MANCHESTER UNITED picked up a handy 2-0 win in their Europa League quarter-final first leg at Granada after goals from Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils could swap struggling midfielder Donny van de Beek with Juventus star Adrien Rabiot.
And we have the latest updates on chases of Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho.
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Stay up to date with our blog, below, for all the latest from Old Trafford…
MARK OF RESPECT
British sport will stand in silence for the Duke of Edinburgh tomorrow but all fixtures and events will go on as planned.
Prem clubs joined the League and FA in paying their condolences after Prince Philip’s death was announced at the age of 99. The League said it was ‘deeply saddened’ by the news.
All Prem players will wear black armbands and there will be a minute’s silence before kick-off of all 10 fixtures this weekend, starting with Fulham’s clash with Wolves last night “as a mark of respect”.
The EFL swiftly followed suit by implementing the same policy across the 72 clubs. And while the Prince Philip’s grandson, the Duke of Cambridge, is FA President, Wembley chiefs said that, after ‘seeking guidance from the Royal Household and the Government’, it was approving matches.
The FA, which is ‘recommending’ 60-second silences and black armbands, said: “We can confirm all football fixtures this weekend can continue at the discretion of the competition organisers.
“As a mark of respect, all flags at Wembley Stadium and St. George’s Park will fly at half-mast and the Wembley arch will also be lit.”
‘SHE’S OVER THE MOON’
Jesse Lingard has revealed his mum is loving his stunning performances for West Ham.
The Man Utd loanee has been in scintillating form since his January switch to the East Londoners and he is widely believed to want to make the move permanent in the summer.
And the England star has also revealed his outstanding form has been wonderful for his mum to see.
Lingard has spoken in the past of her struggles with depression and is delighted his mum is now getting the help she needs.
RASH DECISION
Manchester United have been handed a boost with Marcus Rashford set to be fit to start this weekend’s clash against Tottenham.
The England star was on target in the 2-0 Europa League win over Granada but was withdrawn during the game due to a lingering ankle issue. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted pre-match that Rashford was not 100 per cent fit after he was also forced off in the win over Brighton.
But the Norwegian played down any fears that the 23-year-old’s injury problems had worsened meaning he is likely to start on Sunday.
He said: “I don’t think you need to be concerned about his fitness, no, of course barring any injury. His fitness is really good, he’s an athletic boy, he’s a fit boy, a strong boy. You see tonight when he goes into headers and challenges, he can look after himself.
“At one point of course you hope to get to a postion where he doesn’t have to play every game, every minute and at the moment we have to take him off because his foot’s a little bit sore.
“Hopefully that’ll improve as the season goes on because I think he was better tonight than he was on Sunday.”
NUDE AWAKENING
When Olmo Garcia revealed himself to the world during Manchester United’s Europa League game on Thursday, the people of Granada could be forgiven for having seen it all before.
A famous night for the LaLiga club had only reached the sixth minute when the game was interrupted by a streaker. The man raced across the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes pitch before taking a tumble and being arrested by police.
But it would not have taken long for the authorities to identify the perpetrator, who has reportedly been arrested 15 TIMES in the last few months alone.
Garcia, 37, is something of a local celebrity in Granada and is often seen baring all on his walks around the city. In the summer of 2016, he was inspired to live life in the buff during a trip across the Americas.
And this way of life culminated in Thursday’s demonstration that took some time to prepare.
According to Granada newspaper Ideal, he snuck into the ground at 9am on the day of the game and hid under a tarpaulin for 14 HOURS before emerging once the game had kicked off.
MOURINHO ON SPURS V MAN UTD
Spurs boss Jose Mourinho has reflected upon his side’s 6-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford earlier this season, insisting it has no bearing on the reverse fixture this weekend.
He said: “I believe that 6-1 doesn’t reflect the reality. It can happen. Of course it can happen, between two great, the results they can happen in an isolated way.
“I go much more in the direction of the other two previous matches between us and United.
“We lost 2-1 at Old Trafford, with the penalty, and we draw 1-1 at home last season, also with a penalty. I think this is more the reality. We are not far from each other so I think it is going to be a difficult match for both.
“If Solksjaer is going to use that result I don’t know. If it was the opposite. If it was my team losing 6-1 to them I would just say to my guys that it happened once and it’s not going to happen twice. This doesn’t reflect the reality.
“The game is going to be tight and we can win, but I don’t know, maybe Solksjaer has different things.”
HAALAND OR KANE?
Among this debate around Harry Kane and a possible move to Manchester United, there is also the question as to whether they would consider moving for Erling Haaland this summer.
Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves had that conversation last night…
SOLSKJAER ON KANE
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has spoken about Spurs star Harry Kane as Man Utd prepare to come up against him this weekend.
Kane, 27, is being linked with a move away from north London at the end of the season.
And Solskjaer could not be more complementary about the brilliance he possesses.
He said: “When you’re playing against one of the best centre forwards in European football, of course it’s something that we prepare for.
“I think every team when they play Tottenham or England, you know Harry Kane’s qualities.
“But we prepare the defenders for every single opponent.
“The season that Son and Kane have had, their relationship is one of Tottenham’s strengths and they have other quality players we have to be aware of.”
Credit: PA MAN UTD BACK CORONAVIRUS PASSPORT
Manchester United have officially declared their support for the Premier League’s decision to write to Boris Johnson in a bid to back vaccine passports to pack out stadiums this summer.
The footy body and other major sports groups including the England and Wales Cricket Board, Wimbledon and the RFU told the PM and other party leaders ‘Covid certificates’ are needed to ditch social distancing in stadiums.
And the Red Devils have now released their own statement on the matter.
Collette Roche, Manchester United Chief Operating Officer, said: “Manchester United fully endorses the open letter signed by a range of sports governing bodies, including the Premier League.
“We support the ongoing work of the Premier League and DCMS to deliver a timetable and a framework for the safe return of our fans.
“We have worked closely with the Premier League as they negotiate the challenges, consult with medical experts and review the different options open to them.”
Credit: Getty – Contributor DEATH OF PRINCE PHILIP
Manchester United’s official Twitter account have just sent out their condolences following the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke Of Edinburgh.
READY TO JO
So, earlier today defender Joachim Andersen – on loan at Fulham from Lyon – was linked with a permanent move to Manchester United at the end of the season.
What do we think of that Red Devils fans? Has he impressed you enough in the Premier League so far in the 2020-21 campaign?
Credit: Jamie McPhilimey – The Sun LEVEL HEADED
Paul Pogba remained level headed this morning despite Man Utd’s positive result last night.
Here’s what he said:
THE UNITED WAY
Eric Cantona has written and will star in a new documentary about the ‘epic’ history of Manchester United.
The Old Trafford legend, 54, lends his voice to a new film – taking on the role of narrator – set for release next month.
OLE BACKS FERNANDES
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has backed Bruno Fernandes after he controversially won his side a penalty against Granada on Thursday.
He said: “To be honest, I haven’t seen it, just seen his eye when he came on, he got hit.
“Mick Phelan was sat behind me in the dugout and he said he took one in the face, so it’s a clear penalty.
“I’ve not seen it, I’ve got to say. His eye is red and to score with just one eye open is also a skill!”
Credit: Getty BEEK ON THE BRINK
Manchester United legend Gary Neville is confused by Donny van de Beek’s inability to establish himself at Old Trafford.
Who else agrees?
RASHFORD AND POGBA INJURY UPDATES
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given an update on the fitness of Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba following their win in Granada.
Speaking to MUTV after the match, he said: “Marcus, as we spoke about, his foot is a bit sore. Paul had a bit of a niggle but we should be okay.”
Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
‘LUCKY BRUNO’
Paul Scholes feels Bruno Fernandes was ‘lucky’ to win a penalty for Manchester United in their 2-0 win over Granada last night.
He told BT Sport: “[Fernandes] makes a meal of it I think he’s lucky to get the penalty. Lucky to score it as well as the goalkeeper should do better.
“You know when it’s given and it goes to VAR [that] they’re going to give it because it’s not a clear and obvious error and he has touched him, so there’s no way they were going to overturn it.
“Fernandes does very well to get the penalty, they’ll be very disappointed.
“He was just feeling where his player is and the ball’s nowhere near him anyway.
“It was always [Edinson] Cavani going to get the header. Fernandes was very clever and he’s fooled the referee and he’s fell for it.”
MAKING THEIR MARC
Has Marcus Rashford’s stunning finish last night put him in pole position for a starting place in Gareth Southgate’s England side for Euro 2020.
SPURRED ON
Turning their attention away from Europe, Man Utd now focus on the trip to Tottenham this weekend.
Will they remain scarred from the 6-1 hammering Jose Mourinho’s side gave them at Old Trafford earlier this season.
A lot has changed since then…
Credit: Ian Hodgson – Daily Mail NEVILLE NAMES MAN UTD TRANSFER PRIORITIES
Gary Neville has named the three positions Manchester United need to add to in the summer transfer window.
Answering a Q&A on Friday, he simply said: “Centre back, striker and right winger.”
Do you agree?
Credit: Getty PAUL-ING FOR HAALAND
Paul Scholes has backed Manchester United to sign Erling Haaland this summer.
Asked about a United bid on BT Sport, the former midfielder explained: “I think they probably would, why not? I think it’s about the club who can pay for him. I don’t think there’s too many of them.
“You think of Real Madrid and Barcelona, all the noises you hear. They probably couldn’t pay that type of money. Man City look like they don’t want to pay that type of money.
“To be fair, they very rarely play with a No9 anyway. Even with [Sergio] Aguero and Gabriel Jesus, he’s hardly played them. So is that the type of player that Guardiola wants? I’m not sure it is.
“It’s a player United will be desperate for, Chelsea will be desperate for. They’re probably the two clubs who I think could probably afford it this summer.”
‘NOT A PERFECT NIGHT’
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists his side’s 2-0 win over Granada in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final ‘was not the perfect night’.
The Red Devils all but completed the job in 90 minutes in Spain, but the Norwegian remained reserved after the game.
“It was not a perfect night,” he told BT Sport.
“We got three yellow cards and three suspensions. 2-0 is very good result. We know how difficult it is to come to Spain. We’ve got to play well to get a result.
“Same as always [attitude for next week]. We want to win every game. It’s still a young team, a learning team.”
Credit: Reuters
ED-ING TO BOCA
Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani is ‘closer than ever’ to joining Boca Juniors at the end of the season, according to ESPN.
The Uruguyan is out of contract at Old Trafford come the summer and is set to look for a move away from England.
And Boca look to be unquestionably the front-runners to secure his services.
Credit: AP SHAW THING
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given an update on the fitness of both Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford.
“I had to protect Luke but I think and hope he should be okay for the weekend. Marcus: fantastic goal, great pass by Victor [Lindelof], great run, the skill to take it down like this, we’ve seen it a few times before and that’s a top, top quality goal.
“It was an important goal, the second one there, because a 1-0 lead, losing three players is not a good position to be in. I don’t think we deserved those five yellow cards or however many we got, but that’s happened. Delighted with the result, of course.
“It’s the same thing as before [with Rashford]. He’s not recovered from it and hopefully it’s not gotten any worse from this, because he lasted 70 against Brighton, 65 now, so hopefully he’s ready. I think he should be ready for Sunday and the goal is exceptional.
“Marcus is someone we have to protect but he was ready and he was vital for us today.”
Credit: Getty THREE AND OUT
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be without THREE key players for the Europa League quarter-final second leg against Granada.
The Red Devils boss saw centre-back Harry Maguire, left-back Luke Shaw and midfielder Scott McTominay all booked during the 2-0 win.
It means the Norwegian will face something of a defensive crisis at Old Trafford next Thursday.
Eric Bailly would usually be next in line to start alongside Victor Lindelof, but the Ivorian tested positive for coronavirus during the international break.
It is not known when he tested positive and when he will be clear to play again.
That could potentially see Solskjaer selecting Axel Tuanzebe, who has started just ONE game all season.
HENDS DOWN
Dean Henderson is now Manchester United’s No1, according to Paul Scholes.
“It’s always awkward when you try and keep two goalkeepers happy.
“Who is the No1 here? Ole is saying both which is clearly wrong. With David de Gea’s wife having a baby, it gave Ole the chance to make Henderson number one.
“I think No1 plays in Premier League but has Henderson totally convinced Ole?
“I think he has a big chance but I don’t think he has these five or six games he’s played.
“What David de Gea did for 4-5 years, United could have been a mid-table team without him. I wouldn’t completely write him off.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
