A round-up of news and gossip relating to Manchester United over the past 24 hours.
United winger Nani could be on his way out of the club as contract negotiations stall. The club are unhappy with the Portuguese’s wage demands of £130,000 a week believing that the winger’s form from last season does not merit such a rise from his current £90,000. Zenit St Petersburg manager Luciano Spalletti confirmed they had enquired with United over the player but the Manchester club want £25m before agreeing to any deal.
United’s new young forward Angelo Henriquez has been granted a work permit that will allow the 18-year-old to start playing in English football from the offset. The 18-year-old will join from Universidad for a reported £3.5m deal and perceived as a hot prospect, he will likely progress through the Under-21 team. The Chilean will make his final appearance for Universidad tonight before moving to Old Trafford.
Danny Welbeck has signed a new four-year contract keeping him at the club until 2016. Welbeck was a United fan growing up and joined the club at 8 years old. The 21-year-old has scored 17 goals at United and has become a prominent member of the United striking force starting the league opener against Everton. His new contract is reportedly in the region of £75,000 per week.
Fiorentina say they are in negotiations with the club over Dimitar Berbatov and are hopeful a deal can be struck. United will hope this does not encourage them to sell star man Stefan Jovetic to rivals Manchester City.
Meanwhile Jose Mourinho confirms there have been no bids from United for Real Madrid attacker Kaka. The Brazilian had been linked with a loan switch on Sunday.
Paris Saint-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti has responded to retorts from Sir Alex Ferguson that PSG’s extravagant spending has distorted the transfer market. PSG are believed to have paid €45m for United target Lucas Moura, after which Ferguson alluded to PSG’s untenable spending. Ancelotti has claimed that Sir Alex and United likewise offered excessive money for the 19-year-old and warned Europe that players are increasingly buying into the club’s project.
Mexican club Pachuca have confirmed that Manchester United have made an official approach for midfielder Hector Herrera. Pachuca sporting director Andres Fassi revealed that United have made an enquiry for the 22-year-old who starred in Mexico’s gold medal winning campaign at the Olympics and believes that despite the Mexican side wanting him to continue at the club, Herrera will inevitably leave for the English Premier League joining either Manchester United or Liverpool.
Former United striker Lou Macari is of the opinion that Van Persie will score given chances. Macari expands on Sir Alex Ferguson’s post match interview where he insightfully notices that the player was sat too deep to cause Everton any real trouble and believes the player will be a success if he is played in a central striking role.
And finally, here is a fascinating article on HITC Sport by Mark Aldridge on whether there is now a ‘phantom manager’ pulling the strings at United.
image: © gordonflood.com
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