Manchester United transfer news LIVE: Red Devils appoint new CEO, Ronaldo on failed second spell, Zirkzee interest stepped up, Branthwaite boost, Olise blow

Shock swoop

Manchester United are set to pull off a shock swoop by poaching Manchester City for club chief Omar Berrada.

New Red Devils investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been keen on looking for a new CEO after Richard Arnold departed Old Trafford in November.

And according to The Athletic, Berrada is set to link up with United to assume the vacant position.

Berrada has been a key figure behind the scenes at the Etihad, and it is believed he will begin work at United in the summer.

It has been said that he will take executive leadership roles in both the football and business side, while also having a seat on the board of directors.

In a statement to The Athletic, Pep Guardiola's side confirmed that Berrada has left his role at the club.

They said: "Manchester City can confirm that Omar Berrada has resigned from his role as Chief Football Operations Officer at City Football Group.

"The club understands his decision to look for a new challenge and he leaves with our thanks and best wishes."

San storm

Jadon Sancho was seen pleading with Borussia Dortmund striker Niklas Fullkrug over a penalty on Saturday.

The winger was making his second appearance for the German side since joining on loan from Manchester United earlier this month.

While he's grabbed two assists in two games so far, Sancho was keen to get the first goal of his second spell with the club when Dortmund were awarded a second-half penalty against Koln.

It was fine play from Sancho to win the penalty, jinking past defenders before winning the spot-kick.

Fullkrug picked up the ball, only for Sancho to plead with striker to let him take the kick, reportedly saying: "Gimme the ball!"

But as many ruthless strikers would do, Fullkrug held firm and denied Sancho's request, before justifying his decision by converting from the spot.

Sancho watch

Jadon Sancho has won a penalty for Borussia Dortmund on his first start since returning to the German side on loan.

On his second debut last week, the Red Devils loanee chipped in with an assist after finding Marco Reus.

And he has now played a key role in Dortmund's second goal away at Cologne in the Bundesliga.

After jinxing his way into the box, he was hauled down, with Niclas Fullkrug converting the spot-kick.

Maguire message

Harry Maguire has told the club's academy stars that Erik ten Hag will always give opportunities to young, homegrown players.

Alejandro Garnacho has become a key player under the Dutchman with Kobbie Mainoo, Willy Kambwala and Dan Gore being handed debuts by Ten Hag.

Speaking to the club's media team, Maguire said: "I think this club is always built on bringing players through the Academy, we have an excellent record.

“The Academy has always done really well and brought great players through and I think this manager has always proven that if you do well, you come up and you train, you get the opportunities and you get given the chance to impress.

“And he's not scared of putting players in and giving them opportunities to play on the big stage. That’s when it matters in first-team football.”

Striker linked

Erik ten Hag could raid his old club Ajax yet again - this time to bring in striker Brian Brobbey.

That is according to Sky Germany, who have stated that the Dutch forward is a target for the Red Devils this month.

United have scored just 24 Premier League goals this season, with summer signing Rasmus Hojlund find the back of the net just twice in the top-flight.

It has been said that both United and Brobbey appreciate each other, though Ajax do not want to sell him.

Brobbey has been in fine form so far this campaign - chipping in with 13 goals and four assists in 25 games in all competitions.

Since Ten Hag was appointed at Ajax, he has lured Lisandro Martinez and Antony away from the Amsterdam outfit.

Dutch delight

Manchester United are reportedly weighing up a summer swoop to sign Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt.

The Netherlands international only joined the Bundesliga giants in 2022 from Juventus.

But he could be on the move just two years into his five-year contract having fallen down the pecking order at the Allianz Arena.

Summer signing Kim-min Jae and Dayot Upamecano have been Thomas Tuchel's preferred partnership this season.

And according to Sky Germany, the Red Devils are watching his developments closely ahead of a possible transfer.

It has been said that De Ligt is likely to leave should Bayern receive a suitable offer for the 24-year-old.

Cris is on the Case

Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly told Al-Nassr to make a move for his former Manchester United and Real Madrid teammate Casemiro.

Foot Mercato claims Ronaldo has commanded his Saudi Pro League side to do what they can to bring Casemiro to the Middle East.

The Brazilian has been the subject of United exit rumours in recent weeks, having suffered with form and fitness this season.

However, the midfielder, who turns 32 next month, will prove hard to shift as he is only two years into his reported £300,000-a-week five-year deal.

Pat on the back

Manchester United legend Patrice Evra has been named in talkSPORT's op-five greatest ever January transfers.

talkSPORT's very own Gabby Agbonlahor said: "What a signing that was! He had potential as a young player, he got that move to United and didn't look back.

"He is up there with top three/four best left-backs in the Premier League era.

"Strong, quick, aggressive, funny... a top, top left-back.

"A leader, and what he did for France as well playing so many games [81 caps], a top player."

To find out what number Evra was, and to see the rest of the list, including a certain lack of Nemanja Vidic...click below!

‘Things are on the right trajectory’

Manchester United youth coach Tom Huddlestone has told talkSPORT the club is on the right track and advised his transfer strategy.

Speaking to talkSPORT Drive with Andy Goldstein and Darren Bent, Huddlestone, who works as an Under-21s player/coach at Old Trafford, was asked what transfer strategy United will employ now.

Huddlestone replied: "I think you need a mix. I don't think you can do one or the other.

"You've seen your Paris Saint-Germain's try and do it with more senior players and it has not quite happened and apart from when Sir Alex did it in the 1990s with a really young squad, I don't think we have seen it since.

"If you can get a bit of experience through the spine of the team and blending that with Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, Willy Kambwala, Dan Gore, they've been in and around the first-team this season, I think you can get a lot of success that way."

Ronald McDonald

Manchester United have reportedly inquired about a deal for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo.

Sky Germany have quoted a possible fee of around £70million for the 24-year-old, with cash-strapped Barca desperate for funds.

The report adds that Araujo wants to stay at the Catalans this month but is high on the list at Old Trafford this summer.

Hannibal explains reason for exit

Hannibal Mejbri has lifted the lid on Manchester United team-mates before moving to Sevilla on loan.

The Tunisian was out on loan when United lost 3-0 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan last term, but he heard all about it.

"The game here was crazy," the 20-year-old said.

"Before coming, my United teammates told me about the fans, the atmosphere there. It's nice to play for a team with fans like this because they help you when you're in difficult times."

Real talk?

ICYMI - Manchester United are reportedly eyeing an audacious swoop for Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr.

Spanish outlet Sport claim the Red Devils would be willing to pay a British record £130million for the Brazilian winger’s signature.

The report adds that Real Madrid may need to offload one of their key players to finance a move for Kylian Mbappe.

Heinze Beans and gone

There's an unwritten rule when it comes to playing for Manchester United - do not join Liverpool.

But Gabriel Heinze clearly didn't get that message in 2007 when he tried forcing through a move to the Red Devils' arch-rivals.

Devil may care

More on Manchester United's proposed move to Lucas Bergvall.

Fussball News say United are ‘very hot’ in a race for the highly-rated Swedish teenager.

The 17-year-old plays for Djugarden and had trials with Man United when he was 14.

However, Erik ten Hag's side face competition from Eintracht Frankfurt, Barcelona, and Borussia Dortmund.

Nu star

Tottenham are in advanced talks with Club Brugge over move for Manchester United target Antonio Nusa, talkSPORT understands.

Brugge value Nusa at £25m and want to loan the Norwegian back for the rest of the season.

The 18-year-old has four goals in 43 Belgian Pro League appearances after bursting onto the scene in the 2021/22 campaign.

Nusa became the youngest player in Champions League history to score on his debut during a 4-0 win over Porto in September 2022.

The winger has already won four caps at senior international level for Norway.

United were reported to have sent scouts to watch Nusa in the Europa Conference League and in the Belgian Pro League in September.

Mejia joins Mejbri

Manchester United have sent another of their young stars to Sevilla.

Following Hannibal Mejbri's loan move to the Spanish side, the Red Devils have now allowed Mateo Mejia to join him.

Mejia has signed for the La Liga outfit on a free transfer after failing to break into the first team after four years at Old Trafford.

United are said to have put a 25 per cent sell-on clause in the 20-year-old's contract.

Out of order

Erik ten Hag has been slammed for his treatment of Anthony Martial, with the Manchester United forward being made to train away from the rest of the teammates amid links with an exit.

Martial is due to leave the club in the summer when his contract expires but could depart this month if a bid comes in.

However, he's not currently training with the first-team. Ten Hag is making him work by himself in a bid to improve his fitness, having told reporters it's not a disciplinary issue.

But former Aston Villa captain Gabby Agbonlahor says the way the Dutchman treats his players is not right, admitting it's one of the worst feelings as a player to be made to train away from the group.

“It’s probably because Martial doesn’t want to leave,” Agbonlahor told talkSPORT. “Maybe a chance to leave has been offered and he hasn’t so he’s [Ten Hag] banished him like he did to Jadon Sancho.

“If it was a normal player, you train with the team and do extra with a fitness coach after training. He’s obviously been banished for a reason and Ten Hag’s done it again.

“It happened to me under Di Matteo at Villa, he made me play with the Under-23s and, I tell you, it’s the worst thing you can go through as a player. It's horrible."

Kambwala wanted on loan

Manchester United youth centre-back Willy Kambwala is drawing attention from various clubs who want to take him on loan.

The 19-year-old made his first-team and Premier League debut in December when he started the 2-0 defeat to Wes Ham due to the lack of defensive options.

He turned in a solid display as many of his teammates crumbled, but he has only played twice since.

United District claim several teams in England and beyond want to bring the defender in on loan, but he's likely to remain part of Erik ten Hag's squad.

Martial's agent hits back

Anthony Martial's agent, Phillipe Lamboley, has claimed his client isn't with the first team at the moment to have a procedure on an abductor problem.

The Frenchman has been absent for a few weeks with illness and talkSPORT understands the Red Devils want to sell him this month, but can't find a buyer.

However, his agent has refuted claims he's been exiled.

He said: “What is said about him is completely false. He was not excluded from the group and he has no problem with [Erik ten Hag].

"He is simply going to undergo a small operation on his abductors, which he should have done for a while and which did not allow him to be 100 per cent, so he will do it now.”

Given Martial's contract is up at the end of the season, it seems odd he's having an operation now.

Bergvall emerging as target

Manchester United are contemplating a move for Lucas Bergvall.

German reporter Christopher Michel claims the Red Devils are looking seriously at signing the Swedish midfielder.

The 17-year-old plays for Djugarden and had trials with Man United when he was 14.

Bergvall also supports the Red Devils and would cost under £10million.

However, there are many clubs in the race, including Newcastle and Atletico Madrid.

Not on

talkSPORT's Gabriel Agbonlahor has questioned Erik ten Hag's decision to make Anthony Martial train alone.

The Red Devils want to sell the striker this month but have received no offers for the Frenchman, who has faded with injuries throughout his career at Old Trafford.

The striker has been ill for the last few weeks, and in an effort to boost his fitness, United have told him to train separately from the rest of the first team.

But Agbonlahor isn't happy.

Speaking to talkSPORT he said: “It’s probably because Martial doesn’t want to leave.

“Maybe a chance to leave has been offered and he hasn’t so he’s [Ten Hag] banished him like he did to Jadon Sancho.

“Should Martial still be at Manchester United? No he shouldn't. He doesn’t put enough effort in but don't put him on his own. I don’t like the training on your own though, I don't like that."

'Not convinced'

With just a couple of weeks left remaining in this transfer window, Alex Crook has shared an update on what he expects from Manchester United.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's 25 per cent stake in the Red Devils has yet to be confirmed, while the team are out of all European competition and are struggling in the Premier League.

Therefore, Crook doesn't see Man United parting with much money in the remainder of the window.

Speaking on The Transfer Window Show by talkSPORT BET, he said: "Will they spend big in this window? I am not convinced because they are out of Europe. They aren't going to make the top four, it's just the FA Cup to play for.

"I think they will be creative.

"Michael Olise is a longer-term deal, one to look at in the summer.

"Then you look at the outgoings, Jadon Sancho has gone to Borussia Dortmund. Mason Greenwood is out on loan at Getafe. Donny van de Beek has gone, and could Raphael Varane be out the door?

"His contract expires in the summer and Manchester United are not planning on taking up the year's option."

Vinicius not having the best season

It would be fair to say that Vinicius Junior's form in LaLiga has been poor this year.

Due to injury, he's only made 11 appearances, while with Jude Bellingham now their man attacking threat, the Brazilian has been moved into a different role.

He's used to playing on the left and cutting in, but Carlo Ancelotti has deployed him as a false forward to get the most out of Bellingham.

Unfortunately, this has limited Vinicius Jr's impact on games, and he shares very similar statistics with Marcus Rashford.

Rashford plays in Vinicius Jr's position, so if they do make a move, it would be fascinating to see what happens to the England international.

Vinicius Jr on radar

Manchester United are reportedly looking into an incredible swoop for Vinicius Jr.

Spanish outlet Sport claim the Red Devils would be willing to pay 150million Euros for the Brazilian winger's signature, who just recently scored a hat-trick against Barcelona.

Vinicius Jr is already one of the world's best forwards and Madrid consider him non-transferable.

However, United have been long-term admirers and are willing to reignite their interest in the winger.

And they could be helped by the fact Real Madrid need to finance a move for Kylian Mbappe, making this a possibility.

Martial not close to return

Manchester United forward Anthony Martial is training alone amid speculation over his future at the club, talkSPORT understands.

The French forward has been sidelined since their defeat to Bayern Munich on December 12 with illness but is looking to regain his fitness.

It's standard procedure at the club for players coming back from a lay-off to train alone so Martial going solo at Carrington has not been forced on him.

However, it's understood there's a concern about the amount of games Martial misses and the effort he makes to recover.

The Red Devils are looking to offload him in January with his contract set to expire in June, however, the player is understood to be in no rush to leave.