It seems the future of Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United is in limbo as the saga over the Real Madrid star drags on. The Red Devils have reportedly made an approach for Real Madrid midfielder Marco Asensio. Tarik Karic has been invited to Carrington on a trial, while Paul Pogba is set to return to Juventus.
Ronaldo’s future at Manchester United is up in the air
With a move to Real Madrid looking likely, Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Manchester United is in doubt. The Portuguese international is expected to return to Old Trafford on Tuesday. He has been out of the picture for over three weeks due to injuries and a lack of form. Despite this, United have surprisingly won three of their four games, and are suddenly optimistic about the season ahead. In recent weeks, a number of players have staked their claims to play in Ronaldo’s position, including Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial.
Over the weekend, reports claiming that the talisman had departed from United resurfaced. However, these reports were quickly dispelled by the player himself. The player, who reportedly drove his Rolls Royce Phantom out of Lisbon, has yet to return to training, and his absence will mean he misses the start of the Premier League. With no official news as yet on the future of Ronaldo at Manchester United, the standoff is set to continue for some time.
With the return of players to training, the speculation over Cristiano’s future has increased. While United have stressed that the forward is not for sale, the Portuguese has never spoken about his future. The return of Andreas Pereira from Fulham has also heightened speculation over his future at the club. If he does leave, it would be an opportunity for new manager Louis van Gaal to stamp his authority on the team.
Real Madrid star Marco Asensio is a target for the Red Devils
The Spain international is entering the final year of his Real Madrid contract and has been linked with a move to Manchester United. Asensio has made 42 appearances for the club since joining from Espanyol, but has been out injured for most of the last two seasons. He is still expected to make a few more appearances this season, however. Asensio has been a key player in Real’s squad and has earned 26 senior caps. Prior to joining Real, he played for clubs such as Mallorca and Espanyol.
The Spaniard is a versatile player who is capable of playing in a number of positions. His versatility makes him an ideal fit for Manchester United’s needs. He can play on the left and right wings, and could even play as an attacking midfielder. His experience in European competitions is crucial, and he would also offer the United squad an extra source of width.
Although Asensio is currently on loan at Real Madrid, a move to the Premier League could open the door for a lucrative deal. Real Madrid would have to meet his wage demands, which are thought to be around EUR7m (post-tax). If United do indeed sign him, they will need to make sure that he’s a permanent member of the club.
Paul Pogba set to return to Juventus
It appears that the former Manchester United star will be returning to Juventus, following his recent move to Real Madrid. Juve won the Europa League in 2017 and 2015 but lost the Champions League final to Juventus in 2015. The Italian club is currently bidding for their third Champions’ League title and have already lost several key players over the summer. In addition to Pogba, Giorgio Chiellini and Federico Bernadeschi have left, while Alvaro Morata has departed to Atletico Madrid.
After six years with Manchester United, the former France international has been linked with several clubs, including Juventus and Real Madrid. Despite the interest of Real and PSG, Pogba has decided to return to Juventus and make a fresh start. With so much time on his hands, he could become an important figure for Juventus. It remains to be seen if Juventus are able to convince Pogba to sign a new contract with them.
The deal is a massive coup for the Italian giants, as it will give them the much-needed balance in their squad. The Frenchman spent four seasons at Juventus before returning to Manchester United for a world record fee. The new deal will ensure the Frenchman a fresh start in his career. It will also allow the Italian club to build a strong squad around him. It will also give Pogba the chance to work with former Manchester United coach Max Allegri.
David Raum is a target for Manchester United
As a left-back, David Raum could offer an upgrade to Manchester United’s left back options. A former Greuther Furth academy product, Raum has an excellent attacking and defensive record. He would cost around EUR30 million to sign, which would leave United with room to spend on new players. Despite the hefty price tag, United would get a lot of value for their money if they signed him.
While Dortmund are likely to stay in the chase for Raum, they are unlikely to let go of their interest in him. Manchester United are looking for an attacking full-back to add to their attacking options, and this is a position where Raum can shine. Last season, he registered 13 assists and three goals in 32 Bundesliga appearances. His attacking threat could prove a welcome addition to the United attack, while his passing and distribution skills would provide an exciting offensive threat for the Red Devils.
Dortmund would love to keep Raum, and they see him as a key part of their future, but they know that there is interest from other clubs. Although Dortmund are keen to keep him, they know that the rumoured transfer could be complicated by a lot of details. And so, it is unclear whether United will be able to land the left back. The club will likely have to do a lot of work to finalise the deal.
Christian Eriksen has snubbed a move to Old Trafford
The Danish international has turned down a move to Old Trafford in favour of Brentford. United had offered him a lucrative deal, but the midfielder preferred the Lilywhites and Brentford, instead. However, United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, is determined to sign Christian Eriksen, and it is clear why. The Dane will be free to sign for another club next summer, and it is likely to be Manchester United.
The Denmark midfielder has signed a three-year deal with Manchester United after agreeing to a verbal agreement with the Red Devils. He is expected to complete the move once he passes a medical. However, it remains to be seen how Eriksen’s heart will react to the move. Last summer, the player collapsed on the pitch at the Euros and was taken to hospital.
The Norwegian has previously played for Inter Milan, but the Italian league has strict rules about transfer fees and he would have been eligible to join Old Trafford for a PS56 million fee. Eriksen is not the only Danish player linked with Manchester United. Thomas Frank was in the same position in Brentford as Eriksen and is a potential replacement for the winger.
David de Gea has been linked with a move to Old Trafford
Manchester United have made a surprise announcement that they are looking to sign Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea on a season-long loan. The Spaniard has been in sensational form this season and looks set to challenge for the club’s player of the year award. But there have been a few bumps along the way for the Spaniard. And while the move to Old Trafford is unlikely to bring any immediate benefits, it would be a huge boost for the club to add another goalkeeper to their squad.
While David de Gea has arguably been the best goalkeeper in the world for many years, he has been linked with a move to OldTrafford for almost a decade. His recent new contract at Manchester United has eased the rumors, but hasn’t put off clubs from swooping in. DeGea has won seven trophies and is approaching 30 years old. But he has been linked with a move to Barcelona.
Asked about his future, Manchester United’s chiefs have recently met with Erik ten Hag, who was reportedly the frontrunner in the race to replace David de Gea. According to the Spanish media, the United bosses have spoken with the club’s scouts and deemed him “an excellent goalkeeper”. But they still want to keep Bruno Fernandes.
