Manchester United have taken their talks to the next level for potential January midfield signing as negotiations continue
Manchester United ended their run of five Premier League games unbeaten as they lost 1-0 to a ten-men Everton side at Old Trafford.
United dominated the early possession, but Everton looked far more up for the fixture. But the visitors were reduced to ten players after Idrissa Gana Gueye struck his teammate, Michael Keane in the side of the head after a miscommunication in the box almost resulting in Bruno Fernandes scoring.
Despite the numerical advantage, Ruben Amorim’s side struggled to find any momentum as Everton’s defensive solidarity proved to be to much.
Eventually, Kieran Dewsbury-Hall scored a brilliant goal from the edge of the box, beating Senne Lammens to put David Moyes’ side 1-0 up.
This proved to be enough to secure all three points away from home for the Toffees as United could not find a way through, even with the use of Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo and Diogo Dalot off the bench. The final 20 minutes were stressful for the travelling Everton fans as Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo and Joshua Zirkzee continued to attack Jordan Pickford’s goal, but the England No.1 remained with a clean sheet.
United will have to look to make changes in January if they want to secure a spot in the Champions League, and one player in particular looks closer to joining United.
United optimistic for Joao Gomes deal in January
According to Brazilian outlet, Globo Esporte, Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder, Joao Gomes looks even more likely to make a move to Old Trafford in the January transfer window as United ‘intensify talks’ to sign the Brazilian.
Both sides are showing optimism towards the deal, and with Wolves looking destined for relegation, Gomes could be available for a much cheaper price than alternative options.
The negotiations are sitting around the £43m area as United see the 24-year-old as potentially crucial for the second half of the season with some players also possibly on their way out.
Mainoo has struggled to find consistent minutes under Amorim and he may be heading to the Serie A in January with multiple clubs showing interest in the 20-year-old Englishman.
Meanwhile, Manuel Ugarte has not performed to the desired standard in a United shirt despite his optimistic summer move from Paris Saint Germain in 2024. The Uruguayan has worked with Amorim at Sporting CP previously, but Ugarte has not lived up to the expectations.
Gomes could revolutionise United’s midfield
The Brazilian joined Wolves from Flamingo in 2023 for a price of £16.3m and has quickly became an imperative factor to the Wolves squad, even wearing the captain’s armband this season, but Wolves have seriously disappointed with only two points from 12 games as they sit 20th in the Premier League.
The Brazilian would not be unfamiliar if he were to move to United, as former teammate Matheus Cunha would be a welcoming presence for the midfielder. The pair excelled for Wolves last season and could relight their connection together under Amorim.
Gomes offers a very technical profile with excellent ability to manoeuvre the ball in tight areas, holding off challenges superbly and utilising his body to manipulate play. Additionally, the midfielder has impressive availability with a good injury record and consistent minutes played at Wolves.
Amorim has put the majority of his trust in the midfield pairing of Casemiro and Fernandes, but with Casemiro’s contract coming to an end, as well as, Fernandes potentially operating higher up, there is a definite need for recruitment to strengthen United’s midfield.
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