Man United latest: Dressing room claim made as bidder confirms takeover interest

We're rounding up the very latest news from Old Trafford as Manchester United prepare to return to Premier League action following the second international break of the new season

Manchester United's season has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride so far, with the team still striving for consistency under Ruben Amorim.

Last weekend's 2-0 win over Sunderland provided a brief lift, injecting a dose of much-needed positivity before the international break. Still, while the win was encouraging, it merely papers over some significant cracks.

United have already suffered three Premier League defeats this term, and the humiliating EFL Cup elimination at the hands of League Two outfit Grimsby Town back in August still stings.

It's also important to note that their trio of league victories came against two recently promoted clubs and a Chelsea side that played most of the match with 10 men. Nevertheless, there have been faint signs of development in recent weeks.

Summer recruit Benjamin Sesko has scored in back-to-back games, while fellow newcomer Senne Lammens caught the eye on his debut between the sticks against the Black Cats. Amorim's tactical blueprint is gradually becoming more recognisable too, with United at times appearing slicker and more cohesive in possession than they did under the Portuguese boss last season.

Next up, United face a challenging visit to Anfield to meet Liverpool, with confidence building thanks to the champions' recent dip in form. Here, MEN Sport provides the latest updates surrounding the Red Devils before domestic football resumes next week.

Lammens claim made

Senne Lammens put forward a strong argument to become United's first-choice goalkeeper after a composed performance against Sunderland. Having started the season behind Altay Bayindir, the Belgian seized his chance impressively - delivering United's first clean sheet of the season and showing the calm authority that's been missing in goal for some time.

Assured with the ball at his feet and decisive under pressure, Lammens' showing may have helped persuade some of his team-mates that he's the right man for the role - amid reports that not everyone in the dressing room initially supported his arrival at Old Trafford last month.

According to GiveMeSport, sections of the squad had "strongly pushed" for the club's hierarchy to sign Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez instead. The 33-year-old was heavily linked with United during the summer after what seemed an emotional farewell to Villa supporters on the final day of the previous campaign.

Members of Amorim's backroom team were also said to admire Martinez, but United ultimately opted to pursue Lammens. Whether the 23-year-old - who joined from Antwerp for £18.2million on Deadline Day - knows of those early doubts remains uncertain. If he does, his displays suggest he's using them as fuel rather than frustration.

Bidder reignites takeover talks

The long-running Manchester United ownership saga shows no signs of ending, with Finnish billionaire Thomas Zilliacus confirming fresh intent to acquire a share of the club - or possibly complete control. The 61-year-old businessman, a lifelong United fan, revealed he is preparing a renewed proposal to attract investors, including the potential of teaming up again with former rival bidder Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Zilliacus had previously led a fan-backed group during the 2023 sale process, though his late offer missed the deadline as Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos secured a 27.7 per cent minority stake and took charge of football operations for £1.25billion. Undaunted, Zilliacus says this latest push would be a cooperative project rather than a hostile takeover.

"Last week, I was sitting and thinking through all the possibilities of investing in Manchester United and drafting a basic plan on how I could approach certain parties to see if something could be done," he said speaking exclusively to MEN Sport.

"This is about joining forces with the right parties with the sole aim of bringing Manchester United back to where it should be as the number one club in the world."

Zilliacus stressed that his proposal would be based on a fan-focused ownership model rather than a conventional buyout, arguing that United's current majority owners, the Glazers, reject such an approach. "I think the Glazers, unfortunately, are a good example of somebody who is not really looking out for the club, but rather using it as a cash cow," he said.

"I have a program that involves the fans who are overseas, who cannot come to watch a game. And my program can evolve in a way that can bring significant new revenues to the club."

He also indicated a willingness to collaborate with other investors, including Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim. "I actually have nothing against working with people like Jim Ratcliffe or any investor, whoever that may be. Because I'm not in this to have a trophy that I can show off to other people," he said.

"When I had made my bid I realised that the Glazers were playing a game where Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim and myself were just trying to outbid each other... I publicly said that this is madness… So I said, 'Why don't we join forces and take over the club together?'"

Zilliacus finished by reaffirming he remains "completely open" to renewed dialogue with potential partners, maintaining his vision of restoring Manchester United to "the best club in the world."

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