Man Utd transfer news

MANCHESTER UNITED are in shock talks for a loan move for Lyon’s Houssem Aouar, according to reports.The midfielder is being considered as the club look to find a replacement for the injured Christian Eriksen.
Houssem Aouar was once a major target of ArsenalCredit: Getty
The Dane was left limping out of Old Trafford after a shocking challenge by Andy Carroll in Saturday’s FA Cup game between United and Reading.
It has now sparked a frantic deadline day search for a replacement.
Aouar is the latest name being linked to the club on a potential loan move.
Journalist Jonas Hen Shrag has tonight tweeted: “Manchester United have held early discussions regarding a potential loan deal for Houssem Aouar.

“Far from being done, and currently seems unlikely.”
Aouar has been at Lyon since 2016 but his impressive performances in the middle of the park has seen him consistently linked with moves away.
Arsenal pursued the 24-year-old in previous windows but have not been able to prise him away.
United’s attentions do not all centre on the French star and they still appear to be trying to land Marcel Sabitzer in the final hours of the window.
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The Bayern Munich man has since been spotted in an airport as United try and get the deal over the line.
Eriksen is not expected back until late April at the earliest so Sabitzer could come straight into the team.
Erik ten Hag is said to be a fan of the Austrian and United considered signing him last summer. More

MANCHESTER UNITED will begin a long run of games without Christian Eriksen this week – but the return of two first-team stars could soften the blow.The Denmark international suffered an ankle injury in the Red Devils’ FA Cup fourth-round clash with Reading last weekend and will be on the sidelines for the next three months.
Manchester United will face Forest in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie on WednesdayCredit: REX
Both Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial will be in the matchday squadCredit: GETTY

His absence has forced manager Erik ten Hag to scour the market for a replacement midfielder before tonight’s 11pm deadline.
And it will force him to make changes for the second leg of the club’s Carabao Cup semi-final tie with Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.
United lead the tie 3-0 following a romp at the City Ground last week.
And Ten Hag is expected to ring in some notable changes for the clash at Old Trafford – including bringing Jadon Sancho back to the fold.
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Sancho hasn’t featured for United since last October due to fitness and mental health issues.
But Ten Hag has revealed the England international will be in the matchday squad for the visit of Premier League strugglers Forest.
In-form United hitman Marcus Rashford could be given a rest to make way for the returning Anthony Martial, who has recovered from a leg injury.
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Despite his troops putting one foot in the final last week, Ten Hag wasn’t completely impressed with his charges’ display at the City Ground.
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He said: “There was one moment that could have changed the game and that is what we have to be aware of.
“We have to improve but overall I think it was a good performance from our team but the first leg is done, one leg to go.
“I have to say, we still didn’t react to counter-attacks. We knew that before and that can’t happen.
“It’s still a moment where we have to learn and improve as a team.
“If we want to be top, we can’t be doing that. Don’t light the fire, we almost let them come into the game.
“We can’t let an opponent come back into the game.
“We started so well, we had so much control and then in one moment everything can change.
“We have to avoid that, we cannot allow opponents to come back into the game.” More

CHRISTIAN Eriksen’s injury has left Erik ten Hag needing to rethink his Manchester United plans for the remainder of the season.The Dane has been a pivotal part of the Red Devils’ revolution under their new boss.
Fred has put in some good performances this seasonCredit: The Times
Sabitzer has become a late target for Man United as they look to fill their midfield gapCredit: Getty
Fred will be hoping to get more action following Eriksen’s injury
But he is now set to miss three months after being caught by an Andy Carroll tackle in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Eriksen has been a regular for most of the season and has formed an impressive partnership with Casemiro.
But his spell on the sidelines will leave Ten Hag plotting how to rebalance his in-form side.
The most likely solution will be Fred attempting to fill Eriksen’s shoes with Scott McTominay also out injured at the moment.
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The Brazilian has been at Old Trafford since 2018 but has had to deal with a more limited role this season due to Casemiro’s and Eriksen’s arrivals.
But that has not stopped him impressing when he has been granted first-team opportunities.
The 29-year-old has proven to be a solid option for Europa League and cup matches for United, while he was a regular under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s management.
But when asked about the prospect of Fred filling in for Eriksen, Ten Hag admitted the former Tottenham star was not easy to replace.
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Marcel Sabitzer could go straight into the first team if United can get the deal over the line
He said: “I think you can never fill that gap because every player has his own characteristics, identity, another player will always fill in in a different way but it doesn’t mean you have to be less successful.
“It’s quite clear Christian Eriksen brings top quality to our squad and he has some specifics that are hard to replace, such as his impacts in the final third with his final ball.”
The Red Devils could look beyond their current squad for an alternative.
United have dived into the market on deadline day in a late attempt to lure Bayern Munich’s Marcel Sabitzer to Old Trafford.
The Austrian has spent two years at the Allianz Arena after a seven year spell at RB Leipzig.
The combative midfielder’s experience playing for big clubs in the biggest tournaments could make him a potential replacement who could go straight into the first-team.
Erik ten Hag could opt for a radical formation switch to deal with Eriksen’s absence
Eriksen’s injury could give Erik ten Hag a selection headacheCredit: Getty
It is also possible that Eriksen’s injury could trigger a wider tactical change.
Ten Hag may wager that no individual player can bring quite what Eriksen excels at and switch formation entirely to a back three.
The move could see Bruno Fernandes drop into a deeper position to replicate Eriken’s influence, while allowing Marcus Rashford and Antony to get closer to Wout Weghorst.
Harry Maguire could be drafted in to strengthen the backline and provide cover for a roaming Fernandes.
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United have won 11 of the past 13 games with Ten Hag largely sticking to the same team where possible.
They will look to keep that run up in February where a daunting European clash with Barcelona looms. More

MANCHESTER UNITED fans are convinced the club already has a ready-made replacement for Christian Eriksen in its ranks.The Red Devils have been rocked by an ankle injury to the Denmark international – who will be on the sidelines for the next three months.
Man Utd will be without Christian Eriksen for the next three monthsCredit: PA
Eriksen was crocked by a nasty tackle from Reading’s Andy CarrollCredit: PA
Some United fans have called for the promotion of Under-21s player-coach Tom HuddlestoneCredit: Rex
Eriksen’s absence has sparked some of the Old Trafford faithful to instruct manager Erik ten Hag to bring in a replacement midfielder before the transfer window shuts.
But some United fans believe the club already have a replacement at their disposal.
The player in question: Tom Huddlestone.
One Red Devils supporter tweeted: “There’s a Christian Eriksen replacement at home.”
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Another said: “We’ve got Tom Huddlestone in the U21’s… call him up.”
And another said: “Tom Huddlestone is playing in our reserves. He could do a job.”
One remarked: “Promote Huddlestone to the first team.”
Another chimed in: “Tom Huddlestone taking us to the Champions League.”
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One of the Old Trafford faithful said: “I’ve never seen [Scott] McTominay spray the ball around the pitch like prime Huddlestone… alls I’m sayin’.”
Another said: “Tom Huddlestone – your time is now.”
Former Tottenham and England midfielder Huddlestone, 35, joined United’s Under-21s last summer in a player-coach role.
Huddlestone said of his arrival: “Over the moon to announce I have been given the opportunity at this amazing football club to help coach and develop the next generation of talent coming through the system.
“Grateful and honoured, now time to give back to the younger generation #MUFC.”
Man Utd will be back in action on Wednesday night, welcoming Nottingham Forest to Old Trafford for the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie.
They lead the Premier League strugglers 3-0 following a romp in the first leg at the City Ground last week. More