Manchester United have already welcomed two new signings to their ranks so far this month, and their work in the transfer window is far from over. Erik ten Hag is keen to strengthen his squad further ahead of the second half of the season, as well as plotting moves for when the summer window arrives.
The Red Devils face Arsenal today at the Emirates Stadium in what will be one of their trickiest encounters of the campaign, with a victory for either side expected to play a significant role in the title race.
New arrival Wout Weghorst struggled on his debut against Crystal Palace earlier this week so it remains to be seen whether he did enough to retain his spot in the starting eleven. The Dutchman joined United on loan from Burnley to fill the hole left by Cristiano Ronaldo earlier this season, with the forward terminating his loan at Besiktas in order to return to the Premier League.
Jack Butland was also signed from Palace after Newcastle recalled on-loan goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. Ten Hag will be hoping that the aforementioned duo are not his only two signings this month, though today’s match will be a strong indicator of how much quality his squad could lack.
Express Sport bring you all the latest news from Old Trafford…
Arsenal 3-2 Man Utd LIVE: Nketiah and Rashford have scored in a pulsating game (Image: Getty)
Lisandro Martinez has reacted on social media after United's 3-2 defeat at Arsenal.
The centre-back scored his first Red Devils goal to level the score at 2-2 in the second half and put in a performance worthy of at least a point.
And he has made a rallying cry to fans after full-time ahead of a crucial week or so.
He wrote: "It was not the end we wanted, but definitely no time to feel too down.
"Heads up, and we go again together for the next one, come on United!!! Nice to score my first goal. Thanks once again for the fantastic away support!"
It was not the end we wanted, but definitely no time to feel too down. Heads up and we go again together for the next one, come on United!!! \ud83d\udc79\ud83d\udd34 Nice to score my first goal, thanks once again for the fantastic away support! \ud83d\ude4c\ud83c\udffc #mufc#arsmunpic.twitter.com/S5au4odEr1
Manchester United won't have long to recover from their battling defeat, with three huge cup games on the agenda before they return to Premier League action.
Erik ten Hag's side travel to Nottingham Forest for the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
They then host Reading at Old Trafford in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.
Forest then travel to M16 for the EFL Cup semi-final second leg, after which the Red Devils could've booked a Wembley date against Newcastle United or Southampton.
Man Utd have three huge games ahead. (Image: GETTY)
Luke Shaw has admitted that Arsenal's last-minute winner against Manchester United was a 'reality check' of where Erik ten Hag's squad is.
The left-back claimed United 'deserved' the defeat for their poor second-half performance but praised Arsenal's quality.
He told Sky Sports: “We deserved that in the second half. We were passive and let them control the game completely.
"To concede at the end is gutting, but they are an extremely good side. We were fighting all the way to that last second – you need to concentrate for the entire game.
“It’s a bit of a reality check to where we are at the moment.”
Arsenal and Manchester United often throw up memorable Premier League clashes, and this was no different.
Marcus Rashford fired United ahead, silencing the Emirates Stadium in the 17th minute with a sensational long-range strike.
Eddie Nketiah headed the hosts level just eight minutes later, taking advantage of Aaron Wan-Bissaka sleeping at the back post.
Bukayo Saka completed the turnaround on 53 minutes with an incredible curling effort from outside the box.
But it was United's turn to respond six minutes later as Lisandro Martinez scored his first goal for the club, profiting from an Aaron Ramsdale error to head home from a corner.
The game looked destined for a draw before Nketiah got his second, tapping past De Gea in the 90th minute, lifting the roof off the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal are now five points clear of Manchester City at the Premier League summit, while United remain six points inside the top four.
Arsenal beat Man Utd 3-2 on Sunday. (Image: GETTY)
Roy Keane believes Manchester United have to beat Arsenal to have any chance of lifting the Premier League this season.
But he thinks United will be more focused on securing a top-four spot and a trophy.
He told Sky Sports: "I think Manchester United should be looking at top four and maybe winning a cup, whereas Arsenal have had such a great start, they have more a realistic chance of winning the title.
"United have to win today to be in the race. There is a long way to go."
Attention is starting to turn towards United's match against Arsenal later this afternoon, with Erik ten Hag desperate to lay down a marker with a victory.
The Gunners are five points clear at the top of the table, though that could be cut to just two if City secure a victory over Wolves in the early kick off.
United will need to be at their very best to secure victory at the Emirates Stadium, and Ten Hag's starting lineup will be key.
Let us provide you with all the team news for United here.
Scott McTominay is expected to start for Man Utd vs Arsenal. (Image: GETTY)
Erik ten Hag has been told that his decision to keep Aaron Wan-Bissaka as part of his squad for the second half of the season.
The right-back looked destined to leave the club this month, stirring up interest from Premier League rivals, but impressed recently when given opportunities.
Louis Saha believes it is only right that Wan-Bissaka remains at Old Trafford, feeling that the ex-Crystal Palace star has plenty to offer.
He told BoyleSports: “Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford haven’t had the chance to improve in the past but with Ten Hag they now do. Wan-Bissaka can still do this under Ten Hag as he’s a big player and has big potential.
“I know Wolves are interested but he can improve his attacking, he’s very physical and he can definitely improve. I will be sad if he goes to Wolves as he hasn’t been helped as much as he deserves.”
Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson belies that Harry Maguire may be forced to weigh up his future at the club having fallen further down the pecking order at the club recently.
Left-back Luke Shaw has been deployed by Erik ten Hag as a centre back over the past few weeks due to the absence of Lisandro Martinez, and he has flourished in his new-found role. The move has improved the overall team’s performances, allowing Tyrell Malacia to return to the starting eleven as well.
Though Robinson believes that his tactical switch proves that Maguire is not trusted by Ten Hag and that his time at the club is up. He told Football Insider: “Shaw has been incredible. He has been given an opportunity at centre-half recently and he has taken it with both hands.
“ I never thought of him being a centre-half but now you watch him there, he has all of the credentials. He deserves all of his plaudits. You wonder where it leaves Maguire though. Shaw and Martinez are ahead of him in the pecking order now.
“Maguire was great at the World Cup. But, he has come back and is not playing. I question where his future lies. He has a left-back playing ahead of him. I think his time at Man United is up.”
Manchester United have reportedly decided against signing Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus.
The Germany international has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford this month, with his contract at the Signal Iduna Park set to expire at the end of the season.
However, despite the probably cut-price transfer fee, the Daily Mail report that United have decided against signing the 33-year-old due to his wage demands.
The playmaker’s currently salary surpasses the cap of £200,000-per-week that was recently introduced by Erik ten Hag to prevent a culture of jealousy growing within his side.
Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that he does not believe that Manchester United have made contact with Tottenham about Harry Kane, despite speculation.
It has been well-reported that the Red Devils have identified the Spurs No 9 as their top target heading into the summer, though Romano believes that no talks have taken place.
He told Caught Offside: "Manchester United will explore many situations for a top striker in June, but at the moment I’m not aware of contacts between Harry Kane and any other club.
“He’s focused on Tottenham, conversations over a new deal are still slow and so it’s normal to have rumours but Antonio Conte’s future is also going be crucial to understand Kane’s plans.
“I know there’s lot of noise on this but Man United hope to have new owners, probably new people into the board as happened with Chelsea… Man United is always in the news with those stories but the reality is that nothing is decided now on who’s going to be the new striker.
“There will be many options and for sure, and Erik ten Hag will be involved in the process of identifying the best target.”
Manchester United are ‘optimistic’ about both Marcus Rashford and David De Gea signing contract extension at the club.
Rashford has been in flying form for United so far this season, starting to reach his potential under Erik ten Hag and demonstrating why the club are desperate to retain his services.
The England international saw his contract extended to 2024, with his deal previously set to expire in the summer – like De Gea’s.
However, The Times report that the club are ‘optimistic’ that both players will extend their stays at Old Trafford, with negotiations ongoing with both players.
Ex-Manchester United star Louis Saha has told his formed side to push to sign Chelsea star Edouard Mendy if David De Gea departs.
Mendy has found himself warming the bench at Stamford Bridge this season, with Graham Potter preferring Kepa Arrizabalaga due to his ability to play out from the back.
Speaking about the potential transfer, Saha told BoyleSports: “De Gea is still right at the top level, but of course making mistakes like he did against Everton is never good. Over the years, De Gea has done tremendous performances to save the team and he deserves the time and credit for that.
“If De Gea doesn’t sign a new contract then a move for Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy would make perfect sense. He has been one of the best goalkeepers in the world the last few years and I’m not sure what happened.”
Manchester United look set to miss out on long-term target Declan Rice, with the West Ham reportedly favouring a move to Arsenal.
The Guardian report that the England international is ‘leaning’ towards a move to the Emirates Stadium after learning that Mikel Arteta has already drawn up plans for how he will slot into his side.
Rice has been heavily linked with both United and Chelsea over the past few years, though both will be ruing their missed opportunities to acquire his services if the 24-year-old pens a deal with the Gunners.
United are also in the race to sign Rice (Image: Getty)
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been given a lifeline by manager Erik ten Hag, with the right-back expected to remain at Old Trafford until the end of the season at least.
The former Crystal Palace star was heavily linked with an exit from the club this season, with Wolves and West Ham both registering an interest in acquiring his services.
However, Wan-Bissaka has played his way back into the first-team fold after several impressive performances. Speaking about the defender earlier this week, Ten Hag said: “He’s picking up the coaching. He’s making good progress from the start of the season.
"He was in a bad situation because he was not fit. He had a lot of injuries, a couple of injuries until November. Things changed during the break. He worked hard in pre-season, in the training camp. Some good performances in the games. He is making good progress."
Erik ten Hag has reportedly made Harry Kane his side’s top target for the summer transfer window, keen for his United side to capitalise on the forward’s contract situation.
The England international will be in the final 12 months of his deal with Spurs at the end of the season, and he has reportedly shown no signs of willingness to pen another new deal at the club.
According to the Daily Mail, Kane is open to joining the Red Devils as he would like to remain in the Premier League. The club have also started sounding out their interest in the forward to his entourage has they begin planting the seeds ahead of a summer move.
Erik ten Hag is keen to add a creative midfielder to his ranks this month, and it is reported that RB Leipzig would be willing to negotiate a deal with United to sell Dani Olmo.
The Spaniard has been linked with a move to The Theatre of Dreams this month after revealing in an interview that he is not ‘tied down’.
Speaking about the prospect of Olmo heading to the Premier League, BILD journalist Christian Falk told Give Me Sport: “United would also be a great target for him. So the question again is, is he signing at Leipzig, then they can keep him?
“If not, they will have to discuss to sell him and I think United will be at the table for this poker.”
Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has hit back at suggestions that he needs to prove himself as contract talks continue at Old Trafford.
The Spaniard’s current deal expires at the end of the season, with the Red Devils holding a one-year option to extend by a further year. However, Ten Hag is reluctant to activate that clause due to his desire to negotiate a pay cut with the goalkeeper.
De Gea has made several mistakes this season, though refused to be questioned on his form. He said: “I don’t have to show anything, I have shown already for many years my qualities. I know people love to talk, but I’m used to that.
“I’m just performing as well as I can, helping the team and trying my best all the time. Experience makes it easier to block out the noise. I live a lot of things, I get through many, many difficult moments.
“I don’t care to be honest, I just focus on my games, on my training and on my team. I’m feeling great, I’m feeling really well. I’m helping the team, training well, feeling confident. Like the whole team, we’re playing well.”
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