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Man Utd ‘go for’ PSG ‘discard’ as shock ‘short-term option’ for two reasons amid £37.5m transfer blow

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    According to reports, Manchester United are ‘interested’ in signing Randal Kolo Muani from Ligue Un giants Paris Saint-Germain.

    The 25-year-old was linked with Man Utd before he joined PSG for around £66m during the 2023 summer transfer window.

    The France international had a stellar spell in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt before he joined PSG. He grabbed 26 goals in his 50 appearances for the German outfit across all competitions.

    Kolo Muani has only been used sparingly by PSG this season as he has only started twice in Ligue Un.

    His lack of game time could lead to him leaving PSG in January or next summer and Man Utd are reportedly showing interest in him.

    Man Utd are among the lowest scorers in the Premier League this season as they have only netted nine goals in ten matches.

    Incoming head coach Ruben Amorim has a big job on his hands and he could look to add to his squad in January. A recent report from Football Insider claimed Man Utd ‘could agree multiple loan signings’ in the winter as their managerial change will impact their transfer hopes.

    READ: Ruud van Nistelrooy demoted as Manchester United ‘bar set low’ for Amorim all of a sudden

    The report claims.

    ‘United could have spent up to £37.5million on their managerial change.

    ‘Sources say it will therefore be difficult under Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) for Amorim to spend any money in the January transfer window.

    ‘One avenue open to United is the use of loan deals, with the club yet to use their two allotted Premier League loan spaces this term.

    ‘They could also look overseas to bolster their squad, as they did with Sofyan Amrabat last season before declining to sign him permanently.’

    MORE MAN UTD COVERAGE ON F365…
    👉 Man Utd: Amorim drops transfer promise; hints when he will sign ‘very good’ Sporting Lisbon stars
    👉 Super agent reveals ‘genius’ manager snubbed Man Utd before Amorim was appointed
    👉 ‘Where are you two going to play?’ – ‘Only one’ Man Utd star ‘safe’ from Ruben Amorim axe

    A report in Spain claims Man Utd are ‘showing interest’ in the PSG ‘discard’ and are planning to ‘go for’ him in January.

    It is claimed that Kolo Muani is viewed as an ideal ‘short-term solution’ for two reasons.

    ‘Randal Kolo Muani is in the spotlight for a possible transfer between the Manchester United team and the Parisian team.

    ‘PSG are reportedly open to the option of loaning him out to another club to gain minutes and continue his development.

    ‘With a demanding season ahead, Ruben Amorim and the board of the Red Devils see Kolo Muani as an interesting option, both for his goal-scoring ability and his versatility on the pitch.

    ‘The French striker has the ability to play both in the centre and on the wings, making him an attractive profile for Manchester United’s attacking scheme.’

    Three things Van Nistelrooy will want to leave as his parting gifts to United vs Leicester City today

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      Ruud van Nistelrooy will be desperate to end his run as interim Manchester United manager on a high by beating Leicester City at Old Trafford this afternoon.

      A convincing win will be even more joyous for the Dutchman as he seeks to leave his name firmly in the minds of Ineos in case things to not go as hoped with incoming permanent manager, Ruben Amorim.

      On paper, the Leicester side Steve Cooper puts out today should be much tougher than the one Ruud’s Reds overcame 5-2 in his first game in charge. But for a few first team regulars, that was very much a Leicester reserve side.

      Goals for Hojlund

      One big challenge the Dutchman will want to crack before he goes is getting centre forward Rasmus Hojlund in the goals and more involved in the play generally.

      If Amorim introduces his trademark 3-4-3 system as widely expected (although we are not totally convinced, as explained here), this could be the last chance to prove that enough chances can be created in the 4-2-3-1 favoured by Van Nistelrooy and Erik ten Hag before him.

      An obvious tweak he might employ is to reverse the wingers.

      Traditionally in football, right footed players make good right wingers and lefties would play on the left. In days of yore, with two centre forwards the norm, the primary job of the winger was to provide crosses for those goalscorers.

      Nowadays however, wingers are expected to also provide goals and to cut inside and take shots. This has often led to lefties playing on the right and vice versa.

      But in a setup like at United, where there is no deep lying playmaker to provide through balls to run on to, this often leaves Hojlund feeding off scraps.

      Van Nistelrooy could aim to correct this today by playing the left footed Amad on the left wing, and either Marcus Rashford or Alejandro Garnacho on the right.

      Taking chances

      Unleashing Hojlund is part of a bigger puzzle that has dogged United – that 5-2 over the Foxes aside – which is wastefulness in front of goal. Van Nistelrooy will want to leave showing he was starting to crack that.

      In that respect, reversing the wingers as suggested above would in theory make it harder for them to score, but it should create more width and thus more space for Bruno Fernandes, the full backs and the central midfielders to run into.

      Taking the burden off the wingers to score could help the team overall find new routes to goal. Fernandes in particular has only scored one goal from open play all season, a poor tally by his standards.

      Going in for the kill

      The final terrible habit United have developed of late is to concede shortly after scoring themselves. It happened time and again under Erik ten Hag but that soft underbelly showed again against Chelsea last weekend and would have happened against PAOK on Thursday but for a terrible miss by the vistors’ forward.

      It would be the perfect parting gift from the 48 year old if he could demonstrate United displaying panache and confidence and going in for the kill after scoring a goal, rather than retreating into nervous defensiveness, inviting their weakened opposition to punch their way back into the match.

      Kick-off at Old Trafford today is at 2pm.

      Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

      Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.

      “This is where I could have been”: enraged manager shows players the lucrative contract from United he refused this summer

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        Roberto De Zerbi has claimed he rejected Manchester United to join Olympique de Marseille, as per reports.

        Before pulling the trigger on Erik ten Hag mid-season, INEOS also considered parting ways with the Dutchman over the summer, with reports suggesting they held talks with several managers, including Thomas Tuchel.

        Former Brighton and Hove Albion boss De Zerbi was also linked with the United job, having turned the Seagulls into one of the most intriguing sides in the first phase of the game.

        The way Brighton baited teams into unsuccessfully pressing them during the build-up highlighted the Italian’s tactical acumen, making him one of the most attractive managerial names in the market.

        However, United eventually decided to stick with Ten Hag, and De Zerbi moved to France to manage Marseille.

        After a promising start to their Ligue 1 campaign, third-placed Marseille have slowed down under De Zerbi, leading to some bold claims from both the manager and media.

        After the Phocaeans’s 3-1 defeat against newly promoted AJ Auxerre, De Zerbi underlined his frustration by telling the press: “If I’m the problem, I’m ready to leave. I’ll leave without the money, I don’t care about all the rest.”

        His mood in the dressing room was no better, to say the least.

        Roberto De Zerbi turned down Manchester United before moving to Marseille

        According to L’Équipe (via Getfootballnewsfrance), the 45-year-old used an overhead projector to show a contract offer from United. The finer details (such as his potential salary at Old Trafford) were blurred out.

        The report further claims that he told his players, “This is where I could have been, but I put my passion before money. I came to Marseille for the passion.”

        It will be interesting to see how Marseille stars would react to the alleged passionate speech from De Zerbi and how long the Italian would remain at the club.

        As far as United are concerned, that ship has passed for him, with the Mancunians opting to bring in Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim to spearhead their project.

        Vishal has covered football for over five years. Currently a writer at The Peoples Person. Big fan of ball-playing center-backs!

        Man Utd: Ruben Amorim drops transfer promise; hints when he will sign ‘very good’ Sporting Lisbon stars

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          Incoming Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has hinted when he will move to sign “very good” players from Sporting Lisbon.

          Amorim has been appointed to replace Erik ten Hag, who was sacked at the end of last month.

          The 39-year-old has a big job at Man Utd as the Premier League giants have made a terrible start to the 2024/25 campaign. They have only won three of their opening ten matches.

          Man Utd’s new head coach officially takes over at the start of next week and his final match in charge of Sporting Lisbon is against Braga in the Primeira Liga on Sunday evening.

          Amorim’s move to Man Utd has fuelled speculation linking the Red Devils with several Sporting Lisbon stars, but the first signing he has reportedly chosen does not play for the Primeira Liga leaders.

          Prolific goalscorer Viktor Gyokeres – who is the 2024 top scorer in Europe – has been heavily linked with Man Utd in recent weeks, but Amorim has given an emphatic on signing Sporting Lisbon players in January.

          READ: Five Premier League flops Ruben Amorim salvaged at Sporting includes Liverpool outcast

          Amorim said: “I won’t be signing [Sporting players] in January, that’s what I said.”

          Despite this, Amorim is more open to the prospect of signing Sporting Lisbon players in the summer.

          “I don’t know about the summer. The main thing is to hold on until the summer [laughs]. After that, we’ll see, Sporting’s players are very good players. I don’t know. We’ll see.”

          When asked to reflect on his time with Sporting, Amorim added: “Regarding how things went here, there were titles that we could have won, I’m thinking about the Super Cup, we didn’t win the Portuguese Cup, but it ended up going well and the impact we had, I would say we should have won more, but no one would have expected us to win so much.”

          MORE MAN UTD COVERAGE ON F365…
          👉 Super agent reveals ‘genius’ manager snubbed Man Utd before Amorim was appointed
          👉 ‘Where are you two going to play?’ – ‘Only one’ Man Utd star ‘safe’ from Ruben Amorim axe
          👉 The incredible true cost of Man Utd sacking Erik ten hag and hiring Ruben Amorim revealed

          Earlier this week, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claimed Gyokeres is “expected to leave Sporting Lisbon in 2025″.

          “The feeling at Sporting is that Viktor Gyokeres can complete the season at the club and then decide his future destination in summer 2025,” Romano said.

          “For sure, we expect Viktor Gyokeres to leave Sporting in 2025, should be in the summer, so this is the idea.

          “Amorim has been honest, he is not planning to go for Gyokeres in the January transfer window, also, because he doesn’t want to break the relationship with the club, the relationship with the Sporting fans.

          “So going for Viktor Gyokeres in January would mean creating a problem, an issue to the relationship.”

          Romano added: “Man Utd in January are not planning to break the relationship with Sporting, especially because this is something wanted by Ruben Amorim for Gyokeres.”

          Amorim embarrassed Wolves, Liverpool, Brighton with salvage jobs including £63m Man Utd target

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            Ruben Amorim built his Sporting revolution on the back of players who flopped in the Premier League – and frequently embarrassed Wolves in the process.

            Amorim takes charge of his 231st and final Sporting game on Sunday, a matter of hours after Manchester United face Leicester. These English top-flight washouts have underpinned his success in Portugal.

            Viktor Gyokeres
            The form of Europe’s top goalscorer and one of the best assist providers this calendar year is an incredible and timely reminder that even when Brighton get recruitment wrong, the odds are they have still fundamentally nailed it somewhere along the line.

            In January 2018, midway through their first Premier League season and under the stewardship of Chris Hughton, Brighton obviously used their new-found status and market influence to raid the Swedish second tier. From champions IF Brommapojkarna they plucked Gyokeres, who had finished third in the Golden Boot stakes to Richard Yarsuvat and Salif Camara Jonsson.

            A revisionist view would suggest Gyokeres should have been thrown straight into a relegation battle but that is fanciful: a teenaged forward with no prior top-flight experience in any country was not made for a battle over minutes with Glenn Murray.

            The focus will inevitably fall on what Brighton could have done differently but really there can be no blame. Hughton was never going to prioritise his development over Premier League security, Graham Potter made what was at the time an entirely understandable call to favour the potential of Aaron Connolly instead, and none of the three loans Gyokeres was sent on – all at second-tier clubs – signalled this current talent explosion was imminent.

            Even an initial spell with Coventry was underwhelming, but it did eventually unlock a burgeoning career once the move was made permanent for £1m. Sporting came along with about 20 times that a couple of years later and neither side can have any regrets.

            Brighton might but even then he scored one goal in eight appearances, was deployed as often on the left as in the centre and never featured outside the domestic cups. A player’s progress is never linear and Gyokeres needed to take a step down to move forward.

            It was after one of those games that Potter said “he is one of those we will keep assessing where he is at and make the right decision for him in terms of his development”. Brighton certainly stuck to their word; they just aren’t the ones benefiting from it.

            MORE ON RUBEN AMORIM AT MANCHESTER UNITED FROM F365
            👉 Man Utd insider reveals player Ruben Amorim will ‘definitely’ attempt to buy
            👉 Ruben Amorim and the three-letter word that should excite Man Utd fans

            Pedro Goncalves
            A quick heads up: this list will not reflect kindly on Wolves.

            They nearly signed Gyokeres in summer 2023 but negotiations stalled because chairman Jeff Shi was on holiday and could not release the requisite funds.

            The sale of Goncalves was similarly damning. A pick-up from the Valencia academy where he and Nuno Espirito Santo first met, it seemed as though Wolves had expanded their collection of gifted Portuguese technicians. But he made a solitary senior appearance in two years before leaving.

            There were suggestions that Goncalves had grown homesick in England – and a move to Familicao in his native Portugal hardly refuted them – but a lack of opportunities cannot have helped. Even that one game for Wolves was a substitute cameo in a League Cup second-round game against Sheffield Wednesday, replacing Elliott Watt.

            Nuno could find no room for Goncalves in what was then a different Molineux landscape. Former technical director Scott Sellars explained that Wolves still managed to “protect” themselves by inserting a sell-on clause which was activated when Sporting signed him within a year of his Primeira Liga debut, so “if they’re not quite good enough for Wolves or what Nuno wants, that’s not a negative”.

            Goncalves is in a different stratosphere to Wolves now – and could have been supplying the Swede’s bullets in the Midlands rather than Lisbon.

            Trincao
            The rise of Trincao does far less to shame Wolves. In 30 appearances on loan during the 2021/22 season the forward only scored three goals and provided one assist. It would have been ludicrous to trigger a buy option on the basis of those numbers and so he was returned with well wishes for the future to Barcelona.

            Sporting were the ultimate beneficiaries again but Trincao even started slowly there before finding his feet and place in the team. He ranks ninth for appearances made during Amorim’s entire managerial career, and fifth for both assists and goals scored.

            In Premier League terms, Trincao’s stay was fleeting and forgettable, save for his bullying of Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.

            Marcus Edwards
            Mauricio Pochettino later admitted his mistake
            . A day after comparing Edwards’ style to that of Lionel Messi he gave the Spurs academy product his professional debut in a League Cup win over Gillingham as a substitute for Vincent Janssen. Those are some mightily mixed messages.

            Perhaps that pressure contributed to the level of untapped potential Edwards accrued in north London. Some have put his struggles to break into the first team down to issues with attitude; the player himself later said he had “grown up in a lot of ways” from those teenaged years and that “it clicked straight away” in Portugal.

            The only league appearance Edwards has made in England remains the six Championship minutes Norwich afforded him on a doomed loan in 2017/18.

            A spell with Excelsior ignited an appetite for first-team minutes which took the playmaker to Vitoria de Guimaraes and then Sporting, for whom he has played more than 100 games since.

            In a slightly more reserved take than previous, Pochettino later said: ‘Our challenge is to get him to accept the pathway we’ve laid out for him.’ Edwards has not suffered for taking a more circuitous route.

            Sebastian Coates
            With 44 points from his 38 Premier League appearances, Coates has a personal career record to match his Stoke-based surname. The Uruguayan certainly never established himself at Liverpool and struggled further down the food chain with Sunderland, albeit leaving in the summer of their eventual relegation.

            A two-year loan with Sporting developed into a move which spanned nine seasons, eight trophies and a Primeira Liga Player of the Year award; no one player has been more integral to Amorim’s rise than the centre-half he inherited and kept close for all but his final few months in the Sporting dugout.

            Not bad for someone who couldn’t get a look in at Dalglish-era Liverpool and was deemed surplus to the requirements of Sam Allardyce’s Sunderland. There is hope yet for Maguire.

            READ NEXTMason Mount set to usurp Bruno Fernandes at Man Utd: The Ruben Amorim winners and losers

            United face competition from PL duo to sign Amorim favourite who can transform the team’s attack – report

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              Manchester United’s wide men have been extremely wasteful this season, with the likes of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho spurning glorious chances in multiple games.

              Both prefer playing down the left but under new head coach Ruben Amorim, they will have to adjust or perish with the Mancunian’s future already up in the air.

              Rashford’s declining form on the pitch is a concern for INEOS with the academy graduate scoring only four times this campaign with his off-field controversies donning the headlines.

              The Argentine has fared little better, scoring six times, but missing multiple easy chances with his attitude while tracking back criticised by his own teammates.

              Goncalves is a target

              If the England international is moved on, a spot could open up with the Sporting Lisbon boss already informing INEOS of his preference for Pedro Goncalves.

              The 26-year-old has five goals and six assists this term, while last season, he netted 18 goals and registered 17 assists from the left as Sporting clinched the league.

              Plenty of teams were interested but Amorim was hell-bent on keeping a hold of Goncalves but with the head coach on his way to Manchester, his protege’s future could also lie away from Lisbon.

              While Amorim would love to bring the former Wolves star to Old Trafford, the Portuguese champions will not allow him to leave for less than his €80 million release clause.

              The Red Devils could struggle to cough up such an amount, especially if the team does not qualify for the Champions League next season.

              And the Old Trafford side are not the only English teams in the fray with Sport Witness relaying that West Ham United and Aston Villa are also eyeing the Portugal international.

              Villa, West Ham eyeing Goncalves as well

              The Hammers sent scouts to watch the winger in action against Manchester City in the Champions League.

              While Villa, who are flying high at the moment, still have a shot at signing Goncalves, the Hammers do not look like pulling off the deal.

              Goncalves does has Premier League experience and has a point to prove to his critics after his failed Wolves spell and whoever signs him will get an in-form and motivated attacker.

              But from a United perspective, a striker and a left-back is a more pressing concern while the midfield is also in need of a revamp. INEOS might need to prioritise at this stage especially if they are short on funds.

              Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25

              Van Nistelrooy gives his verdict on scheduled showdown talks with Amorim over his United future

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                Manchester United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has insisted that he is calm about his future at the club and is hopeful that no news is good news, amidst his desire to stay once Ruben Amotim arrives.

                Amorim is set to officially take charge of United on Monday, the day after the team’s Premier clash against Leicester City at Old Trafford.

                Van Nistelrooy will once again be in the dugout for that match, in what will mark an end to his two-week stint as caretaker boss. If he wins, it will be a third victory in four matches since he temporarily took over the reins, following Erik ten Hag’s sacking at the end of last month.

                The former Red has made no secret of his desire to remain at the club and become part of Amorim’s backroom staff.

                He also retains the backing of the players, who are believed to be keen on him staying on board as assistant coach.

                It’s understood that Van Nistelrooy and Amorim are set to speak on Monday over a number of issues including a handover of authority and of course, his own future.

                According to Van Nistelrooy, having heard nothing to suggest he will be axed, he is taking that as a positive sign.

                The 48-year-old told reporters in the embargoed section of his press conference, “Yeah, let’s wait and see how that [the meeting] goes.”

                “I am calm, to be fair. I am trusting the process. I believe the outcome will be good because I believe that as long as I’m here, there is no news. I am here at Manchester United, so that is my focus. I am calm in that sense and whenever the communication takes place, I will see.”

                “Obviously we know what the time frames are so I am aware of that but for me the game with Leicester is the only thing that is on my mind to be fair.”

                On whether he’ll report to work on Monday, Van Nistelrooy responded, “As it is, definitely.”

                Van Nistelrooy dismissed suggestions that the daunting challenge of managing a club of the sheer size and stature of United could be too big of a job for a young coach such as Amorim, who does not boast the CV of some of his predecessors like Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal.

                “It’s about the talent of a person that for me is the most important thing/”

                “Big name, small name…call it anything you want. In the end, it’s the person, and the talent and the qualities of that person will make sure how things will go. So that’s why it’s not so important about the big name in this sense.”

                Van Nistelrooy however warned Amorim about the noise and media attention United are subjected to on a daily basis.

                He remarked, “For me, when we landed in Bangkok on a pre-season tour in 2001 and I saw 100,000 people at the airport, that’s when I thought ‘ooh!’ That’s what I thought – then you realise what United is on a worldwide scale, and in Real Madrid it’s similar, wherever you go, the attention.”

                “In the end you learn to bring it down to focusing on your job and performing as a player or coach and dealing with those circumstances.”

                “That’s a big responsibility – we are all aware of it, but it’s also a challenge. When you go to manage or play for the biggest clubs the demand and spotlight are all part of it. I have to say in my years as a player in Real Madrid I also experienced microscopic views and intensity as well, 20 pages in all the papers every day, radio stations, social media.”

                “In the world game really, United is up there too. But that’s also the challenge – to play and manage this club is a huge responsibility and I see that as a challenge whoever manages here.”

                United vs. Leicester kicks off at 14:00 BST.

                Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

                Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!

                “From what I’ve heard…“: Ex-United chief scout confirms club’s pursuit of “very very impressive” teenage star

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                  Former Manchester United chief scout and assistant coach Mick Brown has confirmed the club are tracking Sunderland wonderkid Chris Rigg.

                  Rigg continues to impress at Sunderland and is regarded as one of the country’s best prospects in his age group. At just 17, he is already a regular in the Championship.

                  So far this term, Rigg has made 13 appearances in England’s second-tier competition, registering three goals in that period.

                  A report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that United are determined to land him amidst competition from other top outfits including Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Liverpool.

                  It was subsequently claimed that Sunderland want nothing less than €30 million to part ways with the teenager.

                  Brown, who spent over a decade at United, spoke to Football Insider and revealed that the club’s scouts have been left impressed by Rigg.

                  The former United employee said about Rigg, “He’s definitely one they’re interested in. He fits the profile of a young player who they can help develop.”

                  “They’ve had scouts watching him closely at Sunderland nearly every week this season. They will know how good he is and how far they think he can go in the game, and from what I’ve heard they’ve been very impressed.”

                  “Man United have a very good relationship with Sunderland behind the scenes, too.” Brown continued, “There are a number of young players up and down the country that they’ve sent scouts to watch, but Rigg’s performances have been very, very impressive.”

                  “I think they’ll keep an eye on his progress and then determine whether they think he’s ready for the step up, but all signs suggest he will be capable.”

                  Under INEOS, United are believed to be placing greater emphasis on snapping up the best young talents in the country and nurturing them to potentially develop into world-class superstars.

                  In the summer alone, the Red Devils secure the services of youngsters such as Chido Obi-Martin, Sekou Kone and Samuel Lusale. Rigg certainly fits this profile and would be a very welcome addition to the ranks at Old Trafford.

                  Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!

                  Picture: Injured United duo provide timely fitness update ahead of Amorim’s arrival

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                    Ruben Amorim has been handed a timely injury boost, with Harry Maguire and Toby Collyer confirming they’re nearing a return to action.

                    Amorim is set to officially take charge of the team on Monday and already, a number of players have returned to training and are likely to be available to him for selection.

                    Christian Eriksen and Antony both had a brief spell on the sidelines but were part of the matchday squad for United’s 2-0 Europa League win over PAOK on Thursday.

                    Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw also recently returned to training after several weeks out. Tyrell Malacia – who missed the entirety of last term with a serious issue that required more than one operation – has also been spotted in team training and doesn’t appear to be too far away from coming back.

                    Interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy gave an update on Kobbie Mainoo and indicated that the midfielder is on the brink of fully recovering.

                    Amorim is now set to be further boosted by the imminent returns of Maguire and Collyer.

                    Maguire last lined up for United during last month’s goalless draw with Aston Villa. Meanwhile, Collyer hasn’t featured since the 7-0 hammering of Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.

                    Collyer played at left-back on that occasion.

                    Earlier on Saturday, Maguire took to Instagram and provided an injury update on himself and Collyer.

                    The English defender posted a photo showing the pair working together on exercise bikes at Carrington.

                    A beaming Maguire captioned the post with the caption, “Rehab partner” and “Back soon.”

                    Both players will certainly be hoping that they will be back just in time to make an impact on Amorim, whose first game will be on November 24, when United make their way to Portman Road to take on Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town.

                    Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!

                    United have “made their move” to sign red-hot 13-goal striker who is available on a cut-price fee in January – report

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                      Manchester United produced a flat display against PAOK and had to rely on two moments of individual brilliance from Amad Diallo to grab their first Europa League win of the season on Thursday.

                      The remaining forwards struggled, especially Rasmus Hojlund who managed only four passes in 89 minutes. And despite his anonymous performance, Ruud van Nistelrooy had no choice but to keep him on.

                      That is because summer signing Joshua Zirkzee has really struggled since his move from Bologna and there are already question marks regarding his future.

                      Whether incoming head coach Ruben Amorim can get the best out of the duo will determine how the season unfolds for the Red Devils.

                      David being eyed

                      There are already murmurs that the Portuguese tactician will go after his Sporting Lisbon protege Viktor Gyokeres who is in red-hot form, scoring 23 goals in only 17 games this season.

                      But with plenty of other suitors in the race, it will not be that easy and that is why the Old Trafford side are keeping their options open.

                      Lille’s Jonathan David, with 13 goals and two assists in 18 games, is back on the club’s radar as per Corriere dello Sport and his contract situation makes him an attractive target.

                      The Canadian’s current deal expires in 2025 and he has so far refused to sign a contract extension and Lille are thus open to a January sale as they are looking to recoup a decent amount.

                      While the 24-year-old’s current market value stands at €45 million according to Transfermarkt, the Ligue 1 side are open to moving him on for €20 million with quite a few teams in the fray.

                      Apart from the 20-time English league champions, Arsenal, Liverpool and Juventus are also interested and it will be intriguing to see who ends up landing the Canadian.

                      Lots of suitors for David

                      “Juve, who could say goodbye to Milik in June, are exposed in attack. However, Jonathan David is highly sought after.

                      “Manchester United, not fully satisfied with the performance of Hojlund and Zirkzee, have already made their move, but Arsenal and Liverpool have also made their enquiries.”

                      David had netted 26 goals last term and would make a fine addition to United’s forward line which looks bereft of confidence currently. They had tried to sign him in the summer as well before ultimately zeroing in on Zirkzee.

                      But after the summer splurge and the exorbitant spend on Erik ten Hag’s dismissal and Amorim’s hiring, whether INEOS can afford a January move for the Lille striker remains to be seen.

                      Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25