Hall is the plan for next summer
United are convinced they can complete a Carlos Baleba-style deal for Lewis Hall next summer (12). The signals from Hall's camp are that he sees a very strong match at United, which is why the club has confidence in the situation, the same way it did with Baleba 12 months ago. United may close the window without a new left-back and bet on signing Hall instead.
The knock-on is Harry Amass. His future hinges on whether United sign a left-back in these final days of the window (7). If they hold off for Hall, Amass stays put for now.
Baleba is out of Sunday's Ipswich game
Your £65m midfielder is out with an ankle injury for Sunday's home game against Ipswich (6). That strips United of their blockbuster signing just as they chase a first league win of the season.
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United lost 2–0 at Hull City in the opener and sit 17th with zero points. Ipswich at Old Trafford on Sunday is the chance to get off the mark.
Fiorentina confident over Zirkzee loan
Fiorentina believe they can land Joshua Zirkzee on a season-long loan with a £4.2m loan fee (1) (3) (5). Talks moved forward this week and there is growing confidence between all parties. Zirkzee has had a heavily reduced role under Michael Carrick.
Fenerbahçe open Rashford talks
Fenerbahçe, back in the Champions League, have opened negotiations with United over Marcus Rashford (4). It is the second summer in a row a Turkish giant has come for him.
Centre-back search as de Ligt and Martinez sit out
United are discussing centre-back options. Taylor Harwood-Bellis has been discussed internally, Tosin Adarabioyo was offered directly as a squad player, and Josh Acheampong is admired though Chelsea consider him untouchable (8).
Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez being out has forced the issue before deadline day.
City join race for Ndiaye
Manchester City have shown interest in Everton's Iliman Ndiaye, valued at around £80m, the same player United are pursuing before the window closes (9). Arsenal are also watching, though Julian Alvarez remains their dream target.
Berrada on the Champions League draw
Omar Berrada picked out Bayern Munich at home as the tie that stands out, calling the 1999 final iconic in the club's history (10). "But we're looking forward to playing against all these great opponents, at home and away" (10).
The full group: Atletico Madrid away, Bayern at home, Roma at home, Sporting away, RB Leipzig at home, Villarreal away, Sabah at home, and Como away. Fixture dates land on Saturday.
Other moves in the works
Toby Collyer has been told he is free to leave, but his advisers have questioned a move to Hull where he would be a squad player (2). A Championship move has been suggested as better for his development, with a sell-on clause expected.
Gabriele Biancheri is another academy name on the way out. United will let the prodigy leave permanently, with suitors in the Championship and across Europe (11).
Fan-reaktioner
Reddit is split between the Champions League draw and the deadline-day scramble. Fans are buzzing about the Bayern at Old Trafford reunion and Bruno Fernandes going home to Sporting. The Dan Gore loan to Luton broke on the sub first, and the Berrada quote about creating new memories got a warm reception. r/reddevils