Manchester United transfer news LIVE Man Utd takeover updates and Storm Babet latest
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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag applauds the home fans at Old Trafford
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag applauds the home fans at Old Trafford(Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Manchester United are hoping to come away from Bramall Lane with three points this evening when they take on the Premier League’s bottom side Sheffield United.
The Blades have just one point from their first eight games and lost 8-0 the last time they played at home. United will be without Casemiro for this one as he nurses a small knock picked up on international duty back in Brazil.
United may have Sergio Reguilon and Raphael Varane back, though, while Victor Lindelof is available following the appalling fatal attacks on two Sweden fans ahead of the country’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Belgium on Monday.
There could be added buoyancy in the away end following last weekend’s takeover news. While popular bidder Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani withdrew from the race on Saturday, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to take sporting control upon his expected 25 per cent investment.
That said, the Glazers remain in situ and so protests against the American owners are set to continue.
Keep tabs on the latest news, views and transfer rumours from United below.
Glazers keeping Ten Hag in the dark on investment
09:23
12:00ISAAC JOHNSON
When Casemiro is set to return
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag expects Casemiro to be fit for the Manchester derby at Old Trafford next week but admits the Brazilian did not “help himself” by playing for Brazil against Uruguay.
Casemiro same off with an ankle injury in the national team’s World Cup qualifying draw against Venezuela last Friday but he then started and completed the full 90 minutes in Brazil’s 2-0 defeat to Uruguay in Montevideo on Tuesday evening.
The 31-year-old has remained in Brazil to allow additional recovery time and he will miss United’s Premier League fixture away to Sheffield United on Saturday night.
Casemiro has started all 11 matches this season(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
11:28ISAAC JOHNSON
OPINION: United can trial a new midfield vs Sheffield United
It is 24 games since Manchester United last started a match without Casemiro in the team and his absence at Bramall Lane tonight will be enforced, but it has felt like his status as an undroppable in Erik ten Hag’s midfield was beginning to loosen.
That run includes the first 11 games of this season and the final 13 of last term, but the record in that run shows how this is a side that has gradually lost its way under Ten Hag.
United have lost 10 of those 24, a poor record, and performances have been particularly poor this season.
Sofyan Amrabat of Manchester United(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
11:01JACK FLINTHAM
Pick your team to face Sheffield United
There is still time to pick your side to face the Blades at Bramall Lane this evening.
With United expected to welcome back some key players, there is a selection headache for Ten Hag.
ANALYSIS – Ten Hag can finally unleash dream attack today
With United thankfully being able to welcome back some players, Ten Hag could be able to pick his dream attack tonight at Bramall Lane.
Take a look at how MEN Sport thinks United will line-up in attack here.
Ten Hag can finally play his first choice attack against Sheffield United.(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
10:23KEY EVENT
Storm Babet update and what it means for tonight’s game
The rain in Sheffield is forecast to stop today after Storm Babet battered the region on Friday.
However, roads remain treacherous especially over the Pennines so if you are driving to the match tonight make sure to give yourself extra time.
At present, the match is still on and there are no doubts about the fixture being postponed.
The United player Ten Hag is using as an example
Ten Hag has admitted prior to tonight’s match that he is using McTominay as an example to the rest of his players.
Prior to the break, the Scot scored twice late on to rescue three points for United against Brentford.
Pundits make predictions for Sheffield United clash
United’s task at Bramall Lane this evening will no doubt be a challenge considering Heckingbottom’s side are still searching for their first victory in the Premier League.
Three pundits are in agreement though are in agreement on the Reds’ chances of picking up a result.
Ratcliffe told his first priority at United
Should Ratcliffe join the United boardroom, former Liverpool man Graeme Souness reckons his first priority must centre around recruitment.
The Reds’ transfer activity has been a hinderous for some time and Souness believes he must rectify this.
Glazers keeping Ten Hag in the dark on investment
Ten Hag told the media on Friday he was in the dark as to the takeover process currently ongoing with Ratcliffe.
United are expected to welcome Ratcliffe onto the board in a minority role after Sheikh Jassim pulled out last weekend.
REPORT – United told Guehi price tag
According to Football Insider, United will need to bid £60m to sign Crystal Palace’s Guehi.
With injury problems piling up, the Reds are still looking to strengthen their backline as January approaches.
It is believed the England international is on Ten Hag’s shortlist of players to bolster the United defence.
Pick your United team to face the Blades
United’s trip to South Yorkshire is pivotal this evening and with injuries piling up still there is a selection headache for Ten Hag.
But how would you line-up today. Pick your team below.
United hero stresses importance of today’s game for Ten Hag
Former United striker Dwight Yorke believes tonight’s clash at Sheffield United is massive in the context of the club’s season.
He told Stocklytics.com:
It’s amazing how Man United vs Sheffield United has become a massive game as it never used to be! It used to be a routine win in the past! I can understand the importance of the game as those are games that, on paper, we used to always take the three points in. Ten Hag got lucky against Brentford, and this game will be fascinating as it’s a game he can’t afford to lose.
Yorke expects a 2-0 victory for United this evening.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
08:23JACK FLINTHAM
Ten Hag opens up on Ratcliffe investment
United’s boss has admitted he has agreements in place regarding the structure of the club as an impending overhaul by INEOS’ Ratcliffe looms.
Ten Hag also claimed he was fully focused on the football while headlines are dominated by the takeover.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to purchase a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
08:06JACK FLINTHAM
Ten Hag tells Onana to ‘step up’
Speaking to the media before today’s match in South Yorkshire, Ten Hag compared Onana’s start at Old Trafford to that of his predecessors De Gea and Schmeichel.
However, he did insist the former Ajax man needed to step up at United.
ANALYSIS – United can trial a new midfield tonight
It is 24 games since United last started a match without Casemiro in the team and his absence at Bramall Lane tonight will be enforced, but it has felt like his status as an undroppable in Ten Hag’s midfield was beginning to loosen.
That run includes the first 11 games of this season and the final 13 of last term, but the record in that run shows how this is a side that has gradually lost its way under Ten Hag. United have lost 10 of those 24, a poor record, and performances have been particularly poor this season.
Sofyan Amrabat is expected to replace Casemiro in the Manchester United starting XI(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
07:45JACK FLINTHAM
Berbatov’s prediction for tonight’s game
The former United striker is expecting a tough test for the Reds at Bramall Lane this evening.
Making his prediction to Betfair, Berbatov said:
This will be a tough test for Man United. They’re going to a difficult place and Sheffield United will be doing everything they can to get a result. Man United need to concentrate and get the game by the scruff of the neck. I’m tempted to say this will be a draw but I’ll go with Man United to win 2-1.
Predicted United line-up
With injuries still plaguing the United squad, Ten Hag will need to be flexible with his team selection in South Yorkshire.
The Reds’ boss will be hopeful that any team he picks will have enough to see of Heckingbottom’s side tonight.
Here is how MEN Sport thinks United will line-up.
When Casemiro is expected to return
With the Brazilian midfielder definitely out of the game tonight many United fans will be wondering when Casemiro will be back on the pitch.
Ten Hag told reporters yesterday that he expects Casemiro to return for the Manchester derby next Sunday.
United injury news ahead of Sheffield United
The Reds know they will be without Casemiro for the trip to Bramall Lane this evening.
The former Real Madrid man has remained in Brazil as he recovers from a minor injury and will not be available for tonight’s clash.
Casemiro will miss Manchester United’s game with Sheffield United this
Glazers keeping Erik ten Hag in the dark over Ratcliffe investment
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is being kept in the dark by the Glazer family amid expected investment in the club by the Ineos Group.
Ineos, founded by boyhood United fan Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is set to take a 25% stake in United worth £1.3billion after Sheikh Jassim withdrew his offer to buy the club last week.
United co-chairman Joel Glazer has not attended a game at Old Trafford since April 2019 and has barely communicated with supporters during his family’s 18-and-a-half-year ownership of the club.
Update on Lindelof availability
Victor Lindelof is available to play against Sheffield United four days after two Sweden fans were killed in Brussels.
Two people were killed and one was seriously injured by a 45-year-old man, who was shot dead in a cafe. Lindelof was captaining Sweden in their European Championship qualifier against Belgium three miles away from where the attack took place.
The match was abandoned with the game deadlocked at 1-1 and Uefa confirmed the half-time result will stand as the final score.
Casemiro, Mainoo, Shaw – latest United injury news
Erik ten Hag’s side won their final fixture before the international break in dramatic style, coming from a goal down to beat Brentford with a Scott McTominay injury-time double.
United have been battling an injury crisis for much of the season with a host of players missing matches thus far.
There is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel with players returning to training but the Reds were dealt a blow in midweek when Casemiro picked up a knock on international duty with Brazil. Here’s the latest injury news from Old Trafford.