Man Utd news: 'Clear favourite' for manager's job named as contact made over £34m arrival

Manchester United news with Michael Carrick on the verge of leading the club back to the Champions League

Manchester United host Liverpool on Sunday looking to clinch Champions League football and complete the double over their fierce rivals. Michael Carrick has done an exceptional job since replacing Ruben Amorim, with a return to UEFA's blue-ribbon competition virtually assured.

It's also been a busy week off the pitch, with Kobbie Mainoo signing a new contract with United. But with Casemiro and others heading for the exit door, there could be a flurry of transfer activity this summer. There is also the not-so-small matter of the manager situation to sort out.

Interim boss Carrick has put himself in the frame to land the job on a permanent basis, while there are also calls for United to hire a proven top-tier boss. Here's a round-up of the latest news from Old Trafford…

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Carrick 'clear favourite'

Carrick has emerged as the club's leading choice to land the job on a permanent basis. The former midfielder could not have done much more since stepping into the breach and has got the best out of previously under-performing or out-of-favour players.

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And according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Carrick is the "clear favourite" to take the team forward. According to the Italian reporter, Sir Jim Radcliffe's INEOS group have been hugely impressed with the way the former Middlesbrough boss has galvanised the club on and off the pitch.

Romano adds that a final decision still hasn't been made and other candidates will be considered. But, as it stands, Carrick is on the pole position.

Contact made with £34m star

United have joined the growing list of clubs monitoring midfielder Danilo, according to reports in Brazil. The centre of the pitch is an obvious area of focus this summer and there could be several arrivals in the position.

United have enquired about the Botafogo star's availability, per Fogao.NET, who say a fee of £34m would be required. United's interest is described as a 'check' rather than a formal move at this stage.

But Danilo would be no stranger to the Premier League, having spent two-and-a-half seasons at Nottingham Forest. The 25-year-old signed for Forest from Palmeiras in January 2023, making 62 appearances.

He enjoyed an impressive first full season at the City Ground and started the 2024/25 campaign as first-choice in the centre of the pitch, only to suffer a serious ankle injury in the opening match of that season.

He returned to his homeland for a fee of around £22m last summer and has enjoyed an excellent season in the Brazilian top flight with nine goals and three assists so far.

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