Man United transfer news live Erik ten Hag latest as INEOS review continues

According to a report by Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, as cited by The Faithful MUFC, United-linked forward Joshua Zirkzee has a release clause in his contract that can be triggered this summer.

The Bologna forward has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks amid the club’s plan to strengthen their attacking options this summer.

Zirkzee, who has also been linked with Arsenal, has a release clause in his contract that will be active between July 1 and July 15. It is reported that it will be worth €40million.

OGC Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo has praised Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir David Brailsford amid ongoing reports linking him with a move to United.

United plan to strengthen their centre-back options this summer and Todibo has been linked with a move to M16 for several months. The Frenchman, of course, currently plays for Nice, who are owned by Ineos, meaning he has plenty of knowledge of United co-owner Ratcliffe and Ineos sporting director Brailsford.

Offering an insight into what they’re like in the world of football, he told the Mail:

“They bring a winning mentality. They changed a lot of things. They give us a comfort so there is a mood around the team to allow the team to succeed. They put a lot of importance on being around the players, to give them the opportunity to have the best performance they can. Sir Jim — he speaks and jokes with the players. And then there’s Dave. For Dave, every detail is important. He talks a lot about that, all he thinks about is performance. His experience in cycling means he knows a lot about sporting performance. People say you can’t transfer cycling to football but it’s the same thing. If you have 11 players just thinking about their performance and how everything around them can improve their performance it’s the same. If you have 11 players performing to 100 per cent of their capacity it’s going to give you a better chance to win trophies.”

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According to a report by CaughtOffside, United are ‘weighing up’ a bid for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.

United have earmarked the Everton centre-back as one of their leading transfer targets ahead of this summer’s window and have been monitoring him for some time. It is now reported that United are ‘weighing up’ an opening bid ‘in the region of £55m-£60million’.

He excelled for Everton this season, playing a key role in their successful fight against relegation. He has also been linked with several other big-name clubs, including Manchester City and Real Madrid.

According to a report by Mundo Deportivo, United have ‘declared interest’ in RB Leipzig attacking-midfielder Dani Olmo ahead of this summer’s transfer window.

Olmo, 26, is being heavily linked with a move to Spanish side Barcelona ahead of the window opening for business on June 14. He scored eight goals in 25 games this season and reportedly has a £51million release clause in his contract that is active until mid-July.

Along with United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Bayern Munich are all said to be ‘keeping tabs’ on him.

Former United defender and Barcelona legend Gerard Pique has urged Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS to decide whether or not Erik ten Hag is the right manager for the next few years rather than just the final year of his contract.

Pique has told talkSPORT that INEOS should be looking long-term with Ten Hag when concluding whether he stays or goes”

“I think that the board of United really needs to understand what they want for the club in the next few years and really if they believe in Ten Hag or not. They need to make the decision. Well, it’s tough to say really [if he should leave or not] because it’s true that they won the cup. At the same time, it’s also true that they are not fighting for the Premier League which I think at some point, has to be one of the objectives of Manchester United.”

Wayne Rooney has backed Kobbie Mainoo to star in midfield ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold at this summer’s European Championship.

Speaking on The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet, Rooney said:

“I have watched Trent play there a few times in midfield and I think you lose a lot of his qualities. I think his delivery is incredible. Of course, he picks passes from midfield but I think he has to fight it out. I know Kyle is the best right-back in the world at the minute but I think midfield is such an important position. I would play Mainoo before Trent in midfield, 100 per cent. It’s not that he’s not good in there. You see it against Everton the other week. Some of his passes he is hitting are incredible and it’s probably only Becks who hits them similar to him. But to play in midfield, that discipline you need from a defensive point of view, especially when you come up against the bigger teams. I think he will get found out a bit.”

Argentina under-23s coach Javier Mascherano has reportedly asked if United forward Alejandro Garnacho can be part of his squad for this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris.

The South American side are one of 16 teams competing in this summer’s games and, according to TNT Sports Argentina, want 19-year-old Garnacho to join them. However, it is claimed that Mascherano is still waiting to find out if Garnacho will be available for selection.

Argentina face games against Morocco and Ukraine between July 24 and July 30. Meanwhile, United’s pre-season campaign begins against Rosenborg on July 15.

Erik ten Hag’s future is still up in the air, but for how long?

That satisfying FA Cup win last weekend has arguably created more questions than answers when it comes to the Dutchman’s future, while injuries have played a big part in United’s miserable season. But it’s undeniable that INEOS have been exploring alternatives to Ten Hag, and the quality of potential successors could well be a factor in the upcoming decision.

There’s a suggestion the final decision could be communicated on a quiet day this week, while it could even drag into next week, as Samuel Luckhurst discusses.

Read the full story here.

Hello and welcome along to Thursday’s United live blog.

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