Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that the club has no plans to allow Facundo Pellistri to leave Old Trafford ahead of Tuesday evening's transfer deadline.
The winger, who joined United in 2020, has been linked with a temporary move away throughout this month's transfer window because of a lack of sufficient game time. However, after back-to-back impressive cameo performances in the Carabao Cup against Charlton Athletic and Nottingham Forest, it appears as though he has done enough to force his way into his manager's plans.
Pellistri had been linked with the likes of Watford and Spanish side Valencia, but they will now have to look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements before the 11pm cut-off on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho could be included in the matchday squad for tomorrow night's FA Cup clash with Reading. He has been slowly building up his fitness at Carrington in recent weeks ahead of making a return.
He spent time in the Netherlands during the World Cup break, working on an individual training programme with coaches recommended to him by Ten Hag. He returned to Carrington earlier this month.
TODAY'S BIG TALKING POINT: Is Antony's form warranting a place in the United team? Have your say here.
Catch up with the day's news with dedicated blog updates below.
Key Events
Scroll below for transfer updates
So that brings our latest United transfer blog to a conclusion.
Scroll below for news, rumours and updates from Old Trafford.
United revive Amadou Haidara move - reports
Reports from The Independent suggest that United could "revive" their interest in RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara after being heavily linked with the Mali international when German coach Ralf Rangnick was their interim manager.
As things stand, the 24-year-old has yet to extend his Leipzig contract beyond 2025 - and that means he could be available for a decent price. It is thought he has a release clause around the £35m mark - with Liverpool seen as the main competitors.
United target Federico Chiesa transfer - reports
United want to snap-up Juventus forward Federico Chiesa during the summer transfer window, according to reports, but face competition from Arsenal and Liverpool for his signature.
Having recovered from a serious knee injury, Chiesa has returned to full fitness this season, but there is mounting speculation over his future. Italian publication Calciomercato indicate United, along with other English clubs, are considering an £88m swoop.
No offers submitted for Jude Bellingham
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl has claimed the Bundesliga giants are yet to receive any approaches for England midfielder Jude Bellingham - amid strong interest from United and other clubs in his sought-after services.
From a sporting point of view, I would be more than happy if the boy stayed and stayed with Borussia Dortmund for a long time. However, I can't predict how the topic will develop in a few months... At the moment, there are no talks about him.
Next six Premier League fixtures
United find themselves in cup competitions over the next 10 days or so.
Here are the next six Premier League matches they have to contend with;
Saturday, February 4 vs Palace (H) at 3pm
Wednesday, February 8 vs Leeds (H) at 8pm
Sunday, February 12 vs Leeds (A) at 2pm
Sunday, February 19 vs Leicester (H) at 2pm
Sunday, February 26 vs Brentford (H) at 1.30pm
Saturday, March 4 vs Liverpool (A) at 3pm
United make Facundo Pellistri decision
Facundo Pellistri will not be allowed to leave on loan before the January deadline.
Pellistri made his United debut after a wait of more than two years in the League Cup last-8 win over Charlton earlier this month and he emerged in the second half of the semi-final first leg win against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
United team news ahead of Reading
Erik ten Hag has given the latest team news for United's clash with Reading on Saturday.
The Reds boss is expetected to name a strong line-up despite the club still fighting in four competitions this season.
He gave update on Jadon Sancho and other squad members ahead of tomorrow.
Fred identifies most special moment in a United shirt
Speaking to club media, Fred said the moment he cherishes most in a United short came in a 1-1 draw with Wolves in 2018.
He explained to club media:
“I think my first goal was my most important memory, my wife was pregnant, and I could celebrate for my son.
"I think it was one of my most special moments in a Manchester United shirt. There have been many moments of tremendous joy I've experienced here, I'm just very grateful for them.”
Paul Ince on returning to Old Trafford with Reading
Reading boss Paul Ince has warned what Reading players can expect when they take on United at Old Trafford tomorrow.
As per ITV, he said:
"Forget Manchester United, you've got to prepare for the atmosphere. There's probably 70,000 fans there, on a Saturday night at eight o'clock.
"You have to be prepared for the atmosphere Old Trafford brings, which is something most of these players haven't experienced. It's more about that mentally than playing the game."
"It's tough. Fortunately for me I'm one of the lucky ones to walk out at Old Trafford, in a full house.
"It can be intimidating when you've not done it before. You can get stuck in the lights.
"These are the things I'll be talking to my players about. What I've experience and what you're going to experience."
Everything Erik ten Hag said in today's press conference
Erik ten Hag spoke to the media this afternoon ahead of the visit of Reading in the FA Cup tomorrow.
The United boss is expected to name a strong side as he heads into next week's League Cup semi-final second leg with Nottingham Forest with a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Ten Hag touched on the status of several players including Facundo Pellistri and Jadon Sancho while giving team news.
Injury update on Laird
Queens Park Rangers boss Neil Critchley has given an update on United loanee Ethan Laird after the right-back tweaked his hamstring again.
The defender was forced off the field with the issue just before the break in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Swansea.
It seems the problem isn't as grave as first feared. though.
Mainoo features in first-team training again
Kobbie Mainoo is looking to build on hs debut against Charlton as he eyes minutes against Reading this weekend.
The FA Cup usually presents a chance for managers to give fringe players a run-out but Erik ten Hag has demonstarted this season that he takes each cup seriously.
That said, Mainoo is expected to make the matchday squad and potentially be used at some point depending how the game plays out.
Evra predicts comfortable United win vs Reading
Speaking to Betfair, Patrice Evra says United should ease past any bumps in the road and defeat Reading in Saturday's FA Cup fourth round clash with Reading.
"Normally cup matches are a good opportunity to give players chances, but right now I don't think Ten Hag is looking at this game like that.
"I think he is looking to win, so I think he will put his best XI out. I wouldn't be surprised to see a strong Man United XI against Reading.
"They have to be careful, Reading won't make it easy and they have to respect them. If they do, I can see United scoring early and winning comfortably. If they don't respect them, United can lose the game.
"My prediciton: United 3-1 Reading"
United issue Sancho update
Jadon Sancho could be included in the matchday squad against Reading tomorrow evening, manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed.
The England international returned to Carrington earlier this month after a stint in the Netherlands working on an individual training programme. He has been slowly building-up his fitness and could be in line to make the squad against the Royals.
United will have Olmo transfer 'chance' in the summer
According to German sports journalist Christian Falk, United will have a 'chance' of signing RB Leipzig midfielder Dani Olmo in the summer transfer window.
The Spaniard has been linked with a move to Old Trafford during this month's January window, but a move is highly unlikely to come to fruition before Tuesday's 11pm deadline. However, Falk claims that a release clause is 'set to be added' to Olmo's contract ahead of the summer, meaning it could make it easier for United or any other interested party to extract him from Leipzig.
Ten Hag issues update on Pellistri's future
United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that winger Facundo Pellistri will not leave the club ahead of Tuesday night's transfer deadline.
The Uruguayan international has been linked with a loan exit from Old Trafford throughout the month because of his lack of opportunities. However, he has featured in each of the Reds' last two Carabao Cup fixtures, impressing Ten Hag on both occasions.
Ten Hag press conference coming up
Erik ten Hag will be addressing the media ahead of tomorrow night's FA Cup clash with Reading in just over five minutes time.
You can follow everything he has to say on our press conference live blog right here.
Fernandes on brink of FA Cup ban
United midfielder Bruno Fernandes will be forced to serve a one-match ban in the event of him being booked and the Reds progressing to the fifth round of the FA Cup tomorrow evening.
The Reds welcome Reading to Old Trafford, aiming to avoid a major cup upset. Fernandes was booked in the previous round against Everton and a second booking before the quarter-final stage will result in a one-match suspension.
OPINION: United might have found their next captain with Erik ten Hag gamble
George Smith on the prospect of Lisandro Martinez, one day, becoming United captain: "His motivation and fighting mentality, which have resulted in him capturing the hearts of United's supporters, make him an infectious figure within the team. He has given United the injection of energy and nastiness they desperately needed last season.
"Although things have significantly improved this term as a result of Ten Hag's fresh ideas and philosophy, United have been considered as being 'too soft' in recent years and lacking leaders. Martinez, though, ticks every box for what you could wish for in a leader and motivator, highlighted by his willingness to stick his head in where it hurts, be brave and show an exemplary attitude."
Ten Hag has completed his biggest Manchester United transformation
There is an old saying in football that 'attack wins you games, defence wins you titles.' It isn't totally accurate, but there is decent sentiment in it at least.
Indeed, the team with the best defensive record has won the Premier League title in four of the previous five seasons, though their victories have been driven just as much by the massive amount of goals they have scored on the other end.
It is a trend that could well be bucked this year too, with third-placed Newcastle having the current best top-flight defence, though they are 11-points behind the leaders.
United might have found the perfect transfer plan to sign Harry Kane or Victor Osimhen
The image of Manchester United being so short of cash in January that they had to borrow a striker from the Championship is a contradiction to the club keen to sign one of Europe's best marksmen in the summer.
United saved £16million when Cristiano Ronaldo's contract was torn up in November, but they've banked plenty of that following the arrival of Wout Weghorst on loan from Burnley, for a fee of just £2.6m and a wage-packet considerably more modest than the man he's replaced.
The tone from club executives has been one of caution since spending significantly over budget in the summer, when a £225m shopping spree significantly enhanced Erik ten Hag's squad. This month it's been an open secret in recruitment circles that United just don't have any money to spend.
Reading issue early team news vs United
Reading manager Paul Ince has said striker Andy Carroll is in contention to face United in the FA Cup at Old Trafford on Saturday night.
The former Liverpool and Newcastle United forward has trained in the build-up to the game and is expected to be included. He played no part in last Saturday's 4-0 defeat to Stoke City.
Ince said: "He trained yesterday [Wednesday] and he's got no problems, so he is going to be fine."