United target Barcelona's Casado as Antonio Valencia pleads for Carrick reunion

Manchester United are monitoring Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado as they look to strengthen their midfield ahead of a return to Champions League football, with former United full-back Antonio Valencia simultaneously lobbying for a role on Michael Carrick’s coaching staff.

United eye Casado as affordable midfield option

According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, United are among several clubs interested in the 22-year-old Spain international, alongside Atletico Madrid and unnamed clubs from the Middle East. Casado attracted Chelsea’s attention last summer but chose to remain at the Camp Nou, where he went on to play a bit-part role under Hansi Flick. With two years remaining on his contract, he is now understood to be open to a move and could be available for less than £40m — significantly cheaper than West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, who carries a price tag of around £80m.

Midfield reinforcement is a clear priority for United this summer following Casemiro’s departure. The club have already agreed a deal to sign Atalanta’s Ederson, and further additions are expected. United are also reported to be interested in Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, though the 23-year-old has attracted rival interest from Manchester City and is set to feature for England at the World Cup, complicating any potential deal.

Rashford’s future at Barcelona also remains unresolved, with the Catalan club yet to decide whether to trigger the option to make his loan permanent — a subplot that adds an extra layer of uncertainty to United’s summer planning.

Valencia makes public plea to rejoin United

Antonio Valencia, who spent a decade at Old Trafford before leaving in 2019, has made no secret of his desire to return to the club in some capacity under Carrick. Speaking while working as a pundit at the World Cup, the 40-year-old said: “Yes, I would go back. Manchester United is a club that gave me so much. My family was very happy there. I would work for Manchester United in any role, out of passion. It is a club I love a lot. But if they called me, I would go running.”

Valencia also revealed he reached out to Carrick when his former team-mate was appointed permanently as manager. “I sent him a message wishing him success. Carrick is someone I respect and care about a lot. I wished him success as a coach, and I think it has gone well for him.”

No formal approach from United has been reported, and it remains unclear whether Carrick’s backroom staff has any vacancies.