Manchester United’s £25m rumour addressed as manager says ‘no truth’ to claims

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RB Leipzig coach Marco Rose has rubbished rumours claiming that Timo Werner has been told he is free to leave with Manchester United keen to bring the former Chelsea striker back to the Premier League.

Late last week, Rose admitted that the seldom-seen Germany international had found himself slipping into a rather difficult situation at the Red Bull Arena.

Timo Werner, who returned to Leipzig a year ago following a hit-and-miss spell at Chelsea, has started only two Bundesliga games all season, largely due to the exceptional recent form of Lois Openda.

But, when pressed again on Werner’s future, Rose was quick to play down reports suggesting that Leipzig were ready to let their £25 million benchwarmer pursue a January move to Manchester United.

Manchester United eye Timo Werner deal

“There is no truth in that,” Rose told BuliNews. “(We haven’t) spoke in any way about a transfer. “Timo is our player. Timo is a top player who has had a difficult season.”

Former Borussia Dortmund boss Rose is also leaving the door ajar for Werner to force his way back into the first team, insisting that the 27-year-old is not a million ‘miles away’ from a place in the XI.

“I expect Timo to lead the team with his quality and experience,” Rose adds.

Werner found goals difficult to come by in England during his spell at Chelsea. But, as Mason Mount will attest to, Werner is the sort of player his team-mates tend to appreciate far more than casual observers, the hard-working frontman running the channels and pressing from the front in a manner Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford seem incapable of.

Werner and Mason Mount reunited at Old Trafford

“My understanding (is) that United have asked to be kept informed on his situation,” says Fabrizio Romano, writing in his Caught Offside column. “It’s possible he could leave RB Leipzig this January after becoming unhappy at the club.

“There’s still nothing advanced at this stage (with Werner). And the new (sporting) director at Old Trafford will be key to seeing how this deal progresses, or if they pursue it at all.”