MANCHESTER UNITED fans are set to protest against the Glazer family ahead of their match against Liverpool on May 2.
We’ve got an update on a potential swoop for Norwich full-back Max Aarons, while Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes could be set for new deals at Old Trafford.
Stay up to date with our blog, below, for all the latest from Old Trafford…
39 YEARS OF WHITESIDE
It’s 39 years since Norman Whiteside made his Manchester United debut as a 16-year-old.
The Northern Ireland international went on to become a legend at Old Trafford, winning two FA Cups before joining Everton in 1989.
Injury forced him to retire aged just 26 – yet he remains a cult hero among United fans.
CROWD’S GROWING
Rumours are emerging on Twitter that more people have turned up to the protest.
As many as 5,000 people could be campaigning against the Glazers at Old Trafford.
And the crowd could get very big, very quickly.
Thousands of Arsenal fans protested against Stan Kroenke outside the Emirates last night.
Credit: Twitter @RedIssue 3,000 AT OLD TRAFFORD PROTEST
A video of this afternoon’s protest has emerged on Twitter, claiming ‘at least 3,000’ are currently in attendance.
The United Trinity statue of George Best, Denis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton has been covered by scarves and a sign that reads ‘GLAZERS OUT’.
Gold and green flares – an ode to the club’s original colours – have been lit and famous United chants can be heard.
Here’s the breaking news story.
SOL DESTROYING
Rio Ferdinand has opened up on the ribbing he received from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after his £30million move to Manchester United in 2002.
The England star set a record as most expensive defender ever at the time as he swapped Leeds United for Old Trafford.
And the United dressing room, including current boss Solskjaer, demanded the highest standards immediately.
Speaking to the Mail, Ferdinand revealed that he immediately found passes being fired at his shins in training, as his new team-mates tested his skills. And when one didn’t stick, there was hell to pay.
Ferdinand, 42, said: “Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the one who immediately went, ’30mill? Really? Wow’.
“It was intimidating but you have to cope. I have seen players walk in for England or United and you can see the fear. They can’t deal with it.”
SEEING RED
Manchester United fans have headed to Old Trafford in their droves to protest against the club owners.
Supporters are furious following the foiled plans for the European Super League.
Red Devil fans arranged the protest on Twitter for 3pm on Saturday – exactly 123 years after the club was founded.
Manchester United even shut the Old Trafford megastore earlier in the afternoon ahead of the expected protests.
The loyal fanbase were vocal in their anger towards American owners The Glazers which was further fuelled following the fallout of the ESL.
They set off smoke bombs, chanted against the Glazers and held banners such as ‘Glazer Out Now’ and ‘Enough is Enough.’
KLOWNING AROUND
Gary Lineker has hit out at Jurgen Klopp for being ‘spectacularly tone deaf’ over the European Super League fallout.
The Liverpool boss was further asked his thoughts following the fierce backlash and collapse of the money-making farce.
A hundred or so angry Liverpool fans protested against their American owners before kick-off against Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.
Arsenal and Chelsea supporters protested outside their stadiums while a group of Manchester United fans also blocked the player’s access to the Carrington training ground – all in protest against the ESL plans.
Klopp was eager to remind supporters that the blame lies only at the feet of the owners while asking the public to ‘calm down’ with their opinions.
Lineker was far from impressed with Klopp’s reasoning and believe the fans have every right to continue making their voices heard.
RAPH AND READY
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes always talks about rumoured target Raphinha, team-mate Fred has revealed.
The Leeds United winger is reportedly on the Red Devils’ radar, having impressed since joining Marcelo Bielsa’s side from Rennes. And having played alongside Raphinha at Sporting Lisbon, Fernandes hasn’t forgotten his talent.
Fred, who played for Raphinha’s boyhood club Internacional, told Man United’s official website: “Bruno’s been talking about Raphinha ever since he arrived. They played together at Sporting.
“He’s a great player having an amazing season and a lot of clubs have their eye on him. I met him recently, great guy, excellent player but… I hope he won’t be lining up against us!
“I wish him a quick recovery and a lot of success in his career. He’s a stand-out star player for Leeds so, of course, it’s better for us if he’s not on the pitch.
“If he does play, we’ll look to mark him carefully and work on our game-plan as best as possible. We’ll try to nullify his threat to come out on top in this game.”
Raphinha and Bruno Fernandes were team-mates at Sporting ‘NO TIME TO RELAX’
Mason Greenwood has lauded the impact Marcus Rashford and Edinson Cavani have had on him at Manchester United.
The young forward said: “You couldn’t ask for anyone better with Marcus being in a similar situation that I have, and then there’s Cavani who has won it all.
“He’s played for a number of years and it’s perfect timing for him to come into the club really at the time he did. He’s helped me a lot this season – he speaks to me sometimes and tries to help me work on my heading and stuff like that. He’s a nice lad and I’m very pleased that he’s here.
“You always need the older players in the team who have done it all and then you’ve got the younger players looking up to them and you feed on stuff they’ve done. You just watch them in training and you add it to your game.
“You’ve got the likes of Nemanja [Matic] who has won Premier Leagues with Chelsea, you’ve got Juan [Mata] who has played for many years. You’ve got Bruno [Fernandes] in behind you in that 10 position and he’s always talking, always giving me tips on playing. You’ve got a lot of older players you can just watch and take note of.
“We’re all good players here at United, so there is never time to relax because there could be that kid coming up who wants to take your position; you’ve got to always want to keep fighting. You’ve got to always want to play football and I always want to play for United, and be the player scoring goals for Manchester United.”
AV THAT UNITED
Avram Glazer refused to apologise to Manchester United fans over the European Super League plot.
And when asked whether he will sell the club, the Red Devils co-chairman ‘snapped’ in response. The Mirror tracked down the American near his £16million six-bedroom mansion in Palm Beach, Florida.
He was approached by a reporter as he visited a pharmacy in a black t-shirt, grey jeans and red trainers while driving his big, white Jeep Wrangler.
Glazer, 60, had not been seen since his club confirmed their intention to join the controversial breakaway competition last Sunday and subsequent withdrawal within 48 hours.
The Mirror reporter repeatedly asked him if he wanted to say sorry to fans – but he declined.
He was then asked if he would sell United following the debacle but the report adds he snapped back: “No comment.” Glazer got into his car alongside wife Jill and sped off and returned home.
‘READY TO FIGHT’
Manchester United star Mason Greenwood says there’s still more to come from him at Old Trafford.
The striker is enjoying an excellent run of form in the team of late, scoring four times in his last three Premier League games.
And he thanked former United academy graduates like Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay and Jesse Lingard for their impact on his career.
He said: “I’ve come a long way really. I always knew I could take the pressure, take it into the first team.
“It’s been a good journey and there have been lots of ups and downs. But I’m only 19 and I’m ready to carry on fighting for the badge and for United. I had Marcus and Scott, Jesse and Paul [Pogba], the likes of them coming up through the academy.
“It’s them just leaving little footprints behind you that you’ve got to follow, do what they did and take it in your stride really and when you come up to the first team it’s like a family anyway, so you just do what you do.”
RED RAGE – BREAKING
Liverpool fans are the latest to launch a furious protest against their club’s owners amid the failed European Super League breakaway.
Supporters descended on Anfield on Saturday morning ahead of the lunchtime kick off against Newcastle.
Banners displaying messages such as ‘Spirit of Shanks, Not Greedy Yanks’ and ‘FSG rats’ were placed for the Reds’ team coach to see on route to the ground.
Liverpool’s American owner John W Henry is refusing to sell the club amid the European Super League fiasco despite widespread calls for him to get out.
Reds legend Jamie Carragher is one of thousands of Liverpool fans calling for the American to leave but the billionaire has dug his heels in and said: “My work is not done.”
FLOR-GET ABOUT IT
Deluded Florentino Perez has warned the Premier League so-called ‘Big Six’ they cannot leave the European Super League.
And the Real Madrid chief continues to insist the widely-hated new breakaway franchise division ‘still exists’
The self-proclaimed ‘saviour of football’ Perez reiterated to AS that Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and the two Manchester clubs are legally tied into the plans and the ESL will go ahead in some format.
He said: “I’m not going to explain now what a binding contract is… But come on, the clubs can’t leave. Some of them, because of pressure, have had to say that they’re leaving.
“But this project or one like it will go forward, and I hope it’s soon. The Super League still exists, and the members are still in it.
“Now we have given ourselves some weeks to think, while we face the violence that some people, who don’t want to lose their privileges, have used to manipulate our project.”
SUN BACK PAGE – ICYMI
In case you missed it, here is today’s Sun back page.
We led of the chasm between West Ham and Chelsea as fallout from the money-grabbing Super League plot rumbles on.
And powerful images of thousands of Arsenal fans protesting against Stan Kroenke showed the strength of feeling among football fans across England.
NO SCORING – EXCLUSIVE
Football fans get less bedroom action when their team loses, research reveals.
Experts found birth rates plunged nine months after a shock defeat.
They think the unexpected losses can trigger changes in key hormones that result in lower libido. Being grumpy over a loss also reduces fans’ chances of getting frisky.
Poor results for a team saw birth rates locally down by 0.8 per cent nine months later. Researchers found the effect was even more dramatic if teams lost a relegation battle or a major European match.
In those cases, nine months later births were down by as much as 1.3 per cent. Scientists analysed 14 years’ worth of data and matched every result in Spain’s La Liga with local birth rates.
By comparing betting odds with actual scores, they could calculate whether or not the result was an upset.
ENA-MORR-ED
Former Manchester United wonderkid Ravel Morrison declared his love for Arsenal again – and is desperate to see them win the Premier League again.
The midfielder, 28, was born and bred in the Wythenshawe area of Manchester – just like fellow Mancunians Marcus Rashford and Tyson Fury.
He came through the youth ranks at United from nine alongside Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba then went on to make three first-team appearances in the League Cup under Sir Alex Ferguson.
But while he still ‘appreciates’ the Red Devils and many fans still laud his talent, Morrison’s love lies solely with the Gunners.
Speaking to the United fan-run Stretford Paddock podcast, the former West Ham and Lazio man, now a free agent, said: “We’ve got a better team than you. I’m a Gunner. I’m a Gunner.
“I’m not a United fan. I would like United to come second in the league and Arsenal to win the league. I would always want United to be the second team, never to go lower than that. I will always appreciate Manchester United, but obviously, Arsenal would win the league.”
MASTER PLAN
Sir Alex Ferguson reckons Euro 2020-bound Scotland must IGNORE rivals England to storm into the last 16.
Former Scotland boss Fergie has warned Steve Clarke’s stars not to focus on the June 18 showdown with the Auld Enemy at Wembley.
Sir Alex said: “The one thing I would warn against is paying too much attention to the England match. If you get a result in every game, then you will give yourself a chance of qualifying.
“But the England game looks after itself. Getting a result against the Czechs is imperative. A win there and a win against Croatia — who were in the World Cup final — would be so important. I’m hopeful we can do well.
“I’m optimistic. The games coming up in the group will be very tough, you have got to recognise that.
“But the important thing about the home games is having fans back in, even if it’s just 12,000.”
‘LIED 100 TIMES’
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin says Juventus chief Andrea Agnelli lied to him 100 times in the build up to the European Super League announcement.
He also revealed Ed Woodward called him the Thursday before the announcement to express his agreement with the new Champions League format.
KARREN BRADY – EXCLUSIVE
Just in case you think the threat of the European Super League has scotched the privilege of football’s self-chosen few, it hasn’t — not yet.
Uefa, aware of the media-entitled Dirty Dozen’s greed for more, more, more, had taken this into account when they re-drew plans for the Champions League.
Announced the day after the short-lived Super League coup, their plan accepted the right of the dozen to special treatment giving ‘clubs with the highest club coefficient over the last five years’ two places among the 36 in the first round.
This means simply that should, say, Leicester finish sixth in the Premier League and Spurs tenth, then Spurs having the ‘coefficient’ — a coverall word for a decent record and a big reputation — could go through.
Leicester, by the way, have as many Premier League titles as Liverpool, and one more than Spurs. Anyone can see this is not fair. It is a further connivance at gross favouritism and, indeed, a suggestion from Uefa that there were grounds for the breakaway.
There aren’t. The way to win a place must be on the field not in a cabal of men in suits. I watched four of the six give apologies to their fans and players for being part of the money cartel and wondered where the apology was to their colleagues in the Premier League, as well as all our managers, players and fans.
GUN BLAZING
Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan has blasted Uefa and called the revamped Champions League the ‘lesser of two evils’ amid the collapse of the European Super League.
His club announced on Tuesday night they were pulling out of the controversial breakaway after backlash from fans and criticism from players.
And City boss Pep Guardiola even refused to call it sport when quizzed about it.
Two squad members of the Premier League leaders, Kevin De Bruyne and Aymeric Laporte, both used their social media platforms to publicly condemn the proposal earlier in the week.
Now Gundogan has become the latest City star to express his views as he also slammed Uefa’s new format for the Champions League.
GOOD MORNING FOOTY FANS
Manchester United fans are planning a protest against the Glazers before the Liverpool match next month.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hit out at the botched Super League plan.
The Red Devils beefed up their security after fans broke into the training base at Carrington.
Former United winger Ryan Giggs has been charged with coercive control and assaulting his ex-girlfriend after a row. It has ruled him out of taking charge of Wales’ Euro 2020 campaign this summer.
United face competition from clubs including West Ham and Tottenham for Norwich defender Max Aarons.Former United striker Louis Saha believes the club need to sign Harry Kane or Erling Haaland to compete for the Premier League title.
Old Trafford missed out on potentially staging Euro 2020 matches because of summer pitch work planned for the ground.
AMAD DELIVERS
Manchester United fans will be happy to see rising star Amad score during the Under-23s’ 4-2 win over Chelsea tonight.
The United winger netted a superb free-kick to help the side overcome Chelsea.
Shola Shoretire also continued his impressive progress with two goals in the Red Devils’ win.
EDIN OFF
A reminder that Edinson Cavani appears to have his heart set on moving on this summer and returning to South America.
Boca Juniors are reportedly in the driving seat to land the Manchester United striker.
Credit: Reuters The 34-year-old is out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of the season and wants to be closer to his family.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised Cavani recently and opened up on his contract situation.
He said: “For a new lad who doesn’t speak English and not having his family over here, of course [returning to South America] is in the back of his head.
“If he decides it’s just the season then we’d be very happy to have had him here.
“We’ve had up front and honest meetings. It’s no secret we want to keep him. I don’t think it’s any secret too that this has been a difficult year for everyone.”
GREAT SCOT
Sir Alex Ferguson is a big fan of Manchester United’s Scott McTominay and has been delighted by his progress.
The former Red Devils manager revealed he was the man who brought the midfielder to Old Trafford, aged around seven or eight.
Credit: The Sun Ferguson told the Scottish FA: “McTominay is now emerging as one of Man United’s big players.
“When you watch United pick a team for a big game, McTominay is in it.
“Good character, great trainer, I know a little bit about the boy.
“I signed him when he was seven or eight. He was actually a centre-forward as a kid. He has sprouted, a little bit like Darren [Fletcher] when he first came.
“McTominay is a similar type as Darren, long, lanky, good winner of the ball, good turn of pace going forward, great attitude to the game.”
GIGGS VOWS TO CLEAR NAME
Ryan Giggs has vowed to clear his name after being charged with coercive control and assaulting his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville after a row.
The former Man Utd star was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm against PR exec Kate.
He faces an additional charge of coercive and controlling behaviour between December 2017 and November 2020.
Giggs has also been charged with a second count of assault against another woman aged in her 20s following the alleged bust-up at his home.
In a statement, Giggs said: “I have full respect for the due process of law and understand the seriousness of the allegations.
“I will plead not guilty in court and look forward to clearing my name.
“I would like to wish Robert Page, the coaching staff, the players and
the supporters every success at the Euros this summer.”Credit: Getty Images – Getty WELSH CHAOS
Ryan Giggs will miss out on leading Wales at Euro 2020 after the former Manchester United star was charged with coercive control and assault on his ex-girlfriend.
The Crown Prosecution announced their decision this afternoon into the alleged incident at Giggs’ home in Manchester last November.
Robert Page will continue to take charge of Wales, on a temporary basis, with his role extending to the duration of this summer’s tournament.
The Welsh FA released a statement which said: “The Football Association of Wales has noted the decision of The Crown Prosecution Service to proceed with charging Ryan Giggs, the Men’s National Team Manager.
“In light of this decision, the FAW can confirm that Robert Page will assume the role of Cymru Men’s National Team manager for this summer’s EURO 2020 tournament and will be assisted by Albert Stuivenberg.
“An FAW Board meeting will be convened to discuss these developments and its impact on the Association and the National Team.”
Credit: AFP or licensors
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
