Man Utd transfer news: Raphael Varane outlines contract stance after secret Saudi talks

Manchester United will head into the festive fixtures buoyed by their performance against Liverpool on Sunday after stifling their arch-rivals at Anfield.

Few people fancied anything but a convincing home win, but United produced a robust defensive display to earn a point - a result which should ease the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag, who had endured a difficult week in the build up to the match.

With the January transfer window looming large on the horizon, it remains to be seen if the Dutchman will be given the green light to bolster his squad. United may have to move players on in order to do business, but that hasn't slowed down the rumour mill. Here, Mirror Football rounds up all the latest transfer news and gossip from Old Trafford...

Raphael Varane is hopeful that Manchester United will choose to trigger the one-year option in his contract despite speculation linking him with a transfer in January.

The veteran defender, 30, only joined the Red Devils from Real Madrid in the summer of 2021 but has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag. He did, however, impress against Liverpool after stepping in for the injured Harry Maguire.

According to The Manchester Evening News, Varane wants to stay at United but the final decision rests with the club, who hold the option to extend the Frenchman's deal until 2025.

Football director John Murtough flew to Saudi Arabia this month in an attempt to drum up interest in a handful of players Manchester United would be willing to sell in January.

It's understood that Murtough flew to Riyadh and spoke with Saudi Pro League chiefs about the likes of Jadon Sancho, Casemiro and Anthony Martial, all of who could be moved on.

Sancho previously attracted interest from