Luke Littler Calls on Manchester United to Replace Casemiro With Real Madrid’s Aurélien Tchouaméni

Manchester United fan and back-to-back world darts champion Luke Littler has had his say on who he wants to lead his football club into the Champions League next season, as well as the first signing he hopes the Red Devils make this summer.

After a two-season absence from Champions League football, Manchester United secured a return to Europe’s elite competition following their dramatic 3-2 victory over Liverpool last weekend.

The club’s rise back into the Premier League’s top four has largely been credited to interim boss Michael Carrick, who replaced Ruben Amorim with United sitting seventh and seemingly far away from a Champions League return.

Carrick has since been heavily linked with taking the role on a permanent basis after overseeing an impressive turnaround at Old Trafford. However, several pundits, including Gary Neville, remain sceptical over whether the former midfielder has enough experience to manage the club long term.

Littler Backs Carrick for Permanent Man Utd Role

The 19-year-old darts sensation believes Carrick deserves the opportunity after the impact he has made in such a short space of time.

“Yeah, I think obviously he's done a great job,” Littler told SportsBoom.co.uk. 

Solskjær Comparison Raises Concern

Despite his praise for Carrick, Littler also acknowledged the comparisons being made with former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær, who was handed the job permanently following a successful interim spell.

While Solskjær guided United to a second-place Premier League finish and produced periods of exciting football, he ultimately left Old Trafford without winning a trophy.

“I've seen loads of people saying he might be another [Ole Gunnar] Solskjær, does well, comes in, doesn't do so well, doesn't win trophies,” Littler added. 

“But yeah, I've been happy with him [Carrick].”

Littler Wants Tchouaméni at Old Trafford

Littler also shared his thoughts on Manchester United’s upcoming summer transfer window and revealed the player he believes should be the club’s top target.

With veteran Brazilian midfielder Casemiro set to leave Old Trafford this summer amid interest from MLS and Saudi Arabia, Littler believes Aurélien Tchouaméni would be the ideal replacement.

The Real Madrid and France midfielder has recently been linked with a Premier League move, while reports in Spain have suggested tensions inside the Real Madrid dressing room involving teammate Federico Valverde.

Several outlets claimed Valverde required stitches following an alleged altercation with Tchouaméni after the pair were involved in a heated confrontation during training.

Littler joked that the situation could help United’s chances of landing the midfielder.

“I'm sure you've seen some scrapping going on in Real Madrid and we're interested in [Aurélien] Tchouaméni. Come on Tchouaméni, come on, replace Casemiro for that defence midfielder spot,” Littler said. 

Valverde has since moved to deny the reports on social media, insisting that at no point did he hit a teammate or get involved in a physical altercation.