Man Utd told PSG star Marco Verratti can be next Michael Carrick

Former Manchester United star Ashley Young has told his old club that they should sign Marco Verratti to finally be the replacement for Michael Carrick.

Carrick retired in 2018, with Young believing the Red Devils have never signed a true successor to the former England international.

Instead, Fred, Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay have been their options in the middle of the park, an area many see to be a weakness.

It is likely to be a position that United will look to strengthen in in either the January or summer transfer windows, having endured a mixed start to the season in terms of performances.

And Young believes that it should be Paris Saint-Germain star Verratti who is their top target, a move that would allow them to replace the long-since departed Carrick.

“The Michael Carrick type has been missing for years. They haven’t gone out and replaced Michael Carrick,” Young told BBC Radio 5 Live ahead of United’s defeat of Villarreal.

“Don’t get me wrong – Fred and [Scott] McTominay are good players but I don’t think there’s a Michael Carrick around.

“I was watching the PSG v City game yesterday and I think Marco Verratti is the closest one and nobody’s gone out to test the water to try to sign him.

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“I think he would be an unbelievable signing for Manchester United.”

Verratti has been a key player for PSG since joining the French giants in 2012, helping them to win seven Ligue 1 titles.

The Italian started their win over Manchester City on Tuesday night, enjoying a pass success rate of 93 per cent, winning six of his defensive duels and making five recoveries.

If United fail to bring in Verratti, Young does also believe that Paul Pogba should come into central midfield.

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“I think [United] are missing a trick in the centre of midfield. I think Paul [Pogba] needs to play there,” Young added.

“At the weekend he was playing out towards the left, I don’t think that’s Paul’s best position. I think he wants to control play and he wants to dictate.

“He’s a player who can find passes, the way Carrick used to do.”

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