The Manchester United Afternoon Bulletin

CARRICK ANNOUNCEMENT

Michael Carrick is preparing for a major announcement, he has revealed on Instagram. Any announcement is expected to be with regard to a testimonial for the midfield maestro, rather than news of a contract extension. Meanwhile, pictures of Carrick filming at Old Trafford has emerged.

Staying with Carrick, the Daily Mail claims that Michael Carrick will sit down for contract negotiations with Ed Woodward after the EFL Cup final.

ACROSS THE CHANNEL

PSG defender Thomas Meunier has revealed that he is a United fan and considers the club the ‘pinnacle of World football’. He also revealed his desire to play in the Premier League in the future.

MANCHESTER IS WET

Antoine Griezmann insists that he is happy at the Vincente Calderon while downplaying his links with Manchester United. He further revealed that he has reservations about the English weather. Griezmann also said that he has had a thought about his future before ruling out moves to Germany, France, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

NO RASH MOVE

Marcus Rashford is completely happy at Manchester United and not even discussing a new contract according to Manchester Evening News after reports claimed that he is unhappy at Old Trafford.

IBRA TALKS

Meanwhile, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is expected to sit down for contract talk with Jose Mourinho later this week. The manager is confident that the Swede will pull on a United shirt beyond this season.

EARLY TEAM NEWS

Luke Shaw looks set for a start in the mid-week game against St. Etienne after a stop-start season while in-form defensive duo of Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones look set to miss the game.

REJECTED

Reports have emerged about a world-record bid by United for German ace Thomas Muller. The bid believed to be upwards of 85 million Pounds was rejected by Bayern after they deemed it to be ‘not enough’. The German team’s financial partner Jan-Christian Deeson confirmed the same to German news outlet Bild.

BETTER FIT

Croatian legend believes that Ivan Perisic would be a better fit at Old Trafford that at Chelsea or Arsenal. Both the latter clubs are interested in signing the consistent Inter winger.

SCOUTING MILAN?

United have reportedly watched Fiorentina star Milan Bidlej. Mourinho considers him an ideal replacement for Carrick should the latter leave the club. He is also pretty well experienced at 28 years of age. However, Italian giants AC Milan and Roma along with Premier League rivals Tottenham are credited with an interest in the player.

MATA’S GOALS

Midfield ace Juan Mata has spoken out about his desire to reach double figures in goals for the third successive season. Mata is United’s second highest goal-scorer with 9 goals to his name. All this comes after initial uncertainty about Mata’s future at Old Trafford when Mourinho was appointed manager.