Man Utd news: Michael Carrick's £35m cut-price transfer chance as club confirm interest

 After Arsenal's victory in Lisbon guaranteed the Premier League will boast at least five teams in next season's Champions League, Manchester United's mission is crystal clear.

Michael Carrick's squad will resume action against Leeds on Monday with seven matches remaining to secure a top-five spot, which could help persuade transfer targets ahead of a crucial summer window. Several players will be departing Old Trafford this summer, with Jadon Sancho and Casemiro poised to move on when their deals run out.

Harry Maguire will remain, though, having penned fresh terms. Maguire and his United colleagues will be eager to rack up points before confronting European rivals Chelsea and Liverpool in the campaign's final weeks. The Red Devils presently occupy third place, six points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool and seven clear of Liam Rosenior's Blues in sixth. Here's all the latest news from Old Trafford.

Dortmund chief confirms Sancho stance

Lars Ricken, Borussia Dortmund's sporting director, has hinted United mega flop Jadon Sancho is among several players the club are scrutinising ahead of the transfer window, reports the Mirror.

Sancho shone for Dortmund prior to his £73m move to Manchester United in 2021 and also enjoyed a loan stint with the club as they made it to the 2024 Champions League final.

"We are currently looking at and analysing a lot of players," Ricken told SportBILD. "We are assessing whether they can improve our team. We are doing the same with Jadon."

Dortmund are set to lose Julian Brandt this summer, and a replacement for the German is likely to be high on their list of priorities.

"We will have to compensate for Julian Brandt's creativity and scoring contributions; we were aware of that when we made our decision," Ricken said.

"Naturally, we are looking for an attacking player who brings quality, can help us immediately, and doesn't require an exorbitant transfer fee. In defence, Niklas Süle is leaving us, and Emre Can is out for an extended period. Therefore, we are also considering options there."

Ederson hijack hope

Long-standing Manchester United target Ederson seemed destined for a switch to Atletico Madrid in the summer.

However, the Premier League outfit could possess a trump card that enables them to gain an edge in the pursuit of the Atalanta star.

According to reports in Italy, Atalanta remain eager to lure out-of-favour United striker Joshua Zirkzee to Bergamo. The Dutch forward is understood to be determined to remain and battle for his spot at Old Trafford, but a departure could open the door for Ederson to head in the other direction.

Brazilian midfielder Ederson is claimed to have reached an agreement with Atleti, though no official confirmation has emerged. The 26-year-old continues to play a crucial role in Raffaele Palladino's squad but sees his deal expire in 2027, making this summer potentially Atalanta's final opportunity to secure a significant fee.

Because of his contract situation, he could be available for a cut-price £35m.

United are set to lose Casemiro this summer and may also look to move on Manuel Ugarte. Several other midfield targets have been linked with the club, including Premier League talents Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton.