The resumption of the Premier League will see a hotly contested race for the top four.
At present, Manchester United sit in fifth place, three points behind Chelsea who are in pole position for a Champions League spot in fourth.
Whether the Red Devils need a place in Europe to wrap up some big deals in the summer remains to be seen but they were able to secure the signature of Bruno Fernandes without too much fuss in the January window.
Though, could their chances have been strengthened further last January?
Quite possibly. After all, one of their former transfer targets confirmed there was definitely interest in him last summer from the Red Devils.
Back in the present, however, there could be a deal on the table to sign a star of World Cup’s gone by.
Here’s today’s Manchester United news round-up.
Dybala confirms interest
Speaking in an interview with CNN, Paulo Dybala talked about a host of topics from racism to his future at Juventus.
Last summer he famously came close to joining Tottenham. The deal was on and off during deadline day but they weren’t the only club looking to sign the Argentine according to Dybala.
The attacker has reiterated his desire to link up with Paul Pogba again in the past while there were even reports that Dybala called off a move to Old Trafford while his agent was in the same room as Ed Woodward.
However, he’s now come clean on some of the details of last summer. He explained:
“It was more or less last year at this point when Juventus didn't want to count on me, didn't want me to continue playing here. That's when I was contacted and there were some clubs that were interested in me. Among those were Manchester United and Tottenham. I think for a long time there were conversations, then Paris Saint-Germain also appeared.
"I did not speak directly to any of them, but there were conversations with the clubs. However, my intention at the time was to stay.”
One has to wonder how different things would have been if Dybala did arrive in the north-west of England.
United offered James
A report emerged in The Sun today that United have been offered the opportunity to sign Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez.
A cut-price deal has been presented to the Red Devils but they could well face competition from long-term admirers Everton.
The Colombian was once valued at £100m but with the player’s contract expiring in 2021 the Spanish outfit are concerned they’ll struggle to even reclaim half of that if and when they sell.
United are noted for giving players fairly hefty wages and, therefore, shouldn’t have any issue luring James to England.
Currently, the 28-year-old earns £250,000 a week in Madrid per the report.
Dan James latest
The Welshman got off to a wonderful start in Manchester after arriving from Swansea - scoring four in his first five outings. However, he’s struggled a fair amount in 2020, failing to replicate the same form that saw him become such an instant hit at Old Trafford.
He has scored just once and failed to contribute a single assist in the whole of 2020 so far.
Reports had stated that he might move out on loan next term after potentially signing a new contract but his immediate future has been cleared up.
Manchester Evening News reporter Dominic Booth took to Twitter to comment on the matter.
He declared: “I’m told there is no chance of Daniel James leaving Manchester United on loan this summer. Talk of a new contract is also a little premature, but Solskjaer sees him as a huge part of his plans.”