need over the summer.
The £45m fee advertised on his signature could be great business, especially if he can replicate the level he achieved in the East Midlands this season.
If he can approach the level that Keane produced at Old Trafford, there is no denying that the Ivorian will become a fan favorite as he looks to return the Red Devils to their former glory.
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