MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly open to using Donny van de Beek as a makeweight to sign Erling Haaland.
Meanwhile SunSport can exclusively reveal that the Red Devils are interested in bringing Pedro Neto to Old Trafford in a £50m summer transfer.
And Sweden star Zlatan Ibrahimovic burst into tears when asked about his son during a press conference after his international return.
Stay up to date with our blog, below, for all the latest from Old Trafford…
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UNITED NATION
Manchester United have provided some of England’s finest ever players.
The Three Lions two top goalscorers – Sir Bobby Charlton and Wayne Rooney – were both best for their country during their time at Old Trafford.
Other names trip off the tongue – Beckham, Robson, Ferdinand.
So, we at SunSport decided to pick our ultimate Manchester United England XI of players who starred for the Red Devils while winning caps for their country.
To be included, they must have won at least one cap while playing for United…
MAD JOURNEY
Manchester United star Amad Diallo’s meteoric rise continued after he was called up by the Ivory Coast.
The 18-year-old starlet could make his full international debut for the African nation this month.
United confirmed his call-up to Patrice Beaumelle’s Elephants side alongside team-mate Eric Bailly.
Both Red Devils are part of the 30-man squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
GREEN WITH ENVY
Manchester United star Mason Greenwood has been forced to pull out of England U21s squad due to injury.
The striker has since been replaced by Norwich City playmaker Todd Cantwell.
AL OVER
Manchester United are reportedly out of the running to sign David Alaba with the defender keen to join either Real Madrid or Barcelona.
The 28-year-old will be departing Bayern Munich in the summer when his contract expires having refused to agree a new deal in Bavaria.
But according to Sky in Germany, Alaba – who can play as a centre-back, left-back or in midfield – has his heart set on a move to Spain.
UNITED WE STAND
Manchester United’s chances of securing a top-four finish have improved with an easier run-in than rivals Chelsea, Tottenham and Leicester.
(THREE) LION IN WAIT
Manchester United loanee Jesse Lingard has shared his delight at returning to the England fold following his recent form at West Ham.
He told West Ham TV: “It’s brilliant, and it’s about getting minutes and getting regular football and trying to do the best I can.
“The team has helped me tremendously and I can’t thank the players and staff for welcoming me enough and it’s time to crack on now.”
MORE FROM SHAW
Luke Shaw also claimed that his current form has been better than when he won the United player of the year prize in 2018/19.
He told Sky Sports: “I was nowhere near my best then. If I am honest, it was quite a poor season from everyone.
“Maybe I was just one of the ones who stood out a little bit more but I was nothing special.
“Definitely now is the best period I have had. I have managed to sustain a run of games and keep playing. I am enjoying it and I think that is the most important thing that I wanted to get back, that enjoyment of football. Getting back to doing what I enjoy doing.”
SHAW THING
Luke Shaw admitted Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has helped him mature at Manchester United.
He told Sky Sports: “His man-management is second to none. The way he conducts himself in terms of how he speaks to the players, it gets the best out of them. You can see that.
“He deals with situations perfectly in terms of what is needed, especially at a big club like Manchester United.
“He takes the pressure off the lads and takes it all himself. Sometimes it is not fair because we are the ones on the pitch and we need to take our fair share too. For me, especially, from what I had before Ole came in, it is a total difference. It has pushed me to a new level.”
FRESH LIONS
England boss Gareth Southgate revealed his 26-man squad last week for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, with a few United stars expected to face San Marino.
Here’s how they could lined up…
MARC UP
Marcus Rashford is the most-valuable player on the planet – worth a staggering 15 per cent of Manchester United’s entire squad value.
According to the latest data from CIES Football Observatory, the England forward, 23, is valued between £130million and £170m.
BECKS BACKING
David Beckham is confident superstar players Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will be interested in signing for his MLS side Inter Miami.
Speaking to ESPN: “When we announced Miami, there was always going to be talk about what players we were going to bring in, whether it was Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar.
“There was always going to be those discussions. I actually don’t think it’s a tough one for players to decide, to be honest, because it’s a great place.
“Obviously, it’s a great city, I feel like we’ve got a great fan base, but I also understand there’s great talent in Miami and South Florida, and I think we have a real opportunity.
“Miami is a city that has that pull on players who have been playing in Europe that are big stars.”
STRING TO THEIR BOW
Salford have turned to Derby’s Under-23 coach Gary Bowyer as their new boss until the end of the season.
Manchester United legend Gary Neville sacked Richie Wellens yesterday with the club’s promotion campaign on the rocks.
Bowyer said in a statement posted on Salford’s website: “I’m delighted to be here, I’ve got to first and foremost thank Wayne Rooney, Darrell Russell at Derby County for being so helpful to allow me to come here.
“Obviously today is a case of meeting the players and setting the expectations of what we expect of them from now until the end of the season.
“We want them to be playing aggressive football both with and without the ball, and have a right good go at these remaining 11 games.
“We have an opportunity like everybody else in this league to try and force our way into the reckoning to try and get into the play-offs and see if we can do that.”
ONE IN, WIJN OUT
Liverpool are reportedly in the running to sign Manchester United target Aaron Ramsey this summer.
A new midfielder could be on the agenda at Anfield with Georginio Wijnaldum’s contract expiring.
And a potential replacement has been named in the Italian press.
According to CalcioMercato, Juventus star Ramsey is considering interest from both Liverpool and West Ham.
HITTING BACK
Fred has called for people to ‘fight’ against racist abuse on social media after being targeted at the weekend.
The 28-year-old Brazilian was the victim of sickening racism online following Man Utd’s 3-1 defeat to Leicester in the FA Cup on Sunday.
DAN THE MAN
Rob Page has claimed that Wales are set to reap the benefits of Dan James’ return to form with Manchester United.
He said: “DJ played in the past even without playing minutes at club level.
“But it is beneficial for us if you have players coming in who are playing week in, week out.
“He has now got himself back into the team and worked really hard to get back into the team.
“He looks a threat every time he plays. I think it was always going to be the case with DJ he went from Swansea playing Championship football to being thrown in the deep end.
“He has gone into a huge club in Man United and impressed rightly so from the start.
“But with a young player you are going to get levels of inconsistency and you have to manage that.
“I think Man United have done that now. At the right time they have pulled him out.”
BEEK SALE
Donny van De Beek could be offered as a ‘makeweight’ in potential dealings with Borrusia Dortmund, reports say.
The Dutchman has struggled for minutes this season, causing his future to remain in doubt.
According to 90Min, United are willing to use Van de Beek in player plus cash deals with Dortmund in the summer.
They have been linked with both Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland in the past, two targets believed to still be wanted by United.
STICK OR TWIST
Manchester United will sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer if he does not win them the Europa League, according to former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “They can’t be blaming tiredness for a loss at Leicester in the FA Cup and their squad not being strong enough.
“United competing in the Europa League is not good enough, first and foremost, the fans know that, the club know that and Ole knows that.
“Not progressing in the Champions League was a massive, massive blow for them. Yes, they’re going to get in the top four… but so they damn should!
“He’s in a position for me where the Europa League, for me, has become monumental for him and the club.
“I like him and I’m not one who wants to see managers sacked and I do think they’ve made some strides forward, but Manchester United have to be doing better.
“If they don’t win the Europa League and only finish in the top four then I think they’ll make a change.”
LION HEARTS
England players, including Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw, have been given permission to take the knee before the World Cup qualifiers.
The gesture in support of Black Lives Matter was in doubt because Fifa see it as a political issue.
But Uefa now oversee the World Cup qualifiers meaning England’s players and their opponents will be free to take the knee.
RUUD AWAKENING
Ruud Van Nistelrooy has discussed the pressures of being Manchester United’s number nine following continued doubts around Anthony Martial.
He told Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel, Vibe with Five: “It’s a big responsibility, of course.
“When people are welcoming you, everyone is on a great positive vibe and that’s the beginning.
“After one or two seasons, the responsibility and you start to feel that, with every game.
“That’s the pressure you have to deal with. As the expectations grow, the press are there, one game you don’t score and it’s a big problem. That’s something you have to deal with and it’s a huge responsibility.”
GOOD-BAILLY
Eric Bailly believes Manchester United only want him to sign a new contract so they can receive a larger transfer fee this summer.
The Ivorian, who arrived at Old Trafford in 2016, has 15 months left on his current deal at the club.
A friend of the defender told Sky Sports: “Eric loves the club and the fans, his family are settled in Manchester and he’d like nothing more than to spend the rest of his career at Old Trafford.
“But he feels the club has been very disrespectful towards him and frankly he’s had enough.
“He feels that no matter what he does, he will never be first choice for Ole.
“He now realises he’s too good and too young to spend his time sitting on the bench.”
GOOD MORNING MAN UTD FANS
Erling Haaland could QUIT this summer if Borussia Dortmund miss out on the Champions League.
Dortmund now sit fifth in the Bundesliga, a massive 18 points adrift of leaders Bayern Munich.
Worryingly, they’re four points adrift of Eintracht Frankfurt in the final Champions League spot.
And Donny van De Beek could be offered as a ‘makeweight’ in potential dealings with Dortmund.
The Dutchman has struggled for minutes this season, causing his future to remain in doubt.
Elsewhere, Ryan Giggs and his former partner are at loggerheads over their pet dog after their split.
The Man Utd great and PR worker Kate Greville both want ownership of six-month-old puppy Mac.
The pair, who split after police were called to his home and arrested him on suspicion of assault, had even bought another dog, Atlas, which they hoped would be company for Mac.
SEEYA SERGE
Sergio Romero has all but confirmed his Old Trafford exit by putting his luxury mansion up for sale.
The sprawling Cheshire pad is up for an eye-watering £3.5million or can be rented for £22,000-a-month.
The high-spec pad has six bedrooms all with en-suites.
There is a triple garage for any luxury motors the undoubtedly wealthy new occupants may have.
It boasts 10,000 sq feet and five reception rooms which provide plenty of space to host guests. And it even has a games room complete with table tennis table.
The house sits at the end of a secure gated drive in an area popular with footballers from both Man Utd and their bitter rivals City.
PS-GLEE
PSG are reportedly ready to rival Barcelona for Memphis Depay.
Mundo Deportivo claims Mauricio Pochettino is a big fan of the Lyon striker.
And he is keen to raid PSG’s rivals for their star man this summer.
Manchester United flop Depay, 27, is out of contract at the end of the campaign and will be available on a free transfer.
Barcelona were thought to be leading the race for his signature, with boss Ronald Koeman making Depay one of his key players during his time managing the Netherlands.
But joining PSG would allow Depay to stay in France, where he’s resided since January 2017.
EDIN NOWHERE
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealed that Manchester United are talking to Edinson Cavani about a new deal.
And that the Uruguayan star is listening.
As Sun Sport revealed Cavani has grown unhappy over the sound of silence from within Old Trafford regarding a new deal.
He had been preparing to quit at the end of the season when his year’s contract runs out to realise a boyhood dream of playing for Boca Juniors.
The 34-year-old striker’s father declared he would be leaving while there are reports that he already has a verbal agreement with the Argentine club.
But Solskjaer said: “We want a competitive squad and we need someone up there to score the goals for us.
“So we’re looking at it. We’re speaking to Eddy. Edinson is a top striker and whatever he decides to do, let’s see. But we’re in good dialogue with him.”
HAARD EXIT
Man Utd have been given a boost in their pursuit of Erling Haaland – with the striker set to QUIT this summer if Borussia Dortmund miss out on the Champions League, according to reports.
The Norwegian wonderkid, 20, showed his frustration on Saturday as he stormed off the pitch following his side’s 2-2 draw with Koln.
Haaland scored twice including a last-gasp equaliser to salvage a point for his side.
But he was left fuming as he hurled his shirt aside and raced down the tunnel.
Dortmund now sit fifth in the Bundesliga, a massive 18 points adrift of leaders Bayern Munich.
Worryingly, they’re four points adrift of Eintracht Frankfurt in the final Champions League spot.
And now, AS have claimed Haaland could walk away from Dortmund this summer, with Man Utd and Real Madrid poised, if they miss out on a seat at Europe’s top table.
The Spanish publication has even claimed Haaland has spoken to his agent, Mino Raiola, to make it crystal clear he wants to quit if Champions League football is off the table at the Westfalenstadion.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
