Rasmus Hojlund trained with the rest of his Manchester United teammates at Carrington on Tuesday morning, boosting his chances of featuring in tomorrow night's Champions League clash with Galatasaray.
The striker missed Sunday's trip to Everton with a muscle problem after he was withdrawn from the 1-0 win over Luton Town prior to the international break. Manager Erik ten Hag always maintained that the issue was nothing overly serious and he was in with an outside chance of featuring at the weekend.
Though he failed to make the cut, the fact he trained with the rest of the squad on Tuesday morning offers hope that he will be available for the trip to Turkey. He has excelled in the Champions League so far this season, scoring five goals in four games.
Meanwhile, reports in the national media have claimed that England manager Gareth Southgate is determined to ensure that Kobbie Mainoo commits his international future to the Three Lions. The youngster, who made his first Premier League start on Sunday, is also eligible to play for Ghana.
Elsewhere, Sir Jim Ratcliffe's plan to secure a 25 per cent stake in the Reds is understood to be edging closer. He is leading INEOS Sport's bid to acquire a minority stake.
Take a look back at the United news from our blog below:
Key Events
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Thank you for joining us on the United blog today.
Make sure to come back tomorrow for all the build-up to what is a pivotal clash in the Champions League for the Reds.
Pick your United team to face Galatasaray
There is still time to pick your United team to face Galatasaray in the Champions League.
The big team news question surrounds Martial and Hojlund. The Dane has returned from injury but should he come straight back into the side after Martial scored on Sunday?
United's away woes in the Champions League
Ten Hag may not be worried about his side's away record but the stats don't lie.
In both of United's Champions League away games this season they have ended up on the losing side. Coincidentally both games ended in 4-3 defeats so goals could well be expected this evening.
If United cannot halt this form tomorrow, they will be crashing out of the Champions League at the first hurdle.
Ten Hag plays down worrying away record
United may have beaten Everton at Goodison Park 3-0 last time out but concerns persist about the Reds' form away from Old Trafford.
However, despite the pressure for a victory tomorrow night in Turkey, Ten Hag is not concerned about his side's form on the road this season.
What United need to do to qualify
United's faltering Champions League campaign could come to a crushing end this week if they don't get the result they need in Istanbul.
A win would reignite hopes of finishing second behind guaranteed group winners Bayern Munich while a draw could take things to the final round of fixtures. We take a look at the permutations.
State of play in Group A
Here is how the standings currently look in Group A ahead of tomorrow's crucial Champions League tie at Galatasaray.
As you can see, it is a must-win for the Reds in Turkey.
United sent Champions League warning
Former Liverpool and City defender Didi Hamann believes United will not get past the quarter finals of the Champions League even if they manage to escape Group A.
Speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest Champions League betting, Hamann said:
City remain the benchmark in the Champions League. Even if United get out of the group, I can't see them getting past the quarters. I can't see Arsenal getting past the semis, and if Newcastle get out of the group, they could be a dark horse. City can win it, of course, but I don't think that about United or Arsenal.
ANALYSIS - Onana revival is vindicating United policy
It was rather damning that only one of Ten Hag's signings started in their most comprehensive win of the season at the weekend.
The Dutchman has spent £400million on 16 players since he took charge of the club, yet he relied on a spine of Solskjaer favourites for their 3-0 win at Goodison Park.
He will take some solace from the fact that Hojlund and Martinez should both return to the side once they are fully fit, though there are clear concerns about his transfer hit rate after spending so much money. Ten Hag might also point to the only signing who started the match as evidence that he does have an eye for talent.
REPORT - United targeting another Serie A 'keeper
According to Il Messaggero, the Reds are targeting Lazio 'keeper Ivan Provedel.
Provedel has a price tag of €35m and it is claimed his club will not sell him until the summer.
It is claimed United remain unsure about Onana however this seems unlikely considering his up turn in form in recent weeks.
United injury news and return dates
Ten Hag was boosted by the news of two players returning to his squad this week as Hojlund and Antony participated in training today.
But how about the rest of the United injury woes? MEN Sport has rounded up the news from the Carrington injury room.
Wan-Bissaka makes Zaha admission
United full-back Wan-Bissaka has admitted training alongside Galatasaray's Zaha made him a better player.
Zaha used to play for United but the pair were teammates at Crystal Palace before Wan-Bissaka opted for a move to Old Trafford.
Ahead of a reunion in Turkey, the Reds' full-back spoke highly of the winger.
United youngsters picked for Champions League test
Thanks to injuries, Ten Hag has called upon some of his youngsters to travel to Istanbul this week.
Both Gore and Hugill are in the squad for the clash with Galatasaray. Hugill was on the bench for the first time on Sunday.
They will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Mainoo who also makes the travelling squad.
OPINION: Ten Hag could prove how much he trusts Mainoo with United decision
"United are likely to find the atmosphere even more hostile and raucous in Istanbul. This is a contest, though often a cliché, that genuinely could be dictated by the crowd. With that in mind, plus not forgetting the fact United desperately need to secure all three points, you cannot be over-critical of Erik ten Hag if he decides to re-employ Sofyan Amrabat at the base of the midfield, giving his team an added sense of bite and experience in front of the back-four. But based on the standard that Kobbie Mainoo set, you would probably be foolish to bet against him losing his place."
Click here to read more from Senior Football Writer, George Smith.
Werner's 'stance' on his future amid United links
According to a report by Sky Sport Germany, as cited by the Metro, RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner is 'prepared' to stay at the club and fight for his place amid recent links with a move to United.
The Old Trafford outfit have been linked with the prospect of bringing the German back to England in the January transfer window. Werner spent two years at Chelsea between 2020 and 2022, making 89 appearances.
Stat attack!
United face a must-win encounter against Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League at Rams Park tomorrow evening.
Currently bottom of Group A, United are facing the propsect of being dumped out of the competition before they face Bayern Munich in their final group game next month. They will bow out of Europe's premier club competition if they lose.
United's away record against Galatasaray does not inspire confidence, either. The Reds have never scored away from home against the Turkish club, firing blanks in their last three meetings, twice drawing 0-0 and losing 1-0 in the last encounter.
They need to alter that record tomorrow.
Ten Hag drops Mainoo hint ahead of Galatasaray clash
United manager Erik ten Hag has hinted that Kobbie Mainoo could retain his place against Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League tomorrow night.
The midfielder made his full Premier League debut on Sunday, playing a starring role in helping United beat Everton 3-0 at Goodison Park. Almost every United supporters hopes that he will keep his place tomorrow, and Ten Hag has hinted in his pre-match press conference that will be the case.
The United boss said:
"No. We don’t have fear. If players are good enough, they are old enough."
OPINION: Ten Hag's Mainoo prediction is turning out to be true at United
"In the past doldrum decade, Adnan Januzaj, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford, McTominay, Mason Greenwood, Anthony Elanga, Garnacho and Mainoo have preserved United's identity. Every post-Sir Alex Ferguson manager has left an academy legacy. Kobbie Mainoo's development is the new blueprint for budding teenagers hoping to make the walk from the academy building, past the fountain of youth and to the main hub that hosts the first team. In the summer after the Youth Cup success, Mainoo bulked up and academy anoraks at Altrincham had to do a double-take during a pre-season run-out for the reserves. Erik ten Hag named Mainoo on the bench in only his 13th game in charge against Newcastle United with Christian Eriksen unwell. That changing of the guard is well underway 13 months on with Eriksen sidelined."
Click here to read more from chief United writer, Samuel Luckhurst.
United 'planning' January swoop for England ace
United are 'planning' a January move for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, according to a report by Football Insider.
The centre-back, formerly of Chelsea, has been linked with a move to Old Trafford by various news outlets in recent weeks. The England international, 23, is said to be on the Reds' radar and they want to try and lure him to M16 in January.
The report adds that United are said to have identified him as their 'number one target' ahead of the window opening.
Travelling squad confirmed for Galatasaray tussle
United manager Erik ten Hag has included Dan Gore and Rasmus Hojlund in his squad that will travel to Turkey for tomorrow's UEFA Champions League clash against Galatasaray.
The Dutchman has selected 22 players for his side's penultimate Champions League group stage fixture. Brazilian Antony has also been included after missing Sunday's clash with Everton through injury.
Squad confirmed for Galatasaray fixture:
Goalkeepers: Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Andre Onana.
Defenders: Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Sergio Reguilon, Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane, Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat, Bruno Fernandes, Dan Gore, Hannibal, Kobbie Mainoo, Scott McTominay.
Forwards: Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, Joe Hugill, Anthony Martial, Facundo Pellistri.
Double injury boost confirmed ahead of Galatasaray trip
Rasmus Hojlund and Antony are available for United's clash with Galatasaray in Turkey tomorrow night, manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed.
The duo missed Sunday's win over Everton through injury-related issues. Both players, however, are in contention to feature in the Champions League.
Speaking to the media this lunchtime, Ten Hag admitted "they are in the squad."
Bayern have 'no plans' to sign Casemiro
According to a report by Sky Germany, as cited by the Metro, Bayern Munich have 'no plans' to sign United midfielder Casemiro in the January transfer window.
The Brazilian is being heavily linked with an exit from Old Trafford ahead of the window opening in just over a month's time. He has been linked with clubs in Saudi Arabia, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern.
However, it has been reported that the German heavyweights are not planning a move for him at the start of the New Year.
Spurs 'join the race' for Todibo amid United links
According to a report by The Standard, Tottenham Hotspur have 'joined the race' to sign United-linked centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo.
The Nice defender, 23, has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent months after a string of fine performances. Reports elsewhere have recently suggested that he is United's 'top target' ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.
The report by The Standard adds that Todibo is set to be 'available for around £39million'. Liverpool have also been credited with interest.
United training squad confirmed ahead of Galatasaray tussle
Both Rasmus Hojlund and Antony trained with the rest of their United teammates this morning ahead of tomorrow's UEFA Champions League clash with Galatasaray in Turkey.
The duo missed Sunday's win over Everton at Goodison Park through injury. Hojlund failed a late fitness test ahead of the trip to Merseyside and Antony had to pull out of the matchday squad because of a knock.
Erik ten Hag had a total of 22 players on the grass this morning, who were as follows: Varane, Maguire, Lindelof, Dalot, Reguilon, Shaw, Wan-Bissaka, Amrabat, Mainoo, Hannibal, Van de Beek, Fernandes, Fletcher, Gore, McTominay, Hojlund, Hugill, Antony, Garnacho, Pellistri, Martial, Rashford.
OPINION: Eight of Ten Hag's 11 United signings are fighting for their places
"When everyone is fit again, he might look to restore some of his signings to the team, but right now it's arguable only two more would get in alongside Andre Onana, who after a nervous spell in goal is beginning to look like a very good signing. If we include Sofyan Amrabat, on whom United have an option to make the move permanent, Erik tn Hag has signed 11 players across his three transfer windows, at a cost of more than £400million. Some were signed to play bit-part roles, such as backup goalkeeper Altay Bayindir and free agent Jonny Evans. Maybe the same could be said for Tyrell Malacia, who is on the comeback trail after a serious knee injury, but there was an expectation he would challenge the excellent Luke Shaw and that hasn't happened. Shaw is comfortably the better player."
Click here to read more from Senior Football Writer, Tyrone Marshall.
United top the form table
Over the course of the last six Premier League matches, United have taken 15 points from 18 on offer, making them the most in-form team in the league.
After slender wins against the likes of Sheffield United, Fulham and Luton Town, Sunday's 3-0 win over Everton was much more convincing. They will be hoping to build on it when they face Galatasaray in the Champions League tomorrow.
United 'could' offload Casemiro in January window
According to a report by TEAMtalk, United 'could' sell midfield enforcer Casemiro in the January transfer window.
The Brazilian, 31, joined United from Real Madrid in August 2022 and excelled in his debut season at Old Trafford. However, though he is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, he has regressed this season, failing to hit the same standards he met last term.
He has been linked with an exit from the club in recent weeks and clubs in Saudi Arabia are reportedly interested in his signature.
Hojlund trains ahead of Galatasaray fixture
United have confirmed that striker Rasmus Hojlund is training this morning ahead of tomorrow's UEFA Champions League clash against Galatasaray in Turkey.
The Dane, who joined the club in the summer from Atalanta, missed Sunday's trip to Everton through a muscle injury, with Erik ten Hag confirming in the days leading up to the game he was touch-and-go. He is involved in training at Carrington this morning, meaning he could return tomorrow evening.
He has scored five Champions League goals so far this term.
OPINION: Ten Hag is about to find out how good United really are
"Erik ten Hag's side have already visited both Arsenal and Spurs this season, too, losing both matches by an aggregate score of 5-1, conceding three against the Gunners and two against Spurs. United's away record against fellow big hitters in the Premier League under Ten Hag is far from impressive, meaning rectifying that problem needs to be his next challenge. If United can demonstrate they have learnt from previous failings and secure positive results against Newcastle and Liverpool, it will ease fears that their recent resurgence has done more than just paper over the cracks. If they lose both, however, their torrid away record against the Premier League's best side will be highlighted and analysed all the more."
Click here to read more from Senior Football Writer, George Smith.
United make Silva 'top target' for next summer
According to a report by journalist Florain Plettenberg, Benfica defender Antonio Silva will be United's 'top target' for next summer's transfer window.
The centre-back, 20, reportedly has a €100million release clause in his contract that becomes active next year. United are said to be 'keen' on sorting contract details with the defender.
Silva has made a total of 61 appearances for Benfica, chipping in with six goals.
