Conflicting Hannibal hints emerge, major Danilo update and Cantwell told 'get a grip' - Rangers transfer state of play

Manchester United will reportedly only consider permanent transfer bids for midfielder Hannibal this summer - but after he was left out of the squad altogether for their Premier League opener, they may be forced into a rethink.

Out-of-favour Hannibal is back with United after a difficult loan spell at Sevilla and has been linked with both Rangers and rivals Celtic during the window. It's fair to say it's Philippe Clement who is most in need of reinforcements, though, as he stares down the barrel of a full-blown crisis following a trying start to the season.

He says he needs to move players on before signing further and the likes of Todd Cantwell and Ianis Hagi will be shifted before the end of the window if the boss has anything to say about it. Attacking midfielder Hannibal would be a logical signing to replace either, and United are open to letting him go - as evidenced by his omission from the squad to face Fulham in the league opener. Erik ten Hag is dealing with an injury pile-up but Hannibal still couldn't make the bench, with untried kid Toby Collyer called up in his place.

There's one possible complication as a new report from Football Insider claims they will only entertain permanent offers for Hannibal which may put him out of Rangers' price range. But with no other offers seemingly imminent, and the window entering its final two weeks, that stance is unlikely to last if no concrete bids arrive.

Clement hinted at his press conference that he needs players to leave to sign, although insisted he won't 'hold a gun' to anyone's head to force an exit. Still, with the likes of Hagi or Cantwell playing no role with the first-team, he is likely to push hard to trim some of the fat on his squad.

Pundit James McFadden