Man Utd to ramp up £80m move after Carrick deal

For the fifth time, Bruno Fernandes has been awarded the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award at Manchester United, eclipsing Cristiano Ronaldo and David De Gea, both of whom claimed the honour on four occasions.

Also handed the Players’ Player of the Year too for good measure, the 31-year-old’s status as United’s talisman is unquestionable, following yet another stellar individual season at Old Trafford.

In another world, he might well have sought out Saudi riches last summer, amid rampant interest from Al Hilal, but thankfully, the skipper has been front and centre again, the standard bearer for Michael Carrick’s resurgent side.

In an era where truly successful signings in Manchester can almost be counted on one hand, Fernandes bucks the trend, showing the way ahead of another seismic summer for the club and for INEOS.

Carrick deal could spark Man Utd move for £80m sensation

Things appear to be falling into place at Old Trafford, with The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell revealing that Carrick is set to be offered a two-year deal, having been given the backing of Sir Jim Ratcliffe this week.

Appointed on an interim basis in January, the Englishman has led United to Champions League qualification with room to spare, now almost certain to secure a third-place finish – a sizeable improvement on last season’s worst-ever Premier League campaign.

Securing Carrick’s future could also help to kickstart the process when it comes to transfers, with the 44-year-old potentially set to have a key say in the summer activity.

Indeed, as journalist Ben Jacobs revealed – speaking to the United Stand – a move for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is now “one to keep an eye on”, following the move to appoint Carrick.

As Jacobs noted, Carrick “loves” Rogers, following their time together at Middlesbrough, with his imminent appointment set to “increase the chances” of a move being considered “more seriously”.

The only major sticking point is likely to be the asking price, with Jacobs adding that Villa are likely to demand at least £80m.

Why Rogers could be Man Utd’s best signing since Fernandes

So many signings since Fernandes’ arrival back in January 2020, so few success stories.

With it arguably too soon to judge the 2025 crop, the most fruitful deal of the last six years might well be Casemiro, considering his influence again this season, albeit with that bumper £70m transfer fee still a bone of contention.

There haven’t been many who’ve managed to hit the ground running and sustain it, as Fernandes has done, although Rogers could well buck the trend, having been a talismanic figure in his own right back at Villa Park.

Still only 23, the England international has been a vital part of Villa’s surge to the Europa League final this season, alongside their top-five push, having scored and assisted 22 goals in all competitions so far.

That follows a haul of 30 goal involvements across 2024/25, with Rogers reaching double figures for both goals and assists in each of the last two campaigns.

Like Fernandes then, he is both a creator and a goalscorer himself, memorably curling home almost two identical efforts as his side beat United 2-1 back in December.

Operating as a number ten or off the left, the powerhouse talent is such a difficult player to contain, so often seen driving Unai Emery’s men forward in the final third.

In the Premier League alone this season, for instance, he has chalked up 14 goals and assists, while also creating 11 ‘big chances’ – comfortably the most of any player in the Villa squad.

Joint-top at Villa Park for league assists and second for goals, Rogers is so crucial to everything good about Emery’s side, just as Fernandes is back at Old Trafford.

The recipient of the PFA Young Player of the Year award last term, he is now “one of the best players in England” in the view of former teammate Nicolo Zaniolowhile perhaps on course to become “one of the best in the world”.

Hopefully, that development can continue if he is to move to Manchester, with this the type of deal that could allow United to really kick on again in 2026/27.