Barcelona Make Contact as Man Utd Transfer Plans Take Shape
Manchester United's attention turns to the Emirates Stadium this Sunday as they prepare to face Premier League leaders Arsenal, fresh from their dramatic derby victory over Manchester City. The win has provided interim manager Michael Carrick with the perfect start to his tenure, though the former midfielder insists his current squad possesses sufficient quality to secure Champions League qualification without requiring January reinforcements.
Summer Overhaul Planned Despite January Calm
While Carrick maintains public confidence in his existing players, significant work continues behind the scenes at Old Trafford regarding a substantial summer rebuild. Club officials are actively planning both incoming transfers and strategic departures to revitalise the squad ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. This long-term planning comes amid growing speculation surrounding several first-team players and potential targets across Europe.
Barcelona Midfielder Emerges as Concrete Target
According to reports emerging from Spain, Manchester United have registered genuine interest in Barcelona's talented young midfielder Marc Casado. The 22-year-old Spanish international has grown increasingly frustrated with his limited opportunities under manager Hansi Flick at the Camp Nou, prompting serious consideration of a January departure.
Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo indicates that United face competition from Wolverhampton Wanderers for Casado's signature, though Premier League clubs may hold a distinct advantage. Sources suggest the player would prefer a move abroad should he leave Barcelona, potentially giving English sides an edge in negotiations.
However, any deal this month remains complicated by United's uncertain managerial situation, which will only become clearer in the summer months. Atletico Madrid have also entered the race as they seek a replacement for Conor Gallagher following his transfer to Tottenham Hotspur, creating a competitive market for the promising midfielder.
Former Defender Delivers Scathing Assessment
Meanwhile, former Manchester United full-back Paul Parker has launched a blistering critique of two long-serving defenders, demanding the club offload Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw at the earliest opportunity. Parker, who made over 100 appearances for the Red Devils during the early 1990s, believes both players symbolise the club's recent struggles and should have been moved on seasons ago.
"I think Maguire and Shaw are a symbol of what has gone wrong at Man United," Parker told MyBettingSites.co.uk. "I can't get my head around people thinking they are the solution. Both of them should have been offloaded a long time ago, but they are still here collecting their paychecks."
The former England international, who won two Premier League titles with United, questioned the defenders' ambition and suitability for the club's desired attacking style under Carrick. "The fact that they are still here is a joke. Are they the worst players in the team? No, but they have been here for so long, taking up space in the squad and performing below what you expect from a Manchester United player."
Contract Situations Add Urgency to Decisions
Maguire's situation carries particular urgency as his current contract expires this summer, though reports suggest Inter Milan have expressed interest in securing his services during the January window. Despite featuring in Carrick's first match against Manchester City, Parker remains adamant that neither defender fits United's long-term vision.
"None of them are getting better. At their age, they have to realise that it is time to move on," Parker added. "Can they do a good job under Carrick? Maybe, if he changes the playing style drastically, and he might have to if he wants to keep his job. But the way Manchester United should be going forward, being attack-minded, just doesn't suit them."
Shaw, who cost United £30 million when joining from Southampton in 2014, has spent over a decade at Old Trafford, while Maguire arrived in a record-breaking £80 million transfer from Leicester City in 2019. Their combined £110 million transfer fees represent significant investment that Parker believes has failed to deliver appropriate returns.
As United prepare for their crucial clash with Arsenal, the transfer speculation and internal criticism highlight the complex rebuilding task facing the club's hierarchy, with summer decisions already taking shape despite Carrick's public insistence on January stability.
