MANCHESTER UNITED will reportedly be able to sign Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona for a cut price £44m this summer.
Meanwhile Harry Maguire and Fred appeared to row during the 0-0 draw at Leeds.
Stay up to date with our blog, below, for all the latest from Old Trafford…
FER & SQUARE
Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips has revealed how he kept Manchester United talisman Bruno Fernandes quiet in Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Elland Road.
Speaking to Sky Sports after helping his team climb above Arsenal into ninth, Phillips, 25, said: “That’s what we’re about, Leeds as a club, we dig in and try to make it hard for teams.
“Particularly teams like Man Utd, it was a good game and I enjoyed the battle in midfield and everywhere on the park.”
When quizzed about his job of nulling the threat of Fernandes, he said: “We do it all games, we have different markers every game.
“My task was Bruno so I did my best to keep him quiet and luckily he didn’t pop up with a goal so I did alright.
“It depends, really (man-to-man marking), I think we’re more vulnerable when we don’t pick the wide men up and stuff like that, but I think it’s just the way that we play, we’ve always played like that.
“The attackers that we’ve got are very used to man-to-man marking and trying to press when we’re off the ball and hopefully, it brings us spaces when we’ve got it.”
NO GOOD BAILLY
Eric Bailly is reportedly set to sign a new contract at Manchester United.
The Manchester Evening News reports the centre-back is set to commit to a new deal after being reassured about his chances of playing time next season.
The Ivorian has lagged behind Victor Lindelof in the battle to partner Harry Maguire at the back.
The 27-year-old has made 100 appearances for United since joining from Villarreal in 2016.
HARRY MET PALLY
Harry Maguire has equalled Garry Pallister’s Manchester United record of 71 Premier League matches in a row without missing a minute.
ENGLAND REIGNS
English football is poised to reclaim the title of best in Europe – after NINE years.
And if either Chelsea or Arsenal beat their Spanish opponents this week, England will be confirmed in top spot – even if all four remaining Prem clubs go out at the semi-final stage.
The exploits of the Prem’s Euro battlers have seen England’s five-year coefficient score rise to 98.283 points.
Two points are earned for every win and one for each draw in European competition, divided between the number of teams who have qualified – seven in the case of England – to provide an average score for each country.
England started the season in second place behind Spain, who have been top of the Euro table since 2012.
But while English clubs have accrued 22.071 points so far, Spain have gathered just 18.642, for a total of 96.997.
With only Real Madrid and Villarreal left of La Liga’s initial seven sides, Spain’s maximum possible final total is 98.711.
England will be assured of topping that if Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United, between them pick up just three draws or a win and a draw in their combined eight matches across both legs of the semi-finals.
SHAW THING
Luke Shaw impressed again in the 0-0 draw against Leeds as the left-back continues his stellar season and his hoping to taste victory in the Europa League semi-final against Roma on Thursday.
He told MUTV: “I think they changed the way they play a little bit.
“I think when they came to Old Trafford, they were pressing much more higher, more aggressive and I think maybe they knew they played into our hands last time, so they were a bit more cautious this time. But I still feel like we should have won the game.
“A Man Utd side like us, we need to be winning today.
“That split second, that quality… I think we got that in abundance in our team. We should be taking the chances that we had today.
We have to move on. It’s a very important game on Thursday that we need to win. That’s the main focus now.”
UNITED STANCE
Diogo Dalot’s agent has insisted the star is guaranteed to play for a great European club’ next season as he looks to sort his Manchester United future.
The Portuguese defender was deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford this season and was shipped out to AC Milan on loan last summer.
As yet, no talks between them and United have taken place over a transfer switch.
Discussing his client’s future, Carlos Goncalves told CalcioMercato: “Diogo has a contract with Manchester United until 30 June 2023.
“All decisions regarding his future will be made in due course.
“There is still a lot to be decided in the Italian league and Diogo is only focused on Milan’s immediate goals, which are to finish the 2020/21 season in the best possible way, earning a spot in the Champions League.
“But whatever the future, whatever decision is made, it’s guaranteed that Diogo will continue to play in a great European club.”
GREAT DANE
Arsenal have reportedly joined Manchester United and Chelsea in the transfer chase for Fulham’s loan star Joachim Andersen.
The 24-year-old has shone for the Cottagers this season in the top-flight despite his side looking certain to be relegated from the Premier League.
The Danish international has made 27 appearances since moving to London from Lyon but looks unlikely to make that switch permanent this summer.
Lyon are expected to cash in on the defender, and despite Andersen’s good relationship with Fulham’s Scott Parker, a move to the Championship will not interest him.
The LIgue 1 team will demand at least £20million for the centre-back.
The Mirror states that Arsenal could be preparing a swoop as a replacement for David Luiz.
The Brazilian is a free agent in June and has yet to finalise a new 12-month extension with the Gunners.
EDS TURNED
Manchester United are reportedly ‘losing the battle’ to keep Edinson Cavani this summer.
The 34-year-old striker has impressed this season at Old Trafford following his arrival on a free transfer in October.
After finding the net ten times so far, boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already held talks with the veteran about triggering a new 12-month extension.
Cavani has yet to give an answer on whether he will pen a £200,000-a-week deal to remain at United.
However, the Uruguayan is believed to be keen on returning to South America.
And The Mirror claims the Red Devils are ‘losing the battle’ to persuade him to stay with the hitman ‘wanting to sign for Argentine club Boca Juniors’ in June.
VAR SHOCKER
Manchester United look set to miss out on Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane.
Prem rivals Chelsea are leading the pursuit of the Frenchman, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The Red Devils have made no secret of their desire to sign a central defender to be skipper Harry Maguire’s long-term partner at the back.
Los Blancos are set to demand over £60million for the 28-year-old whose contract expires in 2022.
GOOD MORNING MAN UTD FANS
Here are your main headlines this Monday morning:
Manchester United drew 0-0 with Leeds at Elland Road on Sunday after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men failed to take their chances.
A group of fans also flew a banner over the Whites’ ground, which read “2bn stolen #GlazersOut” in protest against the Glazer family after the owners’ participation in the European Super League fiasco.
Solskjaer suggested that he was satisfied with his players’ performance despite the poor result but United legends-turned-pundits, such as Paul Ince and Paul Scholes, strongly disagreed with the Norwegian manager.
Red Devils stars, like Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire, admitted they were frustrated with the result but are now looking forward to Thursday’s Europa League clash with Roma at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, former Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has poured cold water on United’s hopes of signing Harry Kane in the summer as he is confident he won’t leave Spurs.
The Manchester giants have been linked with Kane for a while now and rumours suggest that he will push for an exit if the north Londoners fail to qualify for the Champions League.
However, Redknapp believes the England captain will be convinced by Tottenham’s new manager to stay put at his boyhood club.
RED RUMBLE
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played down talk of a bust-up between Fred and Harry Maguire.
The Red Devils captain was heard calling his team-mate a “f***ing idiot” in their goalless draw with Leeds.
But Solskjaer, 48, brushed over the incident by claiming it was a result of the demands his players have of one another.
He said: “We have got a group that demands a lot of each other.
“The standard is high, both in training and in a game — it is not just about being a nice guy. We demand maximum effort.”
He added: “I was really proud of how strong we looked. I never thought they threatened our goal in the second half but we missed a little bit of spark to win the game.”
DON’T BET ON IT
Real Betis are not going to pursue a summer transfer deal with Manchester United for Eric Bailly.
That is according to El Desmarque, who denied rumours suggesting that Bailly will move to LaLiga at the end of the season.
That is because Betis will struggle to afford the United defender.
The Ivory Coast international’s contract runs out next year but Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still hopeful that the 27-year-old will sign a new deal
RING THE BEL
Barcelona have significantly lowered their asking price for Ousmane Dembele.
That is according to reports in Spain, which claim that Dembele will be available for a fee in the region of €50million (£44m) and €60m (£52m) in the summer.
The striker has repeatedly been linked with Manchester United in the past.
The 23-year-old’s contract runs out next year and Barca will want to make sure they don’t lose him for free in 2022
KANE FUTURE
Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp believes star striker Harry Kane will stay at Spurs in the summer.
Reports suggested that Kane, who has been linked with Manchester United and Manchester City, will leave the north Londoners in the summer if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.
However, Redknapp is confident the England captain will remain loyal to the club after Jose Mourinho’s replacement is found.
Redknapp told Goal: “I think he’ll stay. I think the new manager will come in and convince him that they’ll be having a go and signing a few more players.
“There’s nobody better than him. I wouldn’t swap him for any centre-forward in the world, personally.
“He would guarantee Man City, Man Utd or Liverpool winning the league next season, for sure. He’s a fantastic player. Tottenham have to keep him”
LOOKING FER-WARD
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes wasn’t pleased with the goalless draw at Leeds.
Fernandes took to social media after the game at Elland Road and described the outcome as “frustrating”.
But the attacking midfielder stated United are only focused on Thursday’s Europa League semi-final clash against Roma at Old Trafford.
The Portugal international tweeted:
HIGH FIVE
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer heaped praise on his backline – Dean Henderson, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka – for their impressive display against Leeds.
Solskjaer told the club’s official website: “It is hard to concede when the ball is in their half.
“We did well today, I thought we were assured with the ball as well – Victor, Harry, Dean, Luke and Aaron.
“When it is one against one, the times when they win the ball and break forward, it is exciting. I am disappointed we didn’t get three points, but I am very pleased with the performance”
KEANE JOKE
Manchester United legend Roy Keane showed glimpses of his humour on social media.
Keane directed a rare joke towards former team-mate Gary Neville following his passionate opposition towards the failed European Super League project.
Neville was among the loudest voices condemning the ESL and even suggested the clubs involved should be punished, including his former club United.
Keane is also opposed with the idea but that didn’t stop him and fellow United great Paul Scholes from directing a tongue-in-cheek jibe towards their former team-mate
OWEN SLAMS SOLSKJAER
Michael Owen joined a number of pundits that criticised Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s decisions after the goalless draw at Leeds.
Owen told Premier League Productions: “I was disappointed with the team that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer picked.
“I thought it was quite a negative team. You’re going to a team that you’ve already beaten 6-2 in the Premier League, you don’t really need two sitting midfielders.
“I thought it was a negative statement to start with”
SCHOLES CRITICISES SOLSKJAER
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes criticised former team-mate and current manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s decision to bench Paul Pogba as well as Edinson Cavani at Leeds.
Scholes also disagreed with Solskjaer’s post-match comments as he hinted he is pleased with the players’ performance despite the goalless draw at Elland Road.
Scholes told Premier League Productions: “I was surprised Pogba didn’t start the game, surprised Cavani didn’t start the game.
“It took him a long time to bring him on as well and chances were few and far between. Marcus Rashford’s dipping free-kick was probably the closest they came.’
“I get the impression he’s a little bit happy with that draw. I don’t think he should be [pleased], not against a Leeds team without probably their best player in Raphinha”
PEP TALK
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has praised Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola by calling him the “greatest manager”.
Neville told Sky Sports: “They’ve got the greatest manager, they really have.
“He’s built a new team inside 12 months. They are so dominant, and their football is wonderful.
“City were so dominant. Pep Guardiola’s cup final record is absolutely sensational.
“The passing and domination was a lesson for [Tottenham interim head coach] Ryan Mason. They created so many touches. To play that well in a cup final…”
GETTY IMAGES BEST OF THE RES
Villarreal star Pau Torres continues to be among Manchester United’s transfer targets ahead of the summer market.
According to Manchester Evening News, Torres may well be on the move at the end of the season as he has been seeking advice from friends about a possible transfer.
The 24-year-old centre-back has also attracted interest from Manchester City following a string of impressive performances under Unai Emery.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly desperate to sign a new defender that can partner up with Harry Maguire
ED TO ED
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer remained coy about former team-mate Edwin van der Sar replacing Ed Woodward as executive vice-chairman.
It was announced shortly after the European Super League fiasco that Woodward will be stepping down at the end of the year.
Van der Sar has been touted as a potential replacement but Solskjaer just hopes the right person fills the role.
The United manager said: “It’s important we employ the right man – we can’t employ on sentiment but to have Man Utd’s best interests at heart – that’s one of the criteria of course.
“But I’m not the one who writes the job description so – of course my job now is to take care of results but whoever [comes in] I’m hopeful I can have a good working relationship with and I can provide results”
SOLSKJAER ADDRESSES BANNER
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists his players weren’t affected by a flying banner, which targeted the Glazer family and read ‘2 billion stolen: #Glazersout’, before the game with Leeds.
Solskjaer said: “No, I wasn’t aware and I don’t think any of the boys have seen that. We focused on the game, every single one, down to a tee, this week.
“Of course, it was a difficult week but the preparation for this game was really good. It is a unique style of play to play against [Leeds] but I thought we played well.
“I’m really happy with the boys’ focus, they have such a determination to finish this season strong. The European disappointment, that was the last game of last season, that still sticks in their minds and hearts.
“We’re very, very focused to do well against Roma [in the Europa League semi-final first leg on Thursday], then we’ve got Liverpool in between, so not worried at all [about the protests]”
LUKE OUT
Manchester United star Luke Shaw suggested he and his team-mates have to improve on their finishing and stop wasting chances after their goalless draw at Leeds.
Shaw told MUTV: “I don’t think they really had too many chances, we’re defending right, we’ve improved a lot since the start of the season.
“We were conceding way too many goals and we knew that as a back unit and we’ve worked on that.
“We need to keep pushing ourselves to be more clinical in front of goal, because a Man United side with the talent we’ve got we need to be winning today”
GETTY IMAGES LEAVING A MARK
Leeds ace Kalvin Phillips suggested he kept Manchester United superstar Bruno Fernandes quiet during their goalless draw at Elland Road.
Phillips told Sky Sports: “We man mark every game.
“I tried to keep Bruno quiet. Thankfully he didn’t pop up with a goal so my job is alright.
“We are more vulnerable if we don’t pick wide men up. It is the way we play. The attackers are used to the marking and pressing”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
