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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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.
Marcos Rojo and Sergio Romero are free to speak to other clubs and leave Manchester United this month, according to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Marcos Rojo and Sergio Romero free to leave Manchester United
Rojo and Romero contracts will not be extended, says Solskjaer
LAIRD IN ‘PERFECT PLACE’ TO DEVELOP AFTER LOAN MOVE CONFIRMED
United youngster Ethan Laird has made clear his enthusiasm to get started for MK Dons after joining the League One side on loan.
“I'm buzzing to get started,” Laird told MK Dons official website. “The manager has shown a lot of faith in me and what I can do for the team, and that’s all I could ask for - it’s now up to me show why he was right to choose me.
“I need to work my way into the team and get to know the lads, but I want to make as much of an impact as I can while I’m here. That’s something I’ll always hold myself too - how can I affect my teammates and the Club in a positive way.
“This is the perfect place for me to continue developing, with the way the team play. They are aggressive, they like to get in behind and they leave it all out on the pitch and that's my idea of football."
SOLSKJAER CALLS FOR FOOTBALL TO CONTINUE THROUGH ‘FRIGHTENING’ TIME
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has expressed his hope that football will be able to continue despite an alarming rise in Covid-19 cases across the UK.
Manchester United have had relatively few cases of the virus in their camp, though youngster Facundo Pellistri has been ruled out of Saturday's FA Cup tie against Watford with coronavirus.
“First of all, of course you’re worried about what’s happening in the society and in and around the country. It’s a big thing," Solskjaer said.
“I personally feel safe within our bubble. I think we’ve taken all the steps that we’ve had to, following the protocols, guidelines. The club has been good, the players have been following as well as they can.
“Of course what’s happening outside and at different clubs and in the society is frightening and we have a responsibility and a duty to try to do our best to stay clear and keep within the bubbles and the guidelines.
“I hope that we can continue playing because I think it’s a positive impact for everyone in the lockdown now to watch. Even I feel it. At home when you don’t have a game yourself, you’re looking forward to watching a game on telly and the mental wellbeing of football has been a big positive, I think.”
UNITED COULD TERMINATE LOAN
United are considering the termination of Tahith Chong’s loan at Werder Bremen, according to Fussball Transfers.
The 21-year-old has managed a total of just 439 minutes with the German side so far this season and United are dissatisfied with his development.
Chong could return to Old Trafford if his game time does not increase, with only three Bundesliga starts to his name.
UNITED RECALL CHARLTON LOANEE
Manchester United have recalled Dylan Levitt from his loan at League One side Charlton.
The 20-year-old managed only five appearances in all competitions.
“He has been a pleasure to work with. He’s a very good player. He works hard every day," Charlton boss Lee Bowyer told the South London Press.
“The thing for me was just the physical side, which will come in time for him. Is he going back better than he came? I think yeah. There’s stuff he has taken on board that I’ve passed on to him and he said himself ‘I feel I’m learning here’. He enjoyed it here.
“He is very good on the ball, a very good passer. Was it a little too early for him? I’d probably say it’s the league that was the problem – not him as a player. It was just the physicality of the league. Other leagues aren’t like that – the Premier League and international football."
UNITED LOANEE INELIGIBLE FOR FA CUP TIE
James Garner will not feature for Watford against Manchester United tomorrow because the competition's rules make him ineligible to play against his parent club.
The 19-year-old midfielder is currently on a season-long loan with the Championship side.
But he will not get the chance to impress manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, whose team host Watford in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
UNITED UNDECIDED ON DIALLO DEBUT
Manchester United have not yet decided whether Amad Diallo will go straight into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first-team after his arrival from Atalanta was confirmed yesterday, according to the MEN.
The teenager could be eased into the club with the Under-23s, with Solskjaer insisting that he will need "time to settle in".
"He's still not been with us in the training group," the United boss said. "It's the last bit of paperwork so he can come in. I'm excited by all new players coming in.
"We'll give him time. I've seen there's been lots of expectations on Amad and rightly so. He's an exciting player with some fantastic attributes we look forward to developing and giving him the chance to succeed here at Man United.
"It's important we give him that time to settle in, if it's going to be in the 23s to play his first few games or if he looks so ready after he's been training with the first-team and he'll go straight into that group, I don't know yet."
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