16 January 2024 , 03:00
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At the halfway point of the January transfer window, Manchester United have some decisions to make about their squad.
There were positives on Sunday in the 2-2 draw with Spurs, with Erik ten Hag's team twice taking the lead in front of the watching Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The new minority owner expects his investment to be ratified in February, but there are still two weeks for the club to decide if new recruits are needed.
Last season, United were restricted to loan additions, bringing Jack Butland, Marcel Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst into the squad. It's been quieter so far this winter, but more moves could follow.
Many are certainly expecting a busy summer at the very least, with reinforcements arguably needed in wide areas. That's some of our focus as we bring you the latest lines from around Old Trafford.
Disagreement on Olise move
Manchester United continue to be linked with a summer move to Manchester United, but not everyone behind the scenes is thought to be on the same page. United have bought players from Crystal Palace in the past, but the struggles of Wilfried Zaha and Aaron Wan-Bissaka at Old Trafford has prompted questions about a third swoop.
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Wan-Bissaka, who joined for £50m in 2019, hasn't kicked on as hoped in five years at the club. United exercised an option to extend his contract until the end of next season, but have been tipped to offer him to Palace as part of a deal for Olise.
United are unlikely to be the only team in for Olise, with Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City also linked. An ability to offer Wan-Bissaka back to his boyhood club is something the others can't offer, though.
Read more here.
Varane talks continue
Raphael Varane remains free to talk to other clubs after United declined to automatically trigger a one-year contract extension for the defender. All is not lost, though, with Sky Sports reporting that Varane and his entourage remain in conversation with his current club.
High-earner Varane had been linked with a return to Real Madrid after losing his starting spot. The Spanish side have lost David Alaba and Eder Militao to long-term injuries, but a move to bring Varane back to the Bernabeu has yet to materialise.
Should Man United keep hold of Raphael Varane? Have your say in the comments section
Raphael Varane started again for Manchester United against Tottenham (Nigel Keene/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)While the Frenchman is nearing the end of his United contract, he recently returned to the starting XI after Harry Maguire suffered an injury. Sunday's draw with Spurs was his fourth start in five league games, and he also started against Bayern Munich in the Champions League and Wigan in the FA Cup.
Sancho's maturity upon Dortmund return
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl has given a verdict on Jadon Sancho which appears at odds with the player's public falling-out with Erik ten Hag. Sancho was frozen out by Ten Hag after a war of words in September before rejoining Dortmund on loan in January.
The winger picked up an assist on his second Bundesliga debut with the club, as they won 3-0 at Darmstadt. And after the game, Kehl talked up Sancho's maturity.
"I experience Jadon as changed, I experience him as more mature in his personality," Kehl told Sky Germany. He knows that he is challenged and that he is coming to Borussia Dortmund in a different role.
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"He's always on time - even over-punctual. He seems incredibly motivated and committed and to see such a player on the pitch is fantastic. I think we'll have fewer problems than in the past."
Read more here.