Manchester United are preparing for Sunday’s Manchester derby with the majority of this week’s international fixtures now wrapped up and Ruben Amorim will be hoping for no fresh injury concerns
Manchester United and Ruben Amorim are ramping up their preparations for this weekend’s Manchester derby, now that the majority of this week’s international fixtures have concluded.
The Red Devils clinched their first Premier League victory of the season just before the break with a 3-2 win over Burnley. Amorim and his team will be aiming to build on this momentum with a win at Manchester City, followed by matches against Chelsea, Brentford and Sunderland before the October international break.
United strengthened their squad on deadline day with the signing of Senne Lammens, who could make his debut as early as this weekend. Andre Onana is set to move to Trabzonspor, although Altay Bayindir has started all three league games so far this season.
As Amorim considers his selection options and intensifies preparations for Sunday’s crucial match, the Daily Star Sport looks at all the latest news from Old Trafford.
Amorim’s transfer priority
It’s been reported that Manchester United will be in the market for a new midfielder in the January transfer window, having decided not to pursue Brighton’s Carlos Baleba.
The Red Devils are known to be fans of Baleba, 21, but it’s unlikely that Brighton would let him go unless United or another interested party were to offer a deal similar to the £115million package that previously took Moises Caicedo to Chelsea.
European reports suggest that United are still keen to bring in a midfielder and will pursue this in January; however, it’s unclear whether that player will be Baleba or an alternative target.
‘Worst ever signing’ called out
Jamie Carragher has cast doubt on Jadon Sancho’s capabilities after the Aston Villa loanee was labelled Manchester United’s ‘worst ever signing’ by YouTuber Adam McKola.
Sancho, 25, moved to United for £73m in 2021 but has struggled to make an impact and secured a loan move to Villa in the dying moments of the summer transfer window. Speaking on The Overlap, Carragher stopped short of calling Sancho United’s worst-ever acquisition as McKola suggested, but he did argue that the former Borussia Dortmund winger ‘lacks ability’.
He said: “When you say he’s the worst Man Utd signing because of his ability… I’m not sure there’s much ability there. I think he’s okay but I don’t understand what his thing is. I’ve been critical of Marcus Rashford but if I picture him playing well I can picture his pace and his shooting.
“I don’t know what Sancho’s thing is. Every player has something but I can’t think in my head what he does. I’ve never seen it in my life. I haven’t.”
Zidane makes decision on new role
Zinedine Zidane has consistently been courted by – and linked to – Manchester United, and the French legend appears poised to make his managerial comeback – though it won’t be with Fenerbahce. The ex-Real Madrid boss was rumoured to be in the frame to take over from former Manchester United gaffer Jose Mourinho at the Turkish Super Lig club.
However, according to L’Equipe, it now appears that Zidane is gearing up to become the next manager of the French national team after the 2026 World Cup.
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