❌

Reading view

↗️

Man Utd told when to expect Rafael Leao transfer decision after Milan exit announcement and Old Trafford preference

✇CaughtOffside
By:Isabel Ryan

Rafael Leao will wait until after Portugal finishes their World Cup campaign before making any decisions over his future, as per journalist Gianluigi Longari.

It comes after the highly-rated attacker announced last week that he planned to leave AC Milan this summer, putting an end to his seven-year stay in Italy.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY

What has Rafael Leao said?

When addressing his future in a conversation with Sport TV, he said: “I think I’ve given Milan everything I could give. It’s been a club that helped me grow a lot, that supported me in the tough moments. I’m happy to have managed to write my name in the club’s history.

Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust

“Everyone has their dreams, their challenges, the things they desire, [and] the goals they want to reach. And I, too, want to try a new challenge in a new league.”

Rafael Leão diz que o seu tempo no Milan chegou ao fim ?

Por onde passa o futuro do craque português?#sporttvportugal pic.twitter.com/bQ24ejgxEs

— sport tv (@sporttvportugal) May 30, 2026

He has also hinted at a preference towards Manchester United, telling Cernucci: “I often watch the Premier League. I like Manchester United, especially because of Cristiano Ronaldo, who is my idol, but also Arsenal is a team I follow on TV.”

Rafael Leao on which Premier League team he watches:

"I like #mufc, I like United because my idol is Cristiano Ronaldo."

[@cernucci] pic.twitter.com/OTpbejc3Og

— utdreport (@utdreport) May 28, 2026

United add wantaway Leao to summer shortlist

Even prior to his admission, United were among Leao’s suitors.

Reports in recent weeks had suggested he would be on the move from Milan in the summer window, so the fact he went as far as publicly declaring his desire to leave means a deal should be easier to come by.

That’s because the Italian giants will feel obliged to grant Leao’s wishes, knowing he is already planning a new venture.

United, meanwhile, are doing their due diligence on the market to grant Michael Carrick ample squad depth ahead of the side’s return to the Champions League next season.

The attack isn’t as high a priority as the midfield is, but the recent sale of Rasmus Hojlund and impending departures of Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho mean new faces will need to be brought in if United have any real chance of competing in 2026/2027.

Leao, who’s still only 26, boasts a plethora of experience across Europe and is said to be keen to ply his trade in the English top flight.

Appearances Goals Assists
291 80 65
Leao’s complete record in all competitions for Milan

It remains to be seen what kind of fee the Rossoneri would demand for their talisman, given he is tied down to a contract until 2028.

The post Man Utd told when to expect Rafael Leao transfer decision after Milan exit announcement and Old Trafford preference appeared first on CaughtOffside.

↗️

BBC journo: It’d be a ‘major shock’ if Man United didn’t complete deal for £42m midfielder after Ederson

✇CaughtOffside
By:Isabel Ryan

It would reportedly be a ‘major shock’ if Manuel Ugarte were still a Manchester United player by the end of the transfer window.

That’s according to BBC Sport’s Simon Stone, who adds that there is an overwhelming ‘lack of faith’ in the 25-year-old after two seasons in M16.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY

Manuel Ugarte headed for Old Trafford exit

It remains to be seen what kind of fee the Red Devils will demand for Ugarte, whom they shelled out an initial £42 million for when bringing him in from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2024.

Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust

His arrival came just before Scott McTominay’s departure was facilitated, and if you ask the United faithful, the majority would’ve preferred that they kept hold of the Scotsman instead.

Yet, INEOS have conceded defeat that Ugarte simply doesn’t have what it takes to start each week in the Premier League, so they are actively trying to find suitors who might be willing to take him off their hands.

Any potential deal will likely have to wait until Uruguay have finished their World Cup campaign, as the out-of-favour Red has been included in Marcelo Bielsa’s selection.

Why United are pushing to offload Ugarte

By the end of 2025/2026, it was clear that even Michael Carrick had decided Ugarte wasn’t a suitable fit.

Appearances Starts Unused Minutes played
7 1 9 155

Ugarte’s record under Carrick (Transfermarkt)

After being forced to start him for the home clash with Leeds United in April due to Kobbie Mainoo’s injury, Ugarte proceeded to oversee a calamitous display in the middle of the park.

The Reds slumped to a shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of their arch-rivals, and the Montevideo native did not play again for the remainder of the season – not even for a single minute.

Still, his age and experience will make him an ideal target for some European clubs.

It’s recently been reported that Galatasaray have set their sights on a deal, while Ajax also made enquiries over Ugarte’s availability back in January.

Ali Naci Küçük: "Manuel Ugarte, Galatasaray'a gelmeye haz?r durumda. ?artlar? kabul etmi? durumda. Oyuncunun yar?m sezonluk maliyeti 5 milyon euro.

Galatasaray, Manchester United'? zorunlu olmayan sat?n alma opsiyonuna ikna etmeye çal???yor." pic.twitter.com/c6qVq5X6Ok

— Forza Cimbom (@forzacimbom) January 3, 2026

The post BBC journo: It’d be a ‘major shock’ if Man United didn’t complete deal for £42m midfielder after Ederson appeared first on CaughtOffside.

↗️

Just in: Forgotten Man Utd man quietly signs new deal with announcement expected in ‘coming days’

✇CaughtOffside
By:Isabel Ryan

Tom Heaton has put pen to paper on a 12-month extension with Manchester United before his previous terms were due to expire at the end of the month.

The news has been confirmed by journalist Philip Cadden, who adds that fans can expect an official announcement in the ‘coming days’.

Tom Heaton has signed new 12-month playing deal with Manchester United… https://t.co/m49OdnzYOO

— Phil Cadden (@pjcadden) June 3, 2026

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY

How has Heaton fared at United?

While he has been awarded a new short-term contract, Heaton hasn’t actually played for United since 2021.

Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust

He spent eight years with the Red Devils at the very beginning of his career before departing to play a more prominent role elsewhere.

The veteran then returned to United in 2021, but has been used sparingly, appearing twice in the Carabao Cup and once in the Champions League.

United qualifying for the latter competition ahead of 2026/2027 means depth across Michael Carrick’s squad will be imperative, hence opting to keep Heaton around for another year.

Heaton will provide backup to first-choice Senne Lammens

It’s thought that the 40-year-old’s impact on the dressing room is invaluable, particularly with the other goalkeepers and youth players.

Senne Lammens was brought in on deadline day last September to replace both Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana, and has since established himself as the uncontested No.1 in the first team.

In fact, the young Belgian, 23, impressed so much that he was named the Premier League’s Transfer of the Season on Monday, highlighting just how influential he’s been in turning United’s fortunes around.

Making an instant impact for his new club ??@ManUtd’s goalkeeper Senne Lammens is @BarclaysFooty Transfer of the Season ? pic.twitter.com/SG0Saqr6Gd

— Premier League (@premierleague) June 1, 2026

Elsewhere, both Bayindir and Onana will be sold when the window opens. The latter reported back to Carrington this week following the conclusion of his loan spell with Trabzonspor, but United are keen to get him off the books as swiftly as possible.

The post Just in: Forgotten Man Utd man quietly signs new deal with announcement expected in ‘coming days’ appeared first on CaughtOffside.

↗️

‘Cleared to leave’: PL club make decision on £80m midfielder after learning of imminent Man Utd approach

✇CaughtOffside
By:Isabel Ryan

Mateus Fernandes has reportedly been ‘cleared to leave’  West Ham amid concrete interest from Manchester United.

That’s according to TeamTalk, which adds that the Irons have green-lit a summer sale for their midfield starlet, whom they value at £80 million, less than a year after his arrival at the London Stadium.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY

Mateus Fernandes ready to hold talks over West Ham exit

Indeed, Fernandes only made the switch to West Ham last August following Southampton’s relegation, joining in a £40m switch on a five-year deal.

Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust

However, his time with the Hammers is now poised to be cut short in the aftermath of their 18th-placed finish and anticipated approaches from Premier League sides.

Appearances Goals Assists Minutes played
72 5 8 5,948

Fernandes’ complete EPL record (Transfermarkt)

United are firmly among the mix for the 21-year-old’s signature, while Liverpool have recently entered the race, along with newly-crowned European champions Paris Saint-Germain.

It remains to be seen which suitor Fernandes himself would favour. Should it be United, it would allow him to ply his trade alongside his footballing hero, Bruno Fernandes.

The Sporting CP graduate told A Bola earlier this year: “My role model? The biggest reference right now is Bruno [Fernandes], because of the player he already is.

“Even back in my time at Sporting, I used to watch him and try to learn. He plays in the same league as me, has a lot of experience with the national team and in the Premier League. I really try to study him. Without a doubt, he stands out.”

When might United move for Fernandes?

Fernandes was unfortunate to miss out on a World Cup call-up this time around, with Portugal already boasting one of the most stacked and experienced midfields at the upcoming tournament.

Mateus Fernandes scores from close range and West Ham are back in it ?

? Watch live on TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/yNmv1h3fgf

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 5, 2026

Yet, it will give him the opportunity to negotiate his transfer early doors, meaning he can join up with his new squad and teammates as soon as pre-season gets underway.

It was confirmed last night by the ever-reliable David Ornstein that the Red Devils had finally finalised their acquisition of Ederson from Atalanta, so fans are expecting that attention will swiftly turn to INEOS’ other targets in the coming weeks.

? Manchester United reach agreement with Atalanta to sign Ederson. Price for 26yo midfielder €40.5m fixed + €4.5m of potential bonuses. Personal terms in place on 4+1yr deal. Must still do medical & all parties plan to complete early July @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/OgkmPEYVg7

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 2, 2026

The post ‘Cleared to leave’: PL club make decision on £80m midfielder after learning of imminent Man Utd approach appeared first on CaughtOffside.

↗️

Ollie Watkins thinks Man Utd have a player in their ranks with ‘unbelievable’ talent and ‘frightening’ ability

✇CaughtOffside
By:Isabel Ryan

Ollie Watkins has poured praise on Marcus Rashford ahead of the pair representing England at the World Cup this month.

After sharing the second half of 2024/2025 together at Aston Villa, both forwards have enjoyed stellar club campaigns in 2025/2026.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY

Rashford and Watkins on cloud nine heading into the World Cup

 

In fact, the two strikers even ended their respective seasons with silverware to their name.

Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust

Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, was crowned a La Liga champion with Barcelona in May, and won the Spanish Super Cup back in January.

As for his counterpart, Watkins played a pivotal role throughout Villa’s journey to becoming Europa League winners a fortnight ago. Although he didn’t score in the final against Freiburg, he notched five goals and two assists in the 15 appearances he made before lifting the trophy.

When speaking to Rio Ferdinand on the Rio Meets podcast before jetting off with the Three Lions, Watkins said of Rashford: “There were times where, like the Paris Saint-Germain game [in the Champions League], he absolutely ripped them apart. I’m on the sideline thinking, ‘I shouldn’t come on here really!’

“I knew Marcus’s talent. He was unbelievable. His ability is frightening.”

Rashford: The state of play this summer

Following the conclusion of the World Cup, Rashford’s future will once again be brought to the fore as he, Barcelona and United try to resolve his uncertain situation.

The Blaugrana’s recent £70 million acquisition of Anthony Gordon has cast doubt over whether they would be able to afford, or even need, the Carrington graduate at Hansi Flick’s disposal next term.

Reports have suggested Barcelona could submit a cut-price offer of £13m to try and tempt United into selling, but this is almost certain to be laughed off by INEOS.

United chiefs would even argue that Rashford’s performances during his loan spell have raised his valuation above the £26m buy option they included in his agreement last summer.

Appearances Goals Assists
49 14 14

Rashford’s return in all competitions for Barcelona

Yet, even with a change of manager in the dugout at Old Trafford, it’s still expected that the 28-year-old has no future at his boyhood club.

United are keen on cashing in on Rashford, whose sale will generate pure profit, and reinvesting the funds in a replacement.

The post Ollie Watkins thinks Man Utd have a player in their ranks with ‘unbelievable’ talent and ‘frightening’ ability appeared first on CaughtOffside.

❌