Guardiola will not buy Bayern players for City

Pep Guardiola promised Bayern Muich that he will not sign any of their players for Manchester City, according to The Star. Guardiola is a fan of Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller, and Man City need an alternative to Sergio Aguero, but he will not pursue either because of his agreement with Bayern. Guardiola has been given an unlimited budget to remake the City squad and will be active in the transfer market.

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Paper Round's view - Guardiola could use several of Bayern's players, in part because the City team needs help and Bayern have good players, and in part because Guardiola's system is demanding and having someone who knows it is a huge plus. Not being able to go get anyone from there will make things difficult on hi and while he only gave Bayern his work, which is hardly a binding contract, if he tries for anyone from the club then the Germans will certainly refuse to sell. Having an unlimited budget does make the alternatives much more attractive, though. The question is whether a rival (Manchester United?) now has a better chance at Bayern's players.

Giggs doesn't want to be caretaker

Ryan Giggs is the obvious choice to be Manchester United's caretaker manager if Louis van Gaal is fired, but it may not happen. The Mirror report that Giggs does not want to be the club's caretaker manager. If he is put in charge at Old Trafford, he wants it to be on a permanent basis. He believes if he doesn't get named the boss now then it will never happen and a temporary stint won't please him. If Manchester United do opt to make him caretaker boss, he may leave the club in the summer and that is very much on the minds of the Red Devils' brass.

Ryan Giggs Image credit: Eurosport

Paper Round's view - It is time for Giggs to manage. If that's not at Man United, so be it, but he needs to take the next step. There is reason for Man United to be weary of handing Giggs the job so it's not as if the Red Devils should just hand him the job. But if he is not a fit at Old Trafford right now, then he should step away and look to be a manager elsewhere. It's hard to imagine him struggling for a job and, if Man United don't think he is ready right now, they shouldn't be so scared of him leaving.

Arsenal in on Carrick again

Michael Carrick is on Arsenal's radar. Again. The Mirror understand that Arsene Wenger wants to sign the midfielder and is expected to make a run at Carrick in the summer. Carrick's contract at Manchester United expires in the summer and the Red Devils have not yet offered him a new deal. The Gunners would like to sign Carrick on a free as they look to re-make their midfield in the summer. Arsenal tried for Carrick 12 years ago, but he went to Spurs, then he opted for Man United over a move to the Emirates before snubbing the Gunners to stay at Old Trafford last year. Arsenal are not going to give up on him, though.

Michael Carrick Image credit: PA Sport

Paper Round's view - Carrick is still a good passer, but he is very much a limited player and doesn't appear to be a very good fit for Arsenal's midfield, at least at his advanced age. The Gunners need to bring in several midfielders and if they can nab a mobile, more well-rounded option or two then adding Carrick to the squad for his passing and experience makes sense. But Carrick can't be a central part to Arsenal's summer plans.

Man United to restructure club

Manchester United are planning a restructuring of the club's player recruitment after three disastrous years on the transfer market, per The Sun. The Red Devils have spent £320 million since 2013 and the club are concerned not only with the value they have gotten for that spending, but also why they have failed to sign the big names they have targeted, like Gareth Bale and Cesc Fabregas. Now they will look to emulate European clubs and Manchester City by hiring a couple new executives who wil work with the manager to handle transfer matters.

Manchester United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward Image credit: Reuters

Paper Round's view - Manchester United were in a tough spot when Sir Alex Ferguson retired and David Gill stepped aside. Those two men ran nearly everything at the club, and Ferguson in particular handled the responsibilities that a handful of people usually attend to at other clubs. They essentially had to create a new structure from scratch and hire everyone for the positions. That is difficult, but as tough as it was, they have clearly fallen well short in player recruitment. At least they seem to know that now.

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