Manchester United

Jesse Lingard has "always had attributes" like Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta, according to former Manchester United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen.

The 27-year-old is enduring a miserable run of form. He has been in and out of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team this season, starting nine Premier League games, and he has not scored a goal or provided an assist in the English top flight for United in more than a year.

For some United fans, their patience with the Englishman has run out:

I’m sure it is hurting him. you don’t get to play professional football unless you care deep into your bones. but he’s not good enough. that isn’t his fault, really, United are to blame for relying on him so much. same with Lingard. https://t.co/w7pz2FnD8I

— Muhammad Butt (@muhammadbutt) February 4, 2020

Our league campaign feels done. Ole should just start the young players with potential to see what they can do, like Gomes or Garner, over players who have shown they’re not good enough, like Lingard and Pereira. If he’s here for the long haul, why persist with these players?

— Scott Patterson (@R_o_M) January 22, 2020

Lingard could find his playing time further limited now that Bruno Fernandes has been added to the squad.

But Meulensteen, who was a senior coach at Old Trafford between 2007 and 2013 and previously coached the youth team, is still convinced of Lingard's talent, going as far as to compare him with one of the best midfielders of all time while appearing on The Michael Anthony Show (h/t Goal's Chris Burton):

"Jesse always had attributes in his game as Iniesta had for Barcelona. Jesse, in my opinion—and I think he knows it himself, he's a great kid—he's the sort of player that's so difficult for opposition teams to mark.

"I think it's more a confidence thing, you need to recognise as staff and coaches and say 'OK, when did you have the best games? When did you score the most goals? And why isn't it happening now?' Somewhere down that line there's a dent, and you need to find that and what you can do to make sure the focus goes back."

Lingard had the best season of his career in 2017-18 under Jose Mourinho, scoring eight goals and providing five assists in 33 Premier League appearances.

At that point, he looked as though he would make good on the potential he showed as a youngster. But his time appears to be running out at Old Trafford, and he is being given fewer and fewer opportunities in the first team.

It seems likely Lingard will be sold if United perform a squad clear-out in the summer, and there is reported interest in him from Roma and Atletico Madrid:

Atletico Madrid and Roma are leading the chase to sign Jesse Lingard if he leaves Man United, sources have told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/Ijezd77bTh

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 3, 2020

A loan switch from United to Roma has worked excellently for centre-back Chris Smalling, who is thriving in the Italian capital:

Chris Smalling hasn’t appeared for England since June 2017 & his international career appeared dead under Gareth Southgate... but his impressive form on loan at Roma saw the Three Lions boss & assistant Steve Holland travel to Italy to see the defender against Inter Milan #MUFC

— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) December 6, 2019

A change of scenery could be what the England international needs to rediscover the talent Meulensteen is convinced he has.  

Manchester United have reportedly given up on signing Lautaro Martinez in the summer because they will not meet Inter Milan's demands to pay his €111 million (£94 million) release clause. 

According to Paul Hirst of The Times, United are planning to sign a replacement for Romelu Lukaku, and after missing out on Erling Haaland, Martinez was high on their list. But the Red Devils have ended their pursuit because of Inter's refusal to accept anything less than the Argentinian's release fee.

United's lack of firepower has been exposed this season after they sold Lukaku to Inter for £74 million in August and failed to replace him. At their current rate of 1.44 goals per game, they will finish the 2019-20 Premier League season with around 55 goals. That would be 10 fewer than in 2018-19 and 13 fewer than in 2017-18, the two seasons Lukaku spent at Old Trafford.

Marcus Rashford has stepped admirably into the role of being United's main goalscorer, netting 14 goals in 22 league appearances this term:

Most PL goals for Man Utd before Xmas, last 7 seasons:

🇸🇪 11 goals • Ibrahimovic (2016-17)
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 10 goals • RASHFORD (2019-20)
🇧🇪 10 goals • Lukaku (2017-18)
🇫🇷 8 goals • Martial (2018-19)
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 8 goals • Rooney (2013-14)

⚽️ @WatfordFC v @ManUtd
⏰ Sunday 1pm
📺 @SkySportsPL pic.twitter.com/1yxSpCmPx8

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) December 20, 2019

Marcus Rashford is the top U23 scorer in Europe’s top five leagues this season:

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Marcus Rashford (14)
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Tammy Abraham (13)
🇫🇷 Kylian Mbappé (11)
🇳🇬 Victor Osimhen (10)
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Jadon Sancho (9)
🇦🇷 Lautaro Martinez (9)

Really impressive return. 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/jhyKQzmT23

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) January 11, 2020

However, since the England international was sidelined with a back injury in mid-January, United have not scored a goal in three league games.

Martinez, 22, is enjoying a breakout season in Serie A playing alongside Lukaku in Inter's attack. He has scored 11 goals in 20 games as the Nerazzurri have launched their first title challenge in almost a decade under manager Antonio Conte:

After Matchday 22 here's how the #SerieATIM standings looks like! ⁰#WeAreCalcio pic.twitter.com/nGvDPJaCTB

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 3, 2020

Per Hirst, the Argentina international has also caught the eye of Real Madrid, but it is most likely he will end up at Barcelona.

United are clearly going to have to look elsewhere for a new marksman who can help them in their ongoing attempts to return to title contention in the Premier League. 

Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has said he has been impressed with January arrivals Bruno Fernandes and Odion Ighalo and that he is hoping they can be important players for the side.

Fernandes signed for £46.6 million from Sporting CP, while former Watford striker Ighalo joined on loan from Chinese Super League club Shanghai Greenland Shenhua late on deadline day.

Speaking to Sky Sports, McTominay said:

"They're really, really nice guys.

"First and foremost they are good people and that's what we need at this football club. We need good friends, who you can go out to dinner with.

"What they bring onto the football pitch—we've seen that. Hopefully they can bring a lot for us. First impressions are very good."

United let Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez leave for Inter Milan last summer, so their attacking options this season consisted of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood. Paul Pogba remained their chief creative option, but he has been injured for most of the season.

The Red Devils will be without Rashford for at least another month after he suffered a back injury in January. Sports writer Sam Pilger believes the recent arrivals significantly improve their options:

With the signings of Fernandes and Ighalo #MUFC do have a considerably stronger attack than when the transfer window opened a month ago.

— Sam Pilger (@sampilger) January 31, 2020

Fernandes made his debut as United were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Although United failed to find the net in a Premier League game for the eighth time this season, Fernandes left a good impression on Squawka's Muhammad Butt:

the difference between Bruno Fernandes and literally everyone else attacking for United is so, so stark. he's miles ahead of them and this is his first 45 minutes for the club.

— Muhammad Butt (@muhammadbutt) February 1, 2020

Football statistician Dave O'Brien shared the numbers behind the midfielder's performance:

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

The 25-year-old contributed 15 goals and 14 assists in 28 matches for Sporting this season, so his arrival should increase United's output from midfield considerably.

Meanwhile, Ighalo has ingratiated himself with fans following his first interview as a Red Devils player:

Odion Ighalo wasn't letting anything get in the way of his dream move to United ⏳ pic.twitter.com/T6z2KNCbfs

— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 5, 2020

Rory Smith of the New York Times believes the striker could be a shrewd acquisition in the circumstances:

Manchester United’s transfer strategy is nuts and the club’s badly organised and it needs major restructuring to be even vaguely modern but, umm, I think Odion Ighalo’s quite a good signing (as cover, on loan).

— Rory Smith (@RorySmith) January 31, 2020

The Nigerian has contributed a combined 46 goals and eight assists in 74 games for Changchun Yatai and Shanghai since he moved to the CSL in 2017.

United's decision to bring him in for the remainder of the campaign will largely have been because of his 2015-16 campaign with Watford, though. He notched 18 goals in all competitions—16 in the Premier League—and five assists.

It will likely take both players time to settle into their new surroundings, but the Premier League's winter break has come at a good time for United. They won't play again until their match with Chelsea on February 17, by which point they will have had more than two weeks to work with Fernandes and Ighalo in training.

Lee Sharpe has said the potential midfield partnership between Manchester United's Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes could boost the club's Premier League hopes.

Yani Ourad of Sky Sports reported the former United winger thinks the pair can rectify the creativity problems suffered by the Red Devils in recent years.

"I think they [Fernandes-Pogba] would have a good partnership.

"You would have to play them with someone who could do the defensive work. Fernandes is a natural forward-thinking midfielder.

"Going forward, I think they can cause all sorts of problems between them. It could be just what United need. It's been really disappointing with no Pogba this season, I think they've really missed him.

"He's got charisma on the pitch and the creativity he brings to the game—there's a level of arrogance and ability that brings everyone up to Paul Pogba's level."

Fernandes signed for £46.6 million from Sporting CP in the January transfer window, per Ourad, and made his Premier League debut in Saturday's goalless draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford.

Pogba suffered an ankle injury which required surgery in January, but the France World Cup winner could return soon after the Premier League's winter break.

Fernandes arrives at United as one of Europe's elite midfielders who can play in various attacking roles and as a trequartista.

The 25-year-old's productivity elevated over his three-year spell at Sporting. The player scored 25 goals and provided 16 assists in the Primeira Liga and Europe last term, and he's continued his exploits with 13 goals and 10 assists during the first half of the current campaign.

Pogba has been hungry to play alongside better players at United, and he's struggled to be a singular force in a developing squad.

Fernandes will allow Pogba to control the midfield while the Portuguese links the space between the channels.

Marcus Rashford's absence due to injury will limit the attacking options for United's most recent capture to exploit, but Fernandes has the ability and finishing to drive matches himself until the end of the campaign.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's long-term future as coach will be largely dependent on where United finish the season and if UEFA Champions League qualification has been achieved. The Red Devils are currently six points off fourth-placed Chelsea. The Norwegian's men need an immediate improvement in results after the winter break.

Odion Ighalo has revealed he was so determined to secure his loan move to Manchester United in January, he didn't bat an eyelid at having to accept a pay cut to facilitate it. 

Ighalo joined the Red Devils on the final day of the transfer window from Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua, and he'll remain at Old Trafford until the end of the season.

The former Watford striker opened up on his move to United in first interview with MUTV:

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

Speaking to MUTV's Adam Bath, Ighalo reflected on his "dramatic" switch to the Premier League giants.

He said United were one of several clubs interested in signing him when he learned of their interest from his agent at 11 p.m. Shanghai time (3 p.m. GMT) on January 31, with the window set to shut at 7 a.m. (11 p.m. GMT).

Ighalo chose the Red Devils ahead of the other interested parties and told his agent to secure the move:

Odion Ighalo wasn't letting anything get in the way of his dream move to United ⏳ pic.twitter.com/T6z2KNCbfs

— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 5, 2020

He described the move as a "dream come true" for him, and he is "really proud" to be the first Nigerian player to represent the club.

The 30-year-old is eager to give his all for the cause:

Ighalo’s message to #MUFC fans: “I'm happy to be a Man United player, I'm looking forward to the game & I promise to give my best from the first day I put on the jersey to the last day of my time here. I promise to add my own path to make sure the season finishes well for United"

— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) February 5, 2020

Ighalo has also identified what he can bring to United's play:

”So they need a physicality there up front to keep the ball, to give and to make some movement, which I believe, if everything goes well, I can add to the team.” #mufc

— James Ducker (@TelegraphDucker) February 5, 2020

The striker signed for Watford from Granada in 2014, and he scored 20 goals in the Championship to help them get promoted in his first season at Vicarage Road.

In the his second campaign he hit 18 goals in all competitions, 16 of which were in the Premier League in an impressive season:

In the 2015/2016 Premier League, Odion Ighalo averaged 2.4 penalty area shots per game. Only Jamie Vardy (2.5) and Sergio Agüero (2.9) averaged more.

Comes alive in the box. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3fi5S8T8qg

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 4, 2020

He left the Hornets in January 2017 having scored just twice in his first 20 games of the following season.

Ighalo notched 36 goals and eight assists in 55 games for Changchun Yatai before switching to Shanghai last year. Injury and his involvement in last summer's Africa Cup of Nations limited him to just 19 appearances, in which he scored 10 goals.

As signings go, he's not one United would likely have made in years past, but they were forced to dip into the market by Marcus Rashford's injury, so options were likely limited.

It's a low-risk short-term loan, so even if he does not manage to replicate the kind of form he displayed during his first Premier League season at Watford, United have lost nothing by taking a chance on him.

Ighalo hasn't played since the second leg of the Chinese FA Cup final on December 6, so it could take him some time to get up to full speed, but the Premier League's winter break means United don't play again until February 17.

Derby County manager Phillip Cocu is eagerly anticipating a "beautiful game" when Rams captain Wayne Rooney takes on his former side Manchester United in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Derby booked their place in the next round with a 4-2 win over Northampton Town on Tuesday, and they'll host United at Pride Park on March 5.

Per Tom Doyle of the Evening Standard, Cocu said of Rooney:

"He's going to face the club where he had a wonderful career so of course it is special. He comes back from the States, joins us and now plays his old club where he had a great career. We have to wait for a month but I'm sure he'll be ready.

"It will be a beautiful game not just for Wayne, but everyone at the club. It's a great game to look forward to and we will also try to win it, against a strong opponent."

Rooney netted a penalty for the Rams in their fourth-round replay with Northampton:

Wayne Rooney back on the scoresheet in the #EmiratesFACup.

Next up, his old employers @ManUtd in the fifth round 👀 pic.twitter.com/SK6amoaPIr

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 5, 2020

The 34-year-old has now scored in three consecutive games for his new side, whom he joined as a player-coach after leaving D.C. United following two seasons in Major League Soccer.

He also has two assists in his eight appearances for Derby.

Rooney spent the bulk of his career at Old Trafford, where he returned 253 goals and 156 assists in 559 appearances. He is their all-time record goalscorer and sixth in the club's appearance charts.

During his time at the club, he won five Premier League titles and four League Cups, while he also won the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and FA Cup once apiece, among other honours.

He hasn't had much success when playing against the Red Devils, though:

Wayne Rooney has lost all six games he has played against Manchester United.

— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) February 4, 2020

Nor have Derby fared too well when playing United. Their meeting in March will be the sixth time since 2009 that they've been drawn against them in domestic cup competition, and the Premier League outfit have come out on top in four of their last five games.

However, the Rams did triumph on penalties in the most recent of those after holding United to a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup last season.  

Angel Di Maria has said it was already decided he would wear the No. 7 jersey at Manchester United when he joined the club. 

The Red Devils paid a then-British-record transfer fee to sign the Argentina international in 2014, although he only stayed at Old Trafford for one season before moving to current club Paris Saint-Germain.

Di Maria donned the jersey in his only season as a United player and failed to live up to the standards set by some of its previous incumbents. Speaking to Ligue 1 (h/t Chris Burton of Goal), the midfielder said the No. 7 wouldn't have necessarily been his pick:

"I don't really know. When I arrived, I saw that the No. 11 was available. It's a shirt number I wore a lot when I was younger and I was keen to get once again.

"At Real Madrid, No. 11 was already taken, so I took 22. At Manchester United they gave me No. 7, I didn't get a choice. I would have liked 11 but there we are. Here [at PSG], I had a choice, so I chose 11!"

Some of the best players in the history of United wore the same jersey as Di Maria, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Eric Cantona and George Best.

Tifo Football recently looked back at the history of one of the most famous shirts in football:

In the 2014-15 season, Di Maria's form for the Red Devils tailed off significantly after a fantastic start to life at Old Trafford. He made 27 appearances in the Premier League, scoring just three goals in the process.

At PSG, he's had much happier times. Di Maria has helped the club win three titles, and despite some significant investment in attacking players during his spell at the Parc des Princes, the 31-year-old remains an important part of the squad.

At the end of last year, WhoScored included the winger in the Ligue 1 best XI so far:

Ligue 1 team of the season so far:@GLarsonneur
Atal@tsilva3
Abdelhamid@KamaraHassane13
Di Maria
Verratti@IGanaGueye @dimpayet17 @Memphis @KMbappe

📝 Ligue 1 midway roundup 👉 https://t.co/SgR6bC3agz pic.twitter.com/cjPSW5KWEO

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) December 27, 2019

Di Maria has also shone in the UEFA Champions League for PSG and will be keen to add to the one European Cup he won with Real Madrid; he scored this brilliant goal in the group stages of the competition against his former club:

🔵🔴 Last time Ángel Di María faced Real Madrid...#UCL | @PSG_English pic.twitter.com/wdzYcuDflB

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 26, 2019

It's clear he feels at ease in Paris: "PSG is very important to me. They welcomed me with open arms in a period when I was finding it difficult in Manchester."

While Di Maria's former shirt at United is steeped in tradition, as of late a number of players have struggled in it. Following the Argentina star, both Memphis Depay and Alexis Sanchez toiled before being moved on, with the latter on loan at Inter Milan.

Paul Pogba has reportedly told his Manchester United team-mates he wants to leave the club in the summer. 

According to Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, sources have said Pogba's "head is not currently at the club" amid ongoing rumours linking him to Real Madrid and Juventus. 

Luckhurst added the French midfielder remains popular in the dressing room, and most of United's players understand his position and believe his departure could benefit all parties. 

Pogba, 26, has had limited game time in 2019-20. Due to persistent ankle problems, he has made just five starts in the Premier League this term.

He rejoined United in 2016 from Juventus for a then-world-record fee of £89 million.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner has blown hot and cold for the Red Devils ever since, intermittently producing match-winning performances but too often displaying frustrating disinterest.

Rumours of his unrest at Old Trafford have been circling for over a year.

Pogba's departure was tipped when Jose Mourinho was in charge as he did not have a good relationship with the Portuguese.

He initially looked much happier after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer succeeded Mourinho, but his form faded again at Old Trafford as the 2018-19 campaign drew to a close, and exit rumours emerged again.

Pogba then confirmed back in June he would be open to a new challenge:

"After this season and everything that happened this season, with my season being my best season as well... I think for me it could be a good time to have a new challenge."

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) June 16, 2019

The France international could still be useful for Solskjaer in the remainder of 2019-20 if he can return to full fitness:

People saying Pogba won't play for United again....he has the Euros to prepare for and if he wants a move he needs to play well and put himself in the shop window before then. He"ll be back

— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) February 3, 2020

But it is becoming increasingly clear that Pogba is likely in his final months at Old Trafford.

Former Watford and Shanghai Shenhua manager Quique Sanchez Flores believes it will take Odion Ighalo a month to adapt to life at Manchester United, who have handed the forward the No. 25 jersey.

He made the shock move to the Red Devils on loan in the January transfer window, with the Nigeria international expected to provide attacking cover following the recent injury to Marcus Rashford.

Flores has had two spells in charge at Vicarage Road, and he worked with Ighalo in his first stint. Per Tom Dutton of the Evening Standard, the coach said some patience will be required following Ighalo's temporary switch from Shanghai Shenhua:

"Mainly, the problem is how they train in China. It is not the same as in England. Is he really ready for first-team matches in the Premier League because the physical difference is so big? He probably needs one month to recover the full rhythm.

"The good thing is he knows his body well, works hard on injury prevention, and he is always working after training. I should say, also, that I felt in China, he gave exactly the same effort and quality as he gave me four years ago. We had the feeling in China that he could recover a high level with any team in Europe."

On Tuesday, the Red Devils confirmed their new signing will wear the No. 25 jersey:

I G H A L O
2️⃣5️⃣

️ Buy now  https://t.co/yQiIa7mVQT pic.twitter.com/Us6mufhtn2

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 4, 2020

Ighalo spent two-and-a-half years at Watford. He was key to the side earning promotion from the Championship in his debut term, and he scored 15 goals in the 2015-16 Premier League season.

He was then sold to Changchun Yatai the following campaign. In three seasons in the Chinese Super League—two with Changchun and one with Shanghai—he has 46 goals.

Even so, it was a surprise to see United move for the 30-year-old on deadline day, given he has been playing outside European football's top five leagues for so long. B/R Football's Sam Tighe said he can see why the Red Devils snapped him up, though:

Similarish argument for Borja Baston to Villa. These are 3rd choice options being signed with no obligations in a thin market, guarding against injury crises. The clubs in question have already suffered and don't want to again. https://t.co/QxkO0GfMeu

— Sam Tighe (@stighefootball) January 31, 2020

Football writer Sam Pilger noted that United have been able to add crucial depth:

With the signings of Fernandes and Ighalo #MUFC do have a considerably stronger attack than when the transfer window opened a month ago.

— Sam Pilger (@sampilger) January 31, 2020

It will be intriguing to see how quickly Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thrusts Ighalo into action. After all, it's in the short term where he will be required, with Rashford's double-back stress fracture suffered in January set to leave him sidelined for a couple of months.

Marcos Rojo has said he decided to leave Manchester United on loan to Estudiantes in a bid to boost his hopes of playing for the Argentina national team.

The centre-back will spend the rest of the season on loan at the club where he began his career and explained that he spoke with Albiceleste boss Lionel Scaloni before the move, per Roy Nemer at Mundo Albiceleste:

"Also one of the reasons I came here was to play for the Argentina national team, I want to be close. I spoke with Scaloni and I told him that I came here to play every weekend, to get continuity and that I am anxious to be back with the team.

"We have the World Cup qualifiers which start in March and it's important to be in the rhythm of it all. He told me that in order to be there, I have to play. And that's why I left Manchester to come here."

Rojo moved to Old Trafford from Sporting CP in 2014 and has won the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Europa League with the Red Devils. However, he has never managed to secure a regular place in the team and has made only one Premier League start in 2019-20.

Football writer Karl Matchett highlighted his lack of game time:

Marcos Rojo has never played more than 24 league games in any single season.

As far as I can see he has only played 175 league games in his entire career.

He turns 30 next month.#MUFC

— Karl Matchett (@karlmatchett) February 3, 2020

Yet Rojo still appears to have attracted plenty of interest. He told El Intransigente (h/t Lucas Sposito at Sport Witness) that he "had many offers to go to other clubs" before opting to return to Estudiantes.

The centre-back still has 18 months left on his current contract, and Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hinted his career at Old Trafford is not over, per Simon Peach at the PA:

Solskjaer on Rojo: "He's such a passionate guy & he wants to support his team. He wants to come back a fitter & better player, hopefully having played well for Estudiantes, helped Seba (Veron) & his club, & gone to Copa America. That was something we just had to do" #MUFC

— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) January 31, 2020

Rojo is an experienced Argentina international with 61 caps and was named in their most recent squad for international friendlies against Brazil and Uruguay but had to withdraw due to a muscle injury.

His last appearance for the national team was in October's 2-2 friendly draw in Germany, but he will be hoping to feature when Argentina return to action next month in FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Bolivia.