Manchester United are searching for more summer signings after new boys Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka impressed in their second successive pre-season win over Leeds United.
According to reports, United have made a £62million bid for Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
FC Inter News claims that United have targeted the lightning quick forward as a Romelu Lukaku replacement, with the Belgian seemingly set for a Inter transfer. The report states that United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has sanctioned a move for the Gunners frontman.
United also want Leicester's Harry Maguire, Newcastle youngster Sean Longstaff and Sporting attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes, but time is running out in terms of both incomings and outgoings. Solskjaer has hinted he wants three more summer signings to supplement his squad before the Premier League season opener versus Chelsea in less than a month's time.
Stick around for all the latest news and rumours coming from United today.
Key Events
The two Manchester United midfielders who could fill the void left by Ander Herrera
Ander Herrera’s departure was a notable one for Manchester United this summer.
The 29-year-old left the Reds on a free transfer to join Paris Saint-Germain after United failed to tie him down on a new contract.
However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already set out the stall for the two midfielders he expects to replace the Spaniard next season.
In his press conference earlier this week ahead of United’s dominant 4-0 victory over Leeds, the Norwegian boss said “Andy (Pereira) I expect a lot more from, Scotty (McTominay) I expect a lot more from. Those two between them had maybe 15, 20 starts last season. You expect them to have at least 20 each this season, maybe even more. That’s maybe two players into one that can replace Ander.”
But looking into the underlying numbers of Herrera , what will both need to bring to the table in order to replace the void left by his departure?
Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku urged to move to Inter by Belgium teammate
Dries Mertens has told his Belgium teammate Romelu Lukaku to join him in Serie A amid strong transfer interest from Inter Milan.
The Manchester United striker, who hasn’t yet featured for the Reds on pre-season tour, is believed to be interested in a move to Italy with Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio having met United officials in an attempt to reach a deal.
United are holding out for a fee in the region of £75million for Lukaku, who doesn’t appear to be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first choice striker for the upcoming campaign.
The 25-year-old striker joined United from Everton in the summer of 2017 for £65million and has scored 42 goals in all competitions across two seasons. He hasn’t played yet in pre-season due to injury, though could face his prospective future club as United meet Inter in Singapore for an International Champions Cup clash on Saturday.
And Napoli and Belgium forward Mertens believes his fellow countrymen would be a great signing for Serie A rivals Inter.
Real Madrid president admits defeat in Paul Pogba chase
Florentino Perez, the president of Real Madrid has reportedly admitted defeat in the chase for Paul Pogba.
Los Blancos have been chasing the United midfielder all summer but according to ESPN he has told manager Zinedine Zidane that it will be “very difficult” to sign him this summer.
Madrid have already spent big this summer and ‘the salary structure at the Bernabeu is another hurdle’ in completing the move.
Paul Pogba is making Manchester United transfer stance easier
When Mino Raiola went public with Paul Pogba’s desire to leave Manchester United this summer, just days before he was due to fly out to Australia on the pre-season tour, there might have been a few club officials wondering whether this was going to be worth all the trouble.
Pogba had already expressed a desire for a “new challenge”, amid interest from Real Madrid and Juventus, and when Raiola said “everyone knows the willingness of Paul to move on”, less than 48 hours after he was due to return to pre-season training, it was another indication that the midfielder and his super agent weren’t going to give up on a move without a fight.
But in 10 days in Perth United will have only hardened in their determination to keep Pogba. Not because of the baggage he has carried this summer, or the public comments of Raiola, but because of his performances on the pitch and the way he has conducted himself off it.
Steve Bruce to try 'to convince Sean Longstaff' to stay at Newcastle
New Newcastle manager Steve Bruce ‘is expected to hold talks with Sean Longstaff in the coming days, in an attempt to convince the midfielder’ to stay at the club, according to the Daily Mail.
United are interested in the 21-year-old but aren’t willing to pay the Magpies’ massive £50million asking price.
New manager Bruce wants to keep the midfielder and reportedly says he is a ‘key part of his plans.’
McTominay is the captain now
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0DEAUWhgFx/
'Inter find Lukaku alternative'
Inter Milan have reportedly found a cheaper alternative to Romelu Lukaku, which could mean the striker stays at Manchester United.
Tuttosport claims that PSG forward Edison Cavani is on the radar of the Spanish club, who have so far not met United’s £75million valuation - with United keen for the cash to be paid in full in front. Inter have wanted a structured deal or a player exchange for Lukaku.
But if this report is to be believed, Lukaku could be staying put after all. Cavani, 32, has a year to run on his PSG deal and could be available for a lot less.
United trainers
You’ll be able to buy these limited edition Manchester United trainers from a week’s time.
Maguire urged to keep pushing for a move
It’s been claimed today that Harry Maguire is becoming ‘frustrated’ at not being allowed a move to Manchester United.
Clearout has now become even more important
As Manchester United swap Australia for Asia they will do so with a spring in their step, buoyed by an encouraging time Down Under during which the hard work on the training ground has begun to translate to the pitch, with impressive performances at the Optus stadium in pre-season wins against Perth Glory and Leeds United.
While nobody should be getting carried away with two routine workouts on Australia’s wintery west coast, the bright displays have helped to blow the negativity that had engulfed into the Indian Ocean.
The results and performances have been a boost to morale and the way new boys Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James have taken to the task has impressed. But the one thing desperately lacking from United’s summer so far is one of those misty-eyed Instagram farewells common to all footballers now when they move on to pastures new.
Tyrone Marshall writes on why United must start their summer clear-out straight away
Fernandes 'bid' incoming
Manchester United are set to lodge a bid for Sporting’s Bruno Fernandes in the ‘coming hours’, according to reports from Portugal.
According to both Portuguese publications A Bola and Correio da Manha, the Reds will make their first offer for the player - as agent Miguel Pinho is in England to agree the finer points of the deal.
Last week it was reported that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was working hard to convince the United board to sanction a deal worth more than £50million for Fernandes.
Lo Celso to reject United?
It has been reported that the Real Betis forward Giovani Lo Celso will chose a move to Tottenham over Manchester United.
He’s been heavily linked with both clubs.
Aubameyang 'bid'
Manchester United have reportedly made a £62million bid for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to reports.
FC Inter News claims that United have targeted the Arsenal forward as a Romelu Lukaku replacement, with the Belgian seemingly set for Inter Milan. The report states that United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has sanctioned a move for the Gunners frontman and Inter are ready to pay a £60million up front fee for Lukaku plus bonuses to take it up to £75million.
Bale 'handed Real lifeline' & Pogba no-go
Real Madrid’s apparent failure to land Paul Pogba from Manchester United has handed a lifeline to Gareth Bale, according to reports.
The Independent claim that Real president Florentino Perez is now trying to convince boss Zinedine Zidane to drop the interest in Pogba and usher Bale back into the fold.
Bale has been viewed as surplus to requirements at Madrid this summer and it was thought the club wanted to bring Pogba in - though United’s asking price is proving a sticking point. United wont consider a deal for less than £150m with Juventus also unwilling to meet that valuation.
Maybe Bale and Pogba won’t be swapping places, as it’s been claimed, after all.
'Longstaff key to Newcastle plans'
Manchester United midfielder Sean Longstaff is ‘key to Steve Bruce’s plans’ at Newcastle, according to reports.
Sky Sports report that Bruce will sit down for talks with Longstaff in the coming days, with the new boss expected to tell the youngster he is a crucial part of the future at St James’ Park.
Longstaff is reportedly excited at the prospect of working with Bruce - though would’ve been keen on a United move if the clubs could agree a transfer fee.