The situation at Manchester United is certainly a touch more encouraging than it was at the beginning of this season.
After a disastrous campaign last season, the pressure was on head coach Ruben Amorim as the Premier League season began, and that only ramped up after a somewhat slow start.
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However, new signing Bryan Mbeumo has been the spearhead for an upturn in form in recent weeks, and United now sit only four points off second-placed Manchester City.
Nobody at the club is getting carried away, but there is growing encouragement around Old Trafford that the club can compete for European football this season.
Few, though, would argue that midfield does not remain a major problem area for Amorim.
The Portuguese coach's aversion to playing Kobbie Mainoo continues to puzzle many and, should that continue, there is little argument that United need a solid long-term replacement for Casemiro and upgrade on Manuel Ugarte.
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Reports in Spain suggest that Real Madrid star Aurélien Tchouameni is someone United have targeted - and they have allegedly not been deterred after having a €90 million approach turned down.
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Manchester United ramp up pursuit of Aurelien Tchouameni
Aurelien Tchouameni Real Madrid
7 September 2023; Aurélien Tchouameni of France during the UEFA EURO 2024 Championship qualifying group B match between France and Republic of Ireland at Parc des Princes in Paris, France. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Spanish publication Fichajes report this week that Real Madrid have rejected a €90 million approach from Manchester United for their French midfielder Aurélien Tchouameni.
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United are said to have offered €70 million up front, with an additional €20 million in add-on fees. Real chief Florentino Perez reportedly refused to enter into negotiations for a man the club see as pivotal to their future project.
This has seemingly not deterred United, who are determined to drive for a "young but proven" midfielder.
A regular starter for France since his debut in 2021, Tchouameni played in the World Cup final of 2022 - he missed his penalty in the shootout defeat to Argentina.
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When fit, Tchouameni has been a vital cog for Real Madrid since signing in 2022. He won a Champions League medal in 2024, and has started all but two of their La Liga games this season as they sit top of the table.
The 25-year-old, therefore, is seen as an indispensable player at Real, and it appears unlikely that Manchester United will find their Casemiro replacement from the same origin point.
Despite all of that, United appear determined to attempt to force through a move.
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