The summer transfer window closes at 11pm UK time on Friday in England. At Manchester United, the club feel that they did their incoming business early in signing midfielder Mason Mount, goalkeeper Andre Onana and forward Rasmus Hojlund, who is expected to feature in games from now on having arrived with a back injury.
United spent £163 million ($205 million) before add-ons on that trio and the club are happy with where they are in the window. Experienced defender Jonny Evans, 35, is expected to sign a one-year deal.
It’s a long way from a decade ago when United chased players all summer and didn’t sign one until Marouane Fellaini completed a move from Everton minutes before the deadline. Then, United were champions. Now, United haven’t won the league since 2013.
There will be more activity this week. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson will join Crystal Palace. It was thought he would stay at United after a move to Nottingham Forest didn’t materialise by the start of August; United will replace Henderson with Altay Bayindir from Fenerbahce for a fee of €5 million ($5.4 million).
Injuries to the first and second-choice left backs, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, have given Erik ten Hag and his staff a dilemma.
United are deciding whether the solution is an internal one with Diogo Dalot switching flanks, as he did against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The other option is to use Alvaro Fernandez, a 20-year-old Spaniard, who impressed on loan at Championship side Preston North End last season and featured in the first team pre-season.
There has been no shortage of agents willing to link their left-backs with United. Sources at Barcelona said they would be extremely surprised if Marcos Alonso left the club to join United on loan.
Several players have left, through, either their contract expiring (David de Gea, Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe, Charlie Wellens, Di’Shon Bernard), a sale (Antony Elanga, Fred, Matej Kovar, Alex Telles, Zidane Iqbal, Ethan Laird, Charlie Savage, Nathan Bishop, Noam Emeran) or loan (Brandon Williams, Will Fish). In the case of Williams, United will heavily subsidise his wages.
United have brought in around £38 million (before add-ons) from the sales of Elanga, Fred, Telles and Kovar. Henderson, 26, will bring in another £15 million, plus £5 million in appearance related add-ons.
United and West Ham did agree a figure of £30 million for defender Harry Maguire earlier in the month, but personal terms were never agreed between the player and the London club. West Ham don’t have a player on close to Maguire’s wages and a settlement would have been needed between United and the defender. Maguire never spoke to West Ham manager David Moyes.
The Hammers have since been told that Maguire is staying at United and it’s understood that Ten Hag, who is the main driver in this transfer window, wants him to stay. He has always said Maguire is an important part of the squad. United have also blocked a loan move for Maguire to West Ham.
Everton also recently tried to take Maguire on loan and Fulham have shown interest, but United are not interested in letting the defender leave on a temporary basis. Maguire, like many others at United, is on a wage that only the top Premier League clubs can afford.
Though they have financial fair play issues, one of the clubs who could afford him is Newcastle United. The Magpies suffered an injury to central defender Sven Botman on Sunday, and Dan Ashworth, Newcastle’s sporting director, has long rated Maguire from the England set up. That said, there has been no approach for the defender from Newcastle.
More players may still depart. Scott McTominay is a player United could receive considerable funds for and West Ham were interested at the start of August, yet he’s also valued at United. He’s not started any of their opening three league games, playing just two minutes against Wolves and seven against Nottingham Forest. Yet injuries to Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo mean United are light in midfield.
Whether Uruguayan forward Facundo Pellistri goes on loan remains in the balance. United know the 21-year-old needs matches, but he’s also been exciting in his fleeting performances for Ten Hag’s side, and the pair have been in constant communication for months. Other younger players including Hannibal Mejbri and Teden Mengi could be considered for loan moves.
United are looking for solutions for Mason Greenwood, while Donny van de Beek and Eric Bailly would also be allowed to go. The problem, as ever, is their high wages. United would rather sell players than loan them out, especially if they have to subsidise their salaries, though they know a player’s value will increase if he’s playing regularly in a top league. That doesn’t always work out, as United experienced when Antony Martial went to Sevilla last year.
United are constrained by the Premier League profit and sustainability standards but if there are more departures, they would go back into the market and try to sign a midfielder, but there have been no offers for any midfield players so far.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
U19 World Cup in South Africa
Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka
Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies
Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE
UAE fixtures
Saturday, January 18, v Canada
Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan
Saturday, January 25, v South Africa
UAE squad
Aryan Lakra (captain), Vriitya Aravind, Deshan Chethyia, Mohammed Farazuddin, Jonathan Figy, Osama Hassan, Karthik Meiyappan, Rishabh Mukherjee, Ali Naseer, Wasi Shah, Alishan Sharafu, Sanchit Sharma, Kai Smith, Akasha Tahir, Ansh Tandon
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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THE SPECS
Engine: 4.4-litre V8
Transmission: Automatic
Power: 530bhp
Torque: 750Nm
Price: Dh535,000
On sale: Now
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Uefa Champions League play-off
First leg: Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Ajax v Dynamo Kiev
Second leg: Tuesday, August 28, 11pm (UAE)
Dynamo Kiev v Ajax
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Ireland v Denmark: The last two years
Denmark 1-1 Ireland
7/06/19, Euro 2020 qualifier
Denmark 0-0 Ireland
19/11/2018, Nations League
Ireland 0-0 Denmark
13/10/2018, Nations League
Ireland 1 Denmark 5
14/11/2017, World Cup qualifier
Denmark 0-0 Ireland
11/11/2017, World Cup qualifier
