Man Utd swerve Morgan Rogers transfer as Red Devils work on three other deals | Football | Sport
Morgan Rogers looks unlikely to join Manchester United this summer (Image: Getty)
Manchester United are more inclined to recruit a left-back rather than a left-winger like Morgan Rogers this summer following assessments of targets in both positions. Patrick Dorgu’s development as a credible option on the flank is expected to continue into next season, with the 21-year-old producing another influential performance in an attacking role for Denmark last weekend, netting a spectacular goal against Ukraine from a wide area. With Dorgu a genuine option on the left and Matheus Cunha operating there for a substantial portion of the second half of last season, the urgency to bring in a left-winger has decreased.
United are still keeping tabs on players in that position. They maintain a long-held interest in Rogers and are admirers of Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye, but the priority will be securing a full-back. Should Dorgu be deployed as a winger next season, it would leave Luke Shaw as the sole left-back in the squad. While Shaw featured in every Premier League fixture last season, there are doubts over whether he can manage two matches per week next season, particularly with his contract expiring in 12 months.
This has elevated signing a replacement to priority status, with Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall among those United are interested in. Newcastle are under no pressure to sell following their £69million sale of Anthony Gordon, which complicates negotiations, but Hall hasn’t consistently commanded a starting berth recently and was named among the substitutes for 10 of the Magpies’ Premier League matches last season.
Manchester United had been keeping tabs on Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Nathaniel Brown, but the 22-year-old is understood to have agreed personal terms with Bayern Munich. Myles Lewis-Skelly had also attracted interest, though his circumstances have shifted following his emergence as a midfielder for Arsenal towards the end of the campaign.
Elsewhere, Marcus Rashford was left blindsided by Barcelona’s decision to splash out on Gordon, having believed he had done enough to warrant a permanent deal at the Nou Camp. While it is thought the La Liga outfit could attempt to negotiate a reduced fee or a further loan arrangement, the prospect of Rashford pulling on the Barcelona shirt once more appears increasingly unlikely.
The Catalan club still have until Monday (June 15) to trigger the option on his season-long loan and sign him for £26m (€30m), but that outcome now looks off the table. There has been no formal dialogue between Barcelona and United, however, meaning no progress can be made with other interested parties until next week.
A strong showing from Rashford at the World Cup could reignite the market for the 28-year-old, whose 28 goal contributions in 49 appearances for Barcelona were nothing short of impressive. Premier League clubs are expected to register their interest in the forward, but the MEN say that Bayern Munich are giving serious thought to launching a bid.
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Newcastle’s Lewis Hall is a target for Manchester United (Image: Getty)
Bayern were keen on Gordon before his switch to Barcelona and with Nicolas Jackson returning to Chelsea following the conclusion of his loan, they require reinforcements on the left flank and support for Harry Kane. Rashford would be capable of fulfilling both requirements.
United also want to sign a midfielder but will not pursue Elliot Anderson as Nottingham Forest seek mega money for the England midfielder. Mateus Fernandes is now regarded as the most probable new signing for the Red Devils.
The Portuguese midfielder is 21 and has completed two campaigns in the Premier League but was relegated with West Ham. Interest persists in Carlos Baleba, who is 22 with three Premier League seasons behind him, while United also admire Alex Scott, 22, who has featured in the top division for three years with Bournemouth.
These represent significant factors in much of United’s transfer activity at present. They are concentrating on younger talents with their peak years ahead of them and also attach considerable importance to players with proven Premier League credentials.
The achievements of Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have only strengthened that belief and it would be highly surprising if at least one of Fernandes, Baleba or Scott didn’t arrive at Old Trafford before the transfer window closes.
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It also appears increasingly probable that a minimum of three goalkeepers will depart Old Trafford this summer. Andre Onana is presently scheduled to report back for pre-season during the second week of July, but has been informed there is no place for him at the club.
Altay Bayindir has occupied the No. 2 position for the past three years but is set to depart during this transfer window in pursuit of more consistent playing opportunities. Turkish clubs have expressed interest.
Then there is Radek Vitek. The 22-year-old enjoyed a superb campaign in the Championship with Bristol City and thought he had been given to retaining him at Old Trafford next term as Senne Lammens’ deputy. However, Vitek is keen to secure another season of first-team football and is expected to leave once more and could be sold.
This means a new goalkeeper is required and United possess what has been characterised as a “long list” of candidates, which includes 33-year-old Sam Johnstone and 35-year-old Karl Darlow. Both would qualify as homegrown, while Johnstone is also club-trained, which would prove advantageous for filling UEFA-permitted places in the Champions League squad next season.
