Manchester United transfer news LIVE: Jadon Sancho, Kieran Trippier, Aaron Ramsey, Moises Caicedo latest
Here are all the latest rumours, gossip and news surrounding Old Trafford this month
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United are looking to strengthen this month with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer bemoaning the “lack of quality” after suffering defeat to rivals Manchester City in this week’s semi-final in the Carabao Cup.
The Red Devils fell at home thanks to goals from John Stones and Fernandinho, which set City up for a final against Tottenham. The focus now switches to the FA Cup, Premier League, but also the January transfer window, which could prove to be decisive in where United end up this season.
United have the consolation of being in a prime position to move to the top of the Premier League should they win their game in hand after a superb run of form leading up to and during the festive period. They currently sit joint-top of the Premier League with rivals Liverpool on goal difference thanks to the hard-fought win over Aston Villa on Friday night. The rollercoaster season under Solskjaer saw United exit from the Champions League last month. But with domestic fortunes back on the rise there is reason to be optimistic again at Old Trafford.
Bayern Munich left-back David Alaba is among the potential new recruits, and Ecuadorean midfielder Moises Caicedo is another such name. Summer signing Amad Diallo could join both in Manchester this month with his paperwork finally set to be resolved. Serie A side Atalanta were keen to keep hold of him until the summer but the suggestion is he could be on his way to bolster Solskjaer’s title challengers imminently.
There will likely be exits this month, too, with the likes of Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones possible outgoings. Midfielder Jesse Lingard won’t be one of them, however, after seeing a one-year extension option in his contract triggered last week.
We will have all the latest Manchester United news, rumours and gossip – on both comings and goings – throughout the day.
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce has questioned the morality of continuing the season amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Steve Bruce says it’s ‘morally wrong’ for football to continue
Newcastle suffered their own outbreak which forced the Premier League game with Aston Villa to be postponed
IGHALO WILL BE ‘INVOLVED’ AGAINST WATFORD
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that Odion Ighalo will be "involved" against former club Watford on Saturday.
The FA Cup clash could be one of the Nigerian's final appearances in a United shirt, with his loan set to expire at the end of the month.
"Odion, you know it’s special for him against Watford. He will be involved," Solskjaer said.
"He’s not lost any of his sharpness or quality. It’s been difficult for him to be out of the squad as many times. He’s been a positive influence in the dressing room.
"Hopefully I won’t need to bring him on in that we need goals but hopefully that he can join in."
OLE: ROJO AND ROMERO CAN LEAVE
Marcos Rojo and Sergio Romero are free to speak to other clubs and leave Manchester United this month, according to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Both Rojo and Romero have only six months remaining on their Old Trafford contracts and can leave on free transfers at the end of the season.
Romero was left out of United's 25-man Premier League squad at the start of the campaign, while Rojo was omitted from Solskjaer's selection for the Champions League.
Marcos Rojo and Sergio Romero free to leave Manchester United
Rojo and Romero contracts will not be extended, says Solskjaer
BERBATOV: UNITED SHOULD SIGN RAMOS
Sergio Ramos would make an ideal addition to the Manchester United squad if he doesn’t renew his contract with Real Madrid, says Dimitar Berbatov.
The former Spurs and United forward feels the 34-year-old has the attributes which could benefit Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad, though it’s not yet certain that he’ll depart the Santiago Bernabeu.
Reports from Spain suggest the defender has come to an impasse at present with his club over an extension, meaning he’s free to discuss a move with Premier League clubs now for a summer switch.
Dimitar Berbatov explains why Man United should sign Sergio Ramos
The Spain captain is out of contract in the summer
PELLISTRI POSITIVE FOR COVID
Manchester United youngster Facundo Pellistri has tested positive for Covid-19.
Pellistri was in contention to play in Saturday's FA Cup third round tie against Watford at Old Trafford, which could have been his first senior appearance since joining from Penarol in a €10m deal in October.
But the 19-year-old's representatives Eqipo TMA announced late on Thursday night that Pellistri had returned a positive test for the virus.
Solskjaer confirmed Pellistri’s positive test on Friday, with the youngster observing a period of self-isolationat home and not symptomatic.
Manchester United youngster Facundo Pellistri tests positive for Covid-19
Pellistri is yet to make senior debut for United following €10m move
HOW MUCH WILL PREMIER LEAGUE CLUBS SPEND IN JANUARY?
The Premier League's spending power will be under scrutiny once more in a January transfer window unlike any which has gone before.Previous winter windows have seen a steady upward trend in the league's spending, albeit with a couple of eye-catching outliers.
January 2011, when £225million was spent including big-money moves in and out of Liverpool for strikers Andy Carroll and Fernando Torres, nestled in between figures of £30m in 2010 and £60m in 2012.
How much will Premier League clubs spend in January transfer window?
There is considerable uncertainty around spending this season with new rules due to Brexit and Covid-19 impacting clubs’ financial power
Donny van de Beek has been urged to leave Manchester United unless his gametime dramatically improves.
Donny van de Beek might have to leave Manchester United to play at Euro 2020, says Ronald de Boer
Donny van de Beek has been urged to leave Manchester United unless his gametime dramatically improves.
UNITED FACED WITH ‘TRANSFER DECISION’ AFTER WATFORD TIE
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must decide on the immediate futures of two Manchester United players after his side's FA Cup clash with Watford this weekend, according to the MEN.
Both Brandon Williams and Dan James have been linked with loan moves in the January transfer window, but both could feature on Saturday.
And it could be that Solskjaer looks to keep the youngsters in his squad to provide depth during a busy second half of the season.
Dimitar Berbatov admits he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Donny Van de Beek pushed for a premature exit at Manchester United after limited game time since his £40m move from Ajax last summer.
Van de Beek exit ‘wouldn’t surprise’ Berbatov after United struggles
The Dutch international has made just eight starts this season since joining for £40m
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