Manchester United

Image source, Getty Images

If De Ligt was signed, he would likely replace Raphael Varane as Lisandro Martinez's partner in central defence, with his strength in the air complementing the Argentina centre-back's tenacity.

Despite being slightly shorter than Varane, De Ligt won 2.46 aerial duels per 90 minutes in 2023-24 compared to the Frenchman's 1.68 (as per FBref.com). On the other side, Martinez has won just 1.11 aerial duels per 90 minutes since arriving in Manchester.

Importantly, de Ligt is also comfortable with the ball at his feet. His impressive 93.1% pass accuracy last season topped the Bayern Munich squad and was higher than any player at Old Trafford.

Martinez was close to De Ligt on 92.7%, but no other United defender managed more than a 90% pass accuracy last term, suggesting De Ligt could improve the team's ability to play out from the back.

Captaining Ajax at 19 is no easy feat and there is no doubt De Ligt would be a natural fit in the heart of defence, providing stability and leadership to a United backline that was pushed to breaking point last season.

Image source, Getty Images

There are traits in De Ligt's game that will raise a few eyebrows, particularly his injury record.

According to Transfermarkt, external, De Ligt missed 12 games through injury in 2023-24. Varane, who was often criticised for his injury issues at Old Trafford, missed 11.

Taking De Ligt's career as a whole, perhaps last season was an outlier. It is only one of two seasons where he has missed more than seven games through injury, the other being in 2020-21 when a shoulder injury kept him out for a lengthy amount of time.

Also, having played for three of Europe's biggest clubs, it is highly likely De Ligt will command a significant pay packet. With the departures of Varane and Anthony Martial - along with the uncertain futures of Casemiro and Jadon Sancho - it has seemed Ineos are keen to move on from the days of signing players on high wages.

Signing De Ligt could put pressure on that strategy.

However, considering Ten Hag has already had great success working with De Ligt in the past, he may be worth the risk.

Signing him would also be a statement of intent from Ineos, showing the manager they are keen to back him after choosing to extend his deal at Old Trafford.

Image source, Getty Images

Gareth Southgate admitted when including Luke Shaw in his provisional squad that it was a "long shot", but clearly hoped the left-back would return to play some part in the tournament after deciding not to take another left-footed defender to Germany.

One of the key reasons Shaw continues to be in the conversation, as the Times reports, is that the England manager is considering a switch in tactics for the Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland - from a back four to a back three.

Shaw could bring much-needed balance to either formation, as a left-sided centre-back, left wing-back or left full-back - if fit.

After all, the Three Lions boss must decide on a replacement for suspended centre-back Marc Guehi for Saturday's game.

Marseille are confident of outbidding Lazio to sign Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood after the Serie A side offered £17m for the 22-year-old (Mail), external

United want to sell Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek on a permanent basis this summer rather than lose him on a free transfer when the 27-year-old's contract runs out next summer. (Manchester Evening News), external

Fulham have enquired about the availability of Manchester United's Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay, 27. (HITC), external

Finally, the Red Devils are closing in on signing 16-year-old Slovakian wonderkid Samuel Lusale from Crystal Palace. (Mirror), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United's players are due to return for pre-season training on Monday, bringing into sharp focus the future of some of their non-international stars, including Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho.

United would prefer to sell both players and French outfit Marseille and Italian club Lazio have both made offers for Greenwood, who ended last season on loan at Getafe in Spain.

There has also been interest in Sancho, who played at Dortmund in 2023-24, but it is not completely clear how keen the 24-year-old is to sever ties with United.

Uncertainty also hangs over veteran central defender Jonny Evans, whose one-year deal has expired and is still in talks over a new contract.

Manchester United's new owners Ineos have been ringing the changes since their co-ownership of the club was confirmed in December.

As the table above indicates, four senior members of staff have left and replaced, with nine positions filled.

Manchester United's most recent appointment Christopher Vivell has now been confirmed on a short-term basis as director of global talent, reporting to sporting director Dan Ashworth.

The idea will be for Vivell to recommend the best available talent for the first team, identifying and recommending ‘emerging talent’ players with a proposed pathway development plan.

On Wednesday, it was announced 250 further jobs would be cut at United to slash costs and scrap some "non-essential" activities.

United officials privately say the decision to cut staff has not been taken lightly and all areas of the club will be affected, with the exception of the charitable arm, the Manchester United Foundation.

Image source, Reuters

We asked for your views on Manchester United triggering Erik ten Hag's contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2026.

Here are some of your answers:

Adam: Brilliant and sensible news. Now we can build in the right way and move forward. Hope to make it three trophies in three years. Well done Erik!

Mark: It was a no brainer to keep ETH. Two trophies in two seasons and the worst injury list in the league last season was a main cause behind finishing eighth. Ten Hag was unable to implement his strategy or style of play due to the injuries and I expect a similar season to his first season in charge and hopefully another trophy.

Jon: I think he deserves it. He worked under impossible circumstances last season, even though I do think he was naive tactically at times. If he doesn't improve this season, then he'll be gone, but I like his disciplinarian attitude with the superstars.

Stephen: I think it is a good thing that Ten Hag has signed a new deal as it brings some stability. However, he still has to quickly develop a style of play that fits with the ethos of Man Utd.

Brian: I think it’s a terrible decision. He doesn’t have a clue on tactics or man management and should have been sacked 12 months ago. He not only makes himself look daft in interviews but also the club and management if they think he’s right in anything he says.

John: There is no question that Ten Hag is not the man for this job, despite two trophies. The way the team plays (or doesn't play) is awful, with no plan and no strategy. It's all off the cuff. Ten Hag has no personality and looks frightened to death, but we require a leader of men and a style of play. No more back four football please.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

The announcement over Erik ten Hag's contract was virtually automatic once it became clear Manchester United had decided to stick with the Dutchman as manager.

His existing deal was due to expire in 2025 and it contained an option for an additional year.

Ten Hag's terms have not been improved, so all that has happened really is the option has been triggered.

Potentially of more significance is the planned arrival of Rene Hake from Go Ahead Eagles and former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has been out of work since quitting as PSV Eindhoven manager in 2023 as part of Ten Hag's revamped coaching team.

With Dan Ashworth - who put his name to United's statement in his first public utterances as sporting director - now in place and Omar Berrada taking over as chief executive within a fortnight - the structures will soon be in place that Sir Jim Ratcliffe felt were missing before.

Shortly, there will be no excuses for Ten Hag.

Any semblance of another eighth-placed finish and he will not even get close to reaching the end of this repackaged new contract.

Erik ten Hag has extended his contract at Manchester United until June 2026.

The Red Devils boss has been backed by new owners Ineos to continue the club project after winning a trophy in both his seasons in charge.

Are you happy that Ten Hag has signed a new contract?

Or do you think the club should have waited to see what sort of start United have to the 2024-25 Premier League season?

Let us know here, external

Manchester United are keen on re-signing Tottenham's 27-year-old Spain defender Sergio Reguilon, who spent the first half of last season on loan at Old Trafford (AS - in Spanish), external

United would also consider a sizable offer for captain Bruno Fernandes, 29, but the Portugal midfielder is expected to stay at the club and sign a new deal. (Mirror), external

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, 25, is expected to be involved pre-season next week amid interest from United, Chelsea and Arsenal. (Football Italia), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United fan Jamie Blood has been discussing Dan Ashworth's arrival as the club's new sporting director on The Devils' Advocate podcast: "Day one is him ripping the club apart by coming in with a new set of eyes.

"He has obviously been successful at Brighton, been successful at Newcastle and his forte is having a look at the business from the top to the bottom. Similar to what Jim Ratcliffe has done, then Dan Ashworth is basically overseeing everyone underneath if you like.

"He has been brought in to look at long-term planning, structure in terms of scouting, how to implement new players and [then] not getting our pants pulled down like we have done in the past.

"If you think about the bad things that have been said about the club in the past, [for example] Ronaldo saying the club is stuck from what it was 10 years ago, [and that] the training ground is the same, the people are the same [and] the sport science the same, Ashworth actually has the knowledge to come in and rip that apart.

"So what I think we will see is the training facilities and the sport science improving. I don't think we will see as many injuries as we have this year because he will be coming in with a bit of a point to prove.

"He has done it at a certain level at mid-table and then taken clubs into the top six. Now he is coming into one of the top clubs in the world to bring everyone all together and create this structure that is forward-thinking and can get us back to where we should be."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Matthijs de Ligt is interested in a move to Manchester United, with Bayern Munich valuing the 24-year-old Netherlands defender at 50m euros (£42.4m). (Sky Sports, external)

United have made a move to sign Bologna forward Joshua Zirzkee, though AC Milan have already agreed personal terms with the 23-year-old Netherlands international (Calciomercato - in Italian, external)

Manchester United are willing to listen to offers for Harry Maguire this summer, with clubs in Italy interested in the 31-year-old England international. (Talksport, external)

The Red Devils have also not ruled out the possibility of allowing 26-year-old English forward Marcus Rashford to leave this summer. (Manchester Evening News, external)

Finally, West Ham are interested in signing United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka with the 26-year-old Englishman having less than 12 months left on his current contract. (Metro, external)

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

Former Manchester United player Jeff White has passed away at the age of 90.

One of the original 'Busby Babes', the wing-half joined the Red Devils straight from school in the summer of 1949.

He became United's youngest league debutant at the age of 16 years 105 days in April 1950 and has been described by the club as one of the most "perceptive and precise passers of a football in England" during the mid-1950s.

During eight seasons at Old Trafford under Sir Matt Busby, Whitefoot appeared 95 times and was part of the title-winning sides of 1952 and 1956.

He made a move to Grimsby Town before soon returning to the top flight less than a year later with Nottingham Forest in 1958.

He went on to make 285 appearances for the East Midlands side and was part of their 1959 FA Cup-winning team.

In tribute, United said they were "deeply saddened" by the death of the "delightfully unassuming character", adding: "May he rest in peace, with a special place in club folklore long since assured."

Following Dan Ashworth's appointment as sporting director at Manchester United, and rumours Ruud van Nistelrooy could be returning, the latest episode of BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast has been discussing all the latest updates at the club.

The show also chats Euro 2024 and whether left-back Luke Shaw will feature for England before the end of the tournament.

Listen now on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United goalkeeper Tom Heaton has signed a new one-year contract.

The 38-year-old rejoined the club for his second spell in 2021 and has made appearances in the Champions League and Carabao Cup since.

"I am delighted to continue my stay at my boyhood club," Heaton told club media. "I still feel in great shape and I am ready to offer whatever the squad needs throughout the season ahead.

"In addition to on the pitch, I am learning so much off it for my next steps, whatever that may be.

"I want to push the squad to build on our successes from last season."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United believe they are making progress in their attempts to sign Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt.

De Ligt is currently in Germany with his country at the Euros.

But United have been talking with the player's advisers about making a move to Old Trafford.

The club are keen to bring in a couple of central defenders but attempts to sign Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton have stalled because the Merseyside club has so far refused to drop its asking price.

Bayern Munich are trying to trim their wage bill and could be open to a deal for De Ligt, who skippered Ajax to the Champions League semi-final under Erik ten Hag in 2019.

The 24-year-old subsequently joined Juventus for €75m (£63.6m) but didn't make the impact hoped.

Image source, Getty Images

England have only conceded two goals in four games so far at Euro 2024, but even in defence manager Gareth Southgate has fresh food for thought going into Saturday's quarter-final against Switzerland.

Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier took a knock to his leg in the second half against Slovakia and had to be withdrawn, leaving Arsenal's Bukayo Saka to fill in at left-back.

The Three Lions will definitely be without Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, who will serve a one-match suspension after picking up a second yellow card of the tournament.

England's defensive display against Slovakia was "all over the place", according to former Three Lions midfielder Danny Murphy, who fears if they "play better opposition" they will be "in a world of trouble".

Ex-Three Lions captain Alan Shearer said it will be "fascinating how England cope with three up front for the Swiss" and called for Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa to come in for the banned Guehi, with Manchester United's Luke Shaw at left-back.

Former England full-back Micah Richards wants to see Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, with Kyle Walker of Manchester City switched to the left.

Gary Lineker is more broadly concerned with the manner in which England's backline operated against Slovakia, and its impact on the rest of the side.

"The defence were very deep. We have a player in John Stones who likes to come forward but he was deep," added the former England skipper.

"Then [England have] two midfielders, often as deep as the back four. Then a huge gap to Bellingham and Kane. They were so spread out it was impossible to play passing football.

"They weren’t cohesive. They were disjointed and unbalanced. It was as though they had just met each other."

Read more on what is next for England and pick your starting XI

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United are set to bring in former Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell to help with the club’s recruitment.

Vivell’s arrival will initially be on a short-term basis, to assist during the current transfer window, although an extended stay has not been ruled out as United look to strengthen their football leadership and recruitment departments.

Vivell was placed on gardening leave by Chelsea last July just seven months after his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

He had previously worked for the Red Bull group in Salzburg and Leipzig.

The move comes as Dan Ashworth’s appointment as sporting director has been confirmed.

Ashworth, Vivell and United’s technical director Jason Wilcox are set to work closely over the next few weeks in an effort to improve Erik ten Hag’s squad.

Manchester United have offered 24-year-old Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt a five-year contract, as they continue transfer talks with Bayern Munich. (De Telegraaf - in Dutch), external

United would make another move for Jarrad Branthwaite if Everton drop their asking price, but the Toffees are under no financial pressure to sell the 22-year-old England defender. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column