12pm Man Utd news LIVE: Ighalo debut LATEST, Messi transfer UPDATE, Barca lead Willian Jose tussle, £127m Koulibaly – The Sun
MANCHESTER UNITED are on their winter break as they prepare for a tough trip to Chelsea, with Odion Ighalo's set to make his big debut against the Blues.
And there has been a boost in United's ambitious pursuit of Lionel Messi, with Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal saying renewing his contract is "never easy".
Follow all of the latest Man Utd news, gossip and updates below…
NO DAL-LYING
Diogo Dalot has revealed he has trained through the winter break to up his fitness levels, after injuries have hampered his season.
The Portuguese starlet is looking to push his way into the United first team, as well as his national team ahead of their Euro 2020 title defence in the summer.
He said: “It was good to keep up the fitness. In the first part of the season I was injured so I wanted to use this break to push harder a little bit more.
“I enjoyed it with some of the players and some of the staff, so it was a very good week to work and now we are here.”
DEBUT ON
Odion Ighalo is primed for a Manchester United baptism of fire after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed he is set to make his debut against Chelsea.
The striker was blocked from joining team-mates on their winter training camp in Spain over fears he would be barred from re-entering the UK amid the coronavirus threat.
Asked about his availability for Chelsea, Solskjaer told manutd.com: “Yeah, he is going to travel with us.
“We will just see his fitness work this week and I think we will get him sharp.
“We want to integrate him as quickly as we can because, of course, he is desperate to play for us.”
PHELAN GOOD
Mike Phelan has continued to provide updates from United's mid-season training break in Spain.
The assistant coach and former midfielder tweeted: “Another day's training in the bag.
“Here's a video insight.”
MESSI BID
Juventus and Inter Milan are reportedly plotting sensational moves for Lionel Messi – and the Old Lady want him to line up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 32-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from Barcelona after a public fall-out with club sporting director Eric Abidal.
Manchester United and City have also been linked to a sensational swoop for the Barca icon.
BRAINO FERNANDES
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hailed Bruno Fernandes' footballing brain after signing for United.
The Old Trafford boss said: “He is a very, very good footballer and his brain is obviously quicker than many others.
“He's got loads of attributes that we're going to get used to… his passing range, deliveries, movements, I'm just pleased to see him here enjoying himself.”
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