Man United transfer news: Latest on Kounde move, Kessie free, Rodgers odds-on

The Red Devils had aspirations of a Premier League title challenge after bringing in Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho over the summer.

But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are down in sixth, already nine points adrift of leaders Chelsea following a home loss to rivals Manchester City last time out.

Rumours persist over Solskjaer's future but he looks set to remain in the job and may request more funds to bolster his ranks again this winter.

So, what are the latest rumours and headlines about how United could turn around their faltering season? talkSPORT.com takes a look…

Jules Kounde

Sevilla are reportedly confident of holding onto Jules Kounde this winter but are willing to hold talks over the defender's next summer.

Marca are reporting that Manchester United are interested in signing Kounde.

Kounde has a £69million release clause at Sevilla but Marca claim the club believe no-one will activate that this January.

But the LaLiga side are open to discussions over the 23-year-old at the end of the season should United show serious interest in paying up.

Chelsea want Kounde last summer but Marca claim they 'did not even come close' to offering enough.

Brendan Rodgers

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers has emerged as the favourite to replace under-fire United manager Solskjaer, according to reports.

Solskjaer remains under intense pressure following the Red Devils' dire display in the 2-0 defeat to Man City at Old Trafford, which came just two weeks after a 5-0 hammering at home to Liverpool.

It is understood United will stick with the Norwegian for now, but with more difficult fixtures on the horizon, they may be forced to act.

The Sun claim Rodgers is now the board's first-choice candidate if they need to replace Solskjaer in the near future.

Antonio Conte, Zinedine Zidane and Erik ten Hag have also been on United's radar.

Former Chelsea title winning boss Conte was interested but was not prepared to wait around once the Tottenham offer came along.

Out-of-work Zidane guided Real Madrid to three Champions League titles in two spells but has indicated that he would not be interested in the Old Trafford hotseat.

And Ajax coach Ten Hag did not want to discuss any hypothetical openings with the agent.

Dean Henderson

Man United ace and Newcastle target Dean Henderson has been advised to leave Old Trafford by former goalkeeper Mark Bosnich.

Bosnich told talkSPORT: "I think he should go. He's at the stage of his career where he needs to be playing regular football.

"He'll know that, as well. I understand that at the start of the season, him having a go in pre-season to see how things pan out.

"[David] De Gea has been excellent and there's no doubt about it, with the exception of the second goal, you have to say, against Manchester City, which I think he'll know that he should have saved.

"But I think from Dean Henderson's point of view, he needs to start looking after Dean Henderson"

Franck Kessie

Manchester United will reportedly look to land AC Milan star Franck Kessie on a free transfer next summer.

According to Fichajes, Milan have yet to meet Kessie's wage demands of £150,000-a-week and that could see him leave at the end of the season.

The Ivory Coast international's current contract expires in June and he is free to talk to other clubs and sign an agreement this winter.

United are among the teams eyeing Kessie with the Red Devils in desperate need of reinforcements in midfield.

Newcastle

Newcastle are reportedly targeting THREE Manchester United players in January.

The Mirror claim the Toon will look to raid United this winter for a trio of their bit-part players.

On the Magpies' radar are Netherlands midfielder Donny van de Beek, England midfielder Jesse Lingard, and goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

It is said that Newcastle are looking to sign all three on permanent deals despite loan moves seeming more achievable.

Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne has revealed Man City manager Pep Guardiola spent just 10 minutes training on tactics before their win over Manchester United.

City beat their rivals 2-0 at Old Trafford last weekend, but the rather low scoreline did not accurately reflect the way the game went.

De Bruyne started that match and spoke about how Guardiola had no idea how Solskjaer would set up for the Manchester derby, and gave only the briefest of tactical talks ahead of the showdown.

"The day before a game we usually train tactically, based on how the opponent plays," the Man City midfielder told the MidMid podcast.

"But before United, Pep said: 'We don't know how they are going to play. We shall see'. And we stopped training after 10 minutes or so.

"Often Pep knows how the opponent is going to play. This time he didn't know, so he didn't know what to do.

"We have done what we always do, but he didn't know beforehand if they would play with five at the back, or with four, or with a diamond in the middle, or with three up front."

Jadon Sancho

Solskjaer has plans to use the £73million winger in a defensive role should he continue using the 3-4-1-2 system, claim the Athletic.

United's coaches have been impressed with Sancho's defensive diligence and he has been tried as a right wing-back in recent training sessions.

Solskjaer and his staff are said to have doubts over Aaron Wan-Bissaka's attacking output and may turn to Sancho in games where teams sit in.

The England international's only full 90 minutes for United so far this season came against West Ham in the Carabao Cup defeat.

Phil Jones

Newcastle are keen on taking United and England defender Phil Jones on loan following his comeback from injury, report the Sun.

The Magpies have joined Watford as the two Premier League teams in the race to land the centre-back - who hasn't played since January 2020.

A total of 13 clubs, including a host of Championship sides, are keen as is Wayne Rooney's Derby but the finances at Pride Park would make a deal hard to pull off.

Jones still has two years left on a £130,000-a-week contract at United.

Ed Woodward

Woodward is in talks over taking a consultancy role at United when he steps down as executive vice-chairman next month, report the Mail.

The report adds that discussions are ongoing over the 50-year-old retaining some influence at the club when he leaves his current role.

Woodward has come in for severe criticism for United's recent struggles and such a move is said to be a controversial one by the Glazer family.

Current managing director and his close friend Richard Arnold has been strongly linked with succeeding Woodward as executive vice-chairman.

Aurelien Tchouameni

United are reportedly stepping up their interest in Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and could move for him in January.

Football Insider claim club scouts have regularly watched Tchouameni in recent weeks.

And the Red Devils are said to be ready to line up a deal for the 21-year-old if their talent spotters are suitably impressed.

Football Insider add that Tchouameni is being considered as a replacement for Paul Pogba in the United midfield.

The ex-Bordeaux ace, who has five France caps already, is under contract at Monaco until the summer of 2024.