Man Utd news: 'Astronomical' asking price set as first January deal confirmed

It's often been a case of one step forward, two steps back for Manchester United so far this season.

So Erik ten Hag will no doubt be hopeful a new year will bring a fresh start for his team and considerably more consistency as they start 2024 playing catch up on the Premier League big boys. The gloss of comeback victory over Aston Villa was quickly washed off by a shock defeat at Nottingham Forest.

And Ten Hag remains precariously clinging to his job under mounting pressure and the watchful gaze of new minority investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe. With the January transfer window open, will United's new football operations team back the boss? Here Mirror Football takes a look at all the latest rumours around Old Trafford.

United have completed their first exit of the January transfer window to get the ball rolling as Donny van de Beek moves on to Eintracht Frankfurt.

The Dutch midfielder looks to have finally put an end to his nightmare spell at Old Trafford, as he heads to the Bundesliga on an initial loan deal, though Frankfurt hold the option of making the move permanent next summer for a cut-price fee.

It would represent a significant financial loss for United should Van de Beek - who has already had one failed loan spell at Everton - do enough to convince Frankfurt to activate the clause in the summer.

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United will have to stump up the cash if they want to persuade Lille to part company with Leny Yoro.

Centre-back Yoro, 18, has been linked with a switch to Old Trafford either this month or in the summer, though United could face competition for Manchester City for the in-demand youngster, reports Le10Sport (via Sport Witness ).

In any event, United's hands are tied in January as Lille have slapped an