Manchester United transfer news: Romelu Lukaku, Harry Maguire, David de Gea, Axel Tuanzebe, Bruno Fernandes

Lukaku remains the subject of strong interest from Inter Milan, where the Serie A club’s new manager Antonio Conte has identified the Belgian as his primary target to replace Mauro Icardi

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sidestepped questions over the future of Romelu Lukaku as he spoke to the media ahead of Manchester United’s second pre-season friendly, against Leeds United in Australia.

Lukaku remains the subject of strong interest from Inter Milan, where the Serie A club’s new manager Antonio Conte has identified the Belgian as his primary target to replace Mauro Icardi, who is likely to leave this summer following a high-profile fallout with Inter’s hierarcy, and Lukaku has hinted that he wants a new challenge.

Asked whether he expects Lukaku to still be part of the United squad when the new season starts next month, Solskjaer said: “You know the day we start the league, everyone here will want to be at Manchester United. There are always rumours, but when the league starts we baton the hatches down.”

United are currently in talks with Leicester City about signing England defender Harry Maguire, with the Telegraph reporting on Tuesday morning that the Foxes would only be willing to accept an offer of more than £75m.

Solskjaer was again reluctant to elaborate when asked about the potential transfer, preferring to talk his current squad. “There is a limit of players,” the manager said. “Whoever performs will be part of the team, and whoever doesn’t will have to fight to be back in.”

One of those options is the 21-year-old homegrown defender Axel Tuanzebe, who performed impressively last season on loan at Aston Villa as the Championship club won promotion to the Premier League. “Axel has got a great chance of staying here and playing,” Solskjaer said. “He had a great season last year. It was stop-start with injuries, but he has really proven that he is capable of playing at that level.”

Solskjaer added that goalkeeper David de Gea, who is in talks over a bumper new contract worth £350,000 per week, would start against Leeds in Perth on Wednesday. “He will play tomorrow, and hopefully we can agree with David.”

United remain in pole position to sign Bruno Fernandes from Sporting for £50m, as The Independent reported on Monday, and are also eyeing Tottenham's Christian Eriksen with Paul Pogba's future in the balance.