BRUNO FERNANDES is ready to sign a new Manchester United contract, but only if Paul Pogba does.
Meanwhile we have all the latest as the Glazer family publicly apologise for attempting to form a European Super League.
Stay up to date with our blog, below, for all the latest from Old Trafford…
STUCK IN THE MIDDLE
How Manchester United have looked with and without Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes this season.
EXCLUSIVE BY NEIL CUSTIS AND RICHARD MORIARTY
Bruno Fernandes will commit himself to Manchester United — but only if Paul Pogba does the same.
Fernandes sees Pogba’s future as key if United are going to make up the gap to Manchester City, with the Frenchman out of contract in 2022.
SunSport revealed on March 10 how the club had approached Fernandes over a new double-your-money five-year contract worth £200,000 a week.
But he did not want to enter talks until he saw the club’s ambition in the transfer market this summer, with Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho targets.
Now he wants assurances over Pogba’s future too as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer plans for an assault on the title next season.
Bruno Fernandes is waiting to see if Paul Pogba stays at Man Utd before committing himself EXCLUSIVE BY MARTIN LIPTON
Celtic and Rangers are wanted to join a BRITISH League as part of the fall-out of the failed Euro breakaway plot.
While the Big Six led the humiliating retreat from the Super League debacle, they remain convinced that reform of the Prem is essential.
Top of the list of plans being actively discussed is an offer to the two Glasgow giants to come south of Hadrian’s Wall.
Celtic and Rangers would jump at the chance to take a slice of the Prem cake, while their inclusion would also see a spike in interest from fans across the world, sponsors and broadcasters.
One club source said: “Whether or not the Super League was going to happen, we all feel that the Premier League has to be changed and improved.
“It is time we opened it up to Rangers and Celtic. That would make sense for everyone.”
Celtic and Rangers are being lined up to join a British league
FROM SUNSPORT’S KEN LAWRENCE
Furious fans have refused to accept grovelling European Super League apologies from the billionaire American owners of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.
Powerful supporters group Spirit of Shankly blasted: “These crocodile tears will not wash.
“We have always asked for honesty, integrity and transparency from club owners FSG, but the arrogance and deception they have shown behind this money-grab is frightening, but not surprising.
“We have noted John W Henry’s apology, but this PR exercise is too little, too late.
“Our owners have thrown everyone under the bus, supporters, manager, players and staff, and humiliated themselves through sheer greed and arrogance.
“This debacle must be a catalyst for real change, not an exercise in damage limitation.
“We need a fundamental change in football governance, one that is fair for the whole football pyramid, not just the rapacious elite.”
Football fans have rejected apologies from American owners including John W Henry RAPH AND READY
Chelsea have reportedly joined Man Utd in the race for Raphael Varane.
Bild claims the Real Madrid defender is on Thomas Tuchel’s shortlist as he approaches the final year of his contract.
The Red Devils have been long-time fans of Varane, believed to be available for £50million.
But Chelsea have now entered the running and are set to submit an enquiry for the World Cup winner.
Chelsea will rival Man Utd for Raphael Varane ERL GREY
Premier League target Erling Haaland is set to stay at Borussia Dortmund this summer.
That’s according to sporting director Michael Zorc.
Haaland has been linked with Man United, Man City and Chelsea after another stunning season in Germany.
But Zorc is confident Haaland is staying put regardless of whether Dortmund qualify for the Champions League.
Zorc said: “No matter where we end up, Erling will continue to play with us.”
Borussia Dortmund are confident Erling Haaland will stay put this summer EU WHAT?
The chaos caused by the Super League shambles meant far-reaching changes to the existing European competitions passed by almost unnoticed.
Uefa rubber-stamped its proposals, backed by national associations, for a major revamp to start from the 2024-25 season and to run for at least nine years.
Check out the Champions League changes below…
How the revamped tournament will look PS-GLEE
PSG chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi has been named the new European Club Association chairman.
He takes over from Juventus supremo Andrea Agnelli, one of the European Super League ringleaders.
Agnelli resigned from the post after Sunday’s controversial announcement.
And Al-Khelaifi has been voted in as the man to replace him.
CLAUD NEIN
Claudio Ranieri has launched a scathing attack on the European Super League – insisting a similar competition would have excluded his title-winning Leicester side.
Slamming the Premier League clubs who signed up, he said: “My Leicester team would have not played in Europe under such a system.
“It would have been a glaring injustice, and an insult to the values of sport.
“These people must be kidding us. We finished first in the richest and most competitive league in the world.
“But this European league would have told us: ‘Sorry, you can’t come in – you don’t have the right CV.’
“It is madness, and a betrayal of one of the basic fundamentals of sport – meritocracy.
“The beauty of football lies in the fact that the poorest clubs can always beat the stronger ones.”
Claudio Ranieri has slammed the Prem’s Big Six over the European Super League
RAM RAID
European Super League plotter Florentino Perez admits Man Utd target Sergio Ramos could leave Real Madrid when his contract expires this summer.
Perez explained: “I love him very much, but we are in a very bad situation. We have to be realistic.
“I did not say that Ramos is not going to continue. We are thinking about finishing this season, then we will see what happens.
“A lot of things can happen. First we are going to finish this season. We are talking to many players and many are voluntarily lowering their salary.
“Some have already lowered it, specifically the two who have left, Luka Jovic and Martin Odegaard.
“Last year Ramos accepted. This year he is in a different situation.”
Real Madrid admit Man Utd-linked Sergio Ramos could leave this summer WHERE THERE’S A WILL
Prince William has had his say after England’s ‘Top Six’ withdrew from the European Super League.
The Duke of Cambridge, who previously expressed concern at the plans, tweeted: “I’m glad the united voice of football fans has been heard and listened to.
“It is now really important that we use this moment to secure the future health of the game at all levels.
“As President of the FA, I’m committed to playing my part in that work.”
RON NOT ON WAY
Man United legend Cristiano Ronaldo will not be returning to Real Madrid from Juventus, according to disgraced Los Blancos president Florentino Perez.
He said: “They are very good players. Lionel Messi and Cristiano. It’s a historical thing.
“Cristiano’s return? No. He has a contract with Juventus.
“But it doesn’t make sense for him to come back. I love him a lot, he has given us a lot.”
Real Madrid are not looking to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo GLAZE OVER
Man Utd chief Joel Glazer has written an apology letter to fans over the disastrous European Super League.
It read: “We got it wrong and we want to show that we can put things right.
“Although the wounds are raw and it will take time for the scars to heal, I am personally committed to rebuilding trust with our fans and learning from the message you delivered with such conviction.
“In seeking to create a more stable foundation for the game, we failed to show enough respect for its deep-rooted traditions and for that we are sorry.
“This is the world’s greatest football club and we apologise unreservedly for the unrest caused during these past few days.”
Joel Glazer has apologised for the European Super League plans BALLS OUT
Boris Johnson insisted today that an investigation into football governance WILL still go ahead – despite the collapse of the European Super League last night.
He said at PMQs today: “It’s entirely right that (former sports minister Tracey Crouch) will do a root and branch investigation into the governance of football and into what we can do to promote the role of fans in that governance.
“I think that one of the most worrying features about the European Super League proposals is that they would have taken clubs that take their names from great, famous British towns and cities.
“English towns and cities, and turned them just into global brands with no relation to the fans, to the communities that gave them life and that give them the most love and support.”
Boris Johnson insisted a review of football will still go ahead FIXTURE SWAP
Manchester United’s games against Liverpool and Aston Villa have been confirmed in May.
SUMMER LOVIN’
Manchester United and Liverpool are reportedly in talks to battle it out in two pre-season friendlies this summer.
The two humiliated clubs – who have pulled out from competing in the European Super League – both face the possibility of being unable to travel for overseas tours.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, both teams could miss out on playing abroad if travel restrictions remain in place.
And according to the Mirror, United and Liverpool are in negotiations over staging lucrative friendlies ahead of the 2021-2022 season.
They claim that a first meeting could take place at Old Trafford in late July, before Anfield hosts the second clash in early August.
It has also been suggested that the games could be used as test events for capacity crowds ahead of the new Premier League campaign which starts on August 14.
Reported by the Daily Mail, Jurgen Kopp’s side are not planning on competing in any friendlies abroad in the summer.
AL OVER
Manchester United appear to have missed out on David Alaba after it was reported he had agreed a five-year deal with Real Madrid.
Chelsea were also linked with the Austrian who revealed he will quit Bayern Munich after 13 years this summer.
Sky reports Alaba has signed on at the Bernabeu until 2026.
The 28-year-old previously expressed his desire for a new challenge and is thought to have set his heart on a move to Spain.
BULLY BOYS
Former Manchester United player and coach Nicky Butt slammed the ‘worst case of bullying from powerful people’ and said any apologies are irrelevant after the Super League debacle.
VICTORY FOR FANS
Culture secretary Oliver Dowden heralded the crumbling of Super League as a ‘real victory for fans’.
RETURN OF THE MAC
Glazers out, McGregor in?
ON BRAND
Brandon Williams bid a hasty retreat after accidentally revelling in the European Super League’s end with a post of Liverpool celebrations.
Fans were quick to point out that the Manchester United defender had focused his thanks on his club’s bitter rivals.
An Instagram post of Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League bus parade went online to his one million followers on Tuesday night.
It was captioned: “To you all 👏🏼 Everyone is equal⚽️.”
It did not take long for 20-year-old Williams to swap out the picture for one of his own fans.
And an image of United fans cheering on the streets was put up with a similar caption, which now emphasised that ‘we are ALL equal’.
HIT IN THE POCKET!
All of the Big Six have reportedly lost £8million after signing up to the Super League.
The English clubs all rapidly pulled out of the widely slammed new competition yesterday just 48 hours after it was announced.
The Mail reports all the ‘founder’ members had bought around £8m worht of equity stakes.
And the clubs are also set to face financial penalties after signing contracts that committed them for three years.
NO THANKS!
Gary Neville revealed he took his Manchester United medals out of the club museum four years ago.
His revelation came in response to a tweet that claimed former Red Devils captain Martin Buchan had asked for his medals back due to his outrage at the club signing up to the Super League.
‘EAT THEMSELVES’
Gary Neville hopes the six rebel Premier League clubs are fined by £100million each by Real Madrid and they end up ‘eating themselves’ in the messy fallout from the European Super League.
And fans are calling on the so-called ‘Big Six’ to be hit with a punishment within the English game.
Neville was one of the strongest voices condemning Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and the two Manchester clubs for signing up to the 20-team breakaway franchise league.
Fans, players, managers and pundits together made their fury known and all six made a sheepish U-turn on Tuesday night to withdraw from the ESL – less than 48 hours after their public statements signalling their intentions.
But Neville still wants to see the Premier League sides made to pay for their initial plans which would likely have decimated the rest of English football.
The former United and England right-back told Sky Sports: “Florentino Perez might have them on a £100m fine and I hope he does.
“I hope Perez has got them on a massive fine to withdraw the lot of them and they basically end up eating each other.”
COMM ON!
Manchester United legend Gary Neville slammed the club’s Super League leaving statement as ‘quite possibly the worst communication I’ve ever seen in my life!’
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
