Manchester United is reportedly open to selling Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, as per Alex Crook of talkSPORT.
As per the report, Casemiro has caught the attention of clubs in Saudi Arabia, looking to secure his services for a substantial fee.
With the imminent entry of Sir Jim Ratcliffe as a minority owner who will take charge of the club’s sporting affairs, there’s an openness to entertaining offers for the 31-year-old. This strategy is part of a broader plan to generate funds for a major revamp at Old Trafford, the report states.
Casemiro, who joined United from Real Madrid in the summer of 2022 for a fee of £60million, is among the top earners at the club. His contribution was vital in manager Erik ten Hag’s strategy, which saw the team secure a third-place finish and advance to the finals of two cups in the last season.
However, the player, who has been a part of five Champions League triumphs, has seen a notable decline in his performance this season. He is also currently dealing with a hamstring injury, further impacting his form.
Currently, there are no indications that Raphael Varane is planning to depart Manchester United. However, the French defender’s circumstances remain fluid, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
Varane, who joined the Red Devils for approximately £34m from Real Madrid in 2021, has not had the smoothest tenure, largely due to injuries.
Despite being hailed as one of the world’s top defenders, Varane has recently seen a decrease in his time on the field.
In the 2022/23 season, despite initially being a preferred choice alongside Lisandro Martinez under Erik ten Hag, he has now been relegated to a lesser role. This shift in his position at the club has been underscored by the selection of Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans, and Victor Lindelof ahead of him.
It has been hinted by Romano that United’s top priority in 2024 is signing a centre-back.
Speculation around a strained relationship between Varane and Ten Hag has been circulating, raising possibilities of Varane’s exit in the upcoming January window or next summer.
Romano, shedding light on this matter, explained that Varane’s absence from the starting lineup is a tactical choice.
He stated, “As previously reported, the message on Raphael Varane remains very clear – it’s a tactical decision for him not to start games for Manchester United at the moment,” emphasizing Ten Hag’s current preference for Maguire’s play and mentality, alongside Evans.
However, Romano anticipates that Varane might see increased playtime soon, especially considering Evans’ injury. He added, “Still, with Evans now injured, I’m sure we’ll see Varane getting more playing time.”
Nevertheless, the situation could evolve if a significant offer is made in January, though no negotiations are currently underway.
Looking towards potential replacements for Varane, Romano has highlighted Edmond Tapsoba and Jean-Clair Todibo as possible candidates.
He remarked, “We know that in 2024 a top priority for United is a new centre-back, but whether it’ll be January or the summer will depend on opportunities.” Tapsoba and Todibo, both vital to their respective clubs, are unlikely to transfer mid-season, which could delay any significant defensive acquisitions by United until summer.
Victor Osimhen, the Napoli striker and Nigerian international, has revealed that he possesses two Premier League team jerseys – those of Manchester United and Chelsea.
This revelation comes amidst his successful stint in Italy’s Serie A, where his performances have consistently drawn attention from English clubs. Osimhen’s collection hints at a potential inclination towards these clubs should a transfer opportunity to the Premier League arise.
The interest in Osimhen is not one-sided. Noted football journalist Fabrizio Romano has recently mentioned Chelsea’s admiration for the striker. This development is likely to be well-received by fans at Stamford Bridge. Similarly, Manchester United supporters might find this news particularly intriguing, considering the club’s potential need for a high-profile striker.
However, Osimhen’s career decisions are not solely influenced by European football. He shared on John Obi Mikel’s podcast an instance where he was heavily courted by a club from Saudi Arabia. Osimhen said, “I don’t have a favourite PL team but I have two jerseys: Chelsea and Man United. Many friends of mine are Chelsea fans, few are Man Utd fans.”
Regarding the Saudi offer, he elaborated, “I never thought of [leaving in summer] at first. But when this huge offer came from a Saudi club it was tempting. It was a big one… I had three meetings and made up my mind to stick with the team. In August it was a huge decision for me to take. The more I said no to these people the more they increased their offer. It was literally like ‘wow’… they never gave up until the end of their transfer window.”
Osimhen’s commitment to his current team and his aspirations in European football were evident as he ultimately declined the lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia, despite their persistence.
With the country due to play two upcoming international fixtures in the UEFA Euro Qualifiers, the national team would be hoping to have all their players on hand.
But it’s now been revealed that one of their players has left the national team.
It’s been reported that Diogo Dalot has left the Portugal squad due to ‘personal reasons’ after communication with manager Roberto Martinez.
What these personal reasons are, no details have yet been shared.
But it’s clear that Dalot will not be playing for his country during the international break.
Manchester United fans will be wondering if this means any missed game time for his club side also.
United have a couple of weeks off as they prepare for their next game against Everton in the English Premier League and fans will be hoping that Dalot’s personal issues will have resolved by then.
With Aaron Wan-Bissaka missing the game against Luton Town, another absence in the backline could be problematic for The Red Devils.
Dalot is able to play on both the left and right hand side of the defence and with Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw not yet ready to return to first team action, United will be hoping that Dalot can be back in time to help the club fill the numbers at the back.
Manchester United’s leadership is setting firm boundaries with agents, particularly those seen as positioning their clients as potential replacements for manager Erik ten Hag, reports Rob Dawson from ESPN.
The team’s management is sticking by Ten Hag following a recent 1-0 victory over Luton Town, a win that came just before the November international break. This support comes despite a challenging start to the season, with the team suffering nine losses in 18 matches.
However, Ten Hag’s success last season, which included a third-place finish in the Premier League and a Carabao Cup win, has sustained the confidence of senior figures at the club.
ESPN has revealed that United’s higher-ups are growing weary of agents trying to propose their coaching clients for Ten Hag’s role. This frustration led to the cancellation of a meeting with the agent of a prominent, currently unemployed manager, amid concerns that the discussion would veer towards Ten Hag’s job security.
The recent period has been a mixed bag for Ten Hag’s United, with wins against Fulham and Luton in the Premier League, but a 4-3 loss to FC Copenhagen in the Champions League. Despite these ups and downs, the club’s leadership is noticing positive developments.
The club is also bracing for the impact of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s impending investment, which could bring significant changes at various levels. Ratcliffe, the chairman and CEO of INEOS, is nearing a deal to acquire a 25% stake in the club. This move might grant him a say in football operations, casting some doubt on the future of current football director John Murtough.
Ratcliffe, along with INEOS director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford, has been critical of United’s recruitment strategies over the past ten years and is eager to revamp these processes. Although impressed by Ten Hag’s work since his appointment in 2022, they are concerned about the team’s recent dip in form.
Bruno Fernandes, the star midfielder of Manchester United, has reportedly caught the eye of Saudi Arabian clubs, with a hefty €100m (£87.3m) bid being prepared for his acquisition, as per a report.
Having joined Manchester United in January 2020, Fernandes quickly became a pivotal figure at Old Trafford, earning the club captaincy and establishing himself as one of their key players.
The Portuguese international boasts an impressive record at United, with 68 goals and 57 assists in 201 matches across all competitions. His tenure at the club has seen him lift an EFL Cup.
Fernandes is securely tied to United, with his contract set to run until 2026, and an option for the club to extend for an additional year.
Despite United’s fluctuating performances under Erik ten Hag, there’s been no indication that Fernandes, 29, is looking for an exit.
Yet, a report from Fichajes claims that Saudi Pro League teams, likely backed by the Public Investment Fund, are ready to make a substantial £87.3m offer for Fernandes, potentially in January or the following summer.
Should such a bid materialize, teams like Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli would likely be in the running to sign Fernandes.
The Saudi Pro League has seen a drop in average attendances compared to the 2022-23 season, despite attracting several high-profile players recently.
The league is, however, anticipated to witness another influx of star signings in 2024, with Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah being linked to moves to the Middle East.
For Manchester United, the prospect of parting with a crucial team member seems unlikely, especially given their current struggles. However, the financial boost from such a sale could be significant for the club, aiding in addressing various squad needs.
United’s financial constraints, particularly with FFP regulations, have been a topic of discussion, with recent reports suggesting they might have to focus on more economical deals in the January transfer window.
Mason Greenwood has made a fantastic start to life in LaLiga with Getafe.
Signed on loan in the summer transfer window, after it had originally looked like the youngster would be reintegrated into the Manchester United first team following his suspension that began in January 2022, Greenwood has scored 3 goals and provided 3 assists in his first 10 appearances for the Madrid based side.
Now it seems that Getafe have made up their mind on what they want to do with Greenwood in the long term.
According to The Sun, Getafe want to speak to the Old Trafford hierarchy and discuss a permanent transfer for the English striker.
The tabloid states that a source close to Getafe has told them that the Spanish side believe that they can make a transfer offer that would be appealing to United as it would also mean Greenwood would be off their wage bill completely.
An alternate, which the paper claims is more likely, is that United will agree an extended loan spell for Greenwood at the club.
Greenwood is set to be on loan for the remainder of the 2023-24 season and an extension to that would likely mean that he’d be in Spain for the 2024-25 season also.
Whether Greenwood returns to United is still a question up in the air, with many believing that his future in Manchester and the English Premier League is over.
It seems that Getafe have been convinced by Greenwood’s performances that they’re willing to bet on the striker for many years to come.
Right-back has been a problem area for Manchester United for a while now.
While Aaron Wan-Bissaka is arguably the best defender in the world when it comes to defensive one-on-ones, his attacking output is not at an elite level.
Diogo Dalot has had many opportunities to stake his claim for that spot, but the Portuguese international is too prone to switching off for him to be the first choice for a club of United’s stature.
This means that United have been linked with a host of right-backs over the years from the likes of Denzel Dumfries to Jeremie Frimpong to Vanderson.
It now seems that United are actually looking to sign someone much younger as a longer term investment in that position.
According to TeamTalk, both Manchester sides (United and City) have made contact to sign 17-year-old Sam Curtis from St Patrick’s Athletic.
Despite his young age, Curtis has emerged as one of the top prospects in Irish football and is believed to be close to a full call up to the senior national side.
As well as United and City, the publication claims that the likes of Everton, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Sheffield United, Hull City and Middlesbrough are also showing interest in signing Curtis.
For those who have not heard much of Curtis, the right-back was named as Republic of Ireland Under-18 Player of the Year for 2022 at the FAI International Football Awards and has made 61 senior career appearances, while scoring three goals, for his club side in Ireland.
In the recent past, United have made efforts to improve their recruitment of young talent, with changes announced to their scouting setup as well as new staff brought into the club to help accelerate that process. With United needing a permanent solution for that right-back position and the club approaching St Patrick’s Athletic to discuss a move for Curtis, this could be one to look out for in the coming weeks and months.
Ever since Erik ten Hag has joined Manchester United, the links to the Netherlands has never been stronger at the club.
Thanks to his experience in the Eredivise, ten Hag has brought many players either directly from the league or have played there in the past.
And it seems that trend is set to continue.
That’s according to FootballTransfers, who are reporting that AZ Alkmaar wonderkid Jayden Addai was watched by Manchester United scouts during a match between AZ Under 19s and Molde FK in the Youth League.
Addai has been impressing onlookers with his performances in the Dutch system and has attracted interest from far and wide, including from those at Old Trafford.
For those unaware, Addai is currently playing in the Dutch second division for Jong AZ, Alkmaar’s reserve team, and is seen as the best player in the second tier of Dutch football this season.
The youngster certainly has a bright future and first rose to wider prominence last season when he helped AZ win the UEFA Youth League when they knocked out the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Sporting CP, before smashing Hajduk Split 5-0 in the final.
While many fans may be questioning why the club are looking at the Dutch league again, considering how the transfers from there have fared so far for United, this one might make sense.
Addai is a hugely talented player and is already making waves across Europe. It would make sense to take a closer look at him to see if he can work in the English Premier League also.
Signing him may not be a simple matter, however, as Addai is contracted to AZ until 2025. So if United did want to bring him in, it would cost them a pretty penny for sure.
