Man Utd have £150m Haaland war chest, Lingard priced at £30m, Granada build-up, Sancho deal LATEST

NO FERGIE TIME

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he could no longer dish out his infamous “hairdryer” blasts in the modern-day game because snowflake footballers have been known to cry.

The ex-Manchester United boss became renowned for his many close-up screaming and spitting outbursts.

But Fergie now bemoans the fact that current football managers are restricted from using his fearsome motivational weapon because society has changed and players have become too sensitive.

Speaking to The Athletic, he said: “Jim Smith told me one of his players started crying when he got criticised.

“I thought, ‘What is the game like now? Where are we going?’

“Obviously you have to be tactful nowadays about the criticism you give them.”

LIN & OUT

Jesse Lingard has what it takes to succeed at Manchester United – but must accept a bit-part role like Daniel James, according to Gary Neville.

The ex-Man Utd full-back told Sky Sports: “At Manchester United because there is that expectation of what you need to be.

“To be a wide player there, [Lingard’s] always going to get a difficult press.

“He’s a really good player. He’s going to have a great career. Manchester United have sent him out to West Ham to boost his career, maybe with the thought of boosting his price tag.

“But they might be thinking, ‘actually, we might want him back, he could be a real help to us’.

“If he’s willing to go back there and compete and be the player that Dan James has been for the last few weeks, in and out, then there’s no doubt he can play for Manchester United.”

‘MAN UTD NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR HAALAND’

Former Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara believes Manchester United will not be able to sign Erling Haaland in the summer as they are ‘not good enough’.

The 20-year-old Borussia Dortmund striker has been linked with a move to Old Trafford as well as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool.

But O’Hara feels it is unrealistic to think the Norwegian could join Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

“They can’t get Haaland – because they’re not good enough,” he told talkSPORT. “Why is he going go to Man United? Why?

“It’s alright needing him, but you’ve got Real Madrid, Barca, Man City. They need him.

“[United] paid £100m for Paul Pogba and he’s gone there thinking they’re gonna go to the next level. And it hasn’t worked and he’s been trophyless.

“Haaland’s not going to go to Manchester United and be thinking ‘We might win something, we might not, he’s going somewhere where he might win everything.”

READY FOR GRANADA

Looks like the Man Utd boys are enjoying themselves out in sunny Spain.

IT’S A TREBLE!

Sir Alex Ferguson celebrated his best treble since 1999 after landing a massive £169,000 payday at the Grand National Festival.

The Manchester United legend co-owns the first THREE winners at Aintree.

Fergie won with Protektorat in the first, Monmiral in the second and Clan Des Obeaux in the third.

The three horses winning were monumental odds of 108-1 before the off.

FERGIE AT THE DOUBLE

Sir Alex Ferguson has had the first two winners at Aintree today! Winning in Liverpool once more…

POGBA IMPACT

Could this man play a key part for Man Utd this evening?

ON KUL

Manchester United have shortlisted Juventus winger Dejan Kulusevski as a potential summer transfer target.

The 20-year-old has struggled for first team football with the Old Lady and the Red Devils are said to be thinking about trying to prise him away from Italy, according to journalist Daniele Longo.

SCORE PREDICTION

What do we think tonight then? Can United get the job done against Granada by the end of the evening? Or will they be forced to fight back in the second leg?

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STICK OR TWIST

Man Utd face Granada tonight as they chase the only trophy left on offer for them this season.

In 72 hours they also face Tottenham in the Premier League having already established themselves comfortably in second place.

Does Ole Gunnar Solskjaer prioritise tonight or the weekend when it comes to his team selection?

DREAMING OF AN UPSET

Granada boss Diego Martinez on their clash with Manchester United this evening as they look to spring a surprise on the 2017 Europa League champions.

We respect every team and we’re not going to find out right now what United is. It’s a giant in Europe, it’s an amazing team. But if we are in the quarter-finals and we’re facing them it’s because we’ve done many good things.

We’re going to play 180 minutes, plus injury-time, and we believe in our possibilities. Last year we were candidates, one, two or three to be back in the second division and we ended up in Europe.

“There’s a sentence in our dressing room ‘they didn’t know it’s impossible so they did it” so this is what we try to think of. We are very proud of the people we have here because with this we can go anywhere.

“We can go to the desert or anywhere because we feel strong, we want to make the most of the moment and this is something that makes us grow in itself.

“It’s very stimulating, very rewarding to be in a match like this one not only because we are in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, but also the game itself, the match itself. We of course want to give our perfect game – the match of our lives. This is what we need to win. This is what we have to focus on.”

EUROPA LEAGUE GLORY?

Will Manchester United be adding to this come the end of the season?

EUR SAFE

Manchester United’s 12-year record unbeaten run in the Champions League remains intact after Paris Saint-Germain beat Bayern Munich.

The Red Devils went 25 games without loss between September 2007 and May 2009.

They beat Chelsea in the 2008 final for their third European crown and the following year finally lost to Barcelona at the same stage.

It was a stretch that included 15 wins and ten draws, including the one in Moscow as John Terry slipped in the shootout.

Bayern Munich were closing in on matching – and breaking – that 25-match tally.

But after brushing aside Lazio in the last 16 4-1 away and 2-1 at home, Hans-Dieter Flick’s side, missing the injured Robert Lewandowski, were eventually toppled in the Bavaria snow -ending their run at 19 games.

RASHFORD V WILLIAMS

Tasty little face-off between Marcus Rashford and Brandon Williams in training lyesterday. But who grabbed the bib first?

READY TO ATTACK

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has also revealed his Man Utd team intend to attack Granada this evening.

He said: “I think we’ve proved to ourselves and everyone that we are good side home or away, but of course the neutral game against Sociedad was a very good one for us. We played against a very good team.

“Granada is a different team and a different set-up than Real Sociedad with different strengths and a different way of playing so we’ve got to find a way to get the best possible performance.

“I think that’s what we do best [attacking]. It’s always going to be in our DNA that we want to go and score goals.

“Of course you want a defensive foundation, but we know about away goals and also how good we are at Old Trafford as well. We’ve got a proud record at Old Trafford in Europe so if we get a good result to build on that’s all we can ask.”

FITNESS UPDATE

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given fitness updates on Marcus Rashford, Alex Telles and Eric Bailly ahead of tonight’s game.

He said: “Marcus is okay-ish. He’s trained on Wednesday morning and Juan is back training as is Alex [Telles], so we’re looking stronger definitely. We didn’t lose anyone last weekend against Brighton.

“Yes of course [it shows Rashford’s determination] and it’s a big game. We’ve got loads of games and we need players to work together as a squad – is it from the start or is it coming on? He’s available to be selected as I said either as a sub or a starter.”

Speaking about Bailly, he then added: “He needs a negative test before he can come back to us. It’ll take the time it takes unfortunately. That’s the world we live in at the moment and we’ve got to take the precautionary measures. Hopefully Eric is still feeling okay, last time I spoke to him he was alright.”

KEEPING DILEMMA

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has opened up about the difficult decision he has to make over who his No1 keeper will be moving forward.

Dean Henderson has played in the Red Devils’ last seven games, including against Brighton at the weekend despite the return of De Gea to the first team set-up.

Will he stick or twist tonight? Here is what the Man Utd boss had to say.

He said: “With the keepers, that’s the same, I’ve got two very, very good options and whoever plays will play well, I’m sure. I cannot prioritise the league, Europa League, every game here is the most important, the next one is the most important one.

“Every time I try to explain to players why they don’t play in this particular game and what they need to do, what my plans are for them, all those discussions remain private.

“David has been a top, top ‘keeper and is still a top, top ‘keeper and he’s working to be ready when he plays. If it’s Dean or David, I’m confident in them to play. When you’re a part of Man United, players are always going to come in, they don’t just come in to fill the bench or the squad, everyone’s got ambition to take your shirt.

“It’s the same at right-back, left-back, centre forward, goalkeeper. David has had 10 fantastic years at Man United, and he’s had challenges. Sergio [Romero] probably played less games than he deserved, Dean comes in and always gives it his all and his best. David does as well and it’s a healthy competition.”

SEASPIRACY

Marcus Rojo wants to use FISHING as bait to persuade Edinson Cavani to follow in his footsteps and quit Old Trafford for Boca Juniors.

The ex-Man Utd defender said: “I promised to take him fishing if he comes here.

“He loves fishing, he’s always going on about it. He has a lake near his home and was always trying to get me to go out with him.”

MAN UTD SQUAD FOR GRANADA TRIP

Goalkeepers: David De Gea, Dean Henderson, Lee Grant, Nathan Bishop.

Defenders: Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Alex Telles, Axel Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Brandon Williams.

Midfielders: Amad, Bruno Fernandes, Fred, Daniel James, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic, Scott McTominay, Paul Pogba, Donny van de Beek.

Forwards: Edinson Cavani, Anthony Elanga, Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford

EL OF A PLAYER

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has listed Anthony Elanga’s ‘X-factor’ qualities, after promoting him to the first-team squad.

He said: “I’ve got faith in the young lads, of course, and, in Anthony, we have a player with good skills, a great attitude and he scores goals from either the right or left, and he’s got good pace.

“He’s not just there for experience, he might actually play a part, who knows?

“He’s got that X-factor and I like players with speed and acceleration and he’s definitely got that.”

START-LIN PRICE

Manchester United have put a £30million price tag on Jesse Lingard after his sensational spell on loan at West Ham, according to Sky Sports.

The 28-year-old has netted six times in eight games for the Hammers, a run of form which has seen him re-called to the England squad.

But David Moyes’ side will reportedly have to shell out a huge fee if they are to secure Lingard’s services on a permanent basis.

This is despite his contract expiring at Old Trafford in 2022.

SET-FAC

Manchester United loanee Facundo Pellistri has suffered a fibrillar tear on his bicep while out on loan at Alaves.

The club’s statment read: “Facundo Pellistri left last Sunday the match against RC Celta de Vigo with some muscular discomfort and yesterday Tuesday he underwent tests to determine the exact extent of the same.

“The medical report of IMQ reveals that the Uruguayan player suffers a fibrillar tear in the short portion of the left femoral biceps that has prevented him from exercising with his teammates.

“Pellistri will follow a conservative treatment and his evolution on a day-to-day basis will mark his availability to join the group.”

LIKE FATHER LIKE SAV

Robbie Savage’s son Charlie signed his first professional contract with Manchester United yesterday.

And the pair could not be more thrilled about the news.

LUC OUT FOR VAZQUEZ

Lucas Vazquez refused to commit his future to Real Madrid after the win over Liverpool amid interest from Manchester United.

That has sparked further discussions surrounding a summer free transfer when his current contract expires, with Chelsea also linked to the Los Blancos man.

Asked about renewing his contract, Vazquez said: “Now what I focus on is the present.

“I am enjoying this year with minutes, I feel comfortable playing and that is what makes me happy.

“I was always from Madrid and I will always be from Madrid.”

Lucas Vazquez left a cryptic message for reporters after being asked about his future.