Manchester United transfer news LIVE plus Harry Kane latest and Casemiro appeal decision

Rio Ferdinand believes Casemiro’s red card against Southampton offered Erik ten Hag’s side a platform to display new-found mettle.

Speaking on his FIVE podcast, Ferdinand said: “The red card was a problem. For any team which goes down to 10 men, it becomes a problem. Casemiro’s [fault] and it was a red card – no problem.

“If it was 11 men and we drew, then I would be saying this was quite a bad week. In the seasons gone by, if we had gone down to 10 men at home to Southampton – regardless of where they are in the league – we lose that game from that position.”

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Italian outlet Calciomercato has reported that United have entered the race to sign Marcus Thuram from Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer.

The French striker is reportedly keen to leave to Borussia at the end of the season, with the Reds said to be open to making a move for the 25-year-old.

Thuram has registered 14 goals and four assists in 25 appearances this season.

United have earmarked Harry Kane as their primary target before the market reopens.

Here’s what Rio Ferdinand had to say about that during his latest FIVE podcast episode.

I would love to be able to sit here and say I know Harry Kane is going to Manchester United as that would guarantee them 20 or 25 goals for the next three years… Harry Kane watches the show! But there’s a chance to come to Manchester United if he wants to. I would love him to, but the problem you have got is [Daniel] Levy. What price is he going to ask for?

United are planning to let winger Facundo Pellistri head out on loan next season. Pellistri, 21, has made six substitute appearances since the New Year and has had a notable impact in almost all of them. United are reluctant to sell Pellistri less than three years into his Old Trafford career.

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It’s the Europa League and FA Cup next up followed by an international break.

Here are the next six Premier League games Manchester United have on radar;

Sunday, April 2 vs Newcastle (A) at 4.30pm

Wednesday, April 5 vs Brentford (H) at 8pm

Saturday, April 8 vs Everton (H) at 12.30pm

Saturday, April 15 vs Nott’m Forest (A) at 5.30pm

Saturday, April 22 vs Chelsea (H) at 5.30pm

Thursday, April 27 vs Tottenham (A) at 8.15pm

United have made England captain Harry Kane their prime target for the summer.

But who else is in the market for him? Here are the latest odds from bookies SkyBet;

Manchester United – 7/4

Bayern Munich – 16/1

Newcastle United – 25/1

Real Madrid – 25/1

*Odds were correct at 16:00 on March 13. Subject to change.

Nottingham Forest are unwilling to offer Jesse Lingard a new contract next season.

That’s according to Football Insider as they shed light on the former United man.

Lingard, 30, signed for the Premier League newcomers after 20-plus years at Old Trafford.

But the forward is expected to turn to a new challenge when his current contract ends.

United are continuing their overhaul of the data department with the capture of Alex Kleyn from Southampton.

United have set out to recruit data scientists, machine learning scientists, analysts and engineers as they look to become one of the best clubs for data analysis.

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“Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans is out-of-contract at the end of this season and is unlikely to put pen to paper on fresh terms at the King Power Stadium. The Foxes have experienced a hugely underwhelming season so far and are currently only being kept out of the bottom three on goal difference. Whatever happens, the chances of Tielemans sticking around are slim. The Belgium international has been one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers in recent years and has earned the right to test himself at a bigger club. He doesn’t turn 26 until May, meaning he still has the best years of his career ahead of him.”

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Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher belives Anthony Taylor was right to wave away two United penalty claims during yesterday’s goalless draw with Southampton.

The Reds had two spot-kick appeals in quick succession turned down at Old Trafford but Gallagher was adamant the officials got both calls right.

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According to a report by Pianeta Milan, United are ‘interested’ in signing AC Milan forward Rafael Leao ahead of the summer transfer window.

The 23-year-old, who can operate both out wide and through the middle, is genterating a wealth of interest and United are reportedly among his suitors.

United will be without midfield enforcer Casemiro for each of their next four domestic fixtures.

The Brazilian was sent-off for the second time this season during yesterday’s goalless draw with Southampton at Old Trafford. It means he will miss the FA Cup quarter-final with Fulham on Sunday and their next three Premier League matches after the international break.

It means manager Erik ten Hag will be forced into coming up with a plan to try and make United tick without both him and Christian Eriksen.

Click here to check out three ways United could possibly line-up without the Brazilian.

“Erik ten Hag’s pursuit of fluidity backfired, as players drifted out of position, overcrowded the same areas of the pitch, and struggled with the lack of clearly defined roles. It was perhaps no clearer than with Fernandes who naturally looked to play with the same freedom he relishes as an attacking midfielder, but that then left him exposed defensively against a well-drilled midfield. In hindsight, it is much easier to find fault with the selection, but United’s makeshift set-up didn’t make any sense, given that it played into Southampton’s strengths as a team with a talented midfield of their own.”

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United manager Erik ten Hag believes Jadon Sancho has the ability to influence games from the No.10 position.

The England international started in a central area for yesterday’s 0-0 draw with Southampton in a very attack-minded approach. It is not the first time he has started centrally in recent weeks.

Click here to see what Ten Hag has had to say.

Following yesterday’s goalless draw with Southampton, here is a quick glance at United’s next six games in all competitions:

• Real Betis (A) – Europa League – March 16
• Fulham (H) – FA Cup – March 19
• Newcastle United (A) – Premier League – April 2
• Brentford (H) – Premier League – April 5
• Everton (H) – Premier League – April 8
• Nottingham Forest (A) – Premier League – April 15

*All fixtures are subject to change.

According to a report by French newspaper L’Equipe, as cited by Get Football News France, Marseille are unlikely to consider turning Eric Bailly’s loan move into a permanent deal.

The Ivorian joined Marseille from United on a season-long loan deal last summer and has made 16 appearances this season.

“It’s a tactic that made quite a lot of sense before a ball was kicked, but as soon as play began it looked like one that had enormously backfired. While the addition of an extra attacking player in the shape of Jadon Sancho certainly gave United an additional threat going forward, the flip side was that they were much more open defensively and lacked cohesion with their positioning on the pitch.”

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According to a report by 90min, United are among several Premier League clubs ‘eyeing up’ a move for highly-rated Lille youngster Carlos Baleba.

It is reported that the 19-year-old is generating interest from United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle United. All four clubs are said to have ‘scouted’ the central-midfielder.

United are one of the many sides being linked with a move for Fulham star Joao Palhinha.

The Sun comment on the future of the Portuguese midfielder and cite United as one of the sides that will consider signing him this summer.

The report adds that Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham are also monitoring him, while The Mail claims that Jurgen Klopp’s side are the most serious about signing him.

United’s players told each other that a victory with 10-men was possible at half-time against Southampton.

Although the game finished goalless, both sides hit the woodwork in the match and David de Gea revealed the message at half-time was to believe the game could still be won, despite the sending-off.

“Of course, that’s what we said at half-time,” De Gea told MUTV when asked if the players thought they could win the game with 10 men. “We knew it, so come on, defend well and we’d create some chances on the counter-attack.

“It was like this, we hit the post, we had some good chances but like I say, it’s always tough to play that long with one less player. Let’s keep going, we have some big games coming and let’s refocus.

“He [Theo Walcott] had a couple of big chances and I helped the team with some saves. It’s good to keep a clean sheet in a difficult game, of course, but I think the whole team defended really, really well.”

Tottenham have no plans to sell United target Harry Kane this summer.

The Athletic reports that the hierarchy in north London is determined to secure an agreement to keep him for longer.

It is claimed Spurs have entered initial dialogue with Kane, although at present the matter is not advanced.

Southampton manager Ruben Selles said it was a waste of time talking about the officials when asked about Casemiro’s red card yesterday.

“I got a look at it but I don’t want to speak about the referee’s performance,” he said.

“I think it’s a waste of time. The referee makes a decision, sometimes it goes for you and sometimes it doesn’t, that’s it.”

Casemiro faces a four-match suspension after being sent off in the first half of United’s Premier League clash with Southampton at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

Unless United choose to appeal the decision and are successful in their efforts, Casemiro will now serve a four-match ban across all domestic matches, starting with next Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final at home to Fulham. He will also miss the Premier League fixtures against Newcastle United, Brentford and Everton immediately after the upcoming international break.

United will face competition from a host of clubs if they try to sign Victor Osimhen this summer.

Erik ten Hag’s side have an interest in the Napoli forward but it is reported that Arsenal, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain do too.

Alejandro Garnacho left Old Trafford on crutches after Manchester United’s draw against Southampton.

Garnacho started on the bench on Sunday afternoon and he replaced Jadon Sancho in the 73rd minute. He was soon forced to receive medical treatment after appearing to get caught between Kyle Walker-Peters’ legs.

The youngster attempted to continue and he returned to the pitch, but he was eventually substituted off with a minute of normal time remaining. He then headed straight down the tunnel and left the stadium on crutches.

Here’s the full story.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag criticised the inconsistency of Premier League referees after Casemiro was sent off for the second time in as many months.

Casemiro was shown a yellow card for an overzealous tackle on Southampton midfielder Carlos Alcaraz in the 32nd minute of United’s goalless draw, but referee Anthony Taylor was advised to consult the monitor for a replay and he retrospectively dismissed the Brazilian.

The 31-year-old will serve a four-match suspension as he had already been sent off this season against Crystal Palace and it will take the total number of games Casemiro has been banned for up to eight.

Here’s what he said.

David de Gea

Made a fine save from Theo Walcott when he palmed his header over the crossbar and he denied Walcott a second time in the second half. 7

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Limited in attack once again and got caught out once by Kamaldeen Sulemana but did brilliantly to clear off his own goal line. 6

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