Benfica’s move for Tyrell Malacia has ‘stalled’ with the Man Utd defender not travelling to Portugal as planned, according to reports.

Lecce wing-back Patrick Dorgu is poised to complete a transfer to Old Trafford from the Serie A club after saying his goodbyes to his team-mates following their 3-1 win over Parma on Friday.

Dorgu was an unused substitute in that match with reports indicating that he has completed a medical and signed his contract ahead of a transfer to Man Utd.

Man Utd head coach Ruben Amorim wants to bring players in that suit his 3-4-3 formation, philosophy and style of play, with Dorgu identified as the perfect wing-back for his sytem.

With the Dorgu signing wrapped up, it was expected that Malacia’s exit would be fairly straightforward but the Dutchman has been left in limbo for the time being.

The Athletic reporter Mark Critchley has claimed that there is still hope that a deal for Malacia to sign for Benfica could be rekindled but the left-back ‘didn’t travel to Portugal as planned’.

Critchley wrote:

‘Tyrell Malacia’s proposed loan move from Manchester United to Benfica has stalled.

‘The 25-year-old is ready to join the Portuguese club for the remainder of the season, with club-to-club talks arranged for Saturday to find if an agreement can be reached.

‘With United expected to complete the signing of Lecce left wing-back Patrick Dorgu imminently, Malacia was set to be allowed to earn regular minutes elsewhere.

‘However, Malacia didn’t travel to Portugal as planned and it remains to be seen if a common ground can be reached to rekindle a move.’

While reports in Spain are claiming that the transfer market is ‘heating up’ with the news that Man Utd and Paris Saint-Germain are ‘vying to sign one of the most promising stars in football today: Dean Huijsen’.

The Bournemouth defender has shone in the Premier League this season and for Man Utd ‘the signing of Huijsen has been seen as a long-term investment to strengthen their defence, an area the club has sought to reinforce over the past few seasons’.

It is claimed that Amorim has ‘shown a clear interest in the defender, trusting in his youth and potential to quickly adapt to the high competitive level demanded by the Premier League’.

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Former Man Utd defender Paul Parker reckons imminent signing Dorgu will be thrown straight into the side as Amorim will want a look at the Denmark international “straight away”.

Parker told Betfred: “I’d expect it because at the end of the day, there’s no point spending good money on a player and making them sit and watch. There’s no sitting and watching at Manchester United anymore. You get them in there straight away and have a look at them.

“There’s going to be some good things, there’s going to be some bad things, but from what you hear, he’s very good at going forward. If he’s going to play as a wing-back, being more forward orientated is always a plus because for example, Diogo Dalot is a full-back, not a wing-back, and he’s powerful, but not athletic.”

Man Utd are set to make a ‘formal offer’ for Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel today as they look to get a deal over the line, according to reports.

The Red Devils are having a poor season with Ruben Amorim’s side currently 12th ahead of their clash on Sunday afternoon against 13th-placed Crystal Palace.

Only five sides in the Premier League have scored fewer goals than Man Utd this season with their strikers taking a lot of flak for their lack of goals.

Marcus Rashford got dropped for his poor performances in training and now Aston Villa are set to complete a loan deal for him with a medical to take place today.

While Zirkzee – who was signed from Bologna in the summer transfer window – has contributed three goals and one assist in 23 Premier League matches, while Hojlund has two goals and no assists.

And both Zirkzee and Hojlund were left on the bench for their match against Crystal Palace on Sunday with Kobbie Mainoo played further forward.

The move highlighted the need for Man Utd to bring in another forward before the transfer deadline with Amorim clearly desperate for an attacking player.

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And GiveMeSport now claims that Man Utd are ‘expected to submit their bid today’ for Tel with the Red Devils ‘holding talks over a move for his signature as the January transfer window continues to tick down’.

Tottenham had already agreed a £50m fee for Tel but the France Under-21 international wants to move elsewhere or stay at Bayern Munich.

GiveMeSport adds:

‘GiveMeSport sources have revealed that United have held talks with Bayern on Sunday lunchtime, and that a formal offer is expected by the end of the day from the Red Devils as they aim to bolster their front line.

‘United believe that the Frenchman is open to a potential loan move, although Tel has not yet decided if he wishes to leave Bayern in the current transfer window. United are pushing for his signature, but Arsenal are expected to provide competition for his signing in the coming hours, and Tottenham Hotspur were previously reportedly to have agreed a £50million fee for his services but they were turned down by Tel.’

Another report in GiveMeSport continues:

‘Manchester United could beat Arsenal to the eleventh-hour acquisition of Tel after he has been pinpointed as the best available option to boost Amorim’s frontline at this stage of the winter transfer window, according to GMS sources, and Rashford’s pending departure will result in having enough funds to conclude negotiations.’

Man Utd are in the race to sign Ipswich Town star Liam Delap but neighbours Man City could thwart their attempts, according to reports.

The Red Devils have had a terrible start to the new Premier League season with Ruben Amorim’s side sitting in 12th position ahead of their match against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Man Utd are one of the lowest scoring Premier League sides this season with Amorim losing more firepower by allowing Marcus Rashford leave for Aston Villa in a loan deal until the end of the season.

That leaves Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee as their main two strikers with the Man Utd duo only scoring five Premier League goals between them this term.

Man Utd are already attempting to bring in Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel with reports claiming they will launch a ‘formal offer’ today.

But they also have plans to improve their attack in the summer with the Daily Express claiming that Man Utd ‘have entered the fray’ for Ipswich striker Delap ahead of the next transfer window.

It’s claimed that Man Utd’s neighbours Man City ‘could ruin’ their ‘transfer plot’ as the Citizens could activate their buy-back option on Delap in order to sell him on again.

The Daily Express reveals:

‘The Red Devils’ transfer committee, under the guidance of boss Ruben Amorim, has identified Delap as a prime target following discussions last week.

‘Interestingly, two key figures in United’s transfer strategy – chief executive Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox – are familiar with the 21 year old from their time at Manchester City.

‘However, United’s pursuit of the Ipswich forward could be thwarted by their city rivals.

‘The reigning Premier League champions hold a £29.5million buy-back clause on Delap and might choose to activate it, even if only to sell him on for a profit.’

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Former Chelsea and Man City winger Shaun Wright Phillips reckons Delap has been the best young player in the Premier League this season and he wouldn’t be surprised to see the Ipswich star in the England squad soon.

When asked for his shout for best young player in the Premier League right now, Wright-Phillips told Genting Casino: “Liam Delap at the minute. I think he’s been one of the youngsters that has really stood out this season.

“I’ve been there, playing for a team at the bottom of the table as a younger player, and he’s producing. He’s someone that you can rely on. Delap has all the attributes of a top-quality striker. He can hold the ball up when it needs to be held up, he can bring people into play. He can play the role of a lone striker perfectly and he gets his shots off, is always a handful.

“If he does get a move in the summer, then his experience at Ipswich this season will be so beneficial for him. If he moved to a better team, I think he would score more goals and look like an even deadlier player.

“He’s the focal point of a newly promoted club. That’s not easy. He’s very aggressive and he’s done tremendously well for Ipswich this season. He is one player I will be keeping my eye on.”

On Delap’s England prospects, Wright-Phillips adds: “If Liam Delap was called up by Tuchel, there wouldn’t be any argument from me. I’m not sure if he will, I think there are probably a few strikers that are ahead of him in the pecking order, but who knows.

“He’s certainly playing well and has proven that he is a player that can operate in the Premier League. I’m a true believer that if you’re playing well, you deserve the opportunity to play for England.

“I think he’s a similar player to Dom Solanke, another striker that has been playing well this season, but they both can do similar things. I think Solanke may just be ahead of him, but it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he was part of Tuchel’s first England squad.”

Man Utd could yet seal a ‘deadline-busting’ deal to sign Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku with a ‘permanent’ transfer discussed, according reports.

The Red Devils have been linked with a loan move for the France international and a potential swap deal for Alejandro Garnacho was also mooted.

Speaking last weekend, Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg claimed there had been ‘concrete ideas’ about a potential Man Utd swap deal involving Garnacho and Chelsea star Nkunku.

Plettenberg wrote on X: ‘As exclusively reported yesterday, there have been initial concrete ideas in recent days among all parties involved about a potential swap between Alejandro #Garnacho and Christopher #Nkunku. Nothing is advanced yet, but the topic has been explored. Both clubs are now in direct contact, and both players are open to a move. #MUFC #CFC Nkunku also has an agreement with Bayern.’

But transfer expert Fabrizio Romano insisted earlier this week that a “straight loan” without an obligation to buy at the end of the season would not appeal to Chelsea star Nkunku, who has scored 13 goals in 29 appearances in all competitions for the Blues this season.

Romano said on his YouTube channel: “Many questions today about the situation of Christopher Nkunku. For Nkunku, at the moment there are two opportunities, one is Bayern Munich, Nkunku will be open to going to Bayern, but the only way for Bayern is to include a player in the deal.

“Chelsea wanted Mathys Tel but at the moment there is no green light from Mathys Tel to leave Bayern, let’s see if they can change his mind. There is still a possibility for Mathys Tel to leave but he has Chelsea, and many clubs that want to sign him on loan.

“So the situation could be open in the next days but at the moment still no breakthrough in talks between Mathys Tel and Bayern about what he wants to do.

“And the other option for Christopher Nkunku is Manchester United, something discussed at the beginning of the market. But my understanding is that Christopher Nkunku is not that open, at the moment, to a straight loan.

“So when you see reports on Nkunku going on loan to Man Utd, if it’s a loan with obligation, a permanent transfer, Christopher Nkunku could be open. If it’s a straight loan or not guaranteed obligation then at this moment in time not sure this deal could happen.

“So let’s see what happens with Nkunku, Garnacho and for sure Man Utd and Chelsea will be in touch this week to discuss opportunities. But the Nkunku situation is not that easy in terms of formula, so they need to clarify that.”

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On Thursday, Man Utd were given “no chance” of striking a permanent deal for Nkunku this month because of their financial situation – but former Red Devils chief scout Mick Brown has revealed the Frenchman is “highly thought of” at Old Trafford and there could still be a deal.

Brown told Football Insider, who claim a ‘deadline-busting’ deal for Nkunku could be on: “I watched him play against Man City for Leipzig a couple of years ago. He scored a hattrick and his team lost 6-3, but he was very, very eye-catching that day.

“He played not as a centre-forward or a wide man, but almost as a third forward inside on the right, similar to the type of role Amorim uses.

“It’s not quite happened for him at Chelsea, but that could be said for a few of their players. But he’s highly thought of at United and he’s one of the names they’ve been looking at.

“It looks as if Rashford is going to leave after Amorim’s recent comments, so that’s going to free up some space which they’ll want to fill.

“So Nkunku, I think he’d do a good job at United if they can get a deal done.

“Whether that happens on loan or a permanent deal remains to be seen because both have been discussed.”