Here are the Manchester United morning headlines for Tuesday, September 1.
United to offload duo after sealing Van de Beek deal - report
Manchester United will attempt to sell Jesse Lingard and Andreas Pereira after completing the signing of Ajax’s Donny van de Beek, according to the Daily Mail.
Van de Beek is expected to be announced as a United player in the next few days with a deal nearing completion for the 23-year-old midfielder.
And his capture would push Lingard and Pereira further down the pecking order under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Pereira and Lingard were peripheral figures at Old Trafford last season, managing only 27 league starts between them.
Lingard has made more than 200 appearances since making his debut in 2014, while Pereira has struggled to establish himself as a regular first-teamer after returning from a season-long deal at Valencia in 2018.
Van Dijk gives Van de Beek verdict
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk believes Van de Beek’s move to United is “great” for Dutch football after denying that he tried to change the player’s mind about moving to Old Trafford.
Speaking ahead of the Netherlands’ Nations League fixtures against Poland and Italy, Van Dijk also highlighted Nathan Ake’s move to Manchester City as an example of a promising young Dutch player securing a big move.
"Did I try to change his mind [about joining United]? No," said Van Dijk.
"If it happens – and it looks like it – then I give him that wholeheartedly.
"Great for him, great for Dutch football, for the Dutch national team and another great club for an Oranje player. The same goes for Nathan Ake who has gone to Manchester City."
Rashford pulls out of England squad
United remain hopeful that Marcus Rashford will be fit for the start of the new season despite the forward withdrawing from the England squad with an ankle problem.
Rashford was initially named in Gareth Southgate’s group for the Nations League games against Denmark and Iceland. Following the United striker’s withdrawal, Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish was called up.
Rashford played 13 times for United following lockdown, having missed several months due to a double stress fracture in his back.
"Marcus is completing his recovery from a minor ankle problem in order to be ready for the Premier League season,” read a United statement.
“The England games are just too soon given our short break after the Europa League.”
Writing on his social media accounts, Rashford said: “Gutted. I never want to let this team down but these fixtures just came a little too soon for me. I tried my best but I have to focus on starting the season at my strongest for club and country. Good luck boys, I’ll be cheering you on from home."
