Manchester United will face off against Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on Saturday and Alexis Sanchez could be in contention to return to the side.
The Chilean winger missed United's 1-0 victory over Tottenham on Sunday with a slight injury but returned to training this week ahead of the visit of the Seagulls.
Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic were conspicuous by their absence at Wednesday's training but it's understood that both of them are fully fit. Chris Smalling remains a doubt for the game with a foot injury and Marcos Rojo has been ruled out. Eric Bailly returns from his three-match suspension and is available for selection.
Meanwhile, United are closing in on their first signing of the January transfer window with 16-year-old Amiens winger, Noam Emeran, set to arrive at Old Trafford this month.
We'll bring you all the latest United news and views throughout the day.
Key Events
Solskjaer's 'number one' transfer target revealed
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has identified Steven Bergwijn as his number one transfer target, according to reports.
The Express suggest the PSV Eindhoven winger has impressed the Norwegian coach who has ‘requested his signature’.
Mata 'receives offer'
Reports in Turkey claim Fenerbahce have made an offer to sign Juan Mata, who wants a transfer away from United.
Mata has not been first choice under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and SuperHaber.Tv claim the Spaniard has been offered an exit route by the Turkish side.
United squad vs Brighton revealed
Alexis Sanchez and Eric Bailly are back in the Manchester United squad for the Premier League visit of Brighton.
Bailly is available again after he served a three-match suspension for the red card he received in the 4-1 win over Bournemouth on December 30. Sanchez did not travel to London for the spirited victory over Tottenham last week but returned to training on Wednesday and has been named in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s provisional squad.
Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic also reported at The Lowry Hotel with the rest of the squad after they did not participate in training on Wednesday. Matic, whose wife gave birth to a baby girl on Monday, and Pogba arrived at United’s Carrington training complex on Thursday.
A number of United players were unaccounted for, including Fred, whose wife, Monique, gave birth to their firstborn son, Benjamin, on Wednesday. It is possible Fred could rendezvous with the United squad on Saturday. Ashley Young was also not spotted but has checked in at The Lowry separately in the past.
See the full squad here.
Giggs backs United for top four
Ryan Giggs believes the momentum is with United in their chase for the top four.
He said:
“I believe the top four is on for Manchester United. Momentum is key. When you get to this part of the season and have a bit of momentum it is hard to stop. Chelsea are at Arsenal on Saturday, and we fancy ourselves against Brighton, so we could get even closer to Chelsea.”
“If you look back a month ago it was not even on the table really so to turn it around in such a short space of time, with the games we have coming up, top four is definitely the target. Rather than looking over our shoulders we are looking up and it is great to see.”
The record Solskjaer can make
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can make more history on Saturday when Manchester United host Brighton in the Premier League.
Solskjaer went into the weekend’s game at Tottenham knowing a win would show that his new-look United side mean business, and it would also make break the club record for most wins after taking charge.
Marcus Rashford’s breakaway finish and David De Gea’s heroics secured a hard-earned 1-0 win, and wrote Solskjaer into the Old Trafford record books with his sixth consecutive win.
And Solskjaer can make another big statement when United host Brighton on Saturday.
If he was to mastermind a win against Brighton, Solskjaer would not only get revenge for the 3-2 defeat on the South Coast, but he would equal the Premier League record for winning starts at a specific club.
Giggs not surprised by Solskjaer start
Ryan Giggs says he is not surprised by the 100% start Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made at United.
He said:
“I’m not surprised by how well Ole has done. At any level when you win six on the trot it is a fantastic achievement.
“Obviously everyone says they are games he should have won but there were some tricky games - Newcastle and Tottenham away for example.
“Ole has done fantastic, the players have as well, the place has been lifted. It’s a different atmosphere now, I’ve been to a couple of games and it’s been brilliant, the manner we have won them by scoring lots of goals.
“Then we had to dig a result out at Tottenham, first half we were fantastic and the second half David de Gea put on an amazing performance and we rode our luck a little bit. You have to do that to win games sometimes.”
Faria's new job
As expected, former United assistant Rui Faria has a new job as head coach at Al Duhail in Qatar.
Faria has been without a job after leaving his position as Jose Mourinho’s assistant last year.
'Still details to finalise'
This appears to be the source of the rumour that Anthony Martial has ‘agreed’ a five year contract extension at United.
RMC football editor reports Martial’s agent has said ‘some details remain to be finalised.’
New Martial contract 'close'
Anthony Martial is close to signing a new five-year contract, according to Sky Sports News.
They say he is expected to reach an agreement with the club over the new deal after he reportedly rejected an offer in December.
A one-year extension was recently activated by United to keep him at the club until 2020.
What Pochettino had to say about Giuseppe Rossi
Mauricio Pochettino has addressed speculation Tottenham Hotpsur are interested in Giuseppe Rossi.
Spurs are certainly a club in need of a striker, but the Italy international isn’t a target for the club with Pochettino shooting down rumours linking Rossi with a return to English football.
“I think there’s many names that appear in every transfer window. He’s another name to add on the list but it’s only a rumour,” Pochettino told football.london.
“We are not considering him. It’s a rumour like another but if you ask me, I think no, it’s not a possibility.”
Flynn delighted with Poole acquisition
Regan Poole will be hoping to make an immediate impact for Newport when they travel to face Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fourth-round next weekend, and his new manager Michael Flynn is confident the centre-back can make an immediate impression.
Flynn said: “I’m delighted to have signed Regan Poole. He is a player I know well having brought him through the Academy ranks during my time as Academy Manager, I knew then of the tremendous qualities Regan has to offer.
“These will be invaluable to the team in the second half of the season. It’s a positive for the club that we have been able to sign a player from Manchester United.”
Poole outlines ambition
Newport are currently 13th in the League Two table, but Poole is confident they can achieve promotion this season.
“I’m really happy to be back,” the 20-year-old told the club website.
As soon as I knew the club wanted me back on loan, it was a no-brainer really. I feel like Newport County AFC can get promoted this season and I’m here to try and help them achieve that.”
Poole leaves United
United defender Regan Poole has left the club on loan, re-joining boyhood club Newport.
Latest United podcast
Rich Fay is joined by MEN football writers Samuel Luckhurst and Charlotte Duncker to reflect on Jose Mourinho’s first extended television interview since leaving Manchester United with beIN Sport. The panel also take a look at the transfer market activity this month and a further look into when the new director of football could be in place by.
Pogba looking up at De Bruyne
Paul Pogba admits he looks up to Kevin de Bruyne as he looks to continue improving his game.
“Now I look at Kevin De Bruyne... Modric... Toni Kroos.
“All those players now, they’re playing and I love looking at them and I try and learn from them, It’s always good for me.”
Predicted line up
Even legislating for the Tottenham onslaught in the second-half, Solskjaer has to retain the same starting XI. It is United’s strongest XI, at the time of writing, and with only one midweek game this month there is little need to rotate.
Eric Bailly’s availability could force Phil Jones out at some stage over the next month but United have not conceded a goal this calendar year. Anthony Martial has not hit the heights of Marcus Rashford under Solskjaer so far but still has to start ahead of Alexis Sanchez.
Selection dilemmas could be imminent for Solskjaer. United could have a bench of Sergio Romero, Diogo Dalot, Eric Bailly, Fred, Juan Mata, Romelu Lukaku and Sanchez this weekend.
Rashford landmark
Marcus Rashford will make his 150th appearance for Manchester United if he plays against Brighton tomorrow.
The 21-year-old has scored 40 goals since his debut in 2016, making 23 assists.
Baby boom is sweeping Old Trafford
A baby boom is sweeping Old Trafford, with four Manchester United stars welcoming the safe arrival of mini Red Devils.
Romelu Lukaku, Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Fred are all celebrating recent additions to their families.
Three other players and their partners are also preparing for the patter of tiny feet.
The baby boom coincides with United’s resurgence under returning legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as interim manager, who has become the club’s first boss to win his first six games in charge.
Mbappe wary of United's threat
With the Champions League looming again Mbappe has been asked about United:
People’s point of view of that team may have changed, but ours hasn’t,” Mbappe told Bein Sport.
“Manchester United are a big club, this is the same team that were called weak before and now are considered the best, but it’s same players.
“In football, there are highs and there are lows. They have had some difficult moments, and now they are back in form. It’s a good team and we’ve to prepare for when we play them.”
Solskjaer on the mood in camp when he arrived
Speaking to MUTV he said:
When you got here and assessed the mood were you surprised with how the players were?
I don’t think any Manchester United will walk around strutting when you’re sixth in the league, you shouldn’t and you wouldn’t, it’s about getting down to the hard work of course you play better if you have confidence and that’s my opinion but you have to be focused it’s not just about having a laugh it’s about working properly and consciously to how you want to look.
I don’t think working here is too diff to any club, working with people who used to love football as kids and we guide them to get the best out of themselves but we do have a responsibility because we do have this badge on our chest and that means a certain way of behaving on the pitch and the culture in the club has to be brought forward.
Have you had to remind players about that?
I don’t know if I have had to but I have. I don’t know what’s been said before that’s in the past, I can only go off from when I came in and from my time before how things were and how I want things to be we talk about United and how it’s supposed be at MU, I don’t know what’s been said before.
Newport County hopeful of Regan Poole loan move
Newport County are hopeful of re-signing defender Regan Poole from Manchester United on a loan deal until the end of the season.
“There is interest there,” manager Michael Flynn said.
“But nothing has been done yet. We will wait and see.
“I brought Regan through, I was running the academy then and I knew he was going to be a very, very good player.”
Team news
United are without three players for tomorrow’s game with Marouane Fellaini, Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo ruled out through injury.
Eric Bailly is back in contention after serving his three match suspension Alexis Sanchez should also be available having recovered from injury.
Lindelof in London
He headed from training for a night watching the NBA in London.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsxu6F7gEAH/?hl=en
Carrick 'felt marginalised by Mourinho'
Carrick and McKenna were both promoted by Mourinho to the first team coaching staff.
However, a report in the Daily Mail explains how the pair were left feeling marginalised towards the end of Mourinho’s time in charge as he surrounded himself closely with his Portuguese backroom team.
The MEN revealed last month United players felt Carrick and Kieran McKenna’s thoughts and plans ‘were not listened to’ by Mourinho.
Pogba reveals Ferguson impact on United squad
Pogba has spoken about how Solskjaer is implementing Sir Alex Ferguson’s methods at the training ground.
It’s like home for him, he knows he didn’t really change, he came back to the time of Ferguson I would say,” Pogba told Football Focus. “The training, the way we use the box, it’s everything like before.”
