Manchester United and their fellow Premier League sides have four days to go before the transfer window closes. But will United make another move in the January window?

Having signed five players on permanent deals in the summer, Erik ten Hag and figures in the boardroom have exclusively dipped into the loan market this month. Jack Butland and Wout Weghorst have arrived from Crystal Palace and Burnley respectively.

United were reluctant to spend too much after their summer outlay and, as such, are expected to pursue their main targets in the summer. England captain Harry Kane and Napoli frontman Victor Osimhen are both subject to interest in their longer-term striker search.

On the pitch, meanwhile, United play Reading at Old Trafford in the FA Cup fourth round tonight (8pm).

United face Championship side Reading in the fourth round of the FA Cup tonight, and Erik ten Hag’s men will be confident of progressing to the next round of the competition.

Jadon Sancho could potentially return to the United squad, but Diogo Dalot has been ruled out, and Luke Shaw is a doubt.

Here is how MEN writers think United should line up:

Rich’s team: Butland, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Malacia, Fred, McTominay, Eriksen, Elanga, Garnacho, Rashford.

Samuel’s team: Heaton, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Malacia, Fred, McTominay, Fernandes, Pellistri, Weghorst, Garnacho.

Daniel’s team: Heaton, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Malacia, Fred, McTominay, Mainoo, Antony, Rashford, Garnacho.

RB Leipzig star Dani Olmo could leave the German club in the summer if they receive an offer in the region of €70-75 million.

Journalist Christian Falk has reported that Barcelona are interested in the player, with United having previously been linked with a move for the Spaniard.

The report states that the Reds are one of the clubs monitoring the 24-year-old, who has struggled for fitness in the last 18 months.

Marcus Rashford registered a goal and an assist in the FA Cup third round victory over Everton.

“Pellistri was expected to leave on loan during the ongoing January transfer window, but his performances have been so impressive that Ten Hag is now reluctant to lose a player who could have a role to play in the weeks ahead. That role could see the Uruguayan winger make his full debut for the club in either of the upcoming cup games, though it seems more likely that he’d start in the second of them, given they already have a three-goal cushion. Pellistri has shone with his direct dribbling style and enterprising work rate, catching the eye as a traditional wide man who likes to burst towards the byline, offering something completely different to the inverted Antony.”

Erik ten Hag wants young duo Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Pellistri to keep showing him that they deserve to play consistently for the club.

Garnacho has played 18 times under Ten Hag this term – registering two goals and five assists – while Pellistri has made two appearances for the first-team.

Both players will be hoping to feature against Reading in the FA Cup tonight, but Ten Hag has warned his players about the importance of earning their opportunity. He told club media:

“I never, never let players get opportunities. A player has to deserve opportunities and they’re doing that by their performances on the training pitch, by their performances when they are on the pitch on the match day. That’s what I expect and they did quite well. We have seen Garnacho already over a long period and Pellistri is now coming in.”

As reported by Italian football transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, speaking to Dutch outlet Soccer News, United are likely to make a move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen in the summer – with the club said to be plotting a record-breaking move for the 23-year-old.

It adds that the Serie A outfit could be open to letting the player leave, especially if they win the Scudetto this term. Any deal for the forward is expected to cost €120m, but United are reportedly prepared to spend big to recruit Erik ten Hag’s ideal frontman.

United and Bayern Munich have suffered a blow in their pursuit to sign Harry Kane.

But will United or the Bundesliga giants be able to lure the 28-year-old away?

Kane and Napoli frontman Victor Osimhen have been identified as two potential targets.

United find themselves in FA Cup action tonight against Reading (8pm).

Here are the next six Premier League matches they have to contend with:

Saturday, February 4 vs Palace (H) at 3pm

Wednesday, February 8 vs Leeds (H) at 8pm

Sunday, February 12 vs Leeds (A) at 2pm

Sunday, February 19 vs Leicester (H) at 2pm

Sunday, February 26 vs Brentford (H) at 1.30pm

Saturday, March 4 vs Liverpool (A) at 3pm

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that the club has no plans to allow Facundo Pellistri to leave Old Trafford ahead of Tuesday evening’s transfer deadline.

The winger, who joined United in 2020, has been linked with a temporary move away throughout this month’s transfer window because of a lack of sufficient game time. However, after back-to-back impressive cameo performances in the Carabao Cup against Charlton Athletic and Nottingham Forest, it appears as though he has done enough to force his way into his manager’s plans.

Pellistri had been linked with the likes of Watford and Spanish side Valencia, but they will now have to look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements before the 11pm cut-off on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho could be included in the matchday squad for tomorrow night’s FA Cup clash with Reading. He has been slowly building up his fitness at Carrington in recent weeks ahead of making a return.

He spent time in the Netherlands during the World Cup break, working on an individual training programme with coaches recommended to him by Ten Hag. He returned to Carrington earlier this month.

So that brings our latest United transfer blog to a conclusion.

Scroll below for news, rumours and updates from Old Trafford.

Reports from The Independent suggest that United could “revive” their interest in RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara after being heavily linked with the Mali international when Ralf Rangnick was interim manager.

As things stand, the 24-year-old has yet to extend his Leipzig contract beyond 2025 and that means he could be available for a decent price. It is thought he has a release clause around the £35m mark – with Liverpool seen as the main contenders for his transfer.

Having recovered from a serious knee injury, Chiesa has returned to full fitness this season, but there is mounting speculation over his future. Italian publication Calciomercato claim United – along with other English clubs – are considering a possible £88m swoop.

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl has confirmed that the German heavyweights are yet to receive any approaches for midfielder Jude Bellingham amid interest from United in his signature.

United find themselves in cup competitions over the next 10 days or so.

Here are the next six Premier League matches they have to contend with;

Saturday, February 4 vs Palace (H) at 3pm

Wednesday, February 8 vs Leeds (H) at 8pm

Sunday, February 12 vs Leeds (A) at 2pm

Sunday, February 19 vs Leicester (H) at 2pm

Sunday, February 26 vs Brentford (H) at 1.30pm

Saturday, March 4 vs Liverpool (A) at 3pm

Facundo Pellistri will not be allowed to leave on loan before the January deadline.

Pellistri made his United debut after a wait of more than two years in the League Cup quarter-final win over Charlton earlier this month and he emerged in the second-half of the semi-final first leg victory at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.

Erik ten Hag has given the latest team news for United’s clash with Reading on Saturday.

The Reds boss is expetected to name a strong line-up despite the club still fighting in four competitions this season.

He gave update on Jadon Sancho and other squad members ahead of tomorrow.

Speaking to club media, Fred said the moment he cherishes most in a United short came in a 1-1 draw with Wolves in 2018.

He explained to club media:

Reading boss Paul Ince has warned what Reading players can expect when they take on United at Old Trafford tomorrow.

Erik ten Hag spoke to the media this afternoon ahead of the visit of Reading in the FA Cup tomorrow.

The United boss is expected to name a strong side as he heads into next week’s League Cup semi-final second leg with Nottingham Forest with a comfortable 3-0 lead.

Ten Hag touched on the status of several players including Facundo Pellistri and Jadon Sancho while giving team news.

Queens Park Rangers boss Neil Critchley has given an update on United loanee Ethan Laird after the right-back tweaked his hamstring again.

The defender was forced off the field with the issue just before the break in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Swansea.

It seems the problem isn’t as grave as first feared. though.

Kobbie Mainoo is looking to build on hs debut against Charlton as he eyes minutes against Reading this weekend.

The FA Cup usually presents a chance for managers to give fringe players a run-out but Erik ten Hag has demonstarted this season that he takes each cup seriously.

That said, Mainoo is expected to make the matchday squad and potentially be used at some point depending how the game plays out.

Speaking to Betfair, Patrice Evra says United should ease past any bumps in the road and defeat Reading in Saturday’s FA Cup fourth round clash with Reading.

Jadon Sancho could be included in the matchday squad against Reading tomorrow evening, manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed.

The England international returned to Carrington earlier this month after a stint in the Netherlands working on an individual training programme. He has been slowly building-up his fitness and could be in line to make the squad against the Royals.

According to German sports journalist Christian Falk, United will have a ‘chance’ of signing RB Leipzig midfielder Dani Olmo in the summer transfer window.

The Spaniard has been linked with a move to Old Trafford during this month’s January window, but a move is highly unlikely to come to fruition before Tuesday’s 11pm deadline. However, Falk claims that a release clause is ‘set to be added’ to Olmo’s contract ahead of the summer, meaning it could make it easier for United or any other interested party to extract him from Leipzig.

United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that winger Facundo Pellistri will not leave the club ahead of Tuesday night’s transfer deadline.

The Uruguayan international has been linked with a loan exit from Old Trafford throughout the month because of his lack of opportunities. However, he has featured in each of the Reds’ last two Carabao Cup fixtures, impressing Ten Hag on both occasions.

Erik ten Hag will be addressing the media ahead of tomorrow night’s FA Cup clash with Reading in just over five minutes time.

United midfielder Bruno Fernandes will be forced to serve a one-match ban in the event of him being booked and the Reds progressing to the fifth round of the FA Cup tomorrow evening.

The Reds welcome Reading to Old Trafford, aiming to avoid a major cup upset. Fernandes was booked in the previous round against Everton and a second booking before the quarter-final stage will result in a one-match suspension.

George Smith on the prospect of Lisandro Martinez, one day, becoming United captain: “His motivation and fighting mentality, which have resulted in him capturing the hearts of United’s supporters, make him an infectious figure within the team. He has given United the injection of energy and nastiness they desperately needed last season.

“Although things have significantly improved this term as a result of Ten Hag’s fresh ideas and philosophy, United have been considered as being ‘too soft’ in recent years and lacking leaders. Martinez, though, ticks every box for what you could wish for in a leader and motivator, highlighted by his willingness to stick his head in where it hurts, be brave and show an exemplary attitude.”

There is an old saying in football that ‘attack wins you games, defence wins you titles.’ It isn’t totally accurate, but there is decent sentiment in it at least.

Indeed, the team with the best defensive record has won the Premier League title in four of the previous five seasons, though their victories have been driven just as much by the massive amount of goals they have scored on the other end.

It is a trend that could well be bucked this year too, with third-placed Newcastle having the current best top-flight defence, though they are 11-points behind the leaders.

The image of Manchester United being so short of cash in January that they had to borrow a striker from the Championship is a contradiction to the club keen to sign one of Europe’s best marksmen in the summer.

United saved £16million when Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract was torn up in November, but they’ve banked plenty of that following the arrival of Wout Weghorst on loan from Burnley, for a fee of just £2.6m and a wage-packet considerably more modest than the man he’s replaced.

The tone from club executives has been one of caution since spending significantly over budget in the summer, when a £225m shopping spree significantly enhanced Erik ten Hag’s squad. This month it’s been an open secret in recruitment circles that United just don’t have any money to spend.

Reading manager Paul Ince has said striker Andy Carroll is in contention to face United in the FA Cup at Old Trafford on Saturday night.

The former Liverpool and Newcastle United forward has trained in the build-up to the game and is expected to be included. He played no part in last Saturday’s 4-0 defeat to Stoke City.

United are reportedly interested in signing Juventus winger Federico Chiesa.

Calciomercatoweb claims Erik ten Hag’s side have taken a liking to the Italian and are ‘prepared’ to pay the Serie A club’s €100 million asking price.

However, given the club’s priority to sign a striker this summer and their investment in Antony a year ago, such a move appears highly unlikely.

Gareth Southgate has defended his decision to give Marcus Rashford just six minutes in England’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to France.

Rashford, who scored a brilliant brace in his only start against Wales, was benched for both of England’s knockout games against Senegal and Les Bleus, with Phil Foden instead starting both.

Here’s what Southgate said in an interview with ITV:

Erik ten Hag might not have gotten the credit he deserves while he was at Ajax.

The Dutch club announced in a statement that they have sacked manager Alfred Schreuder, just months after hiring him as Ten Hag’s successor.

United are still looking to sign a new right-back this year, despite Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s recent resurgence.

Gazzetta dello Sport claim United are one of the sides interested in Denzel Dumfries and could make a move to sign him this summer.

The Italian outlet also cites interest from Chelsea and Newcastle and warn that it would take €40m to sign him.

MEN Sport understands that the Reds are talking to a number of clubs regarding potential loan moves for their youth players.

One player who has been linked with a temporary move away is Charlie McNeill.

It is understood that a host of League One and Two clubs are negotiating with United over a potential switch.

Manchester United and their fellow Premier League sides have four days to go before the transfer window closes. But will United make another move in the January window?

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