Manchester United transfer news: Barcelona to sign Real Madrid target for €120 million and more - August 31, 2018

Hello and welcome to the Manchester United transfer news of the day! Today is the last day of the window across many countries in Europe and it wouldn’t be surprising if things become quieter than ever after today.

However, no one has ever seen tomorrow and it is with this ideology that we shall stick to today exclusively. Manchester United’s window might have closed earlier this month but the rumour mill hasn’t disappointed us since it always keeps on generating the buzz around the Old Trafford outfit.

And so without further ado, we shall begin with that is in the mix for the Red Devils!

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#5 Mourinho should be sacked

Or at least that is what former Manchester United player Paul Parker thinks right now. After two consecutive defeats, Manchester United now find themselves in a position where they not only have just three points from three games but a rather unharmonious squad that plays a terrible brand of football.

And it is for this precise reason as to why Paul Parker wants him out of the Old Trafford. According to him, the brand of football that the Red Devils have played under him doesn’t go parallel with the ethos of United.

He believes that the former Real Madrid manager’s coaching methods and squeezed out the creativity of the players, which in turn has hampered the beauty of the team and its playing style.

“There has been so much poor football,” Paul Parker said.

“Performances have been poor and too many people are out there saying he is a winner and it is just about winning.

“Manchester United are not just about winning. They’re about a style, the manner they win in. It is about a swagger.

“They are not doing that anymore. That has been taken away from them, that has been virtually coached out of them.”

Parker further added that the Red Devils lack self-expression and that it won’t change with the Portuguese at the helm because the way he manages the player makes it impossible for the team to do anything beautiful.

“There is no self-expression anymore, they do not improvise. You are paying players millions and millions and still trying to control them.

“That does not make sense for a club like Manchester United. At the end of the day, Manchester United have to change.

“Their style of play is not going to change while Jose Mourinho is in charge.

“It is the way in which he manages which is pulling the players down.”

While Parker might not have directly implied that the former Inter manager should be sacked, his words make it apparent that United can only improve if the former Porto boss leaves the Old Trafford.

#4 United wanted Mane

Mane was wanted by United

Can you believe it? Just close your eyes for a moment and envisage Sadio Mane playing in the red of Manchester United and not Liverpool. Impossible to vision, isn’t it?

Well, if it weren’t for a mature decision from the player himself, we might as well have seen him play for United (most probably as left-back under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho) as the Red Devils wanted to sign him when Louis van Gaal was in charge.

Mane revealed that the Red Devils made an offer for him to join the Theatre of Dreams but he had to reject it because he didn’t think it was the right time for him to take such a leap.

“I couldn’t believe it. Some teams wanted me. Manchester (United), the wrong team wanted me. Of course, I spoke with Van Gaal and they even made an offer,” Mane said.

“But for me it was not the right club, it was not the right moment. To feel this - the right moment, the right coach, the right club.”

#3 Ronaldo on Mourinho

Ronaldo backs Mourinho

While most of the world wants Jose Mourinho to be sacked by Manchester United, he has found himself an ally in the form of Ronaldo. No, we are talking about Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo but former Brazil superstar Ronaldo Nazario.

The former Real Madrid forward was asked about whether Zinedine Zidane could take over from Jose Mourinho and become the next manager at the Theatre of Dreams.

And while he praised his former team-mate for winning a hattrick of Champions League titles, he did reveal that it would be wrong to undermine Jose Mourinho since he is “special”.

"It's not easy to win three Champions in a row. No-one has succeeded [like him] and then left. I know Zizou well, he's a great person and a very good coach.” he said.

"I do not know what's going on in Manchester, but think before criticizing Mourinho: he's special, he has won a lot."

#2 Woodward Mou relation

Good relation?

Let’s rewind a little here. Jose Mourinho had a very bad transfer window wherein he wasn’t able to land the players that he really wanted. For starters, he wanted a central defender to improve his backline but got absolutely no-one in order to do so.

And then, after the season began, Manchester United won the first game only to lose the next two matches as they now find themselves in a bit of a quagmire. So, it is only natural to expect that things are perhaps not going well between Ed Woodward and Jose Mourinho.

But, The Guardian tells us something very different. According to their report, the relationship between the pair is at its best – that it is “stronger than ever.” They also add that the players are still playing for the manager and the squad is as harmonious as can be.

#1 Pogba

Pogba to leave

I have a feeling that this won’t be the last roundup where we hear about Paul Pogba as the Frenchman has been heavily linked with a move out of the club. While the transfer window might shut down today in Spain, Barcelona still target the World Cup winner for a move in January.

And that is precisely what Don Balon claim here as Barcelona are willing to make a move for him in January since they are aware that a move won’t be possible at this juncture of the transfer window.

The Catalans are willing to pay €120 million for him, which comes as a blow to Real Madrid as they have also shown their interest in him.