Manchester United boss Michael Carrick will have to contend with Champions League football next term.
The Englishman was appointed as the Red Devils’ caretaker manager in January and oversaw an impressive run of results during the second half of the campaign, guiding United to a third-placed finish in the Premier League.
That means Carrick’s side will compete in the Champions League next term, which could pose a different challenge as they had already been eliminated from Europe and both domestic cups when the former Tottenham Hotspur man succeeded Ruben Amorim in January.
Away from the action, it has emerged that the Manchester club are pushing ahead with a move to sign an in-demand midfielder.
As per CaughtOffside, Man United have accelerated talks with the representatives of West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
The Portugal international joined the Hammers from Southampton last summer and was one of few West Ham players to have impressed this term, despite their relegation.
Fernandes looks set to leave The London Stadium this summer (Photo: News Images Ltd/Alamy)
Fernandes, 21, featured 38 times last season, scoring four goals and registering the same number of assists.
Despite the Portuguese having more than four years remaining on his current contract in east London, it appears highly likely that the player will depart The London Stadium during this summer’s transfer window.
As well as Manchester United, the midfielder is said to have attracted interest from fellow Premier League sides Chelsea, Arsenal and Aston Villa.
The interest in Fernandes isn’t just limited to England, though, with Italian clubs Juventus, Inter Milan and Napoli all monitoring the player, while Spanish side Atletico Madrid and Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain are also credited with an interest.
Fernandes himself is said to be interested in the idea of a move to Old Trafford, partly because he is intent on playing in the Champions League next term.