Manchester United

Manchester United loanee Odion Ighalo is being kept away from the club's Carrington training complex because of concerns over coronavirus.

The 30-year-old signed for United on deadline day, joining until the end of the season from Shanghai Shenhua.

The outbreak of coronavirus, which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan, over 500 miles west of Shanghai, has killed over 1,350 people in the country, per BBC News.

Per David McDonnell of the Mirror, the risks of Ighalo having been exposed to coronavirus are "statistically minute," but United have taken the precaution of having him work with personal trainer Wayne Richardson at the GB Taekwondo Centre in Manchester.

As per @DiscoMirror. Ighalo training away from Carrington. Being stressed is a precautionary measure. Will be travelling with squad to Chelsea on Sunday for Monday’s game.

— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) February 13, 2020

Meanwhile, he has also not travelled with the rest of the squad to Marbella, Spain, for warm-weather training during the Premier League winter break because of concerns he may not be able to re-enter the country, as explained by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, per McDonnell:

"Odion will stay in Manchester, because since he has come from China in the last 14 days, the news of the virus there means we're not sure if he's going to be allowed back into England if he leaves the country again.

"So he's staying here working with a personal coach on an individual programme and his family then can settle in England as well. That's a plus.

"Of course, he might have liked to have come with the players and got to know them, but we don’t want to take that risk [of potential border restrictions tightening]."

Ighalo will finally join up with his new team-mates on Friday ahead of Monday's Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Solskjaer has already confirmed the striker will be part of the squad that travels to west London for a crucial fixture in the race for the top four.

The game is crucial to United's hopes of securing a top-four finish and UEFA Champions League football in 2020-21.

At the moment, winning the UEFA Europa League looks like United's best route into Europe's elite competition; a run of three games without a win has seen the Red Devils drop down to eighth in the Premier League table:

Back 🔜 pic.twitter.com/kWwCYtQ9wn

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 12, 2020

If United can beat fourth-placed Chelsea, though, they will be firmly back in the running for the top four.

At Stamford Bridge, they will have to break a run of three league games without scoring a goal since Marcus Rashford was sidelined through injury.

Ighalo, who scored 15 goals in the 2015-16 Premier League season when he was at Watford, could have a key role to play in United getting back on the scoresheet. 

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire believes the team need to better their defending from set-pieces if they are going to improve this season.

The Red Devils have endured an inconsistent campaign as they are eighth in the Premier League table.

While the acquisition of Maguire has helped the team improve defensively, they remain unsure when it comes to set-piece situations. Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk scored from a free header when the Red Devils were beaten 2-0 at Anfield last month.

The former Leicester City man said he's been pleased with the side's defending overall, but dealing with free-kicks is one area United must make strides, per Gemma Thompson of the club's official website:

"We're keeping a lot more clean sheets than we were at the start of season and we've never really been a team which has conceded a lot of chances. 

"We've been poor from set-plays with our defending and we've had a couple of great goals scored against us from outside the box, but we haven't really been having games where David [De Gea] has had to make five or six saves, apart from maybe the Carabao Cup second leg against [Manchester] City, when David was brilliant."

After Van Dijk's goal, Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News commented on the team's initial naivety dealing with the situation:

Ah, someone at #mufc has noticed it's worth putting the £80m centre-back on the £75m centre-back at set-pieces.

— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) January 19, 2020

Ben McAleer of WhoScored.com noted that it's not just defensive set-pieces where the team have been below their best: 

James Maddison chances created from set pieces in the Premier League this season -- 32

Manchester United chances created from set pieces in the Premier League this season -- 29 https://t.co/ZuHYm87Zgt

— Ben McAleer (@BenMcAleer1) February 12, 2020

Maguire became the most expensive centre-back of all time when he moved from Leicester to United in the summer. The England international has impressed early in his Old Trafford career and was named captain when Ashley Young was sold to Inter Milan in January.

While there are still issues for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to iron out defensively for United, the summer signing has helped steady the ship. The surrender at Anfield four games ago was the last time the team conceded a goal.

The 26-year-old Maguire has played alongside Victor Lindelof in defence for long spells this season and thinks they are developing some chemistry: "It's a partnership that's building, and I think we'll get better and better and start keeping more clean sheets like we have been doing recently."

Last month, B/R Football's Rob Blanchette said he doesn't think the Sweden international is a natural partner for Maguire:

#MUFC's midfield play is just hit or miss. Usually miss. And Maguire & Lindelof are no kind of solid partnership. Harry needs a player to compliment him. Lindelof's decision-making is scary at times. Repetitive issues from him each match. #LIVMUN

— Rob Blanchette (@_Rob_B) January 19, 2020

Solskjaer will want to see his team preserve their defensive solidity when they return to action from their winter break.

The Red Devils will face Chelsea on Monday in a crucial league clash in the race for a UEFA Champions League spot. The Blues are in fourth place, just six points clear of the Manchester giants.

Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure has said he is open to a summer move, having previously been linked with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.

Doucoure told French television station Canal+ (h/t Mikael McKenzie at the Daily Express) that he wants to stay in the Premier League and does not expect his club to stand in his way if a good offer arrives.

"If a big club manages to make an interesting offer for me, of course the club will let me leave, easily. A club that plays in the Champions League is the goal, but I don’t have a particular one in mind.

"We're little by little arriving at the end of the cycle. Maybe the club (Watford) has certain expectations for me, I don’t really know them yet, but I can still progress and still do good things, so if I were to change clubs, it would be to go up a level.

"I'm happy in the Premier League. I want to stay in the Premier League, that’' my main wish. Then we'll see what’s on offer, or not, for me this summer."

The 27-year-old moved to Vicarage Road from Ligue 1 side Rennes in February 2016 and has proved to be a hit with the Premier League team. He won Watford's Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season awards in 2017-18:

🏆 | #watfordfc fans have chosen Abdoulaye Doucouré as their 2017/18 Graham Taylor OBE Player of the Season!

What a season, @abdoudoucoure16! 🙌👏🐝 pic.twitter.com/Wnqox0tYVP

— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 10, 2018

The midfielder's impressive performances saw him rewarded with a new, five-year contract in August 2018.

Doucoure has largely played as a holding midfielder for Watford but has been pushed into a more advanced role under manager Nigel Pearson to good effect, as shown by Goal:

Abdoulaye Doucoure is a top midfielder 👌pic.twitter.com/0SXPaT37uf

— GOAL (@goal) February 10, 2020

The Frenchman has attracted interest from elsewhere during his time in England. Everton saw a bid of £36.7 million rejected in August 2019, according to Sky Sports.

Manchester United have previously been linked with Doucoure. In March 2018, Adrian Kajumba of the Daily Mirror reported the Red Devils would battle Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and rivals Liverpool for his services, and the Mirror's Darren Lewis wrote that Chelsea were keen on signing the midfielder in January 2019.

A move has yet to materialise, though United are expected to spend on reinforcements this summer. Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward told a fans' forum in early February that the upcoming transfer window is an "important opportunity" for the club, per Peter Lynch of Goal.

Watford have so far managed to hold on to their talented midfielder but may struggle to keep him, particularly if they are relegated from the Premier League. The Hornets are currently in 19th place in the table but only a point from safety.

Rio Ave manager Carlos Carvalhal has told Manchester United to play January signing Bruno Fernandes in a deeper-lying midfield role than may have been predicted, saying he's "not a 10, he is an eight." 

Fernandes had 29 direct goal involvements in his last 28 appearances for Sporting CP, and he arrived in January with the image of an attacking midfielder purchased largely to aid United's attack.

But Carvalhal told Sky Sports's Adam Bate the 25-year-old can offer a much more well-rounded presence closer to the engine room:

"He is not a No 10. He is a midfielder, but he has developed that ability to break the line of the defence to score goals. He shoots, he assists, the passes and the free-kicks. But he is not a 10, he is an eight. He is a box-to-box player who understands very well the game. He doesn't just play. He understands everything that happens around him."

The former Swansea City and Sheffield Wednesday boss saw his Rio Ave side beat Sporting twice this season—in the Primeira Liga and Allianz Cup—though Fernandes managed to score in each meeting.

Carvalhal continued: "He will adapt very easily, in my opinion. I know when I say this that there is always a risk that the player does not settle. But when I look at a player like him, I can say it because he went to Italy as a teenager and was playing at a very high level. The characteristics of the player tell me that it will be easy for him."

Fans got their first sight of Fernandes in United colours when he made his club debut in a scoreless stalemate against Wolverhampton Wanderers on February 1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exzhSLlnWXk

Statman Dave noted the midfielder's highlights from his debut, which included an impressive tally of five tackles:

Bruno Fernandes’ game by numbers vs. Wolves:

• 88 passes (most on the pitch)
• 44 final 1/3 passes (most on the pitch)
• 5 shots (most on the pitch)
• 5 tackles (3rd most from midfield)
• 3 shots OT (most on the pitch)

A constant threat from range. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/CXEPr0SlKC

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 1, 2020

Fernandes' heat map from that fixture showed his movement across the midfield but saw him operate mostly from centre-right, aiding Juan Mata who was stationed on the wing, per WhoScored.com. Fred kept his place as primary midfield anchor alongside the more free-roaming Andreas Pereira.

Carvalhal also likened United's new £46.6 million arrival to "a manager on the pitch."

The Rio Ave chief acknowledged the physical aspect of the game can often be lacking among more creative players, but that isn't the case with Fernandes:

"Sometimes these technical players, it is their quality in the defensive transition that is a problem in the Premier League. When they lose the ball, they don't react quickly enough to win it back, but he has developed a lot in the past two seasons.

"When his team loses the ball, he reacts quickly to win the ball back. That is important in England. He is not lazy; he is the opposite. A fighter. He has everything to be a key player."

Fernandes scored 15 goals for Sporting during the first half of the campaign, and United need all the offensive help they can get with striker Marcus Rashford injured, per the Telegraph's James Ducker.

Manchester City's Bernardo Silva has played alongside Fernandes in Portugal's national team since 2017, and he picked out the playmaker's mentality as his best attribute, via Football Daily:

Bernardo Silva on Bruno Fernandes joining United

🗣"The best thing about Bruno is his mentality" pic.twitter.com/ggEdpYhTOT

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 11, 2020

Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News wrote in early February that United's record signing Paul Pogba has informed team-mates he'll leave the club this summer.

Carvalhal's description of Fernandes' qualities hint at the kind of star who could perhaps replace the Frenchman should he depart, particularly since Pogba has played just eight times this season.

Paul Pogba is reportedly eager to play a role in Manchester United's run-in this season and could be back playing again inside a month. 

The France international has been plagued by injury this term. He has started just five Premier League games and been sidelined with an ankle problem since Boxing Day, when he last turned out in a 4-1 win against Newcastle United.

However, per the Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel, Pogba hopes to return to outdoor training inside two weeks and could then be available to play again soon after that.

Mokbel added the 26-year-old is "determined" to make in impact at the business end of the season, and barring any setbacks in recovery, he could be ready to play some part in the derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford on March 8.

If that comes too soon, the Red Devils go to Tottenham Hotspur a week later in the Premier League to face their former manager, Jose Mourinho.

Pogba has been a source of some disappointment for United fans since he re-signed for the club from Juventus for £89 million in 2016.

He remains, though, arguably the Red Devils' most talented player, and after the January purchase of Bruno Fernandes, United finally have the makings of a decent midfield unit, especially given Scott McTominay and Fred have impressed this season.

When he is back fit, Pogba should go straight back into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's starting XI.

His ability to produce a defence-splitting pass to release the likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Daniel James is almost unparalleled in the Premier League:

Emiliano Buendia: Has made more accurate through balls (11) than any other player in the Premier League this season

The Premier League's elite sides should be monitoring the Norwich ace...

Read @BenMcAleer1's article now -- https://t.co/ySE1IOT89z pic.twitter.com/HbSVbC0tK9

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) February 8, 2020

Speculation about Pogba's future at Old Trafford continues to swirl. According to James Robson of the Evening Standard, there are some at the club who believe he has played his last game for United, while others hold out hope he could be a long-term success.

Robson added the main problem for those who believe his departure in the summer would benefit all parties is the paucity of clubs who could afford to buy him.

Whether Pogba wants to stay or go is largely immaterial to how big a boost his return could be for United as they aim to finish the season in the Premier League's top four and win a trophy.

If he wants to go, he will be motivated to play well in order to attract the attention of Europe's biggest clubs, and if he wants to stay he will be eager to help his side achieve success and qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League.

Meanwhile, Pogba also has the motivation of finding his best form in time for UEFA Euro 2020 in the summer, when he should have a key role to play for France. 

Anthony Martial has said he was motivated to show Jose Mourinho his quality on the pitch during the manager's Manchester United tenure.

The France international discussed Mourinho's management style with RMC Sport (via Tom Coast of Sport Witness) and said he wanted to prove the Portuguese coach wrong after being omitted from his starting XI when he took over at Old Trafford:

"It's true that I'd have preferred it if he'd told me directly, there's no need to say it in front of everybody. After that, you definitely want to prove him wrong. He didn't start me during the first few games and each time I came on, I scored.

"In the end, he told me: 'You see, now you understand what I wanted'. It can get to you. You just want to show him you deserve to be on the pitch."

Mourinho succeeded Louis van Gaal at United in 2016-17, and Martial made only 18 Premier League starts in the coach's first term. The attacker scored four goals and provided six assists during the league campaign, frustrating Mourinho with his lack of productivity.

However, Martial made 10 appearances in the UEFA Europa League that season, with the Red Devils winning the competition and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. United also won the EFL Cup.

Mourinho's second season saw United finish second in the Premier League, but the manager was sacked during his third campaign in December 2018. The club were in sixth place at the time.

The former Monaco player struggled for game time while Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney were present in Mourinho's attack, and the industrious work of Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard was often favoured over Martial's contributions.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's arrival as coach 14 months ago has seen Martial's status elevated, and the Frenchman was handed the No. 9 jersey after Romelu Lukaku was sold to Inter Milan.

Martial had previously lost the shirt to Ibrahimovic in 2016, but Solskjaer rewarded the player with the prestigious number.

The 24-year-old's striking displays have been hit or miss this season. Martial has netted 10 goals and provided three assists in the Premier League and Europe.

Further weight of expectations are currently on the player's shoulders after an injury to Rashford, and Martial must keep finding the back of the net if United want to penetrate the top-four.

Mauricio Pochettino is open to taking another job in the Premier League once he makes his return to the dugout following his dismissal from Tottenham Hotspur back in November. 

The Argentinian told Natalie Pinkman's In The Pink podcast (via Sky Sports): "To be honest, I would love to work in the Premier League. It's going to be difficult, I know, and for now, it's a moment to wait and we'll see what happens."

Pochettino has declared his desire to return at a time when Manchester United, the club with which he has most often been linked, has given Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a vote of confidence.

Per Football.London's Tashan Deniran-Alleyne, at a fans' forum United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward discussed the club's recruitment strategy and plans to work with Solskjaer to bring in players:

"There has been no shortage of investment in players over the past few years, with over £200 million spent since Ole became manager. Our aim is to ensure that we continue to achieve consistency in quality of recruitment.

"The recruitment department is working to a clear plan and philosophy, along with Ole and his coaching staff.

"Our focus is on bringing in a combination of experience and the best young players with potential to develop further, fusing graduates from our academy with high-quality acquisitions."

As recently as late-January, Pochettino's name has been mentioned in connection with Solskjaer's job. The Daily Star's Jeremy Cross named the former Spurs boss, along with England's Gareth Southgate and RB Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann as the three names considered following a 2-0 home defeat to Burnley in the Premier League.

United have staged a recovery, though, since slipping up against the Clarets. Solskjaer's men are unbeaten in their last three in all competitions.

The Norwegian has been backed by the January purchase of industrious playmaker Bruno Fernandes during the January transfer window. He arrived from Sporting CP in a deal worth an initial £47 million, per BBC Sport.

🇵🇹 Bruno Fernandes for @Sporting_CP this season:

🏟 28 Games
⚽️ 15 Goals
🎯 14 Assists

🙌 Ole Gunnar Solskjær reveals he could be starting for @ManUtd sooner than everyone thinks. pic.twitter.com/L9mR8xb33l

— SPORF (@Sporf) January 30, 2020

Fernandes' arrival follows the big-money signings of centre-back Harry Maguire and right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The awesome outlay on these three players underlines United's commitment to equipping Solskjaer with everything he needs to return United to winning ways.

While the process is ongoing, Woodward hinting at keeping Solskjaer will raise further questions about Pochettino's next move. The 47-year-old, who worked at Southampton before moving to north London in 2014, defended his tenure at Spurs, despite his failure to win a trophy, telling Pinkman:

"To apply a new philosophy and new ideas was very tough but I feel very proud with the success that we had and to take Tottenham to a different level.

"To play in the Champions League for three or four years and finish above Arsenal many times was a great legacy for us. To win a title would be a great reward but for us that is the legacy, to have the club and the stadium at Tottenham. That is more than winning titles."

While silverware consistently eluded Pochettino, he earned plaudits for making Spurs more competitive at the top end of the table. He notably took the Lilywhites to second in the 2016/17 season and guided the club into a first UEFA Champions League final last season, a game Spurs lost 2-0 to Liverpool.

Mauricio Pochettino as Spurs manager:

⚪️ Most wins by a Spurs manager in post-war era (159)
⚪️ Four consecutive top four PL finishes
⚪️ First ever Champions League final

Incredible achievements. 🙇‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/34cP2bGuzx

— Squawka (@Squawka) November 19, 2019

Often operating on a limited budget, against the backdrop of a protracted move to a new stadium, Pochettino still produced memorable results. Spurs didn't sign a single player in the summer of 2018 nor the winter of 2019, but Pochettino kept together a squad loaded with bargain signings from previous years, including Dele Alli and Eric Dier.

The Argentinian can also be credited with helping accelerate the development of Harry Kane. Tottenham's No. 10 went from promising reserve to one of the most prolific strikers in the game on Pochettino's watch.

A resume like this makes it somewhat surprising Pochettino is still waiting for a new job. However, a clause in his Spurs contract would have required any English top-flight rival to pay a fee to hire Pochettino before the end of this campaign, according to Lloyd Johnson of the Daily Express.

Pochettino would also be forced to pay Tottenham £12.5 million to return to the division this season, per Johnson.

This clause won't be in place this summer, making the moment ripe for Premier League clubs to run the rule over one of the more highly regarded coaches in the game. Even so, the question remains who will hire Pochettino if United stand pat?

Arsenal appear ready to trust Mikel Arteta longterm. Pochettino has also previously cooled talk of him joining Spurs' derby rivals.

Chelsea are also trusting a former player, in the form of Frank Lampard. Meanwhile, Everton are tied in with proven winner Carlo Ancelotti, who has already made a positive impact.

Manchester City could be a possibility, after Pochettino was named as a potential replacement for Pep Guardiola in December. Guardiola is wanted by Serie A giants Juventus to replace Maurizio Sarri, according to Martin Lipton of The Sun.

Axel Tuanzebe has hailed the influence of Harry Maguire on Manchester United since his transfer from Leicester City last summer. 

The former Foxes centre-back was made captain after Ashley Young's recent departure to Inter Milan, and Maguire has become the dominant figurehead of the squad.

Speaking to United's official website, Tuanzebe praised Maguire's leadership since joining the Red Devils, and provided an assessment of the club's ambitions:

"Massive respect to him for getting the captaincy. For me, I don't think it is ever about how long you have been somewhere. It is the impact you give and the time you spend with the lads. He's had a massive impact on the club, he has been a real example and has managed to lead the team. We are improving. We are a young side and given time, I think we will be very strong and contending for real titles. But I just want to send massive congratulations to Harry, because I think he deserves it with the impact that he's given to the club."

There were high hopes for Tuanzebe this season after an impressive year-long loan at Aston Villa, but the defender has suffered with injury in recent months.

The 22-year-old said he currently feels "a lot stronger now" as he continues his rehabilitation work during the club's warm-weather training in Spain. 

Victor Lindelof has been Maguire's regular partner at the heart of the defence, but Tuanzebe is expected to provide him significant competition at centre-back for the rest of the season.

Maguire's ball-playing mindset has seen the player occupy midfield areas, and the England international won the club's January goal of the month for his strike at Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup:

First #MUFC goal ✅
First #MUFC Goal of the Month award ✅

Well in, @HarryMaguire93 👏 pic.twitter.com/mbOC4MAU80

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 7, 2020

The January capture of Bruno Fernandes has added more creativity and leadership to United at a vital point of the season.

Tuanzebe said the Portugal international has been "very calm and collected" since making the move from Sporting CP.

Fernandes was the captain for the Lisbon side. His intelligence and motivation on the pitch were never in question in the Primeira Liga, and United can now harness his natural talents.

The latest permanent addition means United now have the beginning of an improved spine through the team, with Maguire and Fernandes providing a stronger mentality previously missing.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will hope the expected return from injury for Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay will provide him with the talent and drive his team's been missing during United's recent injury crisis.

The Red Devils' overriding objective is to secure a top-four berth this season, with United currently six points behind their target.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed January signing Odion Ighalo will be part of the Premier League squad that travels to Chelsea on Monday and could make his Manchester United debut at Stamford Bridge. 

Ighalo, 30, completed a deadline-day loan move to United from Shanghai Shenhua. He didn't join his new squad for warm-weather training in Marbella, Spain, this week over fears his possible exposure to the coronavirus crisis in China could prevent him from returning to England, per BBC Sport's Simon Stone.

The striker will be called upon for the trip to Chelsea, however, after Solskjaer said: "Yeah, he is going to travel with us. We will just see his fitness work this week and I think we will get him sharp. We want to integrate him as quickly as we can because, of course, he is desperate to play for us."

Ighalo has been candid about his longstanding support for the Red Devils, revealing in his first interview with the club that he accepted a pay cut to complete the transfer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_utnwfwaMc

James Ducker of the Telegraph wrote in mid-January that United frontman Marcus Rashford faces three months out of action after he suffered a double stress fracture in his back. He also required non-intrusive surgery to remove a bone fragment from his ankle.

His absence left Solskjaer low on alternative options up front following the summer sale of Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan, pushing United to seal a last-ditch move for Ighalo.

United's new arrival was in the middle of China's offseason when he received the call, but he's been training separately from the squad in an effort to swiftly reach full match fitness:

💦💪🏾 pic.twitter.com/W1tlv6VE3f

— Odion Jude Ighalo (@ighalojude) February 10, 2020

The former Nigeria international could make his second Premier League debut after leaving Watford in 2017. He scored against Everton in his top-flight debut for the Hornets (a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park) and will look to mimic that feat with his new English employers.

Ighalo has faced Chelsea on four occasions and scored against the Blues during their first Premier League meeting, bagging Watford's second in a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in December 2015.

It was during that 2015-16 campaign that Ighalo netted 15 of his 16 Premier League goals to date, via Sky Sports (UK only):

Another January signing, Bruno Fernandes, made his United debut in the 0-0 draw at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers before the mid-season break.

The Red Devils are eighth in England's top flight ahead of Week 26, but Solskjaer's men can climb to within three points of Chelsea—currently fourth—if they win in west London.

Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has described winter signing Bruno Fernandes as a "fantastic player and a fantastic person" who is fitting in perfectly in his new surroundings. 

Fernandes, 25, joined the Red Devils from Sporting CP near the end of the January transfer window for an initial £46.6 million.

Dalot was asked how his Portuguese compatriot is settling in at his new club and said: "Oh, perfectly. I mean, it is like he has been here for two years already. He is getting on very well with the lads; it is very good to have him here, it is very good for me, very good for the team. He is a fantastic player and a fantastic person, so it is one more to help the team."

United also completed a deadline-day deal to sign former Watford striker Odion Ighalo on loan from Shanghai Shenhua for the remainder of the season.

Fernandes has joined up with his new club's midseason training camp in Marbella, Spain, in an effort to get caught up with his United team-mates:

Over and out from our second day in Spain! ✌️🇪🇸#MUFC pic.twitter.com/Q02opc1sro

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 10, 2020

Dalot, 20, completed his own transfer from the Primeira Liga after he joined United from Porto in June 2018, The £19 million recruit has endured a host of injury setbacks since he moved to England but started in the recent 6-0 FA Cup mauling of Tranmere Rovers, when he scored his first United goal.

Fernandes made his Red Devils debut in the 0-0 stalemate at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers during Week 25 of the Premier League:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exzhSLlnWXk

Winger Daniel James hopes to benefit from Fernandes' presence in midfield and said his new team-mate is transitioning smoothly into the side:

"Yeah he is settling in great. I know quite a few of the boys speak his language, and he speaks great English as well. So I think as soon as he came in he put his stamp on the game and he showed what he is about in that last game, on his debut. He was great, with the balls he played in behind and, for me, if we can get that bond, especially playing it in behind, I think that will be great."

The midfielder recorded 15 goals and 14 assists in his last 28 appearances for Sporting. Doubters may suggest Fernandes won't produce to the same effect in England's top flight, while others might believe a potentially higher standard of team-mate will give him the freedom necessary to maintain those levels.

James Robson of the Evening Standard wrote on the recovery of key man Scott McTominay and the impact a new midfield makeup could have at Old Trafford:

McTominay has surprised United medics with speed of his recovery. Having him in the same midfield as Bruno Fernandes and Fred could be transformative for United’s form in the final stages of the season #mufc https://t.co/acuW7ihZjm

— James Robson (@jamesalanrobson) February 9, 2020

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first-choice right-back, but there's a chance Dalot will have opportunities on the right flank during this second half of the season.

He'll hope to ignite a partnership with countryman Fernandes if that proves to be the case, though he backs the Portugal playmaker to be a success in his own right.

Fernandes will look to keep his place in Solskjaer's XI when United resume their Premier League campaign away to Chelsea on Monday.