Man Utd news: McTominay return could be on after Carrick’s new rule | Football | Sport

Michael Carrick is working tirelessly to maintain and extend his remarkable beginning as interim Manchester United boss. The Red Devils welcome Tottenham in Saturday’s early Premier League fixture, aiming to secure a fourth consecutive victory under the club icon.

Whatever approach Carrick has implemented at Old Trafford so far appears to be yielding results. Despite his temporary appointment, the 44-year-old hasn’t hesitated to make bold changes in his bid to restore his former club to the summit of English football.

United experienced a quiet January transfer window, with activity limited to outgoing players. This suggests a larger budget will be available come summer, when Carrick could potentially make permanent recruitment decisions.

Scott McTominay is among the names being linked with a return to Old Trafford as speculation about a reunion intensifies. The latest developments from Naples could benefit United’s pursuit, as Express Sport look the latest developments at the Theatre of Dreams.

Napoli stance on McTominay sale

Recent instances of players returning to Old Trafford after extended periods away haven’t been successful in recent years. High-profile transfers to bring back the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba ultimately fell short of expectations.

However, many supporters will hope McTominay can defy that pattern should United revisit the possibility of re-signing their academy product in the future. Recent remarks from Napoli’s global business development officer, Leonardo Giammarioli, suggest the transfer could be achievable at the right price.

“Yeah, of course I’m worried,” he told talkSPORT when asked about the possibility of McTominay departing if an attractive offer arrives. “But ultimately, especially Scott, who’s a very nice guy, we’re happy if he gets to the next level in a couple of years. Maybe not now, maybe not next year, but he deserves it.

“Look at Stuttgart, they wanted to keep Nick Woltemade [before he joined Newcastle last summer], but when such an offer comes in, there’s not much you can do, when the player wants to go and money is important.”

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It’s widely acknowledged now that Napoli secured an exceptional bargain after bringing in the Scot for approximately £25million in the summer of 2024. Many argued at the time that the player was undervalued, and then-manager Erik ten Hag even admitted he was reluctant to part with his star.

Following a Serie A title and a Player of the Year accolade, McTominay has become one of Italy’s top-flight’s most prized assets. Once more, United would need to pay a premium for a player they might well regret selling initially, but the requirement to replace the departing Casemiro, and potentially Bruno Fernandes as well, could make him a logical summer target.

Carrick overrules Amorim and Ten Hag

One aspect that’s become apparent during Carrick’s early tenure is his willingness to challenge established norms. This applies equally to long-standing United traditions as it does to straightforward tactical adjustments.

The former England international has already abandoned Ruben Amorim’s three-at-the-back system in favour of a more conventional approach. He’s also recalled Kobbie Mainoo from the wilderness and enjoyed success deploying left-back Patrick Dorgu in a more attacking position.

Yet it’s now been revealed that Carrick has scrapped Amorim and Ten Hag’s policy of requiring players to train the day following matches. Both previous bosses favoured the routine of having the squad attend recovery sessions the day after fixtures – but that’s now changed.

Instead, Carrick has restructured the schedule so United’s players complete their recovery work two days after competing. It represents yet another illustration of Carrick’s more considerate approach, affording his squad a more relaxed working environment, at least in this regard.