Man Utd transfer news

MANCHESTER UNITED could help Cristiano Ronaldo after reportedly lining up a bid for his Al Nassr team-mate Vincent Aboubakar.The Red Devils are on the hunt for a new striker as they look to replace the Portuguese forward who left the club following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
Manchester United have been linked with a loan move for Vicent AboubakarCredit: AFP
This would allow Al Nassr to register Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Rex
The club failed to sign top target Cody Gakpo as he opted to join Liverpool, and they have now been left trying to find an alternative.
In unlikely fashion, Ronaldo’s new club could provide the solution for the Old Trafford side.
According to Saudi outlet OKAZ, Al Nassr are trying to move on striker Vincent Aboubakar, and a loan move to Manchester United could make sense for all parties.
The Saudi club need to shift one of their foreign players out of the team in order to register Ronaldo.
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This is due to the Saudi Pro League’s foreign quota on players, and an Al Nassr official told AFP: “Al Nassr has not registered him yet because there is no vacancy for a foreign player.
“A foreign player must leave to register Ronaldo, either by selling or by terminating the contract by mutual consent.”
This rule means that Ronaldo can not play until a foreign player has left the club.
Aboubakar shone at the World Cup as he captained his Cameroon side.
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The striker scored twice in three games, including a brilliant lob against Serbia.
In the Saudi Pro League, he has also been consistent, scoring four goals in 11 games.
Al Nassr were expected to axe Jaloliddin Masharipov as he has only played once in the league this season.
The rest of the players they could move on are ex-Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina, former Brazil international Luiz Gustavo, Argentina international Pity Martinez, Ivory Coast’s Ghislain Konan, Spanish defender Alvaro Gonzalez, Brazilian midfielder Talisca.
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr on a massive £173million-a-year deal after his contract at Manchester United was terminated by mutual consent. More

THE winter transfer window is open and the whole world and his dog knows that United are desperate for a new striker.The question is; will they pounce now or wait until the summer? 
Erik ten Hag is chasing a strikerCredit: Reuters
There’s the added issue in the background regarding the Glazer family, and whether or not they will complete a sale of the club before the end of the first quarter.  
So will United make a short-term move now, or wait for a primary target in the summer?
Red Devils fan Tom McDermott provides his top five transfer targets and explains if a deal is likely this window, or next.  
Victor Osimhen 
Osimhen would be my number one choice and a player who fits the profile of what Erik ten Hag might well be looking for.
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Still relatively young, he would bring goals, strength, and mobility to this United team, through the centre of the pitch – certainly something that they’ve been missing.  
The Nigerian is playing really well for Italian side Napoli and would command a fee in the region of £100m. A deal isn’t expected to be done until the summer though. 
Victor Osimhen is high in demandCredit: Rex
Joao Felix 
The popular choice for a loan move this January window.
It would appear that the only thing stopping him moving to Manchester is his large salary (which United would be expected to cover in its entirety), and the loan fee that Atletico Madrid are demanding.
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United have put an initial package together worth around £4milllion but the Spaniards want a lot more. This one may run deep into the month.  
Joao Felix is set to be available this monthCredit: Rex
Memphis Depay 
If the Felix deal doesn’t happen United could turn to Depay and sign him on a permanent or loan deal.
The Dutchman had a tough spell at United under Louis van Gaal but the player needs games and United need forward options quickly.
A late move somewhere this window is possible. One to keep an eye on.  
Memphis Depay has regularly been stuck on the bench for BarcelonaCredit: Rex
Harry Kane 
Is Kane’s time at Tottenham about to come to an end? It won’t in the January window, but with his contract due to expire in 2024, this summer might be the best time for Daniel Levy to cash-in.
Man City were quoted £150m 18 months ago, but United could entertain a deal at half that amount in a few months time given his contractual situation.
Could he have the same impact at Old Trafford as Robin van Persie? 
Harry Kane has been in sensational form for Tottenham this seasonCredit: Reuters
Jonathan David 
Wildcard. It’s not “if” but “when” the Canadian leaves Lille with manager Paulo Fonseca admitting that “it will be difficult” to keep him at the Ligue 1 side.
David can play in different roles across the frontline including number nine, something that would appeal to Ten Hag.
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If United are priced out of a move for some of their other options, or the sale of the club hasn’t gone to plan, David might be the best and most affordable option in the summer.
Follow Tom on Twitter @MrTomMcDermott
Jonathan David’s time at Lille is unlikely to go on much longerCredit: Getty More

LAURA WOODS has responded to a fan trying to shoot his shot with the pundit.The fan was making a comment on Jack Butland’s move to Manchester United and the increased level of players he will now be team-mates with.
Laura Woods has responded to a fan’s attempts to get her attentionCredit: Getty

The former England goalkeeper left Crystal Palace for Old Trafford on a loan deal for the remainder of the season.
He will be the backup to number one David De Gea, after Martin Dubravka was recalled by Newcastle at the start of the month.
Butland will now be training with world-class talents such as Marcus Rashford, Raphael Varane and Casemiro.
This step-up inspired a fan to reveal his attempts to get Wood’s attention on social media.
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He tweeted: “Jack Butland going from Kevin Wimmer and Steve Sidwell to Raphael Varane and Casemiro is coincidentally the same reason I still send Laura Woods good morning messages.
“You simply never know what’s around the corner.”
The tweet went viral as it received over five thousand likes and was viewed over 300 thousand times.
In response to this, one other fan tagged Woods in his comment as he said: “Come on Laura Words, give this man his Butland moment.”
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The comment worked as the pundit replied to the tweet with four laughing emojis.
Woods is famed on social media for her responses to people on social media, whether is it shutting down sexists or praising fellow women like boxer Ebanie Bridges.
Woods has also recently admitted her regret for questioning Arsenal’s decision to spend £30 million on midfielder Martin Odegaard.
The Norweigan star’s impressive performances are one of the reasons behind Arsenal’s title charge this season in the Premier League. More

ERIK TEN HAG admits Jadon Sancho still faces “hurdles” before he is mentally and physically ready to return to action.But the Manchester United boss is desperate to get his winger back.
Jadon Sancho hasn’t played for Manchester United since October 22Credit: Getty
Sancho is not injured, yet the £73million star has not featured in the squad since the home game against West Ham on October 30, when he remained on the bench.
Ten Hag said: “We have some hurdles to take — but I think he’s in a good direction. The physical is also a connection with the mental.  
“He is now making good progress on the physical part and it will help him.
“I think, let’s say I hope, he can return quickly — but I also can’t say a duration of how long that will be.”
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Having missed out on Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Qatar, Sancho, 22, was also left out of United’s group which went on a training camp to Spain during the World Cup.
Instead, Ten Hag sent the ex-Borussia Dortmund ace to Holland for some individual fitness sessions.
And, while Sancho is now back at Carrington, he is still training away from the first-team squad.
Dutchman Ten Hag added: “Sometimes it’s good to go away from the place where you are every day to get a new vibe and experience.
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“People have a different approach and this can give you the right push to get back on track. Football players are not robots.
“I would like him back as soon as possible.
“I will do everything in my power —  but there are some processes that you cannot force.
“I will be really happy the moment he returns to the squad for team training, that’s the next thing.
“The good thing is that he is back at Carrington — it shows he is making progress and he is ready for the next step.” More