Manchester United face a critical week in their faltering season when they travel to Real Sociedad on Thursday evening (5:45pm kick-off).
The Reds will almost certainly miss out on qualifying for Europe through the Premier League, meaning that the Europa League is their final chance to seal European football at M16 for another season. Ruben Amorim's team crashed out of the FA Cup on Sunday as another route back into Europe disappeared.
But United will seal a return to the Champions League if they win the Europa League. This year's final will be played in Bilbao on Wednesday, May 21. Below are some of the latest headlines surrounding United, as well as a view on each one.
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Zubimendi transfer claim
United are reportedly eyeing a summer move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi. GiveMeSport claim that the Reds are still looking to add more legs to their squad during the summer window, and Zubimendi fits the bill.
The Spain international has been heavily linked with Premier League rivals Liverpool and Arsenal in the past. But there is said to now be interest from Old Trafford in the player who has a £51million release clause in his current Sociedad contract.
Isaac Seelochan of The Manchester Evening News says: "It is hard to see any way that Zubimendi would choose United without Champions League football and if Arsenal and Liverpool are interested. Midfield will need to be strengthened in the summer with Christian Eriksen leaving, but it's also likely that the Reds will look for a cheaper option than Zubimendi."
Cost-cutting 'move'
The Reds are reportedly exploring an early termination from a 10-year lease agreement at their London offices in Kensington. The Guardian report that it is the latest cost-cutting move by United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos group.
It is said that Ratcliffe has decided that the vast majority of the club’s staff should be based in Manchester. The report adds that the 23,000 sq ft space at the London office has been deemed too large and expensive.
Isaac Seelochan of The Manchester Evening News says: "The concern with this move will be whether more jobs will be affected. If not, then this may be a more sensible cost-cutting measure by Ineos."
