Matthew Abbott

Manchester United have reportedly begun contract talks with captain Bruno Fernandes after Galatasaray allegedly made a £17 million offer. United maintain that Fernandes is not for sale and say no club has contacted them, while his current contract is set to expire at the end of the season with a one-year extension option. Fernandes is reported to want to stay, having previously rejected interest from Al-Hilal and spoken about his commitment to the club despite feeling that United had considered selling him.

Manchester United are working to sign 18-year-old Leicester City midfielder Louis Page after Leicester omitted him from their opening League One matchday squad. Leicester head coach Russell Martin said the club had rejected an offer and would only sell if a deal suited the player, club and its financial and sporting needs. Martin also confirmed his familiarity with United director of football Jason Wilcox, while Leicester maintain they are under no pressure to sell Page or other players.

Pep Guardiola came close to becoming Italy's national team head coach after leaving Manchester City, according to former Italian Football Federation technical director Paolo Maldini. Maldini said money was not an issue and that Guardiola ultimately declined because he was exhausted after 10 demanding years in the Premier League and needed to recover from back surgery. The discussions reportedly included detailed plans for Italy's senior and youth teams, with Guardiola also discussing Johan Cruyff's influence on Spanish football and a long-term project to reshape Italy's football identity.

Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly close to signing a four-year contract extension with the United States Soccer Federation, potentially keeping him in charge through the 2030 World Cup in Morocco, Portugal and Spain. The renewal would likely end a decade of speculation linking him with the Manchester United job. Pochettino has acknowledged United's long-standing interest, but previous opportunities failed to materialize because he was under contract elsewhere or the club moved quickly to appoint another manager.

Gabriel Agbonlahor questions the lack of transfer interest in Marcus Rashford despite his return from a loan at Barcelona, suggesting his wages and contract may be obstacles. He argues that Rashford appears to be in a better mindset after time away from Manchester and may prefer a move abroad. Agbonlahor predicts the situation will likely be resolved late in the transfer window and believes Rashford’s relationship with Manchester United is effectively over, noting changes in the squad and the loss of his shirt number.