Latest News: The Telegraph has tweeted a report quoting The Star, that Manchester United are plotting a £20m bid for Liverpool's Joe Allen.
When read in conjunction with Italian Tuttosport's report that Juventus have rejected any approach from United for Arturo Vidal, this might make sense as the United midfield is more less non-existent.
This is no point having a strike force of Angel Di Maria, Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie, if you cannot get the ball to them. However, is Joe Allen the answer?
Daley Blind price rising
Marc Overmars director of football at Ajax speaking in Dutch daily De Telegraaf: “We think that at this moment we have a very strong time and we want to keep Daley. Only if the absolute highest price is being paid a transfer would be ‘discussed’. Daley’s agents know how we feel about it right now.”
Vidal or bust
The dis-belief will not yet have set in.
The only chance Manchester United and Louis van Gaal have of keeping any hope alive is to now complete the transfers that everyone has been hoping for - at least one central defender and two midfielders.
All eyes then on Arturo Vidal from Juventus, dodgy knee et al; and Daley Blind from Ajax.
The loss to MK Dons is going to sting far more than Van Gaal or the Old Trafford management realise.
Maybe even Nigel de Jong coming might not be able to stem the rot.
However, all the buzz is about Vidal and both ESPN FC and The Independent write that United are now looking to make their move for the Chilean midfielder.
It’s United leaky defence that will be most worrying and Daley Blind from Ajax seems more of an urgent matter.
Which is why the United faithful (fast dwindling?) will be glad to note that former goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar’s presence at the Carrington training ground yesterday is being linked to the Blind move.
Van Der Sar is on the Ajax board.
Perhaps Van Gaal’s comment to the media is not just funny a quip after all.
He was quoted as saying: “Cannot say anything about transfers and you have to understand that. When a transfer is finished, then we say anything. But now you have to wait and see. If the moment is there Manchester United shall announce it. But it is not only Di Maria. Maybe Vidal or (Lionel) Messi. We are a big club.”
Ask MK Dons? They may not be so sure.
Angel Di Maria
Manchester United have agreed a British record transfer fee of 59.7 million pounds ($99 million) to secure Angel di Maria from Real Madrid and are set to announce his transfer officially on Tuesday, British media reported.
The Argentina winger arrived in Manchester on Monday and would have a medical test later on Tuesday, British newspapers said.
The transfer fee outstrips the 50 million pounds English Premier League rivals Chelsea paid Liverpool for Spain striker Fernando Torres in 2011.
United declined comment.
Di Maria cost Real 20 million pounds from Benfica in 2010 and he was a key part of the team that won the club's 10th European Cup last term but he was omitted from the squad for the Spanish Super Cup last week.
The 26-year-old turned down a new deal at the Bernabeu and Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Sunday he had bade farewell to players and staff.
Di Maria's signing would provide a boost for Louis van Gaal-coached United, who have taken only one point from their opening two games of the Premier League season.
More to come
The heart of a Real Madrid team that won the Champions League and then, went on to serve home countries to glory at the World Cup in Brazil may now beat for Manchester United.
And the Red Devils are in serious need of some champion-like inspiration.
United fans are holding their breath as not one, but three Madrid players are up for grabs – Angel Di Maria (Argentina), Sami Khedira (Germany) and the latest surprise, Xabi Alonso (Spain).
Marca was being quoted this morning as reporting that Di Maria has asked for a move to Old Trafford.
The Daily Mirror believes Louis Van Gaal wants Khedira as well and is pushing for the double move.
The Daily Mail that Xabi Alonso could also be part of a deal – loan or permanent – being worked out between the Madrid giants and Manchester United.
Also in the mix is Brazil’s Cruzeiro club and their midfielder Lucas Silva. Silva's agent, Luis Rocha, was quoted in Super Esportes as saying: 'There are not many details. I can confirm that I was approached by people linked to Manchester United.”