Manchester United transfer news LIVE: Everton may have to sell Branthwaite, Olise swap deal for Wan-Bissaka, Benzema loan rejected, Reguilon to Brentford

Defensive reinforcements

Reports from Sky Germany indicate that Manchester United are keen on Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt and Barcelona star Ronald Araujo.

Both are central defenders, although Araujo can play at right-back.

With Raphael Varane's long-term future at Old Trafford in doubt, the Red Devils are looking at options.

And these two are excellent at passing out from the back.

However, De Ligt has struggled to play that many Bundesliga games this season, with only four starts compared to ten in LaLiga for Araujo.

But if one of these players were to end up on the red side of Manchester, they would be significantly improving their defensive options.

On the Ron

Manchester United have enquired about Barcelona's Ronald Araujo, according to Sky Germany.

The Uruguayan is attracting plenty of interest across Europe with his contract set to expire in 2026.

Bayern Munich are said to considering a big money move for the versatile defender, and now United are also putting out feelers.

Sky claim the 24-year-old would cost over £75million in January, and that his preference is to stay in Barca.

Double Dutch

Erik ten Hag is considering a move for his former Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt, according to Sky Germany.

The Netherlands regular has dropped behind Min-jae Kim and Dayot Upamecano at Bayern Munich this season and could be tempted by a move away.

On top of that, Bayern have since signed Eric Dier, and attempted to land Radu Dragusin, showing they may not have too much confidence in De Ligt.

Ras-matazz

Rasmus Hojlund might have scored against Tottenham but he might not be pleased with Marcus Rashford.

That is the verdict from United and Tottenham legend Teddy Sheringham, who believes Hojlund would have been 'tearing his hair out'.

Devil depart

Manchester United are expected to confirm the departures of Alvaro Fernandez and Hannibal Mejbri today.

Fernandez is expected to join Benfica on a permanent basis, while Hannibal has traveled to Spain to join Sevilla.

The deal for the midfielder to join Sevilla will be worth £17.2million plus add-ons, with the Red Devils holding a buyback option.

Lingard latest

Jesse Lingard has sacked his agent as he still looks for a new club.

Lingard has been a free agent since leaving Nottingham Forest at the end of last season.

talkSPORT understands that the former Manchester United man has split from his agents.

Everton had been linked with a potential move for him, but that has since gone quiet.

Bell of the ball

Gary Neville has praised Jude Bellingham for ignoring Manchester United's interest as a teenager, saying he's 'not sure sure' he'd be the superstar he is today had he moved to Old Trafford.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville said: “I’ve spoken to a couple of players before they’ve come here and said ‘you’ll never regret it, it’s a magic football club’.

“But I have to say looking back, it looks like pretty poor advice with what’s happened to them since they’ve come and it’s really sad.

“They would have thrived at other clubs. Other players who have chosen other clubs have gone on to be really successful.

“You think of Jude Bellingham, and I think of that quite a lot, when he walks into the boardroom here at Man United, United have agreed a fee with Birmingham, and so have Dortmund.

“He has a choice between Dortmund and United. And somehow that kid, well done to him, chose Borussia Dortmund, and he’s now one of the greatest players in the world, one of the greatest English talents.

“What would have happened to him if he’d come here? I don’t know, maybe he would have been a success because he’s that good.

“I’m not so sure in the current environment and culture and what’s been happening.”

Mic drop

Michael Olise's performances for Crystal Palace mean that it's no surprise to see Manchester United interested.

Chelsea came close to securing a deal for the player last summer and while a hamstring injury derailed the Frenchman's early campaign, he's certainly come back firing.

With goals and assists regularly in his locker, the 22-year-old look like someone who is destined for the top.

Lu beauty

Roy Keane believes that Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz would be a good fit for Arsenal, describing him as ‘a quality player’.

Luiz was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal last year and according to Man United legend Roy Keane, such interest is no surprise given the level of performance that he’s putting in.

“He turns up every week this player,” said Keane. “Never seems to be injured. Quality player. I like him.

“I think he was linked with Arsenal last year. There are no surprises there, with some of the Villa players, you think they can certainly go on to play for a Man United, Arsenal or even Man City, you look at Watkins.

“But I like Luiz. He is consistent. Turns up week in and week out. You know what you are going to get from him. I like a lot about him. Probably lacks that real pace maybe.

“In terms of his decision-making and looking after the ball. Very, very good.”

Eagle-eyed

Manchester United would be open to a swap deal involving Aaron Wan-Bissaka to get Michael Olise this summer, talkSPORT understands.

The Red Devils exercised a one-year extension option on Wan-Bissaka’s contract last month amid interest from his former club.

The decision has now protected United from Palace re-signing their former academy graduate on the cheap or for free this summer.

He could now be used as a bargaining chip for top target Olise, who penned a fresh contact at Selhurst Park this season - although the deal was reported to have a release clause.

Olise is firmly on the radar of Erik ten Hag's side after impressing in recent weeks since recovering from a hamstring injury.

In nine appearances this term, the 22-year-old has scored five goals and provided one assist for Roy Hodgson's side.

Karim Benze-nah

Manchester United will not be making a loan move for Karim Benzema in January, talkSPORT understands.

Reports emerged over the weekend that the Red Devils were exploring the possibility of signing the former Real Madrid star from Al-Ittihad on loan for the second half of the 2023-24 campaign.

The 36-year-old has scored nine goals and registered five assists in 15 appearances in the Saudi Pro League this season.

However, Benzema is said to be keen on returning to European football having left Madrid on a free transfer last summer.

Han's away

Manchester United forward Hannibal Mejbri has arrived in Sevilla to complete his loan move.

The 20-year-old spent last season on loan with Birmingham, but has struggled to force his way into the United first team.

The loan deal will also include a buy option for the Spanish side to make the move permanent.

Han the man

Manchester United forward Hannibal Mejbri is closing in on a loan move to Sevilla.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that the loan with an option to buy agreement has been completed between the two clubs.

Romano adds that Hannibal will have his medical next week.

Ratcliffe speaks

Sir Jim Ratcliffe expects the Premier League to approve his 25 per cent ownership of Manchester United by the middle of next month, but has refused to discuss his influence in the January transfer window.

Ratcliffe spoke publicly for the first time since agreeing to pay £1.2bn for a minority stake in United ahead of their Premier League home clash with Tottenham.

The INEOS owner also confirmed to reporters that he has spoken to United boss Erik ten Hag but has not yet met the players.

He said: “I'm very excited to be here. It is a big match, we normally do well against Spurs.

“I've met Erik but it would be inappropriate, really [to speak to players], until it's all formalised which should be early to mid-February, we hope. We hope they don't find anything dodgy in our CV!

“I've done a few exciting things. It's taken a few turns along the road, as you know, but it all turned out well in the end.

“I can't come all the time because I have a few other things to manage, but I'll come quite a lot."

Asked about his first impressions of Old Trafford and United’s Carrington training ground, Ratcliffe said: “I don't think that would be appropriate. Good question, though. You can give me a hard time in three or four weeks, then I'll do my best to answer the question.”

Reguilon update

Brentford have held talks with Tottenham defender Sergio Reguilon about a loan move, talkSPORT understands.

Reguilon is considering his options after spending the first half of the season on loan at Manchester United.

Spurs are keen to offload the defender in January, either on loan or a permanent deal.

Forgotten man

Manchester United defender Alvaro Fernandez will be heading to Benfica on loan.

The 20-year-old, who is yet to make a senior appearance for the Red Devils, has been on loan at Granada for the first half of the season.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that he will now be heading to Portugal.

He said: "Alvaro Fernandez will undergo medical tests at Benfica tomorrow, on Monday.

"Deal sealed with Manchester United on loan with buy option as Fernandez will leave Granada with immediate effect."

Sanch-no!

Borussia Dortmund's CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has defended Jadon Sancho's discipline record.

He re-joined Dortmund on loan in January from Man United and hit the ground running.

The Dortmund's CEO said: "Jadon doesn't have a discipline problem at all, I don't know who always said that,

"Jadon only has one problem, he comes late every now and then. His internal clock is not that developed." The 23-year-old is "a very nice boy, but every now and then he was late.

"But you have to deal with that. What do you go to the stadium for? We don't go there because everyone is always on time. I want to see how he receives the ball."

Sergi-go

Sergio Reguilon is a target for Brentford in January, according to reports.

Reguilon was on loan at Manchester United from Tottenham, but that was cut short this month.

Spurs will likely move the defender on again, on loan or a permanent deal.

Fabrizio Romano said: "Brentford want Sergio Reguilón on loan deal from Tottenham. Negotiations already took place but final decision will be up to the player.

"There are more clubs interested and Reguilón will assess the situation. In any case, he's still expected to leave the club in January."

Youth striker leaving

Young Manchester United striker Mateo Meija is set to join Sevilla, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The transfer guru claims the Red Devils will have a 25 per cent sell-on clause inserted inserted into the contract.

The 20-year-old was born in Spain but is a Colombian national.

He has never made a senior appearance fro the Red Devils.

Todibo race open

Manchester United's interest in Jean-Clair Todibo appears to have cooled in recent weeks.

The Red Devils were heavily linked with a loan move or permanent transfer to Old Trafford.

However, Liverpool have emerged as potential contenders for the centre-back.

This is due to Joel Matip's ACL potentially forcing Jurgen Klopp's men into transfer action.

However, Fabrizio Romano claims the race is still open, with no club leading the chase.

He said: “Let me clarify once again, there are no clear favourites for the signature of Jean-Clair Todibo, and the expectation is for him to move in the summer, not now.

“It will take time before we know who the favourite is and what kind of evolution there will be in the next months.

“My information remains that OGC Nice don’t want to sell Todibo in January.”

Mason Greenwood says that he's 'happy' at Getafe

Mason Greenwood has told Spanish media that he's happy with life at Getafe following his move to the club over the summer.

Since joining on loan, the striker has scored five goals and provided four assists in 17 matches as he looks to get his career back on track.

Asked how he's settling in by club media, Greenwood said: “Everything’s fine. I adapted pretty quickly.

“Teammates took me under their wing and I’ve just been happy ever since, coming here and training, playing the games. I’m happy.”

He added: “The fans mean a lot to me. The best feeling so far is when I scored my first goal here at the stadium and it meant a lot to me, I heard the fans quite a lot.

“Also we had the training day and a lot of fans came out to watch so we always appreciate the fans. They’re like an extra man out there on the pitch when they’re out there supporting us.”

Jadon? No problem

Former Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick has defended Jadon Sancho and insisted he had no issues with the winger.

The 23-year-old has returned 'home' to Borussia Dortmund on loan after falling out with Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford this season.

Ten Hag exiled Sancho over his attitude, with the player hitting back on social media, while other claims have been made about the youngster's apparent poor conduct.

But Rangnick says he didn't witness anything of the sort during his six months in charge at United, after he replaced the sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November 2021.

“In the six months I had him, there wasn’t a single discipline problem," he told Sky Germany. "On the contrary, he is a calm and pleasant guy.

"He had his best time in Dortmund and, when he was healthy, he always played for me. However, he wasn't as carefree as in Dortmund. But that was also due to the overall situation. 

"When he was fit, he was set and did well under me. He no longer had a chance in Manchester. 

"He now has to get back into a rhythm and really into shape in Dortmund. From his point of view, the change makes perfect sense."

Solskjaer on verge of managerial return

Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has held talks with the Swedish FA over becoming the national team's new head coach.

Fotbollskanalen reports the ex-Red Devils gaffer is one of the favourites to replace Janne Andersson.

Sweden failed to qualify for Euro 2024 and Andersson resigned.

However, former Aston Villa defender Olof Melberg is also under consideration.

But after over two years out of the game, Solskjaer could be the man to take Sweden into a new phase.

Devils you know

Simon Jordan believes Jadon Sancho’s return to Borussia Dortmund underlines a culture that has been allowed to manifest at Manchester United.

The 23-year-old winger sealed a loan move to the Bundesliga side on Thursday which runs until the end of the season, after falling out of favour with United boss Erik ten Hag.

But ex-Palace owner Jordan points towards a more pressing issue as to why high-profile signings such as Sancho, Paul Pogba, Alexis Sanchez and Antony have all struggled to make the required impact at the club.

“It’s based upon two things,” said Jordan. “Who’s to blame for this culture Man United that has been allowed to develop inside the football club that engenders players with a belief system they can behave the way they do.

“The recruitment policy that’s recruiting players that are clearly not fit for purpose and the fact that Ten Hag is trying to change the direction of travel and is having to break some serious eggs to make an omelette."

Jordan added: "They sign big-name players on paper, with big attitudes and big outlooks, who are not the right fit for the football club.

"Pogba was let go by Man United for a reason. Look at him now. Look at where Sanchez went and what he did.

"He chose Man United because they offered more money than Man City. Once upon a time, you chose Man United because of the fabric of the football club. They've allowed the culture to deteriorate."

Hugill departs on loan

Burton Albion have confirmed the signing of Manchester United youth player Joe Hugill on loan until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old striker signed a new deal at Old Trafford earlier this week and will now look to get some first-team opportunities in the EFL.

His new contract expires in 2026, so the forward has plenty of time to develop and learn the game.