Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Manuel Akanji BOOST, Antony twist as rivals join race, De Jong fuming, Ronaldo gives update

United youngsters in squad

Two Manchester United youngsters have earned themselves a place in Erik ten Hag’s squad for their pre-season tour.

The Red Devils are taking on Liverpool in Thailand on Tuesday, before three matches in Australia against Melbourne Victory, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.

They then face Atletico Madrid in Norway, before their final pre-season game against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford on July 31.

And two individuals who have hopes of starting a fruitful career in the first team will be a part of the 28-man squad for the Thailand leg of the tour.

Charlie Savage, 19, son of former Wales international Robbie Savage, is one player who is being given a chance by new boss Ten Hag.

And Zidane Iqbal, 19, will also join the rest of the United squad for the tour

Tomori targeted

Ex-Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori is being surprisingly linked with Man Utd, according to reports in Italy.

Corriere della Sera claim the Red Devils want to bring the England international back to our shores.

The 24-year-old won Serie A with AC Milan last term and enjoyed a remarkable first season at the club.

Haaland ready for United

Man City's blockbuster signing Erling Haaland has already been asked who he's looking forward to facing in the Premier League next season.

His answer was, somewhat, predictable according to Manchester Evening News writer Rich Fay.

Fay tweeted: "Erling Haaland when asked which team he looks forward to playing against the most next season: "I don't like to say the words but…Manchester United."

Fernandes on shirt number choice

Bruno Fernandes has revealed what the No.8 shirt means to him.

Fernandes was handed the shirt number after Juan Mata vacated it when he left the club this summer.

Fernandes was quick to snap up the shirt when Mata left.

And he's explained his deep ties to the number in an interview with the club.

He said: "That shirt means a lot [to me]," Fernandes told MUTV. "There is a history behind that [number] because my father, when he used to be a player, he was playing with a number eight."

Scholes makes Ten Hag dig

Man United legend Paul Scholes has made light of Erik ten Hag's new rules for the club.

Ten Hag's laid down some new laws at Old Trafford which include a ban on personal chefs for players, who are also barred from complaining to their agents.

And Scholes found humour in Ten Hag's rulebook, quipping on social media: "Not sure I would’ve coped without my personal chef and no agent to moan to.”

Tuchel scuppers Ronaldo bid

Man United no longer have to fear Cristiano Ronaldo coming back to haunt them in a Chelsea shirt next season.

That's because Blues boss Thomas Tuchel has reportedly ruled out a move for the attacker, the Mail allege.

Tuchel's rapid fire attack is set to be boosted by Raheem Sterling's arrival from Man City.

And the German tactician fears Ronaldo will slow down his attacking unit, the report adds.

McTominay is optimistic about season

Scott McTominay is relishing the upcoming season with Man United under new boss Erik ten Hag.

The midfielder is looking forward to what lies ahead despite a difficult campaign the last time around.

He said on United Daily: "Now is the time to be optimistic.

"We're really looking forward to what's to come because the way the coaches have presented their ideas to all the players and all the staff is very promising for sure."

Ferdinand gives United transfer tips

Man United legend Rio Ferdinand has given his verdict on who the club should sign this window.

Speaking on his , he said: "[Rice] brings an element that I think has been lacking at Man Utd, and I think it's... for one so young... leadership and character.

"Similar could be said about Bellingham, the character, the fact he’s gone to another country at such a young age, 17, 18 years old and absolutely lit the world alight.

"The other stuff, the football stuff is brilliant, yeah, and you’ve got to have a certain level of that - I understand - but the overriding factor is the character.

"Them two are the standouts in that sense."

United target De Jong alternative

Man United have reportedly identified PSG star Leandro Paredes as an alternative to Frenkie de Jong.

United are keen on signing De Jong, but negotiations with Barcelona have stalled as the Dutch midfielder doesn't want to leave.

But United are sizing up Paredes as a solution to De Jong, according to Sport.

The Red Devils have already been in contact with the Ligue 1 Champions to sign Paredes, the report adds.

However, talks haven't started well as PSG are demanding just under £30m for the Argentine, the publication added.

Man United ditch Russian aircraft

Man United had to hire a massive 747 from Texas to fly the team out to Bangkok having dumped Russian carrier Aeroflot, NEIL CUSTIS WRITES.

And understandably they followed a route to avoid the troubled region of Ukraine and Russia as commercial carriers from the UK have had to since February.

The club had a sponsorship deal dating back to 2013 with Aeroflot.

That was abruptly ended in February of this year when Russia began its invasion of Ukraine.

United have subsequently had to alter their travelling arrangements with the summer tour party always being the biggest exodus of staff from Old Trafford and Carrington.

The club have had to enlist specialist firm Atlas who flew out the 747 from the United States to Manchester to carry 120 players and staff all in business class seats.

The plane has previously been used to transport NFL squads and staff.

Pogba 'refuses to sign United shirt'

Paul Pogba allegedly refused to sign a Man United shirt when greeting fans in Turin.

Pogba joined Juventus from Man United this summer after a tumultuous time at Old Trafford.

And he was in no mood to put the bad blood behind him as he signed autographs for Juve supporters, a clip appears to show.

Whilst strolling with his agent Rafaela Pimenta, a viral video seems to show the France international saying no and waving his finger when a United shirt is presented to him, Manchester Evening News reported.

Eriksen will sign 'next week'

Christian Eriksen will be a Man United player early next week.

That's according to Fabrizio Romano who claims United are waiting for the midfielder's lawyers to get the paperwork signed for the deal to commence.

Romano told CaughtOffside: "Manchester United have had a verbal agreement with Christian Eriksen for a week, they have sent the contracts to his lawyers and are awaiting the signatures.

“The club’s idea is to complete medical examinations and signatures as early as next week.”

Milan fight off United interest

AC Milan have moved to offer Fikayo Tomori a new contract amid interest from Man United, reports claim.

United had enquired about the centre-back who helped the Rossoneri lift the Scudetto last season.

But Milan have no plans to let Tomori leave, and will offer him a new bumper deal to ensure he stays put beyond 2025, according to Calciomercato.

His contract ends that year, but Milan want him to stay for at least another two years after that, it was added.

Ten Hag ramps up pressure

Erik ten Hag is determined to sign Antony and Lisandro Martinez and wants Manchester United to match Ajax's asking price for the pair.

United have made bids for both Antony and Martinez but have fallen short of Ajax's asking price.

According to  a £42million offer has been made for Martinez who is also attracting interest from Arsenal.

But Ajax are holding out for more, just as they are with Antony - slapping a £70m asking price on the Brazilian, which is reportedly £19m more than United have offered.

That is why Ten Hag is said to be pressing transfer chiefs to up their bids with both Antony and Martinez believed to be keen on joining.

Transfer advantage Man United have

Erik ten Hag has given Man United the edge in transfer talks with Lisandro Martinez ahead of Arsenal.

Ten Hag managed Martinez when he was Ajax boss, and the defender's keen to reunite with his ex-head coach in Manchester.

That's the reason why United lead the Gunners in the race for Martinez's signature, according to transfer expert Dean Jones.

Jones told Give Me Sport: "For me, United just have the edge over Arsenal when it comes to this transfer. That’s because of the ten Hag factor and they’re further ahead in their progress as a team.

“I know when compared to a lot of teams that they’re competing with, they’re behind, but with Arsenal, they’re ahead.”

Fergie's blind spot

Former Manchester United star Nani has claimed Sir Alex Ferguson would turn a blind eye to his players turning up training drunk over the festive period.

The Portuguese winger says his former boss had such good man management skills he allowed it to slide if his players showed up worse-for-wear in the hectic Christmas and New Year programme.

Nani revealed that no-nonsense Fergie recognised the demands over that time were so tough it was important for his United squad to let their hair down.

Speaking to Tribuna Expresso, he said: "If I had the next day off, for example, then I could have some fun...on special days like Christmas or New Year – no one in England cares about that.

"On New Year, we could even go to training drunk and the coach didn't care about it.

"That's the side of [Sir Alex] that knew how to deal with the players and have the perception to say, 'this day is special, I can't make demands'.

"We had been playing non-stop all year long. It was a joy, a moment of relaxation, a different kind of training – clowning around. I won't lie, I liked nights out."

Ronaldo bonus

Cristiano Ronaldo took a bonus payment “well into six figures” just days before he told Manchester United he wanted a move.

United insiders revealed Ronaldo hit the jackpot as soon as the second year of his contract kicked in at the end of June.

The windfall was part of the deal he agreed on his Old Trafford return from Juventus last summer.

An Old Trafford insider said: “The contracts all renew at the start of July and then the news about Cristiano wanting to leave came out.”

Ronaldo, 37, took a near 50 per cent pay cut as his salary and bonuses was £900,000-a-week in Italy.

But United loaded up on annual bonuses.

Jones backed to come good at United

Phil Jones is being backed to finally have the last laugh on the sneer-leaders who mocked him for years.

No player has been savaged as much as the Manchester United centre-back, who has spent huge chunks of his Old Trafford career battling injuries.

The 30-year-old is doing so again now, sitting out the pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia to make sure he is fit for next month’s big kick-off.

Jones has refused to throw in the towel and knocked back loan moves in his determination to prove he can still become a United regular.

And with Erik ten Hag’s arrival meaning a level playing field for everyone, at last there is a shaft of light for a man Sir Alex Ferguson once said could be United’s finest-ever player.

Now former team mate David Dunn has backed him to come good this campaign.

“Jonesy was always a special player — he could cover ground quickly, he was athletic, very determined and so resilient, which he’s had to be," Dunn told SunSport.

“He was so tough, as well. And I don’t just mean physically but mentally, which has always been the way at Blackburn. So I know Jonesy will have no problem bouncing back.

“I think he’s had a raw deal but he’s so versatile.

“He can play right-back, centre-back, central midfield, all over the pitch.

“I see it as a gift but it has probably had a detrimental effect on him at times.

“I know he’s had injuries but for all the problems he is still only 30 and don’t forget, that means he hasn’t got the miles on his legs.”

Wag the finger

Paul Pogba wagged his finger and said "no" after a fan asked him to sign a Manchester United shirt today.

The Frenchman left Old Trafford for a second time earlier this summer and is on the cusp of returning to Juventus.

De Jong snub

Man Utd long term target Frenkie de Jong has reportedly said 'No' to joining the Red Devils, according to a report in Spain.

The Dutch midfielder has been a target for new boss Erik ten Hag, who is looking for a replacement for the departing Paul Pogba.

But de Jong is said to be ready to snub a reunion with his old Ajax manager, in favour of staying with the Catalans.

Sport via Managing Barca claim de Jong has rejected United's offer.

Utd arrive in Thailand

Man Utd stars looked grim-faced as they touched down in Thailand for their pre-season tour.

The Red Devils are due to play rivals Liverpool in a friendly on July 12 at the Rajamangala National Stadium.

Brobbey hijack

Bobby Brobbey has suggested he would be willing to join Man Utd, who appear to have stolen a march for his signature.

The 20-year-old is expected to leave RB Leipzig this summer - with Ajax also competing to resign him.

Erik ten Hag famously gave him his debut in 2020, and it has been suggested the Dutch tactician wants to bring his former star to Old Trafford - with a fee of around £13million mooted.

Ten Hag's thoughts on Malacia

Tyrell Malacia became boss Erik ten Hag's first signing at Old Trafford.

And the Dutchman has given his verdict on the player's attributes.

"I think he's the modern left-back or full-back," ten Hag said.

"He suits the profile [we were looking for] and most important from every full-back is that he closes the right area.

"He can also take part in the offensive side of our game - and can do that really well. I think he will really contribute to the team."