MANCHESTER UNITED could have the opportunity to sign Raphael Varane from Real Madrid for as little as £51m, according to reports.
Meanwhile, we have all the latest on Eriling Haaland and Anthony Martial's injury.
Stay up to date with our blog, below, for all the latest from Old Trafford…
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- Joe Brophy
VAZ CHASE
Manchester United and Chelsea could be involved in a transfer fight for Lucas Vazquez after he told Real Madrid he will not sign a new deal, according to reports.
The Spanish wideman, 29, is out of contract at the Bernabeu at the end of the season.
According to ABC in Spain, Vazquez has rejected ‘several’ extensions from Los Blancos – the latest of which was a three-year deal but included a ten per cent pay cut due to the pandemic.
The report states he has made it clear he will refuse to put pen to paper and that could open the floodgates for a battle for his signature.
Premier League giants United and Chelsea are among the frontrunners to bring the nine-cap international in on a free transfer.
- Joe Brophy
REAL DEAL
Erling Haaland's representative are now reportedly holding talks with Real Madrid after a meeting with rivals Real Madrid this afternoon.
- Joe Brophy
DOR OPEN
Erling Haaland’s representative reportedly held positive talks with Barcelona this afternoon.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claimed that the striker’s agent Mino Raiola has already discussed a price with Borussia Dortmund while Bayern Munich are not in the race!
- Joe Brophy
TELL TALES
Alex Telles says competition for the left-back spot at Manchester United can only be a good thing.
He said: “When you’ve got a situation like that, then the team can only benefit from it.
“And it’s Man Utd that wins from that [situation].
“In terms of the two of us, we both motivate each other and push each other further forward and we help each other.
“That’s really, really important throughout the team, independent of the positions we play.”
- Joe Brophy
TELL TALES
Alex Telles says competition for the left-back spot at Manchester United can only be a good thing.
He said: “When you’ve got a situation like that, then the team can only benefit from it.
“And it’s Man Utd that wins from that [situation].
“In terms of the two of us, we both motivate each other and push each other further forward and we help each other.
“That’s really, really important throughout the team, independent of the positions we play.”
- Joe Brophy
NOU ADVENTURE
Barcelona are reportedly stepping up their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund star and Manchester United target Erling Haaland.
- William Pugh
FER REAL
Rio Ferdinand revealed he can’t hate Sergio Aguero despite the departing Manchester City star crushing Manchester United’s title dreams in 2012 with that legendary goal.
City announced Aguero will leave the club after a decade when his contract expires at the end of the season and Ferdinand took to Instagram to share his thoughts.
The BT Sport pundit revealed he is still haunted by the goal that gave noisy neighbours City their first ever Prem title – with United thinking they had done enough after winning their last game.
Ferdinand wrote: “Agueroooooooooooo. This name, this goal, this moment still hits me at times when I least expect it like a bolt out the blue! Our closest rivals just across the city, snatching the PL title from out of our hands – bearing in mind our game had just finished and we had won our game…
“What was the score in City’s game…they need a goal with seconds to go….surely we have won…I think we have done it…..then….Agueroooooooooo. Absolutely floored, distraught, devastated….a whole season demolished in the final seconds of the last game.
“What I will say is that as much as I hated the outcome I never hated (or disliked) Sergio for his moment – like I thought I would.”
Credit: Getty - William Pugh
RED HOT FORM
Bruno Fernandes has felt the wrath of David De Gea as the Manchester United goalkeeper gained Twitter revenge on his team-mate.
The Portuguese midfielder took to social media this morning to share a snap of him wearing a blue and white striped shirt and jeans while enjoying a coffee.
Pictured with a huge smile on his face, Fernandes captioned it with: “Ok, morning coffee is over… Q&A time… Who’s got a question? #AskBruno.”
That led to a cheeky response from United goalkeeper De Gea, who could not resist asking: “Are you a model?”
His good-natured shot comes in response to Fernandes taking aim at the stopper over the international break.
Credit: Instagram @brunofernandes.10 - William Pugh
SOME MIGHT SAY
Noel Gallagher has called out Sir Alex Ferguson after the Scot claimed the signing of Phil Jones was better than City’s capture of Sergio Aguero.
The Oasis founder chuckled as he recalled what Fergie had said when the players signed for the two Manchester clubs.
City fan Noel, 53, said: “I remember we signed Aguero at the same time United signed Phil Jones and Sir Alex claimed that Jones would prove to be the best centre half in the world within a year or two.
“He also pointed to the Aguero signing and said ‘City have been reckless again in the transfer market’.
“One has gone on to be a club legend, scoring goal after goal and winning trophy after trophy and there is even talk of a statue outside the ground. I don’t think we’ll be seeing a statue of Phil Jones at Old Trafford anytime soon.”
Both players arrived in Manchester in 2011. Aguero, aged 32, cost £35million from Atletico Madrid, while Utd paid Blackburn £16.5m for Jones, 29.
Credit: Reuters
- William Pugh
UP FOR THE CUP
Leicester's clash with Southampton has been selected as the FA Cup semi-final that will have 4,000 spectators.
But the crowd at Wembley on April 18 will be restricted to local residents living in the borough of Brent.
And the decision means the tie between Chelsea and Manchester City the previous evening will be played behind closed doors.
The FA asked the Government to be allowed to use one of the semi-finals as part of the 'pilot' programme ahead of the May 17 date for the return of crowds of up to 10,000.
That was signed off by the DCMS but Brent Council asked for its residents to be the ones given access on safety grounds as a condition of green-lighting the trial.
It is likely that health service and local authority employees will be invited to walk through the turnstiles, rather than fans of either side who happen to live in the borough.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty - William Pugh
JESSE LINGARD
Ironically the best loan spell of all the United players is Lingard’s spell at West Ham, which has proved a winter window masterstroke.
With 210 first-team Red Devils appearances, Lingard knows what it takes to perform at Old Trafford and is putting in those kind of performances under David Moyes.
Lingard, 28, has five goals and three assists in seven appearances – enough to see him recalled to the England squad for the March World Cup qualifiers and make Solskjaer rethink the midfielder’s future.
Credit: Tom Jenkins/ The Guardian - William Pugh
ETHAN LAIRD
Laird made his senior debut alongside fellow loanees and academy graduates Bernard and Dylan Levitt away at Astana in November 2019.
But with just one more Europa League appearance to his name, the right-back headed to MK Dons in January for the remainder of the season where he has played in all 18 matches since, starting 17.
The 19-year-old is proving he can cut it in League One, chipping in with three assists, and could be an option in defence next season as back-up to Aaron Wan-Bissaka – especially if he does go to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Credit: Getty - William Pugh
FACUNDO PELLISTRI
The teenage winger was the fourth player to join Manchester United on deadline day last October – the Uruguayan arrived from Penarol for £9m.
Solskjaer warned he will need time to settle in England but quickly ‘outgrew’ Under-23s with two goals in his first five appearances before a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Chelsea.
He signed for LaLiga outfit Alaves in January to get some first-team experience in Europe but has been thrown in at the deep end with his new side battling relegation and picking up one point from his five games.
Credit: PA - William Pugh
TAHITH CHONG
It feels as though Chong has been around for years but the Dutchman only turned 21 in December, 23 months after his senior United debut against Reading.
The recognisable winger signed a new contract last March before Werder Bremen snapped him up for the season – however he was largely limited to substitute appearances so the loan was cut short.
Chong is now producing the goods for Club Brugge with four assists in five games in Belgium – and could be an option as a raw talent out wide next term.
Credit: Getty - William Pugh
TEDEN MENGI
United’s pursuit of a long-term centre-back partner – or successor – for Harry Maguire could well be right under their noses in the shape of 18-year-old Mengi.
The local lad joined the academy aged seven, made his debut last August against LASK and has progressed through the ranks in the England youth set-up too.
With just that solo first-team appearance, United legend Wayne Rooney took him to Derby in February where he has established himself as a starter for the battling Rams.
The Red Devils clearly have high hopes for the young defender, handing him a fresh contract until 2024 in March – with the option of a further year.
Credit: Getty
- William Pugh
TEMP COVER
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may not have to look too far to improve his squad next season.
Rumours continue to swirl around the big-money arrivals of Erling Haaland, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane.
But United’s current crop of loanees could provide some of the answers to Solskjaer’s conundrums.
And the best news for Ed Woodward would mean he doesn’t have to spend a penny to sign them.
Diogo Dalot is expected to make his AC Milan switch permanent while the 2020-21 campaign may come slightly early for youngsters Di’Shon Bernard and Aliou Trarore.
We assess five players currently away from Old Trafford on temporary deals who could look to break into the senior side next season…
- William Pugh
ERLI FLIGHT
Barcelona could be set to steal a march in the race for Man Utd target Erling Haaland after the player’s representatives began talks with the club.
On Thursday morning, the striker’s dad and advisor Alf-Inge Haaland and agent Mino Raiola were spotted at Barcelona airport.
According to Spanish outlet Sport, the pair were then whisked away in a car driven by club president Joan Laporta’s right-hand man.
The newly-elected Barcelona chief hinted at a move for the Borussia Dortmund striker before winning the post last month. The club is dealing with a difficult financial situation while also attempting to renew Lionel Messi’s contract, which expires in June.
But reports suggest Raiola and Laporta hold a strong working relationship, potentially standing them in good stead to win the race for Haaland.
SunSport revealed this week that a deal to sign the 20-year-old could cost as much as £300million. That includes a £150m transfer fee and a five-year contract featuring £600,000-a-week wages.
Credit: Getty - William Pugh
LUKE-ING GOOD FOR UNITED
Alex Telles says competition for the left-back spot at Manchester United can only be a good thing.
He said: "When you've got a situation like that, then the team can only benefit from it.
“And it's Man Utd that wins from that [situation].
“In terms of the two of us, we both motivate each other and push each other further forward and we help each other.
"That's really, really important throughout the team, independent of the positions we play.”
- William Pugh
ONE IN DON OUT
Manchester United are reportedly willing to swap Donny van de Beek for Juventus' Adrien Rabiot.
The Dutch midfielder has struggled playing second fiddle to Bruno Fernandes after arriving at Old Trafford for an initial £35million last summer.
And Italian paper Tuttosport claims United are prepared to cut their losses on the former Ajax man in an attempt to lure Rabiot to the club.
The report states United are determined to land French ace Rabiot at the end of the season. It is claimed that boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen on working with the former PSG man.
Solskjaer has repeatedly defended his sparing use of Van de Beek but the 23-year-old appears to be way down his pecking order in the middle of the park.
Van de Beek has made just two Premier League starts all season with most of his game time coming in the cup competitions.
- William Pugh
HE'S GOOD I TELL YOU!
Manchester United star Alex Telles says Luke Shaw's sparkling form has pushed the whole team to succeed.
Telles was backed to replace the Englishman in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team but the former Southampton man has produced the best football of his career to keep the ex-Porto star out the side.
But Telles is pleased for his team-mate and said: "I've always said that, when you've got players of the highest quality in the team, then the thing that ends up benefiting is Manchester United; the team.
“Since I've arrived here, I've worked as hard as I can and I've done everything I can to show that I deserve to be here, and I think I've done that.
“At the same time, I'm really happy for Luke Shaw, who has made great progress and has been playing really well.
"He trains really well and he's done excellently in the matches as well.”
- William Pugh
NEW LANDS
Erling Haaland would be by far the Premier League's top earner should he get his £600,000-a-week wage demands.
The Norwegian superstar is being targeted by plenty of European powerhouses for a summer transfer this summer. That includes English trio Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea.
With Sergio Aguero leaving the Etihad at the end of the season, Pep Guardiola is in desperate need of a new No9.
And as revealed by SunSport, City would need to fork out £600,000 per week on his wages – on top of a transfer fee of around £150million.
Only Paris Saint-Germain would be able to compete on that level of spending.
But should a Premier League club land Haaland and meet those wages, he would become the highest-paid player in the history of English football, eclipsing Alexis Sanchez.
- William Pugh
QUESTION FER YA
Bruno Fernandes is conducting a Q and A on Twitter but left fans hanging after not answering a single one.
The Portuguese could be filtering out the best inquiries but supporters were not happy.
- William Pugh
RICE ONE SON!
Man Utd target Declan Rice was man-of-the-match as England beat Poland 2-1 at Wembley last night.
And the Hammers ace spoke of what an honour it was to win the award.
- William Pugh
HARRY ALONG
Manchester United were issued a hands-off warning by Tottenham over Harry Kane, according to reports.
And Tottenham insist their star man is not for sale this summer.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Tottenham will not even consider letting Kane, 27, join another Premier League team.
The fact ex-United boss Jose Mourinho is now at Spurs is also unlikely to help any Old Trafford bid.
The report adds senior figures at White Hart Lane believe there is 'no chance' of the striker moving to either of the Manchester clubs – with both also eyeing Erling Haaland in a mega transfer from Borussia Dortmund.
And it would take 'crazy money' to convince chairman Daniel Levy to sell – thought to be well in excess of £100million. But Spurs reckon it is unlikely a club will be ready to spend that much on a player who will be 28 before the start of next season amid the financial effects of the pandemic.
- William Pugh
WING AND A PRAYER
Dan James has opened up on the heart-to-heart with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that revived his career.
The Wales star, 23, continued his red-hot form with the winner over Czech Republic in Tuesday’s vital World Cup qualifier. James has also been flying for Manchester United and is a first-team regular, starting eight of the last ten games under boss Solskjaer.
But the wideman admits the upturn in his career only came after he knocked on Ole’s door in November. James, who moved from Swansea in June 2019 in a deal worth up to £18million, said: “I wasn’t playing much and I thought, ‘Do I accept this and just be in the background?’.
“I wanted to be at United — I didn’t want to be anywhere else. I spoke to the gaffer before the Istanbul Champions League game and told him I was ready to play. He said, ‘I can see the way you’re training — and you look back to being you again’.
“Sometimes it’s hard to go to the gaffer. I speak to him every day but going to see him one-to-one, being confident and saying I’m ready to play means you have to go out of your comfort zone.
“Coming out of that meeting, I think he loved I did that. He played me, I came on and scored.”
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