Manchester United transfer news and rumours: Enquiry made for Marco Reus

Yes, that's right: less than 24 hours after the close of the transfer window and the summer rumour mill has already started!

According to Goal.com: "Manchester United may not have made a big splash in the January transfer window but they have already started laying the groundwork for a bumper summer.

"The Insider has learned that the 20-time Premier League champions were in contact with Borussia Dortmund over the weekend to enquire about the availability of Marco Reus.

"The Germany International is set to leave Signal Iduna Park at the end of the season, with a buy-out clause set at just €25 million."

OUR VIEW: It's a bit soon for all this isn't it? Seriously though, Reus will surely be leaving this summer so the earlier clubs start putting in the groundwork the better. If United have any hope of beating Real Madrid to his signature, they need to use every trick in the book. It helps that Bayern Munich are reportedly not in the race...

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Darren Fletcher has left Manchester United after 12 years at Old Trafford, joining West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer.

Fletcher reported to United's team hotel in Manchester on deadline day, where the squad are staying ahead of their FA Cup replay against Cambridge, but he quickly left after the Baggies came calling.

The 31-year-old drove to the Midlands on Monday evening for a medical, and his move was confirmed shortly after midnight. Fletcher played 342 times for United, but his experience was not able to earn him a place in Louis van Gaal's starting XI this term.

Elsewhere United signed Andy Kellett on loan from Bolton, with Saidy Janko going in the other direction.

OUR VIEW: It is sad to see United's longest-serving player leave the club, just months after being appointed vie-captain. But, at 31, the Scottish midfielder could not afford to spend time on the sidelines and should be a useful component for Tony Pulis's West Brom.

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Wilfried Zaha signed a permanent deal, returning to Crystal Palace from Manchester United on a permanent deal worth as little as £3m. It represents a huge loss for United, who paid up to £15m for him when he became Sir Alex Ferguson's last signing in January 2013.

OUR VIEW: This makes sense for everyone. Whether his attitude was poor, he didn't get a chance or he was never really that good - or a mixture of all three - it just didn't work out for Zaha and a move back to the club where he made his name is eminently logical.

Mucking about after training this afternoon ⚽️ https://t.co/9AkKyzoQtW— Wilfried Zaha (@wilfriedzaha) February 2, 2015

On a quiet deadline day, talk persisted of Real Madrid's French youngster Raphael Varane moving to Old Trafford. The basis for this one is the Frenchman's apparent disgruntlement at being displaced by Pepe in the Madrid first XI. Varane is possibly the best young centre-back in the world and would go a long way to solving Louis van Gaal's defensive problems.

OUR VIEW: This was never going to happen. That bit about Varane being the best young centre-back in the world? Real Madrid know that too, and they certainly weren't going to let him leave in mid-season with no chance of replacing him. Pure fantasy.

Rubbish story of the night: Varane IS NOT going to Manchester United, before anybody gets too excited. #MUFC signing nobody today— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) February 2, 2015

Belgian right-back Marnick Vermijl has left Manchester United for Sheffield Wednesday in a permanent deal. The 23-year-old made just two appearances for United and spent last season on loan at NEC Breda in the Netherlands.

OUR VIEW: Vermijl has barely had a look-in at Old Trafford despite the likes of Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett getting first-team football, so it's no surprise to see him go. His second and final United appearance was in the 4-0 League Cup humiliation at the hands of MK Dons. United will wish him well, but Vermijl won't be missed.

Manchester United defender Marnick Vermijl on his move to Sheffield Wednesday: "It's definitely a big step upwards." #DeadlineDay— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 2, 2015

According to the BBC, United were almost left facing the embarrassing situation of having Tom Cleverley back at the club after trying to push Aston Villa into a sale.

#MUFC contacted #AVFC suggesting they may recall Tom Cleverley from season-long loan if option to buy now for £7m not taken #bbcdeadlineday— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) February 2, 2015

#AVFC declined, will consider summer free. #MUFC can't loan Cleverley again: players can't rep more than 2 clubs in 1 season #bbcdeadlineday— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) February 2, 2015

OUR VIEW: United tried to throw their weight around but it would have spectacularly backfired had Villa agreed. Cleverley would have returned to a club who didn't need him, taking up space in the squad and on the wage bill. It's best for all parties that he remains at Villa.

It's a story as old as time itself: Wesley Sneijder being linked with a move to Manchester United on transfer deadline day.

The bi-annual rumours are back on Monday morning with various sources reporting that a deal is a possibility for the Galatasaray and Netherlands playmaker. The Express carries a report, which appears to be the basis for much of the conjecture floating around.

The presence of Louis van Gaal could be crucial and Juventus have moved out of the way by going for Dortmund's Henrikh Mkhitaryan instead, apparently.

Oh dear god, not again. If we have learned anything from transfer deadlines days past, it's that Manchester United NEVER sign Wesley Sneijder, no matter how furious the speculation. This simply won't happen, will it?

Manchester United are set for a sensational deadline day double transfer swoop for Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels and Wolfsburg winger Kevin De Bruyne.

According to the Daily Express, “Van Gaal believes that De Bruyne would fit in perfectly with his 4-4-2 diamond formation, and is ready to make a whopping £30 million bid for his signature. Hummels also remains a priority for United, but Dortmund are reluctant to sell their captain as they prop up the German league following a 0-0 draw against Bayer Leverkusen.”

OUR VIEW: This double swoop seems fanciful at best. United’s need for a world class centre back has been well documented, as has their admiration for Hummels, who was also a target during David Moyes’ short-lived tenure. It’s highly unlikely Dortmund would let him go at this juncture. As for De Bruyne, this seems bizarre. Do United really need another winger, let alone spend £30 million on a player who flopped at Chelsea? The money could certainly be spent better elsewhere.