De Ligt nears a return as Gabriel pushes to leave

De Ligt is close

Matthijs de Ligt is nearly back. He trained with the first-team squad again this week and is expected on the bench sooner rather than later, potentially for the Champions League games against Atlético Madrid or Como (1).

You need him. United have kept one clean sheet in seven games this season (1). De Ligt also came through a behind-closed-doors friendly against FC Lausanne-Sport on Saturday (1).

Before that, it is Tottenham at home on Saturday, 18:30 CEST, and then Atlético away on Tuesday, October 13.

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Gabriel wants out, United want lawyers

JJ Gabriel has asked to be deregistered. United are weighing regulatory and legal action to stop it (2) (5).

He is 15. He scored a hat-trick in the Youth League. Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have been circling, and now Paris Saint-Germain have contacted his agent, Ali Barat (6).

If he leaves, United are entitled only to a small compensation fee (5). That is the part that stings.

Truffert is ready for Old Trafford

Adrien Truffert is willing to make the move. United are monitoring the Bournemouth left-back, and he is ready to approve a switch to Old Trafford (3).

Bournemouth are the hurdle, not the player. Ekrem Konur's line was blunt: ready for the Old Trafford move, approval may be secured (3).

Luke Shaw is in the final year of his contract, which makes left-back the priority position.

Behind closed doors, Leon gets his chance

Diego Leon has his first minutes under Michael Carrick. He played in Saturday's behind-closed-doors friendly against FC Lausanne-Sport, along with Carlos Baleba, Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire (4).

Carrick's son, Jayce, 16, also made his first-team debut in the same game (4).

With injuries stacking up at the back, Leon is a live option for cover (4).

Nmecha, €100m, and a Manchester reunion

Felix Nmecha could come back to Manchester. United, Manchester City and Newcastle are all tracking the Borussia Dortmund midfielder, and Dortmund want around €100m (7).

Nmecha left City's academy in 2021. City could now buy him back at that price (7).

United and Arsenal on Matanovic

Igor Matanovic is on the radar. Three Premier League clubs are interested in the Freiburg striker, with United and Arsenal among them (8).

No fee has been mentioned. It is interest, nothing more.

Sources

  • 1. thepeoplesperson.com — Man United’s plans for Matthijs de Ligt revealed after successful first-team comeback
  • 2. sportsmole.co.uk — JJ Gabriel latest: Man Utd 'consider' taking legal action over teenage forward as domestic and European rivals 'keep watch'
  • 3. thepeoplesperson.com — Adrien Truffert ready to approve Manchester United move, just one hurdle remains
  • 4. thepeoplesperson.com — Diego Leon: Forgotten Man United star emerges as surprise solution as Michael Carrick seeks defensive cover
  • 5. strettynews.com — JJ Gabriel Future Uncertain as Manchester United Weigh Response
  • 6. sport.fr — Le Paris Saint-Germain a déjà frappé à la porte de ce prodige de 15 ans que toute l’Europe s’arrache
  • 7. sport.fr — Ce joueur formé à Manchester City vaut désormais 100 M€… et City pourrait le racheter à ce prix !
  • 8. bbc.co.uk — Man Utd & Arsenal eye Croatia striker - Sunday's gossip
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