SQUAD FOR BURNLEY
Manchester United’s travelling squad for the away game against Burnley met at their usual rendezvous point – The Lowry Hotel. Antonio Valencia was not among the players spotted by the Manchester Evening News photographers. Youngsters Axel Tuanzebe and Timothy Fosu Mensah were among those spotted. There is a high chance the two players will make an appearance considering United’s recent injuries.
THE SQUAD – David de Gea, Joel Pereira, Sergio Romero, Matteo Darmian, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Eric Bailly, Axel Tuanzebe, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw, Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick, Jesse Lingard, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Ashley Young, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford.
RETURNING THE FAVOUR
Reports suggesting that Manchester United will not extend Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s contract have emerged. Despite this, United will not cut all ties with the Swede and will offer him full medical support during rehabilitation. A source said: “Zlatan will be given the club’s support throughout his rehabilitation. If that means helping him beyond the final few months of his contract then that will happen.
Ibrahimovic is due to fly out to the US for treatment by the world’s best knee specialist.
MAN MARQ
Manchester United and Jose Mourinho are preparing an offer for PSG defender Marquinhos. United are reportedly willing to splash as much as £55m and offer the Brazilian around £8m in wages. The deal is independent of whether United sign Burnley’s Michael Keane. Recent injuries to Chris Smalling and Phil Jones has led to Mourinho seeking a new world class defender.
UP FOR SALE
Manchester United’s David de Gea has put his mansion up for sale. This will only fan the recent speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid. The goalkeeper will sell for a price of at least £3.85m.
REPLACEMENT
Manchester United are set to sign 16-year old Samuel Brolin from AIK Solna. The goalkeeper is already 6’5” and has taller expectations. United are reportedly in talks and will make him No.1 in the future. This news comes amid rumours that current United No.1 David de Gea will leave the club for Real Madrid.
BELOTTI TALK
Torino boss Sinisa Mihajlovic has admitted that he will find it tough to keep hold of Andrea Belotti should one of the big clubs come knocking for his signature. The 23-year-old has enjoyed a prolific campaign in the Serie A and became the first player aged less than 24 to score 24 goals since Andriy Shevchenko. “It would be difficult to replace Belotti,” he said. “I hope he stays but if he does he must have the right mentality. We all hope Belotti stays at the club and he’d like to stay as well.
“However, big offers will come sooner or later and at that point it could be hard to stay. Belotti is 23 and he could score 30 goals each season. Some big club could come here and offer him five, six, seven million a year for five years. That would make 30 million.
Belotti is a transfer target for both United and Chelsea.