Man Utd news: Michael Carrick has 'concern' as Red Devils locked in Barcelona transfer battle

Michael Carrick might have made a bad decision in January(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)

Manchester United find themselves amid a fortnight's respite following their premature FA Cup exit. Over a week has elapsed since their stalemate at West Ham and they won't resume competitive action until Monday's journey to Everton.

Perhaps predictably, therefore, much of the discussion surrounding the club has centred on the summer. A verdict will be required regarding Michael Carrick's future as boss, with performances across the remaining 12 fixtures of the campaign likely to prove influential,

Whilst some activity will occur in the transfer market irrespective of who occupies the dugout. And here are Daily Star Sport's latest discussion points from around Old Trafford.

There is concern around the midfielder(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

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The winter transfer window proved subdued for United but one piece of business witnessed Sekou Kone dispatched on loan to Lausanne-Sport. The Malian midfielder's switch hasn't proceeded according to plan thus far, however, reports the Mirror.

Kone made his bow as a replacement against Thun in a Swiss Super League loss. He's remained an unused substitute in both of Lausanne's subsequent February fixtures and has now been excluded from the club's Conference League squad.

United referenced potential European involvement as justification for dispatching Kone to Switzerland. Now, according to The Mail, there's unease from Old Trafford regarding the exclusion.

Michael Carrick is set to battle Man Utd(Image: Getty Images)

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United might be targeting not one but two Barcelona prospects, according to German reports. Borussia Dortmund right-back Julian Ryerson represents one of those individuals, with Kennert Eichhorn being the other.

According to BILD (via Sport Witness), teenage prodigy Eichhorn has attracted attention from several major clubs through his displays for Hertha Berlin. Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, Barcelona and Real Madrid have been identified as prospective destinations, alongside United.

Eichhorn celebrated his 16th birthday only in July but established himself in Hertha's senior side. It's anticipated that he'll make a move this summer, regardless of whether Hertha manage to clinch promotion back to the Bundesliga.