Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Benzema EXCLUSIVE, Greenwood latest, Ten Hag urged to sign winger, club slip down rich list

Newport star excited for United clash

Scot Bennett has spoken of his excitement ahead of the FA Cup clash against Manchester United.

The Newport County star told club media: “I’m really looking forward to the occasion.

“It’s almost written in the stars for me really to be making my 350th appearance against a team I supported when I was younger so that makes it even sweeter. 

“It’s always been a dream to play for them or against them [Manchester United] so to get that opportunity makes it really special. 

“For me, it’s the biggest game I would have played in since my time here. I supported the club as a child growing up and they’re one of the biggest teams in the world. Having Man City and Tottenham previously was massive for the club, and even Leicester too, but I do think this one is a step up. 

“It’s been a real positive week following the recent results. We went into the Eastleigh game looking for a run of positive results and we managed to do that, so you can see this week there’s a real buzz around the group ahead of Sunday.” 

United urged to make Olise bid

Andy Cole has urged Manchester United to sign Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise.

Cole believes Olise would be the perfect replacement for Antony.

Speaking to Betfred, the United legend said: "I like the kid and he’s very talented. He proved he was a talented kid when he was at Reading and he’s shown that at Crystal Palace too.

"Regarding his injuries, injuries are part and parcel of football but judging him on his performances alone, he’s grown into that Crystal Palace team and he’s still only 22 years of age.

"Is he an upgrade on Antony? Most definitely. I read something that Dwight Yorke said about Antony recently and he claimed that he felt sorry for him and to a certain extent, I feel sorry for him too.

"To this day, I’m still unsure why they paid as much as they did for him and you can say he’s young and whatever, but I’m still waiting to see what he’s good at.

"If Olise does join in the summer, then he can bring a lot more to Manchester United because he’s very direct, he’s creative, he scores goals and he’s prepared to take people on.

"If the move happens, then it’s a signing that could take the team in the right direction."

Villa join Zirkzee race

Manchester United have been joined in the race to sign Bologna star Joshua Zirkzee.

TuttoJuve have claimed that Aston Villa are keen on signing the attacker this month.

The Dutchman has impressed in Seria A this season, however, former side Bayern Munich are still the favourites to sign him.

Arsenal eye long-term United target

Arsenal reportedly have the edge over Juventus in the transfer race for former Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as his future in Saudi Arabia looks in doubt already, according to Tuttojuve.

The Serbian has been a long-term target for Manchester United.

The Gunners have also monitored the midfielder for some time and could finally make a move this month.

Sunderland want to sign Diallo

Sunderland are not giving up on landing Manchester United’s Amad Diallo on loan.

Ivory Coast winger Diallo, 21, bagged 14 goals on loan with the Black Cats last season before returning to Old Trafford.

And Sunderland transfer chief Kristjaan Speakman said: “We’ve got a really positive relationship with the boy and Manchester United.

“Could he improve the team? Yeah. Have we enquired? Yeah.

“We’ve kept in contact, of course we have, if not we’d probably have our heads on a stake!

“If the picture changes, we’ll be on it. He’s a tier one player and we’d be lucky if we get him on loan but I know he thoroughly enjoyed it here.”

United could lose youngster for free

Manchester United prospect Omari Forson could leave the club for free at the end of the season.

MEN have reported that talks over a new deal are "ongoing" but it is getting more likely that he could make an exit from the club.

He rejected the last offer made and his current contract expires in June.

Klopp exit ramifications for United

Manchester United could face ramifications after Jurgen Klopp announced he was leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.

Erik ten Hag has been linked with an exit from the club after a poor season so far.

Should the Dutchman get the sack, then the Red Devils could face competition in getting a new top manager from the Reds.

Bent urges Wilson move

Darren Bent has urged Arsenal to make a move for Newcastle star Callum Wilson.

He told talkSPORT: “Yeah, for £20million. I’ll take that. 100%.

“If he’s fully fit [he would start]. He scores more goals than the other two, and that’s just fact.”

Wilson has also been tipped with a move to Manchester United with bookies having the club as one of the favourites to sign him.

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Tottenham join Branthwaite race

Spurs have reportedly joined the hunt to sign Jarrad Branthwaite.

The Everton defender is enjoying a stellar season under manager Sean Dyche.

And he is thought to be wanted by both Arsenal and Manchester United.

But the Mail claims Tottenham are now prepared to move for Branthwaite as part of Ange Postecoglou’s squad revolution.

Mount being 'blocked'

Lampard has claimed that Mason Mount is being blocked from succeeding at Manchester United because of Bruno Fernandes.

Lampard said: "The only worry I had with him when he went to United was where do Bruno Fernandes and him fit? Bruno is the captain of the football club, plays in the same position and hardly gets injured.

“Then have Casemiro. I know it’s starting to develop already and change away from that as an idea, but you could kind of think, where does he fit?

"This is not to dig Mason or Man United actually for bringing him in, but for a player of that level and for that money, you have to go, 'This is the plan'.

"That’s what I would want to hear. My question would be, where does he fit?"

Lineker backs Osimhen for Arsenal

Gary Lineker has suggested that Napoli star and Manchester United target Victor Osimhen should join Arsenal.

He told the Rest is Football podcast: “I think I’d look at it and I’d go, at the moment, Arsenal.

“Obviously, we’re talking about everyone offers the same thing, that’s what you want, blah blah blah in your contract. I mean, to be honest, they earn so much now that you can just choose where you want to go.

“I would say, Arsenal are probably a centre-forward away from winning things. Chelsea are a centre-forward away from becoming competitive again. Manchester United are a centre-forward away from improving, but they’ve still got a long way to go.

“If I were him, you want to go somewhere where you think you’re going to win things.”

Next up for United

Manchester United are back in action on Sunday as they face Newport County in the FA Cup.

Here is a look at their next five matches.

Ferdinand reveals what went wrong for Moyes

Rio Ferdinand has revealed what he believes went wrong for David Moyes during his time as Manchester United manager.

Speaking on the Obi One podcast, he said: "As a professional, I wanted him [Moyes] to do well, and you're giving them that time and the chance, definitely. But there's a few things you see that aren't the same.

"I think the biggest thing for me was that there was always too much focus on our opponents in training. We're Man Utd, they're meant to worry about us more.

"What that does to our mindset is there's an element of fear here and that filters through to the team and to the young players.

"All we're doing is talking about what are they going to do, but it should be about what are we going to do?

"That element there, I thought there needed to be a bigger shift from thinking like an Everton manager to thinking like a Man Utd manager.

"It needed to be how champions think."

United target ‘to join Atletico Madrid’

Arthur Vermeeren is reportedly set to join Atletico Madrid.

The Royal Antwerp midfielder was a target for both Manchester United and Arsenal.

However, Fabrizio Romao has reported that a deal has been agreed for him to join the LaLiga giants.

The Belgian midfielder will undergo his medical today.

Pep makes Berrada joke

Pep Guardiola has joked that Manchester United should name a stand after Omar Berrada should he bring success to the club.

 He said: "Obviously his knowledge goes to United, that's the reality.

"When you buy a player from another club you buy the knowledge that this player has had in the past with other managers and team-mates. That is normal.

"We learned a lot from Omar and he's learned a lot from the club, and now he's gone to United.

"But Kevin De Bruyne is still in Man City, De Bruyne will play here. Erling Haaland will play here, so in the end it's not that simple. Otherwise, with the power of United, they would have done it before.

"Maybe United think with this person everything is going to change - congratulations. I don't know if this is going to happen.

"If it does happen then, oh my God, they have to make a stand for Omar Berrada in the future because he'd deserve it."

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Hojlund needs to be 'well-rounded'

Rasmus Hojlund has insisted that he needs to be well-rounded in order to succeed with the way football is 'developing'.

He told club media: "It's very important, especially the way the game is developing as well.

"The criteria for a striker is more demanding now than it was probably 10 or 15 years ago and, yeah, you need to be even more complete as a striker.

"I try to be that every day, in every sort of aspect, all of those things you just mentioned [pressing, work-rate, hold-up play, physical strength] are some of them.

"Pressing is also a big part of it, especially with this manager [Erik ten Hag]. He wants to put pressure on the other team and the other opponents. So, for me to do the whole process, it's very important for the team."