Manchester United fans can expect to see new manager Erik ten Hag make his first moves in the transfer market this summer, and his decisions will be crucial to the club’s chances of arresting their Premier League slide.
The three-time champions of Europe start the 2022/23 campaign in the Europa League after finishing sixth in the English top flight in 2021/22, compounding a season in which they rarely looked like challenging for the Champions League, FA Cup or EFL Cup.
Record signing Paul Pogba has been released, alongside attacking midfielder and academy product Jesse Lingard and veteran Uruguay forward Edinson Cavani.
Ten Hag is likely to have a sizeable budget to work with as he takes over at a club that is still a financial powerhouse despite their struggles to contend for honours in recent seasons.
The Sporting News is rounding up the key updates — all day, every day — below.
JUMP TO MAN UNITED TRANSFER RUMORS: TOP STORIES | OTHER RUMORS
JUMP TO MAN UNITED CONFIRMED DEALS: TRANSFERS IN | TRANFERS OUT | UPDATED SQUAD LIST
MAN UNITED ANALYSIS: Cristiano Ronaldo in the Europa League | Ten Hag’s first press conference | United’s struggles since Sir Alex Ferguson left
Last update: Aug 13, 12:52 ET / Aug 13 17:52 BST
Man United in talks to sign Sergino Dest
According to Ekrem Konur, Barcelona and Manchester United are in discussions over Sergino Dest.
The right-back is an option when it comes to outgoings for Barca, who still need to raise funds in order to register all their new signings.
United are said to be happy to listen to offers for Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brandon Williams and, if the two players are sold, it would leave Diogo Dalot as the only senior right-back option.
Rabiot deal complicated by mother’s demands
United’s pursuit of an alternative to Frenkie de Jong appears to have hit a stumbling block.
According to Sky Sport Italia, via Sport Mediaset, United officials are expected to meet with Rabiot’s agent — his mother — in the next 24 hours to discuss terms.
The report says that, while Veronique Rabiot is prepared to get the deal done despite United not being able to offer Champions League football, she is asking for a salary of more than the €7 million (£5.9 million/$7.2 million) that the midfielder earns at Juventus. The suggestion is the Red Devils would be unwilling to meet those demands.
The two clubs have already agreed a fee of around £15m ($18m) for the player.
Rashford being chased by PSG
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has been approaced by PSG about a possible move to the club.
Both L’Equipe and ESPN are reporting contact has been made between the two with PSG eager to bring Rashford to Paris this summer.
PSG are yet to table an offer to the Red Devils, but it’s claimed Rashford is open to the possible switch.
The 24-year-old is contracted until the end of the season at Old Trafford, though Man United have an option to extend his stay for another year.
UPDATE (August 12): Speaking ahead of his side’s clash with Brentford, United manager Erik ten Hag made it clear Rashford was not for sale. “He is really important,” he said. “You have seen from the first day I am in. I’m really happy with him, and definitely don’t want to lose him. He is in our plans. He will stay at Manchester United.”
Sarr in Man United’s sights with Morata also an option
After their short-lived pursuit of Marko Arnautovic, the Red Devils have identified their next target.
According to 90min’s Graeme Bailey, Watford’s Ismaila Sarr is being considered by Man United as they seek to bolster their attacking options.
Another name linked with a possible move to Old Trafford is Alvaro Morata with ESPN reporting that the Spaniard has been offered to the Red Devils.
The 29-year-old is currently contracted to Atletico Madrid but has spent the past two seasons on loan at Juventus.
Morata has previously played in the Premier League for Chelsea but struggled to live up to his price tag.
Rabiot emerges as De Jong alternative
As if the idea of signing the famously combustible Arnautovic didn’t seem chaotic enough, The Athletic has reported United are working on a deal to sign enigmatic Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot.
The 27-year-old France international is an obviously gifted performer, whose talents would inarguably lift a midfield that was so tepid in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton, but his reputation precedes him and he hardly screams “dressing room harmony” at a time of familiar turbulence at Old Trafford.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein said: “United must decide whether they try to close out this proposed signing irrespective of their ongoing attempts to secure Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong or wait to discover how that pursuit finishes before making a decision on Rabiot.”
Barcelona president Joan Laporta said on Sunday the financially troubled LaLiga club wanted to keep De Jong and claimed the Netherlands international also wants to remain at Camp Nou.
United launch shock bid to sign Marko Arnautovic
The Athletic claims Manchester United have made an offer for Bologna striker Marko Arnautovic.
The Red Devils are said to have made a bid of €8 million (£6.8m, $8.1m) for the 33-year-old, who was previously a Premier League player with West Ham United and Stoke City.
The report says United want Arnautovic to be a squad player and offer back-up to Anthony Martial and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Austria international previously played under Erik ten Hag and United assistant Steve McClaren at Twente in 2008/09.
UPDATE (August 9): United’s interest in Arnautovic was short lived with the Red Devils opting to pull out of the race to sign him. Having seen their initial bid rejected, United were expected to return to the table with an improved offer with the striker keen to join. However, The Athletic claim the backlash from fans over a move for the controversial striker has resulted in United opting against a move. The search for a new striker continues.
Telles, Bailly set to depart in clearout
According to reports in early August, Manchester United are looking to trim the roster with players who may not see minutes this coming sesaon.
Top of that list are defenders Alex Telles and Eric Bailly, who are closing in on moves. Telles is heading to Spanish side Sevilla, according to the Manchester Evening News, with a loan deal reportedly likely but not yet completed.
Sevilla also have interest in Bailly, according to ESPN, but there’s competition from Italian side Roma. Jose Mourinho was at Man United from 2016 to 2018, and brought Bailly to Old Trafford early in his tenure. Bailly has been solid when on the field for the Red Devils, but has been beset by constant injuries over his career.
The ESPN report also states Axel Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Phil Jones and Brandon Williams are all available for transfer if a suitable offer arrives.
Harry Maguire turned down Barcelona interest
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire showed his commitment to the club over the summer by turning down interest from Barcelona.
Acorrding to the Mirror, the England defender had been named as a player Barca would be willing to take as part of a deal for Frenkie de Jong.
Maguire wasn’t interested in a move to Camp Nou, however, and told his representatives to reject any approaches as he focuses on proving himself at Old Trafford.
Depay to return to Man United?
According to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero on his Twitch channel, as passed on by Sports Mole on July 21, Barcelona have placed Memphis Depay on the transfer list and are looking for an avenue to offload the Dutch striker.
Romero has gone so far as to say the club has efforted to limit Depay’s inclusion in promotional materials from the summer preseason tour in the event a move materializes.
Depay played one-plus frustrating seasons at Man United before moving to Lyon, but according to Romero, Depay could interest his former club in a return. The Red Devils are not the only possible landing spot for Depay in the Premier League, with Spanish outlet Sport also linked Tottenham with a move for Depay.
Frenkie de Jong named in Barcelona pre-season squad
25-year-old Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong has been linked to Manchester United all summer long, with the Red Devils working hard to secure a big prize this window.
The midfielder has been a key target of new manager Erik Ten Hag since his arrival at the club, whilst the two also worked together to a very successful degree at Ajax from 2017 to 2019. Reports have indicated that de Jong wished to stay at Barcelona, but ten Hag may do well to change his mind.
Money is not a problem for the Old Trafford side, as they try and convince the Barcelona midfielder move to the Premier League.
UPDATE (July 17): Frenkie de Jong was named in Barcelona’s preseason squad list. The midfielder was included in a 28-man group heading for the United States that also features new signings Franck Kessie and Raphinha.
While De Jong heading on tour with Barca doesn’t exactly preclude him signing for United, it is another complication to a deal that shows few signs of being concluded in the way the Red Devils would like.
UPDATE (July 14): Manchester United have finally reached an agreement with Barcelona to sign Frenkie de Jong, according to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.
It is claimed that a €85m (£72m) move has been agreed between the two clubs, with around £63m set to be paid up front and a further £10m heading to Barca in various add-ons.
But it seems the ball still remains in De Jong’s court with the player yet to agree personal terms.
Manchester United have reached full agreement with Barcelona for Frenkie de Jong, after further talks. Package worth €85m. Fee guaranteed around €75m plus add-ons. 🚨🇳🇱 #MUFC
Personal terms, still the issue to be resolved – as Frenkie’s priority is to stay at Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/aTYnV3cHkP
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 14, 2022
UPDATE (July 12): The stumbling block to this deal still appears to be the player himself. Fabrizio Romano reports “no green light” from de Jong to complete the move, despite the fact that Barcelona and Man United have reportedly agreed to a fee. Meanwhile, Sky Sports reports that Man United remain “comfortable” regarding a deal for de Jong. Will this happen or not? Nobody seems to know.
UPDATE (July 9): According to Mundo Deportivo in Spain, Frenkie de Jong has “rejected” a deal to Man United. Reports on de Jong’s feelings about a move have fluctuated wildly during this saga, with some earlier reports indicating that he was convinced by Erik ten Hag to join, while now it appears the pendulum may be swinging back towards Barcelona.
UPDATE (July 6): Despite the flurry of reports linking Man United to a deal for de Jong, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has labeled the Spanish midfielder “not for sale.” While speaking at the unveiling of fellow midfielder Franck Kessie, Laporta said, “Frenkie de Jong is a Barça player and we don’t have him for sale.”
UPDATE (June 28): Sky Sports in England reported that United and Barca had come to a “broad agreement” over a fee for De Jong worth €65m (£56m/$69m) plus performance-related bonuses. There are now simply finer details to be sorted out.
BREAKING: Manchester United are close to agreeing a deal with Barcelona for midfielder Frenkie de Jong 🔴 pic.twitter.com/MmtDYabWPf
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 28, 2022
UPDATE (June 23): According to Spanish publication Marca, Barcelona have knocked back a second United bid, with a €65 million (£55.4m / $70.8m) straight-up offer rejected. This is the second bid that has been turned away, after the first bid of €60 million plus €20 million of add-ons was also turned down. The report states that Barcelona are holding out for a match of the €75 million they paid to Ajax for de Jong in 2019.
Man United’s tactic appears to be hold out as long as possible knowing Barcelona need the money to sanction other incoming transfers. However, Barcelona did recently receive a cash injection that could hurt Man United’s leverage in that department.
Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Man United?
A summer-long saga has surrounded Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Portuguese striker rumored to want out of Old Trafford in search of Champions League play.
New boss Erik ten Hag has repeated his desire for Ronaldo to stay, but often the 37-year-old gets what he wants regardless of those around him. There were links to Chelsea for a short time, but that never seemed to truly materialize. Still, nothing concrete has emerged as far as a possible landing spot for Ronaldo outside of Manchester.
UPDATE (July 18): According to a report by AS in Spain, there has been contact from Atletico Madrid regarding a possible transfer to the La Liga club. The report states that Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes have convinced Diego Simeone to pursue the superstar, but Man United are still holding firm that he is not for sale.
CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs has also given his take on the news, saying that while Ronaldo himself has “real interest” in a move to Atletico Madrid, the club views a potential transfer as “problematic and unrealistic currently.”
Ajax winger Antony’s agents travel to Europe for talks with Red Devils
GOAL Brasil has detailed on June 9 that the agents of Ajax winger Antony have travelled to Europe to commence talks over the 22-year-old potentially moving to Manchester United.
The attacker has a good relationship with new Red Devils manager Erik Ten Hag, becoming a key player under his stewardship in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons. Additionally, Man United is saddled with an unbalanced squad, with four left-sided wingers and few to play on the opposite flank.
Should Antony join Manchester United from Ajax, his first club Sao Paulo will be entitled to a portion of the fee, which is proposed to be around the £50 million mark.
UPDATE (June 21): According to The Sun, Man United officials have flown to Amsterdam to hash out a deal for the Brazilian winger. Dutch publication AD suggests that Antony wishes to reunite with Erik ten Hag. Goal.com reports that Antony is eager to make the move, which could hurt Ajax’s position, but the Dutch club is reluctant to sell for less than the £50 million valuation due to the departure of Sebastian Haller.
| Date | Player | Publication | News |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 11 | Robert Lewandowski | — | The Polish striker was rumored by The Sun in June to be linked with Man United, but he has completed a transfer to Barcelona. |
| July 10 | Fikayo Tomori | Corriere della Sera | Man United are interested in bringing the former Chelsea man back to the Premier League, but convincing the player will take some effort. |
| June 16 | Dean Henderson | Man Evening News, Daily Mail |
The Red Devils goalkeeper is in talks to leave Old Trafford on loan, with Nottingham Forest and Newcastle interested |
| June 15 | Vitinha | Record, A Bola |
Arsenal and Man United are battling for the winger, with Porto confirming they rejected a bid from an unnamed club, wanting his release clause met. |
| June 14 | Denzel Dumfries | Corriere Dello Sport, Daily Mail |
Man United are interested by the Inter full-back, and he could be had for £26m, preferring a move to United over Bayern Munich. |
| June 14 | Malcolm Ebiowei | Daily Mail | The youngster is a free agent after his Derby contract expired, with Tottenham, Newcastle, and Crystal Palace also interested |
| June 13 | Tammy Abraham | The Sun | The Roma striker has emerged as a potential target for United after a great season in Italy. |
| June 9 | Ibrahim Sangare | Sky Sports | The PSV midfielder is convinced he will be a Premier League player next season, with United reportedly “interested” |
| June 10 | Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain | talkSPORT | The Liverpool midfielder is on United’s shortlist, and they want him for £10m. |
| June 10 | Marco Asensio | Angelo Mangiante | Talks between United and Asensio’s representatives are “ongoing.” |
| June 9 | Marcus Rashford | The Times | Tottenham reportedly reached out to Man United to sign Rashford but were rebuffed. |
| June 9 | Alejandro Garnacho | Man Evening News | Man United are set to engage in contract talks with the 17-year-old winger to ward off outside transfer interest. |
| June 8 | Wesley Fofana | RMC Sport | United are reportedly “closely interested” in the Leicester City man, who would cost upwards of £68m despite recent injury trouble. |
| June 7 | Alessandro Bastoni | Daily Mail | Man United have inquired about the Inter defender and given a £50m valuation, with Tottenham also interested. |
| June 6 | N’Golo Kante | Metro | Chelsea will reportedly listen to offers for the French midfielder, with Man United interested |
| June 4 | Adrien Rabiot | Man Evening News, CalcioMercato |
Man United is “intensifying dialogue” around Rabiot, who could be had for €15m. |
| June 3 | Andreas Pereira | Rob Dawson (ESPN) |
Pereira may move to Palmeiras, but if it falls through, ten Hag wants to give him another chance in preseason. |
| May 31 | Jurrien Timber | The Guardian | One of the first links connecting ten Hag with an Ajax player, reports anticipate a £25 million bid for the defender. |
| May 31 | Declan Rice | Daily Express | United will open talks with West Ham when Rice returns for pre-season |
| June 23 | Christopher Nkunku | — | RB Leipzig announced a new contract with Nkunku, valid through 2026. The contract includes a €60m release clause that becomes active next summer. |
Man United Transfers: Summer 2022 transfer window
Players In:
| Date | Player | Position | Age | Club | Transfer/Loan Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 5 | Tyrell Malacia | LB | 22 | Feyenoord | €15.7m ($16.5m / £13.6m) |
| July 15 | Christian Eriksen | MF | 30 | Brentford | Free Transfer |
| July 17 | Lisandro Martinez | CB | 24 | Ajax | €57.37m (£48.8m/$57.9m) |
Tyrell Malacia: The Dutch international arrives as Erik ten Hag’s first official signing, having just earned his first Netherlands cap back last September. You can read all about the Dutch international here.
Christian Eriksen: The Dane has completed a free transfer move to United following his release from Brentford. The former Tottenham and Intern Milan star has signed a three-year contract at Old Trafford, after rejecting an offer to stay with The Bees, wanting to play European football again this season.
Lisandro Martinez: Having been a target of Arsenal, Martinez was tempted to join his old Ajax boss’ revolution at Old Trafford. The defender offers a potential upgrade on United’s options at the heart of their side and makes it likely that at least one of Phil Jones, Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe will be moved on. The Red Devils will pay an initial fee of €57.37 million (£48.8m / $57.9m) for the 24-year-old, with a further €10m (£8.5m / $10.1m) potentially due in add-ons.
“It’s an honour to join this great football club. I’ve worked so hard to get to this moment and, now that I’m here, I’m going to push myself even further,” he said. “I’ve been lucky enough to be part of successful teams in my career and that’s what I want to continue at Manchester United. There will be a lot of work to get to that moment, but I firmly believe that, under this manager and coaches, and together with my new team-mates, we can do it.
Players Out:
| Date | Player | Position | Age | Club | Transfer/Loan Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 1 | Edinson Cavani | FW | 35 | Unknown | Free Transfer |
| July 1 | Nemanja Matic | MF | 33 | AS Roma | Free Transfer |
| July 1 | Lee Grant | GK | 39 | Unknown | Free Transfer |
| July 1 | Paul Pogba | MF | 29 | Juventus | Free Transfer |
| July 1 | Juan Mata | CM | 34 | Unknown | Free Transfer |
| July 2 | Dean Henderson | GK | 25 | Nottingham Forest | Loan (undisclosed fee) |
| July 11 | Andreas Pereira | CM | 26 | Fulham | €9.8m (£8.5m / $10.3m) |
| July 26 | Alvaro Fernandez | DF | 19 | Preston North End | Loan (undisclosed fee) |
Andreas Pereira: Despite joining the Man United youth system from PSV in 2012 and spending seven years with the Man United first team, Pereira made just 75 appearances for the Red Devils. He spent last season on loan with Brazilian side Flamengo, and joins Fulham on a permanent deal for a nominal fee.
Paul Pogba: Pogba was not offered what he considered a suitable extension to his expiring contract at Old Trafford and the former £89m (€104.5/$112m) man moved on. Pogba hit out at Man United’s negotiating in his Amazon documentary The Pogmentary, saying, “How can you tell a player you absolutely want him and then offer him nothing?” as quoted by The Athletic
Once a Red, always a Red 🔴
Thank you for your service, @PaulPogba 👏#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 1, 2022
Juan Mata: Following the confirmations of Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard’s exits, Manchester United then announced that Juan Mata will also be leaving Old Trafford when his contract expires at the end of June. Mata joined United from Chelsea in January 2014 and made 285 appearances, scoring 51 goals. The Spaniard won the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Europa League during his time at United.
Thank you for everything, @JuanMata8 — you’ll be missed 🔴#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 2, 2022
Alvaro Fernandez: Considered a highly promising prospect, young full-back Fernandez will spend the season with Championship side Preston North End after signing a new two-year contract with United.
Below is the updated Man United first-team squad. New additions during the summer 2022 window are noted in bold:
Goalkeepers (3): David de Gea, Tom Heaton, Dean Henderson, Lee Grant.
Defenders (10): Eric Bailly (CB), Diogo Dalot (RB), Phil Jones (CB), Victor Lindelof (CB), Harry Maguire (CB), Luke Shaw (LB), Alex Telles (LB), Raphael Varane (CB), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB), Tyrell Malacia (LB).
Midfielders (7): Bruno Fernandes (CAM), Jesse Lingard (CAM), Fred (CM), Scott McTominay (CM), Christian Eriksen (AM) Paul Pogba (CM), Nemanja Matic (CM), Juan Mata (CAM), Andreas Pereira (CAM).
Forwards (6): Anthony Elanga (LW), Mason Greenwood (CF)*, Marcus Rashford (LW), Cristiano Ronaldo (CF), Jadon Sancho (LW), Edinson Cavani (CF).
* = Mason Greenwood is indefinitely suspended after his arrest on suspicion of rape and assault, but remains on the Man United squad list
CB = centre back; LB = left back; RB = right back; CM = central midfielder; CAM = attacking midfielder; CF = centre forward; LW = left wing; RW = right wing
The current Man United projected first-choice starting lineup, when completely healthy, currently looks like:
Man United projected starting XI (4-2-3-1): de Gea (GK) — Shaw, Varane, Maguire, Dalot — McTominay, Fred — Sancho, Fernandes, Elanga — Ronaldo.
Man United in Premier League 2022/23: TV channels, live streams
| UK | USA | Canada | Australia | |
| TV channel | Sky Sports, BT Sport | USA Network, Telemundo, Universo | — | — |
| Streaming | NOW TV, Sky Go, Amazon Prime | fuboTV, Peacock | fuboTV | Optus Sport |
UK: Matches are carried across Sky Sports and BT Sport streaming and TV platforms, with select matches on Amazon Prime.
USA: Select matches are televised on USA Network (English) and Telemundo or Universo (Spanish), and all three channels can be streamed on fuboTV. The rest of the matches are streamed on NBC platform Peacock for subscribers.
Canada: Every Premier League game streams live and on demand exclusively via fuboTV.
Australia: Fans in Australia can stream matches live and on demand on Optus Sport.
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