Arsenal

Man Utd are planning to make a late permanent signing before the January transfer window shuts, according to reports on Friday.

The Red Devils had a brilliant first season under Erik ten Hag with the Dutchman leading them to an FA Cup final, League Cup silverware and a top-four finish in the Premier League.

However, his second season in charge at Old Trafford has not gone to plan with Man Utd already out of the League Cup and Europe, while they are currently seventh as they struggle to put together a consistent run of results and performances.

And Ten Hag is hoping he will get the backing of the board at Man Utd as he looks to improve the club’s fortunes by bringing in a new player or two over the winter window.

There had been reports that the Man Utd boss wanted to bring in as many as three new signings with a centre-back, midfielder and striker on his wishlist.

And now Football Insider claim that Man Utd ‘are still in the market for a last-gasp permanent signing this month and a marquee deal could yet be done’ as the January deadline edges closer.

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The report adds:

‘It is believed that a loan signing, or potentially two, is more likely for the Premier League giants this month.

‘However, a big-money capture, described as a potentially ‘huge’ deal by sources, cannot be ruled out although there will need to be more departures for that to happen.’

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s imminent deal to buy 25 per cent of the club has complicated January slightly for Man Utd but they have now made progress in easing their wage bill by moving on players like Jadon Sancho, who recently left for Borussia Dortmund on a loan move until the end of the