Manchester United were among the Premier League’s biggest spenders over the summer, but there could be further new additions to Erik ten Hag’s squad during January
Manchester United have been in fine form since the World Cup break, progressing in the EFL Cup and winning three Premier League games out of three, all without conceding a goal.
The most recent of their victories, against Bournemouth on Tuesday, was enough for Erik ten Hag’s team to cement their place in the top four and close the gap on teams above them. However, injuries for Antony and Donny van de Beek could prompt some transfer investment in January.
After seeing Martin Dubravka return to parent club Newcastle, a new goalkeeper could also arrive at Old Trafford during the window. That is one of the topics discussed as Mirror Football provides updates on the latest transfer gossip surrounding United.
Butland could earn dream move
Manchester United have opened talks with Crystal Palace over a move for Jack Butland, according to The Telegraph. The former England international recently returned after suffering an injury against the Red Devils in pre-season, sitting on the bench for games against Fulham and Bournemouth.
The 29-year-old, who has nine caps for his country, joined Palace from Stoke City in 2020. He has been unable to displace Vicente Guaita during that time, though, and has made just 10 league appearances for the London club.
Reports have conflicted on whether Butland, who previously hailed United as the biggest club in the world, would potentially be joining United on loan or on a permanent deal. His contract at Selhurst Park expires at the end of this season.
Memphis Depay has been linked with a Manchester United return ( Image: NurPhoto/PA Images)
Memphis Depay’s camp opened talks with Manchester United over the summer, amid suggestions the Dutchman could return to Old Trafford. The Barcelona star only has a few months left on his deal at Camp Nou and a January switch has been mooted.
According to The Athletic, the summer talks were pushed more from the player’s side. Since then, Memphis has played just twice in La Liga but still made it to the World Cup with Netherlands.
Barca manager Xavi insisted he doesn’t want the forward to leave, saying he will feature between now and the end of the season. “Memphis’ attitude is always good, he can help in attack, scoring, assisting… He will have minutes like everyone,” Xavi said.
David de Gea set to take pay cut to prolong career at Manchester United
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea. Photo: PA
David de Gea hopes he can see out his career at Manchester United, as he closes in on a new contract.
The Spain goalkeeper (32), is due to sign a new deal after signalling his willingness to accept a cut to his £375,000-a-week wages to prolong his stay at Old Trafford.
United opted against exercising an option in De Gea’s existing contract that would have committed the club to those wages for another season and are instead in discussions with the goalkeeper about a fresh deal on less money.
The club’s longest serving current player after Phil Jones, De Gea joined United from Atletico Madrid for £18.3 million in 2011, when Alex Ferguson was manager.
When asked if he was confident he would finish his career at United, De Gea said: “I hope so. I was saying this is my club, I’ve been here many, many years and it’s a huge honour to be here and I’m so happy here.
“Yeah, I’m very relaxed (about the contract), just focused on training, performing as best as I can.”
Doubts had been cast about De Gea’s long-term future under Erik ten Hag amid concerns about whether his distribution would be good enough, given the way the United manager wants to play out from the back.
Those concerns grew at the start of the season when United lost their opening two matches, to Brighton and Brentford, but De Gea’s all-round game has begun to evolve under Ten Hag and the Spaniard maintained his excellent recent form in Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Bournemouth, when he made three superb saves.
United have not conceded at Old Trafford in the Premier League since the beginning of September and De Gea has kept nine clean sheets in his past 12 matches amid a significant upturn in the side’s defensive solidity under Ten Hag.
“That’s how it should be to come here – it should be a tough place for the teams,” De Gea said.
“Let’s see in the future. We are playing really well, we have to keep the momentum as much as we can and prepare for every game as a final and recover well.
“He’s (Ten Hag) doing well. He puts every player in the same direction and we feel like a proper team. Everyone wants to win, everyone wants to play for this club and that’s massive.
“He brought a great spirit to the team, we are playing really well and this is the way we have to show and keep the momentum as well.”
Meanwhile, United are also in talks over a deal for Crystal Palace’s Jack Butland to arrive at the club as back-up goalkeeper for the second half of the season.
Ten Hag has been in the market for a No 2 since Martin Dubravka’s return to Newcastle United following his loan at Old Trafford, with a deal for Butland, who has won nine England caps, close.
Source: mirror.co.uk; independent.ie
