Manchester United are set to miss out on two prospective January transfers, with reinforcements looking increasingly unlikely for Michael Carrick this month
Michael Carrick is set work with what he’s got(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Manchester United are set to miss out on two January transfers at the expense of Al-Hilal. Stade Rennais striker Mohamed Kader Meite is to undergo a medical with the Saudi Pro League side, while midfield target Ruben Neves is nearing an agreement over a new three-year deal.
United were going to be required to pay £26million (€30m) to sign Meite, 18, with reports from France suggesting the club had registered their interest and were preparing to ambush Al-Hilal’s move to sign the France Under-21 international.
But the Middle East side have stumped up Rennes’ asking price and Meite is now set to link up with Simeone Inzaghi, according to Fabrizio Romano. It appears the youngster will have Neves to play alongside.
The former Wolves star was widely established as a potential target for United, having entered the final six months of his deal. Al-Hilal had reportedly resigned themselves to losing the Portugal international and would have been willing to accept £18m to part ways in January.
But now the 28-year-old is said to be at the ‘final stages’ of negotiations over fresh terms. Neves is set to commit to Al-Hilal despite interest from Europe.
FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE! Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page
There had been hope Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes might have been able to play a role in a proposed pursuit of Neves. Fernandes’ international team-mate had reached out to him relating to a move in the opposite direction.
And Fernandes admitted to The Standard, back in December, that he had been in contact with Neves after a move to Al Hilal was proposed in the summer. He said: “The person who spoke to me was the president of Al-Hilal, who called me directly.
“Ruben Neves sent me a message saying he wanted to talk to me. They wanted me to play in the Club World Cup with Al-Hilal. It was already a love that came from the Jorge Jesus era; he had already called me in 2023.”
Ruben Neves has been linked with a move to Manchester United – but that seems dead in the water now(Image: (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images))
New United boss Michael Carrick was expected to work with the squad already at his disposal after arriving, and that has panned out so far. The only announcement to be made is on Casemiro’s end-of-season exit, in which Carrick did not play a role.
“I think it’s just coming into that time of the season really, with contracts and, obviously, January is January and the window, so I’m kind of working my way through that and coming towards the end of the season, in terms of contracts and decisions,” Carrick explained last week.
“That will obviously be taken and discussed in good time really, and at the right time. I think the announcement for Case was for clarity as much as anything.
It was kind of decided anyway before I arrived, so it’s not just a knee-jerk decision, but the type of personality, the character that he is I think it shows you, the performance last week, where he is mentally and how much it means for him to be here and finish the season strong.
“I’ve already had that conversation with him and he’s desperate to do well and finish well, and it’s good to see, so I’ve got no doubts about him at all.”
Content cannot be displayed without consent
