Things are hotting up in the transfer market, but Manchester United are still waiting for their first new arrival to appear.
The Red Devils have concluded a number of outgoings with the likes of Jadon Sancho, Hannibal Mejbri and Donny van de Beek leaving on loan, but there have been no incomings yet. Last January the only additions were loans, and it remains to be seen whether there will be a similar outcome this time around.
Erik ten Hag works with limited funds, but is willing to do business if the right opportunity arises. However, one player who may not be heading to Old Trafford is veteran striker Karim Benzema, who had been linked on a six-month loan. while links with Benzema’s former Real Madrid teammate Vinicius Jr. seem more aligned with a summer quest.
However, there is still plenty of time for things to change for United as there are a fortnight to go until the end of the window. Stay tuned to Mirror Football for the latest Old Trafford news. . .
Join our new WhatsApp network! Click this link to get your fix of Mirror Football content. We also provide members of our network with special offers, promotions and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our network, you can check it out at any time. If you are curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Dwight Yorke has named 3 players that Manchester United are expected to target for the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era.
Yorke told Footy Accumulators: “If I was up there with Man United and I had to sign 3 players, then I would go with Victor Osimhen, Leroy Sane and Son Heung-Min.
“United are doing well defensively, but they lack functions in midfield.
“I say the club wants a big void, but they want at least six new players to renew the whole squad. Too many players have been here for too long!”
Bebe, a former Manchester United striker, scored an outrageous 50-yard free-kick for Cape Verde in a 3-0 win over Mozambique at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Bebe, who now plays for Spain’s Rayo Vallecano, scored a goal for the tournament hopefuls in the minute at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny.
The 33-year-old stepped in to execute a free kick that was closer to the halfway line than the 18-yard box. While his teammates waited for a cross into the box, Bebe shot at goal.
And what resolution it turned out to be when Bebe’s shot spun and dived before finding the back of the net, despite the most productive efforts of Mozambican goalkeeper Hernane Siluane.
Learn here.
United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has spoken about conversations he had with his Old Trafford teammates before going on loan to Sevilla. The Tunisian could make a permanent replacement during the summer if his stint at Quique Sanchez Flores proves successful.
Hannibal, on loan when United lost 3-0 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan and left Europe last season, has heard all about the atmosphere at home. In his speech at its inauguration, the Tunisian foreigner made specific reference to this lace and the atmosphere in general. .
“The game here is crazy,” said the 20-year-old. “Before I came, my United teammates told me about the fans and the atmosphere there. It’s great to play for a team with fans like that because they help you. “when you’re going through tough times. “
Learn here.
Manchester United defender Rhys Bennett will spend the rest of the season at Stockport.
Stockport manager Dave Challinor told the club’s website: “Rhys is someone we know and who knows us. He spent a couple of months with us last season as part of an arrangement we had with Man United to get some younger players into our environment to train.
“It’s fair to say he made a lasting impression on all of the staff not just in terms of his ability, but as a character and personality in being mature and having an understanding of the game.
“When the opportunity presented itself to bring him back, especially given our current situation, we were all looking to do something and it’s wonderful to have him back with us. “
Cristiano Ronaldo has boldly claimed that Saudi Arabia’s Pro League is incredible for France’s Ligue 1, less than 24 hours after Jordan Henderson left the Middle East.
Former Liverpool captain Henderson has been in the headlines in recent days after ending his Al-Ettifaq career just six months after leaving Anfield. England’s foreigner left the loan in the January transfer window after learning he had struggled to adapt to the divisional climate. lifestyle and low attendance.
However, five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo has passionately defended the Saudi Pro League, which is already bigger than one of Europe’s top leagues. He explained: “The Saudi League is no worse than Ligue 1. “It’s more competitive than Ligue 1, I can say that after a year there. We’re already better than the French league. “
Full story here
If Vinicius Junior leaves Real Madrid, it may not be soon. . . and possibly not for Old Trafford.
Players can change their minds, of course, and a £130m bid for United – if realistic – would give food for thought.
Last year, though, the Brazil star suggested the one club he’d leave the Bernabeu for is boyhood side Flamengo.
“I promised my father that one day I would die again. I have to keep that promise,” he told French media.
Read more here
According to Sky Italia (via Sport Witness), Manchester United are leading the chase for Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee.
Bologna would need a payment of around €50 million for the Dutchman from Bayern Munich, although the Bundesliga club also have the option to bring him back.
It has been reported that Zirkzee, who saw limited opportunities in his first spell at Bayern, would not be willing to return to Bavaria with Harry Kane confident of being ahead of him in the pecking order.
Bebe helped Cape Verde beat Ghana on his Africa Cup of Nations debut, and the former Manchester United forward now has his first goal in the competition.
The 33-year-old former Portugal Under-21 foreigner has switched sides after resigning from the European nation.
Now playing his club football in Spain with Rayo Vallecano, Bebe put his team in front against Mozambique with a long-range free-kick which caught out oppositon goalkeeper Ernan.
Rhys Bennett is due to leave Manchester United on loan, with the Manchester Evening News reporting the youngster is on his way to Stockport County for the remainder of the season.
Bennett, a defender, has yet to make his senior United debut but was on thr bench for the Premier League defeat at West Ham and the FA Cup win at Wigan.
Stockport are the top-ranked Ligue 2 after 27 games, their close rivals Wrexham and Mansfield have a game in hand.
As Manchester United captain, Roy Keane could never be accused of not giving his all for the team.
Keane’s commitment, hard work ethic and hunger for victory have made him one of United’s greatest leaders of all time, alongside Sir Bobby Charlton and Bryan Robson. But Keane, 52, is not impressed with United’s current armband and says Bruno Fernandes is “killing and costing” him with his emotional and erratic playing style.
“If you look at it internationally, it’s doing the same thing [floating],” Keane said on the Stick to Football podcast. It can’t just be about coaches and managers. There’s a player out there and if he does all that and you stay generating magic, you almost forgive him. But if you’re on a team that’s struggling and you’re doing all that, that’s where it excels. And you say “you’re killing us, you’re costing us. “. “‘. “
Read the full story here
Kylian Mbappe has talked up Raphael Varane amid speculation that the defender could be allowed to leave Manchester United in the summer.
The France defender, 30, joined the Red Devils from Real Madrid in the summer of 2021 and quickly established himself as a key figure under firstly Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and then Erik ten Hag, however, Varane has fallen down the pecking order this term. United do have an option to extend Varane’s current contract, which expires at the end of the season, by an additional 12 months but the club are instead planning to try and renegotiate his deal in a bid to lower his salary.
And while it remains to be seen whether Varane is open to such a proposal, there have also been indications that the winger could be allowed to leave at the end of the campaign, with a new report from ESPN claiming that Ten Hag is willing to oversee the rebuilding of his defence in the summer transfer window.
But Mbappe, Varane’s former teammate in the France national team, has spoken out about the effect that the defender’s retirement abroad has had on Les Bleus, a decision that may give Ten Hag pause.
Read the full story here
Borussia Dortmund head coach Edin Terzic praised Jadon Sancho’s educational performances following his return to the club earlier this month.
Sancho, 23, ended a torrid spell at Manchester United after leaving Germany on a £73m contract in the summer of 2021, but is now back at Dortmund on loan until the end of the season. The England winger was sent off at Old Trafford through Erik Ten. Hag after the player took to social media to undermine the Dutchman after claiming that Sancho was left out of the matchday squad against Arsenal due to poor educational performance in September.
Sancho’s future beyond the end of the current campaign is unclear with Dortmund unlikely to be able to facilitate a permanent deal, but for now, Terzic is more than happy with how Sancho is doing. He told German outlet Sport: “It’s true that Jadon arrived with good stats. Nevertheless, we know how the last few weeks and months have gone for him.
“If you see that with him, then we’re satisfied with each and every educational session. He’s doing well this week. We also tested Ian Maatsen [another new signing] on Tuesday. Both are remarkably good. However, we will deal with this with caution. “
Read the full story here
Sunderland boss Michael Beale has spoken openly about the club’s desire to bring Manchester United winger Amad Diallo back to the Stadium of Light on loan this month.
“We made it very clear to them that we would be there, but Manchester United also appreciate it,” the manager said. “He may have an attractive moment for part of the season internally, but if he were to go out on loan, I can guarantee you that they are well aware that we would need him back here.
“Finances aside, because that’s the most important thing, it’s rarely so, I know he enjoyed his time here, the fans enjoyed it and he really enjoyed it in the locker room. When I got here, it was anything. ” If possible. It would happen, it would happen, but I think Man Utd realise that they have a very intelligent football player on their hands. “
Manchester United are turning to AI in a bid to improve their luck on the pitch.
The Red Devils are hoping to gain a competitive edge by launching a partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University. The collaboration sees United partner with the university’s Institute of Sport and will give Erik ten Hag and company access to innovative studies and PhD programmes that will use AI. to expand analysis and metrics that have been inaccessible to their Premier League rivals lately.
The intention is for the partnership to facilitate better on-field decisions with an increasing number of metrics measured during matches and at a greater speed. Professor Tim Cable, the institute’s director, believes the project will strengthen the football operations of the club.
He said: “Our collaboration with Manchester United has enabled us to attract the most sensitive skills to Manchester and bring our state-of-the-art clinical studies to meet the functional needs of the club. The initiative will provide the club with an additional layer of intelligence and additional strengthening. “Manchester United’s football operations.
Read the full story here
Manchester United legend Jaap Stam has suggested his former club target Premier League players shown on the transfer market.
“I think for a club like United, if you’re willing to spend such huge sums, then you also have to take a look at the Premier League,” Stam exclusively told Ladbrokes Fanzone. “There are a lot of wonderful players, wonderful wingers, wonderful midfielders from other Premier League clubs who would also do a smart job; It doesn’t have to be about bringing in the most productive players from other countries.
“Sometimes you have to look at other people who have already shown themselves in the department and, as I said, at the moment there are a lot of them at other Premier League clubs. But if you’re worried about bringing in a manager, and that manager is in his contract that he has to make the final decision on transfers, then a lot of those resolutions are out of your reach as a club, so you have to be careful about making resolutions like that.
“I’m assuming this is what’s happened at United, I don’t know for sure, of course, but it looks like Ten Hag has got the final say in every decision that’s being made within the club. But I really feel like within the Premier League, there’s a lot of quality within a lot of teams that would help United going forward.
“I think Manchester United want to strengthen in attack; they want more quality in those complex positions. I think an additional scorer is really vital. Rasmus Hojlund is gaining confidence, but you can’t put all your trust in him. Alejandro Garnacho doesn’t score many goals , Antony neither, Marcus Rashford did a lot more last season than now. You have to have goalscorers in your team if you want to compete at the top of the table, it is so important that they have players who score goals and create chances, so definitely It is a domain in which they wish to strengthen themselves.
“But we know how tricky it is to do that in the winter move window; It’s tricky to point to really smart players in this window because their clubs wouldn’t possibly need to let them go unless you pass and pay huge sums of money. “, and I just don’t see that happening this month. But that, for me, would be the dominance I’d like to see strengthened more than anywhere else for United.
According to ESPN, Manchester United will carry out a primary review of their defense this summer under the guidance of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans could leave the club when their contracts expire at the end of the season, while the report claims that Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof could be sold if United receive “significant offers”. Jarrad Branthwaite, Matthijs de Ligt, Jean-Clair Todibo and Sacha Boey are also among the players United are willing to sign.
Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre believes a move for Brian Brobbey “would make sense” given that the striker played in the past with Erik ten Hag at Ajax.
“It’s natural because it’s been around not so long ago,” Silvestre told BettingExpert. “He knows his qualities, his weaknesses and his mentality. It’s common to see coaches recruit players and staff from their former clubs because they know them so well.
“It’s not a problem. He knows what he lacks in the current team to achieve his goals, so if he believes that an Ajax player can achieve them, it would make sense. “
Ed Woodward may have left Manchester United 20 months ago, but he is still about to land a gigantic payday.
Woodward is a key figure in United’s recent history, having served as the club’s executive vice-president from May 2013 to February 2022. He is a highly debatable figure at United, having overseen more than £1 billion in player spending during his tenure. to Old Trafford in exchange for little success.
The 52-year-old helped the Glazer family complete the acquisition of United in 2005 and tendered his resignation in April 2021 after backing the disastrous European Super League. He eventually left the club in April 2022, with Richard Arnold in the more sensible position. .
But while he has moved on, and found himself a new gig in artificial intelligence in November, Woodward still has an interest at United. That’s because he owns shares in the club – shares that are about to make him even wealthier.
The Athletic notes that Woodward owns 551,486 Class A shares in United. That is extremely significant given that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is about to buy 25 per cent of the club’s shares in exchange for £1.3billion. After a protracted takeover process, which began in November 2022, the deal was announced on December 24 and will be officially signed off in the coming weeks.
Read the full story here
Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre believes Jadon Sancho “can still have a long-term future” at the club, despite his differences with manager Erik ten Hag.
“I think Sancho can still have a long career at United,” Sylvester told Bettingexpert. “Things are replaced a lot in football from game to game, so from six months into the season, things can change. “
“If he comes back for pre-season and plays with the coach, he might check his luck again. I think his long-term career is not 100 per cent over with United, but that’s up to him. Now he has to concentrate on his functionality for Dortmund. “
Manchester United’s main priority in January is their monetary situation, not attracting new faces.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has just come on board to take control of football operations, which includes their recruitment strategy. The club want to ensure they are in a strong position come the summer, which would allow the British billionaire to attack the market.
There are concerns about breaches of monetary rules as the Premier League demonstrates its willingness to punish groups this season. ESPN reports that the scenario at Old Trafford remains “tense”, which has largely dictated its strategy for the new year.
Read the full story here
Anthony Martial’s agent has felt compelled to speak to his client following reports that he had fallen out with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.
Martial has played for United since the 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Dec. 9, but his absence has been explained through the club. It later emerged that the Frenchman had been exiled from the first team through Ten Hag as punishment for his departure from the club.
However, as reported by Mirror Football, Martial has just been included in an individual programme. Instead of being punished, like Jadon Sancho before his move to Borussia Dortmund, Martial is taking advantage of his fitness like the others, adding Lisandro Martínez, Casemiro and Mason Mount. , I’ve done it before.
The 28-year-old striker’s contract with United expires in June and it has been reported that he could be sold in the January transfer window. However, Phillipe Lamboley has now set the record straight, insisting that Martial suffers from a hip. injury, has fallen out with Ten Hag and has no plans to leave the club this month.
Read the full story here
Welcome to Mirror Football for all things Manchester United.
We’ll have all the latest transfer talk, as well as updates on everything else around Old Trafford as we approach a month since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment in the club was confirmed.
Thanks for joining us on today’s live Manchester United blog!
Don’t check back with us tomorrow for more information on moves, injury updates, and more.
Then we will meet again, take care.
Manchester United may have a second chance to sign Portuguese striker Gonçalo Ramos, who the Red Devils were linked with before joining Paris Saint-Germain.
According to L’Equipe, via The Sun, PSG are in a position to sell the £69m Portuguese abroad amid doubts from manager Luis Enrique.
Ramos, a 22-year-old former Benfica player, has played just 143 minutes of football in the Champions League organisation and has not played a Ligue 1 match since November.
Read what Bruno Fernandes thinks of him HERE.
Brentford striker Ivan Toney wants to play for a “top club” amid links of a move to Manchester United.
Asked about his long career at Sky Sports, the 27-year-old striker, who is now available following an eight-month suspension, replied: “You can never wait for when the right time will be to move somewhere else, but I think so. “It’s obvious that I need to play for a big club.
“Everyone has to play for a great club, fight for titles. If this January will be the right time for a club to come in and pay the right price, who knows?
“But my main focus is to do what I do on the pitch, and let the background work take care of itself.”
Reports from Italy suggest that Manchester United could rush for Ivan Provedel if the goalkeeper fails to reach a new deal with Lazio.
Provedel, 29, has been a regular at the Stadio Olimpico this season and scored a memorable goal against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
According to Quotidiano Sportivo (via the MEN), the Italian’s wage demands have cast doubt over Lazio’s ability to hang on to the keeper.
However, with Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir already in United’s books, it remains to be seen how any move for Provedel would be addressed.
Liverpool have reportedly been tipped to sign Crystal Palace’s Michael Elise from Manchester United.
Olise, 22, has recently been a target for United, with his £60m release clause activated this summer, but Liverpool could sign up for the race and convince the French playmaker at Anfield.
More here.
Manchester United are reportedly keen to sign Swedish prodigy Lucas Bergvall.
Bergvall, 17, is a midfielder who plays for top-flight side Djurgarden, who value him at around £8million.
United are heading into the Swedish Under-21 international’s festival, with Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt and Barcelona all interested, according to German outlet Fussball News.
Manchester United are reportedly in a position to pay the €60 million (£51. 6 million) release clause of Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi.
The 24-year-old Spanish foreign midfielder returned to play for the Real Sociedad children’s club and several media outlets claim that United are counting on his services.
It’s been claimed elsewhere that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is keen to recruit a No.8 in midfield.
Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo is set to join Manchester United this summer, and the cash-strapped La Liga champions need a big sale once back to balance their books.
The 24-year-old Araujo, who is primarily a centre-back but can also play as a right-back, is also a target for Bayern Munich, who according to Sky Germany has been valued at £70m via Barca.
The Uruguayan foreigner has a contract with Catalonia until 2026 and United are also linked with teammate and Barcelona centre-back Andreas Christensen.
Araujo, however, would tick two boxes for new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is keen to bring in a new centre-back and a right-back.
Will United be able to fight for the title? Receive our FREE Manchester United email newsletter