Man Utd already on verge of ticking first box to sign their 'new Michael Carrick'

Michael Carrick served Manchester United well as a player and could be about to bring his natural heir to Old Trafford

In July 2006, Manchester United made one of their most important signings of the decade by landing Michael Carrick. His arrival helped establish the platform for a first league crown in four years and a fresh era of supremacy under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Now, 20 years later, Carrick is in the dugout and - if given the reins permanently - could be tasked with integrating his heir in that midfield berth. Alex Scott has staked his claim to be that figure and has already shown why he could become Carrick v2.

A new midfielder will be essential this summer regardless of who is in the United dugout. Casemiro is set to depart this summer when his deal runs out and Manuel Ugarte has also been touted for a potential move away after flattering to deceive since his arrival from Paris Saint-Germain.

As reported by Mirror Football earlier this week, United are already tracking Bournemouth star Scott. He is among several midfielders being considered, alongside the likes of Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Aurelien Tchouameni, with Champions League qualification potentially making the club an even more attractive proposition for potential recruits.

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Carrick's team require just six points from their remaining five fixtures to guarantee a top-five finish and a return to Europe's top table. That would immediately satisfy one key criterion for Scott and potentially hand United an advantage over a Chelsea side also in the hunt for the youngster.

"At some point, of course, I'd love to be playing Champions League football," Scott told Transfermarkt in February. "Obviously playing non-league just over six years ago, it's all happened very quickly so I had to grow up very quickly. But that's definitely helped me.

"Everyone wants to play at the highest level and be one of the best players in the world, in the league and play for their country. They're definitely dreams of mine. They were dreams from when I was a kid. I'd also love to be playing in the major tournaments for England."

Scott's career so far has been markedly different to that of Carrick. He started out in non-league, turning out for Guernsey as a 16-year-old, before establishing himself at Bristol City and signing for current club Bournemouth just days shy of his 20th birthday.

Carrick had already clocked up 40 Premier League appearances by the age of 20 and more than 150 when he moved to United aged 25. Nevertheless, there are certain on-field parallels which could help explain why Scott is on United's radar.

Positionally, the pair are far from identical. Carrick predominantly operated as a midfield anchor, at least during his spell at Old Trafford, though he enjoyed opportunities further forward while at West Ham and Tottenham.

It is worth bearing in mind that Scott is still only 22, however. His long-term future could yet turn out to be in a deeper position than the one he frequently filled at Bristol and in the early part of his Bournemouth career and there have been indications this season that it is well within his capabilities.

This has been a significant factor in Bournemouth's ability to compete in the top half of the table despite losing several key figures from last season's squad. The Cherries' backline was stripped of the likes of Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi over the summer and Antoine Semenyo departed for Manchester City in January, yet Andoni Iraola's men remain unbeaten in 14 matches and have their eyes firmly set on European football.

One aspect arguably lacking from Scott's game is goals, but all three of his strikes this season have come in Bournemouth victories - most recently the decisive effort at Arsenal. That tally of three league goals, each scored in winning matches, mirrors precisely the record posted by Carrick during his maiden campaign at Old Trafford.

Last season, Scott was sidelined for a considerable spell with a meniscus injury. This term it has been teammate Tyler Adams who has been absent at crucial moments, leaving Scott with little choice over his fondness or otherwise for a deeper-lying role.

He has demonstrated he is more than capable of operating deeper, though in November - following his call-up to the senior England squad - he hinted it is not his preferred position. "To be honest, I probably prefer playing as a number eight," he said.

"I feel like you can do a bit more of everything, but... wherever I'm put I'm more than happy to play. I've played six before, in the [Under-21] Euros I was a little bit deeper and Elliot [Anderson] was further forward.

"I've played as a number 10 so it's good to have all three of those positions where you feel comfortable and you feel you can play. But for me I'd say my preferred position is a number eight."

Back in 2006, Carrick arrived as United's sole summer signing and ended up providing the secret ingredient to deliver a league title after a fierce battle with Chelsea. His second campaign went even better, with the arrival of Owen Hargreaves making the midfield an even more formidable unit as United retained their league title and added a Champions League crown.

United may well need to be more active in the market this time around, potentially bringing in two first-choice midfielders simultaneously. Scott has already demonstrated his versatility, however, and it's easy to understand why he ranks among the first names on the shortlist.

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