DECLAN RICE did ask England team-mates Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw about Man Utd on international duty, the club’s fans forum heard.
The minutes of that forum read: “Darren noted that they had heard that from players going away with England [and] other national teams that people have started to ask questions about Manchester United again.”
Meanwhile Cristiano Ronaldo is looking very carefully at a potential move to Man Utd, according to reports in Italy.
Get all the latest Man Utd news, updates and transfer gossip here…
NOT DONN
Manchester United transfer target Gianluigi Donnarumma has put AC Milan contract talks on hold, according to reports.
The goalkeeper’s current deal at the San Siro expires this summer.
And with the Italian desperate to play in the Champions League, Football Italia state he slammed the brakes on negotiations.
Milan put a two-year extension on the table worth £130,000 per week.
But Donnarumma’s agent Mino Raiola is holding out for £200,000 per week for his 22-year-old client who is closing in on 250 first-team appearances for the Rossoneri, six years after his breakthrough.
None of those, however, have been in Europe’s elite club competition with the club last featuring in it way back in 2013-14.
The shot-stopper was also holding discussions with Juventus over a potential Serie A switch as the Old Lady offered around £167,000 a week.
But neither AC nor Juve have guaranteed Champions League football next season.
Gianluigi Donnarumma has put contract talks on hold because he is desperate to play Champions League football ICYMI – EUR KIDDING ME
Arsenal and Manchester United have been told they will play in front of a 10,000 crowd if they reach next month’s Europa League Final.
But fans of the two Prem sides are unlikely to be allowed to travel to Poland – with local supporters set to be the only people allowed through the gates.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has announced a series of new measures as the country emerges from the Covid crisis.
That includes outdoor sports stadiums being able to open their turnstiles to up 25 per cent of capacities from May 15.
The Europa League Final is scheduled for the Stadion Miejski in Gdansk on May 26.
It is the home ground of Lechia Gdansk and has an all-seater capacity of 41,620. That will allow potentially 10,405 fans inside for the Final.
LOUIS LOSES OUT
Louis van Gaal has revealed the TEN Manchester United transfer targets he missed out on – including Neymar and Robert Lewandowski.
The Dutchman, 69, told FourFourTwo: “I wanted Robert Lewandowski but when this proved difficult I tried to get Gonzalo Higuain instead.
“Before I had arrived, I also spoke with the board about Neymar. If you are at United, you have to think big.
“He was also interesting for the club in terms of selling shirts, and I wanted to have quick wingers. For that reason, I also tried to get Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez.
“Thomas Muller was on my wish list, too, and in central midfield I wanted N’Golo Kante.
“I even tried to sign James Milner, who was already quite old but very multifunctional and possessed leadership skills.
“For the defence, I wanted Sergio Ramos and Mats Hummels, because ours wasn’t the strongest in building from the back.
“Those were my top targets, but we couldn’t get any of them. I don’t know why, because as the manager I wasn’t involved in any negotiations.
“After I left, players like Mahrez and Kante ended up at Manchester City and Chelsea, while United couldn’t get them. I found that very odd.”
Louis van Gaal, 69, has revealed the ones that got awayCredit: Rex
ONES FER ME
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes has picked his dream five-a-side team – but only with Portuguese players.
The Red Devils ace obviously picked Cristiano Ronaldo but also included some surprising names…
Fernandes was asked to pick his dream team in an online Q&A with United’s website.
The first name on the team-sheet was Wolves keeper Rui Patricio, with whom Fernandes won the Euros.
Former Chelsea centre-half Ricardo Carvalho was his rock at the back.
He wasted no time in picking his forwards with Portuguese legends Luis Figo and Ronaldo slotting in up front.
But in his own midfield position the playmaker found it much tougher.
He was grappling between Deco and the mercurial Rui Costa and eventually opted for the latter – leaving himself out the side.
Fernandes picked an all-Portuguese five HEAR THE MAN OUT…
England stars from other clubs are reportedly asking their Man United Three Lions team-mates about life at Old Trafford.
United have recently been linked with the likes of Harry Kane and Declan Rice.
And according to the Manchester Evening News, football director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher have confirmed that England stars are asking about life at the club.
The minutes for a recent fans’ forum quote ‘JM&DF’ as saying: “Darren noted that they had heard that from players going away with England [and] other national teams that people have started to ask questions about Manchester United again.”
Declan Rice has been linked with Man United WORTH A LUKE
Former Manchester United ace Luke Chadwick has called on his old club to try and use Jesse Lingard in a swap deal for Aston Villa skipper Jack Grealish.
He told CaughtOffside: “I think Jesse Lingard, since his loan to West Ham, has probably been the best player in the Premier League for the past six, eight weeks.
“It’s been fantastic for him and has perhaps shown that it is time for him to move on to pastures new.
“If that was possible, and Lingard gets to play week in, week out at a club like Aston Villa, and Man United can attract one of the best players in the league in Jack Grealish, who’s got a huge future in front of him, that could be a fantastic piece of business on both sides.”
Jesse Lingard and Jack Grealish could move in opposite directions, if Chadwick gets his wishCredit: Paul Marriott – The Sun GRAN-D OLD TIME
Manchester United continue their Europa League campaign back against Villarreal at Old Trafford tomorrow night.
So let’s remind ourselves of how they booked their place in the semi-finals.
Enjoy, Red Devils!
ON THE PAUL
Fans will be hoping for a brilliant Paul Pogba performance tomorrow night against Roma.
And the French ace appears to have been feeling good in training today!
GUNNAR HAVE RESPECT
Man United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted he meant no disrespect to Roma, when he admitted he hadn’t seen them play after beating Granada earlier this month.
He said: “That was straight after the game and, with all the games we’ve had, I was just relieved that we had gone through.
“Of course, I’ve watched them but I hadn’t analysed them and I hadn’t seen them in depth to give them enough respect probably.
“It’s a fantastic club with a great history. I’ve actually got two prized possessions back home – a [Francesco] Totti shirt and a [Daniele] De Rossi shirt – I swapped shirts with them, they’re actually signed!
“We are ready for them,” he added. “My comment was not meant as any disrespect and I think everyone knows that. I have got loads of respect for them.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has enormous respect for ‘fantastic’ RomaCredit: EPA
TEAM NEWS
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given an update on all the team news ahead of tomorrow night’s clash with Roma.
The Norwegian said: “There are so many games!
“They’re all fit and available, we didn’t lose anyone from the last game, which was good. It was a hard-fought game of course against Leeds, high intensity. We’re ready and we’ve had good preparation for the rest of the season.”
Quizzed about Marcus Rashford and Eric Bailly, he added: “Both of them are available. That’s good.
“We have managed Marcus and we have had to do it for quite a while. I feel he’s gone through the worst now. He’s available for selection tomorrow, he’s happy with the progress.”
Anthony Martial and Phil Jones both remain out injured.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has updated fans ahead of tomorrow night’s gameCredit: PA MORE FROM SHAW
Luke Shaw has offered his thoughts on why Man United have fallen at the semi-final stage of competitions FIVE times under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
He said: “I think, first and foremost, no semi-final is easy, they’re always tough games.
“We’ve just missed out on a few, like you said. We’ve had a lot of disappointment from that, so I think we can use that as motivation for this one, the way we felt after them.
“Like I say, we were very disappointed, we can just reflect on that and put things right tomorrow and start with that.
“It’s obviously two legs so you know it will only be half-time after tomorrow, but the first leg will always be a very important one and we’ve had a few days to prepare for this and we’re ready for this because we want to win this trophy.”
Luke Shaw wants to put Man United’s recent semi-final record rightCredit: PA SHAW THING
Manchester United star Luke Shaw has spoken of his ‘motivation’ to reach the Europa League final, after missing his side’s 2017 triumph through injury.
The England star said: “Personally, for me it’s a massive motivation.
“As you said then, I’ve been quite unfortunate to not be involved in semis and finals, so of course I’m really looking forward to tomorrow night to step out in one.
“But, of course, from a team point of view, it’s very important. In the past, we’ve missed out on a few finals and I think this season, the way we’ve been playing, the way the confidence is high, we’ve got real belief that we can reach it.
“Like I said, it’s a massive motivation for not just me, but for the whole team to reach the final. It’s a game we’re looking forward to tomorrow and one we’re very ready for.”
Luke Shaw has been in sensational formCredit: PA WHEN IN ROMA
Manchester United host Roma in their Europa League semi-final first leg tomorrow night.
And here is how SunSport’s Dave Fraser thinks that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will line his men up at Old Trafford.
How Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could line his side up tomorrow night OLE TRAFFORD
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is confident his side will beat Roma on Thursday.
ONE FER THE FUTURE
Bruno Fernandes has revealed he dreams of managing Manchester United once he has retired as a player.
Speaking to the club’s website about what he plans to do after retiring from football, he said: “I think I want to be a coach.
“Honestly, I would like to be a coach. I don’t know which team I would like to manage. Of course, the biggest team if I can manage Manchester United, I will be happy.
“I can leave now just some words so if people see this, if I’m a manager in the future, the fans can make some pressure to bring me as a coach!
“But I think I would like to be a coach in the future. I’m not sure but for what I feel for football, for the feeling I have, I think I have to continue to be inside of football because my whole life is about this.
“So I think, in the future, it needs to be with football too.”
EUR KIDDING ME
Arsenal and Manchester United have been told they will play in front of a 10,000 crowd if they reach next month’s Europa League Final.
But fans of the two Prem sides are unlikely to be allowed to travel to Poland – with local supporters set to be the only people allowed through the gates.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has announced a series of new measures as the country emerges from the Covid crisis.
That includes outdoor sports stadiums being able to open their turnstiles to up 25 per cent of capacities from May 15.
The Europa League Final is scheduled for the Stadion Miejski in Gdansk on May 26.
It is the home ground of Lechia Gdansk and has an all-seater capacity of 41,620. That will allow potentially 10,405 fans inside for the Final.
CROWN JULES
Sevilla are interested in taking Chelsea playmaker Hakim Ziyech as part of the Blues’ bid for Jules Kounde, according to reports in Spain.
French defender Kounde is rumoured to be one of the hottest properties of the summer transfer market.
A strong second season with Sevilla has helped put the LaLiga club in position for an unlikely late title challenge.
And Manchester United are said to be monitoring the player, along with Chelsea.
Spanish outlet El Gol Digital have claimed that Ziyech could be key to unlocking the deal.
Selling the midfielder as part of Kounde’s move to West London could reportedly chop 50 per cent off the transfer fee.
Jules Kounde has made himself a key player for title challengers Sevilla WAGE RAGE
Liverpool have risen above Manchester United in the Premier League wage bill standings – but still sit miles adrift of Manchester City.
The official salary totals for the 2019-20 season have now been confirmed.
Across last season, the Reds paid out a whopping £325million in player wages.
Meanwhile, Manchester City still top the pile, shelling out an extraordinary £351m on wages last season.
Man Utd sit third on the list – miles adrift of their local rivals – on £284m, despite David De Gea signing a massive £375,000-a-week contract at the start of the season.
Last season, Chelsea spent just £1m less than United on wages at £283m.
Arsenal and Tottenham ran the tightest ship wage-wise, spending just £225m and £181m respectively last term.
Man City spent the most on players wages in 2019-20, with Liverpool overtaking Man Utd BIRTHDAY BOY
Man Utd playmaker Juan Mata has turned 33 today.
Take a look at his strike against former employers Chelsea two years ago on this day.
RED AHEAD
Sir Alex Ferguson could be celebrating £296,000 winnings from the past month if his horse triumphs in the Punchestown Gold Cup today.
Fergie’s Clan Des Obeaux has been tipped by Templegate to land the big one in Ireland.
Victory there would give the Manchester United icon and the horse’s two other owners a tasty £127,000 windfall.
That would come on the back of a magical day at Aintree earlier this month when Fergie cheered home the first three winners.
The former Old Trafford gaffer co-owns Protektorat, Monmiral and Clan Des Obeaux.
GIGGS IN COURT
Ryan Giggs has arrived at court this morning charged with attacking his ex-girlfriend.
The Manchester United legend, 47, is accused of causing actual bodily harm to PR executive Kate Greville, 36, at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester.
The former United star and Wales national team manager faces an additional charge of engaging in coercive or controlling behaviour against her over a three-year period.
It’s claimed that throughout their three-year relationship – between December 2017 and November 2020 – Giggs used “harassment, humiliation, degradation and abuse” against Kate.
Giggs has also been charged with common assault against her younger sister Emma.
Police were called to Giggs’ £1.7million mansion at 10.05pm on November 1 last year after reports of a disturbance. He was arrested and later bailed pending further inquiries.
Giggs arriving at Manchester Magistrates Court this morning
CREAM OF THE CROP
Bruno Fernandes has been the cream of the crop for Manchester United this season… and the secret to his udderly brilliant performances could be down to his relentless milk intake.
The Portuguese superstar has been spotted by eagle-eyed viewers sipping on the white stuff from the substitute bench during moments throughout the season.
During a Q&A with Red Devil supporters, one asked why he has stopped his ritual, with Fernandes was eager to reassure he is still downing milk.
As reported on United’s official site, he said: “I don’t stop drinking milk. It’s just that the coach is substituting me less than before.
“Before, he changed me a lot of times and I think in the last games I was not coming off a lot of times so you never see me with the milk.
“But, honestly, I don’t know if it is milk – sometimes it’s milk and sometimes it’s water with some stuff to help us [with the] recovery.
“But it’s okay, the milkman for me, I like milk so it’s okay, don’t worry about that. I still do it but sometimes in the dressing room, sometimes I take that drink to my home to drink.”
Bruno Fernandes has been seen drinking milk during matches TELL ALL
Man Utd defender Alex Telles has warned his side they will have to wary of Roma striker Edin Dzeko for Thursday’s Europa League clash.
Speaking to the club’s matchday magazine United Review, the Brazilian said: “We’re always keeping an eye on the teams we may come up against further down the line, so we’ll watch their game.
“
I know Roma are a quality team with very good attacking players such as Edin Dzeko. Players who create a lot up front.
“Before adding: “
“He’s a quality finisher, he knows how to score goals. You’re dealing with a centre-forward with a real physical presence because of his stature.
“
He’s a constant danger so we need to concentrate. I believe we have a very strong and focused backline to deal with this.
“We know facing a team like Roma in a semi-final that we’re going to be up against quality players. We have to be ready.
“WHEN IN ROME
Manchester United’s Luke Shaw believes the Europa League semi-final against Roma could define their season and it’s time they scooped up the trophy.
Resurgent left-back Shaw said: “These are three massive games coming up and especially the two against Roma, which could sort of define our season.
“I think we have been in the semi-finals a lot in the last two seasons, and we haven’t been successful in them.
“So this is a chance for us to take a step in the right direction, get through that and then win the competition.”
SCRATCH THE IC
Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic recognises Roma will be a tough task in the Europa League semi-final but the club need to progress and bring trophies home.
He said: “I think it’s time to get to the final and win this trophy, but it’s going to be hard.
“We respect Roma, we know that they are a good squad with a good coach and a big club.
“It’s going to be interesting, but we have to believe in our qualities.
“We want to play in that big final and bring trophies to Old Trafford because this club deserves the best.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
