Manchester United Transfer News: Joao Miranda, Marcus Rashford, Latest Rumours

Manchester United are reportedly plotting a summer swoop for Inter Milan centre-back Joao Miranda.

Although the defender only joined the Nerazzurri from Atletico Madrid before this campaign, according to Gianluca Di Marzio (translated by David Amoyal), the Red Devils are “looking to Italy” in an attempt to address their defensive issues, and “Miranda is a player they like.”

While Inter have tailed off this season, all in all, the performances of the 31-year-old have remained consistent. Here are some of his best moments for the Serie A side:

Miranda may feel underwhelmed at the San Siro. The club spent a lot of money in the summer with a clear title tilt in mind. But some early promise has faded from coach Roberto Mancini’s side, and they now look like outsiders to secure a Champions League spot for next season; they’re in fifth, five points back on third-place Roma.

So the chance to take on a new challenge at Old Trafford would surely appeal to Miranda, especially given he’ll turn 32 next season. Jack Rathborn of uMAXit Football is a big fan of the defender:

It’s evident from his showings this term that Miranda still has plenty to offer as well. Here is a look at how the Brazil international compares statistically to United’s star centre-back this season, Chris Smalling:

	Smalling	Miranda
Apps (Sub)	27	25 (1)
Goals	0	1
Tackles per game	1.8	2
Interceptions per game	2.7	2.2
Clearances per game	5.2	4.7
Blocks per game	0.6	0.7
Passing accuracy	82.1 %	81.4 %

The issue for United in any potential transfer is likely to be the fee. While they have significant clout in the window, Inter paid in excess of £10 million for Miranda last summer, and given he remains a fine defender, that’s a sum they’d surely be keen to make a profit on. The Red Devils would have to weigh whether a player of his age would be worth that kind of outlay.

Centre-back is a facet of the squad where United have a lot of options, with Daley Blind showing he can be a fine foil for Smalling this term. But having a player with the experience, physicality and winning mentality of Miranda at the base of the team would be a significant boost for United. If they can get this one done, it’d be a savvy bit of business.

Rashford Form Set to Be Rewarded with New Deal

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According to Phil Thomas of the Sun, Manchester United are ready to give prodigious striker Marcus Rashford a new contract that’ll see his weekly wage leap to £15,000, more than 15 times what he’s earning now.

In a campaign that has seen the Red Devils play some moribund football at times, the emergence of the 18-year-old has been a massive bright spot. Rashford scored twice in his Premier League debut against Arsenal, and most recently netted the winner in a 1-0 win over local rivals Manchester City.

Commentator Ian Darke thinks Rashford could follow in the footsteps of another brilliant United goalscorer, Andy Cole:

It’s a bump in pay many will say the teenager deserves, as vultures will inevitably begin to circle if he’s on a meagre salary compared to his team-mates.

United will want to keep the striker sated too. While the club is renowned for drafting academy talents, it’s been a long time since a local player burst onto the scene quite as spectacularly as Rashford has. It’s an emergence that has given all associated with the Old Trafford outfit a significant boost.

Michael Regan/Getty Images

As these numbers from Sky Sports News HQ illustrate, some of the feats he’s already achieved are unprecedented:

Still, there will be concerns that the player is getting a little too much, too soon in some quarters. While the enthusiasm and enjoyment with which Rashford has taken to life in the Premier League is enamouring, he’s still only made eight senior appearances, regardless of how impressive they’ve been.

It’s important the club nurtures the teenager appropriately to ensure he’s not another bright English talent who falls by the wayside. Do that, and they may have a player on their books who is the real deal.