Manchester United Transfer News Roundup: Red Devils eyeing Benjamin Sesko, club confident of Kobbie Mainoo renewal, and more - April 20, 2024
Manchester United are putting together final preparations ahead of their visit to Wembley on Sunday, April 21, to face Coventry City in the FA Cup semifinals. Erik ten Hag will be desperate for a win as he begins to feel the heat at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils are interested in Benjamin Sesko. Elsewhere, the Premier League giants are confident of tying Kobbie Mainoo down to a new deal.
On that note, let’s take a look at the major Manchester United transfer stories from April 20, 2024.
Manchester United eyeing Benjamin Sesko, says journalist
Manchester United have set their sights on Benjamin Sesko, according to transfer insider Ben Jacobs. The Slovenian striker has been in fine form for RB Leipzig this season, registering 14 goals and two assists from 38 outings across competitions. The Red Devils signed Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta last summer, but remain keen on attacking reinforcements this year.
Sesko has emerged as an option for Manchester United, but they will face competition for the 20-year-old. Jacob adds that Chelsea and Arsenal also have their eyes on the Slovenian, whose contract with Leipzig expires in 2028. The player reportedly has a €50m release clause in his contract, which could further entice his suitors.
Red Devils confident of Kobbie Mainoo renewal, says Fabrizio Romano
Manchester United are confident of tying Kobbie Mainoo down to a new deal, according to acclaimed journalist Fabrizio Romano. The English midfielder exploded onto the scene at Old Trafford this season and is one of Erik ten Hag’s most important players at the moment. His efforts have already turned heads at multiple clubs across the continent and the Red Devils are keen to end speculation regarding his future.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Romano insisted that talks between the two parties have progressed well so far.
“Man Utd and Erik ten Hag have trusted Mainoo since day one, and now he’s a crucial player for them. So, the conversation is positive. It's about the salary, which has been discussed with his agents, but it's a positive conversation,” said Romano.
He continued:
“So, I think it will happen, and I'm hearing a lot of confidence on Manchester United’s side to make it happen. So I think Mainoo will be one of the real faces of Manchester United’s new project.”
Mainoo has appeared 24 times across competitions for the senior side this season, registering three goals.
Manchester United advised to appoint Carlo Ancelotti as Erik ten Hag replacement
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has advised Manchester United to appoint Carlo Ancelotti as Erik ten Hag’s replacement. The Dutch manager is under pressure at Old Trafford following an indifferent season so far. Ancelotti, meanwhile, has taken Real Madrid to greater heights since taking charge for his second spell in 2021.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Merson added that Ten Hag must win the FA Cup to save his job.
“Personally I think they need someone like a Ancelotti. I know it’s a quick fix, and I know Man United don’t need a quick fix, but if you watched the game the other night, Ancelotti is getting superstars to run themselves into the ground, superstars to run themselves into the ground, to leave nothing left on the pitch. That’s what I don’t see at Man United,” said Merson.
He continued:
“For me, they need to win the FA Cup to have any chance of him keeping his job, in my opinion. Again, it would only have to be Ancelotti. I don’t see anybody else going in at Man United. I know it’s a quick fix, as I said, but they need to get back to basics. They need top players that are not even in the same breath as some of the players at Real Madrid to be working like the players at Real Madrid are. And, I don’t see that at the moment at Man United.”
Ancelotti signed a new contract with Los Blancos last December which will keep him at the Santiago Bernabeu until 2026.