Jose Mourinho has identified Eric Dier as Michael Carrick’s long term replacement according to The Telegraph. Although Carrick has been given a one year extension at Old Trafford, it is clear that United urgently need to replace the Englishman who has been lynchpin in United’s midfield for a decade now. The biggest problem facing Woodward is the fact that he has to negotiate a deal with Daniel Levy. Levy renowned to be a hard bargainer has all the leverage in this negotiation with Dier a regular at Spurs and with Spurs well positioned financially can decline mouth watering offers.
Of course, due to Spurs’ wage structure, Dier can possibly double or triple his wages if he moves to Manchester United. Spurs are unlikely to break their structure for someone like Dier. Manchester United have been quoted a fee in the range of £50 million which is high for someone like Dier but Woodward will find it hard to drive the price down. Another defensive midfielder to be linked to Manchester United is Fabinho of Monaco. But it seems like Mourinho wants Eric Dier to partner Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba in midfield.