Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Antony ANNOUNCED by United, Sergino Dest and Wan-Bissaka SWAP, Hakimi enquiry – updates

Man Utd's Europa League fixtures

The dates and times for Manchester United's Europa League fixtures have been announced and are as follows:

• 8 Sep - 21:00 Manchester United - Real Sociedad de Fútbol
• 15 Sep - 18:45 FC Sheriff Tiraspol - Manchester United
• 6 Oct - 18:45 Omonoia FC - Manchester United
• 13 Oct - 21:00 Manchester United - Omonoia FC
• 27 Oct - 21:00 Manchester United - FC Sheriff Tiraspol
• 3 Nov - 18:45 Real Sociedad de Fútbol - Manchester United

Their first Europa League tie will be at home to Spanish opposition Real Sociedad, but they will then face two long distance away trips to Sheriff and Omonoia after that.

Casemiro debut pending?

Manchester United fans will be eagerly awaiting their lineups being released in a little over two hours time, with fans already speculating on Casemiro making his debut for the club today.

The Brazilian defensive midfielder is expected to start after Erik Ten Hag confirmed his availability for the game in yesterday's press conference.

Manchester United's midfield has been a weakness for a few years now, and it looks that they have finally got their man to hold it down.

It is unclear at the moment, but he is likely to start in the same lone number 6 position that he did for Real Madrid, with Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes most likely to accompany him in the middle of the park.

Ronaldo and Osimhen swap deal

Cristiano Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes is reportedly trying to negotiate a swap deal with his client and Napoli talisman Victor Osihmen.

Ronaldo, 37, is determined to cut ties with Manchester United this summer and has been snubbed by several clubs.

And Italian journalist Gianluca DiMarzio claims that Napoli are willing to take the Portuguese icon off their hands if they can stump up £85 million.

However, Osimhen's agent has revealed that he has heard nothing yet about this potential deal.

Good morning Man Utd fans 

Raphael Varane was put on a special training program to transform him into an ‘immense’ centre-back.

Despite being a four-time Champions League winner at Real Madrid, boss Erik ten Hag felt the Frenchman needed to bulk up to be a hit in the Premier League.

That led to his delayed start to the campaign — with Varane only coming off the bench into Manchester United’s starting line-up for Monday’s win over Liverpool.

“We’re happy we built him in that way and you see when the team needed him, he was  there.

“His profile, his stature and what he has won already in the past shows he can really contribute to his team.”

Meanwhile transfer target Antony has begged Ajax to let him leave amid United's interest.

He said: "I'm not asking Ajax to release me, I'm asking Ajax to sell me with the highest bid ever for Eredivisie player.

"I've been insisting on this theme since February so that the club could rebuild the team with peace of mind."

Ant happy

Antony has begged Ajax to let him leave for Old Trafford.

The Red Devils have had a £76million bid rejected for the winger, with his club determined to hold on to him.

But the Brazilian is determined to leave before Thursday's transfer deadline and is trying to force his way out.

In an explosive interview with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Antony revealed all about how he has spent all summer trying to leave Amsterdam.

He said: "Since February of this year, my agents came to Amsterdam to inform Ajax of my desire to leave the club to face new a challenge and that some interested clubs would arrive and with them, certainly a great offer.

"In June of this year, I interrupted my vacation and came personally to inform the managers of Ajax, including new coach, about my wish to leave and that they should consider this possibility, because it was a project for two seasons.

"During the window months, meetings continued and I also received a proposal from Ajax for contract renewal.

"I made it clear once again: I want to leave."

Var va voom

Raphael Varane was put on a special training program to transform him into an ‘immense’ centre-back.

Despite being a four-time Champions League winner at Real Madrid, boss Erik ten Hag felt the Frenchman needed to bulk up to be a hit in the Premier League.

That led to his delayed start to the campaign — with Varane only coming off the bench into Manchester United’s starting line-up for Monday’s win over Liverpool.

Ten Hag explained: “Varane’s stature is immense and in pre-season we took a decision to build him physically, so that he had a bit of a slow start.

“We’re happy we built him in that way and you see when the team needed him, he was there.

“His profile, his stature and what he has won already in the past shows he can really contribute to his team.”

Jan of the moment

West Ham are in talks with Adnan Januzaj over a free transfer, according to reports.

The Belgian ace is without a club after leaving Real Sociedad at the end of last season.

Januzaj, 27, played under Hammers boss David Moyes at Manchester United and Sunderland - and the pair could be set for a third spell together.

According to talkSPORT, West Ham have opened negotiations with Januzaj's representatives.

The winger was handed his Man United debut by Moyes and went on to play 63 times for the Red Devils.

United travel to south coast

Manchester United will be hoping to build on Monday’s win against Liverpool when they face Southampton at St Mary’s tomorrow lunchtime – and could do it by reaching a special landmark.

United have registered 98 goals against the Saints in the Premier League, and need just two more to bring up a century of strikes.

The first of those came 30 years ago this week when an 89th minute effort from Dion Dublin earned the Red Devils a 1-0 victory at the Dell.

Top of the flops

After Arsenal agreed to farm out Nicolas Pepe on loan to Nice, an extraordinary pattern of transfer activity was completed this summer.

It meant that Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and the Gunners have all allowed their club-record signings — who cost a combined £313.5million — to depart without a single penny being recouped in transfer fees.

There is little surprise that those four members of England’s ‘Big Six’ have been left trailing in the wake of Manchester City and Liverpool in recent seasons, with such haphazard and shambolic recruitment.

And no wonder that clubs on the continent talk of ‘stupid English money’, knowing they can fleece filthy-rich Premier League sides in the market.

First, United’s £89m man Paul Pogba was allowed to leave Old Trafford for Juventus on a free — for a second time — after a largely miserable six-year spell for the French World Cup winner.

Then Chelsea sent £97.5m Romelu Lukaku back to Inter Milan, after a single season at Stamford Bridge, for a modest loan fee of £7m — so desperate was Thomas Tuchel to get the big Belgian striker out of the building.

Last week, Spurs loaned their most expensive recruit, Tanguy Ndombele — a £55m buy from Lyon in 2019 — to Napoli. There is an option, but no obligation, for the Italian club to buy the French midfielder next summer.

And Pepe’s loan move to Nice completes the set.

Case Amor

Casemiro is likely to come straight into Manchester United's line-up for Saturday's away trip to Southampton.

The Brazilian, 30, has been granted a work permit and is reportedly set to make his debut against the Saints.

Erik Ten Hag will have been delighted by his side's performance against Liverpool at Old Trafford as they beat their rivals 2-1 on Monday night.

Having lost their opening two Premier League games, the Dutch gaffer made a number of changes and tactical tweaks to face the Reds.

Tyrell Malacia was brought in at left-back ahead of Luke Shaw, while Raphael Varane was recalled to the starting XI at the expense of Harry Maguire.

Anthony Elanga was also given his first start of the new top-flight season, with Marcus Rashford swapped from left-wing to up top.

And here is how SunSport think United will line up.

Ed's up

Eddie Howe confirmed Manchester United are looking to sign Newcastle star Martin Dubravka.

The Toon boss made his admission with less than a week to go before transfer deadline day.

However, Dubravka has emerged as their new top target after he dropped down Newcastle’s pecking order following the signing of Nick Pope from Burnley.

Dubravka, 33, has made 130 appearances in five seasons for the Magpies, and is regarded as one of the Premier League’s best stoppers.

Toon boss Howe now admits that United have entered transfer talks to sign the Slovakian ace.

However, a bid is yet to be accepted by Newcastle as Howe looks to keep hold of Dubravka.

And the player himself has not held talks with the Red Devils over personal terms.

Howe declared: “He’s not in talks with Man United but there has been contact with the clubs.

“Those will continue but I’m reluctant to lose him. It’s a decision that’s out of my hands really.”

Up the Ant-e

Ajax have reportedly rejected a new £76million bid from Manchester United for Antony.

Fabrizio Romano claims the offer was submitted by Erik ten Hag's side on Friday.

However, the Dutchman's former club believe the fee is not enough and have snubbed it.

Over to Blue

Harry Maguire has been urged by World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit to swap Manchester United for Chelsea this summer.

The former Arsenal and Blues midfielder believes that the 29-year-old is "destroyed mentally" at Old Trafford following his struggles at the club.

After disappointing in the Red Devils' defeats against Brighton and Brentford, Erik ten Hag decided to drop the ex-Leicester man for Monday's 2-1 win over Liverpool.

United legend Patrice Evra believes the current United skipper may have to be moved on having struggled to live up to his £85million transfer fee.

A switch to Chelsea has been mooted with Thomas Tuchel believed to have identified the player as a possible alternative to Wesley Fofana.

And Petit thinks a change of scenery would be good for Maguire as he stated he must be playing regularly ahead of the upcoming 2022 World Cup.

Petit told Fair Betting Sites: "He needs to take a big decision.

"If he wants to play for Chelsea, that could be good for him. I think he would probably play, because Thiago Silva is aged, and they need a central defender.

"I think it’s a win-win position for Chelsea and Maguire. If I am Maguire, I would leave Manchester United."

Ryan Giggs update

Ryan Giggs will have to wait until at least Tuesday to discover his fate after jurors were sent home for the Bank Holiday weekend.

The Manchester United legend, 48, is accused of butting his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville, 38, and coercively controlling her over three years.

He is also charged with assaulting her sister Emma, 26, on the same night.

He was arrested at his £1.7million mansion in Worsley, Gtr Manchester, on November 1, 2020.

The jury went out to begin considering its verdict on Tuesday.

They were sent home today for the long weekend - meaning Giggs will have to wait until at least Tuesday for a verdict.

Max power

Allan Saint-Maximin is going NOWHERE, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has said.

But speculation surrounding his future isn’t going away and Betfair have the tricky winger at 2/1 to sign for Tottenham.

Reports from France claimed Manchester United might be about to test the water and take a gamble on the winger to help bolster their attacking options.

Chelsea are next best in the betting at 7/2 after they were strongly linked with a move earlier this summer.

They have brought in Raheem Sterling who can play in the wide positions but have offloaded Timo Werner and others could follow.

Arsenal know a thing or two about tricky French players that play out wide and Betfair have them at 11/2 to strike a deal for Saint-Maximin.

While you can get 9/1 on a return home to France with Nice or Monaco, while Barcelona are given the same odds.

Case in point

Casemiro said he idolised Paul Scholes growing up after taking the club legend's No18 shirt at Man Utd.

Man Utd's club website asked him which midfielders he has looked up to during his career, to which he replied: "Well, there are many players.

"I think there are players that you remember in your life. So, in terms of idols in this position my idol growing up was always [Zinedine] Zidane, [but] here at Manchester United, it was always Paul Scholes.

"He’s a player that was small but he got stuck in, he was a fighter, he gave everything on the pitch.

"His passing over 50 to 70 metres was incredible. Manchester United have always [had] good players in that position.

"[Michael] Carrick was also a great player so I think that Manchester United have always had good players in that position and in midfield.

"The little guy [Scholes] was very good and what I loved about him when he played was that he was small but he went in hard and fair."

Schole work

Casemiro will wear the number 18 shirt at Old Trafford.

The former Real Madrid midfielder, 30, was signed by the Red Devils for £70million and unveiled in front of the supporters before their win over Liverpool on Monday night.

And it has now been revealed that he will take the No18 jersey - a shirt worn for more than a decade by club legend Paul Scholes.

Since the England midfielder left United for the first time in 2011, Ashley Young and Bruno Fernandes have also gone on to be No18 for the Red Devils.

But Fernandes switched to the No8 this summer, leaving 18 free for Casemiro.

Playing for keeps

Manchester United’s move for Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is understood to be a loan with an option to buy.

Fabrizio Romano reports that the Red Devils have asked the St James’ Park club to take the Slovakian stopper for an initial 12 months to act as back-up for David de Gea.

United also want to include a clause to make the move permanent next year for a fee of £5m.

The Magpies are now deciding whether to accept the proposal.

United travel to south coast

Manchester United will be hoping to build on Monday's win against Liverpool when they face Southampton at St Mary's tomorrow lunchtime - and could do it by reaching a special landmark.

United have registered 98 goals against the Saints in the Premier League, and need just two more to bring up a century of strikes.

The first of those came 30 years ago this week when an 89th minute effort from Dion Dublin earned the Red Devils a 1-0 victory at the Dell.

Spirit special after Liverpool win

Erik ten Hag has admitted that the mood inside the Manchester United camp is markedly different to this time last Friday.

Ahead of last weekend, the United players were still licking their wounds following their 4-0 humbling at Brentford.

However, one week on and an impressive home victory over rivals Liverpool later, and the mood has improved spectacularly.

"The spirit was already good, but now it is even better. But it's only one game so we have to build further. We have to develop and I think everyone is aware of that," Ten Hag told the gathered press pack.

"As I said before the game, Liverpool – especially last year – are the best playing football team in the world, and when you beat them it must give a lot of confidence.

"[Southampton will be] a different challenge so I'm really curious. Did we learn the lesson from Brentford? Because this will be more or less the same approach."

Martial to miss Saints trip

Anthony Martial will not be available for Manchester United's visit to Southampton this weekend.

Manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that the French forward has picked up an achilles injury, and will miss the clash on the south coast as a precaution.

Martial only returned as a substitute in Monday's victory over Liverpool, having sat out the opening two games of the campaign with a hamstring issue.

It's another blow for the 26-year-old, who really impressed for the Red Devils in pre-season.

";I hope he will be available for the next game," Ten Hag said.

Brazilian pair to partner up

Casemiro is expected to make his Manchester United debut at Southampton tomorrow, and could start alongside compatriot Fred in midfield.

And the omens are good for the Red Devils considering their record when playing together for their country.

As Who Scored pointed out on Twitter, the duo have won 13 of 15 Brazil games when playing together, and have kept 11 clean sheets in that period.