Hello and welcome the Manchester Evening News' dedicated Manchester United live blog. It continues to be a busy time for Erik ten Hag as he prepares to take on Liverpool overnight.
He was hit by a big blow earlier this week after it was confirmed that the injuries to Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund would leave the club without two of their young stars for the first weeks of the new season. Transfer plans will not change, however.
Even before signing Yoro this summer, United were open to signing three central defenders, and that stance remains the same. Two bids to sign Jarrad Branthwaite have been rejected and personal terms have been verbally agreed with Matthijs de Ligt.
United are also optimistic about signing De Ligt's Bayern Munich teammate Noussair Mazraoui to replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka, with plans to sell the defender to West Ham United. Victor Lindelof is another player the club are looking to sell.
A third offer from Fulham for Scott McTominay has also recently been received. United must first move on a midfielder before being able to bring another in, with Paris Saint-Germain's Manuel Ugarte their favoured target.
Adrien Rabiot has emerged as another possible midfield target as well with Joao Neves on his way to PSG. We'll have all of this and much more throughout the day, don't go anywhere!
Keep across all the latest Manchester United transfer news in our live blog below.
Tom Coley
And that's all!
You can head over to our match blog for full coverage of United vs Liverpool by clicking here >>>
We'll be back tomorrow with all the United transfer news you need.
Matthew Abbott
Beier blow
Borussia Dortmund have been credited with an interest in Maximilian Beier as Niclas Fullkrug is set to sign for West Ham United.
BILD reports that the Hoffenheim forward is available for around £25 million, which would be covered by what Dortmund receive for their centre-forward. However, it is acknowledged that there is interest in Beier from several clubs, with United previously being linked with the player.
Things could seemingly move quickly as he is said to want a decision on his future to be made this coming week. That could coincide with Fullkrug leaving Dortmund, with West Ham wanting to formalise that deal this weekend.
Tom Coley
Berge watch
United could turn to Burnley midfielder Sander Berge if they fail to sign Manuel Ugarte.
It is said that the Danish anchor is some way down the list of options but he might become a mainstream target if other deals aren't possible.
Berge is keen to leave Turf Moor after being relegated under Vincent Kompany last season. He impressed when at Sheffield United in the Premier League previously.
Tom Coley
Araujo anger
Barcelona defender, and United-linked star, Ronald Araujo is reportedly unhappy with Barcelona after plans to consider leaving him unregistered until January were leaked.
The player is yet to sign a new deal at Camp Nou and has been reportedly a target for plenty of top clubs this summer.
Barca may not put him in their La Liga squad for the new season though due to injury and he is said to have been angered by the decision and is once more open to leaving.
Could this let United in for one of their possible centre-back signings?
Tom Coley
Liverpool build-up
You can follow all the build-up from the Williams-Brice Stadium with Samuel Luckhurst here.
We'll have reaction, live updates, team news, Ten Hag bits, and more from the ground in America.
Please do hang around here though, where all the United news and transfer updates will be until 11pm tonight (UK time).
Tom Coley
Amrabat U-turn
Fiorentina are looking to get rid of Sofyan Amrabat this summer.
It is reported that he will not make their pre-season squad for upcoming friendlies and that he has even been doing solo sessions rather than working with his teammates.
The player is thought to be open to a return to Old Trafford (not that United themselves seem to be up for it) and his current employers are after £17million.
Tom Coley
Also on Mainoo
After covering the news earlier that he is set to be in talks over a new contract with United, he went a step further and confirmed a deal has been agreed...with Nike!
It's the biggest partnership of his career to date and comes after he had a photo shoot with the sportswear giants earlier this year.
Posting on Instagram from the Nije HQ, Mainoo also posed in the centre of a pitch with the Nike tick logo and 'LA' written underneath as a promotion for this huge deal.
Read the full story, here.
Tom Coley
Mainoo return
Well, sort of.
Kobbie Mainoo has dropped in to see his United teammates during pre-season despite still being on holiday.
He is expected to join up with Ten Hag and the squad next week but has been relaxing in LA recently.
It's reported that he called in at the University of California campus ahead of the Liverpool clash to watch the sessions.
Tom Coley
How to watch the game
United are playing Liverpool at 00:45 BST on Sunday morning, or 7:45 pm local time. It is said to be a 7:30 pm kick-off elsewhere, but the club's preview confirms the later time.
The friendly is available for subscribers to the club's television channel, MUTV. Fans can tune in via Sky TV (Sky channel 418), Virgin Media (Virgin channel 526), the United App or ManUtd.com.
MEN Sport will also have a dedicated live blog featuring pre-match coverage, goal updates and post-match reaction and analysis.
Tom Coley
Pereira snubs United
Former United attacker Andreas Pereira has opened up on exiting Old Trafford.
I think it was the best decision [leaving United] I made in my life. To come to live and play here, to enjoy my football, to get back into the national team with great players, to enjoy my football in the Premier League, leaving is the best decision I made.
The time I was there, I really enjoyed being at a fantastic club. But I don’t regret leaving. We [the players in my situation] have this desire to show it was wrong that we didn’t play. With everyone’s help around me [at Fulham], I achieved a great season.
Tom Coley
More on Rabiot's contract
New reports say that Rabiot will demand over £240,000 on a three-year deal in order to sign for a new club this summer.
Due to there not being a transfer fee it seems that the player is looking to cash in on his wages instead.
Milan and Atletico Madrid have been described as not being able to afford the package.
Tom Coley
Wan-Bissaka decision
Wan-Bissaka is debating what move to make this summer after Inter entered the conversation.
The Italian side are reportedly keen to offer an alternative option for the right-back and the player himself is said to be putting serious consideration to it.
He is allegedly open to heading abroad for more game time and has left United waiting to complete an exit as well as then the likely arrival of Mazraoui.
Tom Coley
Injury news
Rashford is a doubt for the game with Antony also picking up a knock against Betis.
Hojlund and Yoro are out whilst Malacia is also away.
On Rashford, Ten Hag said:
"Of course, we don’t take risks in the last game of the tour going into the season next week already.
"We go into an important game and we are still 24 hours after a game. The final assessment we have to make and we will see if they are ready for the game against Liverpool on Saturday."
Tom Coley
Obi-Martin agreement
Sky Sports just catching up here. They report that United have agreed a deal to sign Chido Obi-Martin.
The teenager left Arsenal earlier this summer and is set to join the Carrington academy.
He had offers from Germany and beyond after announcing himself as one of the young players to watch. It's likely he'll join a treble-winning Under-18 side despite being just 16.
Tom Coley
Galatasaray dreams shattered
Galatasaray can not afford to sign Scott McTominay this summer after United put a £30million price tag on the midfielder.
The Turkish side had shown concrete interest, according to TeamTalk, but they not believe a deal is impossible due to the total package being almost double what they can now afford.
United are holding out over a deal here and in fact it is Kalvin Phillips that could be the alternative to McTominay for Galatasaray.
Tom Coley
Chiesa discussions
Chiesa is keen on a move to the Premier League and would welcome United to make an offer this summer, reports in Italy state.
The player has been actively offered out to clubs across Europe but is drawn to the Premier League.
Tottenham, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal, have all been linked as well.
United cannot give Champions League football like their rivals but that may not matter if he gives his word.
Tom Coley
Arsenal eye Rabiot hijack
Arsenal could push United for a transfer of former Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot.
It has been claimed that talks with the Red Devils are already scheduled for next week but now, with Arsenal closing in on their own midfield signing in Mikel Merino, they could dip in to pick up Rabiot as well.
TeamTalk say that Arsenal are now strong contenders for the Frenchman and that Real Madrid and Atletico are also keeping tabs.
He would like to play in the Premier League though, and the financial might of United and Arsenal puts them in a good position.
Tom Coley
New contracts
United are in talks to give Amad and Mainoo new deals, reports suggest.
HITC write that the club are already discussing with the two players' agents the possibility of committing them to the club for the long haul.
This will be intensified after the tour of America finishes. Amad, in particular, is key here with his deal ending next summer (plus an option of another year) and the club don't want it to run down.
Tom Coley
A quick recap
Here's what's been on the agenda so far today:
- Joao Neves set to sign for PSG
- United want Joan Martinez
- Neuer opens up on De Ligt
- De Gea pricing himself out of new club deals
- Bayer Leverkusen drop Tah asking price
- Pogba speaks out
- Mazraoui medical booked
- Rabiot talks planned for next week
- Zirkzee interview
Tom Coley
Good afternoon
Tom Coley here to take you through all the latest Manchester United news, transfer stories, and initial build-up for facing Liverpool overnight.
Here are some of the top headlines so far today:
Matthew Abbott
Zirkzee on Kompany
Joshua Zirkzee has spoken to the Mirror about how Vincent Kompany helped his development.
At Anderlecht, under the wings of Kompany, I took some significant steps forward during that season. Things went so much better for me. In my time at Bayern, I wasn't that player. There I was too much in awe.
I should have believed in myself more. Back then I thought I was okay, but now I have a different mentality. I don't know how else to explain it. I think back then I wasn't even half the player I am now.
I thought I was good enough to become Bayern's first striker right away, but I wasn't ready for that at all. It was very good that I took a step back to find out what it really takes to succeed at the top.
Matthew Abbott
Pedro Neto on future
Pedro Neto has claimed he is happy at Wolves amid significant transfer speculation about the player's future.
The Express & Star reports that Neto was asked whether he is staying at the club this season during an event to launch Wolves' new away kit.
I love this club, I’m really happy to be here and take this team to another level
So far this summer the winger has been linked with several Premier League clubs, including United. Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have also been credited with an interest in the Portugal international who still has three years remaining on his contract.
Matthew Abbott
Rabiot talks 'next week'
United will reportedly hold fresh talks with Adrien Rabiot's representatives next week on the back of engaging in discussions earlier this summer.
CaughtOffside claims Arsenal and Liverpool have also been in discussions over signing the midfielder. It is said that Rabiot, 29, wants a three-year contract and wages of at least £160,000 per week.
Those salary demands are why the former Juventus player seems desired for the Premier League, especially as Real Madrid have reputedly turned down the chance to sign him. Atletico Madrid are also credited with an interest but appear unlikely to compete with Premier League wage offers.
Matthew Abbott
United transfer holes emerge after £150m triple blow to Ten Hag plan
Manchester United will start this season with at least the best part of £150 million worth of players unavailable for selection.
The absence of Tyrell Malacia was perhaps to be expected as the player continues rehabilitating from two rounds of knee surgery. But the news of Leny Yoro fracturing the fifth metatarsal in his left foot is a bitter blow, no matter how hard United try to treat it as a positive.
Both defenders will be out until October. That is the month after Rasmus Hojlund is set to return after six weeks on the sideline with a hamstring injury.
Read the full story here
Matthew Abbott
Mazraoui medical 'booked'
United have reportedly booked Noussair Mazraoui's medical for Tuesday as manager Erik ten Hag wants the player to feature in the Community Shield against Manchester City next weekend.
Foot Mercato reports that the right-back will fly out to make the move over the coming days. It is said that the deal is almost done after Bayern Munich gave Mazraoui the green light to join United.
As has been widely reported, the player will sign a five-year contract with the option to extend the deal for a further season. Mazraoui is reputedly waiting to make the move to reunite with Erik ten Hag.
Matthew Abbott
Mazraoui movement?
Fabrizio Romano has teased that there is an update coming on Noussair Mazraoui moving to United after quoting a post from last night about the deal with a red circle emoji, the eyes emoji and an emoji of the Morrocan flag.
It comes hours after reports that United are ready to sign the Bayern Munich player as soon as Aaron Wan-Bissaka moves on. It is claimed that West Ham have yet to give up on signing the defender and are instead attempting to advance a deal with the player and United.
That is despite the east London club wanting to formalise deals for Crysencio Summerville, Guido Rodriguez and Niclas Fullkrug this weekend.
Matthew Abbott
Pogba breaks silence
Paul Pogba has spoken to Forbes as the former United player waits to appeal a four-year ban from football for failing a drug test 12 months ago.
“It's difficult to be totally honest. Football has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. However, I have my family, my faith, my friends, and my fans who have supported me, which makes things easier. All will be well. Although I can’t speak so much about this, all roads lead to the appeal date. Until then, my focus is on staying fit and looking forward to the appeal.”
Matthew Abbott
Tah update
Bayer Leverkusen have reportedly dropped their asking price for defender Jonathan Tah.
Sky Sport reports that after wanting around £30/£35 million, a deal could now conceivably be done for around £25.5m, with £4m of that figure being add-ons. Bayern Munich have offered £17m plus a further £4m in add-ons, and the Germany international has reputedly reiterated that he wants to join them sooner rather than later.
Tah is in the final 12 months of his contract and insists he will not sign a new one. United have been linked with the centre-back, but he will seemingly be Bayern's replacement for Matthijs de Ligt.
Matthew Abbott
Bayern defender breaks silence on future
Kim Min-jae claims he has not considered leaving Bayern Munich this summer 12 months after being heavily linked with United.
I haven't thought for a second about leaving this great club. My goal is to help the team as much as possible, work hard, and improve
The Reds have since turned their attention to his teammate Matthijs de Ligt, agreeing personal terms with the Netherlands international. However, the defender speaking publicly about his future to Sky Germany at this stage only makes it more likely that De Ligt will leave the German giants over the next month despite Bayern reportedly turning down an opening bid from United.
Matthew Abbott
De Gea 'demands'
David de Gea is reportedly pricing himself out of signing for a new club with his wage demands.
TEAMtalk reports that the long-time United goalkeeper wants to be paid at least £80,000 a week in wages and those figures have held up a move to Genoa despite talks reputedly taking place. Fiorentina are also said to consider spending such sums on the former Spain international 'unacceptable' after approaching the player.
It is claimed that multiple Spanish clubs have done similar before coming to the same conclusion. The report adds that two Saudi Pro League clubs, including Al-Shabab, have held talks with De Gea's agents, but no deal is considered close.
