Manchester United Face Loan Concern and Barcelona Transfer Battle
While Manchester United await a decision on their permanent manager, developments have emerged regarding the current squad and potential transfer targets. The club is in a two-week break following early elimination from the FA Cup, with their next match a trip to Everton on Monday.
This pause has shifted focus to summer plans, including the future of interim manager Michael Carrick, whose position may hinge on results in the final 12 games of the season. Transfer activity is expected regardless of who is in charge, with Casemiro's exit already confirmed and Marcus Rashford likely to make a permanent move to Barcelona.
Kone Loan Concern
The winter transfer window was quiet for Manchester United, but one move saw Malian midfielder Sekou Kone loaned to Swiss club Lausanne-Sport. However, this loan has not gone as planned. Kone made his debut as a substitute in a defeat to Thun but has been an unused substitute in Lausanne's other two February games and was omitted from the club's Conference League squad.
United cited potential European involvement as a reason for the loan, but according to The Mail, there is now concern at Old Trafford over the omission. Lausanne finished ninth in the Conference League standings before Christmas, losing just one of six league phase matches, and are seeded for the play-off round against Czech side Sigma Olomouc.
Fresh Barcelona Battle
Manchester United could be competing with Barcelona for not one but two transfer targets, according to reports in Germany. Borussia Dortmund right-back Julian Ryerson is one, with teenage sensation Kennert Eichhorn being the second.
Per BILD via Sport Witness, Eichhorn has caught the eye of major clubs with his form for Hertha Berlin. Potential suitors include Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Manchester United. The 16-year-old defensive midfielder played himself into Hertha's first team before an ankle injury sidelined him for the last three games, featuring in 12 of their 2. Bundesliga matches this season as the team sits sixth.
Eichhorn is reported to have a release clause around £10 million and is expected to move this summer, even if Hertha secure promotion back to the top flight.
