Thursday’s Man United news and rumours.
Read More:
Arsenal & Manchester United On Alert As Mario Gotze Seeks Transfer Abroad
Manchester United Loanee Tom Cleverley Mercilessly Trolled In First Aston Villa Q&A Session
Chelsea Set Aside £60m To Battle Manchester United For Cristiano Ronaldo Next Summer
Manchester United are expecting to seal the signing of Arturo Vidal after Louis van Gaal was given a financial boost, the Metro reports.
United enjoyed a big spending summer transfer window after the appointment of Van Gaal, but with no Champions League football, many suspected that they would have to curb their spending in January.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has been told that he is expected to finish no lower than third in the Premier League this season, with no further substantial additions to the squad after this summer’s £153.1m outlay, the Independent reports.
United have revealed how the club’s failure to qualify for European football will finally halt their commercial juggernaut, depriving the club of Champions League matchday income which now leads the club to predict that their revenue will drop £48m in the next financial year, from £433.2m to £385m and Van Gaal has been charged with restoring them to former glories.
United legend Gary Neville, 39, has questioned the club’s logic in selling forward Danny Welbeck, 23, to rivals Arsenal for just £16m, according to talkSPORT.
The Gunners snapped up the striker on deadline day and many believe the 23-year-old will excel as being a central figure at the Emirates, rather than being on the periphery at Old Trafford.
Midfielder Marouane Fellaini, 26, has vowed to “fight for my place” in Manchester United’s strongest XI, the Guardian reports.
Fellaini has endured a nightmare time at United since David Moyes signed him for £27.5m last summer. Moyes was sacked in April and injuries and unconvincing form had cast serious doubt over the Belgian being part of Van Gaal’s plans.
Defender Tyler Blackett, 20, is hoping to keep his place in Manchester United’s first-team squad, despite the arrivals of Marcos Rojo, 24, and Daley Blind, 24, the Manchester Evening News reports.
Blackett has played in each of United’s first three Premier League games after making his competitive debut against Swansea on the opening weekend of the season.