Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Bruno Fernandes agreement close, Solskjaer sack stance

Man Utd transfer news LIVE

• Bruno Fernandes is expected to join Manchester United this transfer window by Sporting Lisbon themselves
• Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer doesn’t think the Glazers will give him three years before winning a trophy
• United are still keen on doing a deal for Juventus and German international Emre Can before the transfer window closes

Silas on Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes will play in Sporting’s clash with Maritimo tomorrow evening, according to manager Silas.

“Very good, always in a good mood and always available to work. I realise that he is more anxious, but I didn’t notice it in training or in the game.

“I think he will play and I have the I’m sure you will play well.”

“We missed a lot of goals in the games of Benfica and FC Porto and Bruno was there in those games, but it was a question of effectiveness.”

Confident Fernandes

Manchester United target Bruno Fernandes is confident that he will join the Red Devils before the end of the January transfer window.

Portuguese newspaper O Jogo claim that Fernandes is sure he’ll join United but the two sides remain far part on a valuation for the midfielder.

Sporting still want close to £60million for Fernandes and it’s thought that United have bid £47million plus £12m in add-ons for the 24-year-old.

That means that their current bid is now at an overall cost of £59m, which would make him the fourth most-expensive signing in the club’s history.

Bruno Fernandes wages

Manchester United are still hopeful of signing Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon before Friday’s transfer deadline.

The Sun say the 25-year-old is reportedly expected to earn a wage of £120,000-a-week should the transfer, as expected, go ahead.

While that’s alot of money, it would make him nowhere near being the best-paid player at the club.

David De Gea is currently the club’s highest-earner, taking home £375,000-a-week after signing a new contract back in September.

Jesse Lingard theory over Bruno Fernandes transfer

Manchester United fans are convinced Jesse Lingard put in an impressive performance against Tranmere due to the transfer rumours surrounding Bruno Fernandes. The Red Devils went in 5-0 up at half time against Tranmere. Lingard, Harry Maguire, Diogo Dalot, Phil Jones and Anthony Martial scored in the first half.

England international Lingard netted his second goal of the season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a tidy finish.

However, United fans are convinced there’s an ulterior motive behind Lingard’s impressive performance, and that’s the rumours surrounding Fernandes.

One fan wrote on Twitter: “Jesse Lingard turned into Prime Kaka, when heard Bruno Fernandes is close.”

Another said: “Jesse Lingard scores against Tranmere…

“*Bruno Fernandes to @ManUtd is officially off*”

“So does that mean judge and Woodward will say we don’t need Bruno fernandes now lingard has score a goal?” Asked another United fan.

Another fan joked: “Forget Bruno Fernandes, Jesse Lingard new contract incoming.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer defended

Owen Hargreaves has defended Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, insisting Manchester United’s squad isn’t good enough to finish in the top four.

“He desperately needs help. If you think, Herrera left, Fellaini left, in midfield, they are really light,” Hargreaves said.

“Then Lukaku leaves, Sanchez leaves, they don’t have any help up top. Rashford then gets injured, Pogba hasn’t played.

“McTominay, one of their best players this season, hasn’t played. The recruitment wasn’t there to back Ole (Gunnar Solskjaer) up and then injuries to key players. To be fifth with this squad, I think right now is as good as it can possibly get.

“There are only four points separating fifth and 14th so I don’t think it’s going to more up, it’s more likely to go down and that’s the big worry.”

Man Utd ready Ben Chilwell bid

Manchester United are ready to go all out to sign Ben Chilwell this summer.

The Metro claim the Red Devils have made the England left-back a primary target for the summer transfer window.

Manchester City were tipped to land the 23-year-old, however, the Premier League champions are reluctant to pay over £50m.

The emergence of Brandon Williams has pleased Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, however, the United boss feels the youngster isn’t a guaranteed starter yet.

Surprise striker transfer backed

Manchester United hero Dimitar Berbatov has backed the Red Devils to re-sign Carlos Tevez this month.

Berbatov told Betfair: “There have been reports linking Carlos Tevez back to United on loan, I say why not?! When you have these loan deals it’s good to get someone who knows the place, knows the situation of the club and the fans.

“Of course, he went to Manchester City but I’m sure the fans would welcome him back.

“If there is some truth in the story then it’s something that needs to be carefully thought about, the pros and cons need to be weighed up. But, if there’s no other option, this could be the right one.

“He was quiet in the dressing room, a bit like me, but that’s not always important. We all saw what he was like on the pitch, he would run like crazy, fight for his team, score goals and he would never give up until the final whistle.

“You could say that is what United need now. There’s no one in the team that can bully someone from the opposition like Tevez, or Roy Keane, who would also rip your throat out if you didn’t work hard for the team.

“Maybe they do need Tevez for that reason, he always had that quality of shouting and fighting for the team.”

Bruno Fernandes update

Bruno Fernandes is expected to join Manchester United this transfer window by Sporting Lisbon themselves, according to reports.

The 25-year-old has been the subject of interest from the Red Devils for most of the month and the saga is showing no sign of slowing up.

Manchester United entered talks with Sporting over a deal for Fernandes weeks ago, months after insisting the 25-year-old wasn’t a player in their sights.

It looked as if they were all set to land the Portugal international – before the situation changed.

Sporting raised their asking price for Fernandes and United, despite their obvious need for midfield reinforcements, are yet to take action.

Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha say, though, that the deal is back on.

Sporting chief Frederico Varandas is now expecting the transfer to go through and even has a specific fee in mind.

Varandas is said to believe that United will up their transfer offer for Fernandes, meaning Sporting would pocket £50million up front and a further £9m in add-ons.

As things stand they’re just £5m apart on any deal but Sporting believe that, come the end of the January transfer window, the player will have departed.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on sacking

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer doesn’t think the Glazers will give him three years before winning a trophy, according to reports. The Red Devils are in FA Cup action against Tranmere today, a tournament that now seems to represent one of their best chances of winning silverware.

Manchester United boss Solskjaer has overseen a difficult campaign at Old Trafford, with the club’s fall from grace showing no signs of slowing up.

The Red Devils have lost three of their last four matches across all competitions, with Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat to Burnley at home a particularly low moment.

Solskjaer has pleaded for United fans to be patient, with supporters venting their frustrations at the Glazers and Ed Woodward during the loss to Sean Dyche’s side.

And the Daily Mail say that, privately, he doesn’t think the Glazers will give him three years without winning a trophy before sacking him.

Emre Can still wanted

Manchester United are still keen on doing a deal for Juventus and German international Emre Can before the transfer window closes. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to strengthen his midfield with Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay out injured.

United were linked with Can earlier this month but his Liverpool connections were reportedly putting the German off a move to Old Trafford.

Solskjaer has not given up on a deal for the German midfielder though.

The United boss earlier this week confirmed the club were looking to get a couple of deals over the line still.