Manchester United remain intent on strengthening their squad as their pre-season got underway on Wednesday with a two-goal victory over Leeds.
Mason Mount completed his move to Old Trafford with United paying an initial £55m plus up to £5m in add-ons for the England international. But the former Chelsea star is the only arrival of the summer transfer window to date.
Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund of Atalanta remain key targets but as yet, no deals have come to fruition. Erik ten Hag will be desperate to get new bodies in ahead of United’s pre-season tour, with multiple outgoings from the squad required to raise funds.
Here are the day’s main transfer stories coming from the red half of Manchester.
Ten Hag’s Amrabat “relationship”
Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat is once again being linked with a transfer to Manchester United.
The Moroccan international is not a priority for Erik ten Hag, but the boss coached him at FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie. Amrabat’s brother Nordin – a forward formerly of Watford – has already hinted that his brother would like to be reunited with Ten Hag at Old Trafford.
Amrabat is not a priority signing for United this summer but a move could yet come to fruition in the closing weeks of the transfer window.
Read Nordin Amrabat’s comments here
Ten Hag hints at transfer frustration
Erik ten Hag had just teenager Joe Hugill as his only striker for the squad to face Leeds as United began their pre-season on Wednesday.
Hugill was a second half substitute and netted in a two-goal win, but Ten Hag started without a recognised striker. This does not appear to be any strategy ahead of the new campaign but a hint to the club that the signing of a No. 9 is desperately needed.
Anthony Martial is still to return to training but with his injury record, reinforcements are needed.
Read more on United’s impressive youngsters
Taremi’s agent hint
The representative of Porto striker and Iran international Mehdi Taremi has posted a picture of Manchester United ’s badge – fuelling speculation over a possible transfer to Old Trafford.
Borna Khoramdel, who is the CEO of Arvand Sport – the agency that represents Taremi – made the post on Wednesday in what appeared to be a clear public hint over a possible United move. However, despite the geolocation being the club’s ground – there is no other evidence he was at the stadium.
Taremi has bagged 100 goals across four seasons in the Portuguese top-flight and is out of contract next year, so he could be available in a £17million switch this summer. That would be an affordable option to United’s other striking targets, but this may be an agent transparently seeking to drive up his client’s demand.
