Man Utd Transfer News LIVE updates: Bale responds to Mourinho; reports say he is for sale

MANCHESTER UNITED TRANSFER NEWS LIVE UPDATES: All the latest on Gareth Bale, Serge Aurier, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and more…

Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial exit?

08.32: Steven Gerrard believes Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial could leave Manchester United if they don’t improve this season.

He said on BT Sport: “I think Jose’s found his spine now with the signings he’s made.

“Manchester United to me look very strong as team down the middle.

“I’m not sure these players we’re talking about in the wide areas, the likes of Lingard and Martial.

“I’m not sure they’ve hit those heights yet to be really described as a Man Utd player.

“I think it’s big season for them. I think if those individuals don’t find consistency over the next 12 months, I don’t think they’ll be at Manchester United very long.”

Bale out

08:00: Gareth Bale insists he is happy at Real Madrid and doesn’t see any reason to leave.

After helping Real beat Manchester United 2-1 to win the UEFA Super Cup in Macedonia last night, Bale was asked whether he was flattered by Jose Mourinho’s pre-match comments admitting he wanted to sign him.

But Bale rebuffed the approach, replying: “What do you want me to say? I’m concentrating on my football, I’m concentrating on getting my fitness up, I’m happy.

“I’m playing football, I’m winning trophies, so yeah, I don’t want to move. There’s not really much more I can say.

“The club hasn’t said anything (about being sold). “We’ve spoke, they’re happy with everything and, yeah, for me, I just want to concentrate now on getting fit, on getting ready for the new season and playing as well as I can.

“There’s been no need for any talks. Everything has gone as normal, like it has every year, there’s been the normal speculation, like there is every year but, yeah, I think obviously it’s a little bit more hyped up because we’re we’re playing United.”

Darmian glad to be staying at United

06:00: Matteo Darmian was linked with a move away from Manchester United at the start of the summer.

But the Italy international is happy to be staying put.

“I’m pleased that Manchester United consider me to be off the market, just as I’m pleased by the interest of Italian clubs,” he said. 

“In any case, there was never anything concrete, so there’s no point talking about the transfer market. 

“I see myself at Manchester United, I’m happy here.”

Gerrard thinks Mourinho is turning United into Chelsea

05:40: Steven Gerrard thinks Manchester United’s decision to buy Nemanja Matic means Jose Mourinho is trying to turn them into Chelsea.

“He’s a huge signing,” Gerrard said on BT Sport of Matic.

“You can see signs of what Jose’s trying to do here at Manchester United in what he did at Chelsea when he built a big, powerful, strong team that’s capable of winning the big trophies. 

“I noticed with Pogba his form went better when he was with (Michael) Carrick, players who give him the ball earlier, higher up the pitch where he can really add to his numbers in terms of assists and goals. 

“I’m sure this lad (Matic) will help him even more.”

United signing Lindelof questioned

05:00: Alan Pardew has questioned Manchester United new boy Victor Lindelof after a shaky debut against Real Madrid last night.

“They’ve had injuries in that area,” Pardew told Sky Sports. “Smalling never seems to play a full season. 

“Jones is always injured so there is going to be huge pressure on Lindelof.

“At the moment I think he’s finding it a struggle.

“Benfica in the Portuguese league is not the same level as the Premier League week in week out and the intensity put on centre-backs is very difficult.

“I remember Sir Alex Ferguson saying to me at United because you’re Man United your two centre-backs have to deal two-on-two and one-on-one because you’re going to commit all your players forward to try and win the game.

“His one-on-one play worries me for Man United because I fancy if my man was fit [pointing at Ian Wright] he would have a good chance.”

Reports in Spain say Bale is for sale

04:40: But, though Jose Mourinho has dismissed a move for Bale, not everyone is convinced.

Spanish outlet Diario Gol has sensationally said that Mourinho was told by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez that Bale IS for sale. 

It is said the pair had a secret chat where Perez confessed he wanted the Wales international off the books as he knows he wants to be a main man somewhere else.

But, he was also told that a transfer can only happen if the Red Devils fork out a huge £180million. 

Mourinho swears Bale pursuit is over

04:20: So, last night Jose Mourinho ruled out a move to Manchester United for Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale.

“I think so,” he said when quizzed if his pursuit of Bale was over.

“The club [Real Madrid] wants him, the manager wants him, and, more importantly, he wants the club.

“For me, it is game over. I think now everybody knows he is going to stay.”

Welcome to Express Sport’s Manchester United blog

04:00: Good morning and welcome to Express Sport’s LIVE Manchester United transfer blog.

Jose Mourinho may have ruled out signing Gareth Bale, but reports in Spain are saying the Wales international could yet move to Old Trafford.

And, in other transfer news, there is an update on Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s future.

So sit back and stay tuned for all the latest coming out of Old Trafford.