Rumour: Manchester United join race for Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin to replace Michael Carrick

Morgan Schneiderlin in action for Southampton last season.

Manchester United are the latest club to turn a keen eye on Southampton’s midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, according to reports. According to the report, Louis van Gaal is searching the market for a successor for their own midfield bedrock, England international Michael Carrick, who turns 34 later this year.

Carrick has been the mainstay of the Red Devils midfield ever since signing from Tottenham in the summer of 2006, having played in more than 250 games for United. The midfielder’s recent run of form has come in for praise from the new United boss, but Van Gaal very well knows that Old Trafford needs an heir to the high IQed England international.

Schneiderlin has been linked with moves to both North London clubs Tottenham and Arsenal. With the Saints in fire sale mode in the summer, the French international was also largely believed to be heading away from the south coast with Schneiderlin believing the club to be heading in a different direction to the player’s ambitions.

This season, however, has seen Southampton making even greater progress under the tutelage of Ronald Koeman in spite of the sale of a number of their stalwarts in the summer. However, with United involved in any transfer dealing these days, it will be a highly plausible option for the Saints to let go off their main man at the middle of the park if Ed Woodward arrives with another ridiculous money offer.