Romano: ‘Internal meeting’ held with Carrick on Monday to assess transfer plans as 24-year-old being firmly targeted

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·20 January 2026

Romano: ‘Internal meeting’ held with Carrick on Monday to assess transfer plans as 24-year-old being firmly targeted

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Manchester United chiefs have met with Michael Carrick this week to draw up plans for the remainder of the transfer window.

It’s been a quiet one for United thus far, which was perhaps to be expected when Ruben Amorim was abruptly relieved of his duties just five days into the month and the search then began for a suitable interim manager.

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After taking some time to hold talks with both Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, INEOS chiefs eventually decided that the former was the most sensible option to take the reins at Old Trafford until the end of the campaign.

Carrick kickstarts interim spell with Manchester derby triumph

(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

It’s thought that Solskjaer had expressed hopes that he might be granted the job on a permanent basis if he exceeded expectations, whereas Carrick accepted that it would only be a short-lived tenure in the managerial hot seat.

Nevertheless, his spell got off to an emphatic start after his men oversaw a 2-0 win over Manchester City in Saturday’s derby in M16.

He was boosted by the returns of Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo following their African Cup of Nations departures. Now, there are questions as to whether he’ll see his options further reinforced with new additions.

United have, as always, been linked with a host of names in the build-up to the window opening.

A concrete target on INEOS’ shortlist was Antoine Semenyo, especially after it was revealed that his Bournemouth contract contained a £65 million release clause.

Unfortunately for United, he opted for a move to City instead, although it undoubtedly made Saturday’s triumph that bit sweeter that Semenyo was on the losing end of his first taste of the derby.

United’s January: Potential incomings + Joshua Zirkzee interest

(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Romano shed some light on United’s transfer situation on YouTube, saying: “In the next hours, this week, there will be an internal meeting involving Michael Carrick to decide on several situations; what United want to do on the market between now and the end of the January transfer window.

“If United want to go and try get a player for an opportunity, maybe in midfield or other positions, they need to decide with Michael Carrick, or change the plan and continue with the current squad.”

Further, he revealed that Joshua Zirkzee is continuing to garner interest in Serie A. He added: “In Italy, some clubs, Roma [and] Juventus, are all waiting to see if Man United will decide to open doors for Joshua Zirkzee.

“If United add one more player, they can give the green light to Zirkzee’s exit.”