Manchester United are now less than three weeks away from their pre-season opener against arch-rivals Leeds United.
The Reds are scheduled to get their pre-season campaign underway against the Championship outfit in Oslo, Norway, on Wednesday, July 12. It will mark the first of seven friendlies that Erik ten Hag's side will play ahead of their Premier League campaign getting underway on Monday, August 14.
Both Ten Hag and United's supporters will be hoping that the club will have made progress with their summer recruitment drive by the time pre-season gets underway. It has been a fairly quiet start to the summer for the Reds, who are yet to complete their first signing of the transfer window.
However, United have tabled a second offer for Chelsea ace Mason Mount. The Reds submitted a new and improved offer for the England international yesterday, understood to be worth up to £50million.
Meanwhile, today marks exactly seven months to the day since the Glazers put United up for sale. The situation remains ongoing and is still no closer to being brought to a close.
TODAY'S BIG TALKING POINT: Are United risking paying over the odds for Mason Mount? Have your say here.
Follow the live blog below for all the very latest United news throughout the day:
Key Events
NEW: Manchester Is Red podcast
United Under-21s discover EFL Trophy opponents
Dortmund interested in United youngster Hannibal Mejbri
Steven Railston
Thank you
Thank you for following our coverage today.
Steven Railston
Chelsea have given United transfer boost
There was excitement among United fans when news of personal terms being agreed with Mason Mount emerged.
The truth is agreeing on personal terms in negotiations is rarely an issue at Old Trafford, meaning supporters should try their best not to get ahead of themselves until a transfer fee between United and Chelsea has been agreed.
There are obviously exceptions to that general rule, just like last summer when a fee of £15million was agreed with Juventus to sign Adrien Rabiot, whose salary demands were deemed too large, but it's usually the case.
Read the full piece here.
Steven Railston
Why Ten Hag wants to sign Mount
When Erik ten Hag first got a glimpse of the potential of Mason Mount the midfielder was an 18-year-old who was still yet to play a minute of senior football in England.
A loan move to Vitesse Arnhem, who had a productive link with Chelsea at the time, was the making of Mount, confirming the talent the teenager had and setting him on his path to the first team at Stamford Bridge, via another loan with Derby County.
Mount scored 14 goals and finished with nine assists in the 2017/18 season, a productive campaign for himself and for Vitesse, who finished sixth and qualified for the Europa League through an Eredivisie play-off system, a run of games in which their on-loan teenager proved to be vital, scoring five of his goals in three games.
Read more here.
Steven Railston
City 'close to signing Rice'
Man City are close to signing Declan Rice, according to Sky Sports' Gianluca Di Marzio.
Arsenal have been in advanced talks for Rice, who has long been admired at Old Trafford, but this fresh report suggests it's actually City who will land the midfielder this summer.
It's said City have 'confidence' in finding an agreement with West Ham.
Steven Railston
Ratcliffe 'less confident of takeover'
INEOS are less confident about completing a purchase of United, according to Nice-Matin.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been actively involved in trying to purchase United since the club was put up for sale in November, but it's now claimed his hopes of an acquisition have dwindled.
A fresh report from a French outlet claims his company INEOS have suffered a 'loss of confidence' in the deal, despite it also outlining they remaining focused on a potential purchase of the club.
KEY EVENT
NEW: Manchester Is Red podcast
The latest episode of the Manchester Is Red podcast is available now.
You can listen for FREE on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
20:27Steven Railston
Iqbal sends message as exit confirmed
Zidane Iqbal has confirmed he will leave United with an emotional goodbye message posted on his social media channels.
Sources told the Manchester Evening News on Tuesday evening that an offer believed to be worth around €1million from Dutch side FC Utrecht had been accepted. Iqbal completed a medical on Monday and is set to sign a four-year deal with his new club.
United have not confirmed the news, but the 20-year-old posted a heartfelt message to everyone involved with the club on Thursday afternoon.
Read what he said here.
Kyle Newbould
Mount deal 'close'
United are closing in on a deal to sign Mason Mount after agreeing a £60m fee with Chelsea, according to the Mirror.
Mount's future at Chelsea has been subject to speculation for months, with the 24-year-old set to enter the final 12 months of his contract at Stamford Bridge. Talks over a new deal have been ongoing but shown little tangible progress, making an exit highly likely this summer.
United are among a number of Premier League clubs to have been keeping an eye on Mount's situation, but Erik ten Hag's side put themselves at the forefront with two formal bids in recent weeks. The latter offer of around £50m was knocked back by Chelsea.
The Manchester Evening News reports at the end of May that personal terms between Mount and United had already been agreed, with the England international making clear his intention to leave Chelsea and join the Reds.
Kyle Newbould
Hammers eyeing McTominay
West Ham United are eyeing Scott McTominay as a potential replacement for the outgoing Declan Rice, according to talkSPORT.
Hammers captain Rice looks almost certain to leave this summer after admitting his envy at seeing England teammates challenge for major silverware. The 24-year-old is of interest to United, as well as Arsenal and Manchester City.
As such, David Moyes is in the market for midfield reinforcements and views McTominay as a solid Premier League option. Ten Hag is said to be open to letting the Scotland international leave this summer, but would prefer to offload Fred first with the Brazilian entering the final 12 months of his contract.
Kyle Newbould
Juve offer Rabiot contract
Juventus have offered Adrien Rabiot a new contract in a desperate attempt to keep him in Turin, according to Footmercato - although the midfielder would prefer a move to the Premier League.
United were linked with Rabiot last summer and in January, with Ten Hag eyeing midfield reinforcements during both windows.The Dutchman remains keen to add in that area of the pitch and could land a long-term target on a free.
The 28-year-old looks set to call time on a four-year stay at Juventus and has made no secret of his desire to seek a new challenge, most likely in England. However the Italian side have made one final push to keep their man, and will await a decision.
Kyle Newbould
Keep or sell?
Manchester United
manchester-utd
xxxx
Kyle Newbould
Kane's 'last-ditch ultimatum'
United have told Harry Kane to put in a transfer request amid growing frustration over Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy's refusal to negotiate, according to reports.
Kane has long been earmarked as United's top summer target, with Erik ten Hag desperate to add more goal to his squad. The Dutchman was over-reliant on Marcus Rashford this season and hopes to ease the burden on his forward, who scored almost three times anyone else in red across all competitions.
However their efforts to discuss a deal with Levy have fallen on deaf ears, with the Spurs chief unwilling to sell to a Premier League rival at any cost. Frustration is said to be growing around Old Trafford, and the Sun now reports that they have told Kane to agitate for a move.
The report adds that United will walk away from the transfer if there is no movement from north London, with several other targets already scouted and of interest.
Kyle Newbould
Iqbal announces United departure
The midfielder is set to join dutch side FC Utrecht.
It’s been a pleasure pic.twitter.com/dbJAJlSuE8
— zidane iqbal (@z10ane) June 22, 2023
George Smith
Relentless
Tyrone Marshall
OPINION: Three United youngsters can earn first-team squad places on pre-season tour
"Erik ten Hag looks determined to accelerate a clearout in the ranks. David de Gea might leave at the end of his contract and first-team players such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Fred, Anthony Elanga and Anthony Martial could all be sold. It's unlikely they will all go but United need to raise funds to spend and Ten Hag wants to get on with his rebuild. He might well enter next season with a smaller squad, fleshed out by youngsters who can take their place on the fringes of the squad."
Click here to read more.
George Smith
KEEP OR SELL: What should United do this summer?
Manchester United
manchester-utd
xxxx
George Smith
OPINION: Sancho is running out of time to prove Antony right at United
"Jadon Sancho has struggled to ever get into any sort of rhythm since joining United and he was bereft of confidence by the time he was sent to the Netherlands to work on an individual training programme during the World Cup break towards the end of last year. He worked with coaches recommended to him by Ten Hag and it was hoped that he would return to the squad with a spring in his step. However, that failed to be the case, with his performance in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup final earlier this month just about summing up his United career so far. His performance at Wembley was slow, uninspiring and failed to offer much in the way of confidence and belief."
Click here to read more.
George Smith
Ferdinand urges United to swoop for Madrid star
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand believes the club should make an ambitious move for Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.
United want to freshen up their midfield options this summer and are making progress with their efforts to bring Mason Mount to Old Trafford. However, Ferdinand believes the Reds could aim even higher with their efforts to bolster their midfield by signing Tchouameni.
Click here to see what he has had to say.
George Smith
Garnacho nominated for award
Richard Fay
OPINION: Eriksen could have new role when United complete first summer signing
"Christian Eriksen should only ever have been signed as a squad option, but due to United's lack of creative options, he quickly became indispensable to the side and suffered from burnout by the end of the season. Even before his long-term lay-off at the start of the year, the 31-year-old was dwindling and having less influence on matches as the heavy fixture schedule began to take its toll. "
Click here to read more.
George Smith
United 'close in' on Mount deal
United are 'closing in' on the signing of Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount, according to a report by the Mirror.
It is suggested that the Reds have found 'middle ground' with the Londoners in their attempts to lure him to Old Trafford. The report claims that Mount is now heading towards sealing a £60million move to M16.
George Smith
Inter 'already looking' for Onana replacements
According to a report by Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter Milan are 'already looking' for possible replacements for Andre Onana amid United's reported interest in his signature.
Following news that David de Gea is not set to sign a new contract at Old Trafford, United are going to have make signing a first choice goalkeeper one of their primary missions. Initially, they were expected to sign a back-up shot-stopper this summer.
Onana worked with United manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax and it has been suggested by several news outlets that the Dutchman is keen on a reunion this summer.
George Smith
United will soon find out if Rangnick was right about Nkunku
France international Christopher Nkunku finalised his £52million switch to Chelsea from RB Leipzig earlier this week.
The versatile forward, who plundered 23 goals fro Leipzig in 2022/23, was previously reccomended to United by former interim manager Ralf Rangnick. Considering the Reds are on the hunt for fresh attacking options this summer, time will soon tell if they missed a trick not listening to the German's advice.
Click here to read more.
George Smith
United 'tell' Kane to submit transfer request
According to a report by The Sun, United have 'told' Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane to hand in a transfer request to try and force through a move to Old Trafford.
Kane is understood to remain United's primary striker target despite the club currently operating under the assumption that Spurs will not sell the England captain. The 29-year-old is out-of-contract next summer and this current window could represent the Londoners' last chance to sell him for a respectable fee.
Furthermore, the report states that United have told the striker to come out with a 'strongly worded statement' if a transfer request fails to secure him a move to M16.
Richard Fay
OPINION: Ten Hag has sent United youngsters a ruthless reminder
"United have accepted an offer, believed to be around €1million, from FC Utrecht for Zidane Iqbal. It is a small fee, but one they feel reflects his current value, and the club stands to make even more money having insisted on a significant future sell-on clause. Many supporters were shocked to hear of the deal, nevermind the amount of money he was going for, and there is an undeniable sense of missed opportunity given he didn't play at all last season."
Click here to read more.
George Smith
United 'join race' to sign Bojang
United have 'joined the race' to sign highly-rated Steve Biko FC forward Adama Bojang, according to a report by The Guardian.
The Gambian Under-20 international is said to be attracting interest from a plethora of clubs across Europe, including Chelsea and Newcastle United. It is reported that he is available for just £2.6million.
Furthermore, it is claimed that an unknown German club has already tabled an offer for his signature.
George Smith
FULL STORY: United youngsters discover EFL Trophy fixtures
United's Under-21s will face Bolton Wanderers, Salford City and Stockport County in the group stage of the 2023/24 EFL Trophy, it has been confirmed.
United's U21 side, who will play all three of their matches away from home, as per competition rules, will get their campaign under way in early-September. Their fixture schedule means there will not be too much travelling involved, with all three of their opponents located within Greater Manchester.
Click here to read more.
Samuel Luckhurst
OPINION: United must know how much a new No.9 will cost after their last negotiation
"The average punter knew months ago the going rate for a new United No.9 would be around £100million. United sources claimed earlier in the year that money had been set aside for a centre forward but there would have to be an outgoing to accommodate a midfield incoming. That should still be the case. Fred conceded his future was uncertain after the FA Cup final amid a proposal he is transferred to Fulham and Scott McTominay has admirers. But a striker will define United's second season under Erik ten Hag. Cristiano Ronaldo abandoned the tenets of professionalism to save United £16m and there is no discernible need for a sale to finance the arrival of a new starting striker."
Click here to read more.
KEY EVENT
United Under-21s discover EFL Trophy opponents
United's Under-21s have been placed in Group E for the 2022/23 Papa Johns Trophy campaign.
The young Reds will face Bolton Wanderers, Salford City and Stockport County.
George Smith