Man Utd ‘admire’ Serie A winner as defender backed by former Arsenal star

Manchester United have reportedly shown an interest in Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as doubt remains of Jadon Sancho’s future at Old Trafford.

The former Borussia Dortmund winger was said to have held talks with Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag after he was left out of the United squad to face Arsenal prior to the international break. Sancho issued a statement claiming he was being made a ‘scapegoat’ after Ten Hag suggested his decision was based on the winger’s performances in training.

The Daily Mail’s Mike Keegan have now claimed United ‘admire’ Georgian winger Kvaratskhelia after he helped Napoli to a historic Serie A title win last season

He said: “He plays on the other side but it wouldn’t surprise me if Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was in the Premier League next season. I know he’s had admirers here, including United, but I can’t imagine he would come cheap and a switch during the season may be unlikely.

“As for January, a loan move may be the answer to get them through until the end of the campaign.”

Former England winger defends Maguire after England criticism

Former Arsenal and star winger Theo Walcott has leapt to the defence of Manchester United defender Harry Maguire.

The Red Devils centre-back has received criticism from some supporters and pundits after he was selected in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine and Tuesday night’s friendly with Scotland.

Maguire came off the bench in the latter of those fixtures and scored an own goal as the Three Lions claimed a 3-1 win at Hampden Park. That led to further discussion over the defender’s suitability for being selected by Southgate - but the England manager delivered a passionate rebuke to his critics during his post-match interviews.

The former Middlesbrough boss has been backed by Walcott, who believes the critics should ‘get off Maguire’s back’ and place their trust in Southgate.

“He’s playing for England at the highest level out of a certain amount of people that actually play for England – that’s an incredible achievement, it really is – people forget that,” the ex-Arsenal winger told Sky Sports.

“And I think he’s actually one of the highest goalscoring centre-backs as well, and people tend to forget that as well. There’s this sort of mark on him, I don’t know, I don’t see it. Gareth (Southgate) picks his teams. Essentially we got to trust Gareth, so for me, we just have to get off Harry’s back.”