So many new faces. One would be forgiven for worrying about your place.
Louis van Gaal seems intent on trialling his new 3-6-1 masterplan in the Premier League, this season, and has bought up three new midfielders.
Memphis Depay, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin have all arrived, while Andreas Pereira and Jesse Lingard have ticked a lot of LVG’s performances boxes on United’s pre-season tour.
Ashley Young must be feeling the heat as rumours are beginning to circulate that he wants a contract extension and is not pleased with United dragging their heels.
The Mirror report that Tottenham, Liverpool and, God bless them, Newcastle all interested in taking the winger away from Old Trafford.
Javier Hernandez should feel positive heading into this season. United have shed two costly, and underperforming, strikers in Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao.
With eight days to go to their league opener, United have just Hernandez, Wayne Rooney and young James Wilson as strikers.
Still, van Gaal has never professed himself a fan of the Mexican. Tottenham are on the look-out for another striking option, aside from Harry Kane, and will try to sign Little Pea. About £10m should seal the deal. [ESPN]
Crystal Palace have been canny transfer operators this summer but Alan Pardew is about to take a sizeable risk.
The Eagles are prepared to stump up £8m for occasionally good Sunderland striker Conor Wickham [Daily Telegraph]
Aston Villa’s summer raid of French sides shows no signs of abating. Tim Sherwood’s side will look to complete a deal for Nantes midfielder Jordan Veretout [Sky Sports] while tying up the £7m capture of Blackburn striker Rudy Gestede. [Birmingham Mail]
Last night, we alerted you to the fact that Mario Balotelli is as wanted at Anfield as a Simon Mignolet brain-freeze. The following days should see another striker skulk out of Liverpool. That’s right, West Brom are willing to pay £3m to take Rickie Lambert off their hands. [The Star]
Finally, MARCA are trumpeting Pedro’s proposed transfer from Barcelona to Manchester United as a done deal.
Another midfielder. Ashley will be delighted.
