The Reds will head to the East Midlands on the back of a 1-1 draw to Arsenal and a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad in the Europa League this week. United are having another underwhelming season under their new manager, who has only won five games since taking over from Erik ten Hag in November Reports Manchester Evening Standard.
However, Ruben Amorim is confident his team will return to winning ways against the relegation strugglers. “Forget the table and face Leicester like we did against Real Sociedad,” the Portuguese head coach said on Friday.
“We just need to win and improve our position in the table and the most important thing is to continue this feeling of winning and that we are improving as a team.”
Here, MEN Sport has taken a look at the headlines that have emerged from the last 24 hours.
Four strikers ‘shortlisted’
United are likely to strengthen their attack in the summer and already have targets on their wishlist. TEAMtalk reports that Jean-Phillipe Mateta, Victor Osimhen, Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are shortlisted.
However, it’s believed that deals for Gyokeres and Osimhen would be ‘financially difficult’ and there is ‘no guarantee’ the club will move for either player. Sesko on the other hand, is also on the radar of Arsenal and Chelsea.
As for Mateta, reports have claimed that he could be available for £40million but TEAMtalk add that Crystal Palace are likely to demand over £60million to part company with the French striker.
MEN Sport says: It’s no surprise to see strikers linked with a move to United following the season both Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund have had so far. Goals are vital in a team and if strikers aren’t guaranteeing the team goals, week in, week out, changes must be made. Although it’s good to see the board being ambitious with the players they’re targeting, it’s difficult to see them being able to attract the likes of Osimhen or Gyokeres, given their limited budget and not being able to offer European football next season.
Mateta on the other hand, may feel he’s better off at Selhurst Park for now, as he continues to play a significant role for his team. As for Sesko, it is difficult to see him choose a move to Manchester over Arsenal, as the north Londoners will be able to offer him European football.
Morgan Gibbs-White on the radar
According to Caught Offside, United are among the clubs to hold an interest in Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White. The England international has been in fine form for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, who are having an impressive season and sit third in the table.
The report claims Gibbs-White is ‘firmly’ on the radar of United, Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool. However, Forest don’t wish to sell the 25-year-old and are keen to tie him to a new deal.
Although it’s said the East Midlands club are hoping to hold talks over his future soon, offers in the region of £50million could test the waters at the City Ground.
MEN Sport says: Since coming through at Wolves, Gibbs-White has stepped up his game and has gone on to become a tremendous all-rounder midfielder so it’s clear to see why these clubs have become interested in his services. Soon enough, it will be time for him to continue shining at a bigger club but I think he still has another year at Forest given the brilliant season they’ve had.
As they are on course to secure Champions League football next season, Gibbs-White could play another key role for Nuno and Co and it wouldn’t do him any harm to stay at the City Ground for another year.
