Man Utd given fresh transfer hope over '£50m target' as Fabrizio Romano issues 'new deal' update

Manchester United will be out to bounce back from their 3-1 loss to Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend when they host Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday night.

The two British clubs have met four times in their history, with all of those meetings coming in the Champions League. United are unbeaten against the Ibrox club, winning three and drawing once without conceding a goal.

Ruben Amorim will be hoping for more of the same as he targeted a clean sheet at the very least. He said: "We need the first thing, in my mind, they cannot score. We need to score the first one and if we scored the first one that would change [things] and we would play better at home in the beginning. That is it and I think we are really clear that we are anxious playing, especially at home, and we are suffering goals then it is really hard. I think it is clear for everybody that it is getting harder to play at Old Trafford.”

As the fixtures come thick and fast, the clock is ticking for United to complete any January business. One player who is reportedly of interest is Wolves forward Matheus Cunha but a move appeared unlikely after it was claimed earlier this month a new contract had been verbally agreed between the player and the midlands club.

Cunha contract latest

United have been given renewed hope in a potential pursuit of Cunha as a new deal has not yet been signed. Premier League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool have also been linked with a move. In an update on the situation, Fabrizio Romano posted on X: “Cunha’s situation from now to end of January remains one to watch. New deal not formally signed yet as reported two days ago, clubs showing interest with Arsenal still keen and not only… …Vitor Pereira’s post-match words yesterday were also strong.”

When asked about the situation, Wolves boss Vitor Pereira said: “If in the future he [Cunha] goes to a big club, I will be happy for him. For sure because I like it if one of my players is one of the best players in the game, I’m very happy. He’s quality and the quality of work [he does].”

United’s need for goals

The Red Devils are working on a deal to sign a new left-back this month after opening talks with Lecce over a potential transfer for Patrick Dorgu. United have reportedly made an offer of around £23m but that has not been accepted with the Serie A club wanting another £10m to sanction a deal.

A striker is on Amorim’s wishlist and while Cunha is mostly used in an attacking midfield role, he has the ability to play across a front three and as a second striker, offering plenty of versatility. He has scored 26 goals and provided 13 assists in 78 games for Wolves but is enjoying his best season to date with 10 goals and four assists in 21 matches. Two of those goal contributions came as United lost 2-0 at Wolves on December 26.

Speaking after that win, Cunha said: “You know, when we started, we didn't start well and then I feel like the fans need to have these kind of days to enjoy and be happy. You know, after the game was amazing to hear them all, you know, like crazy, so happy and then we enjoy to do these kind of things.”