Manchester United Thread 25/26 - Teamtalk/Transfers/Gossip Mod Note in OP 12.02.26

Watched a bit of England vs New Zealand over the weekend, the main thing that struck me is that I think Anderson and Mainoo are very similar in the way they want to play. Anderson's forward passing was impressive, albeit in a friendly. While he might be seem as an all rounder, I'm not sure Mainoo and himself would be the ideal pairing.

Maybe it's the fact that it seems he's destined for City, but I do think I would prefer a more defensive midfielder like Anderson / M Fernandes alongside Mainoo.

If it came down to it, I would be going for Fernandes + a quality FB instead of Anderson (assuming you could probably get either option for similar spend).

I think its most likely he gets another loan tbh.

Probably but they better tie him down to a new contract because hes only got 2 years left and loaning him out eats into any fee we can get from a sale.

Sell Nice buy out the Glazers 😉

It doesn't matter much if Lammens is very good. If people at the club think Vitek has another couple of levels to go up, then they should loan him out again or sell at a high price. It all depends on what kind of offer you might get for him.

Chelsea kept hold of Courtois despite Cech doing very well for them, but Courtois still displaced him after two loan spells at Atletico. If Vitek ends up better than Lammens and we still own him, he should displace him.

Take with a large pinch of salt and then some more, but…

“Manchester United remain intent on signing Elliot Anderson, with the club’s executives optimistic they can beat Manchester City in the race to acquire the 23-year-old midfielder”

I don’t rate Jamie Jackson as a journalist and I doubt that he has some scoop here… but as it’s Anderson, I’m willing to get sucked in a bit and hope that there is some truth in this.

Some bits from Laurie Whitwell

United are considering a move for Karl Darlow for experienced backupGK.

Sam Johnston another option. Both would count as homegrown

United looking at Bournemouth's Alex Scott. Could be £60m this summer

Mateus Fernandes high among the options but wont meet WHU valuation

Baleba, Tonali, Wharton next options

Also considering option for left wing

Lewis Hall mentioned again

A Centre Forward should also arrive if Zirkzee leaves

No mention of Christian Romero

Few more bits

Radek Vítek is expected to want first-team football, but that could come on loan or in a permanent transfer.

[@TheAthleticFC]

Manchester United are considering a move for Leeds’ Karl Darlow as they search for an experienced backup goalkeeper. His contract expires at the end of this month.

United have also discussed Wolves’ Sam Johnstone as an option.

#MUFC [@TheAthleticFC]—————-

Manchester United will NOT be moving for Marc Cucurella. He is not on United’s radar. #MUFC [@samuelluckhurst , @SunMartinB ]——————

mufc are NOT prepared to meet West Ham's £80m asking price for Mateus Fernandes.

There is an expectation that, over time, that fee should FALL.

[@TheAthletic]—————

ManUtd genuinely feel an £80m fee for Mateus Fernandes is well above Club are keen to avoid another Baleba-type situation + They believe prices often rise once United's interest becomes public +Current figures being reported are viewed internally as higher than expected. @mufcRin ————

Manchester United want to SIGN Cuti Romero and are preparing an offer. #MUFC [@gastonedul]

🗣️* @David_Ornstein on Elliot Anderson *:

"Nottingham Forrest want a Premier League transfer record - £120M."

[@TheAthleticFC pod]————-

Aston Villa are believed to be interested in signing Marcus Rashford this summer.

Arsenal and Tottenham are also credited with an interest, while Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Chelsea could emerge as potential options.

@ChrisWheelerDM ————

Manchester United's interest in Sandro Tonali has COOLED as of today.

The club consider both his transfer fee and salary too high.

[@FabrizioRomano]————

Understand Matheus Fernandes price tag has been fixed by West Ham in a meeting with his camp: £85m.

Manchester United in contact with player side, more clubs also attentive and keen. @FabrizioRomano ————-

MCFC are preparing a second bid for Elliot Anderson. City are prepared to pay in excess of £80m for the #NFFC and England midfielder. #MUFC are not giving up hope of signing Anderson, but realise City are in the box seat. With @JacobsBen for @talkSPORT ————-

David Ornstein: “If I had to give you ONE Premier League club that would be the busiest in the upcoming transfer market, I would say Manchester United”————-

Cristian Orozco will be evaluated by coaches before a development PLAN is formed for next season. It's likely that he will be kept at the club and play for the academy given he will require TIME to settle in a new environment. #MUFC [@StevenRailston]————

Man City are preparing a new bid for Elliot Anderson and are confident of getting the deal done. #mufc remain interested, but City are currently ahead in the race and optimistic [@FabrizioRomano]—————

Reports that Manchester United are interested in El Hadji Diouf are wide of the mark.

#MUFC [@SullyTalkz]————-

Sandro Tonali’s asking price will be around £100m

[@LukeEdwardsTele]————-

MUFC have begun talks with #WHU for Mateus Fernandes. United have no desire to pay the £80M asking fee from West Ham and ideally don't want a long saga. 21 yo is keen on a move as reported. However, internal chaos at #WHU after Sullivan left. @UtdDistrict ————-

mufc are working on a new timetable to complete Ederson's signing. It's not impossible that he completes his transfer during the World Cup, though it would require permission from the player and the CBF.

The more likely timeframe now is that he will undergo a medical and complete the paperwork once Brazil's World Cup is over, before the midfielder is granted a summer break [@TyMarshall_MEN]————-

José Mourinho reportedly wants to keep #ManUnited target Aurélien Tchouaméni at his current club.Source in Madrid suggest United’s interest was made known early, while the France international is approaching the final two years of his contract. #MUFC [@samuelluckhurst—————

mufc have joined Man City in the race to sign Marc Cucurella, with Chelsea valuing the defender at €40–50m. He is keen to leave the club, and Chelsea are open to a sale, although his preferred destination is a return to Barcelona.

Atlético Madrid are currently the most interested side from La Liga. Cucurella is expected to wait until after the World Cup before making a decision [@mundodeportivo]—————

Bild journalist Christian Falk has reported that while Bayern would have no problem in paying the transfer fee that Man Utd would demand for Rashford, the Bavarian giants would have an issue in paying his salary.With Man Utd qualifying for the Champions League next season, Rashford’s salary is now £325,000 per week.

Not sure on the reliability of some of these but no harm throwing them in.

Bayern would be a great move for Rashford. Besides, hasn't he already agreed to reduce his salary for Barcelona?

I think we've moved onto Hall.

Quite like this new approach to transfers. West Ham want 80, Utd don't think its worth it, will walk away unless a dral can be struck. Sensible in the fact we always get charged Utd tax. Hopefully that's a thing of the Woodword past.

Bayindir or Onana should be knowhere near a Utd squad.

Main reason we can do that, is we're working on a few deals at a time.

For years we concentrated on one deal and didn't move off it.

I don't like that roy didn't admit what he said Bruno said… was wrong. All well and good clearing the air between them, but to not correct the public criticism, that was factually wrong, means that public criticism will remain something people point to again in the future. "Sure even Roy Keane called him out for playing for himself".

It seems any GK we pick up will be a free transfer to go alongside Lammens & Heaton as the 3 senior GKs. Having an undisputed #1 isn't a bad thing, you don't need a "cup GK". Lammens, barring injury could easily play 55 games next season. Now if we draw League 1 or 2 opposition in the Cups in the early rounds then by all means give Darlow or Heaton a game.