Manchester United takeover news LIVE Man Utd eye £170m Benfica duo plus Galatasaray reaction

Keep tabs on the latest news, views and Man Utd transfer rumours with our dedicated blog updates, plus reaction from Wednesday’s Champions League draw in Istanbul.

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BY GEORGE SMITH
UPDATED10:40, 30 NOV 2023
Erik ten Hag saw his side throw away a lead to draw at Galatasaray.
Erik ten Hag saw his side throw away a lead to draw at Galatasaray.(Image: ANP via Getty Images)
Manchester United face a massive task to progress into the Champions League knockout stages after drawing 3-3 at Galatasaray last night.

Erik ten Hag’s side were 2-0 and then 3-1 up at different points before seeing their advantage disappear. Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay were on target for the Reds but Andre Onana had a night to forget, twice letting in Hakim Ziyech free-kicks before Muhammed Aktürkoğlu’s equaliser.

FC Copenhagen drew 0-0 at Bayern Munich later on yesterday to keep United’s feint progression hopes alive, but they go into the final week at home to the German champions at the bottom of Group A. Ten Hag must win and hope the Danish side and Galatasaray draw.

All eyes now turn to the Premier League and Saturday night’s tough trip to Newcastle. The Reds are enjoying an excellent run of results domestically but face a test of their metal in another tough atmosphere against a good side.

Meanwhile, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS Sport are believed to be edging closer and closer to wrapping up a 25 per cent stake in the club. An announcement is understood to have been close for the past week or so.

You can follow all of the day’s very latest United news on the live blog below:

10:40TYRONE MARSHALL
OPINION: United might be able to sell two midfielders in the January transfer window
“The writing is surely on the wall for Donny van de Beek, who has to find an exit route in January, but it’s not impossible that another midfielder leaves with him, especially with United walking an FFP tightrope. When everyone is fit – and as things stand they should be by January – then Erik ten Hag has nine midfielders to choose from. Casemiro, Scott McTominay, Sofyan Amrabat, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Christian Eriksen, Van de Beek, Hannibal Mejbri and Bruno Fernandes feels like an excessive number of options.”

Click here to read more from Senior Football Writer, Tyrone Marshall.

(Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
10:20GEORGE SMITH
United ‘interested’ in Dragusin
According to a report by ProSport, United are ‘interested’ in signing Genoa defender Radu Dragusin.

The report states that the 21-year-old Romanian is ‘wanted’ by United after an impressive start to this season. The former Juventus youngster is reportedly seen as the ideal candidate to strengthen the Reds’ pool of centre-back options.

(Image: Ivan Romano/Getty Images.)
10:00GEORGE SMITH
Ratcliffe ‘admires’ Freedman amid United links
According to a report by Football Insider, Crystal Palace’s Dougie Freedman is a ‘leading candidate’ to become United’s new director of football.

The former Nottingham Forest boss has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks amid an expected shake-up to the club’s hierarchy with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s expected arrival. Ratcliffe is said to be an ‘admirer’ of the Scot.

(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
09:40GEORGE SMITH
Scholes sends Mainoo message to Ten Hag
United legend Paul Scholes believes manager Erik ten Hag needs to give midfielder Kobbie Mainoo a ‘run in the team’ after he was relegated to the bench for last night’s 3-3 draw with Galatasaray in Turkey.

After producing an outstanding display in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Everton, Mainoo, surprisingly, was dropped to tbe bench, making way for Sofyan Amrabat to come into the team and sit at the base of the midfield.

Scholes told TNT Sports:

“I think Mainoo needs a run in the team. And from what we saw at Everton on Sunday, I think now it’s time to give him a chance. This back-four, they need protecting. No one senses danger as much as this young lad. On Sunday, in a hostile atmosphere, he looked the real deal. I don’t see anyone else being able to protect the back four like he can do.”

(Image: Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images.)
09:20GEORGE SMITH
United’s next six fixtures
Despite the disappointment generated by last night’s 3-3 draw by Galatasaray, United can ill-afford to lose focus, facing Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday night.

The clash with the Magpies will mark United’s first of eight games in December, seven of which are in the Premier League. They face Chelsea four days after the tussle with Newcastle.

With that said, here is a quick look at United’s next six assignments…

Newcastle United (A) – Premier League – December 2
Chelsea (H) – Premier League – December 6
Bournemouth (H) – Premier League – December 9
Bayern Munich (H) – Champions League – December 12
Liverpool (A) – Premier League – December 17
West Ham United (A) – Premier League – December 23
09:00SAMUEL LUCKHURST
REPORT: Onana’s reaction after United scored shows he needs to change after Galatasaray howlers
“This was a regressive evening for Andre Onana and his most galling one yet in United colours after a steady and impressive run of form. His howler for Hakim Ziyech’s second free-kick was reminiscent of Leroy Sane’s Daisy-cutter in Munich that got the ball rolling in Bayern’s 4-3 victory. Onana has cost United. Not only in Munich and Istanbul but against Galatasaray in Manchester, where United’s second-half collapse was sparked by his reckless goal kick.”

Click here to read chief United writer Samuel Luckhurst’s report from Istanbul.

08:41GEORGE SMITH
Werner ‘rejects’ United switch
According to a report by Sky Sport Germany, Timo Werner has ‘rejected’ the chance to join United in the January transfer window, favouring to stay at RB Leipzig.

The German international had been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford at the beginning of this week by media outlets overseas. However, it has now been claimed that he wants to stay at Leipzig and fight for his place.

He returned to the German club in 2022 after two underwhelming years at Chelsea.

United or Chelsea could ‘take advantage’ of Frimpong release clause
According to a report by the Express, United or Chelsea could ‘take advantage’ of Jeremie Frimpong’s reportedly low-value release clause.

The Bayer Leverkusen defender, whose representative held talks with United earlier this year, has been strongly linked with an exit from the German club in recent months. United are likely to target the addition of a new right-back next year and Frimpong could be just the ticket.

According to an additional report from Sky Germany, Frimpong’s release clause is worth £34.6million and it becomes active next summer.

(Image: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
08:00GEORGE SMITH
Rate United’s players after Galatasaray stalemate
Following last night’s 3-3 draw between United and Galatasaray at Rams Park, we’re inviting you to have YOUR say on how think United’s players should have been rated out of ten.

Squandering the lead for the second Champions League game running, United now face the likely scenario of being knocked out of the competition next month. Nevertheless, you can have your say on how Erik ten Hag’s players performed via our special player rater widget below.

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07:40GEORGE SMITH
United ‘interested’ in Lazio shot-stopper
According to a report by Il Messaggero, as cited by Football Italia, United are ‘interested’ in signing Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel.

The 29-year-old, who was crowned as the best goalkeeper in Serie A last season, has been on Lazio’s books since August 2022, joining the club from Spezia Calcio. He has made a total of 63 appearances for the club so far, keeping 28 clean sheets.

(Image: Ivan Romano/Getty Images.)
07:20GEORGE SMITH
Fernandes gives brutal verdict on United’s Champions League campaign
Captain Bruno Fernandes said United have been ‘too bad’ in the Champions League this season after their disappointing 3-3 draw against Galatasaray last night.

Despite leading 2-0, 2-1 and then 3-1, United had to settle for a point, meaning their hopes of reaching the last-16 are now very unlikely. They must beat Bayern Munich in just under a fortnight’s time and hope FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray draw.

Fernandes told TNT Sports:

“We have to look for the team first and after ourselves. It was another game where we could have closed the game. We had too many chances, as I’ve said, and mistakes by ourselves. It’s too bad, to be honest. I don’t want to be too negative, but what we’ve been doing in the Champions League is not enough. We have to control our games every time, it’s not the first game we’ve had like this.”

(Image: TNT Sports)
07:00GEORGE SMITH
Ten Hag makes Onana admission after Galatasaray draw
United manager Erik ten Hag refused to pin the blame on goalkeeper Andre Onana after his side’s 3-3 draw with Galatasaray at Rams Park last night.

United, just as they did in the reverse meeting with the Turkish club, squandered the lead to leave their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread. United must beat Bayern Munich on matchday six to stand any chance of reaching the last-16.

Onana failed to cover himself in glory for two of the three goals United conceded in Turkey, but Ten Hag refused to be critical of the Cameroonian.

He said:

“Andre is okay. As I said, it is not about individuals. Of course, individual errors in football can make a difference and you take responsibility for it but it is always about the team. ”

KYLE NEWBOULD
£170m Benfica duo eyed
United are ‘pushing’ to sign Benfica duo Joao Neves and Antonio Silva in a double swoop that could cost more than £170m, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.

United have long been linked with a move for 19-year-old Neves, who is already one of Benfica’s most important players. Erik ten Hag is also keen on Neves’ defensive teammate Antonio Silva and United will push to sign at least one of them next summer.

Previous reports have suggested Neves has a release clause of around €100m (around £86.5m), and Plettenberg reports that Silva has a similar clause.

(Image: ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)
KYLE NEWBOULD
The ratings
United’s Champions League hopes are hanging by a thread after they drew with Galatasaray 3-3 in Istanbul.

Erik ten Hag’s side got off to the perfect start with a stunning goal from Alejandro Garnacho in the 10th minute. The 19-year-old celebrated by recreating Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘calma’ routine, winding up the Galatasaray fans in the process.

United’s brilliant start continued, with captain Bruno Fernandes topping Garnacho’s strike with an even better one of his own from distance. But Galatasaray hit back through a Hakim Ziyech free-kick before the half-hour mark.

See what our chief United reporter Samuel Luckhurst thought of the performance.

It was another dramatic and goal-laden Champions League night in Istanbul but ultimately another game that got away from United. Having twice been two goals up, they will feel disappointed to come away from the Turkish capital with just a point.

Focus now turns to Saturday and a trip to Newcastle, and we’ll have all the early team news and build-up to that, plus all your usual takeover and transfer news, throughout the day.