Michael Carrick should be eyeing Man Utd reunion at Middlesbrough: View | OneFootball

Now that Middlesbrough have confirmed Michael Carrick is staying at the club, their concentration can start to turn towards the summer transfer window.

The 2023/24 campaign was a rather disappointing one for Boro, as a slow start to the season eventually cost them a place in the Championship play-offs.

However, there were still some very good moments from the club, and the board still believes in what Carrick is doing, as shown by the ex-Manchester United player being handed a new contract until the summer of 2027.

Talk of Carrick leaving the Riverside had quietened down in recent weeks and months, but the new contract now puts that speculation to bed, and it means Middlesbrough can get on with their plans for the summer.

Boro are likely going to be a busy side this summer as they try to get back into the top six for the next season. There will likely be a lot of players linked to the club, but one player they should potentially look at is someone Carrick knows well, defender Brandon Williams.

Brandon Williams is set to leave Manchester United

Manchester United confirmed their retained and released list on Wednesday, and it was revealed that the club would be letting defender Brandon Williams leave.

The 23-year-old has been with the Red Devils since the age of nine, representing the club in the under-18s, under-21s, and the first team.

Williams played 51 times in all competitions for the Man United first team, but in recent seasons he has found himself down the pecking order.

The defender, who can play either right-back or left-back, has had recent loans at Norwich City and Ipswich Town.

The loan spell with the Tractor Boys was going really well last season, but injuries soon hampered his campaign, as he only played 15 times for the club.

He will now become a free agent at the end of the month, and given what he showed he can do in the Championship, Carrick should be looking at a possible reunion at Middlesbrough this summer.

Michael Carrick should look to sign Brandon Williams for Middlesbrough

Michael Carrick could be looking for a bit of a shakeup in his Middlesbrough squad over the next few months.

That is because the club was lacking some quality at times in the 2023/24 season, and the Boro boss could try to change that now.

The Championship side has confirmed that Luke Ayling will be staying at the club, and while they do have other options in defence, signing someone like Brandon Williams on a free transfer could also be a good decision.

Before joining Ipswich, Williams had never played in the second tier, as his loan with Norwich was when the Canaries were in the Premier League.

Now, while the defender may have only played 15 times, he did impress for the Tractor Boys.

Williams started eight of the 15 games he played, during which he averaged 54 minutes on the pitch per game.

In those appearances, the 23-year-old netted twice, which was considerably better than his xG, which stood at 0.21. Williams had a goal conversion rate of 67%, which is mightily impressive, as he took the chances he was given.

The defender was unable to record any assists, but he did his duty in defence, as he averaged 0.9 interceptions per game as well as 1.9 tackles and was only dribbled past 0.7 times, all of which helped him be part of a defence that kept two clean sheets while he was playing, as per Sofascore.com.

It has been a rocky few seasons for Williams, and no doubt the player will be hurting as he’s been released from his boyhood club. But this is now an opportunity for the player to find a new club and get his career back on track.

The 23-year-old is unlikely to be short of options, and one team that should consider adding him to their squad is Middlesbrough.

This is because Carrick knows the player, and therefore, he knows what he can bring to his team, which is energy, athleticism, an ability to attack and defend, and the player always gives his all when out on the pitch.

Williams would be a very smart addition for Boro, as he can play in both full-back roles, and his experience at the top level would surely benefit Middlesbrough and would surely help Carrick.

The slight concern may be wages, as Williams will probably have been on more money than Boro can afford, but if the player is desperate to get back playing, he could take a wage cut.

Furthermore, the player could be interested in a move like this, as Boro will likely have a good chance at promotion next season, and surely their chances would be boosted by adding someone like Williams to their squad.