Manchester United Transfer News: Yannick Carrasco, Henrikh Mkhitaryan Rumours

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly added Atletico Madrid’s Yannick Carrasco to his list of transfer targets, making it three players from the Spanish side on the Red Devils’ radar.

According to John Richardson of the Sunday Mirror, as well as the winger, Mourinho wants to bring star forward Antoine Griezmann and defender Jose Gimenez to Old Trafford. Richardson added that the United boss feels those acquisitions could turn the team into champions.

Carrasco is said to be the latest target identified by the Portuguese, with United having watched the player during Belgium’s clash with the Netherlands on Wednesday. Here’s a look at what he can offer:

The former AS Monaco man has been making steady improvements at the Vicente Calderon under manager Diego Simeone, and in a more adventurous setup in 2016-17, he has arguably been the team’s standout player.

Carrasco has always been a tricky wide player, but the 23-year-old is beginning to make key contributions in the final third with regularity. These numbers, detailed by WhoScored.com, sum up the Belgian’s brilliant form as of late:

While it’s unlikely that Atletico would allow three players of such importance to leave all at once, not to mention all to the same club, Carrasco would bring a refreshing new dimension to United’s play. After all, according to Richardson, the Red Devils are ready to offload struggling winger Memphis Depay, with Everton and Juventus said to be keen.

But given the rate at which he’s developing at Atletico and the occasions he’s playing in—Carrasco netted in the UEFA Champions League final for the team last season—it’s tough to see him pushing too hard for a move, even if a club such as United do come calling.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan Linked with Exit

Mark Runnacles/Getty Images

According to Steve Bates of the Sunday People, Borussia Dortmund want to bring Henrikh Mkhitaryan back to the club following his struggles at Manchester United.

After a big-money summer switch from the Ruhr side, Mourinho has marginalised the Armenia man, who has made just six appearances for United, including a solitary Premier League start. Bates noted that his performances have surprised Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel, general manager Michael Zorc and chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke.

Now the Bundesliga side is "planning to contact Old Trafford ahead of the January window opening to determine whether Mourinho will let him return to Germany for the rest of the season."

GEOFF CADDICK/Getty Images

In 2015-16, Mkhitaryan was one of the standout players in German football, scoring goals, creating chances and leaving defenders bemused with his intricate footwork.

Evidently, at his best, the 27-year-old has plenty to offer United, who have lacked a creative spark at times this term under Mourinho. However, the Portuguese has suggested the playmaker must improve. "He has to do more," he said recently of the ex-Dortmund man, per the Red Devils’ official website. "It’s as simple as that."

Mkhitaryan did struggle for his best form after joining Dortmund in 2013, only coming alive in the yellow jersey last term, so perhaps it’s little surprise to see him have some teething problems at Old Trafford. It’ll be interesting to see just how much patience the Red Devils show in their assessment of the midfielder.