Both Manchester giants could be set to go head-to-head over a transfer target.placeholder image
Both Manchester giants could be set to go head-to-head over a transfer target. | Getty Images
Both Manchester giants are looking to strengthen their squads in the January transfer window
Manchester United missed out on making a huge stride towards Champions League qualification as Bournemouth came from behind three times to snatch a stunning 4-4 draw at Old Trafford on Monday night.
While Ruben Amorim was able to recognise how “fun” the game must have been to watch for the neutral, it was nevertheless an opportunity missed for the hosts. They would have been level with Chelsea in 4th with victory, but as things stand remain in the top six of the Premier League.
Local neighbours Manchester City, meanwhile, swept aside Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday to keep up the pace with leaders Arsenal at the top. City are just two points behind and the title remains all to play for, with Pep Guardiola’s side no strangers to chasing down the Gunners.
Both Manchester clubs will hope to finish in the top five this season and are reportedly set to do battle on the transfer front for a big signing who could help them do this.
Manchester rivals compete over Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz
Reports by Caught Offside state that Munoz is fast becoming one of the most ‘sought-after’ players in the Premier League. Man City have been keeping a ‘close eye’ on the 29-year-old ahead of the winter transfer window according to the report, while Man United are also ‘monitoring the development’ of the Colombia international.
The Manchester pair are not alone in their pursuit of the right wing-back, as Chelsea, Liverpool, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are also cited as holding an interest. Formal offers have yet to arrive, but that could change in January.
Since joining the Eagles in January 2024, Munoz has registered 10 goals and 14 assists in 85 games for the club, with his remarkable athleticism and running power from wing-back a key weapon in Oliver Glasner’s successful Palace side.
The club are not rushed to sell in January and hope to at least hold onto the star until the summer but could be pushed by the right bid arriving next month. Previous reports suggested that Palace could demand €40million (£34m) for former Genk defender Munoz, who is under contract until 2028.
‘Best in the league’ Munoz dreaming of big move in 2026
Munoz has quickly become famed under Glasner for his unmatched energy and attacking threat from the right-hand side of Crystal Palace’s wing-back system. As such, he would be an ideal player for United, who play in a similar style but currently have natural winger Amad Diallo playing out on that side. Munoz, comparatively, has spent large amounts of his career playing as an out-and-out full-back.
In an interview with AS in November, he said: “First of all, I think there’s a lot of talk about one club or another.
“If you ask me, it would be a dream to play for one of these clubs, whether it’s Barcelona, PSG, Real Madrid, or Manchester United. I think I’m working towards that. I strive every day to one day attract the attention of one of these clubs, because for me, it’s a dream to get there.”
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