Manchester United were held by Southampton in their latest Premier League fixture on Sunday afternoon as attentions promptly turn back to their Europa League charge.
With one foot in the quarter-finals already following their 4-1 win against Real Betis in the first leg, United are primed and ready to board the plane. But will they get the job done on Thursday night?
Games continue to come thick and fast in several competitions, but United also have one eye on the summer transfer window. England captain Harry Kane has been identified as their primary target for a new striker while Ten Hag wants to bring in another central midfielder.
Frenkie de Jong, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are all options in that regard. However, those players would set United back a pretty penny and there are alternative players to consider.
TODAY'S BIG TALKING POINT: How much will United miss Casemiro? Have your say here.
Keep tabs on the latest news, views and transfer rumours with dedicated updates below.
Key Events
United make decision on Casemiro red card appeal
Full story on Academy postponement
PSG also in market for Lautaro Martinez - reports
United planning Pellistri exit
Dan Brown
Goodnight!
Thank you for joining us on the United transfer blog today!
Make sure to come back again tomorrow for all the latest news from Old Trafford.
Dan Brown
Real Madrid 'join the race' to sign Kudus
Real Madrid have reportedly joined the race to sign United target Mohammed Kudus.
According to Defensa Central, Kudus is attracting interest from the Spanish giants, with the Reds also monitoring the situation of the attacker.
MEN Sport understands that Erik ten Hag believes the Ajax frontman has the attributes to excel in the Premier League.
Dan Brown
Share your thoughts on the Reds' right-backs
Dan Brown
Ten Hag's rallying cry
Onwards ahead of two important games before the international break.#MUFC pic.twitter.com/ifVXKaJHIo
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 13, 2023
Dan Brown
Ferdinand tells Casemiro he deserved red card for United
Rio Ferdinand believes Casemiro's red card against Southampton offered Erik ten Hag's side a platform to display new-found mettle.
Speaking on his FIVE podcast, Ferdinand said: "The red card was a problem. For any team which goes down to 10 men, it becomes a problem. Casemiro's [fault] and it was a red card - no problem.
"If it was 11 men and we drew, then I would be saying this was quite a bad week. In the seasons gone by, if we had gone down to 10 men at home to Southampton - regardless of where they are in the league - we lose that game from that position."
Click here to read the full story.
Dan Brown
Man United 'enter the race' to sign Marcus Thuram
Italian outlet Calciomercato has reported that United have entered the race to sign Marcus Thuram from Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer.
The French striker is reportedly keen to leave to Borussia at the end of the season, with the Reds said to be open to making a move for the 25-year-old.
Thuram has registered 14 goals and four assists in 25 appearances this season.
Dan Brown
Casemiro on his approach to football
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 13, 2023No compromise, but no malice.
@Casemiro explains to @RevistaPanenka how his approach to football comes from humble beginnings...#MUFC pic.twitter.com/33s9PBtMso
KEY EVENT
United make decision on Casemiro red card appeal
United will not appeal against Casemiro's suspension after the Brazilian was sent off during Sunday's 0-0 draw with Southampton.
Casemiro was dismissed in the 34th minute having initially been shown a yellow card for his challenge on Carlos Alcaraz, before referee Anthony Taylor upgraded it to a red card following a VAR review.
United decided against lodging an appeal because they did not believe there was a strong enough case to be made for the decision to be overturned.
Click here to read the full story.
Liam Wood
Rio Ferdinand shares Harry Kane verdict
United have earmarked Harry Kane as their primary target before the market reopens.
Here's what Rio Ferdinand had to say about that during his latest FIVE podcast episode;
I would love to be able to sit here and say I know Harry Kane is going to Manchester United as he would guarantee them 20 or 25 goals for the next three years. There's a chance to come to Manchester United if he wants to and I would love him to come, but the problem you have got is [Daniel] Levy... What price is he going to ask for?
Liam Wood
United decide Facundo Pellistri action plan
United are planning to let winger Facundo Pellistri head out on loan next season.
Pellistri, 21, has made six substitute appearances since the New Year and has had a strong impact in almost all of them. United are reluctant to sell Pellistri less than three years into his Old Trafford career and are pushing for a temporary move.
Read the full story here >>>
Liam Wood
Dates for your United diary this week
Liam Wood
Share your thoughts on United right-backs
Liam Wood
Next six Premier League fixtures
It's the Europa League and FA Cup next up followed by an international break.
Here are the next six Premier League games Manchester United have to play;
Sunday, April 2 vs Newcastle (A) at 4.30pm
Wednesday, April 5 vs Brentford (H) at 8pm
Saturday, April 8 vs Everton (H) at 12.30pm
Saturday, April 15 vs Nott'm Forest (A) at 5.30pm
Saturday, April 22 vs Chelsea (H) at 5.30pm
Thursday, April 27 vs Tottenham (A) at 8.15pm
KEY EVENT
Full story on Academy postponement
No game for the Academy tonight after their fixture was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Leicester were due to travel to Leigh Sports Village for a Premier League 2 showdown.
Read the full story here >>>
Liam Wood
Something to keep your eye on tonight
Liam Wood
Harry Kane next club betting odds from SkyBet
United have made England captain Harry Kane their prime target for the summer.
But who else is in the market for him? Here are the latest odds from bookies SkyBet;
Manchester United - 7/4
Bayern Munich - 16/1
Newcastle United - 25/1
Real Madrid - 25/1
*Odds were correct at 16:00 on March 13. Subject to change.
Liam Wood
Jesse Lingard to become free agent - reports
Nottingham Forest are unwilling to offer Jesse Lingard a new contract next season.
That's according to Football Insider as they shed light on the former United man.
Lingard, 30, signed for the Premier League newcomers after 20-plus years at Old Trafford.
But the forward is expected to turn to a new challenge when his current contract ends.
KEY EVENT
PSG also in market for Lautaro Martinez - reports
Reports indicate PSG and United are considering a chase for Lautaro Martinez.
Speculation over the Argentina star and his Inter Milan future continues to mount.
But will the Italian giants look to cash-in on the striker this summer?
Reports from Tuttosport credit PSG and United with strong interest in Martinez, 25, after his 17 goals in 36 matches this season. United have made Harry Kane their priority target, though, and moves for both frontmen remains highly unlikely.
George Smith
United set to hire lead data scientist
United are continuing their overhaul of the data department with the capture of Alex Kleyn from Southampton.
United have set out to recruit data scientists, machine learning scientists, analysts and engineers as they look to become one of the best clubs for data analysis.
Click here to read more.
George Smith
OPINION: Erik ten Hag can strengthen United's midfield options for free this summer
"Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans is out-of-contract at the end of this season and is unlikely to put pen to paper on fresh terms at the King Power Stadium. The Foxes have experienced a hugely underwhelming season so far and are currently only being kept out of the bottom three on goal difference. Whatever happens, the chances of Tielemans sticking around are slim. The Belgium international has been one of the Premier League's most consistent performers in recent years and has earned the right to test himself at a bigger club. He doesn't turn 26 until May, meaning he still has the best years of his career ahead of him."
Click here to read more.
George Smith
Ex-referee gives verdict on United penalty claims vs Southampton
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher belives Anthony Taylor was right to wave away two United penalty claims during yesterday's goalless draw with Southampton.
The Reds had two spot-kick appeals in quick succession turned down at Old Trafford but Gallagher was adamant the officials got both calls right.
Click here to read more.
George Smith
United 'eye' Leao move
According to a report by Pianeta Milan, United are 'interested' in signing AC Milan forward Rafael Leao ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 23-year-old, who can operate both out wide and through the middle, is genterating a wealth of interest and United are reportedly among his suitors.
George Smith
OPINION: How United could line-up without Casemiro
United will be without midfield enforcer Casemiro for each of their next four domestic fixtures.
The Brazilian was sent-off for the second time this season during yesterday's goalless draw with Southampton at Old Trafford. It means he will miss the FA Cup quarter-final with Fulham on Sunday and their next three Premier League matches after the international break.
It means manager Erik ten Hag will be forced into coming up with a plan to try and make United tick without both him and Christian Eriksen.
Click here to check out three ways United could possibly line-up without the Brazilian.
Richard Fay
OPINION: United paid the price for Fernandes mistake
"Erik ten Hag's pursuit of fluidity backfired, as players drifted out of position, overcrowded the same areas of the pitch, and struggled with the lack of clearly defined roles. It was perhaps no clearer than with Fernandes who naturally looked to play with the same freedom he relishes as an attacking midfielder, but that then left him exposed defensively against a well-drilled midfield. In hindsight, it is much easier to find fault with the selection, but United's makeshift set-up didn't make any sense, given that it played into Southampton's strengths as a team with a talented midfield of their own."
Click here to read the full analysis.
KEY EVENT
United planning Pellistri exit
United are planning to let winger Facundo Pellistri leave the club on loan ahead of next season.
The right-winger has made six substitute appearances since the start of this calendar year, having an impact in each of them. However, he is still yet to start a game for the club.
To support his development, the Reds are now considering sending him, as well as one other forward, out on loan.
Click here to read more.
George Smith
Ten Hag addresses Sancho position change
United manager Erik ten Hag believes Jadon Sancho has the ability to influence games from the No.10 position.
The England international started in a central area for yesterday's 0-0 draw with Southampton in a very attack-minded approach. It is not the first time he has started centrally in recent weeks.
Click here to see what Ten Hag has had to say.
George Smith
United's next six fixtures
Following yesterday's goalless draw with Southampton, here is a quick glance at United's next six games in all competitions:
- Real Betis (A) - Europa League - March 16
- Fulham (H) - FA Cup - March 19
- Newcastle United (A) - Premier League - April 2
- Brentford (H) - Premier League - April 5
- Everton (H) - Premier League - April 8
- Nottingham Forest (A) - Premier League - April 15
*All fixtures are subject to change.
George Smith
Lineker to return to Match of the Day
George Smith
Marseille 'make decision' on Bailly's future
According to a report by French newspaper L'Equipe, as cited by Get Football News France, Marseille are unlikely to consider turning Eric Bailly's loan move into a permanent deal.
The Ivorian joined Marseille from United on a season-long loan deal last summer and has made 16 appearances this season.
Richard Fay
OPINION: United midfield experiment failed vs Southampton
"It's a tactic that made quite a lot of sense before a ball was kicked, but as soon as play began it looked like one that had enormously backfired. While the addition of an extra attacking player in the shape of Jadon Sancho certainly gave United an additional threat going forward, the flip side was that they were much more open defensively and lacked cohesion with their positioning on the pitch."
Click here to read the full story.
