Manchester United Transfer News and Rumours Tracker: Week of November 10
Manchester United got back to winning ways on Sunday, with a lacklustre 1-0 victory over a well-organised Crystal Palace.
The Red Devils were forced to start the game with a makeshift defence consisting of two teenagers, a central midfielder at centre-back and a right-winger at right-back.
The clean sheet cannot mask over how disjointed Louis van Gaal's team looked at times at the back.
The focus now will be to recruit a top-class defender, with Van Gaal having the chance to add to his squad in just over seven weeks' time.
Here, we look at United's latest targets and the gossip surrounding potential moves.
—LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14—
United Beat Arsenal and Liverpool to Sign Roberto Firmino
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Reports suggest Manchester United will complete the signing of Hoffenheim's highly-rated attacking midfielder, Roberto Firmino.
Anthony Chapman of the Express says Louis van Gaal has made a £20 million offer for the Brazilian, and it has been accepted.
Chapman explains Firmino will join the Red Devils on a long-term deal ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
Firmino can operate in a number of attacking positions and is happy as a No. 10 or winger.
The 23-year-old has three goals and three assists from his 11 Bundesliga matches this year, per WhoScored.com, and despite his flair and technique, he has an excellent defensive work ethic to his overall play—a feature that will appeal to LvG.
Firmino was strongly linked in the summer with both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, per Chapman, but it seems his next destination is Old Trafford.
The player also made his international debut for Brazil last month after impressing in the German top flight.
United to Launch £20 Million Bid for Miranda
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Thursday, November 13
Manchester United are said to be planning an audacious bid for Atletico Madrid's powerful Brazilian defender, Miranda.
Alex Harris of the Daily Star writes Spanish website Fichajes believe the Red Devils will move for the centre-back once the January transfer window is open.
Harris says Miranda has a £24 million release clause in his current deal but Louis van Gaal will try and tempt the La Liga champions with a £20 million bid.
But Miranda recently spoke about his time in Madrid, saying he is happy with Atleti after a summer of transfer speculation linking him with a host of teams, per Harris:
"I think that it’s normal footballers to leave the club when they have found success. Staying at Atleti was the best for me and my family. I’m very happy to be at Atleti. I love Madrid and this is a great club.
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Diego Simeone has built his wonderful side around the defensive partnership of Miranda and Diego Godin—two players that any team in the world would want in their starting line-ups after Atletico's phenomenal success in recent times.
Real Madrid Open to Offers for Raphael Varane
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Wednesday, November 12
One of Europe's top young defenders could be about to come onto the market, with Real Madrid open to selling France international, Raphael Varane—alerting Manchester United and Chelsea.
David Wright of the Express writes Carlo Ancelotti is willing to release Varane in January, and has put a £19 million valuation on the highly regarded talent.
Varane recently spoke to L'Equipe about rejecting United when he joined Madrid, citing the Red Devils' signing of Phil Jones as the reason for not considering a move to Old Trafford, per Patrick Haond of Sky Sports:
"Manchester United? They had just signed Phil Jones in my position. My first reaction when Real wanted to sign me was not, 'Of course I will go'. I only made my decision when I knew that the coach wanted me to play in the first team.
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The 21-year-old Varane would be an outstanding acquisition for Louis van Gaal—purchasing a player who could become the best centre-back in the world in the years to come.
United Want to Bring Yohan Cabaye Back to England
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Tuesday, November 11
Manchester United have entered the race to sign Paris Saint-Germain's out of favour midfielder, Yohan Cabaye.
James Dickenson of the Express writes PSG could offload the French international with a host of Premier League teams interested in the 28-year-old playmaker.
Dickenson says Arsenal have already had two bids rejected in the summer transfer window by the Ligue 1 champions but the Parisian club could now do business due to their Financial Fair Play restrictions.
Cabaye joined PSG last January in an £18 million deal from Newcastle but has failed to hold down a regular starting place at the Parc des Princes.
Mats Hummels Wants Arsenal Move
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Monday, November 10
Manchester United's hopes of capturing World Cup-winning defender Mats Hummels have taken a blow after "sources in Germany" suggested he wants a move to Arsenal.
Izzy Horsefield of the Daily Express writes the Borussia Dortmund captain would prefer a move to London as the Bundesliga team prepare themselves for bids from both Arsene Wenger and Louis van Gaal.
Horsefield says Wenger is planning a £30 million move for Hummels, despite the marquee defender currently being on the sidelines with a foot injury.
United are also considering approaches for Gerard Pique, Bruno Martins Indi and Ron Vlaar, per Horsefield.
Manchester United Consider Aymeric Laporte
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Monday, November 10
Manchester United are weighing up an approach for highly rated Athletic Bilbao youngster Aymeric Laporte.
Barry Glendenning of The Guardian says the 20-year-old Frenchman is on Louis van Gaal's radar, with the central defender having a £30 million release clause in his contract.
The player was instrumental last season in helping his team reach the Champions League after a string of fine performances in La Liga.
Laporte can play at centre-back or left-back, and he has previously attracted interest from both Barcelona and Arsenal, per Glendenning.
Shock Return to Old Trafford for Nemanja Vidic?
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Monday, November 10
Former Manchester United skipper Nemanja Vidic could be on his way back to the club after Italian reports suggested the player will be sold in January.
Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express says the Red Devils legend has failed to live up to his reputation at the San Siro and has not plugged Inter's leaky defence.
Chapman reports Inter fans and the Italian press have hugely criticised the Serbian, with the player featuring just eight times for his new team.
As a result, United are interested in bringing Vidic back to the club on a short-term six-month deal to help their ravaged defence during its transition, per Chapman.
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