Manchester United target Fabinho to leave Monaco at the end of the season

It is obvious that the Glazers have been a disaster for Manchester United. Saddled with unnecessary debt, and with money leeched from them as only the most vile private equity lurkers could manage, they are nothing close to what they should have been. All the best players, save for a handful, have gone to other, better run and better funded clubs. Nevertheless, things could have been even worse. Rupert Murdoch, who came close to buying them in the past, has had his Fox company accused of paying bribes in the race for television rights.

Manchester United were rumoured to have interest in Monaco defender/midfielder Fabinho last summer, but he remained in France. He has now discussed a possible exit, vaguely mentioning Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. United are after defenders, and has said he will probably stay at Monaco until the end of the season only. United may still be interested.

The Telegraph has asked why Manchester United suffer so much without one of the best midfielders in the world, Paul Pogba, when they replace him with Marouane Fellaini or Ander Herrera. Scott McTominay impressed against Bournemouth compared to Herrera’s current form, so we may see him feature increasingly more as the season progresses.

Jose Mourinho has explained Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s absence from the United squad. When he is not the first team, Mourinho said, he prefers players with more versatility. Given Mkhitaryan can only really play through the middle as a playmaker, it makes some sense, but it feels like the exit is being prepared.

And let us end on some even more depressing news. Eric Bailly, who seems like he may be United’s best central defender, has such a serious groin injury that if being conservative with his recovery doesn’t work, then he may be required to undergo surgery. Bah humbug!