Today could be the day the Red Devils finally get shot of Bastian Schweinsteiger, reports the Daily Mirror, which says that Sporting Lisbon "have made an approach" for the out-of-favour Germany international.
It seems that United are desperate to offload the midfielder to ease their wage bill and are prepared to offer him to Sporting on a free transfer. But Jose Mourinho has a problem "attempting to convince" Schweinsteiger to make the move, particularly after the canny German pledged his (unwanted) loyalty to United and announced that he would never play for another European club - leaving him on the sidelines at Old Trafford pocketing £160,000-a-week.
It's not only United who want to see the deal. Leicester are also keen as it is thought Sporting will sell Adrien Silva to the Foxes if they're successful in landing Schweinsteiger.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But they might be left disappointed, reports ESPN, which takes the German at his word when he says that he wants to stay put.
"My absolute dream would be to play for Manchester United and help them reach their goals," Schweinsteiger told a news conference before tonight's Germany vs Finland clash. Asked if he and Jose Mourinho had fallen out, he replied: "I don't have a problem with Jose Mourinho. We had a good exchange, he explained his standpoint to me. I know what Manchester United want. But I also know what I want. You will have to wait and see what happens in September, October. It's a respectful dialogue.
Elsewhere and the Daily Express says that United's hopes of signing young striker Gabriel Barbosa have crashed and burned after the 20-year-old Brazilian agreed terms with Inter Milan. United and Chelsea have both been tailing the youngster, who helped his country win Olympic gold this month, but the Express says the frontman has joined the Italian outfit until 2021.
Man Utd transfer news: Race to sign Jose Fonte and Fabinho
30 August
Jose Mourinho is primed for a frantic final 36 hours of transfer wheeling and dealing, says the Daily Mirror, with the paper claiming that the Special One is determined to sign Southampton captain Jose Fonte and Monaco's Brazilian international Fabinho before the transfer window slams shut.
Arsenal were linked with Fonte earlier in the month but with the Gunners having finally landed Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia over the weekend, United are now on the brink of bagging the 32-year-old central defender.
As for Fabinho, the Mirror describes the strapping six-footer as "one of the best right backs in the European game". The South American stopper hinted last week that he could be open to a move away from Monaco, declaring: "I'm not certain of staying, but at the same time, there's more of a chance of me staying than leaving."
Meanwhile the Manchester Evening News says United have "knocked back all interest" in defender Marcos Rojo. Rumours have linked the 26-year-old Argentine to a move after he was omitted from the starting line-up for the Red Devils first three games of the season. But Rojo's representative, Carlos Goncalves, is adamant his client will be staying at Old Trafford: "United rejected several offers from England and from abroad to sell the player," he told Sport Witness. "Manchester United want him to stay."
Man Utd transfer news: Jones to stay after Raphael Varane bid fails
25 August
Manchester United's refusal to talk to Arsenal over defender Phil Jones is not just down to Jose Mourinho's dislike of Arsene Wenger, but also the result of United's failure to land Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane.
"United, who tried to sign the 23-year-old in 2011, apparently made another attempt in the summer," reports the Manchester Evening News, picking up on claims in the Spanish media that Varane was offered a deal worth €10m (£8.5m) a year.
"United offered Varane more than double his annual salary at the Bernabeu but Zinedine Zidane - whose intervention ensured Varane moved to Madrid five years ago - convinced him to stay," adds the paper.
It also claims that Mourinho remains interested in Southampton defender Jose Fonte, but it does not speculate on what his arrival at Old Trafford would mean for Jones.
Meanwhile, there could be more exits from Old Trafford before the window shuts. Veteran Bastian Schweinsteiger may have ruled out a move this week but youngster Andreas Pereira could be on his way.
He is set to join La Liga side Granada on loan for the season and remains a part of United's long-term plans.
"Pereira, 20, has chosen to head to Spain after being told at the start of the season by Mourinho his first-team opportunities would be limited at Old Trafford in this campaign," says the Daily Mail.
"He becomes the fourth United player to leave the club this week following James Wilson, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Tyler Blackett, and the 14th overall since Mourinho replaced Louis van Gaal and decided he needed to reduce the size of his squad."
Also heading out on loan could be another Pereira, goalkeeper Joel, who will also be allowed to leave in search of first-team experience.
Man Utd transfer news: Phil Jones Arsenal move blocked
24 August
Defender Phil Jones has been told he is staying at Manchester United after being linked with a move to Arsenal or Stoke City.
Despite the interest in Jones new Old Trafford manager Jose Mourinho says the 24-year-old is still part of his plans, reports the Daily Express, which adds that the former Blackburn player is prepared to be patient and wait for game time if necessary, and is confident he will get his chance with United involved in the Europa League plus all the domestic competitions.
The 24-year-old has four years left on a contract worth £100,000 a week but has not played for the first team since January. However, he is now fit after struggling with injuries last season and had they decided to sell, United stood to make as much as £25m on the player
Arsenal are desperately searching for a central defender following injuries to Per Mertesacker and Gabriel but Mourinho was unlikely to agree a deal with one of his main Premier League rivals. He was opposed to the sale of goalkeeper Petr Cech to Gunners when he was the manager of Chelsea although that move was sanctioned by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.
Jones was thought to be under threat as Mourinho has been told by United executives to clear out the deadwood before he can make any more signings.
Man Utd transfer news: Clearout to make room for Jose Fonte
23 August
Manchester United still want to sign Southampton defender Jose Fonte but some of the big earners at Old Trafford will have to be moved out first.
United are prepared to pay £12m for Fonte before the transfer window closes as boss Jose Mourinho seeks to increase his defensive options, says The Sun.
But before a deal can be struck, United must balance the books which means getting big earning players like Marcos Rojo, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Matteo Darmian off the payroll.
Phil Jones’s future at Old Trafford is also in doubt and he is a reported target for Stoke City which could help facilitate a move for Fonte.
Daley Blind has been playing alongside summer signing Eric Bailly in the centre of defence but The Sun says Mourinho is concerned about his lack of height. Fonte, 32, is good in the air and has plenty of Premier League experience after four seasons with Saints.
Mourinho also wants to bolster the right side of defence and has been linked with Monaco fullback Fabinho.
Meanwhile, defender Tyler Blackett, 22, has joined Championship side Reading on a three-year contract. He made 12 appearances for United and had an unsuccessful loan stint at Celtic last season.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson is on loan with Championship side Wolves for the season.
Man Utd transfer news: Phil Jones exit and Schweinsteiger snub
22 August
With only a few days left until the transfer window closes, Jose Mourinho still seems intent on reshuffling his defence at Manchester United, with Phil Jones, Marcus Rojo and Tyler Blackett heading for the exit.
The Old Trafford boss has already farmed out Cameron Borthwick-Jackson on loan to Wolves and rumours linking him with a move for Saints defender Jose Fonte won't go away.
England defender Jones looks most at risk, says The Independent. "New signing Eric Bailly, Daley Blind and Chris Smalling are all ahead of Jones in the central defensive pecking order, while Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is interested in Southampton centre-back Jose Fonte and has talked up the potential of 18-year-old academy graduate Axel Tuanzebe."
The website adds that Jones has not even been on the bench for United so far this campaign, while Rojo has been a substitute.
"Mourinho wants a 26-man squad for the new season and, although it would be a surprise if Jones and Rojo both went, he has ready-made replacements in Fonte and Tuanzebe," it adds.
Jones is reportedly being courted by Stoke manager Mark Hughes.
Meanwhile, Tyler Blackett, who spent part of last season on loan at Celtic, is being hunted by Reading.
The Royals are managed by one-time United defender Jaap Stam, who is hoping to raid his former club - and they look happy to do business, says Sky Sports.
"Blackett, who made 12 appearances in all competitions for United under Louis van Gaal two seasons ago, has been informed he is surplus to requirements at Old Trafford," says the broadcaster
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has also shot down rumours linking Old Trafford outcast Bastian Schweinsteiger with a move north of the border.
The German is an outcast at Old Trafford, and his ego will have been further bruised by Rodgers, who told the Evening Times: "I don’t need a marquee signing that can't run."
Man Utd transfer news: Gabriel Barbosa could sign this month
19 August
Will he or won't he? That's the question on the lips of Man United fans as Jose Mourinho decides whether to add to his squad before the end of the transfer window.
"Manchester United are delighted with their business so far and are not expecting further arrivals at Old Trafford before the transfer window closes," reports the Daily Mail, although is refuses to kill the goose that lays the golden egg by adding that "the situation may change should the right player suddenly become available between now and the end of the month".
And just to prove that anything can happen in football, the Manchester Evening News says United have been given a boost by reports in Brazil that "Santos may be forced to offload Gabriel Barbosa".
The club has reportedly hit money trouble and has not been able to pay the players for a second month in a row. Against that backdrop a fee of up to £30m for the teenage striker, currently doing the business for Brazil at the Olympics, could be invaluable.
United, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid and Leicester City are among the clubs vying for his signature says the paper.
Elsewhere, it has been reported that United will have to battle Chelsea for the signature of Blaise Matuidi with Talksport claiming that the 29-year-old playmaker "wants to leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer".
The veteran has spent the last five seasons with the French outfit but with Grzegorz Krychowiak recently arrived from Sevilla "he is ready to move on".
Juventus have dropped out of the race to sign him so it's now a straight shootout between the two Premier league club, although the French club will demand a fee of around £35m.
Man Utd transfer news: Mourinho tracks Brazil defender Fabinho
18 August
Despite all their summer signings United may still be in the market for one more star name between now and the close of the transfer window.
And that player seems certain to be a defender with Jose Mourinho still intent on bolstering his back four before the season gets too old. Having been linked with Southampton centre-back Jose Fonte, the Daily Mirror now claims that Monaco defender Fabinho will be the "subject of a late summer approach" from United.
Taking Spanish rag Marca as its source, the Mirror adds that the 22-year-old Brazilian, who made his international debut last year, is being lined up as a replacement for Matteo Darmian. The Mirror says that Darmian is about to "fall out of favour" with the Special One and Fabinho will be the man to take his place.
Meanwhile the Daily Telegraph says that 20-year-old James Wilson is at the centre of a "tug-of-war" between Championship rivals Derby County and Fulham. Apparently Jose Mourino has sanctioned the loan departure of the England under-21 striker and it's now down to which of the two clubs moves first to secure his short-term signing.
Man Utd transfer news: Arsenal join hunt for Jose Fonte
17 August
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has not finished his summer transfer business and is still hoping to bring Southampton defender Jose Fonte to Old Trafford before the window closes at the end of the month.
However, the Daily Mirror reports he faces competition from Arsenal for the 32-year-old defender's signature, but could try and swing the deal by offering Marcus Rojo in part exchange.
There could be added urgency to their pursuit of Fonte after another defensive target made it clear he would not be heading to Manchester this summer. Although Real Madrid's centre-back Rafael Varane has been linked with a move to the north-west, he has now made it clear he will stay with the Spanish club.
"Mourinho worked with Varane at Real during his three years at the Real and is still a huge fan of the 23-year-old," reports the Daily Star. "But United look set to miss out on him with the ex-Lens star insisting he is staying put."
He announced his decision after discussions with Zinedine Zidane, adds the paper.
"I talked with him a lot and he trusts me so it's one of the reasons I stayed. I made the decision to stay, the right decision," Varane said.
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
Man Utd win the Carabao Cup: how Erik ten Hag has ‘transformed’ the Red Devils
Jim Ratcliffe: petrochemical billionaire turned Man Utd bidder
Reactions to Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘explosive’ interview with Piers Morgan
Manchester United: does Erik ten Hag have the ‘golden touch’?
