Manchester United will be hoping to put last weekend’s miserable start to the Premier League season when they face Brentford later today.
Erik ten Hag’s Old Trafford reign got underway in the worst possible fashion last weekend, as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Brighton. The loss amplified the amount of work the new United boss will need to do, with a number of regular starters underperforming.
There was a hope United would quickly address their deficiencies, but despite another week of extensive speculation there have been no further arrivals. But there’s still plenty of time left in the window and here Mirror Football takes a look at the latest batch of United transfer rumours.
Potential of PSG swap deal
News that Paris Saint-Germain’s interest in Marcus Rashford came way out of left field earlier this week. The United academy graduate is struggling for form, but did start Ten Hag’s first competitive match in charge, albeit failing to make an impact.
On Thursday, speculation suggested that PSG were plotting a move for the 24-year-old and although Mirror Football understands their intention is to not sell the forward, an intriguing proposition has now emerged.
According to South American outlet TyC Sports, PSG outcast Mauro Icardi is now on United’s radar as a potential solution to their attacking issues. The Argentine is surplus to requirements at the Parc des Princes and is one of a number of stars that looks set to leave the French capital this summer.
Dest discussions
In amongst a number of areas in need of improvement, right-back remains on the agenda for Ten Hag in his first summer in charge. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is seemingly out of the picture and available to leave, while Diogo Dalot remains an underwhelming option to start.
Spanish news outlet Sport claim Sergino Dest is a target for United and with the Blaugrana desperate for finances, he would be sold for around £17m.
However, it is suggested that the Premier League giants are hoping to reduce that fee by using Dalot as a potential makeweight in any transfer discussions. On Barca’s part, there are said to only be interested in a straight sale - such is their precarious financial situation.
Ralf Rangnick intervenes
He may have left Old Trafford on reasonably good terms, but the German is seemingly doing United no favours in the months following his departure. After his disastrous stint as interim boss, the experienced tactician was expected to take on a consultancy role on an ad-hoc basis.
However, that appointment didn’t materialise with Rangnick instead opting to become the full-time manager of Austria. And in his capacity as the national team boss, Rangnick has told Sasa Kalajdzic to snub an approach from his former employers.
The Stuttgart striker has been linked with a move to United, along with a number of their Premier League rivals. But Rangnick has told him to stick in the Bundesliga for the good of his development.
"It is important that Sasa stays injury-free this season and trains and plays at the highest possible level,” he explained. "If he stays in Stuttgart this season, it will not be a disadvantage for his development."
