Manchester United Transfer News: Woodward wants defensive duo, United eyeing Belgian attacker, and more - 5th January 2019

Hello and welcome to the daily Manchester United transfer round-up - your one-stop shop for all the latest Manchester United transfer news and rumours!

We are already five days into the transfer window and football clubs all over Europe have already started achieving their targets. Manchester United may not have made a signing yet, but they are accounting for a considerable share of rumours as the days pass by.

Today's top stories consist of Solskjaer's expectations from the club regarding recruitment of new players, followed by their chase of a Belgian attacker who once played for Atletico Madrid. The United faithful will also breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Ed Woodward is finally starting to live up to his word and is planning defensive reinforcements in this window.

Without further ado, let's have a look at the top stories concerning Manchester United for today.

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#3 Solskjaer expects no signings

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is happy with the squad he has at Manchester United

Manchester United might be in the limelight given their endless pursuit of a number of defenders, but interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thinks that the club won't sign any player in the transfer window.

The Norwegian, who has presided over four victories in his first four games, had said that he will definitely have a voice in any of the club's attempts to sign players.

Speaking about his expectations, Solskjaer said,

"I'm happy with squad I've got. I don't expect anyone to come in but obviously if the club have targeted and identified a few and I think they might fit here, I'll give my thumbs up. But it's not just my decision."

"Nobody had to tell me I had loads of talented players [to inherit at United]. I can see that from outside."

"We didn't speak too much about what's been going on, to be honest. It was about seeing what you can do to go back to the way we used to play, the way Man United are supposed to play, exciting football."

#2 Manchester United planning to bring Yannick Carrasco back to Europe

Yannick Carrasco stunned the football world with a surprising move to China last year

According to Foot Mercato via the Daily Mirror, Manchester United are thinking on the lines of signing former Atletico Madrid attacker Yannick Carrasco. The Belgian left Atleti over a year ago to join Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang in what was a surprising move.

The 25-year-old now seems to have realized the error in his ways and is yearning for a return to Europe, with Manchester United willing to offer him an escape route out of China.

According to Foot Mercato, Solskjaer will be given £50m to spend and Carrasco could well be in his range. However, the Belgian's wages could prove to be an obstacle, as he won't settle for anything less than the £170k per week he earns at his current club.

#1 Ed Woodward wants Milan Skriniar and Kalidou Koulibaly

Ed Woodward has shortlisted defensive reinforcements

If reports from The Independent via Daily Star are to be believed, Ed Woodward seems to be keeping his word about providing adequate financial backing to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the transfer market.

The Manchester United CEO has already set his eyes on signing Milan Skriniar and Kalidou Koulibaly of Inter Milan and Napoli respectively.

Skriniar has been on United's radar for a very long time. The Serbian has emerged as one of the best young centre-backs in Europe and is being pursued by many clubs. He is yet to sign a new contract at the San Siro, keeping his long-term future at the club in doubt.

The Koulibaly-to-United rumours need no special introduction. The Red Devils have desired to have the Senegalese defender in the lineup and have also had a £95m bid rejected for him by Napoli.

Koulibaly has been at Naples for the past five years and is regarded as one of the best defenders in the world in his position. United will have to fork out more than £80m for the 27-year-old, who like Skriniar, also doesn't have a shortage of suitors waiting in line for his signature.

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