Thursday’s biggest stories from Old Trafford.
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Manchester United looking to agree deal for Real Madrid’s Angel di Maria in the next 48 hours
It’s been one of the longest running transfer sagas of the summer, but now a deal to sign di Maria could be completed in the next 48 hours.
Spanish source Mundo Deportivo reports that the Red Devils have accelerated the discussions with Madrid over the signing of the Argentina international.
It’s thought that it will cost the 13-time Premier League champions around £56m to land the 26-year-old.
The raid on the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu continues as Xabi Alonso is also targeted
There could be a double swoop on Madrid this summer as United are also eyeing up former Liverpool midfielder Alonso, according to the Daily Express.
New manager Louis van Gaal is keen to sign a defensive midfielder this summer and views the Spaniard as the perfect acquisition.
This would mean that Arsenal and Chelsea target Sami Khedira is unlikely to leave as a result.
Van Gaal not looking for a marquee signing at Old Trafford
Although the fans are desperate for a superstar addition to the squad the boss has no intention of building his team around a player like that.
Van Gaal is of the opinion that all individuals in a team need to be improved and that focusing on one star player is not the key to success.
“I am not a great believer in one world-class player in a team. I will never build a team around one world-class player,” the 63-year-old was quoted by the Mirror.
Glazers commit their future to the Red Devils
The controversial owners at Old Trafford have announced they have no plans to sell the club in the near future and expect to be there for at least the next five years, according to the Irish Times.
Many fans were left angered in 2005 when Malcolm Glazer bought the Red Devils and then preceded to heap around £700m worth of debt onto them.
Since the Glazers took over the value of the club has more than doubled.
Wayne Rooney to be named the new England captain
It could end up being a summer of responsibility for Rooney as after being named the United skipper he is also expected to be given the armband on the international stage.
According to the Daily Express Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson views the 28-year-old as the ideal successor to Steven Gerrard, who retired from national team duty following the 2014 World Cup.
Rooney is now the most senior figure for England with Manchester City loan signing Frank Lampard also expected to end his time with the country.
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