MAN UNITED CONFIDENTIAL: Al-Nassr line up DOUBLE deal for Old Trafford stars, Altay Bayindir is finally set to make his bow at Newport… and stealthy swoop for Omar Berrada caught City cold
- Mail Sport revealed last month that John Murtough was in talks with Saudi clubs
- PLUS: Marc Skinner comes out fighting and Facundo Pellistri's loan move stalls
- From Kevin Keegan to Arsene Wenger... IAN LADYMAN picks his top five managerial meltdowns on It's All Kicking Off
Al-Nassr are lining up an audacious bid for Casemiro and Aaron Wan-Bissaka as Manchester United prepare to offload some of their high-earning stars.
Mail Sport revealed last month that United's football director John Murtough flew to Riyadh to explore potential deals for a number of players who are available for transfer.
Casemiro is the top earner on £375,000-a-week, but the Brazilian turns 32 next month and has not played since the start of November due to a hamstring injury. United are open to selling him this summer if they can recoup a chunk of the £70million fee paid to Real Madrid last year.
Al-Nassr are understood to be ready to make Casemiro a huge offer with encouragement from his former Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Saudi club could move for Wan-Bissaka this month after seeing a £20m bid for Tottenham right-back Emerson Royal rejected last week.
![Man United's Casemiro has been earmarked for sale](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/23/14/80358429-12996355-image-a-92_1706019051357.jpg)
![Man United's Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been earmarked for sale](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/23/14/80358437-12996355-image-m-94_1706019054799.jpg)
Man United's Casemiro (left) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (right) have both been earmarked for sale
![Jadon Sancho is another player that the side are keen to offload in the summer and he has opted to return to Borussia Dortmund for a six-month loan move](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/23/15/80358441-12996355-Jadon_Sancho_is_another_player_that_the_side_are_keen_to_offload-a-154_1706024731076.jpg)
Jadon Sancho is another player that the side are keen to offload in the summer and he has opted to return to Borussia Dortmund for a six-month loan move
Wan-Bissaka faces an uncertain future at Old Trafford after United triggered the 12-month extension in his contract in December having decided not to offer the defender a new long-term deal.
The 26-year-old's agents are understood to have held further contract talks with United earlier this month but the outcome was not positive.
Although Wan-Bissaka's old club Crystal Palace and West Ham have also expressed an interest, they would not be able to match Al-Nassr's offer.
Jadon Sancho is another United player who has been linked with a summer move to the Saudi Pro League, but he turned down Al-Ettifaq at the start of this season before joining Borussia Dortmund on loan this month.
United are paying a third of Sancho's £290,000-a-week salary while he plays in Germany and are desperate to get him off the wage bill.
Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial - who earn £340,000 and £250,000 respectively - have not been offered contract extensions and are set to leave as free agents in the summer, although Varane could stay longer if he accepts a pay-cut.
Bayindir clear for cup debut
Altay Bayindir is set to make his debut in goal for Manchester United in Sunday's FA Cup tie at Newport County - even if Andre Onana's Cameroon go out of the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday.
Onana hasn't missed a single game for United since joining the club for £47.2million in the summer, and Cameroon agreed to let him report late for Afcon so he could play in the last match against Tottenham.
Onana could leave the tournament in Ivory Coast after just eight days if his country go out at the group stage by failing to beat Gambia on Tuesday evening and, in theory, be available to face Newport at Rodney Parade.
It's unclear if the 27-year-old would fly straight back to Manchester or be given a few days off like some of his United team-mates who have been enjoying the winter break in Dubai and the US.
Either way, Confidential understands that Bayindir is clear to make his first appearance since joining United in a £4.3m deal from Fenerbahce in the summer. The 6ft 6in Turkey international has been on the bench 27 times without getting on the pitch.
Cameroon must beat Gambia and rely on Senegal winning against Guinea to go through after taking just one point from their opening two games in Group C. Onana turned up too late to feature in the 1-1 draw against Guinea and then played in the 3-1 defeat by Senegal, but is set to be on the bench against Gambia.
![No 2 goalkeeper Altay Bayindir is likely to make his United debut against Newport County](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/24/00/80358541-12996355-No_2_goalkeeper_Altay_Bayindir_is_likely_to_make_his_United_debu-a-1_1706054765653.jpg)
No 2 goalkeeper Altay Bayindir is likely to make his United debut against Newport County
![Andre Onana is enduring a torrid time at AFCON with Cameroon and could leave the tournament should they fall to Gambia](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/24/00/80358601-12996355-Andre_Onana_is_enduring_a_torrid_time_at_AFCON_with_Cameroon_and-a-2_1706054765654.jpg)
Andre Onana is enduring a torrid time at AFCON with Cameroon and could leave the tournament should they fall to Gambia
Berrada coup caught City by surprise
Such was the secrecy surrounding United's move to appoint Omar Berrada as the club's new chief executive that Manchester City only found out about the switch just days before the news broke at the weekend.
Ineos director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford is understood to have approached Berrada in December after he and Sir Jim Ratcliffe identified City's chief football operations officer as the man they wanted to lead United. The 46-year-old also spoke to Ratcliffe and the Glazers before agreeing to move to Old Trafford.
However, the agreement is said to have taken City by surprise last week, with director of football Txiki Begiristain particularly shocked to learn that his right-hand man was defencing to the other side.
The coup is seen as a clear sign that Ineos want to put football first following Ratcliffe's £1.3billion investment, and act as swiftly and decisively whenever possible.
![United appointed their rival's chief football operations officer Omar Berrada as chief executive](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/24/00/80358613-12996355-United_appointed_their_rival_s_chief_football_operations_officer-a-3_1706054765664.jpg)
United appointed their rival's chief football operations officer Omar Berrada as chief executive
While Berrada has a commercial background, like ex-United CEOs Ed Woodward and Richard Arnold, he is a football fan at heart who worked closely with Begiristain to pull off some of City's biggest transfer deals.
Ratcliffe's investment hasn't turned out too badly for the former Old Trafford chiefs with Woodward set to pocket £3.5m and Arnold £1.5m from the sale of their Class-A shares.
Patrick Stewart replaced Arnold towards the end of last year and will remain as interim CEO until Berrada is able to start his new job in the summer.
Pellistri loan up in the air again
Six European clubs are in the running to sign Facundo Pellistri on loan after the United winger's move to Granada stalled.
The Uruguayan was set to move to the Spanish club - who are coached by his compatriot Alexander Medina - but Granada are struggling to pay his salary and United boss Erik ten Hag is concerned about losing another winger while Omari Forson is refusing to sign a new contract.
If Pellistri does go out on loan, Confidential understands the possible destinations include PSV Eindhoven and several clubs from Spain and Italy where Roma have also expressed a tentative interest.
Forson's future at United has been thrown into doubt after the teenage winger rejected the club's offer of a new contract. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Radek Vitek is set to join Accrington Stanley on loan this month after a short-term move to the League Two club broke down in the summer.
![Facundo Pellistri has seen a potential mid-season move to Granada stall amid contract talks](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/24/00/80358645-12996355-Facundo_Pellistri_has_seen_a_potential_mid_season_move_to_Granad-a-4_1706054765676.jpg)
Facundo Pellistri has seen a potential mid-season move to Granada stall amid contract talks
Mitchell's a tough taskmaster
Discipline has been a theme of Erik ten Hag's time as Manchester United manager and it appears that his No 2 Mitchell van der Gaag is no exception.
Van der Gaag's hard-line approach in training is welcomed by some United players but less so by others who feel the former Motherwell centre-back can be too 'old school'.
The 52-year-old followed Ten Hag to Old Trafford from Ajax, and the two men have not backed away from instilling a more disciplined culture at United despite results casting doubt over their futures at the club.
'The manager is so demanding and he's got so many high standards that the whole squad have to comply with, which I think is brilliant,' midfielder Scott McTominay said this week.
'He's massive on his timings, massive on every looking the same, wearing the same tracksuits and clothes. All that contributes toward a good team, so no one is a big ego. Everyone is in it together and pushing the right way.'
![Erik ten Hag's assistant Mitchell van der Gaag has brought rigourous discipline to Carrington](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/24/00/80358623-12996355-Erik_ten_Hag_s_assistant_Mitchell_van_der_Gaag_has_brought_rigou-a-5_1706054765678.jpg)
Erik ten Hag's assistant Mitchell van der Gaag has brought rigourous discipline to Carrington
Newport ticket boost for fans
United fans were concerned about the size of the allocation for the trip to Newport County – but it turns out their fears were unfounded.
The club have been given 1,433 tickets for the FA Cup fourth-round tie at the home of the League Two side, thanks largely to Newport building a temporary stand at Rodney Parade.
The figure is higher than United have got for the Premier League game at Luton next month and is likely to be more than the visit to Bournemouth later in the season owing to small capacities at the two grounds.
United received more than 12,000 applications for the Newport clash - over 10 for every seat they have been given.
Under-fire Skinner comes out fighting
Pressure is mounting on women's team boss Marc Skinner ahead of Wednesday's League Cup derby with Manchester City.
The manager faced more 'Skinner out' chants from fans during Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Chelsea, which left his side 10 points adrift of the WSL leaders. But Skinner is adamant he is secure in his job and passionately defended his team in his press conference on Tuesday.
![Marc Skinner has come under fire in recent weeks with United 10 points off leaders Chelsea](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/24/00/80358675-12996355-Marc_Skinner_has_come_under_fire_in_recent_weeks_with_United_10_-a-7_1706054765700.jpg)
Marc Skinner has come under fire in recent weeks with United 10 points off leaders Chelsea
![Chants of 'Skinner out' were heard during the side's trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/24/00/80358677-12996355-Chants_of_Skinner_out_were_heard_during_the_side_s_trip_to_Stamf-a-6_1706054765695.jpg)
Chants of 'Skinner out' were heard during the side's trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday
'If you're watching our performances, in almost every game we should have won the game,' Skinner said. 'We're not performing badly, let me be very clear about that.
'Before you look at results and look at a column that takes three seconds to look at, go back and watch every single 90 minutes and see that Manchester United in all probably bar two were the best team statistically and in performance. That is where we get skewed.
'We want fast food information but we have to dig a little bit deeper into seeing performance. That's what I do every single day. I'm happy with the team's performance, I'm happy with their energy, I'm happy with their commitment to what we're trying to do.
'If you want to win things, you've got to take these punches and roll with them and at the minute we're doing that. We'll get better and we'll fix them.'
Skinner said conversations are 'ongoing' over his future, with the 40-year-old out of contract at the end of the season.
Fergie feeling VAR better
Sitting next to Sir Jim Ratcliffe wasn't the only reason for Sir Alex Ferguson to feel chipper watching Manchester United's last home game against Tottenham.
They saw one of Old Trafford's more entertaining matches this season – an eye-pleasing 2-2 draw, and Fergie had his own theory why. Chatting to his group after the game, the iconic manager pointed out VAR hadn't been used until the final 10 minutes!
United play the numbers game
United like to boast about the size of their fanbase, but are less open about how exactly they've achieved it.
In the second line of a press release announcing their latest financial figures, United said they had a record 400,000 paid-up members, 'the largest of any global sports team'.
The number of official members has grown substantially in recent years – there was a 30 per cent increase last season and 19 per cent for this campaign – but the main reason behind the sudden surge is the club drastically changing their ticket system.
Previously, season-ticket holders could freely pass on their seat to friends and family, but now they must only transfer their ticket to official members using the ticketing website or risk sanctions from the club including suspensions and longer bans.
It means thousands have effectively been forced to sign up to the membership scheme – the cheapest is £15 and the most expensive is £65 per season – or they would be unable to access any tickets for home games.
Sources say the new system helps to stop touting and accept that the change has been the catalyst for the growth in numbers.
![Sir Jim Ratcliffe took in his first game at Old Trafford of his era alongside Sir Alex Ferguson](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/24/00/80358763-12996355-Sir_Jim_Ratcliffe_took_in_his_first_game_at_Old_Trafford_of_his_-a-8_1706054765714.jpg)
Sir Jim Ratcliffe took in his first game at Old Trafford of his era alongside Sir Alex Ferguson
Strife begins at 40 for Fletcher
Darren Fletcher turns 40 on transfer deadline day and he can expect a busy birthday as he remains the go-to contact for a lot of clubs who want to do business with United.
Fletcher works closely with football director John Murtough in his role as technical director. Even though Murtough continues to head up the recruitment department, often it's Fletcher's number in the hands of other clubs who have built a relationship with the Scot over his two decades in the game.
Whilst the world waits to see how United will work under Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos amid talk of Dan Ashworth coming in as director of football, transfer deals have to continue in January at differing levels – from Jadon Sancho's loan move to Borussia Dortmund down to Dan Gore's switch to Port Vale.
Fletcher's phone will remain busy so any dinner or party for the ex-United star to mark his 40th on February 1 might be difficult to enjoy on the day itself.
![Technical director Darren Fletcher (right) will have a busy birthday on transfer deadline day](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/24/00/80358719-12996355-Technical_director_Darren_Fletcher_right_will_have_a_busy_birthd-a-9_1706054765734.jpg)
Technical director Darren Fletcher (right) will have a busy birthday on transfer deadline day
Maguire and Shaw storming back
Having posed for pictures on the beach in Dubai last week, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw were back at a wet and windy Carrington on Tuesday as United's injury problems continue to ease.
Maguire has been out of action for six weeks since suffering a groin injury in the Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich in mid-December. Shaw was sidelined for three months at the start of the season with a thigh problem, and has missed the last four games after picking up another injury before Christmas.
The defensive duo, who were pictured together in Dubai with Aston Villa's John McGinn and Everton's Jordan Pickford during the winter break, have now resumed training although it remains to be seen if they we will be available for the FA Cup tie at Newport on Sunday.
With Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro returning to the squad for United's last game against Tottenham following lengthy lay-offs, the injury situation looks a lot brighter for manager Erik ten Hag. That leaves just Mason Mount, Antony Martial, Victor Lindelof and Tyrell Malacia to return.
![Harry Maguire (third from right) and Luke Shaw (second from right) enjoyed winter break in Dubai last week](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/24/00/80363731-12996355-Harry_Maguire_third_from_right_and_Luke_Shaw_second_from_right_e-a-10_1706054765738.jpg)
Harry Maguire (third from right) and Luke Shaw (second from right) enjoyed winter break in Dubai last week
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