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Manchester United are plotting a bombshell raid for Raphinha – but face a red-hot transfer race with a bitter rival for the FC Barcelona superstar, if the latest report from Spain is to be believed.

Wingers are back on the menu

INEOS’s decision to wield their axe on Ruben Amorim’s tumultuous tenure sent shockwaves across the Premier League earlier this month.

An explosive fallout between Amorim and sporting director Jason Wilcox had made the Portuguese coach’s position untenable, with Michael Carrick arriving to take the reins as caretaker until the end of the season. The former midfielder has implemented a 4-2-3-1 formation in place of Amorim’s much-maligned 3-4-2-1 – with immediate success.

Back-to-back victories over Manchester City and Arsenal have lifted the mood around Old Trafford, while calling into question the decision to spend 14 months trialling a system which went against the club’s traditions of fast-paced attacking football with flying wingers. It is understood that whoever is selected as Amorim’s long-term successor this summer, be it Carrick or a bigger name, will be expected to continue with a back four and two wide players.

As such, a left winger has emerged as an urgent priority for...