MANCHESTER UNITED youngster Facundo Pellistri is targeting an impressive World Cup campaign to speed up a transfer.
The Uruguayan has spent time on loan at Alaves during his career at Old Trafford but a lack of game time for the 20-year-old could see him push for an exit.
And the World Cup provides the perfect platform for him to impress ahead of the January transfer window.
Erik ten Hag's side face Real Sociedad in Europa League action on Thursday night and United have been handed a boost as Anthony Martial has returned to training.
The Frenchman was in good form before picking up an injury and will look to earn his place in the starting XI for Thursday's clash.
Get all the latest news, updates and transfer gossip here…
- Dylan Terry
Good morning Man Utd fans
Manchester United are reportedly planning to offer Marcus Rashford a new contract before the end of the year.
Boss Erik ten Hag sees the forward as "central to his plans", according to The Mail.
Rashford has enjoyed a stellar start to the campaign, scoring seven goals and providing three assists in 15 games.
Elsewhere, the Red Devils have been handed an injury boost.
Anthony Martial is back in training after missing the last six games with a back problem.
The Frenchman has featured just three times in the Premier League this season.
But in that time the 26-year-old has scored two goals and provided a further two assists.
And finally, an impressive World Cup for youngster Facundo Pellistri could see him leave Old Trafford.
The Uruguayan's agent, Edgardo Lasalvia, told ESPN: "I think that with a good World Cup – as we think he will have – his departure is imminent."
Pellistri has been an unused sub in United's last nine games, but is yet to make his senior debut.
- Giacomo Pisa
Mart his words
Manchester United legend Patrice Evra reckons Harry Maguire will benefit from playing alongside a "pitbull" in Lisandro Martinez.
The Frenchman told told Betfair: "It makes a big difference when you have a pitbull like Lisandro Martinez next to you. People talk a lot about Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, but without each other they wouldn't have been that good.
"Rio was playing like a number 10, he would finish a game and he wouldn't have a mark on him. He was clean and beautiful.
"Then you would see Vida with a broken nose, and a ripped shirt. He was a warrior. You need a warrior and someone playing with their brain.
"That's what Harry needs, someone faster than him, someone who will go to war for him. Harry is really a good player with the ball.
"The way he passes through the midfield is great, he can also go forward with the ball.
"People were criticising him when he was in a one v one scenario, but Martinez can help out and cover him. That will boost Maguire's confidence."
- Giacomo Pisa
Erik out for a ride
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag relaxed ahead of Thursday's trip to Real Sociedad with a bike ride in Cheshire.
The Dutchman was spotted out on the streets with wife Bianca.
They have been spotted out on their electric bikes a number of times since making the move from Amsterdam.
Read more here.
- Giacomo Pisa
Player of the month shortlist
Four Manchester United stars have been nominated for October's Player of the Month.
They are:
- Casemiro
- Marcus Rashford
- Lisandro Martinez
- Diogo Dalot
Rashford scored four times in October, while Casemiro and Dalot have each netted once apiece.
Who gets your vote, Red Devils fans?
Ronaldo's shooting struggles
Stats from Opta show Cristiano Ronaldo has converted with just five per cent of his shots in the Premier League this season.
He has scored once in nine Prem appearances this term at 430 minutes per goal.
By comparison the Portuguese ace boasted a 16 per cent shot conversion rate in the last campaign.
He netted 18 goals in 30 Prem appearances at 137 minutes per goal.
Up next in the Prem
Manchester United take on Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday.
After that Erik ten Hag's side travel to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.
And it's the safe to say the Red Devils have the edge when it comes to their head to head with Villa in the Prem.
Diallo dialled in for Sunderland
Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray has praised on loan Manchester United star Amad Diallo.
The 20-year-old joined the Red Devils from Atalanta for £37million in January 2021.
He was shipped off on loan to Rangers last season, and again to Sunderland in the summer.
And, despite scoring just once in 10 Championship outings, Mowbray was gushing in his praise of Diallo.
The Sunderland gaffer said: "With his physical data, he was top in every aspect from distance covered to number of high-speed sprints, he was amazingly athletic as well as showing his talent.
"That bodes well for us and also accelerates him in my mind in terms of him being a starting player for us, beyond a young lad who I can bring off the bench."
Mowbray added: "Amad is dynamic and explosive."
Season so far…
Here's a look at Manchester United's Premier League stats so far.
New signings Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro are already making their mark at Old Trafford.
Early team news for Sociedad
The Reds Devils return to action on Thursday night with an away clash against Real Sociedad in the Europa League.
Boss Erik ten Hag was without Antony and Victor Lindelof for the weekend's win over West Ham, but is hoping both will be back in time for the trip to Spain.
Lindelof was missing through injury, while Antony had a slight knock.
Ten Hag said on the pair: "I think they will recover but I can't tell you any more.
"We have to see what develops in the coming days and how they progress but I hope, when we go to Spain, everyone is on board. We need them all.
"There are still four games to go in a short period.
"You see it's tough for all teams, but also for us, we need 11 players and we need the squad to cover everything."
- Giacomo Pisa
Ron the big bucks
Cristiano Ronaldo earns a whopping £25MILLION more than the highest paid rugby player in the world.
But the Manchester United ace is still on less than F1 world champion Max Verstappen.
Old Trafford forward Ronaldo is the highest paid footballer on the planet.
Research by Saxo shows CR7 has earned more this year than rugby ace Charles Piutau, golf star Scottie Scheffler and teenage sensation Carlos Alcaraz combined.
The figures cover 2022, with New Zealand and Bristol Bears rugby ace Piutau earning a measly £1m compared to Ronaldo's £26.5m.
Dutch driver Verstappen on the other hand has bagged a whopping £37m in this calendar year alone.
- Giacomo Pisa
In case you missed it..
In case you missed it earlier, Manchester United want to offer Marcus Rashford a new contract before the end of the year.
Boss Erik ten Hag sees the hometown hero as "central to his plans", according to The Mail.
Rashford’s agents met with PSG chiefs over the summer, but a move to the French capital failed to materialise.
Since then Rashford has been rejuvenated, scoring seven goals and providing three assists in 15 games this season.
The 25-year-old netted his 100th United goal in the 1-0 win over West Ham at the weekend, and is a contender for a place in England's World Cup squad.
- Giacomo Pisa
Ferdinand – Ronaldo relationship with Neville 'gone'
Manchester United hero Rio Ferdinand reckons Gary Neville's relationship with former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo is "gone".
Ronaldo blanked Neville live on Sky Sports ahead of United's clash with West Ham, but greeted fellow pundits Louis Saha and Jamie Redknapp.
and Ferdinand said on his Vibe with Five YouTube channel: "I don’t think Cristiano is taking that call (if Neville calls him).
"Knowing Cristiano, it’s gone isn’t it. You’ve said what you said and believe what you believe. Nev looked nervous [pitch-side], I have seen that face before and he looked nervous ‘is he gonna talk to me’.
"I think what I would have done differently if I was recreating that scenario, I would maybe have gone and shook a couple of hands and said: ‘you talk too much, cya later’ and then gone.
"Just a little jab in there."
- Giacomo Pisa
Olmo-st got him
Manchester United will reportedly battle Manchester City for the signing of RB Leipzig star Dani Olmo.
And, according to Fichajes, they will also face competition from Barcelona.
The versatile 24-year-old can play in attacking midfield or on either flank.
Olmo has been capped six times by Spain, and has been linked with a switch to Old Trafford in the past.
He is into the final two years of his Leipzig contract, meaning the Bundesliga club could be forced to cash in come next summer.
- Giacomo Pisa
Evra surprised by De Gea Spain omission
Manchester United legend Patrice Evra was left "in shock" by David De Gea's Spain snub.
The Red Devils goalkeeper is not in boss Luis Enrique's provisional 55-man squad, so will not be on the plane to Qatar.
And Evra told Betfair: "I'm in shock at Spain manager Luis Enrique's decision to leave David De Gea out of his World Cup squad.
"I had to double check to see if it was real news. I'll be honest, I think this is an issue off the pitch. Enrique has a strong personality.
"OK, De Gea has conceded some goals with Spain, but to take him out of the squad, an experienced player like that?
"I've been a player, I know how it works and things happen behind the scenes.
"I'm sure he and Enrique have had a discussion and De Gea maybe didn't accept what Enrique wanted for him. Who knows if it's Enrique's or De Gea's decision. We will never know."
- Giacomo Pisa
New deal for David?
David De Gea is reportedly "open" to taking a cut on his mind-boggling £375,000-a-week wages.
According to The Athletic, the Spaniard is willing to accept a salary slash in order to extend his stay at Old Trafford.
His current deal expires in 2023, with the option for a further year, but the 31-year-old could accept an offer on reduced terms.
Boss Erik ten Hag has revealed talks will only begin after the World Cup.
The Dutchman said: "We said first we are focusing on the games but when we come to an end with this block, we have the World Cup and then we have to think about [his contract].
"In the background we have our strategies for how to deal with it. It is clear already and I have already emphasised it several times."
- Giacomo Pisa
Rashford can be a world beater
Manchester United legend Patrice Evra reckons Marcus Rashford is can be one of the world's best… with time.
Rashford, 25, netted his 100th goal for Manchester United in the 1-0 win over West Ham on Sunday.
And Evra told Betfair: "I'm not surprised he's scored 100 goals for the club. He's going to be one of the best players in the world, for sure. But you have to give him time.
"There's been a lot of frustration around him because we know what he's capable of.
"When we think back to when he started under Louis Van Gaal, you could see the passion there, and the way he would celebrate with his friends.
"Later, we had a Rashford who looked preoccupied, and as soon as you do that and make one mistake, people kill you and say you're a bad player.
"Finally, he's found the right balance, and I can see that he's happy. He's smiling, he's screaming when he scores goals."
- Giacomo Pisa
Boro eyeing Man Utd loan raid
New Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick has joked old club Manchester United could give him some "cheap deals" in the transfer market.
Carrick took over at Boro after Chris Wilder's sacking, and is hoping his old club can send him some young stars on loan.
When asked about using his connections with the club, Carrick said: "It depends who is expensive or not, they [Man Utd] might give me a couple of cheap deals.
"That’s part of football isn’t it? Who you know and building relationships and trust.
"Hopefully we’ll take good players whether it’s to sign them or on loan and they’re going to trust us looking after their players.
"And players are going to want to come here and play because they see us doing things a certain way."
- Giacomo Pisa
Red Devils sitting pretty
Manchester United are fifth in the Premier League after the hard-fought 1-0 win over West Ham on Sunday.
Despite poor results against Manchester City and Brentford, United have showed real signs of improvement under Erik ten Hag.
The Red Devils are just a point behind fourth-placed Newcastle, and three behind third-placed Tottenham.
But Ten Hag and Co have a game in hand on both teams immediately above them in the table.
- Giacomo Pisa
Terrier a January target
Manchester United have reportedly sent scouts to watch Rennes striker Martin Terrier in action.
The 25-year-old has scored an impressive 11 goals in 18 games this season.
And his form has attracted interest from Old Trafford, according to 90min.
United scouts have watched him in action within the last two weeks, along with representatives from Arsenal, Newcastle, Leeds, Leicester, Wolves AND Aston Villa.
Rennes are claimed to want over £30million for the Frenchman, who has reportedly been watched by over HALF of the clubs in the Prem.
Liverpool, Newcastle and Leeds are all claimed to have enquired about his services in the summer, without lodging an official bid.
- Giacomo Pisa
Barca sniffing Dalot deal
Super-agent Jorge Mendes is reportedly working on securing Diogo Dalot a move to Barcelona.
The Portuguese right-back has excelled at Old Trafford this season under Erik ten Hag.
But Mendes has offered Dalot to Barca, a club he has an "exquisite relationship" with, according to Spanish paper Mundo Deportivo.
Dalot is out of contract at the end of the season, although United do have the option to extent for a further year.
Mendes is said to have "backed" and "personally endorsed" a move to Barca, who have been linked with Dalot in recent weeks.
- Giacomo Pisa
Pat on the back for Rash
Manchester United legend Patrice Evra has claimed Marcus Rashford has "potential for greatness" after his stellar start to the season.
Rashford has netted seven goals and provided three assists injust15 games in all competitions under Erik ten Hag.
And Evra told Betfair: "In recent years some people have been disappointed with Rashford's performances, and we were hearing more about him off the pitch than on it.
"He did some great things off the pitch. What was missing was him performing on the pitch, and I'm really pleased that he admitted that.
"Now, he has a different mindset. I think he's solved his issues and is really enjoying his football under Erik ten Hag.
"The potential for greatness was always there with Rashford. Every player would like to have his speed, quality and technique.
"He's got everything. He needs to mature and that's why I think he needs to focus on football. If he does that he will achieve great things."
- Sam Dymond
Next five up for United
Manchester United's hectic spell ahead of the World Cup is almost at an end.
The Red Devils have four more games before the season breaks for Qatar 2022, all taking place in a ten-day period from this Thursday.
The focus will be on the Premier League trips to Aston Villa and Fulham, although this week's game at Real Sociedad in the Europa League offers the opportunity to top the group and avoid the need for two further matches in the play-off round.
Erik ten Hag's men also face Villa a second time in five days when hosting them in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Untied's first game back after Christmas is home to bottom-of-the-table Nottingham Forest.
- Sam Dymond
Rio hits back at Souness
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has leapt to the defence of two of the club's new signings criticised by Graeme Souness on talkSPORT.
The Scot put the boot into Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro, casting doubt on the former's ability on the ball while suggesting that the Brazilian midfielder is an average performer.
But an exasperated Ferdinand hit back.
Speaking on his Vibe With FIVE YouTube show, he roared: “Oh come on, Graeme, man. He’s not watched the games!
“He’s obviously not watching Martinez because one of his main attributes when you speak to anyone who knows the game is he’s great with the ball.
"He’ll take it anywhere, he can pass, he’s tenacious, aggressive, he can defend.
“And he called Casemiro a Steady Eddie? He’s won five Champions Leagues, bruv, and been integral to all of them. He can’t be a steady Eddie!
“United have been winning, and Martinez is one of the best players in the team at the moment.
"Casemiro, since coming in the team, has been arguably the most important player.
“The two players he’s picked out are probably the worst two he could have picked out."
- Sam Dymond
Rashford thankful for Christian intervention
Marcus Rashford has praised Christian Eriksen for his part in helping the forward reach a memorable milestone.
Rashford headed his 100th goal for Manchester United on Sunday as Erik ten Hag's men recorded a 1-0 win over West Ham.
The 25-year-old was widely praised in the aftermath, not just for hitting the hundred mark but for his much-improved performances this season.
But the humble forward wanted to ensure the love was shared around, writing on social media: "I know a lot has been said about me scoring that header for my 100th club goal but can we take a moment to appreciate the ball from Christian Eriksen."
- Sam Dymond
Pellistri off after World Cup
Facundo Pellistri will leave Manchester United if he impresses at the World Cup, according to his agent.
Edgardo Lasalvia told ESPN that he expects his client to shine for Uruguay in Qatar, ultimately prompting January interest in the 20-year-old.
“I think that with a good World Cup – as we think he will have – his departure is imminent,” he revealed.
The highly-rated 20-year-old is yet to make his senior debut for the Red Devils, but has been an unused substitute for the last nine games in all competitions.
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