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
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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.
LINGARD IN TALKS WITH OTHER CLUBS
Jesse Lingard is in discussions with other clubs as his Manchester United future remains in doubt.
Sky Sports claim the 28-year-old has not yet decided on whether or not he should leave the club, though his contract is set to expire next year and he has been on the periphery so far this season.
Lingard's future is expected to be decided "in the next couple of weeks".
FOSU-MENSAH ‘CLOSE’ TO BAYER LEVERKUSEN MOVE
Manchester United's Timothy Fosu-Mensah is set to join Bayer Leverkusen, according to the MEN.
The 23-year-old is expected to join the Bundesliga club for a fee of around £1.5m having rejected a contract offer from United last year.
Ajax and Hertha Berlin have both been linked with Fosu-Mensah, but a switch to Leverkusen now appears to be the most likely outcome.
Bruno Fernandes says he maintains a strong relationship with Manchester United team-mate Paul Pogba and belives the side are better off now the Frenchman is regaining form.
Bruno Fernandes says Manchester United ‘need’ Paul Pogba after ‘difficult’ start to season
Pogba has begun to find his feet this season in the United team
POCHETTINO MAKES POGBA ‘TOP TARGET’
New Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino has made Paul Pogba his number one target, according to the Daily Star.
The Frenchman is said to be "desperate" to leave Manchester United, and Pochettino intends to build a team around him.
Pogba has been linked with a move to Real Madrid as well as a return to Juventus, but Pochettino's appointment at PSG has reportedly changed the picture.
The Ligue 1 champions have a financial advantage over the other interested parties, though Pogba could be available for a relatively inexpensive £75m next summer.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer downplayed the importance of Manchester United's shot at going top against Burnley, where Paul Pogba, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw could be missing through injury.
Having followed up defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup semi-finals by beating Watford in the FA Cup third round, attention returns to the Premier League ahead of a key double header.
United will usurp Liverpool at the summit if they get a positive result at Burnley on Tuesday evening, which would add extra fuel to next Sunday's mouth-watering trip to their bitter rivals at Anfield.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer plays down significance of Man United’s chance to go top
United will usurp Liverpool with a draw or victory against Burnley at Turf Moor
RB LEIPZIG CHIEF MAKES UPAMECANO ADMISSION
RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has admitted the club could let key players leave if potential deals "make financial sense".
His statement may have alerted Manchester United and Liverpool to the possible availability of defender Dayot Upamecano, who has been constantly linked with a move to the Premier League.
"We have a very broad squad of quality," Mintzlaff told Bild. "So we will also sell again if it makes financial sense and we can absorb it sportingly.
"When I think of Werner, Cunha, Keita or Demme, we have already redeemed a lot and yet developed sportingly."
NEWCASTLE ‘ADMIT DEFEAT’ IN WILLIAMS PURSUIT
Newcastle have ended their interest in Manchester United left-back Brandon Williams, according to the Northern Echo.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does not want to loan out the youngster, despite recent reports of a potential switch to St James' Park.
The United boss reportedly sees Williams as a viable backup option at right-back, providing cover for Aaron Wan-Bassaka.
Instead, Timothy Fosu-Mensah could be allowed to leave the club permanently before the close of the transfer window.
Manchester United have a new option after Scott McTominay passes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s test
Solskjaer has given four academy graduates the captaincy for the first time, with McTominay the latest
SANCHO OPENS UP ON SUMMER OF SPECULATION
Jadon Sancho has spoken of the challenges presented by constant speculation over a move to Manchester United in the summer.
The England international has occasionally struggled for form at Borussia Dortmund this season, with some attributing his below par performances to the transfer saga.
But Sancho has enjoyed a resurgence of late, scoring and providing an assist as BVB earned an impressive 3-1 win at RB Leipzig on Saturday.
"Obviously this season has been very difficult for me personally," Sancho told bundesliga.com. "So I knew when I went away, I just focused on my game and came back raring to go.
"I'm working hard every day in training and on the pitch so I'm just happy to get my goals and assists."
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