Hello and welcome to the latest live blog from The Manchester Evening News - dedicated to bringing you all the latest Manchester United news and transfer gossip!
United came away from the capital with the bragging rights on Sunday with special help from Altay Bayindir. The goalkeeper made a string of saves against Arsenal - including two penalties against Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz - to help Ruben Amorim's men progress to the next round.
The Red Devils now have two Premier League games to contend with this week as Southampton and Brighton visit Old Trafford. Focus is also on the January transfer window and what business can be done before the window closes at the start of February.
12 days into the window and United are yet to strengthen despite the blatantly obvious areas of concerns within Amorim's squad. Despite that, plenty of players have been linked with moves to Old Trafford with the latest names being Goncalo Inacio and Jonathan David.
There's also plenty of outgoing business cover with Marcus Rashford, Joshua Zirkzee, Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia are all subjects of interest elsewhere. The queue for Rashford seems to be growing by the day with Barcelona, AS Monaco and Tottenham the latest clubs mooted.
So, with that being said, stay with us at The Manchester Evening News as we bring you all the latest United news, views and transfer gossip.
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West Ham's have "remote" chance of landing Marcus Rashford
Werst Ham United's chances of signing Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United this month are seen as "remote," according to the Guardian's Jacob Steinberg.
Rashford was left out of the United squad that knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup on Sunday.
What Ruben Amorim told Manchester United fans after Arsenal win shows they have the right manager
There was a welcome party for Manchester United even when they landed at Manchester Airport just before 10pm last night.
It was a school night but some parents still allowed their children to stay up and brave the chill to catch a glimpse of the players returning to their vehicles. None of them stopped. Ruben Amorim did.
The fans asked Amorim why the players drove on. They were very tired, Amorim stressed, and needed to sleep ahead of Southampton's visit on Thursday.
Immediately turning to the next one is a trait Sir Alex Ferguson practically pioneered. Amorim is demonstrating his United managerial credentials every week.
Southampton are bound for the Championship and could be remembered as the worst team in the Premier League era. Any notion that United will underestimate them has already been dispelled by Amorim. They will have been on his mind on the coach that left the Emirates Stadium, on the short flight and the shorter drive to his home.
For the first time in weeks, United will go into a game expected to win. That is a baby step and with it comes added pressure. This team has performed superbly in contrasting circumstances at two of the most testing grounds on the continent. They daren't ease up against a club slowly plunging into the relegation quicksands.
The 7,956 United followers who were in the expanded away end at the Emirates Stadium had much to celebrate beyond the penalty shootout triumph on their journeys home over cans of beer. Altay Bayindir and Joshua Zirkzee's comebacks, Matthijs de Ligt's best performance, Harry Maguire's remarkable recovery, Manuel Ugarte's truculence, Toby Collyer's industry, Amad's impact.
Amorim managed an onerous situation flawlessly after Diogo Dalot was sent off. Amad, United's player of the season, did not cross the white line until the final ten minutes - 20 minutes later than intended.
Read the full story, here.
Rashford concern
Marcus Rashford's hope of securing a move away from Manchester United to AC Milan could be scuppered by the Italian giants' move for Kyle Walker.
A move to the San Siro could be in doubt. Milan are also in talks with a move for Walker, who told Pep Guardiola of his intention to leave City. Currently, Milan are leading the race for the two English stars.
But due to rules in Italy, only one will be allowed to join Sergio Conceicao's side this window. Serie A rules state that a club may only sign two non-EU players every season and Milan have already done that with the summer arrivals of Strahinha Pavlovic and Emerson Royal
Despite this, they can bring a third player from outside the European Union as long as they are signed from the United Kingdom or Albania. That means only Rashford or Walker will be able to join them this window.
New attacker on radar
Man United have reportedly added RB Salzburg Nene Dorgeles to their list of attacking options for January and the summer.
Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the Mali international is being watched by the club and initial talks over a financial package have already took place.
Kolo Muani contact
Man United's move for Randal Kolo Muani could be scuppered by Tottenham following a turn of events.
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Spurs and Juventus have both made contact today over a move for the striker. United are said to remain informed on developments.
Rashford meeting
Marcus Rashford representatives held a 'personal meeting' with Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl last week, according to German journalist Florian Plettenberg.
The Bundesliga side are in the race to sign Rashford but a deal remains unlikely due to the financial package.
Garnacho bid made
Napoli have made their first official move to sign Alejandro Garnacho, according to reports.
Alfredo Pedulla has claimed the Italian side have offered £38m plus add-ons for the winger. However, it currently falls shorts of their £50m valuation.
Medical passed
Diego Leon has passed his medical ahead of his move to Man United.
Various reports claiming the left-back is close to becoming Ruben Amorim's first arrival.
Maguire's message
Harry Maguire has reacted on social media after Manchester United battled past Arsenal in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.
Maguire was part of a defensive effort which saw the Reds hold out for more than an hour to force spot-kicks after Diogo Dalot's sending-off. United were also indebted to Altay Bayindir but held firm before emerging victorious on penalties to keep their cup defence alive.
And Maguire has now had his say on the victory. "Sunday afternoons in the FA Cup." he simply said on Instagram alongside a picture of him in action against the Gunners.
United suspension problem
Manchester United will have to make do without defender Diogo Dalot when Southampton visit Old Trafford in the Premier League on Thursday night.
Dalot was sent-off just past the hour mark during United's FA Cup third round triumph over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon. He was given a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Gunners midfielder Mikel Merino.
Despite Arsenal capitalising on their numerical advantage instantly, drawing level through Gabriel just two minutes later, United produced a heroic defensive showing to take the contest to extra-time and then penalties. Ruben Amorim's side progressed on spot-kicks, of course, winning 5-3.
Tottenham 'interested' in Rashford
Tottenham are reportedly the latest club said to be interested in Marcus Rashford.
The Independent report that informal talks have taken place with Spurs amid a feeling that the forward has played his final game for United.
However, it is claimed that Tottenham's current wage structure would make a potential deal difficult. It is also said that Rashford is seen as more likely to move abroad.
Inside Maguire chat
Ruben Amorim told Harry Maguire it was a “no-brainer” to activate the one-year extension in his contract after learning the centre-back’s Old Trafford stay could be prolonged.
Amorim met with Maguire just over a week ago to tell him the club were going to take the option in his deal, which means he now has 18 months remaining on his contract. The 31-year-old has now started five games in a row under Amorim and is once again performing impressively at the heart of the defence, in a system he knows well from his England days under Gareth Southgate.
When confirming that United had taken the option in Maguire’s contract, Amorim also said he had told the defender that he had room to improve and that he had to improve his leadership, and that the challenge had been met against Liverpool and Arsenal.
West Ham's Rashford 'interest'
West Ham have reportedly expressed an interest in signing Marcus Rashford.
The Telegraph claim that informal talks have recently taken place to assess whether West Ham’s pursuit is a realistic one.
West Ham are said to be keen on a loan move for the England international, but it is not clear how much of his wages they would be willing to cover or what sort of loan fee, if any, they would pay to United.
Rashford's interest in joining the Hammers is also uncertain.
United to avoid FA charge
Manchester United will not face disciplinary action from the Football Association in relation to a post on their X page in the aftermath of their FA Cup third round win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, according to a report by The Times.
United beat Arsenal 5-3 on penalties to progress to the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday afternoon after the contest had finished 1-1 after 120 minutes.
United's official X page, following the conclusion of the penalty shootout, posted 'Justice', seemingly aiming a dig at the performance of referee Andy Madley, who sent-off Diogo Dalot and awarded Arsenal a second half penalty.
National media on Arsenal win
Manchester United progressed through to the FA Cup fourth round after a battling win over Arsenal on penalties.
United are next in action at home to Southampton on Thursday (kick-off: 8pm). The national media have had their say on Sunday's win over Arsenal...
Read what they had to say here
Teenage star booked for medical
Diego Leon is set to undergo a medical ahead of a move to Manchester United.
United scouted Leon and Cerro Porteno have claimed a package of around £6million has been agreed for the defender, who has impressed for his club in Paraguay's domestic league.
Leon has touched down in Manchester to finalise his move and will undergo a medical at Carrington, although he won't officially start playing for United until the summer.
Malacia 'could leave'
Tyrell Malacia could reportedly leave United but is not a target for Como.
The left-back returned from a 550-day absence with a knee injury in November, but he has been regularly substituted by Amorim.
Juventus have also been linked with the Dutchman who arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 2022 from Feyenoord.
Tyrell Malacia could leave Man United now in case of good proposal, even on initial loan with buy clause.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 13, 2025
…but he’s not a target for Italian side Como, no talks despite reports. pic.twitter.com/ili2SqNOmC
United get biggest Kolo Muani transfer hint
Manchester United have been given a new hint over Randal Kolo Muani's future at Paris Saint-Germain.
The Reds have not ruled out the possibility of signing Kolo Muani on loan. United had considered signing the 26-year-old from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer of 2023 but instead chose to purchase Rasmus Hojlund.
Despite only starting twice for PSG this season, the France international has managed to score two club goals. He continues to be a favourite of outgoing France coach Didier Deschamps, having started in five of France's six Nations League matches during the autumn internationals and netting three times.
Maguire started despite missing training sessions
Harry Maguire overcame illness to start for Manchester United in their FA Cup third round win at Arsenal.
Maguire did not train for two days last week as he was bed-ridden with flu and he had to cancel a scheduled pre-match interview at United's Carrington training complex on Friday.
However, the 31-year-old declared himself available for selection and travelled with the United squad to London on Saturday night. Maguire played 104 minutes in the tie at the Emirates Stadium, which was decided by a penalty shootout.
Opinion: Players took Amorim bait
Diogo Dalot gave the game away at Anfield when he said Ruben Amorim's comment about Manchester United's squad being "starving for leaders" had struck a nerve. So it should have done. Amorim was telling a team of internationals that they lacked a quality they should all possess.
This wasn't a technical or tactical failing. It was in the head and the heart. Not everyone can have leadership skills, but in a squad with the kind of CVs that United's players possess, there should be at least a handful leading from the front. In Amorim's view, there wasn't, and he was right.
It was a barbed comment in a pre-match press conference that clearly stung. Managers and head coaches can sometimes use those media commitments to send a message, which Amorim did a week last Friday.
Rashford sent clear message
AC Milan's Fikayo Tomori has advised Marcus Rashford that his move to Serie A was "the best decision" he ever made.
Reports suggest that initial discussions have taken place between the United striker's representatives and Milan regarding a possible loan deal, although Zlatan Ibrahimovic has denied Rashford has spoken to the Italian club. This follows the 27-year-old's declaration last month of his readiness for a new challenge, having spent his entire career at Manchester United.
Since this revelation, Rashford has been omitted from several matchday squads as United manager Ruben Amorim intensifies his search for a new striker. However, ex-Chelsea star Tomori has lauded the potential of a move to Italy, which could provide the fresh start Rashford requires.
Solskjaer was right about Amad
Sunday's FA Cup triumph against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium saw Amad step up in a key moment for Manchester United once again, scoring a penalty in their 5-3 shootout triumph.
Signed from Atalanta in January 2021, the Ivorian arrived at Old Trafford with the ambition of making a name for himself in England.
Four years after swapping Atalanta for United, the 22-year-old is beginning to show how good he can be - and it is thanks to the appointment of head coach Ruben Amorim in November.
Opinion: Garnacho could be key to Mendes deal
Alejandro Garnacho may hold the key to Manchester United signing Nuno Mendes and turbocharging their rebuild under Ruben Amorim.
One position which clearly needs strengthening is wing-back. Mendes has been a name linked with the Paris Saint-Germain defender looking perfectly suited to Amorim's 3-4-3 system.
The Manchester Evening News understands that United are not actively targeting the left-back this month. Mendes played under Amorim at Sporting.
Inacio talks
Man United could look to make Goncalo Inacio their first signing of January with reports stating they have held talks over a move for the defender.
A potential loan move has been touted with Portuguese outlet A Bola claiming talks have been held with his agent, Miguel Pinho.
An obligation is said to be included in the loan move for the 23-year-old.
Four deals United could seal
One notable name who could very well depart this month is academy graduate Marcus Rashford, whom the Reds are willing to sell. Rashford's departure would significantly improve United's PSR situation due to his homegrown status, meaning a sale would represent pure profit.
The 27-year-old has rejected three offers from Saudi Pro League clubs because he prefers to play in a top European league. Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Juventus have all been linked.
Another potential departure is Casemiro. The ageing Brazilian midfielder is being linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, with it said that he could be available for less than £25million in January.
Jonathan David move
Man United want to sign Lille striker Jonathan David this month, according to reports in Italy.
TuttoJuve claim United are 'seriously considering the option' of signing David this month with his contract in France expiring in the summer. Juventus are also keen.
United 'on transfer red alert'
Napoli boss Antonio Conte has confirmed that Manchester United-linked Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has asked to leave the club.
Recent reports by L'Equipe in France have claimed that United have joined the race to sign Kvaratskhelia, further claiming the club have held 'concrete talks' with the forward. Liverpool, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with the 23-year-old who has impressed in Naples.
Kvaratskhelia's five goals in Serie A so far this season have played a key role in Napoli sitting top of the table in Italy as they chase just a second Scuddeto title in 30 years. But the Italian club's season could now be disrupted by the news that one of their star players has asked to leave.
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Hello and welcome to The Manchester Evening News' live Manchester United transfer blog!
FA Cup success in north London yesterday, today, transfer gossip to dig your teeth into.
