It’s one of those transfer rumours which just makes that bit more sense the more you think about it.
Manchester United will need bodies in midfield this summer with Christian Eriksen, Casemiro and Sofyan Amrabat likely to depart.
Furthermore, a running problem throughout this season – and during Erik ten Hag’s reign as a hole – has been a dearth of players capable of picking up possession between the lines and driving the team up the pitch with winding carries.
Kobbie Mainoo is the closest Manchester United have to a genuine, dynamic box-to-box, ball-carrying number eight. Mainoo has frequently been the best player on the pitch almost every time he has stepped onto the turf in United red in 2024. One of the few exceptions, however, was that 2-1 win at Luton Town in February.
A game in which Ross Barkley, even at the age of 30 and after years in the wilderness, suggested that he could be on the verge of the greatest comeback since Michael Keaton won the Golden Globe in 2015.
Manchester United linked with Ross Barkley
“I believe I can compete with the top players at Man City and Arsenal,” a revitalised Barkley tells Sky Sports.
And he has, too. Barkley was exceptional during Luton’s battling 4-3 defeat by Arsenal in December and also provided two assists against Pep Guardiola’s side in the FA Cup. Ten years on from his breakthrough at Everton, and six since joining Chelsea, Barkley is finally playing with both a swagger and a consistency.
“I feel like I’m confident enough to know what their strengths are and what their weaknesses are.
“I feel like I can exploit certain things but when we play Man City, they will have most of the possession so it’s about what you do out of possession. We need to be in the right positions and stick together going forward. Hopefully, I can make some things happen.”
The Sun reported back in February that Manchester United were weighing up a – quote – ‘shock’ move for Barkley, who appears likely to leave Luton if they are relegated. Well, it’s a shock to those who haven’t watched Barkley play this season. For those who have, they will tell you that the Liverpool-born playmaker’s reputation as something of a wasted talent should not be used against him. If Ross Barkley’s name wasn’t ‘Ross Barkley’, then few would have reservations about adding him to the Man United squad, albeit if only on a short-term and very affordable deal.
Ineos connections make deal possible
“I want to play in the Premier League,” Barkley adds, potentially opening the door for Man United to step up their interest. “I want to play in Europe again.
“But I’m not really focused on that now. I want to help the club stay in the league. I love the club. It’s helped me so much and I owe them a lot. So I’m focused on that and thinking about nothing other than helping them do that.”
Interestingly, Barkley had a brief spell at INEOS’ Nice outfit across the Channel in 2022/23. He is one of a number of players known to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s camp reportedly on Man United’s radar, alongsideJean-Clair Todibo, Melvin Bard and Khephren Thuram.