Man Utd ‘favourites’ to sign midfielder as Red Devils make defender ‘available’ for transfer

The summer transfer window is in full swing with clubs around the world able to sign players from 10 June. However, one team who is yet to bolster the ranks is Manchester United.

United are expected to have a busy summer with new manager Erik ten Hag tasked with revamping the squad.

One name linked with a move to Old Trafford is Christian Eriksen. The 30-year-old spent the second half of last season with Brentford, but could now swap west London for Manchester.

According to the Daily Star, the Red Devils are now in ‘pole position’ to sign Eriksen after his former club Tottenham Hotspur ‘backed away’ from signing the Dane.

The newspaper adds, due to Spurs no longer pursuing the midfielder, it has ‘paved the way’ for United to secure his services.

A move for Eriksen would cost Ten Hag’s side nothing with his contract at Brentford coming to an end on 30 June. However, the Bees have also offered the 30-year-old a new deal, as per numerous reports.

Eriksen is no stranger to Ten Hag. The midfielder trained with the Red Devils boss at Ajax while working on his fitness upon his return to football, after he suffered a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.

Meanwhile at Old Trafford, they will allow full-back Brandon Williams to depart this summer after dubbing him ‘surplus to requirements’.

As per the Sun, United are ‘willing’ to sell the 21-year-old, who spent the last campaign on loan at Norwich City, for £10m.

During his season at Carrow Road, the versatile defender made 28 appearances for the Canaries in all competitions, providing one assist.

Williams has openly stated he wants to play in the Premier League next season, telling the Sun in March: “I want to look back on my career and have played hundreds of games at the top level in the Premier League.

"Whether that’s at Norwich, at Man Utd or somewhere else [I don’t mind].

“I feel I’m capable of doing that. I’ve showed that I can play in this league this season.”

A move away from Old Trafford would make sense for the 21-year-old, who is expected to be behind Luke Shaw, Alex Telles, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot in the pecking order at United.