Overview

• Fabrizio Romano, via Sporting News, reports Manchester United have set a defensive or central midfielder as their top January priority after failing to land one in the summer.
• Multiple outlets including TEAMtalk, Football365 and CaughtOffside say United plan a two‑stage rebuild in midfield, targeting Elliot Anderson in January with Carlos Baleba retained as a longer‑term ambition given his high fee.
• Brighton’s Baleba is still admired but widely reported to carry a price tag around £100m or more, making a winter deal unlikely.
• Spanish outlet Fichajes, cited by Football365, claims Ruben Neves is a new January target, a link presented as a report rather than a confirmed club decision.
• Manchester Evening News reports Andre Onana is close to joining Trabzonspor on loan with no purchase option, while Tyrell Malacia is said to be resisting a move to Eyupspor and a late bid for Malick Fofana collapsed.