Manchester United transfer news: Latest Rashford transfer update, United have serious interest in £108m defender, and more - 1st, January 2019

Happy New Year to the readers of Sportskeeda! The new year means that the winter transfer window is open and clubs can now buy and sell players. One club that will need some reinforcements to get back in the Top 4 of the Premier League is Manchester United.

The Red Devils have been linked with several big names, and interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær has revealed that the club's hierarchy will discuss with him before finalising any signings.

It seems that the defence, especially central defence, will be the first position that Manchester United will want to bring in a few new players in the January transfer window.

In today's Manchester United transfer news and rumours, we take a look at the players that United may sign in January, as well as the players that they may let go of.

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#1 Manchester City were interested in Manchester United player

Fred could have been a Manchester City player

One area that Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side lack depth in is in the deep-lying central midfield position, where Fernandinho has had a stellar run so far. Guardiola was reportedly keen on adding another option there, and was interested in signing Manchester United's Fred, in last year's January transfer window, when he was playing for Shakhtar Donetsk, as per Duncan Castles of Express.

"Guardiola has been trying to get City to sign a high-quality back-up to Fernandinho in that No.6 role for over a year now. They tried hard to get Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk last January but weren't prepared to pay the release clause at that point. Shakhtar didn't want to sell the player although he was ready to come to Manchester City.

"They missed out again in the summer which I think again there's an element of Abu Dhabi saying 'we spent a lot on this team last year, we're going to give you Riyad Mahrez as an additional attacker, it should be enough for this season' - and it's proved not to be," said Duncan Castles.

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#2 Update on Marcus Rashford's Manchester United future

Rashford has been in good form for the Red Devils

There was speculation a few weeks ago that Marcus Rashford may leave Manchester United after being dropped by then manager Jose Mourinho, as well as being played out of position. Real Madrid were rumoured to be interested in the Red Devils striker, but we now have an update that may please United fans.

The English striker is said to be committed to the Manchester United cause and will remain at his boyhood club for the foreseeable future, as per The Sun. Rashford, who made his Manchester United debut under Louis van Gaal, has had a dream run since debuting for the senior team in February 2016.

He has gone on to score 38 goals for United in all competitions and is currently on 6 goals this season. The 21-year-old has also scored 6 goals for England in 31 appearances. Rashford's contract with Manchester United expires in 2020 with the possibility of a further one-year extension.

#3 Manchester United to pursue the signing of £108m defender

Kalidou Koulibaly

Manchester United need a leader at the heart of the defence, someone who will bring a strong base for United to build their attacks and transform the club, much like rival defender Virgil van Dijk, of Liverpool.

Former manager Jose Mourinho was keen on adding a defender in the summer transfer window but could not finalise a deal, which he reminded us of time and again. Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly is a defender that the Red Devils pursued in last summer's transfer window, and it seems like Ed Woodward and co. are still interested in signing him, as per Gazetta dello Sport.

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis revealed last month that a £95 million bid was placed by Manchester United in the summer, which was rejected by Napoli. It seems that Napoli want £108m for the defender, which Manchester United are willing to pay!