The Premier League title seems as reachable this year as ever for Louis van Gaal and Manchester United. The struggles of Chelsea and Liverpool have opened the door wide open for teams with plenty of holes to make a serious run at the title, but injuries are threatening to derail the season.
Between the season-ending injury to Luke Shaw and the more-recent foot injury to star youngster Anthony Martial, Man United may need to make some serious moves in January just to secure a top four finish, let alone win the whole thing.
Here’s the Manchester United transfer gossip and news from Friday:
John Stones atop Louis van Gaal’s wishlist
One of the rising stars in England and the entire Premier League, Everton defender John Stones has long been a target for Chelsea. However, latest reports indicate that Stones has been scouted extensively by Man United and that Louis van Gaal is willing to spend big to bring him to Old Trafford.
Everton turned down multiple offers from Chelsea for Stones this past summer.
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Fellaini urged by manager to leave Man United
Belgium manager Marc Wilmots has apparently asked that Marouane Fellaini put country before club and move to either PSG or Real Madrid. Wilmots believes that moving away from Old Trafford increases the chance that Fellaini will get more playing time and be in top form when Euro 2016 begins.
Fellaini has neither scored nor contributed to a score in any of his last 11 appearances between Man United and Belgium. Since the start of the 2015 calendar year, he has played a full 90 minutes only seven times.
Arjen Robben + Man United = Done deal?
The Metro reported that Bayern Munich have begun readying a move for Antoine Griezmann in order to replace Robben, who is believed to be assured of a move to Man United this January.
The 31-year-old winger has scored at least 11 goals in five of his last six seasons in Bundesliga.
Memphis Depay’s form upsets Louis van Gaal
According to talkSPORT, the Old Trafford manager is disappointed that the man he dubbed “the greatest talent of his age” isn’t producing for the Red Devils.
In several months since signing from PSV Eindhoven on a mega deal, Depay has been overshadowed by previously-unproven teenager Anthony Martial, benched in favor of Jesse Lingard and criticized by the media for his fashion choices.
Serie A starlet slipping away
One of the most exciting youngsters in Serie A, Domenico Berardi, has been heavily targeted by both Man United and Liverpool, but appears poised to stay in Italy – with another club.
According to Thisisfutbol.com, Berardi has agreed to transfer to Juventus in the Summer 2016 transfer window. His agent made it clear that there would be no January transfer move under any circumstances.
Berardi has recorded double-digit goals in each of his last three seasons at Sassuolo – and he’s only 21 years old.