Manchester United transfer news LIVE: Dayot Upamecano, Jesse Lingard, Romain Faivre, Paul Pogba latest
All the latest transfer rumours, gossip and news on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team during the window
Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free
Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Manchester United turn their on-pitch attentions back to the Premier League this week, while off-pitch it’s still a case of trying to find the right candidates to strengthen the team during the January transfer window.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side came through the FA Cup third round with a narrow victory over Championship side Watford, after several changes to the line-up. The manager was pleased to get through the tie, but less than impressed with the overall performance from a few of those hoping to break into the regular team.
That follows on from Solskjaer also bemoaning a lack of quality after another cup game, the Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City, though he has still said that one of the more high-profile members of the sidelined squad at present, in Donny van de Beek, can expect to get more chances in future.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand feels those minutes on the pitch may need to come sooner rather than later, with the former Ajax attacking midfielder expecting to have been involved far more before now and Ferdinand feeling he may look elsewhere if he doesn’t see minutes on the pitch.
As such, United could be looking to strengthen this window in different areas of the pitch, having completed the signing of Amad Diallo already, while players such as Sergio Romero and Phil Jones are the likely departures.
Meanwhile, Solskjaer must juggle his squad once more for the Tuesday night game against Burnley, with three players likely to be injury doubts for the game including Paul Pogba. A draw or win for United in that game will send them top of the Premier League table ahead of Liverpool, who they face in their following fixture at Anfield.
We will have all the latest Manchester United news, rumours and gossip – on both incomings and outgoings – throughout the day.
NEW ‘COVID CLAUSES’ TO BE INCLUDED IN PREMIER LEAGUE PLAYERS’ CONTRACTS
Premier League clubs want to include new 'Covid clauses' in players' contracts to cover themselves financially, according to Sky Sports.
Loan deals can be cancelled and some fees recouped if football is interrupted again by the pandemic.
This has led to "more complex negotiations than ever" between Premier League clubs.
Some such contracts reportedly include pay cuts if games are still played without fans beyond the end of this season.
SOLSKJAER SAYS JANUARY SIGNINGS ARE ‘UNLIKELY’
“I think the signings we made in the summer strengthened the squad really well, good signings and good characters and good players.
“January is always difficult. If something comes up that is a long-term target anyway that is another scenario. But not many teams would like to lose players in January.
“It's unlikely something will happen on the 'in' side. There might be two or three going out because they deserve to play more football for their own good and their own careers.”
Aston Villa vs Tottenham postponed amid Premier League fixture chaos
Spurs will instead play Fulham in a game already postponed after the Cottagers’ own outbreak while the Fulham vs Chelsea clash later this week has also been moved
UNITED LEADING RACE TO SIGN LILLE MIDFIELDER
Manchester United are in pole position to sign Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare, according to journalist Vito Angele.
The 21-year-old is also believed to be a target for Milan and Liverpool, but United are considered favourites as things stand.
"He is an important player but I don't think he will be coming to Serie A," Angele told the Italian Football Podcast.
"Man Utd are working on him and they are the favourites to sign him right now. Lille are also asking a high price for him which is too much for Milan."
DIALLO’S FORMER COACH REVEALS AREA HE NEEDS TO IMPROVE
Amad Diallo's former youth coach has identified the parts of his game the youngster must improve if he is to succeed at Manchester United.
The 18-year-old's move to Old Trafford was confirmed last week and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has since emphasised the potential of one of Europe's brightest young talents.
But there is clearly still work to do for Diallo.
“Physically, Amad wasn’t the strongest at Boca Barco, and his heading abilities aren’t good," Denis Cerlini, a youth coach at Diallo's former club Boca Barco, told BBC Sport.
“He must add a few kilograms of weight in order to survive in the Premier League.”
Rio Ferdinand has expressed his surprise at the lack of game time being enjoyed by summer signing Donny van de Beek at Manchester United.
Rio Ferdinand ‘surprised’ at lack of minutes for Donny van de Beek
Many expected the attacking midfielder to play a big role for United but that has not yet materialised
EX-UNITED MIDFIELDER RELEASED
Former Manchester United midfielder Ravel Morrison has had his contract terminated by Dutch side ADO Den Haag.
The 27-year-old managed just five appearances after joining the club from Sheffield United in September.
UNITED END PURSUIT OF CAICEDO
Manchester United are no longer pursuing a deal to sign Moises Caicedo this month, according to the MEN.
Discussions with various intermediaries reportedly became "too messy", despite the Independiente del Valle midfielder's claim that moving to Old Trafford would be a "dream".
The teenager is believed to be a target for a host of other clubs, but United were favourites until the most recent developments.
OWEN URGES UNITED TO SIGN DORTMUND STAR
Michael Owen has claimed Manchester United should pay big money for Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland and find a long-term solution to a problem position.
“If you look at the recent past of Manchester United, they have been buying a lot of players that have been coming to the twilight of their career – when you look at Cavani, before that Ibrahimovic, before that Van Persie, Henrik Larsson," the former Liverpool striker told Stadium Astro.
“They have gone for players right at the end of their career. The last one they bought early on in their career is Wayne Rooney. At least then you have got a player that is going to last you for 10 years.
“At the moment, Manchester United have struggled to find that young player that is going to take them all the way as a No 9. I think the one player out there that springs to mind, a player that could be in their team for 10 years and stop them having to buy stop-gaps all the time, is Haaland at Dortmund. He is the player on everybody’s lips at the moment.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies