Manchester United have completed the signing of highly rated midfielder Karim Cassim from Manchester City, while reports suggest Antonio Conte is in pole position to replace head coach Michael Carrick if he is sacked.
The 17-year-old has crossed the Manchester divide after leaving City's academy, with United completing the move after it was approved by the Premier League. Cassim is regarded as one of the exciting young prospects in City's system and was part of their FA Youth Cup-winning side last season.
Midfielder joins United academy
Cassim will now continue his development at Carrington as United look to add another potential first-team player to their academy ranks. His arrival comes after United lost James Scanlon and Habeeb Ogunneye to Arsenal earlier this summer.
United opted to focus their efforts ahead of the new season on overhauling their midfield, adding Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos to the ranks. The Red Devils are yet to see a return on their big investments thus far following a poor start to the season, though the winter window offers a chance for the club to address certain areas.
Conte linked with United job
Michael Carrick has, this week, seen his odds of becoming the first managerial casualty of the season slashed by betting sites. According to Italian publication Calciomercato, former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Antonio Conte is currently in 'pole position' to take the United job if Carrick is sacked in the coming months.
The report also states there has been initial contact to assess Conte's availability. Conte has been out of work since leaving Napoli at the end of last season. It has been suggested that he would return to the Italy national team, but that position has since been filled by Roberto Mancini.
Calvert-Lewin decision
Manchester United have decided against making a move for Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin in January. After a midfield overhaul in the summer, the expectation is for United to do the same in defence in future transfer windows. However, it would appear they also want to bolster their attacking options.
Calvert-Lewin has emerged as a potential target for the Red Devils, but Football Insider are reporting there is nothing in the links with the recently-recalled England international. Michael Owen, meanwhile, has recently suggested Man Utd should have taken a risk on the ex-Everton man.
“He has always struggled with injuries, but when he is fit, he is a hard man to handle,” Owen told Premier League Productions. “And with the lack of centre-forwards that has been around in recent years, I thought, with all due respect to Leeds, one of the bigger teams might have just taken a chance and had him as the backup. Maybe even a Manchester United.”
