Friday’s biggest stories for the Red Devils.
Louis van Gaal targeting £150m of new signings for Manchester United this summer
Despite spending a similar amount on new talent last summer, according to the Daily Express van Gaal wants five new players at the end of the season and is prepared to spend big to get them.
The Dutchman’s wish-list consists of a new right-back, central defender, central midfielder, winger and striker and there are already several options in each position for the 63-year-old.
The Red Devils have been criticised under van Gaal’s guidance this season, but are currently third in the Premier League and through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
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Manchester United transfer news.
Michael Carrick to be offered a new one-year contract
Having impressed under the new regime at Old Trafford and becoming vice-captain to Wayne Rooney, Carrick has proven he deserves to be kept on by the club a little longer.
That is why the Daily Mail reports that the 33-year-old is going to be given a one-year extension to his current contract – which expires at the end of this campaign.
Carrick earns around £130,000-a-week and both van Gaal and assistant manager Ryan Giggs are big admirers of the veteran midfielder.
Red Devils beat Arsenal and Manchester City to 16-year-old Belgian Indy Boonen
United are celebrating after beating a host of European sides – including the Gunners, City, Feyenoord and Wolfsburg – to the signing of wonderkid Boonen.
The 16-year-old has signed for the club and could be joined by his 13-year-old brother Seppe and their father is clearly delighted with the move for his sons.
“We will move the whole family. It is possible that our other son Seppe – who is only 13 years old and plays in goal – will also sign for Man U when he is old enough,” Jacky Boonen was quoted by Nieuwsblad.
FC Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is so good I didn’t want to go anywhere near him, says Paul Scholes
The Man United legend and current pundit has revealed his admiration for the four-time Ballon d’Or winner and says that when he faced the Argentine he tried to get as far away from him as possible.
Scholes faced Messi four times during his career – both legs of the 2008 Champions League semi-final and then the 2009 and 2011 finals – and says the 27-year-old made a big impression on him.
“I am not ashamed to admit that in the games against Barcelona I spent a lot of the time just hoping he would take up positions as far away from me as possible,” the former England international wrote in the Independent.
Gary Neville on the verge of starting his managerial career
As the Times reports, Neville is set to complete his UEFA Pro Licenece this summer and will therefore be ready to start his career as a manager should he choose to do so.
Although the 40-year-old has made his name post-football as a pundit for Sky Sports, he has openly admitted he is considering a career in the dugout and is a coach for the England national team currently.
Neville should qualify alongside Man City Under-21 head coach Patrick Vieira and newly appointed Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood.