Man Utd transfer news

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

ERIK TEN HAG could be set for a late deadline day dip into the transfer market with Christian Eriksen out injured until at least the end of April.The Danish midfielder limped out of Saturday evening’s 3-0 FA Cup win over Reading with an ankle injury after a clumsy challenge by Andy Carroll.
Eriksen’s injury is a huge blow to Man UnitedCredit: PA

Now Manchester United have confirmed it is a long term problem which could even keep him out of action into the final month of the season.
And the club have reportedly been offered Atletico Madrid and Belgium star Yannick Carrasco.
Ten Hag said of Eriksen: “Of course, he’s disappointed, we are disappointed, but it happens in top football.
“On deadline day it’s difficult you can’t have a policy based on such bad injuries.”

Ten Hag admits while he has Fred in reserve he is not a like for like replacement for the creative talents of Eriksen.
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.”
With Scott McTominay also out injured it does leave United short in midfield with only Casemiro and Fred as recognised players in that role as two in front of the back four.
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Ten Hag remains confident of what Fred can bring.
He said: “Fred’s playing together with Casemiro in the Brazil squad, that’s not the worse squad in there world.
“They have so many choices they can make but they play together and that tells you something about the quality Fred has and what he can contribute to the team.
“You saw against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.

“When he came on in the last game he scores a goal, he has a lot of qualities and they’re a good combination, Casemiro and Fred.”
Meanwhile, the Telegraph report that United have been offered the chance to nab Carrasco.
The 29-year-old’s representatives are believed to have been in contract with Old Trafford chiefs over a late move.
While he is a different player to Eriksen, injury to the Dane has left Man United exploring different options to boost the squad. More

BARCELONA are hoping to seal a deadline day swoop for Anthony Elanga.The La Liga giants are looking to bring in reinforcements before the transfer window shuts at 11pm this evening.
Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Anthony ElangaCredit: Getty
And according to reports, they’ve identified Manchester United winger Elanga as an option to bolster the attacking options for the remainder of the season.
That’s according to ESPN, who claim the Catalans are interested in taking the Swede on loan.
Barcelona, however, could face stiff competition to land the 20-year-old today.
United are said to have received a staggering TEN loan offers for Elanga’s services.
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Elanga has featured heavily for United this season, making 20 appearances in all competitions.
The Sweden international has racked up two assists so far this campaign but is expecting more of himself for the second half of the season.
He said: “There’s a lot to come.
“I feel like the second half of the season will be an important one for me and I’m looking forward to showing what I am capable of doing.
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“The coaching staff are helping me day in, day out, and I feel they will play a huge part in what I will become in the second half of the season.”
When asked about United’s recent upturn in form, he said: “I feel like consistency in what we do.
“Mentally preparing for games, the day before games, the way we train.
“I feel like everyone’s properly focused and buying into what the manager wants us to do and how he wants us to play and how he wants us to be on the pitch as a team: confident, on the front foot.
“I feel like we’re all buying into it. We’re starting [to do this] – we won’t get it overnight.
“It’s something that takes time but I feel like we’ve done really well so far.
“Like I say, it’s now about that consistency and keeping it up and hopefully we keep it going for the rest of the season.”
United 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 3-0 from the first leg. More