Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Sancho lands in Germany to SIGN for Dortmund, Ten Hag EXCLUSIVE, Brazil wonderkid battle

AFCON plane panic

A former Manchester United star was involved in a terrifying ordeal while on Africa Cup of Nations duty.

The Gambia national team came within minutes of dying after the oxygen supply failed on their plane as they jetted from their capital city of Banjul to the Ivory Coast for the tournament.

A number of players passed out on the plane, before the pilot was forced to return to Banjul Airport for an emergency landing just nine minutes after take-off.

Ex-United ace Janko was among the players on board the aircraft and he shared a video on Instagram of the players getting off the plane, alongside the caption: "Unacceptable. After travelling 32 hours in total from Saudi Arabia (Training Camp) to The Gambia with long layovers in Istanbul and Casablanca, we were supposed to fly from Gambia to Ivory Coast for the AFCON today.

"As soon as we entered the small plane that was hired to fly us, we noticed the immense heat that left us dripping in sweat.

"It was assured to us by the crew that the air conditioning would start once we are in the sky.

"The inhumane heat mixed with the occurring lack of oxygen left many people with strong headaches and extreme dizziness.

"Furthermore, people started falling deeply asleep minutes after entering the aircraft/takeoff."

The 28-year-old, who played one game for Man Utd in 2014 in a 4-0 League Cup defeat to MK Dons, then added: "Whilst in the air, the situation got worse, leaving the pilot with no other option than initiating an emergency landing back in Banjul airport nine minutes after takeoff. Which happened successfully.

"If it wasn't for this, the consequences could have been a lot worse!!! Knowing what could have happened, if we would have been exposed to the situation for any longer - in an airplane, running out of oxygen…

"We are grateful that everyone is feeling well but this is a situation that has to be addressed going into the AFCON, as being only one of our obstacles on international duty.

"This is unacceptable and [as] such has to cease with immediate effect."

Mata of fact

Ex-Man Utd and Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata is on the hunt for a new side.

Despite now being 35, he is adamant that he is hungry to play on after announcing he is leaving Vissel Kobe.

The Spaniard has played just once for the Japanese side – remaining on the bench in another five matches.

The now free agent did still pick up a medal out in the Far East due to Kobe’s 2023 J1 League title triumph.

But Mata wrote on Instagram: “I’m looking forward to continuing enjoying football somewhere else, and hopefully to keep winning trophies, let the streak continue!”

'Mbappe wouldn't rush Prem move'

Ex-Arsenal full-back Mikael Silvestre believes Kylian Mbappe will demand assurances over whether a club can win big competitions, should he move to the Premier League.

The Gunners and Liverpool have been linked with ambitious approaches for the PSG striker, despite claims Real Madrid have agreed a summer swoop with the French hero.

Silvestre told GGRecon: “He will want to be in a position where he can pick the best team and the best manager to give him the greatest chance of winning the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or, which are two things on his wish-list.

“He won’t rush his decision. If PSG win the Champions League this season, then he may consider staying in Paris, but we need to wait and see how they get on first against Real Sociedad in the round of 16.

“With Real Madrid and the Premier League teams, I think he’s going to wait and see."

Keane grills Nev over Salford managers

Roy Keane has probed Gary Neville over Salford City's record with managers.

Neville, 48, co-owns the lowly League Two club alongside David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt, having been Salford's CEO or eight years until 2022.

Former Man Utd youth coach Neil Wood recently became the fifth boss axed by the club in five-and-a-half years, former MK Dons and Oxford boss Karl Robinson coming in.

Appearing on Stick to Football, Keane asked Nev: "Who brought the managers in at Salford?" Neville replied: "The managers were me, Karen (Baird, former chairwoman] and Chris (Casper, sporting director)."

Keane, 52, then quizzed: "So, if you're on about managers getting players right or wrong, have you brought managers in and (later) thought, 'What was I thinking?'"

Neville said: "When I look at managers that we've brought in, I think that while some of them may not've been successful… Richie (Wellens) obviously we sacked but he went on to win a league (with Leyton Orient last season)."

Unimpressed, Keane butted in: "It doesn't matter if they win a league somewhere else. That's no good to you, is it?" Neville responded: "Yeah but my point is sometimes a manager doesn't work at a club, that can happen."

Lowly Salford have replaced Wood with former MK Dons and Oxford boss Karl Robinson.

Sancho arrives in Dortmund

Jadon Sancho landed in Dortmund tonight to seal his loan switch from Manchester United, write CHARLIE WYETT and NEIL CUSTIS.

And former Red Devils striker Louis Saha has branded Sancho as one of United’s ‘biggest transfer failures of all time’.

The England winger will return to his old club in a deal until the end of the season, with the German giants paying just £3million in a loan fee and to cover part of his wages.

Dortmund returned from their winter break in Marbella on Tuesday and they travel to Darmstadt on Saturday evening for a Bundesliga clash — although the England international is unlikely to feature.

He has not played for United since August and was frozen out of the squad after a huge fall-out with chief Erik ten Hag.

Sancho, 23, was at Dortmund from 2017 to 2021, making 137 appearances for the club and recording 50 goals.

Next up for United

Man United are next in action on January 14 as they face Tottenham at Old Trafford.

Hugill signs new Utd deal

Prolific starlet Joe Hugill has signed a new Manchester United contract until 2026 with the option of another year.

The ex-academy striker, 20, was on the bench for Monday's 2-0 FA Cup win at Wigan.

He's also been linked with a loan move this month, having been borrowed by National League Altrincham for the final two months of last season.

United said in a statement: "He has developed well this season and trained regularly with the first team, while being on the bench four times."

Jadon tipped to be Dortmund success

Former Aston Villa manager and Borussia Dortmund legend Paul Lambert has backed Jadon Sancho to be a success on his return to BVB.

He told Ladbrokes FanZone: “Jadon Sancho did an incredible job for Dortmund during his first stint with the club; he looked unplayable at times out there.

“He then went to Manchester United and for one reason or another, things didn’t work out for him. You never know how those big moves are going to work out; whether it’s the club, or the character, or the lifestyle in England compared to Germany… sometimes things just don’t go according to plan.

“I’m pretty sure if he went back to Dortmund, we’d see a better player as a result. For a start, he’d be under less scrutiny than he is at Manchester United, and as a result, he’d probably go back to enjoying his football again, which would be great.”

Martial 'keen to snub January move'

Anthony Martial appears set on seeing out his Manchester United contract despite interest from Marseille, Fenerbahce, LaLiga clubs and the Saudi Pro League.

United have reportedly declined to trigger a clause extending the France striker's contract for 12 months beyond the end of the season.

Sky Sports say Martial and his agent have talked over his future.

And it appears the former Monaco man is reluctant to move on mid-season.

Matic 'considering retiring over broken promises'

Nemanja Matic is reportedly considering retiring from football after broken promises by Stade de Rennes.

The former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder only made the move to the Ligue 1 club in summer.

Matic, 35, joined Rennes from Roma in a £1.7million deal and has featured in 19 matches in all competitions. The Serbian, however, is tempted to hang up his boots after a stand-off with the club, according to GFFN.

The report claims that the club's executives promised he could enrol his children into an international school. However, there is no school of that type in the French city.

The former Serbian international has three children with his wife Aleksandra, son Filip and daughters Anika and Tea.

Matic is said to feel that the promises have been broken and believes that his time at the club is over.

The report adds that the 35-year-old cleared out his locker at the club on Tuesday. He and his family were then spotted boarding a high-speed train that was headed for Paris.

Ouest-France has also claimed that Matic may be heading for London, where he has kept a house.

5 Championship stars set for Prem

Hayden Hackney’s midweek winner against Chelsea makes the Middlesbrough winger the latest Championship star to be eyed by Championship giants.

But the England Under-21 star does NOT make our list of five scorching-hot hot second-tier prospects who could make the step up.

Here’s who we have picked:

Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland)
Conor Chaplin (Ipswich)
Leif Davis (Ipswich)
Stephy Mavididi (Leicester)
Jaden Philogene (Hull)

'Only 2 men can replace Ten Hag'

Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke can't see beyond two men as Erik ten Hag's successor.

The 1999 Treble winner believes Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi or Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane should be United's next manager.

The Red Devils have spluttered along since Alex Ferguson's glorious 27-year reign ended in 2013.

Ten Hag is the eighth man to boss United since Fergie bowed out with their last Prem crown.

Yorke, 52, told Footy Accumulators: “I think Roberto De Zerbi may have a chance, but that remains to be seen.

“He's one name to consider, but everybody else has had their chance. I don't see anybody outside of Zidane and De Zerbi.” 

Sancho 'one of United's biggest transfer failures'

Jadon Sancho's "horrendous" saga at Manchester United makes him one of their "biggest transfer failings" ever.

So says ex-Red Devils striker Louis Saha as the outcast winger appears set to rejoin Borussia Dortmund on loan.

Saha told Paddy Power: “Jadon Sancho is one of Manchester United’s biggest transfer failures – you can't have that type of quality sidelined because of his mindset.

"You can’t leave him out for six months because of that. The only thing that should stop you is injuries. 

“We know that he is good enough, which is why it doesn’t sit right.

"You can’t be putting yourself in that situation and thinking that you are bigger than the manager. Whatever happens, I don’t back Sancho – which is hard for me as a supporter of United. It’s just horrendous.”

Sevilla 'want option to sign Mejbri permanently'

Sevilla's push to beat Everton to Hannibal Mejbri could include a key clause in his loan.

The Spaniards reportedly hope to include an agreement that the midfielder's move can become permanent next season.

The Tunisian ace, 20, has started just three times in making 10 appearances in all for United this season.

'Crazy money' for Hojlund

Harry Redknapp believes Manchester United paid "crazy money" for Rasmus Hojlund.

The £72million summer signing was again goalless in Monday night's 2-0 FA Cup win at Wigan, having netted just once in 15 Premier League games.

Former Tottenham and West Ham manager Redknapp said: "The lad they’ve bought. What was he, 80 or 90 million pounds? I don’t know how much. Crazy money and he’s still miles away from being the finished article."

Old Trafford chief Erik ten Hag insists he is confident his Danish ex-Atalanta striker, 20, will come good - once he adjusts to the English game.

Mata keen to find new club

Ex-Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata insists he is hungry to play on after announcing he is leaving Vissel Kobe.

The 41-cap Spaniard, 35, played just once for the Japanese side - remaining on the bench in another five matches.

But the ex-Valencia and Galatasaray star, who is now a free agent, still picked up a medal due to Kobe's 2023 J1 League title triumph.

Mata wrote on Instagram: "I’m looking forward to continuing enjoying football somewhere else, and hopefully to keep winning trophies, let the streak continue!"

Marseille in desperate bid for Martial

EXCLUSIVE: Marseille have launched a frantic late bid to try and land Anthony Martial, SunSport has learned. 

Reports today claimed the Frenchman is planning to see out his deal at Manchester United having snubbed a move to Fenerbahce.

But Old Trafford sources say representatives from Marseille remain in touch with United over the chance of a loan move for Martial during this January transfer window.

However, any deal relies on the player being willing to go back to his homeland, which could prove to be a sticking point.

Our source said: “Interest remains high in Anthony. His stock may be low at Manchester United but there is interest among clubs in Europe for him.

"Marseille are at the front of the queue and are in touch with United about taking Anthony on loan in January. 

"The problem is the player himself. As things stand, he is planning on seeing his deal out and then reconsidering his options in the summer.

"Anthony sees his next move as crucial, so he has no plans to rush into making any decisions over his future."

Sancho hints he's off to Dortmund

Jadon Sancho has seemingly confirmed his Manchester United exit on social media.

The outcast winger, 23, is set to rejoin Borussia Dortmund on loan for the rest of the season.

Sancho dropped a major hint that the deal is done as he liked a post about the transfer from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The tweet states that the winger will head to Germany later today.

It also claims that Dortmund will not have an option to buy him when the loan finishes and they will pay just a portion of his wages.

Reports suggest that Sancho earns £290,000-a-week at Man Utd and his parent club will have to cover a third of his salary.

Rashford not so Sharpe

Ex-Manchester United winger icon Lee Sharpe criticised Marcus Rashford's performance in the FA Cup against Wigan.

Rashford helped United beat the Latics 2-0 at the DW Stadium to advance to the competition's fourth round and ease pressure on under-fire manager Erik ten Hag.

The forward set up Diogo Dalot's opener and played a big role in the the attack that led to a penalty-kick that Bruno Fernandes converted to seal an important win.

However, Sharpe insists the England international is still far off last season's stunning form that led to a staggering 30 goals and 11 assists in 56 appearances.

The former midfielder can't explain what led to that dip in form that has only seen the 26-year-old registering a mere three goals and six assists in 25 matches this term.

However, the ex-England international wasn't happy with Rashford's lack of "intent" and "purpose" in the first few minutes of the match.

The 52-year-old also criticised the United star for "strolling" when he should have been playing quickly.

Sharpe told SunSport on behalf of Fruity Slots: "Last season, he was unbelievable. He was sort of a shining light when the manager came in and this season he doesn't quite seem to have got up to pace.

"I don't know whether it's a confidence thing, whether he's got something going on off the pitch that's concerned him a little bit. But he doesn't seem as focused as direct."

READ SHARPE'S FULL VERDICT HERE

Sevilla lead hunt for Mejbri

Sevilla have leapt to the front in the race to borrow Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri.

The LaLiga club are reportedly already in talks with the Tunisia star, 27, over a loan deal.

Everton are thought to be Mejbri's main admirers in the Premier League.

But he seems likely to be heading abroad until the end of the season.

Red Devils 'considering everything' in transfer window

Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag claims he will "consider everything" in the current transfer window.

Jadon Sancho heads the list of possible outgoing players - with other Red Devils set to follow at the end of the season.

And a new striker is understood to be on Ten Hag's watchlist for January.

The Dutchman said: “We consider everything, so what is the best interests of the players and also the best interests for us, the team, for Manchester United.

“So we’ll see how we progress during the window.”