MINO RAIOLA has pitched a hypothetical swap deal between Paul Pogba and Eden Hazard in an interview with the Spanish press.
Meanwhile Man Utd are in advanced talks over the £43.4m signing of Villarreal’s Pau Torres, according to reports from Spain.
The centre-back impressed in the Yellow Submarine’s 2-1 win over Arsenal last night and is reportedly seen as an ideal partner for Harry Maguire.
And reports in Italy claim that United are the only club interested in Cristiano Ronaldo.
Agent Jorge Mendes has sounded out PSG, Real Madrid and the Red Devils – the only three clubs who can afford the Portugal captain.
Get all the latest Man Utd news, updates and transfer gossip here…
PAINFUL RASH
Marcus Rashford has reportedly been playing through the pain-barrier for Manchester United and England for the last TWO YEARS.
The 23-year-old has been a key player for United this season, where he has featured in an incredible 51 games in all competitions.
And he has 33 goal contributions to his name this term for the Red Devils having scored 20 times as well as providing 13 assists.
His stellar form is even more impressive considering his long-term injury battles, with ESPN stating he has not played a game pain-free in over two years.
They claim that the striker is managing shoulder and foot problems, but is determined to keep playing as he looks to compete at the delayed Euro 2020.
And the news outlets adds that Rashford will only consider having surgery after the conclusion of the European Championships in July.
EDIN FOR A NEW DEAL
Edinson Cavani has reportedly decided to STAY at Manchester United.
The Uruguayan was unplayable as he helped himself to two goals and THREE assists in United’s 6-2 thrashing of Roma in the Europa League semi on Thursday.
And according to ESPN, the 34-year-old has made a U-turn and ‘decided to stay at United’.
The decision will reportedly be ‘announced next week’.
Uruguayan journalist Rodrigo Romano is even reporting the forward will agree a contract extension TODAY.
PAINFUL RASH
Marcus Rashford has reportedly been playing through the pain-barrier for Manchester United and England for the last TWO YEARS.
The 23-year-old has been a key player for United this season, where he has featured in an incredible 51 games in all competitions.
And he has 33 goal contributions to his name this term for the Red Devils having scored 20 times as well as providing 13 assists.
His stellar form is even more impressive considering his long-term injury battles, with ESPN stating he has not played a game pain-free in over two years.
They claim that the striker is managing shoulder and foot problems, but is determined to keep playing as he looks to compete at the delayed Euro 2020.
And the news outlets adds that Rashford will only consider having surgery after the conclusion of the European Championships in July.
Rashford – who missed 14 games last campaign with a back injury – pulled out of the Three Lions squad in March due to his foot trouble.
It is understood that his injury will be closely monitored until now and the end of the season with Gareth Southgate sweating over his fitness.
WIELD THE AXE
Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe is reportedly wanted by Aston Villa.
The centre-back has been starved of game time after falling behind Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly in the pecking order to partner skipper Harry Maguire.
Tuanzebe spent two spells on loan at Villa Park between January 2018 and May 2019 but Football Insider suggests they are aiming to land a permanent deal for the 23-year-old this summer.
The report states Dean Smith’s side are hopeful a £7million bid could do the trick.
Credit: Getty ONE FOR THE FUTURE
Manchester United youngster Charlie McNeill is causing quite a stir.
The 17-year-old can’t stop scoring for the Under-18s.
He has bagged an incredible 22 goals in 23 academy games.
His latest game saw him bag a double in a 4-2 win over Leeds.
Credit: Getty MAG OF THE MATCH
Harry Maguire could make Manchester United history against Liverpool on Sunday.
If the Red Devils skipper completes the 90 minutes he will become the first United player to ever play 72 consecutive full games in the Premier League.
The current record is held by Gary Pallister who achieved the feat between 1993 and 1995.
Maguire has been an ever-present under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer since he signed for £80million from Leicester in 2019.
HAA HAA LAND
Mino Raiola has revealed the two things Erling Haaland is looking for in a potential transfer.
Manchester United are believed to have earmarked the Norwegian hotshot as their No1 summer transfer target.
And his agent told AS: “Haaland is interested in two things: scoring goals – because he is like a Cristiano or a Zlatan, he has that positive obsession – and winning titles.
“He will choose, surely, where those two things together happen more. It is very difficult to lie.
“When a club like Barcelona or Madrid arrives, with so much history and so great, it is difficult to say no. PSG is entering this group of greats, City is trying to get there, Juve has always been there.
“The championship they play also matters. PSG plays the worst league of the greats. Bayern are already in an attractive league, but we know that they always win it. In Spain there are three with options.”
Credit: Getty RED HOT FORM
Manchester United have scored 17 more goals than Liverpool since Christmas.
The Red Devils have smashed home 36 goals in 20 games.
While Jurgen Klopp’s men have managed just 19 in 19 as their title defence collapsed.
The two sides do battle on Sunday afternoon at Old Trafford.
KEEP THE PEACE
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made a plea for peace with up to 10,000 Manchester United fans set to march on Old Trafford in protest.
The mass gathering will take place outside the Red Devils ground ahead of Sunday’s match against rivals Liverpool which kicks-off at 4.30pm.
Extra police and security have been called in with fears the match may not go ahead if things spill over.
But Man Utd manager Solskjaer said that while the fans should be heard, he has been backed by the Glazers and any protests should remain peaceful.
Solskjaer said: “It’s important that the fans’ views are listened to and we communicate better. My job is to focus on the football side and that we have the best possible team.
“As I’ve said before I’ve been backed, I’ve had great support from the club and the owners and I’m sure I will get the backing again to go one step further. But I’m so happy all the clubs have agreed that this shouldn’t be the way of moving forward.
“Then again, when the protests are on, it’s important they go in a good fashion and that we keep it peaceful.”
OUT OF LUC
Real Madrid have reportedly offered Lucas Vazquez a bumper new deal to ward off interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.
The winger, 29, is out of contract at the end of the season and negotiations have been slowed by the club’s financial trouble.
The coronavirus pandemic and expensive Bernabeu revamp initially led to talk of his existing £60,000-a-week contract being offered again, only with a ten per cent pay cut due to the circumstances.
However, Spanish outlet AS now report of a fresh proposal worth £84,000-a-week.
It is said Vazquez wants to stay in Madrid having come through the club’s famed La Fabrica academy to make his debut in 2015.
Since then, he has become a vital option on the right side of midfield and defence for Zinedine Zidane, playing 34 times this season.
Interest was reportedly strong from both United and Chelsea as they look to formulate a Premier League title bid next campaign.
Credit: PA TONE IT DOWN
Manchester United are criticised too much, according to Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher.
The Sky Sports pundit told the Pitch to Post Preview Podcast: “How much of a leap would it be for Man Utd to win the title next season? It would be a jump, of course it would be.
“But I actually think Man Utd get too much criticism for what they’re doing right now. Man City are phenomenal – we’re talking about a team who were on the verge of doing the quadruple and could still do a treble.
“Man Utd are ten points behind but when you see the distance that some teams in second and third have been behind (the champions in the past), ten points doesn’t sound too bad to me.
“But I don’t think they’re as far away as people speak about, really. Some of the things they’ve done this season I don’t think some of the most famous teams in Man Utd’s history have achieved, in terms of going so long away from home without defeat.”
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United host Liverpool at 4.30pm on Sunday.
And Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appears to have no fresh injury concerns after the thumping 6-2 Europa League demolition of Roma in midweek.
The Norwegian said: “Team news, I think everyone should be available. No fresh injury reports from the semi.”
And Jurgen Klopp is similarly just waiting on players to recover with the Anfield giants again likely to be without Nathaniel Phillips who has been missing with a hamstring injury.
GARDEN OF EDEN
Paul Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola jokingly suggested a Real Madrid swap deal with Eden Hazard could come to fruition.
Manchester United’s French midfielder has regularly been linked with a move to Los Blancos.
And Raiola told AS: “For Pogba, Madrid always had a great attraction … Zidane is his idol. The important thing now is to know what United want, what project United are proposing to Pogba.
“Pogba is interested in one thing, winning the Champions League and winning titles, and we are going to see where this is possible, whether at United or at other clubs.
“At one time Pogba felt a lot of love and trust from United, and there were several other clubs… But then, it is very difficult for United and Madrid to come to an agreement over a big transfer, because strong clubs do not want to sell strong players to other strong clubs.
“And I’m not going to fool him, for Pogba playing for Madrid was always a very attractive thing for Zidane too. He is his young idol.
“I don’t know. I believe nothing is impossible, but football depends on the day. And you have to be flexible and consider all possibilities.
“Suppose tomorrow Madrid want to make a Hazard-Pogba exchange? It is just an example. And if all four parties liked it, why not?”
Credit: AFP or licensors GOOD MORNING UTD FANS,
Paul Pogba reckons Manchester United are good enough to win the Premier League title again after closing the gap on rivals City.
The French midfielder told the BBC’s Football Focus: “We are getting closer and closer.
“We see that we were struggling a little bit, we know that, but we don’t have to look back. We have to look forward.
“What’s forward now is second [place], now we get closer to City, who were, before, to be honest way ahead of us.
“Now we show them that we can compete. We show that we are here and that we have a team to go and win the title.
“It’s just a few details. We can do it, for sure.
“Liverpool did it, City did it and now we’re there. We have to show that we can make it as well. That’s the next goal.”
Meanwhile on the transfer front, Edinson Cavani has reportedly decided to STAY at United.
The Uruguayan was unplayable as he helped himself to two goals and THREE assists in United’s 6-2 thrashing of Roma in the Europa League semi on Thursday.
And according to ESPN, the 34-year-old has made a U-turn and ‘decided to stay at United’.
The decision will reportedly be ‘announced next week’.
Uruguayan journalist Rodrigo Romano is even reporting the forward will agree a contract extension TODAY.
And finally, United are willing to offer Donny van de Beek to Roma in a swap transfer for Nicolo Zaniolo, according to reports.
The Dutchman, 24, arrived from Ajax last summer in a £39million deal but has struggled to make his mark at Old Trafford.
Van de Beek’s tally of one goal and two assists from 32 appearances in total mean United may look to cut their losses by shipping him back out this summer.
And La Repubblica via Sport Witness state they could try and do a trade with Roma for Zaniolo.
The report says the Red Devils were ‘pressing and testing the water’ and have now ‘proposed an exchange’ with the Serie A side.
KARREN BRADY
“The refereeing itself has been poor this season, possibly the worst I have seen in the Premier League.
“No doubt there will be statistics that prove me wrong but, subjectively, I can remember no time when the whistle was so out of tune with the game.
“VAR was sold to us as a way of perfecting decisions.”
Read more HERE.
CAN’T GO RON
Cristiano Ronaldo has become ‘nervous and irritable’ at Juventus – and has ‘given up’, according to reports.
The 36-year-old has not enjoyed the best season of his career this time around, despite still managing 25 goals in 29 Serie A outings.
And according to Gazzetta dello Sport, his entire demeanour around the club has changed.
Ronaldo has failed to reach a single Champions League semi-final during his three years in Turin, the competition he was signed to win.
SHER MADNESS
Tim Sherwood has slammed Manchester United’s decision to sell Romelu Lukaku.
He told Premier League productions: “What [Man United] do need is a centre forward. They’re going to need someone.
“They had someone and it was the biggest mistake they’ve ever made getting rid of Romelu Lukaku, who’s on fire now at Inter Milan.”
CROWN JULES
Real Madrid are reportedly looking to fend off competition from Manchester United and Chelsea in the race to sign Sevilla star Jules Kounde.
The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a move in the summer after two impressive years in Spain since joining from Bordeaux in 2019.
SunSport exclusively revealed last month that United were weighing up a move for Kounde to pair him alongside Harry Maguire.
But according to AS, Madrid are looking to keep Kounde in Spain as Zinedine Zidane eyes up a summer swoop.
GET ZAN IN
Manchester United are willing to offer Donny van de Beek to Roma in a swap transfer for Nicolo Zaniolo, according to reports.
The Dutchman, 24, arrived from Ajax last summer in a £39million deal but has struggled to make his mark at Old Trafford.
Van de Beek’s tally of one goal and two assists from 32 appearances in total mean United may look to cut their losses by shipping him back out this summer.
And La Repubblica via Sport Witness state they could try and do a trade with Roma for Zaniolo.
The report says the Red Devils were ‘pressing and testing the water’ and have now ‘proposed an exchange’ with the Serie A side.
PAUL-ING BACK
Paul Pogba reckons Manchester United are good enough to win the Premier League title again after closing the gap on rivals City.
The French midfielder told the BBC’s Football Focus: “We are getting closer and closer.
“We see that we were struggling a little bit, we know that, but we don’t have to look back. We have to look forward.
“What’s forward now is second [place], now we get closer to City, who were, before, to be honest way ahead of us.
“Now we show them that we can compete. We show that we are here and that we have a team to go and win the title.
“It’s just a few details. We can do it, for sure.
“Liverpool did it, City did it and now we’re there. We have to show that we can make it as well. That’s the next goal.”
ED ON BLOCK
Ed Woodward was blasted at a fans’ forum after Manchester United’s attempts to break away into a European Super League.
In a lengthy speech read to him on behalf of nine of the eleven forum members, Ian Stirling of the Manchester United Supporters Trust did not hold back.
Stirling said: “We are disgusted, embarrassed and angry at the owner’s actions in relation to the planning, formation and announcement of the European Super League.
“Once again this clearly demonstrates that the club’s owners are only interested in maximising their own profits and do not care about or respect the views of Manchester United fans.
“The complete lack of engagement with fans, our players and manager is a gross mishandling of club affairs and one which we cannot forgive.
“It was an attack on fans and on clubs across the whole of football and we have simply had enough.
“Joel Glazer’s subsequent apology is not accepted.
“Actions speak louder than words and he and his family have shown time and again that their sole motivation is personal profit at the expense of our football club.
“We should not need to explain to anyone involved in the ownership or running of Manchester United Football Club why the European Cup is an integral part of our club’s history and how this proposal has betrayed it. Yet we clearly need to.”
EDIN FOR A NEW DEAL
Edinson Cavani has reportedly decided to STAY at Manchester United.
The Uruguayan was unplayable as he helped himself to two goals and THREE assists in United’s 6-2 thrashing of Roma in the Europa League semi on Thursday.
And according to ESPN, the 34-year-old has made a U-turn and ‘decided to stay at United’.
The decision will reportedly be ‘announced next week’.
Uruguayan journalist Rodrigo Romano is even reporting the forward will agree a contract extension TODAY.
KNOCKED BACK
Manchester United have had a bid for Dejan Kulusevski rejected by Juventus, it’s been claimed.
The Red Devils are still in the market for a winger following their failed pursuit of England international Jadon Sancho last summer.
Sweden international Kulusevski is said to be one of the names on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s list of targets.
And according to reports, the Red Devils have had an approach for the 21-year-old knocked back by the Old Lady.
Italian outlet Calciomercato claim Juve said ‘no’ to the Premier League big boys as they’re eager to retain Kulusevski’s services.
ED NOT TURNED
Reports in Edinson Cavani’s homeland claim the Uruguayan is set to pen a one-year extension with Manchester United today!
TELE ME MORE
ITV are preparing a bid to bring top flight English football back to free-to-air TV as they contemplate buying a stake in BT Sport, according to reports.
It was revealed earlier this week that BT Sport was being put up for sale.
And streaming platforms Amazon, Disney and DAZN were all touted as potential buyers for the TV network in a deal that would be worth billions.
But according to The Telegraph, ITV have now emerged as another possible buyer.
Both ITV and BT Sport have attempted to diversify in recent times, with ITV a partner in YouView and BT considering investing in ITV’s streaming service BritBox.
BT Sport is believed to be worth around £2billion.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
