Manchester United’s rise in form under Michael Carrick has been nothing short of remarkable, with the interim manager increasing his chances of securing a permanent job.
The 44-year-old has managed eight games since returning to Old Trafford, winning six of them and losing just one.
Thanks to the Premier League’s recent efforts, the Red Devils now sit in third place and boast a three-point gap to Liverpool, who are just outside the Champions League places.
A return to Europe’s top club competition is no doubt the aim for Carrick, who has given fans reason to cheer after a poor spell under Ruben Amorim.
Any qualification for such a competition would bring in huge sums for the management, which would allow for further reinforcements during the summer transfer window.
Man Utd are on the hunt for a new midfielder this summer
With current midfielder Casemiro set to leave United at the end of the season, the need for a replacement has become a priority over the past few months.
The Red Devils have been keeping tabs on Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson ahead of a move in the summer window.
However, any deal could cost officials a pretty penny, with the Reds currently seeking £100m to offload their star.
Such a fee would be a club record, which may be somewhat unrealistic, leading to team-mate Ibrahim Sangare appearing on their radar in recent days.
According to CaughtOffside, invisible staff at Old Trafford have been keeping a close eye on the Ivory Coast international during the ongoing campaign.
The report also claims that his 6 foot 3 frame would make him the best passer of the ball at the heart of the team – something that will be sorely needed when Casemiro leaves.
However, like Anderson, Forest do not want to offload the 28-year-old, but could be tempted to do business if a fee in the region of £45m is presented by any interested parties.
Why Sangare will be United’s next Keane
Having an outstanding midfielder has been rare for United over the years, as seen with Roy Keane, who spent an incredible 12 years at Old Trafford.
The Irishman joined the Red Devils for a reported £3.75m back in the summer of 1993, with such a figure breaking the British transfer record at the time.
Such money would be a boon for Sir Alex Ferguson, and the talent would rack up 479 appearances for the club – even captaining them for a long time.
Keane would also win seven Premier League titles during his time at the Theater of Dreams, as well as four FA Cups and a Champions League trophy won in 1999.
His move to join the club more than 30 years ago will go down as one of the best ever, with the position manager having the chance to repeat the move this summer.
The Irishman joined from Nottingham Forest all those years ago, and Sangare had the chance to emulate such a transfer during the upcoming transfer window.
There is no doubt that the Ivory Coast international will not be the fans’ first choice this summer, but the 28-year-old would certainly be a great addition to their midfield strengthening efforts.
He has made 21 league appearances this campaign, after which he scored a combined four goals and an assist at the City Ground – including a stunning strike against Tottenham Hotspur.
However, off the ball is where Sangare has impressed the most, and his basic stats make him a perfect replacement for the outgoing Casemiro.
The jungle star has made 2.7 tackles per 90 so far this season, and 0.7 blocked shots – with both figures ranking him in the top 5% of all players in this category this season.
|
Ibrahim Sangare – PL statistics (2025/26) |
|
|---|---|
|
Mathematics (90 percentile) |
Mathematics |
|
Games played |
21 |
|
Terms & Conditions |
4 |
|
Pass accuracy |
87% |
|
Dribble success |
56% |
|
Duels won |
50% |
|
The fight is done |
2.7 |
|
Shots blocked |
0.7 |
|
The discovery of the ball |
4.3 |
He also received 4.3 balls and 2.2 clearances per 90, which further confirms his amazing ability to finish the game in the heart of the team.
In possession, Sangare has been just as good, after completing 56% of his attempted dribbles and achieving an 87% pass accuracy rate.
His overall quality has made him one of the best midfielders – something United will desperately need in the summer window.
The £45m being tipped for his signing could be a fantastic piece of business, especially if he can replicate the levels he achieved in the East Midlands this campaign.
Should he reach anywhere near the levels that Keane produced at Old Trafford, there is no denying that the Ivory Coast international will be a fan favorite in any attempt to return the Red Devils to their former glory.
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