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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Victor

Man Utd squad fly to Europa League clash after discovering January transfer plans

After seeing significant squad upheaval over the summer, Manchester United 's players have jetted off for Spain knowing the club are not actively pursuing any January signings.

Erik ten Hag's side are set to face Real Sociedad in their final Europa League group game with a chance to clinch top spot in their group with a two-goal victory. The group winners will progress straight to the last 16 of the competition, while whoever finishes second will face an extra play-off round.

United spent more than £200m over the summer, bringing the likes of Antony, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro to Old Trafford. There had been rumours of more spending in January, but it looks unlikely that they will add to their ranks in the winter window.

According to the Manchester Evening News, the club are "not actively pursuing" any further deals in January. They didn't make any signings in the January 2022 window under interim manager Ralf Rangnick, despite being linked with a number of names.

United have moved for players mid-season in the past, with mixed success. Bruno Fernandes joined in January 2020 and has become a key figure, but Odion Ighalo - who arrived on loan midway through the same season - did not do enough to earn a permanent move.

Fernandes has featured in all five of United's Europa League group games, starting the last four. Home and away victories over Sheriff and Omonia mean United are assured of their European progress with a game to spare, but a strong-looking squad has travelled to Spain.

Will Man Utd top their group? Have your say in the comments section

Luke Shaw is part of a strong Man Utd group travelling to play Real Sociedad (Eamonn and James Clarke)
Marcus Rashford has travelled after scoring United's winner at the weekend (Eamonn and James Clarke)

England team-mates Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford were both seen with the travelling group ahead of the Real Sociedad clash. Rashford is looking for a third goal in as many games, having netted at home to Sheriff before scoring the only goal of the game in Saturday's victory over West Ham.

Harry Maguire is also in line to feature after making his first start in more than a month against the Hammers. The former Leicester defender has stepped in to cover for the injured Raphael Varane, and Ten Hag laid down the gauntlet ahead of Maguire's return from the bench against Sheriff.

"He always has an important role," Ten Hag said of the £80m man. "It's always about performance, about presentation and I think, regarding his qualities, when he's acting like that, no problem, great player and great capabilities to do a job for us."

Harry Maguire could make a second start in a week (Eamonn and James Clarke)
Donny van de Beek is in contention to feature after injury (Eamonn and James Clarke)

United have confirmed Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho and Antony are both unavailable after recent injuries. Sancho is ill, while the others are staying at Carrington as they look to recover from recent injuries.

Donny van de Beek has travelled, though, as he continues on his own recovery path. The Dutchman made his first appearance in more than two months when he came off the bench against Sheriff, and has yet to start a match this season.

As well as a number of senior pros, the squad includes a number of youngsters keen to feature. Teenager Alejandro Garnacho is involved after making his first career start in the last Europa League game, and has been joined by Shola Shoretire, Facundo Pellistri and Zidane Iqbal.

Man Utd squad for Real Sociedad: De Gea, Dubravka, Vittek; Lindelof, Maguire, Martinez, Malacia, Dalot, Shaw, Wan-Bissaka; Fernandes, Eriksen, Fred, Casemiro, Pellistri, Van de Beek, McTominay, Iqbal; Ronaldo, Rashford, Elanga, Shoretire, Garnacho.

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