Manchester United to make £51m transfer bid for Arturo Vidal and Angelo Ogbonna

 

Manchester United are after this Juve pair (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United are set to make a £51million offer for Juventus pair Arturo Vidal and Angelo Ogbonna ahead of the January transfer window.

Red Devils chief Louis van Gaal has been promised sizable funds to add to his squad in the new year, and he is already working on deals.

According to reports in Italy, the Dutchman has set his sights on Juve’s Vidal and Ogbonna – and wants to land them both in a double deal.
A £51million offer will go in imminently, with United keen to agree a deal in principle ready for them to arrive on January 1st.

Vidal, a tough-tackling midfielder, was chased by United for most of the summer, while centre back Ogbonna is also a target because of his power and physicality.

Wayne Rooney Hails Manchester United Youngster Paddy McNair’s Performance

The Manchester United captain has praised the youngster after his solid debut against West Ham.

 Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has spoken to the club website  in glowing terms about young centre-back Paddy McNair, who performed admirably in the game against West Ham on Saturday after his last minute call-up.

“That was probably one of the bigger tests a young defender can face, up against a team putting lots of crosses into the box, but he took it and stood up to it.

It won’t get much tougher in terms of physical strength and aggression against him, but he dealt with it and we are all delighted with him. I saw the clearance he made at the end. I thought he was tremendous for us”.

It was Rooney’s red card which lead to the young Northern Irishman being put under so much pressure, as the Red Devils back line was forced to retreat deeper and deeper a man down, inviting waves of West Ham attacks.

McNair coped well with the direct approach as the Hammers besieged his area, and the late headed clearance of a Jenkinson cross to which Rooney referred was a particular highlight.

Given the injuries and suspensions plaguing Louis Van Gaal’s Man Utd at present, McNair may be granted further opportunities ahead of the international break.

Despite some hugely exciting attacking talents being brought to Old Trafford, the club was strongly criticised for a failure to reinforce the defence.

Optimism surrounding McNair’s performance means that the solution to Manchester United’s defensive travails could well be found from within.

Manchester United considering midweek friendlies in the Middle East

Manchester United are considering playing lucrative friendlies overseas to fill the midweek void left by the absence of European football this season and their early Capital One Cup exit. The 20-time English champions have forecast a 10% drop in revenue in 2014-15 after they failed to qualify for the Champions League under David Moyes.

The struggles have left United with one midweek Premier League match before the end of 2014 and just three in the first three months of 2015.

Going overseas – the Middle East would be the most likely destination – would allow United to escape the English winter for a few days and the addition of Radamel Falcao and Ángel di María have made the club even more likely to attract lucrative contracts for friendlies.

“That’s something we continue to look at, as always making sure that the preparations we do on the pitch come first,” United’s managing director, Richard Arnold, said.
  “For many of our [pre-season] international tours, there is a plan to ensure we get that team building that goes together with getting the team all together in one place. That’s something that’s being looked at with regards to the future with Louis [van Gaal].”

Van Gaal said during United’s pre-season tour of the United States, shortly after taking over as manager, that the obligations to sponsors and distances the team has to travel was “not very positive for a good preparation” for the Premier League campaign.

Arnold said there’s no disagreement with Van Gaal over the possibility of taking on more commercial ventures.
“I can only speak positively of my experience with the manager in terms of his understanding of what’s required to get a first-class team onto the pitch and also what’s required for running a club of our magnitude,” Arnold said.

“We have a fantastic partnership in terms of our work off the pitch and I’m very appreciative of the support we have had from him.”

Manchester United To Re-Ignite Interest In Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan

Ilkay Gundogan has been out of action for a year with a back injury.


Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has revealed that he is close to returning to full fitness, sparking the interest of long term admirers Manchester United, the Daily Star reports.


The Red Devils were interested in the German international last year but the midfielder suffered a back injury and that has kept him on the treatment table for over a year.

However, the former FC Nurnberg star has now revealed that he is close to returning to the Dortmund first team.
He said: “I feel that I’m edging ever-closer to my former self.
“My comeback isn’t too far away any more. I could be back after the international break.

“I have already pencilled out the entire day and I will thoroughly enjoy my comeback. I felt like a 90-year-old when I had just picked up the injury.

“I never considered the option that I could be forced to retire from football, but it was obviously the worst experience of my career.”

Louis van Gaal is currently looking for a top quality midfielder to strengthen his side in January, with AS Roma enforcer Kevin Strootman thought to be his main target.

However, if the Dutchman is priced out of a move for Strootman, he may consider re-igniting United’s interest in Gundogan as long as the 23 year old’s return to first team football goes smoothly.

Arsenal Expect to Complete £10m Deal to Sign Man United defender Chris Smalling

Emirates Stadium target has struggled to break into Manchester United’s first team.

Arsenal could be set to sign Manchester United defender Chris Smalling in the January transfer window with both clubs close to agreeing a £10 million transfer fee for the centre-back, the Metro reports.

 hey now look set to get their man as Louis van Gaal continues to re-shape his squad and get rid of players he doesn’t rate.

The Dutchman is happy to let Smalling move on and could replace him in the United squad with Juventus defender Angelo Ogbonna, who has been linked with a £12 million move to Old Trafford in recent days.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will happy to get a player he has chased for many years and will also be relieved to add another defender to his squad.

The North London club have been short of defensive bodies in recent years and Smalling’s versatility will be put to good use during the long winter months of the season.

While the former Fulham man is happiest at centre back, he can also play at right back and as a defensive midfielder if needed.

Chelsea To Rival Manchester United For £20m-Rated Attacking Full-Back Signing Next Summer

Blues keen on signing United target.Chelsea could be set to make Everton right-back Seamus Coleman their top target in defence next summer, according to the Sun.

 The Blues are eyeing a new addition in that part of the pitch, with the possible view of moving Branislav Ivanovic into a central position, where he can also play to a high standard, despite his excellent form as a right-back in recent times.

The Republic of Ireland international would make a great purchase, however, having also shown himself to be one of the top full-backs in the Premier League in recent times with some impressive attack-minded performances from the back.

Manchester United are also keeping an eye on Coleman, however, and may prove Chelsea’s biggest rivals in a move for the £20m-rated player, who is one of two Everton stars currently on the Blues’ radar.

Exciting young midfielder Ross Barkley has also been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, but it may be that he will prove too expensive, with Jose Mourinho also already enjoying plenty of quality options available to him in the middle of the park.

This could now see Coleman become his main target as the Portuguese coach eyes a long-term signing at right-back.

Aston Villa Linked With Deal to Re-Sign Man United Winger Ashley Young

Former Villa Park man wants Old Trafford exit.

Man United boss Louis van Gaal is seemingly ready to sell winger Ashley Young with the Daily Mail claiming three Premier League sides are interested in the England wide-man.

 The 29 year old has started the opening three Premier League fixtures of the season but the arrival of Angel di Maria has subsequently forced the attacker out of van Gaal’s picture and by all accounts Young is ready to demand an exit.

Former club Aston Villa, Sunderland and Southampton are are all said to be keeping tabs on Young, who has proven something of a disappointment since his big money move to the club back in June 2011.

Young has racked up just 11 goals in 89 appearances for Man United and his chances are likely to grow ever more limited, not least when even young starlet Adnan Januzaj is struggling to make an impact under van Gaal.

Aston Villa’s apparent interest will depend greatly on just how much Man United demand for the player, who cost them £17m three years ago.

My best is yet to come for Manchester United and England - Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney has promised that his best days are still to come despite a series of underwhelming performances for club and country over the past 12 months.

The 28-year-old scored and was sent off in Manchester United's victory over West Ham United on Saturday, but was defended by manager Louis van Gaal despite the reckless nature of the red card.

But the United and England captain believes that he is about to hit his peak as a footballer.

"I still believe I can get better as a footballer," Rooney told The Sunday Times.

"In the next three to five years you will see me as a different player. The next two or three, I feel these could be the best years of my career.

 "I’m at a stage, especially after playing at this club for 10 years, where I’ve picked up a lot about the game. I’ve learnt. I now know exactly what I want to do on the pitch and I’m fit and ready to do it."

Rooney also revealed that he has no trouble playing in whatever position he is asked to by Van Gaal and that he would be happy to drop deeper and play a midfield role.

"[Van Gaal] goes into so much detail about the opposition and there’ll be times I’ll be needed to play deeper or wider, which I’ve no problem doing.

"But in the main I feel I’ve still got at least two or three years up front. I know I’ve the qualities to play in midfield. I’ve done it comfortably. There’ll come a time when I move to a deeper position for good and that could be this week, it could be in a couple of years. It’s down to the manager and I’ll accept it."

 

Man United Owners Ready to Sell Club In £3bn Deal: Glazers Will Try to Buy Cristiano Ronaldo to Aid Sale

Old Trafford owners look to spend big on Real Madrid star.

Man United’s owners are lining up a move to sell the club but will first look to acquire Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo before doing so according to the Daily Mail.

 The Glazers are working out a big money offer for the 29 year old ahead of negotiations with his agent Jorge Mendes though the starting point for Ronaldo’s wages are said to be an astounding £500k a week.

It may be fair to say that there has been a fair amount of opposition to the Glazer family since they took over at Old Trafford back in May 2005 and any move that saw new owners take over, as well as the return of former star Cristiano Ronaldo, would no doubt go down very well indeed.

Man United’s owners have been happy to hand new boss Louis van Gaal huge sums to invest in his squad over the summer which is perhaps not the act of a group looking to prepare for a sale though the American family will be well aware that selling a club with a Champions League berth will prove far easier than one without.

Malcolm Glazer, the club’s former owner, died in May and now his sons Joel and Avram are at the helm.
The Glazers will look to garner £3bn from the sale of the club.

Manchester United must pay Nicolas Otamendi's full £40million buyout to prise him from Valencia

The Argentine international is reportedly one of the defenders being looked at by Louis van Gaal as he seeks to overhaul the club's defence

 

Manchester United will have to pay £40million for Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi.

The Argentinian centre-half has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in January as Louis van Gaal looks to bolster his squad.
The United boss is desperately short at the back. But the Spanish club will not shift from their £40m buy-out clause and insist they do not want to sell.

 The 26-year-old only made his Valencia debut in August, having begun a five-year deal in July following a £9.3million move from Porto.

And he has since played a key role in their strong start to the La Liga season which has them sitting top of the table after five matches, during which time Los Che have conceded just twice.

Gaal insists he will help his defenders end their injury nightmares

 

With one fit central defender available for United's home game with West Ham, Van Gaal believes he can do to Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans what he did to Arjen Robben 

Louis van Gaal claims that Manchester United’s injury-prone defenders will overcome their recurring fitness nightmare by following the same path which led to Arjen Robben reviving his faltering career at Bayern Munich.

Van Gaal goes into today’s Old Trafford clash against West Ham with just one fit centre-half – Marcos Rojo – due to the injured Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans joining the suspended Tyler Blackett on the sidelines.

Despite the club citing physiological data during the summer which suggested Jones, Evans and Smalling would avoid the injury problems of recent seasons, all three are again out with hamstring, ankle and thigh problems respectively.

The three centre-halves have seen their progress at United stalled by repeated injuries, raising concerns over their ability to produce a sustained run of games in the first team.

But after helping Dutch winger Robben banish the injury problems that had plagued his career prior to signing for Bayern in 2009, Van Gaal insists that Jones, Smalling and Evans can make the same journey at United.

“I have been told about their [Jones, Smalling and Evans] injury records and now they are confirming that,” Van Gaal said. “But I have good hopes that we shall improve in that matter because normally I don’t have any injuries.
“As a good example, for a player who was many times injured – Robben – in my season he was never injured. How do make that happen? By training sessions and adapting to the level I require.

“It was not only Robben, but every player, and we are doing that here in the same way, only less than I have done with Bayern Munich. We have to improve the level and intensity so the players can play the game.
“Do I expect those methods to work here? Yes, of course. I am 25 years in this profession and you learn every year, but you gain a philosophy in all those years and then you apply that.”

The fragility of Jones, Evans and Smalling has added to the perception that United failed to recruit a seasoned, experienced centre-half during a summer in which they spent £153 million on new signings.

But despite losing almost 1,100 games worth of combined defensive experience following the summer departures of Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra, Van Gaal insists: “My concern is never the age or the experience.

"My concern is the profile and you have to fit in the profile. I don’t want to buy players who don’t fit into the profile. There are a lot of defenders in the world but I don’t want to buy any defender.

“Age is not so important. I played with the Dutch national team at the World Cup, with Bruno Martins Indi and Stefan de Vrij – both 22. Neither had ever played in the Premier League or abroad. Now they are abroad because of the World Cup and I played with Ron Vlaar and he plays with Aston Villa.

“That was my defence and we did it very well at the World Cup and until Leicester [last Sunday] we had only conceded three goals in spite of the fact that we were not playing so well. Our defensive organisation was very good, but now you want to make everything negative and that’s not true.”

Having guided United to their worst start in the Premier League era, a failure to defeat West Ham today would increase the pressure on Van Gaal to produce an upturn in fortunes.
The former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern coach is confident that an improvement will come.

Ronaldo to stay at Real, Luke Shaw's debut, Van Gaal's defensive crisis

MANCHESTER UNITED look set to miss out on Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo. Meanwhile, new signing Luke Shaw is desperate to make his debut for the Reds Devils. And finally, the latest on the defensive crisis at Old Trafford.

 Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has rubbished reports linking Cristiano Ronaldo with a move back to Manchester United.

The 29-year-old has been repeatedly linked with a move back to Old Trafford following reports in Spain which suggested that he is unhappy at the Bernabeu.
But Ancelotti has dismissed those reports, and claimed that the former United star is happy in the Spanish capital.

 Luke Shaw is desperate to make his debut for the Red Devils against West Ham tomorrow.

The former Southampton star has been on the sidelines for over a month after he picked up a hamstring injury in a pre-season friendly against Valencia.

But the England international has made a full recovery, and has revealed that he is chomping at the bit to make his long awaited Premier League debut at Old Trafford.

 United boss Louis van Gaal has admitted he will have to call up youth team defender Tom Thorpe for the visit of West Ham.

The Red Devils are currently without three first-team defenders, and van Gaal has already called up young centre-back Paddy McNair for the match against the Hammers.

Juventus On Alert As Adnan Januzaj Could Leave Manchester United In January Transfer Window

Serie A clubs showing interest in Belgian youngster.
Manchester United youngster Adnan Januzaj has become a loan target for Serie A giants Juventus, who sense that he could be available this January, according to the Metro.

 The Belgian international, who made a terrific impression upon being introduced to the first-team setup last season, has seemingly fallen out of favour under new manager Louis van Gaal this season, and may now be farmed out on loan in the new year.

Juve have been linked with the talented midfielder before, and their Serie A rivals Fiorentina are also showing an interest in snapping him up on a six-month deal if possible.

La Viola took Anderson on loan from United last season, but Januzaj could prove an excellent addition to their squad, whilst also providing him with the regular first-team football he craves as he looks to continue his remarkable progress from last term.

New signings such as Angel Di Maria, Ander Herrera and Radamel Falcao have seen Januzaj’s opportunities more limited this season, with van Gaal putting an emphasis on big-name signings instead of promoting the club’s youth.

Januzaj could join former United stars Carlos Tevez, Paul Pogba and Patrice Evra if he does make the move to Turin.

Van Gaal is frighteningly honest - Blind

Daley Blind insists he isn't scared by Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal and believes the Dutchman's blunt style of management will make him a better player.
The Netherlands international played under Van Gaal at the 2014 World Cup, where he helped secure a third-place finish, and then linked up with him again after completing a £14 million move to United.

Blind, who made his debut in United's 4-0 win over Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, has described Van Gaal as "strict" but is adamant he is not intimidated by him.
"He is not frightening, he is just honest," Blind said. "That can be frightening, but I like it. He is very honest with everybody, he knows what he wants and he knows his philosophy.

"He can bring that to the players and he can make a team with everybody in. That is a good start for everybody if you want to work for each other. I have really learned a lot from Van Gaal and I like working under him."
Blind was used by Van Gaal as a left wing-back and a left-sided centre-back during the World Cup but began his United career at the base of a midfield diamond.

And he is convinced that Van Gaal's tactical insight will help him improve in the role.
Blind added: "I think he can make me a better player in terms of positioning, where to stand and tactics in games because midfield is an important position to play and I hope I can get better at it every day."
Blind excelled against QPR but admitted it was a game where he had an opportunity to flourish.

"Of course it was a bit different because the opponent was going back so I had a lot of space to control the ball and play it to the sides, mixing it from side to side," Blind explained. "I had a lot of space and that was nice for me.

"We played our own game and I think we played good. When we lost the ball we went as a team after the ball and I think we won the ball back a lot so we did a good job."

Manchester United’s faith in youth didn’t end with Danny Welbeck – just look at Tyler Blackett

 

Tyler Blackett of Manchester United (Picture: Getty Images)

Following Danny Welbeck’s transfer to Arsenal, there is a lot of talk surrounding the idea that Manchester United have sold their soul.
In Welbeck they had a lifelong United fan who had been at the club since he was nine years old. He loves United and dreamed of spending the rest of his career there.

But when United were presented with the option of signing Radamel Falcao on loan, the decision to sell Welbeck was obvious.
Even the biggest Welbeck supporter would struggle to argue with that bit of business.
Having scored 200 goals in 305 games for River Plate, Porto, Atletico Madrid and Monaco, there’s no way you could turn him down in favour of Welbeck, with his 29 goals in 142 games for United.

Contrary to what has been implied by the media, Welbeck is not the first former academy player United have sold, believe it or not.
Mark Robins apparently scored the goal that saved Sir Alex Ferguson’s job in the FA Cup semi-final replay against Oldham in 1990, but that didn’t stop the club selling him two years later when he was 23.

Kieran Richardson scored two goals on his England debut but he was sold when he was 22. Darron Gibson scored for United in the 2011 Champions League semi-final but was sold less than a year later.

There were 16 former United academy players in the Premier League last season at clubs other than United.
After failing to nail down a place in the starting team, Welbeck is continuing in a long line of players good enough for the top flight, but deemed not good enough for United.
Tyler Blackett, like Welbeck before him, is the latest in the long line of players produced by the club who is trying to prove he is good enough.

Another life-long Red from Manchester, joining the club when he was seven, Blackett has started every single league game for United this season and has played 90 minutes in all of them.
Gary Neville recently revealed that he came across Blackett at Carrington and he was analysing his performance from the opening day of the season.

I came across Tyler Blackett sitting on his own, with a computer on his lap, studying clips of his performance in the 2-1 home defeat to Swansea City. Wearing my England coach’s hat, I could absolutely see that Manchester United is going to be a fine place for young English players to develop.

Blackett wants to develop and improve at United, and Van Gaal is the manager to help him do this, according to the player.

He said from day one that he was always going to help our cause and give young players a chance. It gave all the young players at the club a lift.

With each passing game, Blackett appears more composed and self-assured. He put in an excellent display against QPR at the weekend and completed an incredible 95 passes of 97 attempted, which works out at 98% accuracy.

That victory was the 3,075th consecutive game that United have had an academy player in the squad. The fans can all get behind Blackett now, knowing that the faith in youth at United doesn’t begin or end with him, just as it didn’t Welbeck, or all the other homegrown players before him.

CRISTIANO RONALDO is ready to come back to Manchester United - and the club have everything in place to pull off the deal.

Real are likely to demand £60m for the Ballon d"Or holder, who they signed from United for a then world-record fee of £80m. City and Chelsea are also interested.

Balague told Sky Sports: "He is unhappy and he's said so - but then he corrected himself by saying 'I didn't mean what he said'. It was a bit confusing.

"Anyway, you have to say he's not happy that Ozil left and he didn't like the fact that Xabi Alonso and Di Maria left.

 

"He has this idea, I think, that at Real Madrid he is doing a job and he is working, but he enjoyed himself almost like a kid at Manchester United.
"He dreams of going back to Manchester United and Manchester United have got all the finances in place to get him.
"When will that be? It depends, of course, on a lot of things. It depends on Real Madrid and on Cristiano himself.

"I have a pretty good idea of when he wants to go. It won't be this month or next month, but he wants to go back to Manchester United and everything is in place for him to return to Old Trafford.

Ronaldo is fed up at Real and Man United return may be on the cards, claims Calderon

Cristiano Ronaldo has become disillusioned with life at Real Madrid and could be keen on a sensational return to Manchester United.
That is the view of Ramon Calderon, the former president of the Spanish club and the man responsible for taking the Portuguese winger to the Bernabeu.

According to Calderon, Ronaldo’s relationship with Florentino Pérez is at rock bottom after the summer departures of Xabi Alonso and Angel di Maria.
“My impression is he is fed up with the policy of the current president,” claimed Calderon, speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.

“When he came [to Real Madrid] with [Arjen] Robben he thought he would be a good colleague for him in the team [but then he was sold].
“Two years ago it was [Gonzalo] Higuain sold and he didn’t like that. Last year he thought it was a mistake to let [Mesut] Ozil leave and the last straw was selling Xabi Alonso and Angel di Maria this summer.”

United are reportedly preparing a mega-money offer to lure Ronaldo back to Old Trafford and Calderon says it would be no surprise to see the 29-year-old return to the Premier League giants.
He added: “When I signed him in 2008, I remember he said he was grateful to Manchester United.
"He had a marvellous time there, he likes everything. It is a really great club."

Louis Van Gaal Blasts Angel Di Maria Despite Man of the Match Display Against QPR

Old Trafford manager is not entirely pleased with Argentine’s showing.

Man United boss Louis van Gaal is clearly something of a perfectionist and is appears for all Angel di Maria’s attacking verve there are still areas of his game that the Dutchman wants addressed according to the Daily Star.

Van Gaal watched his thump QPR to collect their first win of the season and £59.7m signing di Maria was arguably put in a Man of the Match display, but apparently he wasn’t without his flaws.


“When you have a part in three goals and make the first goal yourself, then he can’t have played bad,” said van Gaal of Di Maria.
“But he had a lot of unnecessary losses (of the ball) so we can do better, even Angel Di Maria.

“You can say it is impossible to do better when you prepare three goals and make one yourself.
“But I am a trainer and a coach and reading the game and there are two or three things we need to improve on as a team.”

Di Maria has already shown just what he is capable of and his inter-play with Wayne Rooney, Ander Herrera and Juan Mata on Sunday was a joy to behold and Louis van Gaal will hope that the victory over QPR kick-starts their campaign in earnest.

Manchester United Offer Juan Mata To Roma In Bid To Land Kevin Strootman

Manchester United are desperate to sign Kevin Strootman…
Manchester United are prepared to offer Roma Spanish playmaker Juan Mata in order to secure the signing of Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman, who is widely regarded as their number one January target.

The Daily Mirror believe that United will step up their interest in the player in the coming weeks, despite the Serie A club’s sporting director Walter Sabatini insisting that the 24-year-old was not for sale.
Not content with having already spent £150m this summer, United boss Louis van Gaal is targeting further signings to strengthen his team, including a £25m deal for the Roma playmaker.

United are prepared to do whatever it takes to secure an instant return to Champions League football, and will add further marquee signings to those of Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao.

There are concerns that Van Gaal’s squad still needs strengthening in defence and midfield, and a player that he has already managed an international level is viewed as the ideal solution to the latter of those issues, with the player having now recovered from a recent knee injury that ruled him out of much of last season.

The source believes that United will not stop there as Van Gaal sets about reviving the fallen giants of English football after a spectacular summer of spending, with senior officials at the club promising more to come.

In addition, Roma’s Italian rivals Juventus are also keen on Mata, who is free to leave United despite having only signed for a then club record fee of £37.1m in January. However, their interest will be Champions League-dependent. If they don’t qualified for the last 16, they will drop out of the chase.

Manchester United expect to sign Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal

etro believes that Manchester United are confident of sealing a deal for the Chilean following record turnover figures of £433m.They report that Vidal will be the first player targeted during the winter transfer window as Van Gaal continues his expensive rebuild of the Red Devils squad.

United spent roughly £150m during the summer transfer window in a bid to restore their battered standing.
Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Angel Di Maria, Daley Blind and Radamel Falcao all joined the club.

Kevin Strootman is another name being linked with a January move to Old Trafford.

The 27-year-old suffered a knee injury last season but he recently said that the problem has been fully rectified.
“You can relax, my knee is back to 100 per cent,” Vidal told reporters.
“Now I am ready for the flight to Turin and in this game I proved that I can play in every Juventus match this season.

“I feel in great shape. We have a series of big games coming up: Udinese, then the Champions League and after that Milan.
“They will all be tough, I will have to be 100 per cent, but tonight I proved that I can play a full match without problems.”

David De Gea Backs Man United Team-Mate Javier Hernandez to Succeed at Real Madrid

Old Trafford bit-part player has the chance to make an impact at the Berbabeu.

Old Trafford keeper David de Gea is backing loaned out team-mate Javier Hernandez to be a success at Real Madrid according to Sky Sports.

The 26 year old Mexican made just six Premier League starts last season and no doubt jumped at the chance of a move to the Bernabeu, where he will be far nearer to securing regular first team action than at Man United.


Even with Danny Welbeck moving to Arsenal Chicharito would’ve found himself behind loan signing Radamel Falcao, Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney in Louis van Gaal’s pecking order and Spanish international is tipping Hernandez to make an impact in Madrid, stating;

“Javier plays in few matches but still scores many goals. I do not doubt that he will be a triumph at Real,” he told Cope Radio.
“If the coach has confidence, he always offers the maximum on the pitch.

“Personally, he is a big person. For me, he is one of the best companions that I’ve had in my career.
“I will always be grateful for his help when I arrived at Manchester United.
“I am totally convinced that this season he will be very important for Real.

Man United Agree Personal Terms With Cristiano Ronaldo Ahead of £60m Move to Re-Sign Real Madrid Star

Old Trafford side in talks to bring in Bernabeu attacker.

Man United have agreed terms ‘in principle’ with Cristiano Ronaldo following talks between the Premier League side and the Real Madrid star’s agent Jorge Mendes.
Old Trafford chief executive Ed Woodward has been sanctioned by his side’s board to pursue a deal to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo and given a blank cheque to make the move a reality.

 Having sold Ronaldo to Real Madrid in an £80m deal back in the summer of 2009 Man United will offer the Spanish giants £60m for the Portuguese international in a bid that is more likely to be launched next summer than in the January transfer window.

Ronaldo will have turned 30 by next summer and an offer of this magnitude for the player may be one that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez accepts, especially if the club’s prized asset makes it clear he wishes to return to his former club.
Though Cristiano Ronaldo has been an outstanding success at Real Madrid his side has secured just one La Liga title in his five completed seasons in the Spanish capital and the arrivals of Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez reduce his star power with Perez looking to plan for the long term.

Indeed Perez is said to have targeted Chelsea’s Eden Hazard as a potential replacement for Ronaldo.
Man United have offered a four year deal worth a stunning £320k a week and it’s a deal that agent Mendes has tacitly agreed with Real Madrid now having to consider the formal offer that the Premier League side will register in due course.

Louis van Gaal was handed £150m to invest in new additions this summer and the club’s owners are ready to further back the Dutchman as they seek to put together a squad that can usher in a new era of domestic and continental dominance.


Moves to fund such advances are aided by the £750m deal struck with kit suppliers Adidas though van Gaal is ready to offload a number of players he doesn’t deem as part of his plans with the likes of Marouane Fellaini, Ashley Young, Anderson and Rafael linked with moves away from the club along with loaned out pair Javier Hernandez and Tom Cleverley.

Ronaldo has netted a phenomenal 255 goals in 250 appearances for Real Madrid.

Phil Jones ruled out for month at Manchester United

The Manchester United defender Phil Jones has been ruled out for up to a month with a torn hamstring.
Jones hobbled off in the second half of England’s 2-0 win in Switzerland on Monday and he is now likely to be unavailable for a number of weeks.

“Phil has a torn hamstring,” Louis van Gaal said. “He is maybe out for three weeks or a month.”
Jones is likely to miss United’s next four games and his place in the England squad for October’s double-header against San Marino and Estonia would also be in doubt.

The United manager said nine of his players were unavailable for Sunday’s game against QPR through injury. Chris Smalling, James Wilson, Sam Johnstone, Reece James, Jones and Jesse Lingard are out.
Marouane Fellaini’s ankle injury will keep him out for “longer than a month”, according to Van Gaal.
 
Ashley Young suffered a groin strain, but the good news for United is that Michael Carrick has returned to light training following an ankle injury he suffered in pre-season.

Luke Shaw is also back in training and could make his debut on Sunday, along with the recent signings Radamel Falcao, Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo.

Falcao's coming for you' - Gary Neville sends warning to Rio Ferdinand ahead of Manchester United return

Ferdinand will be back at Old Trafford with QPR on Sunday and is set to face a frightening United front line - featuring the deadline day signing

Daunting task: Ferdinand is set to line up against Falcao on Sunday

Gary Neville has sent Rio Ferdinand a warning message ahead of his return to Manchester United.
Ferdinand spent 12 years at Old Trafford before departing this summer and will be back in the opposition dressing room with QPR on Sunday.
The clash is also set to mark the debut of United's deadline day signing Radamel Falcao after his £6million loan move.

And ex-Red Devil Neville has sent a light-hearted message to Ferdinand, warning him to be aware of the Colombian hitman.
Neville tweeted: "He's coming for you @rioferdy5 haha..", alongside Sky Sports' promo video for the clash, featuring a feisty looking Falcao.


Meanwhile, Ferdinand admits the time was right for him to leave Old Trafford.
The QPR man told MUTV: "It's an old cliché, but the club is bigger than everyone else and it’s so true.

"There’s more to it than one player and I understand that, I’m not selfish enough to think that everything revolves around me and that I deserve to stay at Manchester United.
"Everyone has their time to leave and mine was now."

Man Utd WILL win trophies! Rojo backs Di Maria and Falcao to fire under Van Gaal

he 24-year-old signed for the Red Devils from Sporting Libson after a drawn-out saga, and is set to make his debut against Queens Park Rangers on Sunday.

Rojo was joined by Di Maria and Falcao before transfer deadline day, and the Argentina international is confident that they will shine at Old Trafford as Van Gaal moulds the team in his own vision.

Speaking to Perform, Rojo said: "There are some great players in the team. We obviously need to give them time so the new manager can build this team.

"But with the great names we have in our squad and the intelligence of the manager, I am sure many achievements will come along.

"Di Maria has got a lot of quality. He is very sharp and very fast so he can help a lot attacking in the other half.

"There are some good strikers in the squad. Falcao is always in the penalty box, he is very sharp and capable of making the most of any chance.

"It is a huge step forward in my career and my life and I am very happy to play for one of the best clubs in the world at the moment.

"I will try to find my place as soon as possible and help in every way I can so we get important trophies."

Manchester United Ready £40m Bid To Sign Kevin Strootman’s AS Roma Team-Mate

United switch targets after Strootman blow.

Manchester United could be set to switch their focus from Kevin Strootman to his AS Roma team-mate Miralem Pjanic after learning that the Dutchman is not for sale.


The Red Devils are desperate to bring in a new creative midfielder in the January transfer window, and Strootman is thought to have been one of Louis van Gaal’s main targets in that position.

However, with Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini insisting today that Strootman is too important to sell, United could try their luck with another of the star players at the Stadio Olimpico, with Pjanic emerging as a top class playmaker in recent times as well.

The Bosnian international was strongly linked with the likes of Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain prior to signing a new contract earlier this year, but his fine displays have kept him on the radar of a number of top clubs, with United now thought to be ready to step up their interest in him.


Pjanic would likely command a fee of around £40m, and it is looking increasingly clear that United’s big spending of the summer is not over as they continue to eye big-name signings such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Arturo Vidal, who are both also likely to cost vast amounts of money.

Like Pjanic, Vidal is valued at around £40m or more, while the possible re-signing of Ronaldo from Real Madrid could set the Old Trafford club back around £60m, which would break their transfer record that they set this summer with the signing of Angel Di Maria.

Although Roma have been firm on Strootman, they did allow Mehdi Benatia to leave this summer, and could be open to selling Pjanic for the right price, with United keen to do business for the immensely talented 24-year-old.

Falcao wants long-term United stay

Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao has set his sights on earning a permanent deal at Old Trafford and aims to stay at the club for the best years of his career to make history in England.
Falcao, 28, has joined the former Premier League champions on a season-long loan and United have the option to purchase him after that.

And the Colombia international, who could make his United debut against QPR on Sunday, described the switch to Old Trafford as his dream move and hopes his days as a wanderer are over.
A former River Plate, Porto and Atletico Madrid forward, Falcao is playing for his fifth club since 2009 and said in a news conference: "I hope to stay many years at Manchester United and make history at this club.
"When I was in Porto and Atletico Madrid, I always want to improve and I dream of playing in a team like this and now I want to stay here for many years.

"I believe in this project. I think Manchester United is the best club for my style of play and I am sure about my decision. This project in the future will be great for us."
United only finished seventh in the Premier League last season and are yet to win under new manager Louis van Gaal but Falcao is convinced their fortunes will change.
"I think Manchester United build a big team this season and in future seasons and I would like to be here and part of his project. I am happy to be here," he added.

Falcao missed the World Cup after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in January but shrugged off fears his knee problems will hinder him.
"I feel well. I started to play two months ago with Monaco and I have improved a lot in the last months," he said. "I score goals. That is important to strikers and I am confident with my physical condition. I am comfortable with my knee."
Falcao has a record of starting well with new clubs and believes it will not take him long to adapt to life at Old Trafford.

"I don't think I will need too much time because Manchester United have very good players and [for] that reason [it] is easier to play football and I am used to life in cities like this," he said. "I think I don't have a problem for adaptation.

"I have had a great welcome. When you talk about a settling-in period when you are surrounded by top players it makes settling in all the easier."

Manchester United To Offer £300,000 Per Week Contract If £60m Cristiano Ronaldo Re-Signs From Real Madrid

 

Ronaldo could earn pay rise on United return.Manchester United would be ready to offer Cristiano Ronaldo a pay rise if he returns to the club from Real Madrid next summer, according to the Daily Express.

The Red Devils are already thought to be lining up a £60m bid for the Portuguese international, in a move that would break their club transfer record again after already doing so twice this year with deals for Juan Mata in January and Angel Di Maria in the summer.

Ronaldo is thought to be open to making a surprise return to Old Trafford, with the 29-year-old thought to be becoming unsettled with life in Spain after a superb five years at the Bernabeu so far.
However, with the club selling the likes of Di Maria and Xabi Alonso this summer, as well as Mesut Ozil last year, it is understood that Ronaldo is unhappy with the current transfer policy which has seen some of his favoured team-mates and friends be shown the door.

United have spent heavily on new players this summer, with new manager Louis van Gaal desperate to get the club back to the top after a nightmarish season under David Moyes last term.

Ronaldo would undoubtedly be the most popular marquee signing of all if they could pull it off, and they will hope that wages of £300,000 per week would help seal the deal.

Blind warns Manchester United teammates they will have to do 'exactly' what 'strict and direct' Louis van Gaal asks

Daley Blind has warned his new Manchester United teammates that they will have to follow Louis van Gaal's directions 'exactly' to return success to the club.

The £14million midfielder was unveiled alongside fellow deadline day signing Colombian striker Radamel Falcao as the dawn of a new era was raised at Old Trafford on Thursday.

Blind revealed how important it was for him to be reunited with his former national coach who guided Holland to the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup - while offering an insight into Van Gaal's well travelled methods.

 Van Gaal is really important for me. He gave me a lot of trust during the World Cup and I’m happy to work with him again,' he said.

'He is very strict and direct in what he wants. The players have to do exactly what is best to win the game and every game could be in a different style.

'He reads the game so well and his predictions about the game come true almost every game and that’s how we can prepare 100 per cent.'

Kevin Strootman will not be joining Manchester United, say AS Roma

Italians rule out transfer of Holland midfielder to Old Trafford in January

AS Roma have ruled out any possibility of selling midfielder Kevin Strootman to Manchester United in January.

The 24-year-old was a key component in Louis van Gaal's Holland side before being ruled out of the World Cup with a cruciate injury - an injury which forced Van Gaal to adopt the 3-5-2 formation he now is trying to implement at United.

It has been widely expected that the United would move for the midfielder in January, once he has made a full recovery from his injury.

But Walter Sabatini, Roma's Sporting Director, says there is no chance of a sale.

“He is an extraordinary player, and these rumours [of his sale] have been based on the desires of other clubs," said Sabatini


“We want to keep him, he is our point of strength. We hope to see him back in the field with all his powers. He played an exemplary role last season.
“Of course he is unsellable, but we must contextualise that I do not say he is for sale. We receive offers, protect him and defend him, but I do not know what will happen.
“For now we enjoy him even whilst he is injured. We are not thinking in any way of selling him, we hope to have him return. We must have patience and wait, he is a decisive player.”

Van Gaal has made six signings since taking charge at Old Trafford in July with Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Ángel di María, Daley Blind and Radamel Falcao arriving in an unprecedented spending spree by the club.

 

Manchester United Prepared To Make Huge Loss On Midfield Star, With Asking Price Lowered To £24m

Manchester Untied are willing to allow Juan Mata to leave the club in January…
Manchester United are willing to accept a huge loss on Spanish midfielder Juan Mata by selling him to Juventus in a deal worth £24m, a staggering £13m less than they paid Chelsea for him at the start of this year.


Mata has failed to impress new United boss Louis van Gaal, despite previous manager David Moyes paying a club record £37.1m for his services in January.
The arrivals of Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao have also pushed Mata further down the pecking order in a team blessed with a lavish number of world class attacking options, also including Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.


According to the Daily Mail, Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri sees the 26-year-old as the perfect addition to his squad, as he looks to engineer a sustained run in the Champions League.
Mata is also likely to be open to the move come January, assuming the Italian giants are, unlike last season, able to progress beyond the Champions League group stages, and subsequently guarantee him European football post-Christmas.
The Express references Italian media outlet Tuttosport, who believe that Mata is already surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, and that United are ready to offload him for the quoted fee of £24m as Van Gaal continues to make changes to his squad.

Chelsea Set Aside £60m To Battle Manchester United For Cristiano Ronaldo Next Summer

Chelsea are hoping to secure the shock signing of Cristiano Ronaldo…
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is hoping that his relationship with World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo will convince him to move to the West London next summer, rather than rejoin Manchester United.
Rumours have now been circling for some time that the Portuguese star, currently with La Liga giants Real Madrid, could be available for transfer next summer – with a return to his former club a strong possibility.
However, the Daily Express believe that Chelsea will go head-to-head with United for the player’s signature, and have already set aside a £60m transfer kitty purely for the purpose of luring Ronaldo to Stamford Bridge.
Reports suggest that United boss Louis Van Gaal is ready to offer him a lucrative deal exceeding his current £290,000 weekly wage, but Mourinho has now thrown his hat into the ring after forming a close-bond with the 29-year-old during their time together in the Spanish capital.
The source adds that Madrid have moved on a number of stars including Xabi Alonso and Angel Di Maria this summer, and could reluctantly part ways with Ronaldo if the player pushes for a move, with some outlets naming Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus and Blues winger Eden Hazard as potential replacements.
Madrid certainly seem to be gearing up for a new era, having bought and sold strongly in the summer, following last season’s Champions League success. If Real do push forward with their interest in Hazard, that could be a key negotiating tool for Chelsea to bring Ronaldo to London, with the Blues unlikely to accept a straight-cash deal for one of their prize assets.

Gary Neville criticises Manchester United for sale of striker Danny Welbeck to Arsenal

 Neville wasn't happy at United's decision to let Welbeck leave

Manchester United's decision to sell Danny Welbeck to Arsenal has drawn fresh criticism from Gary Neville.
He becomes the latest to voice disapproval at the club's summer transfer strategy, joining Bryan Robson and Mike Phelan, both of whom suggested that United are beginning to abandon the policy of bringing through young players.

Assistant manager Ryan Giggs today spoke of his enduring commitment to home-grown talent, but his fellow Class of 92 graduate was left perplexed by the Welbeck deal.
"I can’t work it out," Neville told Talksport.
"After all the prices I’ve seen paid this summer – and, obviously I've been working with him the last week – I'm thinking 'how is it just £16million?'

"There’s been right-backs and left-backs galore who have been bought for £15million this summer. How have they got him for £16million?
"I can’t work it out to this day, it’s a strange one. It really does feel strange that it's a centre forward and actually it’s helped out a competitor, someone who will be vying for those third and four places with United this season.
"I’m struggling to understand the logic behind the deal in two or three ways really."


Neville also expressed his surprise at the extent of United's summer spending, which led some to proclaim the adoption of a "galacticos" policy at Old Trafford.
“It is not the way I would expect United to go about their business," Neville continued.
"I thought it would be more controlled. Falcao tipped them over the edge. It surprised and shocked everyone.
"How he gets them in that team I don’t know. How they get Rooney, Di Maria, Robin van Persie, Falcao, Herrera, Januzaj and Mata into that team I don’t know.

“In one sense I am excited because they have signed world-class players. People jumped on the bandwagon last year and said they wouldn’t attract players. But they have a massive commercial operation.

“They have overpaid. There is no doubt about that but people will still go there. Now Louis van Gaal has to mould them into the team. He asked for three months but I doubt he expected to see what’s happened at the start of the season. Pre-season probably lulled him into a false sense of security.”

Chelsea want Ronaldo AND Suarez, Man Utd Hummels blow, Liverpool Balotelli

 

CHELSEA are lining up big moves for Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Denis Suarez, Manchester United have been left reeling from Mats Hummels' latest revelation concerning his Borussia Dortmund future, and Liverpool's Mario Balotelli has been told he is not as good as Fernando Torres.

 The transfer window has officially closed but there is still plenty of fall-out from all the last-minute deals that went through - and those that didn't...

Chelsea are ready to battle Man Utd for Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Blues are also lining up a bid for Barcelona youngster Denis Suarez.
Mats Hummels has rubbished a move to Man Utd after pledging his future to Borussia Dortmund.
AC Milan keeper Diego Lopez claims that he would rather play in the same side with Fernando Torres than Liverpool star Mario Balotelli.

Chelsea have made an offer for an 11-year-old prodigy on the books at Barcelona.

Man United Want Cristiano Ronaldo But Will Settle for Realistic £40m Dutch Star Move In January

Old Trafford side look to continue spending.

Though Man United have just spent over £150m on new signings this summer it appears the Old Trafford side are already planning further big name captures according to the Independent

 Backed by a £750m Adidas deal the Premier League side are keen to flex their financial muscles and are said to be keen on re-signing Cristiano Ronaldo though this source believes a more ‘realistic’ upcoming signing could come in the form of AS Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman.


The £40m rated Dutch international, a player boss Louis van Gaal clearly knows well, is said to be a top Man United target and that a January bid could be in the offing though the midfield maestro must first return to full fitness.
The 24 year old has been out with a knee injury since March, which ruled Strootman out of van Gaal’s 2014 World Cup finals squad, but by January if all is well there seems every possibility that a Man United bid will be registered for the Stadio Olimpico star.
Strootman impressed greatly in his first season in the Italian capital and would offer Man United the abilities of two midfielders in one.
The rangy battler has the bite and strength to act as a defensive midfielder whilst also having attributes that make him a danger in the final third, Strootman possessing both a stinging long range shot and the flair to beat a man if necesssary.

Woodward casts doubt on January spending

Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has warned that he is not expecting to spend big in January after bringing in six signings over the summer.
Manager Louis van Gaal was allowed to bring in Radamel Falcao, Daley Blind, Angel Di Maria, Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo but has failed to win a match so far as United manager.
The club has been linked with a January move for Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman, who has been out injured since March with a cruciate ligament injury.
But Woodward, announcing record revenue for United despite a disastrous season under David Moyes, tempered expectations.

"I wouldn't have expectations for January," said Woodward. "But if there is a willingness from the manager, we will engage with him and if there an opportunity, we will try and take that as we did last year with January [when they signed Juan Mata for a then club-record fee]."

Woodward also revealed that United's projection of £390m-£395m revenue this season is based around finishing third in the Premier League.
Last season, under Moyes, United finished seventh, missing out on European football for the first time in 25 years.

Manchester United's Tyler Blackett will challenge Marcus Rojo for starting role

Tyler Blackett has welcomed the arrival of Marcus Rojo at Manchester United and declared he is ready to fight the Argentina international for a place in the team.

The 20-year-old defender has started all three Premier League games for United this season after impressing new manager Louis van Gaal.
Rojo has finally been cleared to play against QPR this weekend after having difficulties obtaining a work permit following his move from Sporting Lisbon and Blackett has welcomed the increased competition.
"He looks good," said Blackett.
"Obviously, he is someone who plays in my position as well so he is somebody I can look up to and learn off, but hopefully challenge for a place in the team too.


“He’ll get stuck in when the time is right and get a foot in there, but he’s got a good left foot on him so he’ll be good for the team and adds that balance that we need."
Blackett enjoyed his first involvement with England Under-21s on Tuesday against Moldova and helped set up the third goal for Harry Kane in the 3-0 win.
The versatile youngster is hoping to use this season to cement his place in United’s first-team squad, but is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
"I know I’m not going to play in every match but I’d like to think I will get more games and opportunities to do well and be around the first team,” he said.
“I’d like to be able to say next summer the team has performed well and I have played maybe 10-15 games. I want to establish myself at this level and prove to myself that I can play here

Marouane Fellaini keen to force his way into Louis van Gaal's Manchester United set up

Marouane Fellaini is determined to win a place in Manchester United's new all-star line-up after escaping the axe at Old Trafford.

Fellaini was rumoured to be on a hit-list of players being offloaded by Louis van Gaal this summer, just 12 months after joining United from Everton for £27.5million, and was strongly linked with a move to Napoli.

However, it is understood Van Gaal has told the Belgium midfielder that he could still have a future at the club and will be in contention for a place once he recovers from an ankle injury.

Fellaini, who only made 15 starts in all competitions in his first season at Old Trafford, believes he can break into the first-team despite United's £150m summer spend on new players including midfielders Ander Herrera and Daley Blind.

In a television interview in Belgium, Fellaini said: 'I want to fight for my place. The coach wants to play with the 11 players who make the best team – I want to be part of that.'

Meanwhile, the 26-year-old was at the centre of a mystery in his homeland during the international break when it was suggested that United had barred him from attending a family day organised by the Belgium coach Marc Wilmots after the Euro 2016 qualifier against Israel was postponed. Fellaini then turned up at a similar event at his old club Standard Liege.

However, it emerged that Wilmots had not notified Fellaini because he assumed United would block the invitation due to the player's injury.