
Manchester United
Premier League • England
Man Utd latest: Ten Hag made to sweat as fresh twist reveals why work to be done to land midfield target

Leon Goretzka's relationship with Bayern is not as bad as it may seem
Reports claim Manchester United will need to work extremely hard if they are to convince Bayern Munich star Leon Goretzka to join them this summer.
Red Devils chief Erik ten Hag is looking for players who can help build on last season’s improvement. The north-west giants managed a third-place finish to book a spot in the Champions League. They also collected silverware, beating Newcastle United to lift the EFL Cup at Wembley.
The challenge now is to keep progressing. And the Dutch tactician has already brought in two players, with Mason Mount arriving from Cheslea and goalkeeper Andre Onana from Inter Milan.
Rasmus Hojlund is also close to being unveiled as a United player. And it seems as though Ten Hag now wants to add some steel to his midfield.
Donny van de Beek and Fred are both vulnerable to an Old Trafford exit, with Fiorentina ace Sofyan Amrabat said to be an alternative.
However, Goretzka is also thought to be on the club’s radar, with Liverpool and West Ham also keen.
The 28-year-old has spent five seasons with the Bavarians making 179 appearances in all competitions.
Although not primarily a goalscoring midfielder, the Germany international has chipped in with 34.
And he has also registered 35 assists, winning five Bundesliga titles and the Champions League with the German giants.
Manchester United were linked with Goretzka two years ago and it recently emerged that he was back on the radar.
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Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg tweeted that they had ‘never lost their focus’ on the talented schemer.
And it seemed as though they were closing in on the man with 53 Germany caps. However, a new report pours doubt on whether a deal is in the offing.
Goretzka to fight for Bayern spot
Goretzka’s future at the Allianz Arena has been thrown into doubt following the arrival of Thomas Tuchel as manager.
Reports suggest the former Chelsea chief wants to pair Joshua Kimmich and new signing Konrad Laimer together in the centre of the park.
That would make game time hard to come by for Goretzka and is cited as the reason why United are hopeful.
However, Abend Zeitung claim the Bochum-born star is not thinking of leaving Bayern this summer.
The German outlet are reporting that Goretzka ‘still believes’ in his chances under the German tactician.
And the report adds that the former Schelke ace has not made any ‘request’ to leave and is not considering a Bayern exit.
That contradicts earlier reporting that a potential lack of action may force his hand this summer.
It appears as though Goretzka is keen to stay and fight for a starting spot with the German champions.
He is said to be ‘optimistic’ about his chances and has not been told by his present employers that they do not see him in their plans.
Therefore United may need to look elsewhere or work harder to persuade the former Bochum man to join the Old Trafford project.
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