Transfer News

ERIK TEN HAG has insisted defensive trio Phil Jones, Brandon Williams and Axel Tuanzebe will stay at the club – as Chelsea chase Harry Maguire.Maguire’s been axed for United’s past two games by Ten Hag, along with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Man United boss Erik ten Hag has revealed he plans to keep hold of a trio of defenders this summerCredit: Getty
And the Dutchman’s gamble has paid off as United have now won two Premier League matches in a row – for the first time since February.
They disposed of Liverpool on Monday and followed up with a 1-0 victory over Southampton today.
United’s new-look defence shored up by Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane is set to keep Maguire on the sidelines for a long time, according to Paul Scholes.
But he may be offered a way out of his United hell by Chelsea who are plotting a shock deadline day swoop for the England centre-back.
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However, Ten Hag’s made it clear that neither Jones, Williams or Tuanzebe will be following Maguire out the door – if he leaves before transfer deadline day.
That’s even though Williams and Tuanzebe are injured, and Jones hasn’t trained with the first-team all summer.
However, Ten Hag didn’t rule out future moves away for the trio.
When pressed about their futures, Ten Hag said: “Am I expecting more players to go out?
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“It can be, but we are talking about players who are not available so I don’t think they will go out in this window.”
It’s unlikely that any of the aforementioned group have a future in Ten Hag’s side.
Williams spent last season on loan with Norwich and United are willing to accept £10millon to let him go.
Tuanzebe was also on loan last season with Napoli who declined the opportunity to sign him permanently after he failed to impress in Serie A.
Veteran Jones played his first game in two years for United in January, and it doesn’t seem like he’ll fare any better this season. More

MANCHESTER UNITED fans will be praying the club can get a deal for Antony over the line after watching their front three against Southampton.The Red Devils squeezed past Saints 1-0 at St Mary’s thanks to a second half goal from Bruno Fernandes.
Rashford barely had a kick in the win over Saints on Saturday lunchtimeCredit: Getty
Antony appears to be closing in on a move to Old TraffordCredit: Getty
It means United have now won back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since February following their victory over Liverpool on Monday.
However, it was by no means a vintage performance from Erik ten Hag’s men – typified by the lacklustre displays from their front three.
The Dutch manager named an unchanged side from the Liverpool game, so Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga kept their spots on the flanks either side of Marcus Rashford.
But it was an uninspiring showing from the front line.
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Elanga produced a dangerous run into the box at the start of the second half.
And Sancho enjoyed a couple of mazy runs which ultimately came to nothing.
Other than that, you’d be forgiven for not knowing who United had playing in the final third.
Rashford’s inability to play against any side who drop their defensive line back further than the halfway line is a real concern.
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And the lack of energy or ideas from the wide areas will be one of the major criticisms levelled at United’s performance.
Elanga and Sancho will both be looking over their shoulders when Anthony Martial is finally fit for selection.
But the arrival of Antony would definitely shake things up.
SunSport exclusively revealed earlier this week that United are closing in on an £84million deal for the winger.
His 24 goals and 22 assists in 82 appearances for Ajax will excite United supporters if he does finally come to Old Trafford.
And while on the face of it the price tag is a rather absurd one, United are clearly lacking a talismanic player in attack.
Fernandes’ winner against Saints will save him from being criticised for what was ostensibly a woeful performance masked with a goal.
He is still a shadow of the player he was 18 months ago.
And Cristiano Ronaldo’s future remains up in the air, with his departure now seemingly the best option for all parties.
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So, despite having six senior attacking players in their squad, the need for Antony is worrying.
If United were reluctant to meet Ajax’s asking price, this United display may force the Prem club to pull out all the stops.
Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo failed to find the back of the netCredit: Reuters
Sancho failed to build on his goal against LiverpoolCredit: Getty
Elanga had one opportunity but was otherwise very quietCredit: Getty More

MANCHESTER UNITED target Antony has begged Ajax to let him leave for Old Trafford.The Red Devils have had a £76million bid rejected for the winger, with his club determined to hold on to him.
Antony is determined to leave AjaxCredit: Getty
But the Brazilian is determined to leave before Thursday’s transfer deadline and is trying to force his way out.
In an explosive interview with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Antony revealed all about how he has spent all summer trying to leave Amsterdam.
He said: “Since February of this year, my agents came to Amsterdam to inform Ajax of my desire to leave the club to face new a challenge and that some interested clubs would arrive and with them, certainly a great offer.
“In June of this year, I interrupted my vacation and came personally to inform the managers of Ajax, including new coach, about my wish to leave and that they should consider this possibility, because it was a project for two seasons.
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“During the window months, meetings continued and I also received a proposal from Ajax for contract renewal.
“I made it clear once again: I want to leave.”
SunSport exclusively revealed on Wednesday night that the Red Devils are confident of completing a move by next Thursday.
Following United’s latest bid, Antony felt that surely he would be let go.
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He added: “Today, in a meeting with the club, I expressed my old interest in leaving, only this time with a considerable offer on the table.
“Others had already arrived! Ajax refused with argument that they only have five days to replace me.
“I’m not asking Ajax to release me, I’m asking Ajax to sell me with the highest bid ever for an Eredivisie player.
“I’ve been insisting on this theme since February so that the club could rebuild the team with peace of mind.”
People need to listen to me and understand that my motivation moves me towards happinessAntony
Asked how he feels about Ajax in the midst of this saga, he said: “I was very happy in Amsterdam, I won titles at Ajax, made friends and built part of my career, but now I reinforce that I am ready and full of motivation to follow my story and my dreams.
“People need to listen to me and understand that my motivation moves me towards happiness. I need this to continue performing at a high level. Ajax will always be in my heart.”
Quizzed if he had a message for Ajax fans, he concluded: “I hope Ajax fans understand me… because the future for a football player is a totally uncertain thing and the opportunities can be unique!”
“My message is one of gratitude for Ajax, club and fans.”
Antony enjoyed two extremely successful seasons in Amsterdam under United boss Erik ten Hag.
He scored 22 goals in 79 appearances under the Dutchman – winning two Eredivisie titles and a KNVB Cup.
The 22-year-old started Ajax’s first two league games of this season, grabbing a goal and two assists in the process.
He was left out for their 1-0 win against Sparta Rotterdam last week, however, after refusing to train.
When Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder was asked about Antony’s desire to move to Man United, he made a cheeky dig at the Red Devils.
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The 49-year-old said: “Yes, my feeling is good. I understand Antony, but you play for Ajax.
“We are playing Champions League football. I don’t think Man United are playing Champions League football.” More

CASEMIRO became a father figure at Real Madrid despite his dad walking out on him when he was five.The Brazilian, 30, battled a troubled upbringing in a poverty-stricken neighbourhood called Sao Jose Dos Campos just outside of São Paulo.
New Man Utd star Casemiro had to become a father figure when he was just five years oldCredit: Instagram / @casemiro
The midfielder knows all about responsibility and is set to become a top leader at UnitedCredit: Instagram / @annamarianacasemiro
His father abandoned him, his two siblings and their mother Maria – who was forced to juggle numerous jobs to make ends meet.
Casemiro, as the eldest child, bravely stepped up to be the man of the house and it shaped him into the great leader he is today.
In 2018 the midfielder said: “If I see him on the street today, I won’t recognise him,
“He had a serious fight with my mother when I was five and left the family for my mother to manage.
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“I’ve wanted to meet him because I have no grudge against him. It was what God wanted for me. That’s why I have always left it just the way it is.”
Manchester United’s shiny £70million signing will no doubt have been thinking back to his humble beginnings when he rocked up to the club’s plush Carrington base for his first day of training on Thursday.
When the midfielder flew the nest at age 11 to play for Sao Paulo’s youth team he was left stunned by simply having his own bedroom, food, air conditioning and a TV for the first time.
Who knows what was going through his head when he actually played at the Theatre of Dreams at age 15 with Sao Paolo in the Nike Cup.
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Casemiro never forgets his past and once broke down in tears in 2018 in an interview when he recalled not being able to afford a particular Brazilian yoghurt drink as a kid.
Through tears he said: “As a child I always wanted to drink these, but we never had the money. It didn’t cost much, around 20 cents.”
Those memories only made him stronger and his Real Madrid teammates have tipped him to become a world-class manager when he eventually hangs up his boots.
Spanish football expert Guillermo Raimundo told SunSport: “He came from a poor background and that has helped his character.
“He is a leader because he knows his origins and that’s always in his mind.
“Casemiro was a leader at Real, a big voice, everyone heard him. Among the Brazilian players he was like a father to the youngsters Vini Jr, Rodrigo and Militao.
“He doesn’t need to be a captain to be a leader. I think the same will happen at United.”
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The Brazilian battler is certainly expected to thrive in the blood and thunder of the English top-flight.
Barcelona journalists describe Casemiro as the “bad guy in a movie who you want on your team but not against it” that is known in parts of Spain “as a bit of a b***ard.”
Prem officials might be quaking in their boots considering he orders dossiers on every referee so he knows how best to deal with them.
Casemiro is no stranger to a tough tackle and was booked 16 times last season in 48 matches.
He enjoyed a glittering nine-year spell at the Bernabeu, most notably winning five Champions Leagues and three LaLiga titles after arriving in 2013.
The Brazilian was loved at Los Blancos particularly by his midfield pals Toni Kroos and Luka Modric who personally wrote a joint farewell letter to him ahead of his United transfer.
Casemiro built a great relationship with Real president Florentino Perez and it is thought it will not take him long to seduce the under-fire Glazers.
Raimundo added: “He loves to learn the philosophy of a club. He was born at Real Madrid and I think the same thing will happen at United.
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“He will have a good relationship with everyone at the club and that will help him to adapt.
“He had a great relationship with Florentino Perez and I’m sure he will with the United directors.” More