Manchester United - News

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Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek, 26, says he will make a January move away from Manchester United if he does not start playing more games, revealing that a summer move to Real Sociedad fell through.

Manchester United are hoping to strengthen in four positions in January, including in defensive midfield with concerns over 27-year-old Morocco midfielder Sofyan Amrabat's season so far.

Tottenham are ready to rival Manchester United and Liverpool for the signature of Nice's 23-year-old France defender Jean-Clair Todibo.

France defender Raphael Varane, 30, and England midfielder Mason Mount, 24, are among the Manchester United players at risk of being replaced.

Bayern Munich have discussed the possibility of signing Varane from Manchester United but do not think a deal is realistic.

Manchester United are interested in 29-year-old Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel but the Serie A club will only sell the Italian for £30m.

Germany striker Timo Werner, 27, is prepared to stay at RB Leipzig and fight for his place in the side rather than move to Manchester United in January.

WEDNESDAY 29th NOVEMBER 2023 - CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - GROUP A - RESULT

Galatasaray 3 (Ziyech 29, 62, Aktürkoglu 71) Manchester United 3 (Garnacho 11, Bruno Fernandes 18, McTominay 55)

55 mins - GOAL - Galatasaray 1-3 Man Utd - Scott McTominay
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62 mins - GOAL - Galatasaray 2-3 Man Utd - Hakim Ziyech
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71 mins - GOAL - Galatasaray 3-3 Man Utd - Kerem Aktürkoğlu

FULL-TIME - Galatasaray 3-3 Man Utd

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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag speaking to TNT Sports:
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"We were winning and then we're losing it. We should have taken three points, that's clear. We did this in other games. I was pleased with how we played but at the same time I have to criticise the team because the defending is not good enough. We are leading 3-1 and we cannot afford mistakes as it makes a difference.

"Every goal has its own story. Whether it's a transition moment and we don't block the middle or the second goal which is a free-kick and the third goal we are organised but have an overload. That cannot happen. We have to learn from that.

"I am very pleased because you see the style of this team which is pro-active, dynamic and brave. I was pleased with the performance because we created so many chances but at the same time we have to win this game."

Who's to blame for throwing games away? "It's always me. I am responsible for this. We know we are in a project. We are making improvements so that's very hopeful. We are going in the right direction so I know we will be successful in the long-term but if you want to stay in the Champions League you need to win these games."

Galatasaray 3-3 Man Utd in Champions League: Andre Onana costs side dearly..By Phil McNulty, Chief football writer.

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Andre Onana was at fault for both of Hakim Ziyech's goals from free-kicks in the 3-3 draw in Istanbul

The surroundings in Istanbul may be more modern in Galatasaray's state-of-the-art new stadium than in days of old, but there is still a red-hot 'Welcome To Hell' reception from the stands and this was certainly a night of suffering for Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana.

In a throwback to the era of Istanbul's infamous old Ali Sami Yen Stadium, where United suffered in Europe 30 years ago, another banner read 'Your Nightmare Is Back Again' and they were prophetic words for the hapless Onana.

If United fail to make it out of Champions League Group A, and there is every chance that happens after they twice squandered a two-goal advantage to draw 3-3 in a chaotic classic in Istanbul, Onana will take a large share of the blame.

Bayern Munich's draw with Copenhagen later in the evening means United must beat the German side in a fortnight and hope Galatasaray draw with Copenhagen in order to qualify.

United's inability to cash in on controlling games in the Champions League this season has been an Achilles heel.

They also let a 2-0 lead slip in the 4-3 loss in Copenhagen and could now face a heavy price, with their fate out of their hands and Bayern Munich, with of course Harry Kane, to come in the final game at Old Trafford.

No-one can complain about entertainment value in United's return to the Champions League but it rather loses its lustre when you list the five leads they have lost.

Fans, management and players will look back with regret at a 4-3 loss away to Bayern, a 3-2 defeat at home to Galatasaray, that 4-3 reverse away to Copenhagen then this magnificent rollercoaster in Istanbul.

All very entertaining - but not necessarily for the Manchester United fans who would simply prefer to see their team win.

And if United are to be consigned to the Europa League on a Thursday night, or even no European football at all, then a lot of the blame will be directed at Onana's performance against Galatasaray.

His performance in Turkey once again flouted his billing as one of the game's top keepers when he arrived from Inter Milan in the summer after helping the Italian club reach last season's Champions League final.

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It would be stretching the point to suggest tears were shed when David de Gea ended his 12-year association with Manchester United last summer, but there may be some wistful glances towards a goalkeeper still seeking employment given Onana's performances so far this season.

The Cameroon keeper has looked uncertain and vulnerable - although not necessarily without confidence, judging by one neat pirouette near the halfway line against Galatasaray - and has not yet resembled a vast upgrade on De Gea.

Since 2018-19, he has made the most errors leading to opposition goals by goalkeepers in the Champions League, with seven costly mistakes.

If Galatasaray's fans wanted to conjure up images of nightmares, it certainly worked for Onana, who produced a horror show to undermine much of United's good work.

United looked as impressive as at any time this season when they burst out of the blocks, unaffected by the usual deafening atmosphere to strike two wonderful early blows from Alejandro Garnacho and captain Bruno Fernandes.

It was all going as smoothly as things can go against Galatasaray on their own turf before Onana got his positioning all wrong for Hakim Ziyech's free-kick that put them back in the game.

Scott McTominay restored United's position of relative dominance by making it 3-1 10 minutes after half-time until Onana conjured up a truly rotten piece of goalkeeping to give the Turkish champions hope once more just after the hour.

Ziyech's angled free-kick with his left foot hardly carried mighty power and was directed straight at the keeper with no other players in close attendance applying pressure.

Onana appeared to attempt to scoop the ball out with his right hand only to oblige Galatasaray by helping it into the net. Ziyech looked almost as stunned by the outcome as United's keeper and his team-mates.

It gave Galatasaray momentum just when it seemed they were starting to run on empty and they earned their point with a powerful strike from substitute Kerem Akturkoglu with 19 minutes left.

There followed a frenetic finale with chances at both ends, a winner somehow avoiding either side as the game became wide open in the closing stages.

The 27-year-old arrived in a £47m deal with a big reputation and as someone well known to Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag from their time at Ajax but he has done little to justify it and this was his worst night so far.

It was an even bigger source of regret because much of United's play was commendable until Onana took a hand - or in this case, did not.

United must now beat formidable Bayern Munich at Old Trafford on 12 December, although they may be helped by the fact Thomas Tuchel's side have already topped the group.

If United fail to progress they will be desperately frustrated after a campaign that has contained so many self-inflicted wounds. This jeopardy could have been avoided.

There is still hope but United do not control their own destiny and have only themselves, and on this night Onana in particular, to blame.

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Manchester United have joined Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid in the race for Palmeiras' Brazilian winger Estevao Willian, 16.

Manchester United have also joined Newcastle, Roma and AC Milan in showing interest in 27-year-old Stuttgart and Guinea forward Serhou Guirassy.

Manchester United investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants his recruitment team to focus on homegrown talent.

Manchester United are in talks to sign Romania and Genoa defender Radu Dragusin, 21.

Marc Guehi is keen to remain with Crystal Palace until the summer transfer window to boost his chances of making England's squad for Euro 2024. The 23-year-old defender is attracting interest from Manchester United and Newcastle.

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Manchester United could sell English midfielder Jadon Sancho, 23, and Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek, 26, to Juventus for just £26m.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is yet to complete a deal to take over football operations at Manchester United, is already in discussions about the future of the club's on-loan English forward Mason Greenwood, 22.

France centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo, 23, "remains a candidate" for a winter move from Nice to Manchester United.

Manchester United's 18-year-old English midfielder Kobbie Mainoo will double his wages - from £10,000 to £20,000 - should he become a regular in the first team.

Bayern Munich's Germany forward Thomas Muller, 34, has been linked with a move to Manchester United after being urged by the Bavarian club's former captain Lothar Matthaus to seek game time elsewhere.

Muller is likely to extend his contract until 2025 at Bayern Munich, with the German club's sporting director Christoph Freund pushing for the forward to get a new deal.

Manchester United: Erik ten Hag and Harry Maguire win November Premier League awards..

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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag and defender Harry Maguire have won November's Premier League manager and player of the month awards.

United lost four of their first seven league matches this season but have since climbed to sixth in the table.

They won November's three league matches - against Fulham, Luton and Everton - without conceding.

Maguire, who struggled for game time at the start of the season, played every minute in the three victories.

The 30-year-old becomes the first United defender to win the award since Nemanja Vidic in January 2009.

"Couldn't have done it without my team-mates, the staff and you fans. Your love and support doesn't go unnoticed, I appreciate it," Maguire said on X after winning the award.

Maguire was stripped of the United captaincy by Ten Hag in July and looked set for a move away from Old Trafford before the start of the season.

However, he turned down an offer from West Ham to stay at United, even though the club accepted a £30m bid for the England centre-back.

He topped a six-player shortlist that also included Manchester City's Jeremy Doku, Newcastle's Anthony Gordon, Luton goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski, Raheem Sterling of Chelsea and Bournemouth winger Marcus Tavernier.

United ended October eighth in the Premier League after a 3-0 derby defeat by Manchester City, but Ten Hag, who claims a third Premier League manager of the month award, has guided his side to sixth - nine points behind leaders Arsenal.

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Manchester United are willing to listen to offers for Brazil midfielder Casemiro, France defender Raphael Varane, and England winger Jadon Sancho, as manager Erik ten Hag attempts to trim down his squad. 

United and Newcastle now lead the race to sign 27-year-old Guinea forward Serhou Guirassy from Stuttgart. 

Germany forward Timo Werner has been told by RB Leipzig sporting director Rouven Schroder he can leave the Bundesliga club on loan in January, but neither Manchester United nor Real Madrid are likely to sign the 27-year-old. 

Finally, billionaire businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe's acquisition of a 25% stake in United has been delayed because of "legal structure" matters. 

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Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund are working on a swap deal which would see England winger Jadon Sancho, 23, return to the Bundesliga club - with 24-year-old Netherlands forward Donyell Malen heading in the opposite direction.

Manchester United are willing to sell 31-year-old Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen in the January transfer window.

United and Liverpool have joined a host of top clubs who are targeting Fulham's Portugal midfielder Joao Palhinha.

Manchester United will have to spend £34m to beat Juventus to the signing of Valencia's Spain Under-21s midfielder Javi Guerra, 20.

Manchester United are set to battle Manchester City for the signature of Lille's French defender Leny Yoro, 18.

Ivory Coast winger Amad Diallo, 21, could be loaned out again by Manchester United in January if he cannot force his way into the first team reckoning after recovering from injury.

Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth is a target for Manchester United to head up their new footballing department under Sir Jim Ratcliffe.