MANCHESTER UNITED are hopeful of completing their big-money transfer for Jadon Sancho NEXT WEEK, according to reports.
The Red Devils have been after Sancho since 2019 and could finally be on the verge of landing their man.
Paris-Saint German goalkeeper Keylor Navas is also said to be on United’s transfer radar, while England star Kieran Trippier is ‘close’ to an Old Trafford move.
And United have found out who they face on the opening day of the season with the Premier League fixtures announced this morning.
Stay up to date with every twist from Old Trafford in our live rolling blog…
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MAN UTD FIRST SIX
Manchester United will start their Premier League campaign with a massive clash against Leeds United at Old Trafford.
Here are the Red Devils’ first six Prem fixtures (subject to change)…
- Leeds United (H) – August 14 – 3pm
- Southampton (A) – August 21 – 3pm
- Wolves (A) – August 28 – 3pm
- Newcastle (H) – September 11 – 3pm
- West Ham (A) – September 18 – 3pm
- Aston Villa (H) – September 25 – 3pm
BRIGHT IDEA
Brighton have reportedly rejected a £40million bid from Arsenal for defender and Manchester United target Ben White.
Sky Sports claims the Gunners launched their ambitious offer on Wednesday for Graham Potter’s England star.
But Brighton rejected the offer after reportedly slapping White with a £50m price-tag following his Euros call-up.
However, it’s added that Arsenal remain undeterred and are expected to return with an improved offer.
NOT SO GREEN
Mason Greenwood has been named on the 100-man longlist for the 2021 Golden Boy award.
The Manchester United forward, 19, was dealt a cruel blow after being forced to withdraw from England’s Euro 2020 squad due to injury.
Greenwood had been named in the 33-man provisional squad and had been tipped to make the final 26.
But the Old Trafford whiz has been given some good news after being named among the 100 nominees for the prestigious Golden Boy award.
Last year, Greenwood finished 12th as Erling Haaland won the crown.
But the young striker will have another chance of glory in 2021 after he was named as one of 15 Premier League representatives on the list.
PRE-SEASON BREAK
England’s Prem stars will get a two-week break next season – although not an official one.
But overseas players from outside Europe face a globe-trotting fortnight while team-mates have their feet up.
The FA and Prem agreed to a three-season trial of the “mid season player break” starting in February 2020.
But the impact of the pandemic on last season’s congested fixtures meant the trial was temporarily abandoned – and there is no return of the “split” fixtures for the 2021-22 campaign.
Instead, the new fixtures list showed consecutive weekends at the end of January and beginning of February without Prem games.
That is partly because the FA Cup fourth round will take place on the weekend of February 5th and 6th.
But with Fifa having squeezed in a series of catch-up World Cup qualifiers in Africa, Asia, South America, Concacaf and Oceania for the last week of January, it meant no Prem games were possible for January 29.
With League matches due on the weekend of January 22 and then again in the midweek starting Tuesday February 8, it could see a number of Gareth Southgate’s squad having as much as 17 days off if they are rested for the FA Cup tie.
Other Europeans will also be able to take advantage of the rest.
But the likes of Egypt’s Mo Salah, Korea’s Heung-min Son and Brazilians Ederson, Alisson and Richarlison will all be expected to head back to their home continents to play two or three 2022 qualifiers before returning to the UK.
HEY JUDE
Luke Shaw has been impressed with Manchester United target Jude Bellingham on England duty.
RUD BEHAVIOUR
Antonio Rudiger will escape action for his apparent “bite” on Paul Pogba.
Chelsea defender Rudiger appeared to nibble the back of Pogba’s neck and tweak his nipple in the latter stages of the first half of Germany’s opening group F defeat by France.
The incident was spotted by the cameras and looked at by the VAR officials on duty at Uefa’s Nyon base.
And despite the pictures being shared globally, Uefa have confirmed that no disciplinary case has been opened by inspectors, clearing Rudiger to face Portugal in Germany’s next game in Munich on Saturday.
BELLI RUB
Chelsea are reportedly interested in deals for Manchester United targets Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland.
The Blues are long-term admirers of the Borussia Dortmund pair and tried to sign Bellingham, 17, before he moved to Germany.
That interest has not gone away following his quick adaptation to playing for one of the Bundesliga’s top clubs.
But the Blues will have to tread carefully in dealing with Dortmund, in the knowledge that they also hold the key to the future of Haaland.
As reported by Goal, Chelsea hope a good relationship can be struck up with the German team.
If they can find a mutually-beneficial route to signing Haaland, there is said to be optimism that Borussia will be more open to doing a deal for Bellingham further down the road.
RUD AWAKENING
Antonio Rudiger has denied biting Paul Pogba during France’s 1-0 win over Germany.
He said: “I should not come close with my mouth to his back, no doubt about it.
“It looks unfortunate. Paul and I have talked about it as friends after the final whistle.”
RON THE RECORD
Cristiano Ronaldo broke a number of records in Portugal’s win over Hungary.
When Ronaldo netted from the spot against Hungary, he became the oldest player to score a goal for Portugal at a major tournament aged 36 years, 130 days.
The record was previously set by Pepe at World Cup 2018 (35 years, 124 days)
Astonishingly, Ronaldo has scored at every single European Championships he’s ever played in.
He scored in his first ever match in the competition in a group stage match against the Greece in a shock 2-1 loss in 2004.
In 2021, his strike from 12-yards meant he has managed to score in five different Euros.
EUR THE BEST
England stars Harry Kane and Jadon Sancho both make the most valuable Euro 2020 XI.
Sancho – a summer transfer target for Manchester United – is currently worth a sensational £86m.
Dortmund are looking to recoup that to the final penny, with United’s first bid of the year £11m short, at £75m.
But his £86m tag is enough for Sancho to make it into the Euro 2020 most valuable team worth €1.04BILLION (£890m) at right midfield.
On the opposite wing, France star Kylian Mbappe is the priciest star, valued at £137m.
The rest of the midfield is made up of Belgium star Kevin de Bruyne (£86m), Germany ace Joshua Kimmich and Holland’s Frenkie de Jong (both £77m).
BRU CHEEKY BOY
Bruno Fernandes has fired a cheeky, light-hearted Euros warning at Manchester United team-mate Paul Pogba.
The pair are set to do battle at Euro 2020, having both been drawn in Group F with their respective nations.
ROY OF THE TOE-VERS
Roy Keane has been teased after standing on his tip-toes for a photograph alongside Patrick Vieira.
The towering former Arsenal midfielder comes in at 6ft 3in, somewhat taller than the 5ft 8in Keane.
RETURN TRIPP
Manchester United are close to signing Atletico Madrid star Kieran Trippier.
According to the Football Insider, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes that Trippier will be a good defensive addition.
The 30-year-old – currently with England’s Euro 2020 squad- helped Atletico to win LaLiga this season.
And he would also provide some much-needed competition for fellow right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
OLD RIVALS
Manchester United couldn’t resist reminding Leeds United of the last time the two sides faced each other at Old Trafford.
BEER WE GO
Paul Pogba mirrored Cristiano Ronaldo’s Coca-Cola snub by removing a Heineken beer bottle during his press conference.
The devout Muslim moved the beverage from the table in front of him following France’s 1-0 win against Germany on Tuesday night.
Pogba, who made a religious pilgrimage to Mecca along with Kurt Zouma in 2018, refused to endorse one of Euro 2020’s official sponsors as alcohol is forbidden for Muslims.
The 28-year-old has become the latest star to take a stance against the Euro’s sponsors after Ronaldo removed two bottles of Coca-Cola placed in front of him.
GET YOUR FIX
The Premier League 2021/22 fixtures have been announced!
And United open up against Leeds…
RUD BEHAVIOUR
Paul Pogba has claimed Antonio Rudiger ‘nibbled’ him during France’s 1-0 win over Germany.
He said: “I’m not crying for cards, yellow, red cards because of such actions.
“He nibbled, I think, a little bit on me. But we have known each other for a long time.
“I told the referee and he takes decisions and he took a decision. It’s over.
“It was a great match for us … and I didn’t want him to be suspended because of such a situation. It was towards the end of the match. We hugged each other and that’s it.”
KING’S ORDERS
Manchester United have reportedly received a blow in their pursuit of Kingsley Coman with the Bayern Munich winger now expected to remain in Bavaria.
The French winger had been heavily linked with a move away from the Allianz Arena after claims he rejected a contract extension.
It has been stated that the 25-year-old believed the salary was too low, and he wanted to earning the same as £14.5million-a-year Leroy Sane.
This led the Red Devils to target the former Juventus ace as a cheaper alternative to Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho.
But according to Goal, it appears it is Sancho or nothing for United with Coman considered as a key player in new Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann’s plans.
With Coman under contract until 2023, the Bundesliga champions are in no rush to sell the ex-Paris Saint-Germain man.
They will only part ways with the player should a potential suitor stump up a fee in the region of £60million.
POGBOOM
Paul Pogba turned in a Man of the Match performance in France’s group stage opener against Germany.
The midfielder was immense in the midfield, alongside N’Golo Kante and Adrien Rabiot.
A Mats Hummels own goal was enough to seal victory for the world champions.
KEY DATES
The Premier League fixtures are due to be released today at 9am and Man Utd will find out who they kick off the 2021-22 Premier League season against!
Make sure you stick around and we’ll bring you all of United’s league fixtures as soon as they’re out.
GOOD MORNING
England have been dealt with a significant blow as Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson has been ruled out for the rest of Euro 2020 due to a hip injury.
Sheffield United keeper Aaron Ramsdale has been called-up as Henderson’s replacement.
The Red Devils’ shot-stopper has returned to Manchester after picking up the knock during training.
The 24-year-old was on the bench for the 1-0 win over Croatia.
Meanwhile, United could seal the transfer of Borussia Dortmund ace Jadon Sancho by the end of the week.
That is according to The Times, as ‘Dortmund believe that a deal could be finalised next week’.
And transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that ‘United’s camp have been in contact with Sancho over the weekend’.
Talks with Dortmund over a potential €95m (£81m) price, bonus details and payment structure will continue in the next days.
But the Red Devils’ initial £60m won’t be enough to complete the transfer.
And Paris Saint-Germain star Keylor Navas is reportedly being monitored by United after his future was thrown into doubt.
Gianluigi Donnarumma is set to sign for PSG when his contract at AC Milan expires, potentially leaving Navas on the bench.
According to Marca, the Costa Rica international could be set for a move with Milan, Juventus and the Red Devils all keen to sign him.
The Manchester giants are set for a busy summer and a decision will need to be made on the futures of both goalkeepers Henderson and David de Gea.
Finally, United are close to signing Atletico Madrid and England right-back Kieran Trippier.
According to Football Insider, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes that Trippier will be a good defensive addition.
The 30-year-old – currently with England’s 26-man Euros squad- helped Atletico to win LaLiga this season.
And he would also provide some much-needed competition for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
NAV SAID
Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Keylor Navas has been linked with a move to Manchester United once more.
Navas came close to joining United a while back but a move from Real Madrid, with David de Gea going the other way, broke down due to an administrative error.
The Costa Rica international said: “This was one of the worst days of my life. I didn’t cry that day, but I did after all was said and done when I was with my wife.
“I was waiting in the airport even without suitcases. I was not on the plane, but I was near.
“In the end, after everything that happened, many complicated moments, we’re human and eventually the time comes when you burst”
RETIREMENT PLANS
Manchester United star Edinson Cavani said he is going to retire after the 2022 World Cup.
Cavani said: “Honestly, that’s what I’m thinking. I believe every human being’s life is based on objectives, on desires you want to achieve, on arriving at certain goals.
“From a football perspective my aim at the national team level, and in general, is to go to the World Cup in Qatar and from there to step aside and dedicate myself to my family, my people, my things.
“I think this is the last dance”
GETTY IMAGES TRIPPIER CLOSE
Manchester United are close to signing Atletico Madrid star Kieran Trippier.
According to the Football Insider, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes that Trippier will be a good defensive addition.
The 30-year-old – currently with England’s Euro 2020 squad- helped Atletico to win LaLiga this season.
And he would also provide some much-needed competition for fellow right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka
MAGUIRE UPDATE
Manchester United star defender Harry Maguire has stepped up his training for England but is still likely to miss Friday’s clash with Scotland.
Maguire is still recovering from an ankle ligament injury he has been dealing with for a while, but was put through his paces by Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.
The centre-back’s ongoing injury prevented him from playing in the Europa League Final against Villarreal.
The 28-year-old ace also had to sit out of England’s Euro 2020 kick-off match against Croatia
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
