Change is on the horizon at Old Trafford as Michael Carrick goes about implementing his own methods as Manchester United manager. The club is on the verge of completing its first transfer signing under the new coach but there’s another new addition turning heads at the Theatre of Dreams.
With less than two weeks to go before World Cup 2026 gets underway, numerous United stars are preparing to represent their countries this summer. The timing of the tournament promises to hamper transfer business, however, as players focus elsewhere other than their club futures.
Still, that hasn’t prevented United from getting one new face in the door ahead of the new campaign. Mirror Football explores the latest headlines coming out of Old Trafford as Carrick gets down to business in what promises to be a hectic off-season period.
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Harry Maguire is among those stars at Carrick’s disposal who won’t be going to North America this month. However, the same can’t be said for Germany defender Waldemar Anton, who is once again being linked with a move to United.
The Borussia Dortmund defender has been on United’s radar since March. But German publication Bild has reported speculation is once again gathering pace ahead of a potential bid from the English powerhouse.
Maguire, 33, penned a new one-year contract at United in April, which includes the option of a 12-month extension. The veteran is one of numerous stars at United to enjoy a rejuvenation under Carrick’s command, just when it looked like he was bound to leave for free this summer.
However, 29-year-old Anton may nonetheless be a welcome addition in a backline that was held back by its fair share of absences this season. Matthijs de Ligt missed a large chunk of the campaign through injury, while Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw have endured relentless injury struggles in the past.
It’s understood Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid are also heavily interested in Anton, who is being lined up to replace Julian Brandt as Dortmund’s ‘third captain’. That being said, coach Niko Kovac may be under pressure to keep his star centre-back if United make a concrete move for the player.
View 2 ImagesWaldemar Anton is reportedly a target for United, as well as Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid(Image: Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Off the field, United have moved to recruit Newcastle technical scout Harvey Busby. The 23-year-old is expected to lead the club’s under-14 to under-18 age groups as their new lead national scout.
Busby is understood to have played an important role in youth recruitment for the Magpies and helped them pip their rivals to certain prospects. And United will hope he can mimic that work by aiding them in identifying the next major talents.
It was back in December United reportedly attempted to hire Newcastle’s head of youth recruitment, Paul Midgley. Having failed to get him out of the north-east, it appears their move to add Busby to the staff is viewed as the next best thing.
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Busby will take over from Connor Hunter, who has been promoted to the role of head of academy recruitment. These moves come after criticism from club part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has called on United’s academy to produce more talents worthy of the first team.
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There may be some trepidation among fans given United’s last hire from Newcastle, Dan Ashworth, ended up being an expensive bust. The short-lived sporting director arrived at Old Trafford in July 2024 but was sacked by December of that year, a move that cost United a little more than £4million.
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