Manchester United’s Deadline Day Transfer Plans Revealed
Prior to tonight’s transfer deadline, Manchester United hopes to secure loan deals for several academy players.
Harry Maguire is expected to remain despite Inter Milan’s reported interest. The 29-year-old Maguire has started only twice in the Premier League over the past five months, but it is expected that he will remain with United for the remainder of the season.
Maguire is one of four senior central defenders available to United manager Erik ten Hag, who refutes the notion that Maguire is the position’s fifth-best option.
“No, he’s not fifth choice,” Ten Hag stressed. “But it’s up to him. I have to say he’s training very well, bringing quality and that is what I expect from all the players in the squad.
“He has to fight for his position and things can change, sometimes also really quickly. I think he is making progress and it’s up to him.”
“After the World Cup, he should have played but then he got ill. I can’t do anything about that and he knows that.
“Then you come in a run and he has to wait for his chance – I think those are the laws of football, from top football, from selection.
“Then you have to wait for a change and in the meanwhile make sure you are ready if the chance is there.”
Monday, United striker Charlie McNeill agreed to a loan to League Two struggler Newport County and trained with his new teammates.
McNeill made his United debut in September against Real Sociedad in the Europa League group stage, but he has only trained with the first team a handful of times since.
Dishon Bernard is eager to go out on loan, having spent last season with Hull City in the Championship, and the United Under-21s defender faced West Ham 11 days ago.
Bernard, 22 years old, made his debut for Manchester United in their Europa League loss to Astana in Kazakhstan in November 2019; this remains his only competitive appearance for the club.
Teden Mengi, who was loaned to Birmingham and Derby during the winter transfer window in recent seasons, remains sidelined with a hamstring injury he sustained in a December 10 friendly against Real Betis.
This month, United have sent Shola Shoretire and Charlie Savage on loan to Bolton Wanderers and Forest Green Rovers, respectively.
Brandon Williams and Zidane Iqbal were open to loans despite their limited first-team opportunities, but Ten Hag was reluctant to lose options from his senior squad due to United’s busy schedule.
Manchester United’s Deadline Day Transfer Plans Revealed
