One of English football’s most deeply rooted unwritten rules may soon face its sternest test. According to reports from Daily Mirror and the Manchester Evening News, Michael Carrick is preparing a bold summer move to try and bring Alexis Mac Allister from Liverpool FC to Manchester United FC.
If such a deal were to go through, it would mark the first direct transfer between the two North-West rivals since Phil Chisnall made the contentious switch back in 1964.
United’s reported admiration for Mac Allister is strategic rather than speculative. With Casemiro expected to depart Old Trafford at the end of the campaign, the club’s leadership — supported by INEOS — are believed to be targeting a midfielder capable of dictating tempo and anchoring a refreshed tactical identity under Carrick.
At 27, Mac Allister combines experience, technical composure, and high-level pedigree, having played a crucial role in Liverpool’s recent title success.
His intelligence in possession and ability to balance defensive duties with progressive passing make him an attractive centerpiece for a rebuilding project.
Despite his importance at Anfield, murmurs suggest that the Argentine international could at least entertain the idea of a new challenge, particularly amid increased scrutiny surrounding head coach Arne Slot.
While there is no indication of unrest, United are reportedly attentive to any shift in circumstances that might create an opening.
Financially, the obstacle is formidable. Mac Allister’s valuation is said to exceed €117 million, meaning any formal proposal would need to be substantial.
United are understood to be monitoring Liverpool’s internal situation carefully, ready to act if conditions become favorable.
History, however, underscores the volatility of such dealings. In 2007, Gabriel Heinze attempted to orchestrate a move from United to Liverpool, only for then-manager Sir Alex Ferguson to block it outright due to the fierce rivalry.
While players like Michael Owen and Paul Ince have worn both shirts, neither transferred directly across the divide — highlighting the sensitivity surrounding such negotiations.
Mac Allister’s representatives have sought to temper speculation. His father, Carlos Mac Allister, recently emphasized that his son remains fully committed to Liverpool in the present, though he stopped short of dismissing future possibilities outright.
Should the pursuit prove unrealistic, United are said to have alternative targets under consideration. These include Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace FC, Elliot Anderson at Nottingham Forest FC, Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion FC, and João Gomes of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC.
By even contemplating a direct approach to Liverpool, Carrick is signaling ambition and fearlessness. Whether Mac Allister ultimately becomes the player to shatter a decades-old taboo — or whether the weight of rivalry once again proves insurmountable — stands as one of the most intriguing and potentially explosive narratives of the upcoming transfer window.
