Manchester United's international stars are all back in England now as preparations continue ahead of Sunday's trip to Everton.
Erik ten Hag's side head to Goodison Park hoping to continue a fine run of form in the Premier League, having won four of their last five. They face a Toffees outfit fired up by the 10-point deduction handed to them during the break after being found guilty of breaching profit and sustainability rules.
United may head to Merseyside without Rasmus Hojlund with the 20-year-old facing a race against time to be fit. The 20-year-old suffered a muscular issue against Luton Town and was forced to withdraw from international duty with Denmark.
In takeover news, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is still waiting on confirmation of his 25% stake in United, following an investment of around £1.4billion. The INEOS chief is shaking things up and is expected to hire a new chief executive and sporting director.
Keep up to date with the latest United takeover, transfer and injury news with our live blog.
Key Events
Bayindir 'considering' United exit just months after summer move
Altay Bayindir only signed for United in the summer, but a report suggests he could soon be on his way back to Turkey.
Turkish newspaper Fotomac claims the shot-stopper is 'considering' a move to Galatasaray. Bayindir only joined United from Fenerbahce on September 1 but is reportedly 'unhappy' with his lack of game time at Old Trafford.
He is still waiting to make his debut for the club after Andre Onana was preferred between the sticks for the Carabao Cup clashes with Crystal Palace and Newcastle United.
It was originally thought that Bayindir, who helped Turkey beat Germany 3-2 in a friendly last weekend, would have featured in the cup matches.
Zenit star's agency deny United transfer links
A bit of an odd one here.
Earlier this week, Kazak outlet EL.kz reported United are interested in a move to sign Zenit St. Petersburg star Nuraly Alip as they search for a new centre-back.
The report even claimed United had sent a scout to watch the Kazakhstan international in their recent match against Slovenia.
In response to the rumours, Sport Express got in touch with Alip's representatives, Player Career Management, asking for an update. Rather than fuel the transfer flames, they denied any approach had been made by United.
“Nobody contacted the agency – the rest is on the conscience of the authors. The player belongs to Zenit and is currently focused on helping the club win the championship,” a representative of the agency said.
United player ratings of the season so far
Four wins out of the last five in the Premier League have ensured United are well in contention to finish in the top four but they are out of the only competition they have won in the last six-and-a-half years and could go out of the Champions League next week.
United have won nine and lost nine in what has hitherto been a regressive campaign under Erik ten Hag. They have scraped 13 goals in 12 league games whereas in the Champions League they have plundered nine in four. The trouble is they have also shipped 11 and United are bottom of Group A.
Here are how the United players have rated so far this season.
Harry Maguire
Shown commendable resilience to regain his place and he has helped United keep clean sheets in four of his nine starts. Nodded in the winner against Copenhagen. 7
Antony
Dreadful before his six-week leave of absence and dreadful since he returned. One of United's worst signings. 1
Varane and Ten Hag relationship 'practically broken' after 'frank exchange'
Raphael Varane looks set to leave United next year after falling out with manager Erik ten Hag.
The Daily Mail claims their relationship has practically broken down after a frank exchange of views took place after Varane was dropped for the Manchester derby last month.
The Frenchman has only made three substitute appearances since and is said to be unhappy that Jonny Evans has been chosen ahead of him, and Victor Lindelof was then selected to play alongside Harry Maguire against Luton two weeks ago when Evans was injured.
Casemiro linked with January exit as United 'open to offers'
United could listen to offers for Casemiro in the January transfer window.
TEAMtalk claims that United are looking at replacements for the Brazilian midfielder and would be open to a sale in January in order to invest in other areas of the playing squad.
The report suggests United would demand £50 million for Casemiro and that interest is most likely to come from Saudi Arabia. It is also suggested that Paris Saint-Germain could be tempted to make a move.
United 'begin hunt' for Raphael Varane successor
United have begun drawing up possible replacements for Raphael Varane.
Erik ten Hag's side is keen to reinforce at centre-back next year and The Sun claim both French defender Jean-Clair Todibo and Portuguese defender Goncalo Inacio are already on their list.
The best offers in the Manchester United Black Friday sale
Black Friday deals are now live everywhere, including on the Manchester United online store, where there are 40% off selected lines.
Knowing what's a good deal on Black Friday and what isn't can be tricky, but United's Black Friday deals are offering fans some decent discounts across several lines. With the season not yet half way through, there are some deals to be had on 2023/2024 season items as well as the retro range which includes deals on United kits from the 1990s and earlier with 40% off.
But to save you from combing through the sale and wasting precious time, just what are the best deals to be had in the United Direct sale? To start, the home shirt for 2023/2024 is now £48 down from £80.
There are even more bargains to be had across a range of different ranges.
Ten Hag backing
Erik ten Hag is confident Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford will score the goals his side is in need of.
Hojlund is still searching for his first Premier Legaue goal since his arrival from Atalanta in August, and Rashford has scored just once in all competitions so far this season. The latter has not scored since September 3 against Arsenal.
Hojlund has plundered five goals for United so far, all of which have arrived in the Champions League. Ten Hag, however, is confident he can replicate similar standards in the Premier League.
Hojlund and Eriksen injury update
United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that striker Rasmus Hojlund is touch-and-go for Sunday's clash with Everton at Goodison Park.
The Dane was forced off in the latter stages of the 1-0 win over Luton Town prior to the international break with a muscle strain. Fellow countryman Christian Eriksen was also forced off, being withdrawn shortly before half-time with a knee problem.
Issuing an update on the duo, Ten Hag said:
"Christian will take a little bit longer. It will take some weeks until he will return. Rasmus Hojlund, not too bad. Everton will be a close finish but we're working on that. We're not sure if he can make that but, hopefully, in the next week, he will return to the squad."
Morning Reds!
Good morning all and welcome to our LIVE blog this Friday.
Erik ten Hag's side are closing in on a return to action as they face Everton on Sunday, and the Dutchman will speak to the media later on. Expect fitness updates on the likes of Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hojlund.
We'll have all the build up to that game plus your latest takeover and transfer news throughout the day!
