Hello and welcome to the Manchester United transfer news blog on Friday, April 25.
United's summer transfer plans stepped up a notch on Thursday with MEN Sport understanding that both Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus Cunha and Ipswich Town's Liam Delap are on the radar. Cunha was seen in conversation with Casemiro and Ruben Amorim on Sunday as he featured against the Reds in the Premier League.
Delap meanwhile could welcome a return to Manchester after leaving Manchester City last summer. He could be available for as little as £30m should Ipswich's expected relegation be confirmed.
The forward is thought to be on the radar of Chelsea so alternatives may be sounded out. Napoli's Victor Osimhen has been on the rumour mill and there has been an update regarding his future.
Keep up to date with all the latest United transfer updates in our blog below...
Key Events
PL2 playoffs - Man United vs Everton
Man United are on the verge of Premier League 2 playoff progression.
Sekou Kone has scored their fourth against Everton.
The Malian has restored a two-goal lead for the young Reds.
Keep up to date with the action, here.
Diogo Dalot injury latest as setback confirmed
Friday at least, hey?
Are you winding down after a hard week of grafting?
Have you missed the news surrounding United? Fear not.
Let's go through some big stories of the day.
--------------------------------------------------------
Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has been ruled out of their upcoming matches with a calf injury.
The 26-year-old suffered the injury after he came on in the 1-0 defeat to Wolves on Sunday.
When asked if Dalot could not play again this term, United coach Ruben Amorim said: "There is that possibility but I don’t know. We will check week by week because he works really hard, he can recover quite well. We’ll see.
"He has something in his muscle, his calf, he had a sequence of games, he played all the time, we try to manage but the players play a lot of minutes and not so ready to cope with that. Dalot felt something.
"We don’t know how long he’s going to be out. But he's out for these next games. Amad is near, Mattha is near but the rest is at the same pace. Ayden (Heaven) is not ready, so that’s it."
Patrice Evra set for new sport
Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra will make his mixed martial arts debut at PFL Paris at the end of May.
The 43-year-old has been training in the sport since 2016, two years before he hung up his boots.
"I love this game too," he said.
"I've performed on the world's biggest stages, won every major trophy in football, but PFL Europe Paris will be an incredibly special night for me.
"I've been training alongside the best in the world for years, and they'll also tell you I'm ready for this. I'm going to put on a show at the Accor Arena on 23 May, so come watch the spectacle."
Amass dream
“As an agent of a talent like Harry, we shared the same dream: he wanted to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world so to see one of my clients play for one, it’s the same dream.”
No job for Rooney
Blackburn Rovers' head of football operations Rudy Gestede has confirmed that his club are not considering the appointment of Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney in the summer.
Gestede appeared on the latest episode of Footy Accumulators' No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, he was asked about the links to Rooney. In a bid to dispel the rumours, the 36-year-old replied: "We cannot control the media.
"That’s their job to try to give information around. I don’t know if it’s from an agent or Wayne Rooney himself, I don’t think so, but you never know.
"It’s never been the plan. We are happy with Valerien, we want to give him time. We chose him because of the project, and it doesn’t make any sense to make a decision now."
Amorim addresses Cunha links
Man United boss Ruben Amorim has refused to get drawn into discussion regarding United target Matheus Cunha.
Speaking for the first time since the intense speculation surrounding Cunha this week, Amorim said: "I could say this is a conversation for the end of the season but I have an idea that is clear because we need to do things early.
"I will not say anything about Matheus because if I say one time I will have to comment on every situation. I am focused on this season and even in the next few games could change our plan for next season."
Lindelof interest
Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof is attracting interest from SEVEN clubs this summer.
The Sweden international is close to becoming a free agent with his contract set to expire at the end of June, and is not going to be offered a new deal by United.
That has sparked interest from the Premier League and beyond, with Everton, Fulham, West Ham and Wolves said to be among those keen on signing the 30-year-old, according to CaughtOffside. Juventus, Inter Milan and Benfica are also understood to be interested in Lindelof, though his preference is to stay in England this summer.
Injury news for Bournemouth
Ruben Amorim has confirmed that Diogo Dalot is out, potentially forcing him out for the reason.
"Diogo Dalot is out. We don't know how long he is going to be out but he is out for these next games. Amad is near, De Ligt is near. Ayden is not ready."
"There is a possibility (Dalot will miss the rest of the season) but we will see week by week. He has something in his calf muscle. He had a sequence of games he played all the time. We tried to manage but we had to protect players and Dalot felt something."
Cunha latest
Manchester United are in the 'final stages' of reaching an agreement to sign Matheus Cunha for £62.5million from Wolves.
That's according to Brazilian outlet Globo, who claim that a deal is close to being agreed and confirmed, with Cunha said to have been tempted by the prospect of a switch to Manchester.
Amorim is believed to be a huge fan of Cunha and feels the Brazil international can make a major impact at Old Trafford.
Garcia approach
Manchester United have made an approach for Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, according to Cope.
The 23-year-old has been the standout performer for the La Liga side this season and his fine performances have attracted interest from across Europe.
Last summer, Arsenal saw a bid rejected for Garcia and they are expected to come back in for the Spaniard ahead of the summer transfer window. Real Madrid are also said to be an option for the 'keeper.
However, United are taking 'further steps' to attempt to win the race for his signature. El Partidazo on COPE journalist Juanma Castano claims that United are the latest club to contact Garcia's entourage on Sunday to 'make him an offer'.
Lindelof interest
Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof is attracting interest from EIGHT clubs this summer, according to CaughtOffside.
The Sweden international is close to becoming a free agent with his contract set to expire at the end of June, and is not going to be offered a new deal by United.
That has sparked interest from the Premier League and beyond, with Everton, Fulham, West Ham and Wolves said to be among those keen on signing the 30-year-old.
Juventus, Inter Milan and Benfica are also understood to be interested in Lindelof, though his preference is to stay in England this summer.
Kana Biyik transfer
Manchester United have made contact to sign 18-year-old talent Enzo Kana-Biyik from Le Havre, according to Fabrizio Romano.
It's added that talks are ongoing to sign Kana-Biyik for United and then send him out on loan to Ineos-owned Laussane.
Cunha meeting
Manchester United are set for a 'key meeting' next week to discuss the potential transfer of Matheus Cunha, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
It's said that United are keen and 'optimistic' to get a deal done for the Wolves forward, who is 'sold' on the club's project and wants to make the summer move to Old Trafford.
However, nothing has been agreed so far. Financials have not even been discussed yet and important talks are expected to start next week.
Woodman move
Manchester United want to sign Preston North End goalkeeper Freddie Woodman when his contract expires this summer, according to Football Insider.
Woodman, 28, is set to become a free agent in June and it is believed that Ruben Amorim sees him as a third-choice goalkeeper option. He has made 44 appearances across all competitions for Preston this season.
Ederson wanted
Manchester United view Atalanta midfielder Ederson as a 'dream' midfield signing and are keen to get a deal done to sign him this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The 25-year-old has been one of Europe's best performing midfielders across the last 18 months and there is no surprise that United, alongside Liverpool and Manchester City, want to sign him.
It's added that talks are ongoing between the United board regarding a summer move for Ederson, as they look to replace the departing Casemiro.
Oblak interest
Manchester United are interested in a summer move for Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak, according to Football365. The 32-year-old has been one of the world's best across the last decade but has been showing signs of decline at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
Atletico therefore are said to be not against the idea of selling the Slovenia international, and are expected to demand in the region of £21million for his services.
For United, Oblak is viewed as someone that could provide a short-term solution to their goalkeeper woes with Andre Onana struggling for form and Altay Bayindir failing to deceive when called upon.
Amorim decision
Ruben Amorim will inform Manchester United's recruitment team that there is no need to sign a new centre-back despite the fact he will be two men light next season, as per The Sun.
The report claims Amorim is 'understood to believe there is no need for further recruitment at centre-half, despite the imminent departures of out of contract Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof'.
It's added that 18-year-old Ayden Heaven is expected to have 'greater responsibility' in 2025/26 having impressed since his January move from Arsenal.
Good morning
Hello and welcome to our live Manchester United transfer news blog on this fine Friday morning.
Stay tuned for the latest rumours and updates from around Old Trafford...
Thanks for following
That's all from our Manchester United blog for today. We'll be back tomorrow for all the latest from Old Trafford.
United coaches use 'one word' to sum up new star
Tyler Fredricson's talents have been explained after the centre-back made his Manchester United debut against Wolves on Sunday.
The Reds' defender put in a solid performance alongside Victor Lindelof and Noussair Mazraoui, but could not prevent United's 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford. Pablo Sarabia's second-half free-kick goal was enough to hand Ruben Amorim's side their 15th Premier League loss of the season.
However, Fredricson was a glimmer of hope for Amorim's squad against Vitor Pereira's team. The 20-year-old was called up as several key players were rested following last Thursday's monumental victory over Lyon in the Europa League quarterfinals.
Rashford future stance
Wes Brown admits he would love to see Marcus Rashford back at Manchester United next season.
The 27-year-old found himself out of favour under Reds boss Ruben Amorim after being left out of almost all United matchday squads from his last appearance on December 12 until his loan transfer to Aston Villa in February. Since making the move to Birmingham, Rashford has emerged as a key player for Villa under the guidance of Unai Emery, contributing four goals and six assists.
Rashford's improved performances have helped propel Villa into the Champions League quarter-finals where they lost over two legs to Paris Saint-Germain. Furthermore, Rashford was called up to the most recent England squad by Three Lions boss, Thomas Tuchel.
Why Athletic Club boss is 'confident'
Athletic Club boss Ernesto Valverde has issued a warning to Manchester United ahead of their Europa League semi-final tie.
Ruben Amorim's squad have shifted their focus away from domestic affairs. Given their current 14th-place standing in the Premier League, which rules out European qualification through the league, the Europa League is their sole opportunity to salvage an otherwise disappointing season.
A two-leg triumph over Valverde's team would secure a spot in the final on May 21, where they would face either Tottenham Hotspur or Bodo/Glimt in Bilbao. A win for Amorim's side would then see them qualify for next season's Champions League.
Mateta green light
Paul Merson has urged Manchester United to sign Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Recent reports have seen Ruben Amorim's side linked with a summer swoop for the Eagles forward. Ipswich Town frontman Liam Delap and Wolverhampton Wanderers star Matheus Cunha have also been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford ahead of a potential rebuild at M16.
It comes amid United's goalscoring issues under Reds boss Amorim. United have played almost as many games in the Premier League this season (33) as they have goals scored (38), with strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee netting just 15 times between them across all competitions.
Man City raid
A surprising one here but according to reports, Manchester United are tracking James McAtee's situation at Manchester City.
The 22-year-old has emerged as a key player for Pep Guardiola in the second half of this season but will enter the final 12 months of his contract in the summer.
The Telegraph have reported that United are one of several sides keen on signing the playmaker.
Double Serie A swoop
Atalanta duo Ederson and Mateo Retegui are both on Man United's radar ahead of the summer transfer window.
United are set to lose Christian Eriksen at the end of the season and a new midfielder is wanted. A new attacker is also on the list and the two Atalanta stars have been linked with a move to Old Trafford.
TuttoAtalanta have claimed the club have made contact with the players' representatives and are keen to sign them.
Alex Baena interest
Man United have registered an interest in highly-rated Villarreal midfielder Alex Baena.
Edu Burgos, via Football Espana, has claimed that United have enquired about the 23-year-old's services. Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich are both also keen.
Baena has been on Arsenal, Man City and Aston Villa wishlist recently and it's understood that he has a £50m release clause.
Out-of-contract contract
Man United are reportedly preparing to offer Preston North End goalkeeper Freddie Woodman a contract upon the expiry of his deal at the Championship side.
Football Insider have claimed that United, who would sign Woodman to be back-up with Tom Heaton departing, want to bring the homegrown player to the club.
Woodman, 28, is set to be a free agent in the summer.
'Cunha won't make a difference'
Alan Shearer has claimed that Matheus Cunha won't make a difference at Manchester United - unless he's followed by six or seven more signings.
The 25-year-old is at the top of United's radar and is expected to be one player Ruben Amorim looks to sign. However, Shearer believes the club must look at other signings to help Cunha.
"[He] wouldn't make a difference for Man United - they're going to need another six or seven players on top of that," he said. "He's just one of the players, if it is going to happen, but yeah I get it and I understand it"
Shearer went on to say: "He'll be a welcome addition, absolutely. I don't know what they're going to have to pay for him. I suspect it's quite a hefty amount. Has he got talent? Absolutely. Is he a bit of a maverick? Yeah, but you get that with most good players - they have an edge to them and a side which some people may not like."
Oblak swoop
Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak is reportedly on Man United's radar to replace Andre Onana in the summer.
Reports in Spain have claimed that Atletico are willing to let the 32-year-old leave at the end of the season. United are among three European clubs interested in the goalkeeper, alongside a number of Saudi Pro League clubs.
Atletico are looking at Kepa Arrizabalaga and Mike Maignan but want to prioritise Joan Garcia.
