Man Utd boss Carrick discusses left-wing need as Euro giants provide Diomande threat

Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick has discussed the potential signing of a new left-winger, amid links with RB Leipzig wide man Yan Diomande.

Carrick is only due to be in charge of United until the summer, though he's doing a stellar job at the moment and there are suggestions that he could keep the job full-time.

Whether or not that is the case, the manager is aware of the current needs of the squad, suggesting that with only Matheus Cunha currently capable of playing on the left wing - with Patrick Dorgu out injured - there's a potential need to add to the role.

Carrick said: “Yeah, quite possibly, in certain ways.

“But I think we can still be dangerous and I still think we can fill that spot. I think we’ve got players to be able to do it. It’s not a huge concern at the moment.

“We always want to improve and we’re always thinking of that perfect scenario of mixing players together and connections and how it suits on the pitch.

“But Matheus has played that role and caused some problems and caused big problems and had big moments from playing wide or inside, so he’s doing well as well.

“I think you’re always looking at the balance of the team and the squad to give you the utmost flexibility, so it’s definitely something to look at for sure.

“But I think Matheus can play that at times. Amad [Diallo] can do that at times. He played off the left against West Ham.

“There are different ways of doing it. I think we’ve got really good options across the frontline and we can change things in games and we have done quite a lot actually.

“Sometimes smaller things, sometimes bigger things, certainly Matheus when he plays wide one-v-one, he’s tough to stop.”

Carrick's comments come amid links with Leipzig winger Diomande, who has nine goals and six assists in 23 Bundesliga games so far this season.

Amid his sustained period of good form, Diomande has also caught the attention of European giant pair Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, with English rivals Liverpool also threatening United's potential raid.

The latest reports, though, suggest that Diomande will be heading to none of the interested clubs in the summer, as Leipzig are adamant that they do not want to lose the Ivorian.

Leipzig chief Oliver Mintzlaff has reportedly said: "He'll still be here next season – even if an offer of 80 or €90 million comes in."

With neither Marcus Rashford nor Jadon Sancho expected to return to United next season, if Diomande is not a possible signing, the Red Devils could be forced to look elsewhere for reinforcements.