Manchester United Transfer News and Rumours Tracker: Week of September 15

Manchester United's season finally kicked into gear on Sunday as their new-look team dismantled QPR at Old Trafford in a 4-0 victory.

New signings Angel Di Maria and Ander Herrera netted for the Red Devils during the performance as Louis van Gaal marked his first competitive win as United boss.

While the transfer window is now closed, there are still many players being tipped to join LvG's revolution in the near future.

Here, we take a look at the latest news and gossip surrounding United, including the potential battle with Manchester City for the services of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gary Neville's belief that CR7 could wear the red of United, once again. 

—LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19— 

Nigel De Jong Pledges to Stay with AC Milan

Andre Penner/Associated Press

Friday, September 19

Manchester United target Nigel De Jong has spoken positively about his former international manager Louis van Gaal but reaffirmed his on-going commitment to AC Milan.

Alex Richards of the Mirror writes that the Dutch midfielder says he wants to end his career with the Rossoneri but is flattered that LvG rates him so highly.

Richards quotes De Jong as saying to Il Giornale:

"

If many people like him [Van Gaal] respect me and recognise what I am doing, then I can only be proud. I want to stay at Milan and I repeat that I want to end my career here. Milan is a club with a history and an extraordinary tradition. If they cannot finish first then they must always fight to be in the top three.

"

Van Gaal had pursued the former Manchester City player during the summer, per The Telegraph, but was unable to construct a deal to bring the player back to the Premier League.

Adnan Januzaj Prepared to Exit Manchester United?

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Thursday, September 18

Reports suggest that Belgium international Adnan Januzaj will consider leaving Manchester United after seeing his playing time diminish under Louis van Gaal.

Ben Burrows of the Mirror writes that Spanish website Fichajes.net suggests the 19-year-old attacker will push for a loan move in order to gain further first team experience.

And former United youth starlet Keith Gillespie believes Januzaj might have to consider a transfer away from Old Trafford as the winger does not suit LvG's tactics, per Rob Dawson of The Manchester Evening News:

"

Unfortunately, with the embarrassment of riches Manchester United have at the moment, he's not first choice. He's still young though and is learning the game. He needs games to bring out his potential.

Last season was very poor for United, but he was probably the one shining light in a team which didn't perform. Just look at the players in the team now, the likes of Angel Di Maria, Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao.

He's a winger and I'm not sure he can adapt and play as a wing back. He needs to play further forward. It's very difficult to fit him in to the system.

"

However, Januzaj scored a hat-trick for the Red Devils under-21 team on Monday night in front of Van Gaal, serving as a reminder of his extraordinary talent and potential. 

Sir Alex Ferguson to Bring Cristiano Ronaldo Back to Old Trafford

Wednesday, September 17

Manchester United have asked Sir Alex Ferguson to be involved with a potential move to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford.

Jamie Anderson of the Express writes that the fallen giants have asked their former manager to convince CR7 that his future lies with the Red Devils.

Anderson says that Spanish reports believe that Sir Alex will be used to lure Ronaldo because of their close bond. 

Ronaldo has spoken of his grateful admiration towards Fergie on many occasions, per Anderson:

 "He [Sir Alex Ferguson] helped me a lot when I was just 18 in Manchester and I want to say I respect him and thank him so much for everything he did in my career."

Gary Neville Believes Cristiano Ronaldo Could Return to Manchester United

JON SUPER/Associated Press

Tuesday, September 16

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has stated his belief that Cristiano Ronaldo may leave Real Madrid and rejoin the Red Devils.

Sacha Pisani of Goal.com writes that the broadcast pundit believes United are now in a position to tempt CR7 back to Old Trafford, and stated this opinion on Sky Sports Monday Night Football:

"

We sat here three or four months ago deliberating over whether Manchester United could attract world-class talent. They've absolutely smashed that question out of the water and if they get him...

There was talk last summer that it was either going to be Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale and there are rumours of Cristiano not being happy in Madrid. Obviously last year they won the Champions League, so has he achieved what he wanted to achieve in Madrid? Has he done what he set out to do? That's question one.

Does he love Manchester? Does he love United? Yes, absolutely. He has talked more and more in the last 12 to 18 months about how he misses Old Trafford. The reception he got there and the way the fans reacted towards him, I've not seen that for many players.

"

Ronaldo has seen his good friend and colleague Angel Di Maria flee the Spanish capital for the north west of England and could be tempted to rekindle his love affair with United if he truly believes it is time to trade-in his Galactico status.

Cristiano Ronaldo Could Consider Move to Manchester City

Natacha Pisarenko/Associated Press

Monday, September 15

Cristiano Ronaldo has "fallen out of love" with Real Madrid and is planning on a sensational move back to the Premier League in 2015.

John Richardson of the Daily Express writes that United are aware the player would love a return to Old Trafford, but it is unknown whether Louis van Gaal will sanction a deal next summer.

Richardson says that if LvG passes on the opportunity to buy Ronaldo, Manchester City could make a move for CR7 after courting the attacker in the past. 

Richardson explains that Van Gaal has his sights firmly fixed on Kevin Strootman and Mats Hummels, and he could pass on the Ballon d'Or winner as a result. 

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has also spoken about Ronaldo's current disaffection. He told talkSPORT that the player has lost patience with Florentino Perez and would consider a move to United as a viable escape route from the Spanish capital, per Ben Jefferson of the Express:

"

My impression is he is fed up with the policy of the current president. When he came [to Real Madrid] with [Arjen] Robben he thought he would be a good colleague for him in the team [but then he was sold]. 

Two years ago it was [Gonzalo] Higuain sold and he didn’t like that. Last year he thought it was a mistake to let [Mesut] Ozil leave and the last straw was selling Xabi Alonso and Angel di Maria this summer.

...

When I signed him in 2008, I remember he said he was grateful to Manchester United. He had a marvellous time there, he likes everything. It is a really great club.

"

United Line Up Huge January Move for Mats Hummels

Hassan Ammar/Associated Press

Monday, September  15

Manchester United are prepared to make Borussia Dortmund a huge offer for their captain, Mats Hummels, in the January transfer window.

Anthony Chapman of the Express says Louis van Gaal is "determined" to land the player and will aggressively pursue him in the coming months.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are also interested in the German World Cup winner, but Chapman says that LvG is prepared to offer Hummels a huge contract to join his Old Trafford team.

For his part, the player has recently spoken positively about remaining with his club for the immediate future.

Per Chapman:

"

If I wanted to leave the club one day I would want it to be 100 per cent open and fair for everyone. I wouldn't like to say: "Oh, by the way, thank you for the last year, it was nice but I'm off." I would like the club to have time to adjust to it. 

"