MANCHESTER UNITED have been blasted as CRIMINAL by former great Gary Neville over talks of a 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…
WE HAVE MOVED
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GOAL OF THE DAY
What a neat finish this was from Donny van de Beek on his debut for Man Utd.
Just a shame his goal came in a 3-1 defeat against Crystal Palace.
SMALL PROBLEM
Roma defender Chris Smalling is in a race to be fit to face his former club Manchester United in the Europa League semi-finals.
The 31-year-old missed his side’s quarter-final tie against Ajax due to knee problems.
But according to Gazetta dello Sport there is a belief one of Smalling or fellow centre-back Leonardo Spinazzola will be fit for the first leg against Man Utd on April 29.
Roma will already be without defenders Marash Kumbulla and Gianluca Mancini through injury and suspension.
Earlier this week, Smalling was robbed at gunpoint in front of his wife and toddler son when three hooded men broke into his home.
The ex-England defender was sleeping when the armed thugs broke into his home and forced him to open his safe.
DEAFENING SILENCE
Premier League clubs are set to agree a social media boycott, according to reports.
Top-flight teams want to send a message that racism will not be tolerated and will launch a war against online hate.
According to Daily Mail, teams are planning to go silent on social media for 24 hours either side of their game on the ‘Weekend of Action’ between May 1-3.
And the report adds that the Premier League will also boycott social media for the duration of the round of fixtures.
Clubs have been asked to confirm their support for the plans by 2pm on Monday 19 April, the report states.
The move is a bid to ramp up pressure on social platforms to act against online hate and abuse after a spate of recent incidents.
WAYNE’S HAVANA LAUGH
EXCLUSIVE – Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney is having a luxury whisky and cigar room built into his £20million mansion.
The England icon, 35, is modelling it on an exclusive jazz venue he frequents.
Wayne and wife Coleen, 34, are usually regulars at Puffin’ Rooms in Liverpool, which has an array of wines, champagnes, cocktails and more than 200 rare whiskies.
A vast selection of Havana or New World cigars is also available.
A source said: “The Puffin Rooms is one of those cosy intimate places where Wayne can relax in the lap of luxury. He’s been going there for years with Coleen.
“They love it there and always go back when they’re in Liverpool.
“They wanted the house to feature everything they’ve ever wanted — and this was at the top of Wayne’s list.”
How Wayne Rooney may look in his luxury whisky and cigar room SILVER-AWARE
Jonny Evans reckons lifting a trophy with Leicester would be up there with anything he achieved at Manchester United.
At the age of 21, Evans had already won world, European and English titles with the Red Devils and admits he probably took silverware ‘for granted’.
Ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Southampton, the Northern Ireland star, now 33, said: “Winning something with Leicester is definitely a more difficult thing to do.
“That’s not putting any slight on Manchester United’s achievements. You see now how difficult it has been for them to win the league and to win as many trophies as under Sir Alex Ferguson.
“The resources and everything they’ve got, they’re a club set up to be a winning machine. But it’s something Leicester are trying to do.
“Maybe winning something with Leicester would be an achievement up there with one of the best for me, on a personal level.”
GOOD MORNING UTD FANS
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Manchester United can still pull off a title miracle.
The Red Devils will close the gap on Pep Guardiola’s Premier League leaders to eight points with victory over Burnley on Sunday.
And Solskjaer has not given up hope that noisy neighbours City can be reeled in during the final six matches.
United manager Solskjaer said: “Can we catch City? Stranger things have happened in football. Bigger leads have been given away.
“They have been strong and it’s probably too much to hope and ask for. But as long as we do our job then that’s the main thing.”
Meanwhile, Mason Greenwood is thriving after striking a relationship with Edinson Cavani.
Solskjaer added: “Playing with Edinson Cavani has been a top example for him.
“Edi leads by example even though the language barrier has made it a bit difficult.
“But Mason and Edi have struck up a very good relationship. I can see that Edi appreciates Mason’s talent, his hunger and his willingness to learn.
“And in Cavani, he is learning from one of the very best.
“It’s like when I speak about having Sir Alex Ferguson as a manager. If I couldn’t learn from him then there was no point in going into management.
“If Mason, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial can’t learn off Edinson then they can’t learn from anyone. He is a very good example to every single one of them.”
And finally, Paul Scholes believes United’s Special Bru should be combined with the flair of the Pog to produce a devastating punch.
He told BT Sport: “Solskjaer likes the two sitting players. I don’t think there’s a need for both of them,
“They need to get Pogba in a linking role with Bruno. If they do, it frees up another position for a forward player.
“The awareness and cleverness they both have allows each other to link up.
“United’s two cleverest players are Fernandes and Pogba so if you can get them close together, they’ll score a lot and provide goals for others too.”
GRASS IS GREENER
Mason Greenwood is thriving after striking a relationship with Edinson Cavani.
Solskjaer added: “Playing with Edinson Cavani has been a top example for him.
“Edi leads by example even though the language barrier has made it a bit difficult.
“But Mason and Edi have struck up a very good relationship. I can see that Edi appreciates Mason’s talent, his hunger and his willingness to learn.
“And in Cavani, he is learning from one of the very best.
“It’s like when I speak about having Sir Alex Ferguson as a manager. If I couldn’t learn from him then there was no point in going into management.
“If Mason, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial can’t learn off Edinson then they can’t learn from anyone. He is a very good example to every single one of them.”
TITLE TALK
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Manchester United can still pull off a title miracle.
The Red Devils will close the gap on Pep Guardiola’s Premier League leaders to eight points with victory over Burnley on Sunday.
And Solskjaer has not given up hope that noisy neighbours City can be reeled in during the final six matches.
United manager Solskjaer said: “Can we catch City? Stranger things have happened in football. Bigger leads have been given away.
“They have been strong and it’s probably too much to hope and ask for. But as long as we do our job then that’s the main thing.”
DOUBLE BRU
Paul Scholes believes Manchester United’s Special Bru should be combined with the flair of the Pog to produce a devastating punch.
He told BT Sport: “Solskjaer likes the two sitting players. I don’t think there’s a need for both of them,
“They need to get Pogba in a linking role with Bruno. If they do, it frees up another position for a forward player.
“The awareness and cleverness they both have allows each other to link up.
“United’s two cleverest players are Fernandes and Pogba so if you can get them close together, they’ll score a lot and provide goals for others too.”
IRON BRU
Paul Pogba reckons his Manchester United team-mate Bruno Fernandes can do anything and everything on the pitch – except defend.
He told MUTV: “I enjoy playing with Bruno. He’s someone who understands the game and understands the movement that can give you a beautiful pass, he can finish too.
“He’s all over the place, he can do everything really… except defending!
“But really, it’s always a joy to play him, to understand him. He understands me as well, he can take my position, I can take his position as well.
“I think he suits the team, he’s a very dominant influence in our team.”
‘NOT ENOUGH’
Instagram are under fire after a user who sent England star Tyrone Mings a racist message only had his account restricted – and just “for a set period of time”.
Football fans posted messages like “Nowhere near enough” … “Should be banned for life surely?” … and “Disable his dms”.
Sarcastic jibes included: “That’ll sort it! Pathetic!” and “Well that taught him”.
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford is amongst several Premier League superstars to hit out at racist abuse abuse online after falling victim.
SHAW THING
Luke Shaw’s goal against rivals Manchester City was one of a hundred for the Red Devils this season.
GARD UP
Jesse Lingard made no reference to any injury on Instagram after he was forced off in West Ham’s defeat to Newcastle.
TREBLE TALK
Manchester United were quick to throw shade at rivals City’s FA Cup exit by retweeting this post from last year.
NICK OF TIME
Burnley could be without star goalkeeper Nick Pope for the game against Manchester United tomorrow.
The Clarets will make a late call on the fitness of the England International after he missed their defeat to Newcastle last weekend.
As quoted by Lancs Live, Sean Dyche said: “Popey is touch and go. We will have a call on that one. He has made good progress this week.”
SARR IN THE MAKING
SunSport revealed Manchester United are on the trail of Metz teen sensation Pape Sarr.
Here are some of his key stats…
FRENCH CONNECTION
Chelsea have joined Manchester United in the race for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, according to reports.
The 27-year-old French centre-back has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford at the end of the season as he prepares to enter the final year of his contract with the Spanish giants.
And Real will be keen to cash in on the World Cup winner rather than watch him leave for a free next summer.
BILD journalist Christian Falk understands Chelsea are keen to acquire Varane’s signature as they look to bolster their defensive options.
The Red Devils looked into signing the French centre-back three years ago but were told it would cost more than £100million.
MIDFIELD MAESTROS
Manchester United have been urged to play Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba together by Paul Scholes.
And there’s already a lot of love between them…
BRU BEAUTY
Bruno Fernandes has lavished praise on ‘proper striker’ Edinson Cavani.
The midfielder said after Man Utd’s win over Granada: “Everyone knows Cavani, everything he does, he is a proper striker, we know the qualities of our players.
“It was a good game, Europa League is always difficult, they can create danger but we controlled the game, had the ball a lot.
“I don’t think it was bad tempered, we keep moving, do the right things, 2-0 again is really good for us.
“Now is the time to take the next step and win a semi final but we must focus on the next game which is the league.”
PAUL TO PLAY FOR
Paul Pogba’s praise of Bruno Fernandes comes after United legend Paul Scholes urged Solskjaer to ditch one of his two holding players and play the pair together.
He told BT Sport: “Solskjaer likes the two sitting players, I don’t think there’s a need for both of them.
They need to get Pogba in a linking role with Bruno. If they do, it frees up another position for a forward player.
‘The awareness and cleverness they both have allows each other to link up.
“United’s two cleverest players are Fernandes and Pogba so if you can get them close together, they’ll score a lot and provide goals for others too.
“If they have a more dominant centre back, they could have a more attacking midfield.
“A lot of the time, United that attacking, flowing play, I think Pogba could bring that with Fernandes.
“If you get him in there, it frees up the left for Rashford, there’s no way you’d want to play against that.
“Discipline-wise Pogba isn’t always there at times but going forward he brings something different.”
ON GARD
Jesse Lingard hobbled off for West Ham against Newcastle but after the match, David Moyes allayed concerns the injury was serious.
He told reporters: “I think it was just cramp, I don’t think it was anything serious.
“I think the one thing about Jesse, Jesse is a really fit boy. He wants to play. I think I push all my players hard, Jesse is no different.
“He won’t get any favoured treatment – certainly not for a Scotsman going into the Euros!
“We’re really pleased with him.”
STORM BRUING
Paul Pogba reckons his Manchester United team-mate Bruno Fernandes can do anything and everything on the pitch – except defend.
Fernandes, 26, has been a revelation for the Red Devils since his January 2020 move to Old Trafford, scoring 36 goals and providing 22 assists in 71 appearances.
He told MUTV: “I enjoy playing with Bruno. He’s someone who understands the game and understands the movement that can give you a beautiful pass, he can finish too.
“He’s all over the place, he can do everything really… except defending!
“But really, it’s always a joy to play him, to understand him. He understands me as well, he can take my position, I can take his position as well.
“I think he suits the team, he’s a very dominant influence in our team.”
GREAT DANE
Man Utd have joined the race for Fulham’s on-loan Lyon defender Joachim Andersen, according to reports.
The Dane moved to Craven Cottage last summer, after finding opportunities limited with the French side.
Despite Fulham’s struggles, he has hit the ground running in West London, earning the captain’s armband in just his fourth Premier League appearance.
And his quick progress has not gone unnoticed by potential suitors.
Danish outlet BT claim that the Red Devils have more than just a passing interest in the 24-year-old.
SARR IN THE MAKING
EXCLUSIVE – Man Utd are on the trail of Metz teen sensation Pape Sarr.
The Senegalese 18-year-old won his first cap for his country in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo last month.
That came only four months after his league debut for the French club in November.
He has been watched regularly by European clubs including United.
Reports in France this month suggested Nice sporting director Julien Fournier was pulling out all the stops to land Sarr.
However it is believed Sarr – a box-to-box midfielder – has set his sights on joining a bigger club.
Teenage ace Sarr is being tracked by a number of clubs in Europe
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
