MANCHESTER UNITED are going ‘all out’ for £55m-rated Pau Torres, according to reports.
And his potential centre-back partner Harry Maguire has returned to fitness with England at the perfect time in their 1-0 win over Czech Republic.
Meanwhile, the club are ramping up their chase for Jadon Sancho with a reportedly improved bid submitted to Borussia Dortmund.
But he is not set to wear the famous number 7 shirt if he signs, as it is already held by Edinson Cavani.
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ROY OF THE ROVERS
Man United legend Roy Keane revealed he drank ‘six or seven’ pints the night before his Nottingham Forest debut almost thirty years ago.
Keane said: “I went over pre-season and was obviously doing a lot of training with the reserves.
“Forest had played their first league game at home on the Saturday against QPR and I went to watch it, and I was on the bench for the reserves on the Monday night.
“I got on for the last ten minutes and the first-team were playing Liverpool on the Tuesday night.
“Went out that night with the players, as you do after a reserve match, I didn’t drink too much – maybe six, seven pints after the game. Came in on the Tuesday and was told ‘get dressed up’.”
RAM RAID
Chelsea have joined Man Utd in the transfer race to land Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos, according to reports.
AS claims Thomas Tuchel wants Ramos to add depth to his centre-back options.
But the Spaniard would prefer a move to Paris Saint-Germain as he wants to play alongside Neymar.
CASE FOR DEFENCE
Man Utd captain Harry Maguire has defended England’s defensive march to the Euro 2020 knockout stage – claiming they are playing the football needed to win tournaments.
Maguire said: “I know everyone wants to play well and create numerous chances but teams are well drilled and organised.
“It’s not all perfect, we can improve but you can’t argue with seven points from three games.
“Can we play better? Of course we can. Will we improve? We will do everything we can to improve.
“The fundamentals are there and now we’ve got to tidy up in every part of our game when we’re on the ball and there is a little bit more we can get out of each other and push each other.
“If we are going to progress in this tournament we’re going to have to do that.”
OPENING DAY MADNESS
Man Utd kick-off the 2021-22 Premier League season against fierce rivals Leeds!
LONG-TERM FUTURE
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists Donny van de Beek has a future at Man Utd.
But the Dutch international is constantly being linked with a move away from Old Trafford.
Should van de Beek leave, it would see him leave the English giants after just one season.
One place van de Beek is being linked with a move to is Italy.
But FCInterNews say Inter Milan are unlikely to make an approach for the player, ruling them out.
STAYING PUT
Paul Pogba will NOT leave Man Utd this summer despite being linked with a move away.
And United are not locked in any negotiations with any clubs over the Frenchman, according to Fabrizio Romano.
United want to tie Pogba down to a new deal, but negotiations are not in the advanced stage yet.
CHIEF CREATOR
Man Utd left-back Luke Shaw has created the most chances for England in the group stages despite playing two of the three games.
‘I THOUGHT HE DID FANTASTIC’
Former England striker Emile Heskey praised Man Utd captain Harry Maguire for his performance against the Czech Republic last night.
Maguire completed his first 90 minutes of football since early May, and he helped England pick up another clean sheet.
Speaking on the official England podcast, Heskey said: “I thought he did really well, considering I don’t think he’s had loads of training sessions.
“I thought he did fantastic. Controlled it, bossed it in there.”
MAIN MAN
Bruno Fernandes finished top of both goals and assists for Man Utd last season.
MAGUIRE RETURNS
Harry Maguire returned to action after a spell on the sidelines with an injury.
The Man Utd captain missed the last few weeks of the season, and missed Man Utd’s Europa League final against Villarreal.
But Maguire returned to action for England last night, playing a pivotal role in keeping a clean sheet against the Czech Republic.
90 minutes under his belt and England are through to the knockout stages!
Credit: GETTY IMAGES LEW BEAUTY
Arsenal are interested in signing Man Utd and Real Madrid target Dominic Calvert-Lewin, according to reports.
The Gunners are looking to bolster their attacking options this summer in a bid to fire themselves back into European contention.
According to The Telegraph, Arsenal will push to sign the England international with Alexandre Lacazette’s future at the club uncertain.
The striker scored 21 goals in 39 appearances for Everton last season.
SMILE
Gerard Pique spent four years at Man Utd, but left for Barcelona in 2008!
MOURINHO’S MAGUIRE ASSESSMENT
Former Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho assessed Harry Maguire’s return to football.
He said: “I keep saying when you have an option to take 26 players, you have to risk, gamble and take an injured player if the player deserves that. Maguire is one of those players.
“He was confident, he was stable, he was intelligent, read the game well, and has a good partnership with [John] Stones.
“[Tyrone] Mings is doing a fantastic job, you could feel he was happy to come in for 10 or 15 minutes, he is a team player.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the next game is against Germany, the way they play with three at the back – I wouldn’t be surprised if England went with Stones, Maguire and Mings at the back.”
PSG PLOT MOVE FOR VARANE
PSG are plotting a move for Man Utd target Raphael Varane, according to reports.
Spanish outlet MARCA are reporting that Varane is expected to leave Real Madrid this summer.
And there will be serious competition for the four-time Champions League winner’s signature.
United have already seen a £50million bid turned down for the Frenchman.
But Madrid want closer to £80m.
And now PSG have enquired about bringing the French international back to his home nation.
TORRES ON FUTURE
Man Utd target Pau Torres was asked about his future, but he insisted that he has a contract with Villarreal.
Quizzed by Goal about speculation, the 24-year-old said: “I have a contract at Villarreal, I just won the first title for the club, we have qualified for the Champions League and it is something that excites me a lot.
“Now I’m focused on the Euros. Then the Super Cup and nice things will come, so I’m totally calm.”
But there is a growing belief that Man Utd could get a deal done for around £51million.
POG TOP
Man Utd need to try and close the gap on league winners and city rivals Man City
GOOD MORNING RED DEVILS FANS
Sergio Ramos has told former Real Madrid team-mates that he is going to join Paris Saint-Germain, reports suggest.
Manchester United, Manchester City and PSG have all been monitoring the Spain international after his Los Blancos deal expired.
According to Tiempo de Juego, however, the legendary defender has told other Real players that he is on his way to Paris.
Reports suggested that Ramos has been prioritising the French giants, who have offered him a deal that is ‘financially superior’ to what the two Manchester clubs have proposed.
But if negotiations collapse, then the former Real captain would prefer to join United over City.
Meanwhile, Man Utd are reportedly chasing Euro 2020 record breaker Kacper Kozlowski.
Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport claim the Red Devils are set to rival Serie A giants Cagliari and Juventus in the race to sign the young Pole.
The report adds that Barcelona have also expressed an interest but it is Borussia Dortmund that are leading the race for Kozlowski.
The 17-year-old became the youngest player ever to appear at the Euros after coming on against Spain.
Kozlowski broke England star Jude Bellingham’s record, which lasted just SIX days, when he appeared last week aged 17 years and 246 days
Finally, Kingsley Coman’s agent and family are trying to force a move to England following rumoured interest from Manchester United.
Sport 1 journalist Florian Plettenberg said: “Update [on] Coman: Bosses are sure that [Kingsley Coman] wants to extend.
“But they know that his father, Benoit Menye (family’s friend) & (agent Pini) Zahavi are forcing his move to [England].
“A boss from [Man Utd] told me: ‘We do not comment on rumours. We have scouts all over the world & Coman is very talented.’”
MAN DOWN
Sergio Ramos has told former Real Madrid team-mates that he is going to join Paris Saint-Germain, reports suggest.
Manchester United, Manchester City and PSG have all been monitoring the Spain international after his Los Blancos deal expired.
According to Tiempo de Juego, however, the legendary defender has told other Realplayers that he is on his way to Paris.
Reports suggested that Ramos has been prioritising the French giants, who have offered him a deal that is ‘financially superior’ to what the two Manchester clubs have proposed.
But if negotiations collapse, then the former Real captain would prefer to join United over City.
FT – CZECH REPUBLIC 0 ENGLAND 1
Raheem Sterling’s goal sealed top spot for England and set up a tasty last-16 clash against one of France, Germany or Portugal.
The Three Lions controlled proceedings at Wembley as they finished the group stage unbeaten and without conceding a single goal.
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MOUR PLEASE
Jose Mourinho thinks Bruno Fernandes has gone missing for Portugal and wants more from the Manchester United star.
SunSport’s columnist Jose told TalkSport: “Portugal at its highest level can beat anyone.
“But we need to play with eleven players, in these two matches Bruno Fernandes was on the pitch but not playing.
“I hope he turns up against France, because he’s a player with incredible potential.
“He can pass, he can score. He can get penalties, he can score penalties, he can score free-kicks.
“He has a lot to give, but the reality is in these two matches he was not there.”
KING SIZE
Kingsley Coman’s agent and family are trying to force a move to England following rumoured interest from Manchester United.
Sport 1 journalist Florian Plettenberg said: “Update [on] Coman: Bosses are sure that [Kingsley Coman] wants to extend.
“But they know that his father, Benoit Menye (family’s friend) & (agent Pini) Zahavi are forcing his move to [England].
“A boss from [Man Utd] told me: ;We do not comment on rumours. We have scouts all over the world & Coman is very talented.’”
WHERE THERE’S A WILL
Man Utd defender Brandon Williams is a loan target for Newcastle and Southampton.
The versatile full-back barely featured last term following the arrival of Alex Telles.
And playing time could become even more scarce if United land top target Kieran Trippier, with Diogo Dalot also returning from AC Milan.
ENGLAND TEAM
Harry Maguire, Bukayo Saka and Jack Grealish get their first starts of the Euros for England tonight.
The trio are in Gareth Southgate’s XI to take on Czech Republic, with Kyle Walker also returning to the fold.
But there is NO Phil Foden in the match squad, while Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell are self-isolating.
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POLE POSITION
Man Utd are reportedly chasing Euro 2020 record breaker Kacper Kozlowski.
Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport claim the Red Devils are set to rival Serie A giants Cagliari and Juventus in the race to sign the young Pole.
The report adds that Barcelona have also expressed an interest but it is Borussia Dortmund that are leading the race for Kozlowski.
The 17-year-old became the youngest player ever to appear at the Euros after coming on against Spain.
Kozlowski broke England star Jude Bellingham’s record, which lasted just SIX days, when he appeared last week aged 17 years and 246 days.
SAN-BLOW
Jadon Sancho will reportedly be denied the iconic No7 shirt at Manchester United should he join from Borussia Dortmund.
The number is currently worn by Edinson Cavani, who is reluctant to give it up.
The Express claims that’s because Cavani’s preferred jersey, the No9, is with Anthony Martial.
And he too is unwilling to budge, with Sancho instead likely to take Marcos Rojo’s No16 after his return to Argentina.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
