What Michael Carrick has said about ‘terrific’ Cole Palmer amid Man Utd interest

Cole Palmer would consider leaving Chelsea for Manchester United – with Michael Carrick a long-time admirer of the England international.

Palmer, 23, left Manchester City to join the Blues two-and-a-half years ago but recent reports have suggested he is unsettled in west London.

The attacking midfielder would reportedly consider a move to be closer to his hometown of Wythenshawe and while he would not be willing to head back to City while Pep Guardiola is in charge, the boyhood United fan would be interested in a move to Old Trafford.

It would likely take a colossal fee to prise Palmer away from Stamford Bridge with United’s own priorities this summer surely lying elsewhere with a rebuild in midfield long overdue.

Unless he does enough to convince United’s hierarchy he deserves the full-time gig, Carrick has been placed in charge until the end of the season and is likely to have no influence over the club’s summer transfer plans

But the former midfielder is already a huge fan of the Chelsea star.

Their paths crossed in a Carabao Cup semi-final match between Chelsea and Middlesbrough in January 2024 with Palmer scoring twice in a 6-1 win.

Having spoken to the Chelsea star after the game, Carrick said: ‘He’s a nice lad and down-to-earth. You can see from watching him and playing against him with the quality that he has got.

‘It is not nice when you are on the other end of it but you can appreciate and respect how good he is. He will have a terrific career.’

Does Palmer want to leave Chelsea? ‘It’s not true’

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior meanwhile insists Palmer has shown no signs of being unhappy with life at the club.

Asked whether Palmer was both ‘untouchable’ and ‘happy’ at Chelsea, Rosenior replied: ‘Yes and yes.

‘It’s simple. Cole is an incredible player, like the guy sat next to me [Moises Caicedo] and many players in the group.

‘I’m not surprised at the timing [of the speculation] – a new manager comes in and all of a sudden there are people unsettled. It’s not true.’

The former Strasbourg head coach added: ‘Cole is here, he’s very happy and I can’t wait to see him back on the pitch.’