Follow Mail Sport's live blog to keep up-to-date with all of Friday's news and developments regarding Manchester United. 



Ed Carruthers Host commentator





16:20

Gareth Southgate defends selecting Harry Maguire

Gareth Southgate has come to the defense of Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire who endured a difficult campaign at Old Trafford last season.

The England manager lauded Maguire as 'brilliant' but admitted the competition for places is tough.

'You will always be challenged they will sign top players every year,' he said.

'If you're Man United you want good backup, you get injuries, got Champions League, want to push for the Premier League.

'They will be comfortable with Harry staying as back-up or being in the team. If he's not in the team he's got a decision to make whether he wants to get regular football elsewhere. Top players want to play every week.'

More below...







Gareth Southgate defends selecting 'brilliant' Maguire for England

Despite Maguire's previous successes under Southgate at international level, the England boss insisted that he wouldn't pick any player on sentiment alone.

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16:07

Eddie Howe uses Erik ten Hag's words to fire up Newcastle

Eddie Howe has admitted that he used Erik ten Hag's disparaging words about his Newcastle side to motivate the team.

The Dutchman had described the Magpies as 'annoying' ahead of their Carabao Cup final meeting in February and implied that they deliberately slowed down games.

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Eddie Howe turns Ten Hag's words against him in rip-roaring team talk

The Man United boss had described Howe's team as 'annoying' ahead of their meeting in the Carabao Cup final, suggesting they deliberately slowed down the pace of games.

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13:21

United closing in on Amrabat

Manchester United are close to finalizing a £30million move for Sofyan Amrabat with 'secret contact' having been made between the Red Devils and his club, Fiorentina.

The Moroccan midfielder garnered the attention of clubs around Europe at the Qatar World Cup after his impressive performances helped the Atlas Lions advance to the semi-finals of the tournament.

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Man United are close to completing £21m deal for Sofyan Amrabat

Manchester United are reportedly moving closer towards the signing of Moroccan midfielder Sofyan Amrabat with 'secret contact' having been made between the Red Devils and Fiorentina.

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12:39

Bruno Fernandes identifies two key reasons why Mason Mount will lead United to glory

Man United's new captain, Bruno Fernandes, has been speaking on his new team-mate Mason Mount and believes the former Chelsea midfielder is will lead Erik ten Hag's side to glory for two reasons.

United signed the England star for £60million this summer, with the 24-year-old penning a five-year deal at the club.

And Mount seems to be settling in at the club well, having now featured in five pre-season games, with his captain, Fernandes, impressed by what he has seen so far.

More to follow...









Fernandes reveals two reasons why Mount can lead Man United to glory

Erik Ten Hag's side made the former Chelsea star their first signing of this summer transfer window after agreeing a £60million fee for the 24-year-old on a five-year deal.

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11:59

Today is Antonio Valencia's birthday

Today is Antonio Valencia's 38th Birthday! Valencia, who spent 10 years at the club winning two Premier League titles and an FA Cup, made a whopping 339 appearances for Manchester United returning 25 goals and 62 assists.

The right-back also notably captained the side between 2018 and 2019 following Michael Carrick's retirement.

Valencia is one of several players to don the armband since the Premier League's inception, with Bruno Fernandes recently announced as the latest permanent captain.

He joins an illustrious list of names, but how has each of United's former captain's compared?







How have Bruno Fernandes' predecessors as Man United captain fared?

Bruno Fernandes has been confirmed as the new Man United captain, becoming the sixth man to wear the armband for the club since the end of Sir Alex Ferguson's time in charge at Old Trafford.

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11:09

Gabby Agbonlahor drops Casemiro from United and Villa combined XI

TalkSPORT presenter Gabby Agbonlahor has chosen to drop Casemiro from his combined Man United and Aston Villa starting XI.

The radio presenter was responding to a claim that no Villa players would get into Erik ten Hag's first XI.

He also claimed 'I think Watkins would get in anywhere before Rasmus Hojlund.'

Check out the full story below...







Agbonlahor DROPS Casemiro from combined Man United and Aston Villa XI

Gabriel Agbonlahor has raised eyebrows by omitting two multiple time Champions League winners from his combined Aston Villa and Man United XI.

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10:36

How are Man United shaping up compared to other English clubs?

It's been an interesting transfer window so far for Erik ten Hag's side.

This summer they've signed Mason Mount from Chelsea for £60million, they've acquired Andre Onana from inter Milan for £43m and also acquired Jonny evens on a short-term deal which could see Evans stay at the club for the upcoming season.

So how does the Red Devils business compare to other clubs around the Premier League?









How is your club shaping up ahead of the Premier League season?

SIMON JONES: There has also been plenty of eye-catching business across the Premier League with six players moving for more than £50million while Declan Rice joined Arsenal for £105m.

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10:06

How will Hojlund take to life in the Premier League?

Rio Ferdinand has warned that Rasmus Hojlund could struggle to adapt to the intensity of the Premier League as Darwin Nunez did last season for Liverpool.

But the former United defender still noted the 'huge potential' Hojlund possesses adding that 'he is suited to the Premier League.'

'Anyone who has seen him play will see there are attributes there that you would like. He's suited to the Premier League,' Ferdinand, a pundit for TNT Sports, said.

'I look at it a bit like Darwin Nunez at Liverpool. Last season was his adjusting season.'

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Hojlund's United start could be like Nunez at Liverpool - Ferdinand

The 20-year-old Denmark international is closing in on sealing his £72million switch from Atalanta to Manchester United, giving manager Erik ten Hag the new No 9 he has craved all summer long.

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10:03

Hojlund latest...

Earlier this week, Rasmus Hojlund completed his medical at Man United.

He went through several tests and looks set to join the club on a £72million switch while also agreeing a five-year deal to join the club.

Erik ten Hag's side will take on Lens on Saturday and could unveil their new striker before the game.

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Man United hope to unveil Rasmus Hojlund BEFORE Old Trafford friendly

SIMON JONES: The Danish wonderkid joins the Red Devils from Atalanta as their priority signing after first securing the services of Mason Mount and Andre Onana earlier in the window.

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09:57

Good Morning!

Good morning and welcome to our Manchester live news blog for the day! I'll be bringing you all the latest news, updates and transfer gossip from Old Trafford as the Red Devils look set to unveil Rasmus Hojlund before United's friendly with rc mercedes benz dump truck Lens on Saturday.

But to start, Erik ten Hag's side are 'closing in on finalizing a £30million move for Sofyan Amrabat', according to reports.

The Moroccan international has in fact made 'secret contact' with the club and is now the club's top target after they wrapped up Hojlund's £72m deal.

More below...







Man United are close to completing £21m deal for Sofyan Amrabat

Manchester United are reportedly moving closer towards the signing of Moroccan midfielder Sofyan Amrabat with 'secret contact' having been made between the Red Devils and Fiorentina.

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