MANCHESTER UNITED fans vented their anger against the board on Saturday for their European Super League blunder.
Thousands of supporters were outside Old Trafford yesterday, burning an American flag as they protested against the Glazer family.
Meanwhile, we’ve the very latest on a potential swoop for keeper Tom Heaton and Luke Shaw is set for a bumper pay rise.
Stay up to date with our blog, below, for all the latest from Old Trafford…
SOLSKJAER REACTS
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is satisfied with his players’ performance even though they didn’t take their chances.
Solskjaer told Sky Sports: “There’s no guarantees in football that’s for sure.
“I thought we played well, really well, dominated the second half, just didn’t have the ball to fall correctly for us in the big moments we had. We had some decent chances but didn’t take them.
“When two teams meet you create problems, you solve problems, they give you things to think about and we made them adjust to us. They are a unique team. We put a really big shift down. I have seen Leeds run over teams in the second half and it was quite the opposite.
“You don’t lose momentum, we are disappointed not to win but the boys have a lot of respect for Leeds. This is not going to be something we look back on as derailing our season”
KEEPING THE GAR-D UP
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has warned that co-chairman Joel Glazer could attempt to impose the Super League model again and insisted his apology “doesn’t wash”.
Neville told Sky Sports: “Last week, I said it was an attempted murder of English football and ‘sorry’ doesn’t wash, it’s gone past sorry because it’s twice they’ve done it.
“If you were sorry the first time with Big Picture, then you wouldn’t have brought back this one, so you’re going to bring back another.
“[Florentino] Perez has told us, [Joan] Laporta has told us from Barcelona, two of the biggest clubs in the world – ‘We’re coming back for you’ – so this lot are not going away but they need to be stopped”
GETTY IMAGES MAGUIRE REACTS
Manchester United star Harry Maguire claims his team didn’t take its chances to “punish” Leeds at Elland Road.
Maguire told Sky Sports: “It was tight. We had control of the game without punishing them.
“We knew how they would play, our attacking players love a one v one but today it wasn’t to be.
“It’s a big week for us and we must improve on what we showed today”
FULL-TIME
It’s full-time at Elland Road with Manchester United and Leeds enduring a goalless draw.
United remain second in the Premier League table with 10 points separating them from rivals Manchester City at the top.
But the Red Devils are enjoying a comfortable eight-point lead from third-placed Leicester.
Leeds have climbed up to ninth with six points separating them from seventh place, which usually leads to next season’s Europa League
LES MISERABLE
Luke Shaw’s new contract at Manchester United will raise doubts over Alex Telles’ future at the club.
Telles’ arrival from Porto last summer furthered speculation that Shaw was on his way out of United.
According to the Daily Star, however, the Brazil international may be the one to leave Old Trafford following the England defender’s impressive comeback.
The 28-year-old is reportedly unhappy with his lack of game time and could force a move away from the Red Devils at the end of the season
SHAW-FIRE HIT
Manchester United ace Luke Shaw is set to be offered a new contract by the club.
According to the Daily Star, Shaw will be offered a contract extension along with a pay-rise by United.
The left-back has been enjoying a tremendous comeback under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after falling down the pecking order during Jose Mourinho’s tenure at the Red Devils’ helm.
The England international is likely to earn £190,000 a week until the end of the 2025-26 season, something that would make him the sixth highest-paid player at Old Trafford
H/T: LEEDS 0 MAN UTD 0
Man Utd’s pressure faded late in a scrappy first half.
For a blow-by-blow account of this Premier League clash at Old Trafford, click on our MATCH BLOG.
GLAZE OVER IT AND MOVE ON
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says the Glazers will not walk away from Manchester United after their Super League slapdown.
Hundreds of United fans protested outside Old Trafford on Saturday over the American owners’ involvement in the European Super League.
Solskjaer said: “I think the owners that signed up for this proposal have a job on their hands, of course they have.
“We’ve had an apology from Joel and that’s important. He’s told us how committed he is to helping us go forward.
“Unity and everyone coming together for one common goal is the best way forward.”
PLANE ANGER
Furious Manchester United fans flew a ‘#GlazersOut’ banner over Elland Road in protest against their owners.
The Red Devils made the trip to Leeds on Sunday afternoon to continue their long-standing rivalry.
And before kick-off a place went over the stadium with a sign calling for the American family to sell the club. It read: “2bn stolen #GlazersOut.”
Already unpopular among United supporters, the Glazers infuriated fans even further last week by being conspirators in the breakaway European Super League plot.
Joel, one of the co-chairmen, did apologise in a statement after the club’s dramatic U-turn.
But his brother and fellow co-chairman Avram refused to say sorry for his involvement. And then made no comment when quizzed if he would sell the club.
‘EARN IT’
Leeds fans have savaged Manchester United with a brutal banner outside Elland Road this afternoon.
The banner, which describes the Red Devils as ‘plastic’ and ‘shallow’, is in response to the failed attempt at creating a European Super League.
The banner reads: “ESL and MUFC – just a tactical, temporary withdrawal, we see! Until your PR agents and media can reframe a package and construct an acceptable narrative and plan for your greedy, selfish followers to push this through in two years’ time. We know who you are! We know you from old!
“Manchester United! Nonsense! What a joke! Find a new, more appropriate name! This was always coming, given the soulless, win at all costs, plastic, shallow, selfish, worthless money monster you have made of yourselves!
“MUFC have fed off and divided, not United, football and communities. You are killing football! Children should be encouraged to support their community and play fairly and not bully people by exclusion!
“The Leeds family is fully United with and in full support of and shoulder to shoulder with all true LFC, MCFC, AFC, THFC, and with the few remaining genuine MUFC and CFC fans, whose clubs have been hijacked by power monger and shallow weak-minded glory hunters! And together we’re fans United, we’ll never be divided! Earn it on the pitch! Football is for the fans!”
KICK-OFF!
Leeds 0 – 0 Man Utd
The players are off and underway at Elland Road.
And you can follow SunSport’s LIVE kick-by-kick match blog HERE.
NO POG PROBLEM
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has left Paul Pogba on the bench against Leeds in order to manager his game time.
Dan James comes in to replace the Frenchman and the Norwegian admitted he has Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first-leg against Roma in mind.
I CAN SEE THE STARS
Manchester United’s players have arrived at Elland Road ready for this afternoon’s game against Leeds.
Victor Lindelof and Dean Henderson were among the Red Devils stars pictured making their way into the historic stadium.
TEAM NEWS IS IN!
Manchester United vs Leeds kicks-off at 2pm at Elland Road.
And this is how both teams will line up for the eagerly anticipated clash.
TELL ME MORENO
Manchester United target Pau Torres has been asking his teammates what it’s like to play for a big club – and one of them is Alberto Moreno.
The ex-Liverpool flop, who joined Torres at Villarreal in 2019, is one of three players to give the 24-year-old some much-needed advice.
Speaking to Spanish newspaper Sport, Torres said: “Players who have gone through important clubs, when they talk about an experience they have had, I like to listen to them, both Paco Alcacer and Raul Albiol or Alberto Moreno.
“They tell you things that you have not yet experienced and that you think you would like to experience.”
The Red Devils are said to be keen on signing the centre back, with reports suggesting a £52million bid may be imminent.
Real Madrid, however, are also believed to interested in the Spain international and may challenge the Premier League side for his signature.
RED-DY TO GO!
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ready for a serious challenge at Leeds this afternoon.
Manchester United travel to Elland Road for the 2pm kick-off and the Norwegian warned his side they have to be prepared physically and mentally.
WAYNE LEFT ON BENCH – EXCLUSIVE
Wayne Rooney was consigned to the bench as he waited for his dinner with wife Coleen.
The Derby boss, 35, looked deep in thought while his other half, also 35, studied her phone.
The pair had popped out with their Pomeranian Pip to collect a food order from a café near their home in Prestbury, Cheshire.
It came as Wayne vowed to back Coleen ‘all the way’ in her Wagatha Christie court fight.
A source told The Sun Online last year: “Wayne and Coleen Rooney are stronger than ever after spending lockdown together.
“This is the longest time they have spent together uninterrupted since they got married, and Coleen has fallen in love with Wayne all over again. She says that she now remembers what a wonderful, caring companion he is – and an amazing dad to the boys.”
BLANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND – EXCLUSIVE
Thierry Henry hailed his ‘happiest moment’ as English football unites in a stand against racism and all online abuse.
The Prem, EFL and the women’s game will boycott Twitter, Facebook and Instagram over four days next weekend.
From 3pm on Friday, April 30, through to the end of Bank Holiday Monday on May 3, every club will switch off their social media accounts.
Prem legend Henry has been at the forefront of the fight after removing himself from social media last month.
He said: “English football coming off social media is a powerful statement. Everything that tries to destroy the beauty and the happiness of our game — we should fight it.
“This is my happiest moment. Football stands for something. Not only money. What happened with the European Super League was about standing up for values — and so is this.”
PREM PLEA
Manchester United and Arsenal are monitoring Borussia Monchengladbach striker Alassane Plea, according to reports.
The 28-year-old France international has scored five Bundesliga goals this term and will reportedly cost around £15million.
According to the Daily Mail, Plea wants to leave the German giants this summer and, with only one year left on his current deal, will be available for a relatively low price.
Gladbach paid £21m for the player back in 2018 when he arrived from Nice, having previously been linked with a move to Arsenal.
At the time there were also reports linking Plea with both West Ham and Tottenham. It is believed Arsenal are concerned about losing star strikers Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer.
Plea has scored 27 goals in 87 Bundesliga games since leaving Nice three years ago. The versatile forward, who can be deployed out wide, picked up his one and only France cap in November 2018.
HEAT-ING UP – EXCLUSIVE
Manchester United will look to old boy Tom Heaton if Sam Johnstone does not fancy a return.
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his Old Trafford transfer team are looking for an experienced cover keeper.
And West Brom’s Johnstone, 28 — who was registered with United from 2009 to 2018 — is their first choice. He would need to think he had a chance of playing regularly.
But while Johnstone is the clear number one target, United have also been checking out the interest and availability of another former employee who is out of favour just now and may be more keen.
Aston Villa’s Heaton, 35, is in the frame after losing his place to Emi Martinez. He is the type of solid pro who would fit the bill.
Like Johnstone, Heaton was a youth keeper at Old Trafford and stayed on their books until 2010. The new stopper would have to be happy as an understudy but with the ability to quickly step into the first team.
FOSTER CARE – EXCLUSIVE
Manchester City are looking for a new keeper to push Brazilian No 1 Ederson next season.
Ex-Manchester United stopper Ben Foster, 38, fits the bill but may take some persuading to move just to sit on the bench. Foster has played 22 times for the Hornets this season as they sealed their return to the Premier League on Saturday.
American Zack Steffen may be loaned out for experience after doubts crept in about whether he was ready to come in when top-choice Ederson was missing.
Those questions were raised before Steffen’s error in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea, which cost his club a chance of the Quadruple. The 26-year-old had previously prompted doubts about his consistency and maturity, so the search for another keeper was already up and running.
It is a hard vacancy to fill as most keepers want regular first-team action. City may go for an experienced option who is happy to wait for his turn.
Scott Carson, 35, is the club’s current third-choice stopper but will return to Derby at the end of the campaign.
LEEDING THE WAY
Man Utd head to Elland Road in the 2pm kick-off today.
The rivalry used to be fierce the last time the Whites were in the Premier League and both sets of fans will be desperate to win this one.
Coming off the back of a stunning win at Manchester City before a 1-1 draw with Liverpool, Marcelo Bielsa’s men will be hoping to avoid defeat once again against a member of the renegade six.
Leeds will leapfrog Arsenal into ninth with a win while United will all but confirm their Champions League spot next season if they pick up all three points.
BACK IN THE RED
The Glazers will accept no less than £4BILLION to sell Manchester United, according to reports.
The Super League debacle has already cost United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward his job – with the former JP Morgan banker leaving at the end of 2021.
But it will take more than fan protests – where Red Devils fans burned American flags – to get the Glazer brothers out of Old Trafford, according to the Mirror.
The Florida-based family want £4bn to even consider walking away – the figure they think they would have got if the Super League had gone ahead.
They only paid £790million for the Red Devils in 2005. And if they manage to find a buyer willing to match their asking price, they stand to make more than 400 per cent profit on their initial investment.
Throughout their unpopular reign, club debt has remained high while the brothers’ pocketed multi-million pound annual dividends. And that is why it would take such a staggering sum to make them sell up, according to city investors cited by the Mirror.
GOOD MORNING MAN UNITED FANS
Here are your main headlines this Sunday morning:
Thousands of United fans protested against the Glazers outside Old Trafford yesterday, burning an American flag at one stage.
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted the controversial owners will not sell the club – despite their embarrassing European Super League climbdown.
Avram Grant has refused to apologise for the affair – and his perceived lack of respect for the United faithful was certainly recognised in Manchester yesterday.
Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez has warned United and the rest of the so-called ‘Big Six’ they cannot leave the ESL and the competition still exists.
Although the ESL may not be coming to Old Trafford any time soon, Tom Heaton might as SunSport’s Alan Nixon understands the Red Devils have identified the Aston Villa goalkeeper as cover.
And Heaton isn’t the only Villa player linked with United as they are said to be tracking wonderkid Carney Chukwuemeka.
GLAZER TAG
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says the Glazers will not walk away from Manchester United after their Super League slapdown.
Hundreds of United fans protested outside Old Trafford on Saturday over the American owners’ involvement in the European Super League.
Solskjaer said: “I think the owners that signed up for this proposal have a job on their hands, of course they have.
“We’ve had an apology from Joel and that’s important. He’s told us how committed he is to helping us go forward.
“Unity and everyone coming together for one common goal is the best way forward.”
Manchester United fans protest outside Old Trafford in a bid to remove club’s owners
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
