Manchester United find themselves on an unusual break in the season following their premature FA Cup exit. Over a week has elapsed since their draw at West Ham and they will not be back in competitive action until Monday’s trip to Everton. Understandably, therefore, much of the discussion surrounding the club has centred on the summer months ahead.

A verdict will be required on Michael Carrick’s managerial position, with performances across the final dozen matches of the campaign expected to play a part, whilst transfer activity will occur irrespective of who occupies the technical area. Casemiro’s departure has been officially announced, with the Brazilian international determined to finish strongly before his summer exit.

Greater uncertainty surrounds Marcus Rashford, although the temporary recruit appears more likely than not to secure a permanent switch to Barcelona. Here, Express Sport takes a look at the latest news at Old Trafford.

The winter transfer window proved relatively subdued for Manchester United, but one piece of activity saw Sekou Kone dispatched on loan to INEOS-backed outfit Lausanne-Sport. The Malian midfielder’s temporary spell hasn’t proceeded according to plan thus far, however.

Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings.

Kone made his first appearance off the bench against Thun in a Swiss Super League loss. However, he has remained an unused substitute in Lausanne’s following two fixtures in February and has now been left out of the club’s Conference League squad.

United highlighted possible European involvement as justification for dispatching Kone to Switzerland. Now, according to the Daily Mail, there is unease at Old Trafford following his exclusion.

Lausanne secured ninth place in the Conference League table before Christmas, suffering just one defeat across their six league phase fixtures. This means they’re seeded for the play-off round, where they face Czech opposition Sigma Olomouc.

Barcelona battle for double transfer

Manchester United could be pursuing not one but two Barcelona targets, according to reports from Germany. Borussia Dortmund right-back Julian Ryerson represents one of those players, with Kennet Eichhorn being the other.

According to BILD, teenage prodigy Eichhorn has attracted attention from several major clubs through his performances for Hertha Berlin. Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, Barcelona and Real Madrid have been mentioned as prospective destinations, alongside United.

Eichhorn only celebrated his 16th birthday in July, but earned his place in Hertha’s senior squad before sustaining an ankle injury, which has sidelined him for the past three matches.

He has featured in 12 of his side’s 2. Bundesliga games this season, as Stefan Leitl’s team occupies sixth position in the standings. The defensive midfielder is reported to have a release clause in the region of £10million.

He is expected to depart this summer, even if Hertha secures promotion back to the top flight.