PLENTY TO DO! Man Utd transfer latest ahead of window closing with Hall deal unlikely, Rashford call made and exit moving closer

Manchester United frontman Joshua Zirkzee is closing in on an Old Trafford exit whilst Michael Carrick is running out of time to find his left-back.

Zirkzee was signed by Erik ten Hag off the back of an impressive year at Bologna but has failed to replicate that form at Old Trafford. He's seen a host of forwards arrive in recent years, which have pushed him down the pecking order.

A move back to Italy has been touted and it looks as if Fiorentina, where former United goalkeeper David de Gea is now plying his trade, are set to land the Dutchman's signature. Several clubs in Serie A had been keen with Juventus and Como both in the frame.

Zirkzee though is looking set to head to Florence in a loan deal, with Fiorentina ultimately needing a striker as Moise Kean is expected to head to Como. It has forced them into the market and it looks like a deal that would suit all parties, at least in the short-term.

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Fiorentina are poised to agree to a loan with an option to buy, reports the Athletic. Although the likelihood is United will have to take a loss on the £36.5million they paid to sign him two summers ago.

Carrick's forward line has received notable investment in the last 12 months with Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo all arriving. Marcus Rashford has now returned to Manchester to further add to that depth and made a first appearance in more than 18 months when he appeared from the bench in the loss at Hull.

Despite talk of Rashford moving to Barcelona permanently following his loan spell in Spain, the Catalans opted against signing him and he was left with no option but to return to Old Trafford.

Carrick and Rashford have previously been team-mates and the 28-year-old forward has shown that, when focussed and on form, he can still be a huge asset. Back in 2022/23 he scored 30 times and even last year, when he was ultimately a squad player at Barcelona, he still scored 14 times.

Rashford has also been handed the No 9 shirt, which points to a major role in Manchester this summer. Last weekend, despite having Sesko available to him, it was Rashford that Carrick first turned to when he looked to turn the tide at Hull. Rashford’s old No 10 shirt went to Cunha when he joined from Wolves last summer

Luke Shaw has begun to dispel the myths surrounding his lack of durability, starting all 38 of United's league games last term, but prior to that his injury record had been dire. He is now into his 30s and that has led to talk of landing a new left-back, which had been on the United radar this summer.

Lewis Hall is the most obvious target but Newcastle are adamant there will be no more sales this summer. The Englishman enjoyed his best season to date last season but the Magpies would need an astronomical fee to even consider selling - and that appears to be beyond United financially.

Other targets have been eyed - Barcelona's Alejandro Balde was left out of their La Liga victory over Elche. Head coach Hansi Flick claimed he needed the full-back to "clear his mind" amid the transfer speculation. The Spanish champions are said to value him between €30m (£25.6m) - €40m (£34.2m).

Another La Liga-based player in Jorge Salinas is also on the United shortlist. Racing Santander's teenage star has a €16m (£13.7m) release clause, but is wanted by Atletico Madrid and may prefer to remain in his homeland.

Midfield was ultimately the priority this summer and Carrick recently landed his third addition in that area in the form of Carlos Baleba. He is part of a £155m investment into the middle of the pitch alongside Andrey Santos, a £48m signing from Chelsea, and the £35m capture of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa.

Baleba at £70m is the most expensive of the trio, with Santos and Tielemans starting alongside each other in the shock loss at Hull. The Cameroonian was on United's radar last summer and, after a window that has seen Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali move in £100m plus deals, Baleba could represent good value in the current market.

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