Follow Mail Sport’s live blog from New Jersey as United face Arsenal in a pre-season friendly at MetLife Stadium. The Gunners are coming off a 5-0 win over the MLS All Stars, while United beat Lyon last week.
Bruno Fernandes will wear the armband as United captain, with manager Erik ten Hag choosing him to replace Harry Maguire.
Transfers
The transfer window is now open and manchester united news are in the hunt for a new goalkeeper, central midfielder and striker. Manager Erik ten Hag is determined to get these signings done, although the club may be limited in their capacity to spend this summer regardless of whether there is a change in ownership. United are still in debt from last season’s spending and will be restricted to a maximum of PS120m this year under Financial Fair Play rules.
The club’s priority is to land a new goalkeeper, and a deal for Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger is reportedly close. The 24-year-old defender would cost a total of £63 million including salary, bonuses and agents’ fees. Despite this being expensive, he is considered by ten Hag as the best option to replace David de Gea.
Another target is Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat. The midfielder has been coveted by several top clubs in Europe but the Old Trafford club remain in talks with his representatives over a possible move. United also hold an interest in Napoli defender Kim Min-jae, who is out of contract at the end of 2023.
Sons of former United midfielder Darren Fletcher, Jack and Tyler, are also expected to join the club this summer. The two players have been playing for rivals Manchester City and are keen to return home and be closer to their father, who is the club’s technical director.
Meanwhile, a move for Inter Milan’s Andre Onana is progressing after a phone call between his agent and ten Hag. The Dutchman is looking to add a second goalkeeper after De Gea and wants a player who has experience of European football.
Pre-season
As the 2023 season draws closer, clubs begin to gear up for the campaign with a raft of pre-season friendlies. Manchester United are one of the most high-profile teams to take part in this, playing at venues that attract a mighty crowd and allowing fans to get up close with their heroes. The spectacle certainly isn’t easy on the players, though, and the tour of Asia and America can be particularly testing for some members of the squad.
Clubs like to try and protect their young players as much as they can from the prying eyes of the media, but the cat just won’t stay in the bag. For instance, on Thursday, Kobbie Mainoo was booked to appear alongside teammates such as Raphael Varane and Diogo Dalot at a commercial event in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. It’s all part of a busy schedule as the Red Devils prepare for their opening day clash against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
It’s a scenario that has taken some of Erik ten Hag’s predecessors – including David Moyes – by surprise, but the Norwegian appears to have coped with it pretty well. After all, he has managed to ensure that his squad can be given enough time on the training ground and he’s also made sure they have plenty of quality opposition to challenge them during the tours of Asia and America.
Away from the matches, he’s also able to bring in some extra help with coaching and fitness and there have been some notable results. For example, Charlie Savage has stepped up to the plate with a bright start to his first year as a United player and Zidane Iqbal has also looked in good shape.
There’s still plenty to be determined, though, and ten Hag remains keen to add another striker to his squad. He’s reportedly been contacted by the agent for Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries and is keen to gauge his interest, although a deal may not be in place before the transfer window closes on Friday.
Injury Updates
Manchester United will have to shuffle their squad again this week. Their injury situation has become critical without Lisandro Martinez available, and with Raphael Varane also out for the season, they have lost much of their defensive depth. With the game schedule getting increasingly compressed, a few more injuries could put Man United in trouble.
The big blow came with the news that Donny van de Beek will be out for the rest of the season. He has returned to training in recent days but he will not feature in the club’s final games, which starts with Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Brighton. The loss of the Dutchman is a major blow to the team’s defence, and manager Erik ten Hag will be desperately juggling his options at the back.
There are also doubts over Luke Shaw and Antony Ashley-Cooper’s fitness ahead of the Wembley showpiece. The pair were both forced off with ankle injuries in the FA Cup quarter-final win against Chelsea, and their availability is very much in question.
Injuries are always going to be a problem for any football team, but it is especially difficult when players are not able to play at the level they want to. It is important for the fans to have access to all the latest Manchester United injury news so they can follow the team as closely as possible, and know who to look out for when watching a match.
One man who is sure to be in the spotlight this week is Amad Diallo, who was injured during a preseason friendly with Arsenal. The defender suffered an ankle injury in the 2-0 victory, and was seen on crutches as he left the stadium. It remains to be seen how serious the injury is, but it is another setback for the player who has impressed at times this season. He had been a contender to feature in the first team next season, but now his chances are looking slimmer than ever. He will need to make a quick recovery.
Team News
MANCHESTER UNITED face the first test of the season when they take on Sevilla in their opening Europa League group match. The Red Devils haven’t won a trophy since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, with David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer failing to deliver. But new manager Erik ten Hag has already started to rejuvenate the club with the signing of players such as Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro. And Marcus Rashford has also committed his future to the club by putting pen to paper on a new five-year contract.
But despite all the positivity, some United fans remain pessimistic about their side’s chances of success this term. The big concern is that they lack a true centre-forward to play alongside either Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial or Jadon Sancho.
And the rumours continue to rumble on, with Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag still determined to sign a striker before the end of the transfer window. The Dutchman is believed to have made a late bid for Inter Milan star Denzel Dumfries, but the deal was scuppered when the player’s agent revealed the Red Devils were not prepared to meet his high expectations.
One name to keep an eye on is Andre Onana, who was given his first squad number by United during a meeting with his agent earlier this week. Previously, the 24-year-old was used as cover for injured goalkeeper David de Gea.
And he could feature against the Spanish outfit. He is expected to be backed up by either Matteo Darmian or Luke Shaw with Antonio Valencia and Chris Smalling out of the team through injury
Conclusion
As of the latest available information, Manchester United’s news remains dynamic and ever-changing. Fans can stay up-to-date with the club’s developments through reliable sources, including official websites, reputable sports media, and social media platforms. Whether it’s transfers, match results, or team updates, the world will continue to eagerly follow the journey of this iconic football club.
FAQs:
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What are Manchester United’s recent transfer rumors? As of my last update in September 2021, specific transfer rumors may have changed. For the latest transfer news, it’s best to check credible sports news outlets and official club announcements, as they will provide the most accurate and up-to-date information on potential transfers.
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How is Manchester United performing in their league? As my information is not current, I cannot provide real-time performance updates. To check Manchester United’s current league standings, recent match results, and upcoming fixtures, fans can visit the official Premier League website or reputable sports news platforms for the latest statistics and insights.
