Carrick Wants Paqueta at United, But Wilcox Holds the Keys

Michael Carrick has made his opening move in the transfer market, reportedly asking Manchester United to pursue West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta as his first signing.

The interim manager, set to be confirmed this week following Ruben Amorim's sacking earlier in January, is expected to receive backing in the January window. His immediate mission is straightforward: steer United back into Champions League contention, with fifth place likely to prove sufficient. The club currently sits seventh.

Paqueta, 28, has recorded four goals and one assist across 18 Premier League appearances this season, along with 23 key passes and 95 progressive passes. The Brazilian playmaker has won 16 take-ons and made 39 tackles, demonstrating the all-action approach that appeals to Carrick's philosophy.

However, there's a significant complication. Flamengo are circling with an offer around £30million, and Paqueta has already agreed personal terms with his boyhood club. The midfielder has even accepted reduced wages to facilitate the move, with a World Cup appearance back home evidently tugging at his heartstrings.

Despite Carrick's enthusiasm for expanding his player pool, don't expect the former Middlesbrough manager to have decisive say. Director of football Jason Wilcox holds the real power over incoming transfers—an interim boss certainly won't be wielding the chequebook unilaterally.

Paqueta's path to Old Trafford remains far from certain. A fresh start in Brazil appears the natural destination for a player whose Manchester City move collapsed following an FA investigation into suspicious betting patterns. Yet the allure of English football's biggest stage could yet prove tempting enough to keep him in the Premier League.

Elsewhere, Al Hilal's Ruben Neves represents another midfield target, available for as little as £20million—a straightforward acquisition should United opt to move quickly.