Manchester United 'interested' in £25m midfielder amid Manuel Ugarte stumbling block as Jadon Sancho offered exit plan

Manchester United can kick their campaign off with consecutive wins for the first time under Erik ten Hag when they go to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday. The Reds were made to fight for their opening-weekend victory at home to Fulham, with summer signing Joshua Zirkzee enjoying a dream debut off the bench with the decisive late goal. United looked an all-round more solid unit at Old Trafford but will be truly tested against an exciting Seagulls outfit.

United recruitment chiefs will have one eye on Saturday’s trip to the south coast but focus remains on strengthening Ten Hag’s squad, with Manuel Ugarte’s move to Old Trafford edging closer after he was again left out of Paris Saint-Germain’s squad for the weekend. A deal has also been agreed to sign 18-year-old defensive midfielder Sékou Koné from Guidars FC, and the club are not done yet. With all that in mind, ManchesterWorld has rounded up some of the latest stories surrounding the club.

More midfield interest

United could look to further bolster their midfield in the window’s final week with reports of interest in Fluminense’s André. TNT Sports Brazil claim ‘negotiations’ have begun between club and player, although no formal offer has yet been submitted, with Premier League rivals Wolves also thought to be keen.

A move for Ugarte is edging closer but PSG’s reluctance to budge from their €60million (£50.8m) valuation has stalled progress, with talks ongoing over a potential loan with an obligation to buy. As such, recruitment chiefs look to be putting contingency plans in place and are thought to have identified André as a potential option.

The 23-year-old is into his fourth campaign as a first-team regular at Fluminense and has previously been of interest to Fulham, who are thought to have agreed a £25m deal but not followed through. It remains to be seen whether United will follow suit or get a deal over the line for Ugarte.

Sancho exit route

Jadon Sancho could be offered a lifeline from Italy with reports of ‘firm interest’ coming from Juventus. Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth claims the Serie A giants are ‘exploring the conditions’ of a deal and have already held talks over personal terms with the out-of-favour winger.

Sancho remains on the fringes of first-team action at United, having been welcomed back by Ten Hag following last season’s public fallout and his January loan move to Borussia Dortmund. The 28-year-old wasn’t in the squad for last weekend’s visit of Fulham and is behind Alejandro Garnacho, Amad Diallo and Antony for the right-wing role.

Sheth adds that United would be ‘open’ to suitable offers, although there is no suggestion what kind of number would bring them to the table. Club chiefs are keen to recoup a large portion of the £73m they spent on the England international just three years ago. Sancho has two years remaining on his contract with the Reds.