Harry Maguire backs Anthony Martial amid Manchester United woes

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United have made contact with the agent of David Alaba over a potential transfer, according to reports.United initially decided not to prioritise their defence in the previous transfer window after spending big on Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka the year prior, but that soon changed following the opening day defeat to Crystal Palace.Alex Telles was drafted in on deadline day to provide competition at left-back but the club were unable to

straight to your inbox every day for freeHarry Maguire says Scott McTominay's performance against Leeds United was one of the best he has ever seen.McTominay produced an impressive individual display as Manchester United thumped old rivals Leeds 6-2 at Old Trafford on Sunday.The Scotland international got Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men off to a flying start by scoring twice inside the opening three minutes.The midfielder also provided an assist for Daniel James and was named man of the match.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United fans believe Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo could have blossomed into a top centre-back partnership for the club were it not for both players' fitness problems.Bailly and Rojo face uncertain futures at Old Trafford after slipping down the pecking order under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

straight to your inbox every day for freeOle Gunnar Solskjaer accepts he may have to temporarily break up the defensive partnership of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof to protect them from injury.Maguire, 27, became the first Manchester United outfield player since Gary Pallister in 1994-95 to play every minute in a Premier League campaign last season and he has not missed a minute in their 12 league games this term.Lindelof, 26, has partnered Maguire in all but one league match - the 6-1

straight to your inbox every day for freeHere are your Manchester United evening headlines for Tuesday, December 15.Rio Ferdinand has criticised Harry Maguire after the United captain was seen hugging and smiling with England international teammate John Stones following the Manchester derby on Sunday afternoon.Roy Keane slammed Maguire for the friendly behaviour, and Ferdinand agreed."I think it’s been well documented on social media," he said on YouTube channel FIVE when asked about the

direct to your inboxCaptain Harry Maguire is not to blame for Manchester United's mixed campaign so far, according to former Old Trafford favourite Louis Saha.Ahead of the midweek Premier League fixtures, United sit eighth in the table, though they are only five points off the top, with a game in hand.They are unbeaten in five league matches since losing at home to Arsenal at the start of November, winning four and drawing the other (a goalless stalemate against Manchester City last time

direct to your inboxRio Ferdinand has echoed Roy Keane's comments and criticised the Manchester United squad for their embraces with Man City players after Saturday evening's Manchester derby. The former United centre-back questioned Harry Maguire, who was seen hugging England teammate John Stones after the 0-0 bore draw at Old Trafford.Neither side created many opportunities in a stalemate that brought a point for both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Pep Guardiola's sides.

direct to your inboxManchester United great Paul Scholes praised Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka following their draw with Manchester City in the Premier League.Both teams seemed content to take a point from the Old Trafford encounter, with the game lacking real quality from both sides.United's draw means they have won just one of their six league games at home this season and sit eighth in the table after 11 games, though the Reds have a game in hand over the likes of

direct to your inbox Manchester United have confirmed their starting XI for this afternoon's derby meeting with Manchester City.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made two changes from the side which lost to RB Leipzig in midweek as the United manager reverts to a team he can truly trust for the crucial league encounter.

straight to your inbox every day for freeJuventus director Fabio Paratici has stoked the Paul Pogba transfer fire at Manchester United by claiming the Italian club still "love" the player. Pogba's agent Mino Raiola insisted it is "over" for the Frenchman at United on the eve of the Reds' 3-2 defeat by RB Leipzig.

straight to your inbox every day for freeDavid de GeaHelpless for the first two goals on his return to the team and failed to instil any confidence among those in front of him. 3Aaron Wan-BissakaAngelino ghosted past him so often he must have been wearing an invisibility cloak.

straight to your inbox every day for freeOle Gunnar Solskjaer does not believe Anthony Martial has had his confidence dented by the arrival of Edinson Cavani.Cavani, 33, replaced Martial as the centre forward in Manchester United's last two Champions League ties and came off the bench to score twice in the 3-2 comeback win at Southampton last weekend.Despite only making two starts this term, Cavani has scored more goals than Martial, who has managed just two strikes - one of them a penalty - in

straight to your inbox every day for free Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Manchester United have addressed their squad balance with four signings this calendar year.

straight to your inbox every day for freeBrighton boss Graham Potter insists Ben White has not had his head turned by the recent transfer speculation linking him with a move away from the club.Manchester United have been linked with a move for the 23-year-old central defender.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer delivered a positive injury update ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain.United can secure their place in the knockout phase of the competition by avoiding defeat against the French champions at Old Trafford.The Reds came from behind to defeat Southampton at the weekend thanks to a brace from Edinson Cavani and the Uruguayan could start against his former club following his

straight to your inbox every day for free Anthony Martial left the Manchester United training ground after 11 minutes on Monday morning due to illness. Martial, 24, reported at United's Carrington training complex with the rest of his teammates but the MEN understands he was sent home as he is still not fit enough to train.

straight to your inbox every day for freeDavid de GeaThe first goal did not reflect well on him and he was not well prepared for James Ward-Prowse's free-kick, that ended in injury. Came off hurt.

United attempted to sign Haaland in the January transfer window but the 20-year-old snubbed a move over concerns about his own long-term success at the club. Haaland has also been linked with a move to Manchester City with many supporters viewing him as the ideal successor to Sergio Aguero at the Etihad.