Manchester United close in on Marcos Rojo deal as pressure to strengthen ramps up

Posted Tuesday, August 19, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk

MANCHESTER UNITED are closing in on Marcos Rojo after the Sporting Lisbon defender apologised to his club for refusing to train.

Manchester United close in on Marcos Rojo deal as pressure to strengthen ramps up
ROJO THE ROJO: Rojo edges closer to a deal with the Red Devils

Rojo, 24, effectively went on strike last week after asking to leave when United bid £16m.

That initial offer was rejected by Sporting and Rojo has now apologised in a bid to calm the situation.

United do not want the player and club to be at war because it could make what is already a complex deal even more difficult.

Doyen Sports own 75 per cent of the player which is making the situation messy.

The company want Sporting to give them their cut of the rejected bid - around £12m - or sell the player for a bigger fee.

They cannot push them to sell, but believe they are entitled to their cut and will take legal action if needed.

Sporting felt they were being pushed into a deal by the company and the player, and they were prepared to be stubborn.

However, United now hope that the apology from Rojo and his return to training will ease negotiations.

Rojo said: "I was hot-headed and I'm sorry. I'll be back with the rest of the squad.

"Sporting signed me when I was not at my best and gave me the opportunity to play for a big club in Europe.

"I would like to thank the trust they had in me and I will resume training."

Nani could yet be used as a makeweight in the deal with United willing to let him go on loan to the club.

However, the Portugal winger is not currently keen on a return to the club where he came through the youth ranks.

But negotiations will go on throughout this week with United confident of a deal before the weekend.

Boss Louis van Gaal is keen to land Rojo who can play as a centre back and left-back.

United lost their season opener against Swansea on Saturday with many critics pointing to the fact they have failed to significantly strengthen this summer despite last season's horror campaign.

Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw have arrived, but deals for big names such as Angel Di Maria and Arturo Vidal remain a long way off, if they are going to happen at all.