Manchester United transfer news LIVE: Red Devils step up Zirkzee interest, Bergvall talks, Branthwaite boost, Olise blow, Benzema loan rejected

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.

Youngster set for exit

Manchester United youngster Alvaro Fernandez is set to join Benfica on a loan-to-buy deal, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The defender will sign for the Portuguese side on an initial loan with an option to make the deal permanent for £6million.

That option is triggered if Fernandez plays 50% of his games for the club as a starter.

United will have a buy-back clause while also having a sell-on clause should he move on from Benfica in the future.

Ramos made available

PSG are open to selling Portuguese star Goncalo Ramos before the January transfer window shuts, according to reports in France.

The 22-year-old Portuguese forward was signed by PSG in the summer from Benfica in a deal worth around £55.7million [€65m].

It's just over a year since Ramos announced himself on the global stage with a hat-trick at the World Cup in Qatar when he was picked over Cristiano Ronaldo.

But it's not worked out for him at PSG, where he has made only 19 appearances in all competitions this season, managing three goals and one assist.

L'Equipe claim manager Luis Enrique remains unconvinced by the forward and PSG chiefs have therefore decided they will cash in this month if the price is right.

Ramos was linked with a Premier League move before his transfer to Paris, with Manchester United among the clubs reportedly interested.

Amad for it

Manchester United starlet Amad Diallo has seemingly rubbished rumours of a January move to Middlesbrough.

The Ivorian, who impressed on loan at fellow Championship side Sunderland last term, has suffered an injury-hit campaign.

Having returned to full fitness Amad has been linked with another move back to the second division, this time at Michael Carrick's Boro.

However, the 21-year-old appears to have reacted to these reports by sharing a photo of himself in a Sunderland shirt on Instagram.

Away with the Bees

Former Manchester United defender Sergio Reguilon has arrived at Brentford's training ground to complete a loan move from Tottenham.

The Spanish left-back spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Atletico Madrid before a six-month temporary stint at Man United earlier this term.

Brentford are desperate for cover at full-back after Rico Henry was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign due to a significant knee injury in September.

The Bees have now struck a deal with Spurs and agreed personal terms with Reguilon.

Crisp reply

Gary Lineker has rubbished rumours Manchester United could be making an audacious move for Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr.

Spanish outlet Sport claimed Los Blancos may offload the Brazilian in order to make room for Kylian Mbappe, with United tipped to swoop.

January blues

The old cliche of ‘there’s no value in January’ still rings true, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few gems.

Key signings at this juncture turn also-rans into title winners, with two Manchester United signings making up talkSPORT.com's best January XI.

Partnering Virgil van Dijk, Nemanja Vidic was relatively unknown at the time he signed from Spartak Moscow in 2006.

Now widely recognised as one of the league’s best-ever defenders, Vidic’s partnership with Rio Ferdinand is the stuff of legend, and the Serbian left for Inter in 2014 with 15 major trophies under his belt.

His teammate Patrice Evra takes the left-back spot, having become a club legend after swapping Monaco for Old Trafford in 2006.

Snapping up the France international for £5.5million, it’s fair to say they scored one of the biggest bargains in league history.

Evra went on to win 14 trophies as a Red Devil, notching five Premier League titles to become one of the greatest defenders the division has ever seen.

Karim Benze-nah?

Rio Ferdinand says Manchester United could not say ‘no’ to Karim Benzema if they had the opportunity to sign the Frenchman.

When asked if signing the veteran striker would be a positive move for Erik ten Hag’s side, Ferdinand told the FIVE YouTube show: “Listen, Benzema, how can you say no?

“We‘re going back to what we’ve done before. We’ve done it with Cristiano [Ronaldo], we’ve done it with [Radamel] Falcao, we’ve done it with [Edinson] Cavani, we’ve done it with Zlatan [Ibrahimovic].

“Can we Afford it? Probably not, that’s why I don’t see it, I’d be very surprised."