‘I would run a mile if United called’
Jamie Carragher has told Manchester United transfer targets Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham to avoid moving to Old Trafford at all costs.
The Red Devils announced the appointment of Ajax boss Erik ten Hag as the club’s new manager on Thursday, and the Premier League outfit are likely to make a number of additions in the summer.
England midfielders Rice and Bellingham have been touted as potential transfer targets for United, with the pair enjoying successful campaigns with West Ham and Borussia Dortmund respectively.
Carragher urges England pair against Man United move
However, Carragher has warned the pair against a move to Old Trafford, writing in his column for The Telegraph: “It is hard to think of any United purchase of the last nine years who has improved since arriving at Old Trafford.
“Even those who made an encouraging start have gone backwards.
“When Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jadon Sancho joined United, there was a sense the club was going in the right direction with young English talent. Now they look terrified to play at Old Trafford.
“If I was Declan Rice or Jude Bellingham observing their England team-mates’ troubles – unless my motivation was a big payday – I would run a mile if United called.”
Carragher believes Ten Hag must ‘beat the best coaches in the world’
While the appointment of Ten Hag has offered United supporters renewed hope for the future, Carragher believes that the 52-year-old will still prove no match for the Premier League’s current group of elite managers.
He added: “Ten Hag faces four major problems. Their names are Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte.
“No matter how good Ten Hag is or proves to be, he must take on and beat the best coaches in the world. That is tough enough without having to start afresh with a squad overhaul.
“For all the excitement at another United rebuild, the reality is none of those currently occupying the top four would swap their coach for Ten Hag.”
Ten Hag is United’s fifth permanent managerial appointment since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
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