Manchester United returned to winning ways on Thursday night as they comfortably defeated Europa League opponents Real Betis in their last-16 opener at Old Trafford.

Goals from Marcus Rashford, Antony, Bruno Fernandes and on-loan frontman Wout Weghorst did the damage in a 4-1 win as United now prepare to resume their Premier League campaign. Southampton are next up for Erik ten Hag and his players on Sunday afternoon at Old Trafford (2pm).

Off the field, meanwhile, the proposed takeover continues to gather pace after two parties submitted bids to purchase from the Glazer family before the “soft” deadline last month. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani headed up those offers.

With one eye on the summer transfer window, United have made England captain Harry Kane their top target amid mounting speculation over his Tottenham future. Kane, 29, has 15 months left to run on his contract while United have already mapped out their intention to sign a top-level striker for next season.

On Sunday, Arsenal entertain Fulham in an all-London affair before Newcastle meet Wolves later that afternoon.

United play Southampton at the same time as that London derby, as the initially scheduled Saturday date was shifted back by 24 hours due to United’s progress in Europe.

The Reds’ next live televised match will be the Round of 16 return leg against Real Betis in Spain on Thursday, while next weekend’s FA Cup quarter-final tie with Fulham is on terrestrial television.

United striker Wout Weghorst has provided further explanation as to why he touched the ‘This Is Anfield’ sign prior to the Reds’ 7-0 thrashing against Liverpool last weekend.

Speaking to Football Focus, he said:

According to 90min, United are among several Premier League clubs interested in signing Lille’s Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba.

The 19-year-old has impressed for the French side this term, making 18 appearances in all competitions. It is thought that Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle are also keen on the player.

Erik ten Hag praised Wout Weghorst’s resilience after he scored his first Old Trafford goal for Manchester United.

On-loan striker Weghorst struck only his second goal in 15 games in the 4-1 Europa League round-of-16 win over Real Betis, having last scored in the League Cup semi-final victory at Nottingham Forest on January 25.

Weghorst has started all 15 games he has been available for since he arrived on loan from Burnley and the 30-year-old is set to line up at Old Trafford again against Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday.

Erik ten Hag’s in-game management has drawn plaudits throughout his first season as Manchester United manager and one of his biggest strengths is his decisive half-time substitutions.

United have made 19 changes at the interval this season and the majority of them have contributed to victories.

Reports say United will try to sign Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries.

Dumfries, 26, has long-since been linked with a switch to Old Trafford.

Inter are prepared to cash-in on the Netherlands international when the market reopens.

Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport suggest United might be edging closer to his signature already with a potential swap deal in the offing. Inter are understood to be interested in bringing Diogo Dalot to the San Siro.

Harry Kane is Erik ten Hag’s primary target to reinforce United in attacking quarters during the summer transfer window. Sources say Ten Hag is intent on signing Tottenham striker Kane as he approaches the final year of his contract.

Hello and welcome to our latest United transfer blog.

Stay tuned for updates from Old Trafford and beyond.

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Manchester United returned to winning ways on Thursday night as they comfortably defeated Europa League opponents Real Betis in their last-16 opener at Old Trafford.

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