When hearing that Michael Carrick was the leading candidate to take Chris Wilder’s place in the Middlesbrough dugout, former Premier League owner Simon Jordan was quick to highlight the long-standing link between Manchester United and the club mired in the Championship drop zone.
“Interestingly, they seem to have this penchant at Middlesbrough for liking people associated with Manchester United,” Jordan explained, pointing out the previous appointments of Steve McClaren, Bryan Robson and Gordon Strachan and the ongoing interest in 2008 Champions League winner Carrick (talkSPORT).
From Gary Pallister to Paul Ince, Paddy McNair to Ritchie de Laet, Victor Valdes to Fabio da Silva, there are plenty of players who have taken in spells at both Old Trafford and the Riverside too. And with Carrick in ‘advanced’ talks with Middlesbrough, per Sky Sports, talk will inevitably turn to the January transfer window, and whether the United legend plans to make good use of his many contacts at the 13-time Premier League champions.
The link, between United and Boro, remains as strong as ever it seems.
Five Manchester United starlets Michael Carrick could bring to Middlesbrough
Alejandro Garnacho
According to The Mirror, Man United received more than 20 loan offers for Garnacho over the summer. And while Erik ten Hag is reportedly a ‘huge’ fan of the Madrid-born Argentina U18 international, a tally of just 19 minutes so far this season highlights how far Garnacho still has to go before he can seriously challenge the likes of Jadon Sancho for a starting spot.
A stylish left-winger who seems to glide through challenges, Garnacho scored 15 times for United’s reserve teams last term. His unpredictability and eye for goal could come in very handy at a Middlesbrough side struggling to turn possession into chances.
“He’s a full-back’s nightmare,” former United youngster Febian Brandy says of Garnacho, who has been likened to a young Ryan Giggs. “He can go either side, cut inside and makes it difficult for defenders all game.
“He is a great talent with a very bright future.”
Shola Shoretire
Another 18-year-old whizzkid who, like Garnacho, appears to be on the verge of taking the next step in his development. Shoretire scored two stoppage time goals to rescue the U23s a point against Chelsea last time out; clearly, he can be relied upon to step up when his team need a moment of divine intervention.
“He is a hugely talented player,” explains Red Devils academy graduate Luke Chadwick; Shoretire having become the seventh-youngest player ever to make his first-team bow for Man United.
“I watched him play in an the youth team as an Under-16 player. He was so clever; fantastic awareness, knows how to play on the half turn, can see a pass as well.”
Charlie Savage
Wales U21 midfielder Savage may have been hoping for a role under Ten Hag after catching the eye in pre-season. That, despite United’s lack of depth in midfield, has not been forthcoming. But if Carrick wants to bring some energy and exuberance to the Middlesbrough midfield, the 41-year-old could do a lot worse than to glance at the floppy-haired son of former Leicester enforcer Robbie Savage.
‘Finally, a Savage that can play!’ Robbie quipped after the 19-year-old produced a piece of skill his old man could only dream of during the 4-0 thumping of Liverpool in Bangkok.
Facundo Pellistri
A regular in the Uruguayan national team set-up, Pellstri is another – like Garnacho and Shoretire – who surely would have made a first-team breakthrough if it wasn’t for the quality of the players ahead of him in Man United’s pecking order. The jinking, 20-year-old winger moved to England for around £9 million. He already has seven caps for a South American nation who could take him to Qatar next month.
“I think Facundo Pellistri is surprising,” beams Barcelona defender and Uruguay team-mate Ronald Araujo; hailing a man who honed his talents under one Diego Forlan back home.
“Facundo Pellestri surprised me quite a bit; especially since he hadn’t been playing. And more because of the level that he gave in the national team. He was spectacular.”
Pellistri has been labelled, by some, the second coming of Paulo Dybala.
Brandon Williams
Manchester-born Williams is a throwback of a footballer; the kind of all-action full-back who would give his granny a dead leg in pursuit of three valuable points. Having been left out of Ten Hag’s 25-man Premier League squad, however, a drop down to the Championship could do wonders for an England U21 international who featured semi-regularly under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford.
Williams is two-footed and can play on either flank too. And one suspects he would relish the physical battle of the second-tier.
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