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What Man Utd may be planning as coronavirus delays Premier League again
Manchester United's Premier League campaign has been hit by the coronavirus crisis.
Coronavirus: Solskjaer ‘would understand’ if season is cut short
Manchester United won’t be in Premier League action until April 30 at the earliest, with the coronavirus crisis delaying the competition for even longer. Fans, players and manager’s had been hoping the virus would subside by April 3 but, with things getting worse, the decision to delay has been taken. Express Sport now looks at what United might be planning during their time away from the pitch.
Odion Ighalo transfer
Odion Ighalo joined United in January, with everybody criticising the deal at the time.
However,the 30-year-old has found the net four times from eight matches - and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hinted he’d like to take him to the club permanently.
“Odion has done really well since he came in and he’s enjoying himself,” he said.
“He has qualities we saw in him and we needed and we will still need those qualities for next season, so let’s see what we will do.”
So United should get onto that as soon as possible.
Ighalo’s loan deal expires at the end of June but with the season up in the air, the Red Devils should act swiftly to ensure he stays.
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Angel Gomes contract
Angel Gomes’ contract expires at the end of the season.
And, so far, United have failed to tie the 19-year-old down to a new deal.
However, the Red Devils should now spend the downtime sorting the teenager’s future and ensuring he stays at Old Trafford.
Chelsea and Barcelona are both eyeing Gomes amid uncertainty over his future - but Solskjaer’s side should act with urgency to ensure their talented teenager doesn’t jump ship for a new challenge elsewhere.
Sway Jude Bellingham
United have already made inroads when it comes to signing Jude Bellingham, showing him around their Carrington training complex
And, now, they need to sway him.
The Birmingham City star isn’t short of suitors having starred for the Championship side this season, making 32 appearances in the league.
Borussia Dortmund feel they’re well-placed to win the race for the teenager’s signature.
But United should try and spend this time throwing everything at him to ensure he chooses a stay in England.
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Transfer planning
It’s common knowledge that United want to sign Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish when the transfer window reopens.
So it would do them no harm to get the ball rolling now.
Of course, no agreement will be reached for the Borussia Dortmund and Aston Villa players anytime soon.
But United should at least make tentative enquiries so they can be in a better position to sign the duo come the end of the season - whenever that ends up being.