Manchester United transfer news: Star forward to leave in January, huge update on Pogba's future and more – 22nd December 2018

Manchester United begin a new era under Ole Gunnar Solskjær later today - albeit a brief one - as the former Manchester United attacker has been signed to manage the team till the end of the season.

The Norwegian manager's first match in charge of the Red Devils will be against a side he managed previously, Cardiff City.

With the winter transfer window in under 10 days, the Red Devils hierarchy will begin to strike a few deals to help the club finish in the top 4 and assure a Champions League spot.

In today's Manchester United transfer news round-up, we look at a signing that may have been nixed by a Portuguese club, while two-star United players possibly moving away from Old Trafford soon.

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#1 Summer signing to stay at United?

Fred has had a tough start to life in the Premier League

Manchester United's Brazilian summer signing Fred, hasn't had the best of times in his first year in the Premier League and at Old Trafford, as he hasn't been afforded opportunities in the starting XI, while also not impressing in the few opportunities that he has got.

The midfielder has featured in just 8 games in the Premier League, and there was speculation that he may be moving away from Old Trafford after a disastrous start to his Manchester United career.

But his agent, former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva, has said that the Brazilian will fight for his place at United: The fact that he is not playing makes him anxious, but what I say to him is that he must keep working hard on a daily basis, he should be patient because the club is going through a delicate moment.

"Many things have happened to him in six months. A new lifestyle, a different league and a historic club with the grandeur of United that are going under a lot of pressure. Perhaps this pressure impacts on him as well. In spite all of that, he sees everything as a learning process," said Silva.

#2 Porto President squashes rumours of defender's switch to Manchester United

Eder Militao is a highly-rated centre-back for Porto

It's a well-documented fact that Manchester United are in dire need of quality defenders in the heart of their defence, as the players that they currently have in their ranks aren't good enough for a top team like Manchester United.

One player that Manchester United and former manager Jose Mourinho had targeted was Brazilian centre-back Éder Militão. The 20-year-old defender who can play as a centre-back, defensive midfielder and right back currently plays for the Portuguese side, Porto.

The defender moved to Porto earlier in the summer and reports suggest that the club have doubled his buy-out clause.

Porto's President has also squashed latest reports that Porto and Manchester United held talks over the Brazilian defender's transfer to Old Trafford. The 20-year-old, who got his first Brazil cap earlier this year, is valued at £45m, according to Daily Star.

#3 Alexis Sanchez set to leave Manchester United

Sanchez to leave United?

Another player who has had a miserable time at Manchester United since signing for the club earlier this year is Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean's move from Arsenal to Manchester United has not worked out for him or the club, as the attacker has underperformed and is currently out due to injury.

La Tercera are reporting that the Chilean wants to leave Old Trafford and that his decision will not be swayed by whoever Manchester United announces to replace Jose Mourinho as permanent manager of Manchester United.

The 30-year-old is on huge money at Old Trafford, hence few clubs will be able to afford him, but the likes of Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with the former Arsenal player, and that is probably the only viable move for him.

With Neymar being constantly linked with a move away from PSG, Sanchez is the big-name player that could replace the Brazilian in the French club.

#4 Juventus to pursue Paul Pogba signature

Could Pogba return to the Serie A champions?

Reports have suggested that Paul Pogba was in a jubilant mood following Jose Mourinho's sacking as Manchester United manager, and the Frenchman will most likely get an opportunity to play in United's midfield under the new manager, and prove his mettle.

But Italian publication Calciomercato are reporting that the midfielder may be interested in a switch back to Juventus, the club where he made a name for himself. The report states that the Serie A champions have a better chance of signing the Manchester United midfielder in the summer transfer window rather than the upcoming January transfer window.

Juventus have star names all across the pitch, and Pogba's signature will only add more quality to Juve's pursuit of winning the Champions League - a trophy that has eluded them for over two decades.