MANCHESTER UNITED boss Erik Ten Hag wants another Ajax man in Brian Brobbey, it’s been reported.
Meanwhile, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has sneakily snatched Omar Berrada from rivals Manchester City as Manchester United’s new chief executive.
On the other hand, the Red Devils are reportedly signing Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr.
It has been reported that £130m may be enough for the Spanish giants to share tactics with the Brazilian winger.
Meanwhile, a move is being considered in January for Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt, but Man Utd may have better luck this summer.
Follow all the updates below. . .
Marcus Rashford half walked away to celebrate after a shot hit the Wigan post.
His tame sidefoot shot went straight at Wigan goalkeeper Sam Tickle but, to Tickle’s horror, missed the shot.
It rolled onto the post before rebounding along the line.
Tickle managed to hold it back with gratitude, but Rashford began celebrating as if the ball had already gone in.
Writing on social media, die-hard enthusiasts warned that the 26-year-old may have been looking to mislead the authorities.
One wrote: “The assistant and referee continued to play and the score remains 1-0 despite Rashford’s fake birthday party in an attempt to convince the referees. “
Manchester United have one foot in the upcoming FA Cup as they led Wigan 1-0 at half-time.
Just a reminder, they threaten Newport or Eastleigh if they beat the Latics.
Erik ten Hag looks set to avoid the sack this season.
In fact, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is planning a detailed structural review that will probably last up to two months.
Ineos owner Ratcliffe bought 25% of Manchester United on Christmas Eve for £1. 3 billion and is suffering from lawsuit from Premier League owners and administrators.
As part of their takeover, he and his right-hand man, Sir Dave Brailsford, are due to conduct a thorough audit of the footballing side of the club in a bid to meet the “performance challenge” they face.
And according to The Independent, this could mean the Red Devils hiring only a sporting director, but also a director of football, as part of a radical move to divide day-to-day jobs between two people.
John Murtough is the current director of football, but he is in danger, while Darren Fletcher is the manager.
Monaco sporting director Paul Mitchell is the current frontrunner for the sporting director role – especially as he has family in Manchester – while ex-Liverpool duo Julian Ward and Michael Edwards could be targeted.
United have taken the lead against Wigan through Diogo Dalot.
The full-back curled in an exquisite finish from outside the box after being teed up by Marcus Rashford.
Manchester United will face League Two Newport or National League Eastleigh in the next round of the cup – if they overcome Wigan.
It was a smart draw for the Red Devils, with rivals Manchester City taking on Tottenham, while Chelsea faced Aston Villa.
Manchester United are among several English sides who have sent representatives to watch 19-year-old Porto wonder Ussumane Djalo, according to the Daily Mail.
The Mail reports that Djalo has an £8m clause in his contract with the Portuguese side, with Brighton and Southampton also named as suitors.
However, they also claim that it could sell for a price significantly lower than that value, with a bidding war between interested clubs.
United have reportedly drawn up a shortlist of four men for his new role as director of football.
Brailsford is reportedly in favour of a move for former Liverpool guru Julian Ward.
But it is known that there are 3 applicants on the list.
Ward’s former Anfield colleague Michael Edwards could also be considered.
Former Tottenham movement leader Paul Mitchell is also a candidate, as his family is founded in Manchester.
Another in the draw is former FA leader Dan Ashworth.
Erik ten Hag has named a very strong line-up for the visit to the DW Stadium.
Here’s the Red Devils’ lineup:
GK – André Onana
RB – Aaron Wan-Bissaka
CB – Raphaël Varane
CB-Jonny Evans
LB – Diogo Dalot
CM – Kobbie Mainoo
CM – Scott McTominay
AM – Bruno Fernandes
RW – Marcus Rashford
AG – Alejandro Garnacho
ST – Rasmus Hojlund
Berbatov believes his former team will have too much quality for League One Wigan and has made the Red Devils win comfortably.
He told Betfair: “I can’t go for anything else other than a victory for United. They must win no matter what, I don’t care how. It’s impossible for United not to win this game. If they lose then the rest of this season will be a nightmare.
“Wigan have nothing to lose, they will play as much as they can. United have everything to lose.
“It’s a game where everyone says: ‘It’s f***ing Wigan, you should easily beat them.’ But this is the FA Cup, major upsets have happened in this competition, so United need to pay attention otherwise it’ll be a nightmare.
“In my mind, this should be a convincing Man United win. In reality, let’s see.”
Dimitar Berbatov believes Erik ten Hag should win Manchester United’s FA Cup draw at Wigan.
He told Betfair: “The threat to Wigan’s north-west neighbours is a possible banana peel. If you don’t go all-in at the first whistle, press, counter-press, show your intent, try to get a quick goal so you can calm down. Your nerves, then you’re going to have a tough game.
“United are so inconsistent and unpredictable, they are up and down, up and down, and they are very dangerous. If they lose this game, the critics will come after them.
“For Ten Hag, it’s a must-win game. It’s more stress for the players if they lose and there will be more questions about the coach’s future. “
Manchester United are in internal talks over the idea of signing Dutch striker Donyell Malen in the January window.
The former PSV striker is well known in England, where Tottenham and Arsenal have been following him closely in recent times.
However, it is possible that United have the possibility of getting Malen now and, according to Football Transfers, are contemplating a loan to close a deal.
Manchester United and Arsenal have failed to sign Croatian prodigy Dino Klapija.
Instead, the teenage striker agreed to sign for RB Leipzig from NK Kustosija for £4. 8m.
Both Premier League clubs had been linked with the American-born talent in recent weeks.
However, the Daily Mail now report that Klapija has agreed a deal with the Bundesliga outfit instead.
His family would have chosen Leipzig because they presented the most productive orientation for the first team.
Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund are ‘discussing the final details’ ahead of Jadon Sancho’s loan exit from Old Trafford, according to Fabrizio Romano.
He told Give Me Sport: “With the player everything has been fine since last week. He needs to move to Borussia Dortmund as soon as possible and the two clubs are discussing the main final points of the transfer.
“From what I’ve heard today, Manchester United will get a package of around €4 or €5 million between loan and salary coverage.
“The player has already accepted the transfer, so all that remains is to resolve the main points and then Jadon Sancho, despite everything, will sign for Borussia Dortmund. “
According to The Independent, Sir Dave Brailsford will decide whether Manchester United want one or two chefs in an eight-week audit.
The outcome will also detail other key appointments, but there will be no major decisions taken until its conclusion.
The audit, mandated by Ineos as they also go through the Premier League Owners and Directors Test for a minority stake in the club, is primarily an attempt to understand “the performance challenge”.
United will then decide whether football design will be controlled through a lead director of football or whether the role will be split into two: a director of football and a sporting director.
Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has indicated that they are in talks with Manchester United about the possible return of Jadon Sancho on loan.
He said: “We are in negotiations to sign Jadon Sancho, that’s for sure. We need to sign him on loan. It’s no secret. But we are not yet in a position to announce a finalized agreement. “
Manchester United have missed the opportunity to sign Tottenham striker Timo Werner to Fabrizio Romano.
Spurs will loan the RB Leipzig striker for the rest of the season after agreeing with the Bundesliga club over the weekend.
United have opted not to reach an agreement for Werner, the former Chelsea striker does not have a match for the profile of striker they are looking for.
Real Madrid have reportedly joined Manchester United and Tottenham in the race to sign Everton Jarrad Branthwaite.
Branthwaite made the first impression on United’s radar last summer and his interest has only grown following his impressive performances this season.
The defender is a key part of Sean Dyche’s side that have conceded just 28 goals in 20 games – only Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, United and Aston Villa have a better record.
Notably, his role as a left-sided centre-back is particularly desirable, especially for Erik ten Hag, who needs to move a player up to that position with the injured Lisandro Martinez.
Manchester United have sent scouts to HITC to follow Atalanta centre-back Giorgio Scalvini into action against Roma.
The defender has been linked with a move to Tottenham this month, but United are also in need of defensive reinforcements.
It is possible that Atalanta will ask for around £51m to let Scalvini leave.
Ineos are considering approaching former Manchester United CEO David Gill for his experience.
Gill worked at the club alongside Sir Alex Ferguson and Ineos believes he can be a valuable source of information, according to The Athletic.
Ineos boss Sir Dave Brailsford has worked with Gill before and has already been in communication with Ferguson.
Manchester United are likely to reach an agreement with Lille to sign Jonathan David this month.
That’s according to Football Transfers, with the outlet claiming that both Man United and Aston Villa are keen on the Lille forward.
The Red Devils connected with a resolution via RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, and Tottenham are expected to miss.
Manchester United bosses are still waiting for striker Anthony Martial, according to the Manchester Evening News.
The club are not willing to extend Martial’s contract or leave him this month.
But no action has been taken against the attacker despite reports of interest in Turkey.
After tonight’s FA Cup draw against Wigan, Manchester United will host Tottenham in the Premier League on January 14.
Arsenal have agreed to trigger Manchester United target Jeremie Frimpong’s £34million release clause, according to reports.
The Dutch international has had targets for both the Gunners and United in recent weeks.
He has been a key player for Bayer Leverkusen, so this season Xabi Alonso’s team was aiming for its first Bundesliga title.
However, it is possible that Frimpong will be on the move by the end of the season.
Bild reports that Arsenal are willing to honour his £34 million release clause once it comes into force this summer.
The Gunners reportedly see the clause as a reduced price as they overtake United in the race to sign the 23-year-old.
Dimitar Berbatov also insisted that the FA Cup could be the catalyst to save Manchester United’s season.
He told Betfair: “Based on some recent games, especially the last game against Nottingham Forest, I never know which United team is going to show up. When I expect United to win, they lose. Sometimes I think United are going to win. “They win and then they do it.
“Ahead of the FA Cup third round against Wigan on Monday night, United’s players will have to say to themselves: ‘Guys, this is our only chance to win a trophy this season, let’s put all our power and consistency into trying. ” to get this trophy.
“It’s going to be wonderful if they win the FA Cup, but let’s take it game by game. It’s not going to be easy, especially against Ligue 1 Wigan because they’re going to think: ‘We’ve got a chance against this’. A united team.
“It’s the main trophy United can win this season and it might save the season. Of course, they have to aim for a top-four finish in the Premier League (they have 12. 0 at Betfair Exchange) by any means necessary, but they will win. “”The FA Cup would be anything they could boast about. United have to go full speed ahead and work hard to win the competition. “
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