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Manchester United will still attempt to sign a new midfielder this summer, sources have told ESPN FC, with Eric Dier, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Nemanja Matic on their list of targets. Michael Carrick, 35, signed a new one-year deal this week to extend his stay at Old Trafford into a 12th season but United are expected to bring in another defensive midfielder as one of four new signings this summer. Carrick, who will turn 36 before the start of next season, made 38 appearances during Jose Mourinho's first campaign at Old Trafford. It is hoped he can make a similar contribution next season with United facing the possibility of another long season in four competitions, but it will not stop Mourinho trying to add another holding midfielder to his squad and Dier is high up the list of options. However, there is an acceptance at Old Trafford that it will be very difficult to prise a player away from any of their top six rivals in the Premier League, especially Tottenham. Dier, 23, signed a new long-term contract in September, but United have an advantage in that they could offer the England international a significantly higher wage than the one he receives at Tottenham. If the chase for Dier proves fruitless, United could turn their attention to Bakayoko at Monaco or Matic at Chelsea. Bakayoko, 22, played a key role in Monaco's run to the Champions League semifinals and has also been linked with Chelsea. Mourinho worked with Matic during his second spell at Stamford Bridge. The pair won the Premier League title together in 2015, although the Serbia international midfielder was dropped by Mourinho shortly before he was sacked seven months later. Mourinho primarily used Carrick and Ander Herrera in the holding midfielder's role at United last season. Herrera is expected to stay at Old Trafford despite interest from his former Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde at Barcelona, while Mourinho also has Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini. In January, United triggered a one-year extension option in Fellaini's contract which will keep him at the club until 2018.
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