Manchester United 'eye shock move for Chelsea target' as transfer plans take shape

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Evening Standard

·1 May 2026

Manchester United 'eye shock move for Chelsea target' as transfer plans take shape

Michael Carrick looks to have serious competition for permanent Old Trafford job this summer

Andoni Iraola is reportedly rivalling Michael Carrick for the Manchester United manager’s job, while the club are also said to be targeting West Ham defender El Hadji Malick Diouf this summer.

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The identity of United’s next full-time manager remains uncertain with only four matches left to play this term, though former long-serving midfielder Carrick is widely believed to be the frontrunner for the permanent role after impressing since taking the interim reins in January following the sacking of Ruben Amorim after only 14 months in charge.

Carrick has won nine of his 13 games in charge in the Premier League since then, leading the Red Devils to third place and on course for a crucial return to Champions League football next season.

But he does not appear to be the only managerial option currently being considered at Old Trafford, with The Telegraph reporting that Iraola has now emerged as the strongest rival to Carrick in the race to succeed Amorim permanently in the summer.

The Spaniard announced earlier this month that he would leave Bournemouth when his contract expires in the summer, with former RB Leipzig coach Marco Rose already confirmed as his replacement.

A potential return to Athletic Club in LaLiga looks to be off the table for now with ex-Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic set to replace Ernesto Valverde in Bilbao, with Iraola also on Chelsea’s radar.

Standard Sport reported earlier this week that Chelsea were ready to explore talks with Iraola as they seek a successor to Liam Rosenior, who was sacked earlier in April after just three months in post as Enzo Maresca’s replacement and succeeded on a temporary basis by Calum McFarlane.

Targets: Could Andoni Iraola and El Hadji Malick Diouf both end up at Manchester United this summer?

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Fulham boss Marco Silva and ex-Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso are among the other candidates for the position at Stamford Bridge.

Regardless of their decision on the next manager, United’s summer transfer planning appears to already be well underway, with The Guardian reporting that they are interested in a move for West Ham’s Diouf.

The Senegal international has impressed at the London Stadium this season despite the Hammers being embroiled in a relegation battle, having initially joined last summer in a £19million move from Czech side Slavia Prague.

United are believed to be looking for competition for long-time left-back Luke Shaw, who has only one year left to run on his current contract. However, they are first said to be prioritising a midfield revamp.