Cole Palmer could be tempted to join Manchester United if Michael Carrick is given the permanent job at Old Trafford, according to former Chelsea star Pat Nevin.
Speculation has suggested Palmer has grown unsettled in west London since leaving Manchester City for the capital two-and-a-half years ago.
Chelsea are adamant the England international will not be leaving with Liam Rosenior describing such reports as ‘unrealistic’ but talk of a return to Manchester continues to swirl.
Palmer is a boyhood United fan and despite being one of the most valuable assets in the Premier League, former Chelsea star Nevin believes they would be able to ‘sort out’ the financial side of any prospective move.
While United have spent the season outside of Europe after their wretched 15th place finish last term, Carrick has lifted the gloom around Old Trafford with the club now hopeful of securing Champions League qualification.
Given that turnaround, Nevin suggests United are becoming a much more attractive proposition for a boyhood fan like Palmer, with Carrick’s role particularly significant.
‘Does Cole Palmer fancy playing for Manchester United? That’s it. Nobody knows except Cole Palmer,’ Nevin
Metro’s Head of Sport James Goldman delivers punchy analysis, transfer talk and his take on the week’s biggest stories direct to your inbox every week.
‘If he says Manchester United, I’ve heard hints that he was a United fan as a kid. I don’t know if that’s true, but I’ve heard that was his team as a kid. That’s a draw.
‘When you look at what United are doing just now and how they’re playing, and the possibility that you might actually have stability at Manchester United, that becomes a temptation. With Michael Carrick, it just feels like a different place. It feels totally different.
‘I’ve been at Old Trafford a lot of times over the last few years and it’s been a hard place to watch football sometimes.
Nevin believes United are an attractive destination again (Picture: Getty)
‘The feeling hasn’t even been ugly, just flat. Worse than anger is people being fed up, and you never want to see that at Manchester United because of the club it is, the history it has and the size it is. The Premier League needs a big Manchester United.
Source: BBC Sports
