Man Utd news: Major boost in race for £100m midfielder as star gives Michael Carrick update

The transfer news at Old Trafford doesn't stop for the international break as Manchester United receive a boost on one of their longer-term targets

Many around the Premier League may view the international window as a chance for respite but Manchester United aren't among them. That's as the updates continue to emerge from out of Old Trafford in what's been a very fruitful period for the club.

Michael Carrick's case to take over as the next permanent manager continues to improve as United take stock. The club legend has lost just once in his 10 games at the helm, including a 100 per cent win record in five outings at Old Trafford.

His work this season is far from done, though preparations for what could be another transformative transfer window are also underway. Last summer saw United make several signings who have contributed massively to the change in fortune and Carrick will hope he's still around to get his chance this year.

Morale around United could hardly be in a better place compared to the gloom that dominated when Ruben Amorim left in January. Mirror Football dissects the latest happenings around the club as United prepare for a return to action against Leeds in a fortnight's time.

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Brighton willing to lower Baleba fee

After baulking at Brighton's valuation of the player last summer, United have received a major boost in their pursuit of Carlos Baleba. After making a late enquiry regarding the midfielder's availability, United swiftly backed off upon learning the Seagulls wanted upwards of £100million for his signature.

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In today's market and given the season Baleba had just enjoyed, there are perhaps clubs who would have met that asking price. But in light of the 22-year-old's diminished returns this term, Brighton have appropriately lowered their expectations.

That's according to The Sun, which also reported Brighton are far more open to a deal than they were 12 months ago. Having had time to digest the news and seek out a replacement, it seems the Seagulls could be much more easily appeased this summer.

And United look certain to have need of midfield reinforcements. Casemiro has already announced he'll vacate a crucial spot in deep-lying midfield, while rumours linking captain Bruno Fernandes with the exit refuse to go away.

It's unclear exactly how far Brighton have revised their valuation on Baleba, who joined from Lille for an initial £23.2m in 2023. A conservative estimate would suggest the south coast club promises to at least triple that figure should they cash in this summer provided United still have the same interest.

Dalot compares Carrick and Amorim

Diogo Dalot has surprisingly revealed interim United boss Carrick hasn't changed that much at United compared to when Amorim was in charge. However, the most notable tweak to United's formation has allowed the team to recapture the excitement.

United have taken 23 points from a possible 30 in the league since Carrick took charge in January. That's compared with a return of just 14 points from the previous 10 league games under Amorim, many of which were more straightforward games on paper.

Dalot, 27, has been an ever-present under both regimes and shared an intriguing perspective on the differences between the two. But it was actually the full-back's comments on how the coaching setups are similar that will intrigue many.

Speaking to DAZN Portugal this week, Dalot said: "If you analyse it closely, things are not that different from what we were doing with Ruben. If you look at the pieces of the game individually, you don't see that many differences. The biggest difference is the profile of the player. Now we play with one less defender and one more attacking player.

"As I say many times, at the end of the day what really matters is the result. When confidence is high, with the quality of players we have, sometimes you don't even need to say much and players go on the pitch and perform well."

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