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Man Utd Could Secure Vinicius Junior's Transfer from Real Madrid with Michael Carrick as Permanent Manager, According to Louis Saha

Manchester United are being tipped to lure Vinicius Junior away from Real Madrid, as Michael Carrick brings positivity to Old Trafford. With a potential busy summer transfer window ahead for the Red Devils, they may set their sights on a player raid at Santiago Bernabeu.

Man Utd Could Secure Vinicius Junior's Transfer from Real Madrid with Michael Carrick as Permanent Manager, According to Louis Saha

Manchester United are capable of luring Vinicius Junior away from Real Madrid, claims Luis Saha, with Michael Carrick restoring positivity and optimism to Old Trafford. It remains to be seen who will be calling the shots when another transfer window swings open, but the Red Devils are expected to enjoy a busy summer in 2026 and may line up a raid on Santiago Bernabeu.Brazilian superstar Vinicius appears to be happier in the Spanish capital at present than he was under Xabi Alonso, with heads being butted with the Blancos’ former boss; Alvaro Arbeloa is now overseeing first-team affairs on a caretaker basis.United have their own interim boss at the helm, in the form of Carrick, and have fired themselves back into contention for Champions League qualification. A return to elite European competition would make it easier for the Red Devils to lure top talents onto their books, while also offering a timely boost to recruitment coffers.Amid the talk of Vinicius - who has also seen a move to the Saudi Pro League mooted - potentially leaving Madrid, ex-United striker Saha has told aceodds.com of the South American heading to the Premier League: “Nothing is too big when Man United are playing the way they are playing. They can attract any big name.“Vinicius is obviously a Ballon d'Or contender, definitely someone looking to shine, to be in a Champions League spot. I know that because he wants to win individual trophies. Who knows, that could be a very attractive combination - the team that we see week in, week out with Carrick, playing very attractive football. So it may provide a new platform for a player like Vinicius Jr.”United are yet to decide who another transfer war chest will be handed to, with Carrick appointed on a short-term basis through to the end of the 2025-26 campaign. He has overseen four successive victories over Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham.Saha, who once played alongside Carrick at Old Trafford, believes his former team-mate should be considered for the top job on a permanent basis - even if the likes of Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane are also in the mix.Saha added: “I would love to see Michael given the chance. He's done very well. He's a very hardworking guy but humble as well. The results are going for him at the moment but not only the results, the way the team is playing and performing, we all can see the change straightaway. He's had the biggest impact since Sir Alex Ferguson.“He does provide an answer to the question about the next manager. I do think they need to think about Carrick very, very, very seriously there.“We know the expectation is so big and sometimes clubs have certain types of conversations and they want to see a long term plan. Do they see this is a spell where everything is going well for Carrick? Who knows how he reacts when he's under more pressure. So maybe he needs to be challenged in that sense to be considered for the full-time role. I don't know.“What I see is that he understands the DNA of the club, he's been under pressure, maybe not as a manager but as a player, he understands how those managers have reacted before as he was part of the coaching staff. So he understands. He's not a rookie. So I do think he deserves his position but when names like Ancelotti, Zidane come into play, it's a kind of a different ball game.”Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingSaha is pleasantly surprised to have seen Carrick step into coaching, having struggled to see that being a path that the ex-England international would tread when working alongside one another in a playing capacity.He did, however, spend time in the backroom staff of Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before stepping out on his own at Middlesbrough. The most demanding of Premier League posts is now being filled, with United set to be back in action on Tuesday when taking in a trip to relegation-threatened West Ham.Auto translated by GOAL-e

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Vinicius Junior's Potential Move to Man Utd

Brazilian star Vinicius Junior, currently at Real Madrid, could be enticed to join Manchester United, with Michael Carrick playing a key role in revitalizing the club. Under Carrick's interim management, United have shown promising signs on the field, reigniting their Champions League qualification hopes. This resurgence could make the club more appealing to top-tier talents like Vinicius.

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Saha's Endorsement of Carrick

Former Man Utd striker Louis Saha has voiced his support for Michael Carrick to be appointed as the club's permanent manager. Saha believes that Carrick's impact on the team, both in terms of results and playing style, warrants serious consideration for the top job. Despite competition from renowned managers like Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane, Saha sees Carrick as a strong candidate who understands the club's ethos.

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Carrick's Coaching Journey

Saha reflects on Carrick's transition from player to coach, highlighting how the former England international has seamlessly adapted to the managerial role. Having worked alongside Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before taking up his coaching position at Middlesbrough, Carrick's experience in top-flight football has prepared him for the challenges of leading Man Utd. Saha commends Carrick's understanding of the club's DNA and believes he deserves serious consideration for the full-time manager role.

Published on Feb 10, 2026