MANCHESTER UNITED have been blasted as CRIMINAL by former star Gary Neville over joining European Super League.
Meanwhile the Red Devils have reportedly been handed a boost in their pursuit of Erling Haaland and are also reportedly chasing Rafael Varane.
Stay up to date with our blog, below, for all the latest from Old Trafford…
HAALAND SITUATION
Manchester United are among the clubs interested in signing Borussia Dortmund megastar Erling Haaland in the summer.
However, the fees required by Dortmund as well as Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola are astronomical.
Therefore, it is important to remind there is a clause in the star striker’s contract that will allow him to leave for a major cut-price of €75m (£65m) in the summer of 2022.
That would work as a major boost for United along with the other interested parties
BRU-NO NO NO
Bruno Fernandes has become the first ‘Big Six’ player to break his silence on the much-maligned European Super League.
Premier League chiefs are furious at the Red Devils, Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham for pressing ahead with the £4.6BILLION breakaway plan, which was confirmed last night.
Now Fernandes has offered his thoughts on the matter as he shared an Instagram post from fellow Portuguese ace Daniel Podence in which the Wolves star appeared to condemn the proposal.
Podence’s post said: “The ball. The song. The dream. The Zidane’s volley… Kaka’s solo… Liverpool in Athens… Ole in Barcelona… Cris and Seedorf… There some (sic) things we just can’t really pay for.”
Fernandes replied: “Enorme (enormous).”
The United attacker then shared the post to his own Instagram Story, and included the text: “Dreams can’t be [bought].”
$UP£R L£AGU£
European Super League was axed as Tottenham boss after a players’ revolt.
The Special One’s 17-month reign in charge at Spurs came to an end when he was sacked this morning – just six days before they face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup Final at Wembley.
The move was hit by an epic backlash from players, pundits and fans alike.
But the founding members – 15 when all is said and done – will be laughing all the way to the bank.
Last season, Bayern Munich pocketed around £71million in prize money for lifting the Champions League.
However, all 20 teams set to take part in the inaugural European Super League are set to earn a minimum of £285m each, according to the New York Times.
That’s over four times MORE than the 2020 Champions League winners simply for signing up.
Clubs joining the proposed tournament could earn up to £310m as an initial ‘golden hello.
They will then rake in a minimum of £130m each season from their share of a £3.1billion total pot.
WE’LL SUE EU
Super League rebels have threatened to sue Fifa AND Uefa if they try to ban the clubs from setting up their breakaway competition.
Uefa’s response to news of the proposed new self-elected elite was to raise the prospect of the 12 clubs – including all of the Prem Big Six – and their players being unable to play in any national or international competitions.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters and the FA were co-signatories to that letter.
In the letter both insisted permission would not be granted by English football chiefs for Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs and the two Manchester giants to take part.
But the clubs responded with a joint letter of their own – sent to Fifa President Gianni Infantino and Uefa counterpart Aleksander Ceferin.
In it they revealed they had already engaged lawyers to fight their corner.
PLAYER BANS CONFIRMED
Fabrizio Romano reports that UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has confirmed that players who compete in the European Super League will be banned from the World Cup and Euros.
That means anyone from the Premier League’s “big six” that breaks away won’t be allowed to be part of their national teams.
There had been rumours of potential sanctions towards the sides involved with the proposed format, which Ceferin described as “disgraceful”.
The UEFA President also said the ESL poses as a “spit in the face ” of all football fans
MORE FROM CEFERIN
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin characterised the proposed European Super League as “disgraceful”.
Ceferin also said the ESL acts as a “spit in the face” for all football fans.
The UEFA President said: “I cannot stress more strongly UEFA and the footballing world are united against the disgraceful, self-serving proposals we have seen, fuelled purely by greed. It’s a nonsense of a project.
“This idea is a spit in the face for all football lovers and our society. We will not allow them to take this away from us”
PREMIER LEAGUE SET MEETING
The Premier League are going to hold a meeting with 14 clubs on Tuesday morning.
That means the “big six”, which is Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham, who are involved in the proposed European Super League project as “founding clubs” won’t be included.
The representatives involved will discuss the ongoing situation and the next steps.
The scheduled meeting will be chaired by Premier League CEO Richard Masters
CEFERIN LASHES OUT AT WOODWARD
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has strongly criticised Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli following the European Super League proposition.
Ceferin said: “I was a criminal lawyer for 24 years but I’ve never, ever, seen people like that.
“If I start with Ed Woodward, he called me last Thursday, saying that he’s very satisfied with reforms and he fully supports them. Obviously, he already signed something else.
“Andrea Agnelli is the biggest disappointment of all. I’ve never seen a person lie so many times as he did, it was unbelievable”
MUST TAKE ACTION
The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust reacted to the club’s involvement in the European Super League project.
United have been granted the title of “founding club” along with five other Premier League sides, which are Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham.
The Trust, though, are completely opposed to the proposed competition as they described it as “unacceptable” and a “betrayal”.
Here’s the statement they released:
BRUNO FERNANDES REACTS
Manchester United superstar Bruno Fernandes has endorsed a post by fellow countryman and Wolves star Daniel Podence that appears to criticise the European Super League.
Podence shared an image on Instagram that shows him celebrating a Champions League goal with his former club Olympiacos last season.
The Portugal international shared the photo with the following caption: “The Ball. The Song. The Dream. The Zidane’s volley… Kaka’s Solo… Liverpool In Athens… Ole in Barcelona… Cris and Seedorf … There some things we just can’t really pay for it.”
Fernandes shared that post as a story on his own Instagram account with some “clapping” emojis and a caption that read: “Dreams can’t be buy”
TUCHEL REACTS
Chelsea are among the teams that hold the title of “founding club” of the proposed European Super League.
Blues manager Thomas Tuchel addressed his club’s involvement in the ESL by saying he “trusts” the hierarchy to make the right decisions.
Tuchel told ESPN’s James Olley: “I trust my club to make the right decisions. It is too early to judge everything and it is not my part.
“On my badge, it says everybody has to play their role and my role is coach”
BIG SIX BOMBSHELL
Sky Sports News have shared some major backstage info regarding the European Super League.
The report includes a statement by a board member at one of the six Premier League clubs that are breaking away.
They said: “There are several board members at the six clubs who are opposed to joining the new league but they feel they do not have the power to stop it.”
They added that the owners were expecting a backlash: “To be honest, they are not that worried about PR” as “the wider good of the game is a secondary concern.”
The unnamed board member also said the owners would be secretly pleased with their players being banned from the Euros and World Cup as “they don’t like giving their playing assets away to countries for very little financial reward.”.
And finally, they stated: “This is not a civil war, it’s a nuclear war”
ANOTHER ESL SNUB
Porto president Pinto da Costa confirmed he rejected an offer to join the European Super League, which includes Manchester United.
This comes after rumours suggested the Portuguese giants could be one of the additional three “Founding Clubs”.
The Dragons are now the fourth club to reject the ESL after Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Paris St-Germain.
Da Costa said: “There were informal contacts from some clubs, but we didn’t pay much attention for two reasons. The first is that the European Union does not allow a closed circuit of events like in the NBA, for example.
“As the Portuguese Football Federation is against this, and as part of UEFA, we cannot participate in anything that is against the principles and rules of the European Union and UEFA.
“If that goes forward, something that I have a lot of doubts about, UEFA will not end and it is certain that they will continue to have evidence. It must be recognized that the events organized by UEFA are the official events.
“We are not concerned with being or not, we are in the Champions League and we hope to continue to be for many years”
MORE FROM NEVILLE!
Manchester United legend Gary Neville is not done with his scathing criticism of the European Super League and his former club.
Neville blasted against the new initiative at Sky Sports on Sunday and even suggested the harshest of punishments for United and the rest of the “founding clubs”.
This time the footballer-turned-pundit took a swipe at the Red Devils ahead of Sunday’s Premier League encounter at Leeds.
Neville said: “Leeds players should walk to the side of the pitch and just let them keep scoring ! They don’t want competition….”
CATASTROPHICALLY DESTABILISING
The League Managers Association (LMA) believes the European Super League, which now includes Manchester United, would have a “catastrophically destabilising” effect on the sport
A statement from the LMA read: “We believe that any such league would be catastrophically destabilising to the entire European football pyramid, with deep and far-reaching consequences.
“Closing off the top of the pyramid of European club football would immediately extinguish many of the ambitions and dreams that drive managers, coaches, players and fans.
“Club owners are custodians of the clubs they lead and they have a duty and responsibility to the integrity of the game that should always take precedence over self-interest and financial gain. Now more than ever, as the game looks to face the challenges of re-emerging from the COVID pandemic, it needs to be unified, working to the principles of cooperation and solidarity.
“We will support the game’s stakeholders in taking any appropriate measures required and we urge those leading the clubs responsible for the European Super League proposals to fundamentally reconsider their position and act in the best interests of the whole game.”
DARK DAY
Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee Chair Julian Knight described the ongoing European Super League developments, which include Manchester United, as a “dark day for football”.
Knight said: “This is a dark day for football – a deal done behind closed doors apparently with no regard for supporters.
“Though this idea was mooted several months ago, what’s shocking is the speed at which this breakaway league has been announced.
“What’s needed is a fan-led review of football with real teeth and here we have more evidence to strengthen the case for it.
“Football needs a reset, but this is not the way to do it. The interests of community clubs must be put at the heart of any future plans.
“We, the Committee, will be discussing this when we meet tomorrow in a private session”
ANDER-STAND THIS
Former Manchester United star Ander Herrera took to Twitter condemning the European Super League project.
Herrera broke his silence and claimed that this is a case of ” the rich stealing what the people created”.
Reports suggest that the star midfielder’s current club Paris St-Germain were invited to be part of the format but turned them down.
It is also claimed that the PSG hierarchy believe that it would be disrespectful to join a top competition that would be exclusive for the richest clubs
MOURINHO REPLACEMENT
Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is no longer in charge of Tottenham.
Spurs are now searching for Mourinho’s permanent replacement following the Portuguese coach’s shock exit.
Until then, former club player Ryan Mason is going to take over first team training.
Here’s who Betfair think are the likeliest candidates to take over at Tottenham:
- Julian Nagelsmann – 7/2
- Jurgen Klinsmann – 7/2
- Brendan Rodgers – 5/1
- Ledley King – 9/1
- Massimiliano Allegri – 10/1
- Steven Gerrard – 12/1
- Scott Parker – 12/1
- Rafa Benitez – 14/1
- Nuno Espirito Santo – 14/1
- Gareth Southgate – 16/1
- Maurizio Sarri – 16/1
- Diego Simeone – 20/1
- Graham Potter – 20/1
- Roberto Martinez – 20/1
HAALAND SITUATION
Manchester United are among the clubs interested in signing Borussia Dortmund megastar Erling Haaland in the summer.
However, the fees required by Dortmund as well as Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola are astronomical.
Therefore, it is important to remind there is a clause in the star striker’s contract that will allow him to leave for a major cut-price of €75m (£65m) in the summer of 2022.
That would work as a major boost for United along with the other interested parties
TOTTENHAM STATEMENT
Tottenham have confirmed that former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has been relieved of his duties.
Mourinho will be departing from Spurs along with his coaching staff Joao Sacramento, Nuno Santos, Carlos Lalin and Giovanni Cerra.
Chairman Daniel Levy said: “Jose and his coaching staff have been with us through some of our most challenging times as a Club. Jose is a true professional who showed enormous resilience during the pandemic.
“On a personal level I have enjoyed working with him and regret that things have not worked out as we both had envisaged.
“He will always be welcome here and we should like to thank him and his coaching staff for their contribution”
VARANE SITUATION
Manchester United are in very advanced talks with Real Madrid amid their bid to sign Raphael Varane in the summer.
That is according to El Chiringuito TV, who claim United are in pole position for Varane’s signature.
The defender is entering his final year at Real and Los Blancos have accepted that they may have to sell him at the end of the season if they want to make a profit out of him.
Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly looking for someone to partner up with Harry Maguire at centre-back
WHAT SOLSKJAER SAID
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer remained coy about the European Super League plans when quizzed before the announcement on Sunday.
Solskjaer said after United’s 3-1 win over Burnley: “I am dealing with the news this afternoon, the speculation.
“I don’t think it is for me to comment on now. We just have to wait and see what happens.
“As I have said, I have seen the speculation or news this afternoon. I can’t comment. It is an issue for the clubs to comment on.
“I’ve seen this morning the news about the speculation, so I can’t really say too much. My focus has been on this game.
“I haven’t looked into [the details], I’ve just been focusing on this game. I need to sit down and see what it is. I’ve not seen any, I don’t know all the ins and outs, I need to find out and then the clubs can issue a comment”
MOURINHO SACKED!
In what has already been a mad day in football, former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho appears to have been sacked as Tottenham manager.
That is according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, who reports that Spurs have parted ways with Mourinho after a turbulent season.
The north Londoners are seventh in the Premier League table and look set to miss out on the top four for the second year in a row.
This comes after Tottenham decided to break away and join the controversial European Super League format
FERDINAND SPEAKS OUT
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand joined an ever-growing list of high-profile figures condemning the European Super League project calling it a “war on football”.
Ferdinand told BT Sport: “This is, for me, a war on football. It’s a disgrace, it’s embarrassing and goes against everything football is about.
“It’s a closed shop for these bigwigs and it’s completely and utterly only about one thing and that’s money. The rich getting richer and the others not even being considered.
“How they’ve got the audacity to do it in the climate we’re in at the moment… the pandemic around the world. People are struggling all over the world, and this lot…colluding with this idea that they’ve hatched – and to break it like this.
“The element of being anti-competitive goes against everything football is about. It screams [that] these people have no idea what football’s about. It’s purely a business transaction. The people who make this game special are not being considered”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
