Carrick to scout 17 Manchester United transfer targets at World Cup 2026

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick will monitor at least 17 transfer targets when the World Cup gets under way across the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer, as the club prepares for a significant overhaul of its squad.

Carrick, confirmed as United’s permanent head coach, will be supported in his scouting efforts by director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada. The club is already close to completing the signing of Atalanta midfielder Ederson for a fee of around £38 million, while links to Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali and West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes have also been reported — though none of those three will be at the World Cup.

Among the 17 players United have been linked with who are expected to feature in the tournament, the most high-profile names are AC Milan and Portugal winger Rafael Leão, Real Madrid and France midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Liverpool and Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister. Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is also on the list as part of France’s squad.

England representation comes from Tottenham’s Djed Spence, Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, while Germany-based targets include Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), Felix Nmecha, Waldemar Anton and Julian Ryerson — all three of the latter from Borussia Dortmund.

Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams could attract United’s attention through the host nation USA, and Japan international Zion Suzuki of Parma is also among those being tracked. Ivory Coast pair Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig) and Bazoumana Touré (Hoffenheim) feature alongside Brazil’s Danilo, currently at Flamengo, and Belgium’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo of Lille.

The breadth of the scouting list reflects the scale of rebuilding United face under Carrick, with positions across defence, midfield and attack all apparently under review ahead of the new season.