Manchester United Transfer News and Rumours Tracker: Week of May 19
As Manchester United begin another week without a manager, the transfer news rolls on and rumours continue to swirl.
Will this be the week when the manager is announced? Will the senior signings begin to arrive? We will keep you posted on what the press are saying about players (and managers) linked to United.
Check back throughout the week for the latest.
Updated Sunday 25 May
Van Gaal Announcement Imminent?
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Mark Ogden of the Daily Telegraph reports that Louis van Gaal may be announced as Manchester United manager before the Dutch squad meet up again on Tuesday 20 May.
Ogden reports that Van Gaal is "relaxed" about the situation, in spite of a lack of public confirmation.
United fans wait with bated breath.
Patrice Evra "Holds Talks" with Juventus
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Simon Jones of the Daily Mail reports that Patrice Evra has spent the weekend in Turin, in talks with Juventus.
However, the report also suggests that presumptive manager Louis van Gaal is keen to keep Evra in the squad at United.
While the best of his playing days may be behind him, there is little doubt that the Frenchman would remain an asset to United, on and off the pitch, should he stay at Old Trafford.
Arjen Robben on United's A-List?
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Stuart Mathieson of the Manchester Evening News reports here on various players linked with United, including Dutch Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben.
Robben has recently linked well with Robin van Persie in Louis van Gaal's Dutch national team, playing as a second striker in a 3-5-2 formation.
The report says United have drawn up targets in three categories, and that Robben is a category "A" target.
Will the personal connections be enough to see Robben leave the German champions to join Van Gaal's United project? Time will tell.
United Join the Fight for Sagna?
4 of 21
Several newspapers, including The Independent are reporting that United have joined the fray to sign Bacary Sagna at the end of his contract with Arsenal.
The player had been linked with a four-year, £100,000-per-week deal with Manchester City, but United are apparently trying to hijack the deal.
De Gea in Talks to Extend Contract?
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Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star reports that United are in talks with David de Gea, in order to agree a contract extension until 2018.
One of the few players to have emerged from United's disastrous season with any credit, De Gea is hugely popular at Old Trafford, and an extended contract would be excellent news for the club.
Louis Van Gaal Announced
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Exciting times are afoot at Old Trafford as the club have officially announced the appointment of Louis van Gaal as manager, per ManUtd.com.
Ryan Giggs has been confirmed as Assistant Manager and the speculation around the management of the club can now come to an end.
Leaving us plenty of time to speculate on which players he will sign.
Mandzukic on Van Gaal's Agenda?
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In an attempt to ensure that United are linked with every member of the Bayern Munich side, today's rumours link Mario Mandzukic with a move to Old Trafford.
John Edwards of the Daily Mail reports that the striker has had a "bust-up" with Pep Guardiola, and that Van Gaal will be competing with both Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho for his signature.
Whilst Mandzukic is, of course, a very fine player, he does not pass the "but is he a midfielder?" test used to spark genuine excitement amongst United fans.
Van Gaal Interested in Depay
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In excellent news for headline writers everywhere, Louis van Gaal is reportedly interested in signing PSV Eindhoven's £15 million rated forward Mephis Depay, per Rob Beasley in The Sun (subscription required).
The 20-year-old forward is in Van Gaal's Dutch squad for the World Cup and has scored 12 goals in 32 league appearances for PSV this season.
United "Agree Deal" for Toni Kroos
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David Wright of the Daily Express reports that the "principles of an agreement" are in place for Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos to move to United.
Whilst Kroos is not the sole solution to United's midfield woes, he would represent a tremendous strengthening of options in the middle of the park.
Luke Shaw Deal All but Done?
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Colin Harvey of the Daily Star is today reporting that the Luke Shaw deal, bringing the Southampton defender to Old Trafford at a cost of around £30 million, is "all but done."
The report also once again links United with Kroos, Mats Hummels and Kevin Strootman.
United Enter Battle to Sign Yevhen Konoplyanka?
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Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror reports that United will attempt to hijack Liverpool's bid for Dnipro's £12 million rated winger Yevhen Konoplanka.
Liverpool apparently attempted to sign the player on the deadline day of the January transfer window and "have been confident of striking a deal for the 24-year-old this summer."
United scouts have been watching Konoplyanka and may be set to attempt to prize him from Liverpool's clutches, according to the report.
United Line Up £30 Million Bid for Cesc Fabregas?
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In "wait a minute, haven't we all been here before?" news, the Metro are reporting that Barcelona would be prepared to sell Cesc Fabregas and that Manchester United are preparing to make a £30 million bid.
Can Wesley Sneijder rumours be far behind?
Kroos Blues
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Louis van Gaal has reportedly ended Manchester United's interest in Toni Kroos, per the Metro.
Given that earlier this week, the deal was reported to have been agreed, but it appears that was premature. Either that, or this story will turn out to be some sort elaborate attempt by United to knock a couple of million of Kroos' price.
Time will tell.
Muller Going Nowhere
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Jamie Jackson of the Guardian reports that Thomas Muller is set to reject the opportunity to join United this summer.
The article also mentions that there has been a "rowing back of interest" in Cesc Fabregas.
Scholes Set to Return (But Not in Midfield, This Time)
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Jeremy Cross of the Daily Star is reporting that Manchester United are set to offer Paul Scholes a coaching role, in spite of the player saying he was not expecting to be offered a position.
Given how emotional it was to see Giggs and Scholes together on the bench for United, Scholes' more permanent return would be most welcome.
United Linked with James McCarthy
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Following the many jokes about United signing Everton midfielders that did the rounds on the terraces and on social media last season, Sky Sports are reporting that United have an interest in signing the former Wigan player and current Evertonian, James McCarthy.
The reports suggests that Tom Cleverley may head to Goodison Park as part of the deal.
Update: This story has since been removed from the Sky Sports website.
Patrice Evra Extends His Stay at United
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The club's official website, ManUtd.com has announced that Patrice Evra has signed a one year extension on his contract and will remain at the club for the 2014/15 season.
Given the amount of top level experience that has left the club in the past two seasons, Evra's presence as a senior player could be crucial.
Not a Shaw Thing?
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Jamie Jackson reports in the Guardian that in the wake of Evra's one-year contract extension, the deal for United to sign Luke Shaw, which had been all but agreed, has stalled.
Jackson suggests United are "no longer the favourites" to sign Shaw, and that Chelsea are amongst those watching the situation closely.
Robben Rules out a Move
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Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf has quoted Arjen Robben as saying "I feel good so will stay where I am. The chance is zero that I make the switch." (h/t ESPN.co.uk)
This follows the pattern of this week—another player rules himself out of an Old Trafford move.
Konoplyanka Says No Thank You
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Artur Petrosyan, Editor-in-Chief of Sport-Express.ru has tweeted that reported United transfer target Yehven Konoplyanka is not interested in joining United.
"Konoplyanka: "Man United? I'd rather stay at Dnipro and play in the Champions League".
— Artur Petrosyan (@arturpetrosyan) May 23, 2014"
What a week it has been for players being linked to United and then denying any interest.
Barcelona Move on the Cards for Juan Mata?
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In what can only really be described as the "please say it ain't so" rumour of the week Anthony Chapman reports in the Sunday Express on rumours published in Spanish newspaper AS that Van Gaal would be prepared to sell Juan Mata to Barcelona for around £40 million.
Losing Mata, one of the very few bright sparks of United's season, would be a significant hit to whatever feel-good factor has built at the club since David Moyes' departure.
That brings to an end a horrible week of rumours and disappointment. Here's hoping next week's are more cheerful.
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