Man Utd news live updates: rumours and gossip from Old Trafford.

Sunday January 21

Valencia want Juan Mata

06.45: Juan Mata is set to be offered a route out of Manchester United to allow for the arrival of Alexis Sanchez, according to reports.

Rumours had circulated last month that the Spaniard had the one-year extension clause in his contract triggered by Man Utd.

However, the Daily Star report that is not the case and his current deal is still set to expire at the end of the season.

That means Mata is currently available to sign a pre-agreement with a foreign club.

The Reds Devils are expected to announce the signing of Sanchez from Arsenal in the coming days which will push the 29-year-old midfielder further down the pecking order.

So the Daily Star add that Valencia will offer him a way out of Old Trafford.

Sanchez ruins Ronaldo hopes

06.00: Cristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of re-joining Manchester United have gone up in smoke because of Alexis Sanchez.

Ronaldo wants to leave Real Madrid, with a return to Manchester United his preferred next step.

It emerged last night that United and Arsenal have agreed a straight swap deal between Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

All that is needed now is for the two players to pass their medicals and sign the contracts.

Sanchez is said to have agreed a £500,000-a-week deal at United - rivals Ronaldo’s wages at Real.

And Spanish newspaper Marca claim Ronaldo will have to look elsewhere if he wants to exit the Bernabeu this summer.

Ferdinand defends Sanchez salary

05.15: Rio Ferdinand has defended Alexis Sanchez ahead of his move to Manchester United.

“Players do not set the benchmarks and the rules for the prices,” Ferdinand told BT Sport.

“It’s the TV rights why the cubs are paying the players.

“It strikes me that footballers always get hammered for this situation.

“Is it because it’s a working class sport? is it because a lot of people come from less affluent backgrounds?

“Because I don’t see golfers, who earn huge money, getting called out for their wages that they’re earning. The difference baffles me a little bit.”