Man Utd takeover news LIVE: Sir Jim Ratcliffe to get final say on transfers, Hannibal NOT going to Afcon – updates
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NEW Manchester United shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe will get veto powers over any transfers made in January - even though his takeover will not be rubber-stamped until February.
Sir Dave Brailsford was in attendance as the club overturned a 2-0 deficit at home to Aston Villa to win 3-2.
Hannibal Mejbri could be the next out of the door, with the Tunisia international - who will not be playing at Afcon - set for a loan switch with Germany a likely destination.
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Hannibal chooses United over AFCON
Hannibal Mejbri has picked to fight for his spot at Man Utd over representing Tunisia at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The midfielder, 20, was surprisingly not in their squad for the tournament.
And manager Jalel Kadri said: "Hannibal told me that he did not feel ready for the African Cup of Nations because he is going through an important situation at his club."
Credit: Reuters Main Man
Kobbie Mainoo has been praised by Premier League cult hero Charlie Adam.
He said: “I watched him last season in the EFL Trophy against Fleetwood Town and he was unbelievable.
“I know it’s against League One opposition but he was running the game. For me, you could see the personality and you need that if you’re going to be playing for Manchester United.
“The trust he has from the first team group, they know he is going to be a top player.
"Erik ten Hag knows he’s got a top player on his hands but he just needs to know when to play him or take him out because youngsters will have dips.
“To come in and play for Manchester United when they’re going through a rough time, really highlights his attitude and the mentality that he has.”
Knock on the Dor
Manchester United youngster Dan Gore is attracting interest from Borussia Dortmund, according to reports.
The 19-year-old has featured twice for the first-team this season.
But Dortmund are preparing a January bid for the midfielder.
The German club have supposedly been tracking him for while.
United star not heading to AFCON
Hannibal Mejbri has been left out of Tunisia's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Manchester United midfielder is instead set to seal a loan move away from Old Trafford.
A trio of European clubs have already been linked with Mejbri ahead of the window reopening on Monday.
The 20-year-old has been capped 27 times by his country and was part of their squad for last year's World Cup.
United's next five
Manchester United face a favourable run of matches in the coming weeks.
Following their Boxing Day win over Aston Villa, the Red Devils visit Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
An FA Cup third round tie against League One Wigan is then followed by the visit of Tottenham six days later on January 14.
United will then take on Wolves and West Ham at the start of February.
Onana off to AFCON
Andre Onana has been called up by Cameroon for the Africa Cup of Nations.
The goalkeeper could miss as many as six matches for Manchester United during the tournament.
Cameroon kick-off their campaign against Guinea on January 15.
The Indomitable Lions could keep hold of Onana until February 11 if they make it all the way to the final in the Ivory Coast.
Sevilla keen on United star
Sevilla are keen on signing Hannibal Mejbri on loan in January.
The Manchester United midfielder is expected to be loaned out after being left out of Tunisia’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
, Sevilla are one of a number of European clubs eyeing Mejbri.
Lyon and Freiburg have also been linked with a move for the 20-year-old.
United handed transfer boost
Inter Milan could be forced into a January fire sale, including a Manchester United target.
According to , the Italian giants' financial issues are on the brink of bankruptcy and need to sell players to stay afloat.
The report adds that former United target Marcus Thuram is one of those player and the Red Devils may choose to come in for again.
Thuram has scored eight goals and provided 10 assists since joining Inter in the summer.
Berbatov suggests United signing
Manchester United should sign Joshua Kimmich, according to Dimitar Berbatov.
The former striker has urged his old club to move for the Bayern Munich star.
He told : "Going forward with the takeover, I wonder how brave Man United will be in the transfer market. Joshua Kimmich is being linked, but he's such an important player for Bayern Munich.
"Can I see him leaving Bayern and coming to United in the January transfer window? I don't think that will happen.
"Maybe we can speak about this transfer in the summer, but he's someone who is highly regarded at his current club. With Casemiro's injuries and form, maybe United are going to look for a replacement.
"Let's not forget about Scott McTominay though, he's there and playing well, but if Casemiro is not going to be counted on to continue to play because of his age and injuries, then of course, you need to buy someone to replace him.
"Kimmich is someone who fits perfectly in that position, but does he want to leave Bayern? That's going to be a tough decision."
Onana wants AFCON delay
Andre Onana is hoping to delay his release from Manchester United for the Africa Cup of Nations.
The goalkeeper has been included in Cameroon's squad for the tournament, which gets underway on January 13.
Although Onana plans to take part, report that he wants to limit his time away from Old Trafford.
The report claims he intends to skip their warm-up match against Zambia in order to play in the FA Cup third round on January 8.
Credit: Getty Ten Hag 'must resolve' Sancho row
Dwight Yorke has urged Erik ten Hag to resolve his feud with Jadon Sancho.
The winger has not played since August after being banished from the Manchester United first-team squad.
Yorke has now claimed the row could cause negativity in the dressing room.
Speaking to , he explained: "The manager has to sort those situations out and he needs to do what he needs to do to make sure he saves his own back and is not embarrassed."
United transfer blow
Manchester United have suffered a blow in their hopes of signing Benfica's Joao Neves.
The Red Devils have been long-term admirers of the 19-year-old midfielder.
However, report that Neves is now in talks with Benfica over a new contract.
As part of the new deal, his release clause is set to increase from £104million to £130million.
Bayern Munich willing to make an offer for Varane
Bayern Munich are prepared to make an opening offer to Manchester United for Raphael Varane, according to the Daily Mail.
Varane has fallen down the pecking order at Manchester United and at one point found himself below Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire.
He has come back into the team in recent weeks, but United would be prepared to sell should the right offer come in.
Credit: Getty Bologna pour cold water on Zirkzee links
Bologna’s sporting director Marco Di Vaio has played down forward’s links with Manchester United in an interview with Gazzetta Dello Sport.
He said: “The release clause is only valid for Bayern — and in January our top players will not move.
“How many phone calls have we received? None. And we wouldn’t answer anyway”
He joined Bologna from Bayern in August 2022.
Credit: Rex Vermeeren would ‘reject’ United
Arthur Vermeeren has claimed that he would turn down a move to Manchester United in January in order to stay at Royal Antwerp.
He told Het Nieuwsblad: “Yes (whether he has seen the Man United links).
“Then you get the articles forwarded or my brothers will come with it. The youngest (sibling), in particular, is always very enthusiastic. He reads everything and believes everything immediately!
“Maybe that’s normal at that age. but then I tell him that not everything that appears in the newspapers or online is true. All I know is, if my lawyers haven’t told me about it, it won’t be concrete yet.
“There are so many scenarios to take into account because, suppose you sign somewhere and are loaned out, but then the coach leaves… Then you suddenly find yourself with another coach who may not want you. We’ll see what happens. But I want to finish the season here anyway.”
Credit: Rex
United target defender
Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Giorgio Scalvini.
The Atalanta defender is highly rated in the Serie A and has picked up interest from United.
However, United face a fight to sign him as Atalanta want to keep hold of him and beat Real Madrid to his signature.
Ten hag ‘optimistic’ over future
Erik ten Hag has insisted that he is optimistic about the future of Manchester United following the arrival of investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
He said: “We are optimists. We were kept informed during the whole process so we knew what was going on.
“It’s very good and I’m looking forward to working with them. It’s very positive for Manchester United, I know.
“For now, we were focusing on the game and to get the win. For our season, it was so important that we bounced back and showed character.
“That’s very important for this team to get a base we can build on.”
"One of the best days of my life"
United star Alejandro Garnacho has said that his role in United's 3-2 comeback win against Aston Villa was "One of the greatest days of my life".
The tricky winger scored two to spearhead United coming back into the game.
He said afterwards: "I said in the changing room we need to get back into the game. We never give up. I’m happy for Hojlund to score his first Premier League goal.”
Fernandes on Hojlund
United captain Bruno Fernandes has had his say on Rasmus Hojlund after he scored his first Premier League goal.
He said after the game: "He's eager to score, we want him to have confidence, and he knows there is pressure and attention. We really need him.
"He knows he will have pressure, he plays for one of the biggest clubs on the planet."
Van Persie reveals why he was in stands against Villa
Robin van Persie has revealed why he was in the stands against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
He told MUTV: "Obviously, it was a bit of a coincidence that I'm here now with my wife and friends.
"When I looked at the schedule I was like if I can pick that game, I will pick that game because of course our sort of shared memories we have against Villa."
Credit: Action Images - Reuters Mejbri not going to AFCON
Fabrizio Romano reports that United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri will not be playing for Tunisia at AFCON next month.
The midfielder will instead stay in Manchester while he looks to secure a loan to play first-team football.
Sevilla, Lyon and Freiburg are all interested in bringing him in on a loan deal.
Meanwhile, United are looking to extend his contract.
Credit: Getty
Martial to be offered in swap deal
Manchester United forward Anthony Martial is set to be offered to Inter Milan as part of a swap deal, according to reports.
Gazzetta Dello Sport report that Martial is wanted as back up at Inter and Federico Dimarco could be offered in a deal.
United value Dimarco at £50million so would be expecting money as well as the forward.
Onana called up to Cameroon squad
Andre Onana has been called up to the Cameroon squad amid rumours he would not play in the tournament.
That means United could be without the keeper for the majority of January.
Altay Bayandir is expected to deputise in Onana's absence.
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Garnacho gives options
Alejandro Garnacho’s influential performance against Aston Villa from the right wing has given Erik ten Hag another option for his frontline.
Ten Hag has needed another option on the right after Jadon Sancho’s exile and Antony’s poor form.
With Garnacho potentially moving to the right, it would allow Marcus Rashford to play on his favoured left side.
Ten Hag said: “I think we did it previously as well, and then he was almost more comfortable on the left.
“But yeah, I think he can play on the right as well. And, today, I think he was from that right side, over 90 minutes, absolutely a threat, and scored twice.
“But I think the whole frontline played very good, and invested so lot runs behind, and the timings were so good, and I think it was continually a threat for the opponent.”
Credit: Getty
