Man Utd release funds to sign £20m star for new boss Michael Carrick

Michael Carrick has agreed to return to Manchester United (Picture: Getty)

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 .

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.

Manchester United sacked Ruben Amorim last week (Picture: Getty)

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.

Ruben Neves is expected to return to Europe (Picture: Getty)

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.

@metrosportuk Is Carrick a good choice for United? 🤷‍♂️ Manchester United legend Michael Carrick has reportedly emerged as the favourite to step in as caretaker manager for the Red Devils following Ruben Amorim’s sacking, is it actually a good idea to bring him in? #carrick #manchesterunited #middlesbrough #premierleague #championship ♬ original sound - Metro Sport

Mainoo could be reborn following Amorim's exit (Picture: Getty)

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.

‘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.’