Manchester United 'expecting to miss out on Brian Brobbey'

The 20-year-old spent the second half of the 2021-22 campaign on loan at Ajax under now Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag, and there have been claims that the striker is a target for the English giants.

However, according to the Manchester Evening News, Man United believe that Ajax will win the race to sign the youngster from parent club RB Leipzig, who are keen to move him on.

Brobbey impressed for the Dutch giants in the second half of last term, finding the back of the net on seven occasions in 13 appearances in all competitions.

Ten Hag allegedly made contact with the forward to discuss a possible move to Man United, but a deal to take him to Ajax is believed to be close to completion.

Brobbey's asking price is thought to be as little as €15m (£12.7m), with the attacker yet to find the back of the net in 13 appearances for Leipzig in all competitions.

The Dutchman initially joined Ajax in 2010, progressing through the Dutch side's youth system before debuting in October 2020, and he scored six times in 19 appearances for the club during the 2020-21 season before making the move to Leipzig.

Man United are light in the final third of the field, with Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata being allowed to leave the club on free transfers at the end of June.

Cristiano Ronaldo has also allegedly told the club that he wants to depart during this summer's transfer window in order to continue playing in the Champions League.

Man United continue to insist that Ronaldo is not for sale, though, and the Portugal international could reportedly still join up with his current side in Australia for their pre-season matches later this month.

Anthony Martial is back at the club following an unsuccessful loan spell at Sevilla, and the France international could start through the middle against Liverpool on Tuesday in the team's opening friendly of the summer.

Man United had been strongly linked with Benfica's Darwin Nunez earlier this summer but decided against making a firm bid for the Uruguay international, who instead joined Liverpool.

Ronaldo's exit would leave the Red Devils desperately short of centre-forward options heading into the new campaign, with Mason Greenwood also still suspended by the club.

The 20-time English champions have only made one signing during this summer's transfer window, with Tyrell Malacia arriving from Feyenoord.

However, a deal for Christian Eriksen on a free transfer is believed to be close, while the club are also attempting to sign Ajax centre-back Lisandro Martinez and Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.