Man Utd news LIVE: Solskjaer sack decision, Pogba swap transfer offer, Haaland snubs move

Man Utd open talks with Kalidou Koulibaly

Manchester United have started talks with Napoli over the availability of Kalidou Koulibaly, according to transfer expert Ian McGarry.

Solskjaer sees Koulibaly as a potential defender to put Maguire and Victor Lindelof under pressure, in a bid to improve their form.

“It’s my information that Koulibaly has informed Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis of his desire to leave the club in January,” McGarry told Reach plc’s Transfer Window Podcast.

“This has been an ongoing situation, but with the departure of Ancelotti who he was very close to, has brought the issue to a head.

“Koulibaly is now seeking a move away from Serie A. This has begun an option process led by Carlo Ancelotti at Everton who sees weaknesses in the Everton back line.

“But probably just as interesting, especially given their current form at the back, is Manchester United have made contact with Napoli regarding Koulibaly and the price Napoli are asking.

“This tells us two things. One; Manchester United have decided finally that Lindelof and Maguire are not as dependable as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would prefer.

“I think we saw that in the Watford game at the weekend, when Maguire was beaten once again in an aerial challenge which led to the first goal.

“Interesting, also, that Koulibaly’s valuation is in excess of €65million [£55m]. It would be a substantial investment for either of the north west clubs to make that bid and satisfy De Laurentiis, who we know does not sell cheap.”

Paul Parker slams Ed Woodward and Glazers

Manchester United chiefs have engaged in “shocking” behaviour by going over the manager’s head and have ignored the club’s roots as a football team, according to Old Trafford hero Paul Parker.

Parker said the Glazers and Ed Woodward have “discriminated” against the club and are simply taking United “backwards and backwards”.

“At this moment in time, everything that’s going on above the manager’s head is shocking,” Parker told Express Sport. “The stories are coming out all the time.

“It’s becoming a hard world for everyone. It’s hard enough being an ex-player for a club, and if you played for that club and you enjoyed your time, you have a feeling for the club.

“You may not support them, but you at least want them to be right, and you don’t want them to be discriminated [against].

“At this moment in time, United are being discriminated [against]. The football side is, by the business side of it.

“It’s Manchester United. It’s not Manchester United FC anymore. It was a football club. Not a business, it was a football club for one side of the people of Manchester. Even that’s been taken away now.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer safe from sack

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been given the ultimate backing by Manchester United chief Ed Woodward, according to football expert Julien Laurens.

The Norwegian manager has been under intense scrutiny, especially since the 2-0 loss to Premier League basement side Watford on Sunday.

“It is a question a lot of Manchester United fans are asking,” Laurens told ESPN FC.

“For now Ed Woodward and the Glazer family have some faith in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and they are working together on the January transfer window.

“It shows you that Solskjaer is going to be here in the turn of the New Year and I was told he will be there in the summer no matter what happens.

“That doesn’t hide from the fact that he hasn’t been good enough. On Sunday was the one year anniversary and he just wasn’t good enough.

“Yes there have been good results and performances against the top clubs and we have seen that this season especially.

“They don’t know how to win games, they are not creative enough and they don’t have a plan B or plan C.

“It shows you the limitations of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in that job.”

source: express.co.uk