Andy Cole questions Manchester United defensive transfer theory

straight to your inbox every day, freeManchester United are planning a move for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane next summer - according to reports in Spain.United were linked with a host of defenders during the summer transfer window but did not sign a central defender.

straight to your inbox every day, freeHere are the latest Manchester United evening headlines for Thursday, October 8.Manchester United squad for Champions League group phase confirmedManchester United have revealed their squad for the Champions League group stages with new signings Alex Telles, Edinson Cavani and Facundo Pellistri all included.Unfortunately, there was less good news for a trio of first-team players with Sergio Romero, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo all omitted from the 25-man

straight to your inbox every day, freeManchester United and Liverpool are leading the race to sign RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano, according to reports.United sold Chris Smalling to Roma on deadline day but failed to offload Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones.

straight to your inbox every day, free Former Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has given his approval to the addition of Edinson Cavani — after advising the club to sign him back in February. United completed the capture of the former Paris Saint-Germain striker on Monday, with the 33-year-old signing a one-year deal with the option of an extra year.

sealed a deadline day swoop for former Paris Saint-Germain striker Cavani, who arrived on a free transfer having left the French side in the summer. The 33-year-old signed an initial one-year deal at United, with the option for a second year.

straight to your inbox Andy Cole believes Manchester United-bound Edinson Cavani could have the same impact as Zlatan Ibrahimovic did at Old Trafford. The Uruguayan striker is set to sign for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side on a free transfer following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain.Ibrahimovic signed for United back in July 2016, and his arrival in Manchester had a massive impact on the club - that was then managed by Jose Mourinho.

at United after the return of Dean Henderson from his two-year loan with Sheffield United. The Argentinian is now surplus to requirements at the club, though looks set to remain despite deadline day interest.

straight to your inboxFormer Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke has admitted that he would have loved to play alongside Andy Cole against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's current defence.United's back-line has attracted vast criticism this season, with the scrutiny reaching boiling point after the disastrous performance in the 6-1 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday.

straight to your inboxQ: Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United, the three richest and most valuable clubs in the world over the past decade - none of them are spending, so why all the criticism on Manchester United? Should this not maybe be a warning to the entire world of football that financial things aren’t so black and white at the moment?Samuel Luckhurst: It is a fair and valid question, and one that might get mentioned in Ed Woodward's investors' call later this month (due to be the

straight to your inbox Former Manchester United players Darren Fletcher and Andy Cole are both in favour of Ousmane Dembele potentially moving to Old Trafford. MEN Sport understands that United are not in the market to buy the forward from Barcelona and only view him as a potential emergency loan option should a deal for Jadon Sancho fail to materialise in the coming days.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is likely to rotate his squad for the rematch against the Seagulls, with Dean Henderson, Brandon Williams, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and Odion Ighalo all likely to be involved from the start.United don't have any additional injury concerns ahead of the game, with Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe set to miss out once again. First team regular Harry Maguire could also agai from the start on Wednesday night (tonight).

straight to your inboxRio Ferdinand has urged Manchester United to target Dayot Upamecano in the final week of the transfer window. Whilst the former United defender is a big fan of main target Jadon Sancho, he feels the England attacker would not strengthen Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side in the same way a new centre-back would.

straight to your inboxOle Gunnar Solskjaer rhapsodized about Eric Bailly when asked about the possibility of Manchester United moving for a centre-back before deadline day.United are believed to be open to reinforcing at centre half with Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo preparing for possible transfers, Phil Jones injured and Axel Tuanzebe not match-fit.Solskjaer started Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof in last week's 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace and Lindelof was culpable for all three goals.

straight to your inboxHere are your Manchester United morning headlines for Thursday, 24 September.Andy Cole understands Manchester United’s transfer strugglesManchester United treble-winner Andy Cole says he understands why the club haven’t brought in a raft of new players this summer.

Donny van de Beek from Ajax, and supporters have become frustrated particularly as a result of the Jadon Sancho saga. United have been unwilling to meet Dortmund's demands over Sancho, with much of the anger directed at Ed Woodward and the Glazers.And former United striker Cole believes the lack of supporters at stadiums is hitting football hard.

straight to your inboxOle Gunnar Solskjaer insists Harry Maguire does not need a rest after he started his 18th consecutive match for Manchester United.Maguire was the only survivor from the weekend's 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at Luton Town, where United started their Carabao Cup campaign with a 3-0 victory.United have eight centre halves in their first-team squad but Phil Jones is injured, Axel Tuanzebe is not match-fit and Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling are not under consideration for

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is likely to rotate in this Third Round tie, with Dean Henderson, Eric Bailly, Scott McTominay, Fred, Jesse Lingard, Odion Ighalo and others all available, as is new signing Donny van de Beek.

straight to your inboxGary Neville spoke about Manchester United's lack of a plan for the summer transfer window following the 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, and believes they are so hesitant to do business due to a fear of repeating mistakes from previous summers. Most of United's rivals have been active in the market this summer, notably Chelsea, who have made six high-profile signings.