Manchester United may yet get a forward...

The Independent’s football newsletter [SUBSCRIBE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( January 06, 2023 [View in browser](   [The Independent]( [The Independent]( Manchester United may yet get a forward... Ten Hag wants a forward option, but may only be temporary Manchester United are one of a few clubs to have been offered Atletico Madrid’s Alvaro Morata on a loan deal, although they aren’t currently taking that up. It marks quite a change from five years ago, when he was the club’s first choice, but they went to Romelu Lukaku. It’s also going to be different to then in terms of expenditure. [United don’t have the budget for anything like a £70m outlay on a striker](. While many will point to the fact the Glazers are open to selling, the other side of that is the club is worth more if it is in the Champions League. That’s why we may well see some movement this January along with goalkeeper Jack Butland. A loan move for someone like Memphis Depay looks likeliest, although it would take a lot to change for the club to go for Morata. A new mood around Old Trafford, as an old star fades If Saudi Arabia fans have been[delighted to see Cristiano Ronaldo](, many at United are now increasingly glad they’ve seen the back of the Portuguese. It is something that has only been fully realised now he’s gone and everyone has come back. “It’s like a weight has lifted,” one source said. Players who previously idolised Ronaldo had become increasingly wary of his behaviour. The conspicuous line being repeated is how “everyone is on the same page”. Ironically, some longer-term observers are describing it as similar to the summer of 2006, when a young Wayne Rooney and Ronaldo himself were released by the departure of Ruud van Nistelrooy. All of this has gone hand in hand with [Erik ten Hag’s coaching and preparation work](. It has been noted by many within the squad how physically sharp they feel, even allowing for the World Cup break. They have had a forgiving run of fixtures, of course, but many would willingly point out how these were matches United might have struggled with in the past. They are currently nine points off top, but with two huge games up next: Manchester City at home, then Arsenal away. That will give a real indication of the mood. Bernabeu looking likelier to be Bellingham's home The Independent reported on Wednesday that Real Madrid executives feel they have been successful in [pitching the club to Jude Bellingham]( as the best possible destination for young players, and that is a confidence that has now spread to the dressing room. The squad now believe that Bellingham will be a Madrid player next season. They felt the same about Kylian Mbappe a year ago, mind. A lot can still change. Arsenal aware a big January could mean a joyous May While Chelsea are ready to trump Arsenal on Mykhailo Mudryk, the league leaders are satisfied with where they are in the deal. Mudryk wants to go to Arsenal, and there is a confidence the deal can be done. It ties into a wider enthusiasm around the club. If it is undeniable that Mikel Arteta’s project is “ahead of schedule” and there remains the feeling Manchester City will just up it, that runs alongside a sense that the right business in January can provide the team with enough of a push to actually win the title. If Mudryk happens, as it should, it will likely be the Ukrainian and one more. Newcastle set for a hard-fought back 19 - just as they like it [The 0-0 draw with Newcastle United was Arsenal’s first setback in a while](, but might also set-up future games. There was a respect between the two teams but also some sparks, and tension. It wouldn’t be the first Newcastle match this season that potentially fires some feisty occasions for the returns. There has already been a sharper will to beat Eddie Howe’s team because of the nature of the project, with that augmented by the other side by the fact Newcastle have made themselves a very difficult team to beat. That doesn’t just apply to the manager’s tactical structure. There’s also the canniness, with the games against both Liverpool and Leeds United developing into matches with real edge. There’s an irony in how the first - as with Arsenal - involved complaints over Newcastle time-wasting, while the latter was about Leeds time-wasting. Either way, it is certainly true they have upset traditional powers, in more ways than expected. It will only be to the delight of supporters, of course.   Top stories [The gap between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has never been clearer]( [Gianluca Vialli death: Former Chelsea and Italy forward dies aged 58 after cancer battle](   Enjoying this newsletter? Unlock unlimited, ad-free reading on the website and in The Independent app when you subscribe – plus, benefit from our [welcome offer when you join today](.   Miguel's Dispatches Thursday night at Stamford Bridge was my first game since the World Cup final and it's fair to say it actually took a bit of adaptation again. Many of the journalists were talking about how it was initially difficult to adjust from the high stakes of every single match in Qatar to this, where it's only one game of 38. A natural follow-on from that was to ponder what it must feel like for the Argentina players. It didn't take too long, however, for the football to take over. This is the beauty of the game in its own way. There's always another game, always another goal, and always the next storyline. That's the power of the Premier League, too. This night ended with the comic scene of Pep Guardiola talking about the technical intricacies of his substitutions to the media, while his players banged on the walls singing "Johnny Stones" to the tune of Daddy Cool. So, it would seem, the Premier League title race properly begins.     QUOTE OF THE WEEK “The vast majority resent the King because when he was a pundit he was critical at times… Not having any representative at Pele’s wake was shameful for the history of Brazilian football.” Former Brazilian international Walter Casagrande on the response of players from the 1994 and 2002 World Cup-winning squads to Pele’s passing   Reading the game quiz Reading the game quiz Since the foundation of the Premier League in 1992, only seven of the competition’s teams have been eliminated from the FA Cup by clubs from the fourth tier or lower. Name them. ([You can find out the answers here](. The answer page will be updated weekly and contains answers from previous newsletters, too)   INDYBEST /BEST SPORTS BUY]( [How to start running: A beginner’s guide to pounding the pavement without the stress]( [Click here for more details](   Essential reading 2023 marks the start of football’s next era](   [Casemiro and Christian Eriksen alliance forms cornerstone of Manchester United revival](   OTHER NEWSLETTERS YOU MIGHT LIKE [Sports Brief] Sports Brief Every Monday, 6pm (UK time) Written by Ben Burrows [Join now]( [Climate News] Climate News Every Friday, 12pm (UK time) Written by Louise Boyle [Join now]( If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's football newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's football newsletter, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Football_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.