Man Utd ‘the only club interested in Cristiano Ronaldo transfer’, Jadon Sancho ‘talks’, Haaland and Declan Rice latest

CROWN JULES

Real Madrid are reportedly looking to fend off competition from Manchester United and Chelsea in the race to sign Sevilla star Jules Kounde.

The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a move in the summer after two impressive years in Spain since joining from Bordeaux in 2019.

SunSport exclusively revealed last month that United were weighing up a move for Kounde to pair him alongside Harry Maguire.

But according to AS, Madrid are looking to keep Kounde in Spain as Zinedine Zidane eyes up a summer swoop.

THE RON FOR ME

Cristiano Ronaldo’s super-agent Jorge Mendes reportedly offered the five-time Ballon d’Or winner back to Manchester United.

Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb claim that CR7 is considering his options this summer if Juventus fail to qualify for the Champions League.

And the report adds that Mendes offered Ronaldo to the three clubs capable of affording both the forward’s transfer fee and salary.

Real Madrid were said to have declined while Paris Saint-Germain were not interested but United were the only club to respond.

The Red Devils reportedly demanded that Ronaldo would have to take a 50% pay cut if there would be any chance of a deal.

NO SMALL FAVOURS

Luke Shaw warned old pals Chris Smalling and Henrikh Mkhitaryan that they won’t get any special treatment when Roma face Manchester United in the Europa League semi-final tonight.

Shaw said: “Mkhi and Chris, I was here with both of them, and I really missed them when they left, they were really good guys and brilliant players.

“It’ll be really nice to see them, they’ve both been doing really well. They’ve both been a bit unfortunate with injuries but they’re back fit now and they will obviously make their team much stronger than before.

“I’m looking forward to seeing them tonight but the game is the most important, so we won’t be friends during it but maybe after we’ll have a chat.”

But asked if he will be taking it easy against his old mates, Shaw was emphatic.

He added: “No, there’s none of that. We’re all professionals and it’s our job, we’re doing it for ourselves but also the fans so it’s very important to keep being professional.

“It’ll be very nice to see them but we’ll leaving the talking until after. We need to win the game and doing everything to win it.”

LUKE-ING GOOD

Luke Shaw said his outstanding Manchester United form is down to the return of his confidence ahead of tonight’s Europa League semi-final against Roma.

Shaw said: “My form has been much improved, I’m enjoying my football. I’ve got my confidence back and I’m just loving playing football again.

“Personally it’s nice for me to have a good season but that doesn’t really matter if we don’t have a successful season and that is to win a trophy.

“If we don’t win a trophy and I’ve still had a good season I’ll be disappointed because the most important thing – and it’s why we play for a big club like Manchester United – is to win trophies.

“Yeah I’ve been good but I want to help the team push for this trophy and cap off a great season and one I’ll be happy with if we do win the trophy.”

UP FOR G-RABS

Juventus are considering flogging midfielder Adrien Rabiot after an underwhelming campaign, according to reports.

Both Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked with the midfield enforcer.

And they could be handed a major transfer boost judging by reports coming out of Italy.

TuttoSport write how the Old Lady have finally lost patience with Rabiot and are looking to upgrade him in the summer.

Rabiot, 26, has featured heavily under Andrea Pirlo with 21 Serie A starts.

But the reports adds how, except for a handful of matches, Rabiot’s performances, on the whole, have been average.

Pirlo is eager to delve into the market this summer following a disappointing campaign with their nine-year Serie A reign coming to an end.

KANE DO ATTITUDE

Manchester United are reportedly monitoring Harry Kane’s situation very closely.

The Tottenham striker failed to pick up his first major trophy with Spurs tasting defeat in the Carabao Cup final and could look to leave the club this summer with Champions League football seemingly off the cards.

Norwegian outlet Dagbladet reports Kane is thinking about the idea of moving and the Red Devils are keeping tabs as things unfold.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will ask for a minimum of £125million for the England captain.

LINCREDIBLE GESTURE

Jesse Lingard showed off his caring side by sending out mental health packages to his pals – before revealing his new ‘Be Yourself’ tattoo.

The West Ham star – currently on-loan from Manchester United – has been open and honest with his own battles with mental health in recent months.

Earlier this month, Lingard, 28, opened up about his struggle to cope with his mum’s depression and how it affected him both on and off the pitch.

But the in-form midfielder is keen to make sure his family and friends are looked after by sending care packages to them.

Derby’s former Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe shared a picture of Lingard’s thoughtful gift on Instagram.

Earlier this year, Ibe revealed he was in a ‘dark place’ and was suffering from depression.

SEVENTH HEAVEN

Manchester United know how to thump Roma after giving the Italians a 7-1 spanking in 2007 at Old Trafford.

The two sides go head to head tonight in the Europa League semi-final.

KANE HE COME?

Harry Kane could be heading to Manchester this summer, according to former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara.

He told talkSPORT: “After that statement he’s obviously going to leave. I can see him going to one of the Manchester clubs.

“I can see him at City and United. As a Spurs fan, selfishly, I’d love him to stay, I’d love him to be at the football club because he’s just so professional. It’s so great what he’s done.

“But you cannot begrudge him leaving because watching that final, we were miles off it. We’re miles away from winning a trophy.

“I just can’t see us competing at the level he wants to be. You have to let him go.

“This is his big move. It’s the one move where he can go for a lot of money. I’d love to see him go and play for Real Madrid.

“He’d do great. But I just think he will be at a Manchester club.”

WHERE’S HE EDIN

Edinson Cavani posted a cryptic message online as speculation around his future continues to swirl.

The Uruguayan wrote in Spanish: “The only thing I know is that I will give my best.”

MOST WANTED

Manchester United will make Erling Haaland their No1 transfer target, according to reports.

But the Red Devils may be forced to wait one more year before landing him for a bargain £65million fee.

The Norwegian striker is Europe’s hottest property with a host of European giants prepared to make their moves.

Manchester United are no different with boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer eager to land a prolific goalscorer to lead the line.

According to Eurosport, club chiefs including director John Murtough have determined they will go all out to land Haaland.

Dortmund are likely to put their star asset up for sale this summer for £130million if they miss out on Champions League football.

KNOWLEDGE PAUL

Paul Pogba is drawing inspiration from some unlikely sources ahead of Manchester United’s Europa League semi-final against Roma.

The French midfielder wants to take lessons from the mental strength shown by American sporting legends including Michael Jordan, Tom Brady and boxers Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson.

Pogba told Uefa: “Tom Brady was just an example to really show people that, despite his age, he was still up to the challenge. He changed franchises but still won, which means that it’s possible to do so; wanted to show people that you could still succeed after changing clubs. He never gives up.

“I have another example of a personal inspiration for me: Michael Jordan. I think that most of us already know his story, and his leadership and work ethic really have been an inspiration to me.

“You want to take the last shots, like [Michael Jordan] did, and you always want to win. That requires extraordinary mental strength, and it’s a great source of inspiration for me.

“Muhammad Ali is also an inspiration for me. In his day, he was one of the youngest heavyweights – just like Mike Tyson after him – to be crowned world champion. All of those people are inspirations because of their daily work ethic.

“They push themselves. They might fall or lose, but they keep going, they come back stronger and they never give up. That’s important to me.“

STATE OF TAT

Manchester United defender Brandon Williams may not be making noise on the pitch, but he certainly is off it after getting a roaring lion sleeve tattoo.

The 20-year-old – who has been limited to just seven minutes of Premier League football this term – has taken inspiration from Mason Greenwood’s latest artwork.

The Red Devils striker has just got a lion tattoo sporting a crown on his forearm, with his team-mate also opting to get the king of the jungle inked onto him.

Adding to his chest piece, Williams decided to get a full sleeve on his left arm, with a clock incorporated into the design.

Tattoo artist Dale McGovern posted the incredible design on social media, with client Jesse Lingard liking the snap on Instagram.

KIT LEAK

All THREE Manchester United kits for next season appear to have been leaked online.

THE SAN IS SHINING

Manchester United have begun talks with Jadon Sancho’s representatives ahead of a potential move to Old Trafford this summer, according to reports.

The Red Devils made the England wideman their No1 target last summer but failed to stump up the £108million required to lure him from Borussia Dortmund.

But 90min reports United are still keen on signing the 21-year-old.

The club reportedly have maintained lines of communication and are optimistic about their chances of snaring the player for half of last year’s asking price.

MORNING, MAN UNITED FANS

The Red Devils are back in action this evening, as boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to put an end to his semi-finals hoodoo as Manchester United manager.

Solskjaer, 48, has reached four previous semis as boss, without winning a single one of them.

And Luke Shaw is as determined as anyone to turn that situation around – starting in tonight’s first-leg against AS Roma at Old Trafford.

The England left-back said: “Personally, for me it’s a massive motivation.

“As you said then, I’ve been quite unfortunate to not be involved in semis and finals, so of course I’m really looking forward to tomorrow night to step out in one.

“But, of course, from a team point of view, it’s very important. In the past, we’ve missed out on a few finals and I think this season, the way we’ve been playing, the way the confidence is high, we’ve got real belief that we can reach it.

“Like I said, it’s a massive motivation for not just me, but for the whole team to reach the final. It’s a game we’re looking forward to tomorrow and one we’re very ready for.”

Should United win, they could play in front of a 10,000 crowd in the Gdansk final on May 26 – potentially against Arsenal.

NOT DONN

Manchester United transfer target Gianluigi Donnarumma has put AC Milan contract talks on hold, according to reports.

The goalkeeper’s current deal at the San Siro expires this summer.

And with the Italian desperate to play in the Champions League, Football Italia state he slammed the brakes on negotiations.

Milan put a two-year extension on the table worth £130,000 per week.

But Donnarumma’s agent Mino Raiola is holding out for £200,000 per week for his 22-year-old client who is closing in on 250 first-team appearances for the Rossoneri, six years after his breakthrough.

None of those, however, have been in Europe’s elite club competition with the club last featuring in it way back in 2013-14.

The shot-stopper was also holding discussions with Juventus over a potential Serie A switch as the Old Lady offered around £167,000 a week.

But neither AC nor Juve have guaranteed Champions League football next season.

ICYMI – EUR KIDDING ME

Arsenal and Manchester United have been told they will play in front of a 10,000 crowd if they reach next month’s Europa League Final.

But fans of the two Prem sides are unlikely to be allowed to travel to Poland – with local supporters set to be the only people allowed through the gates.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has announced a series of new measures as the country emerges from the Covid crisis.

That includes outdoor sports stadiums being able to open their turnstiles to up 25 per cent of capacities from May 15.

The Europa League Final is scheduled for the Stadion Miejski in Gdansk on May 26.

It is the home ground of Lechia Gdansk and has an all-seater capacity of 41,620. That will allow potentially 10,405 fans inside for the Final.

LOUIS LOSES OUT

Louis van Gaal has revealed the TEN Manchester United transfer targets he missed out on – including Neymar and Robert Lewandowski.

The Dutchman, 69, told FourFourTwo: “I wanted Robert Lewandowski but when this proved difficult I tried to get Gonzalo Higuain instead.

“Before I had arrived, I also spoke with the board about Neymar. If you are at United, you have to think big.

“He was also interesting for the club in terms of selling shirts, and I wanted to have quick wingers. For that reason, I also tried to get Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez.

“Thomas Muller was on my wish list, too, and in central midfield I wanted N’Golo Kante.

“I even tried to sign James Milner, who was already quite old but very multifunctional and possessed leadership skills.

“For the defence, I wanted Sergio Ramos and Mats Hummels, because ours wasn’t the strongest in building from the back.

“Those were my top targets, but we couldn’t get any of them. I don’t know why, because as the manager I wasn’t involved in any negotiations.

“After I left, players like Mahrez and Kante ended up at Manchester City and Chelsea, while United couldn’t get them. I found that very odd.”

ONES FER ME

Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes has picked his dream five-a-side team – but only with Portuguese players.

The Red Devils ace obviously picked Cristiano Ronaldo but also included some surprising names…

Fernandes was asked to pick his dream team in an online Q&A with United’s website.

The first name on the team-sheet was Wolves keeper Rui Patricio, with whom Fernandes won the Euros.

Former Chelsea centre-half Ricardo Carvalho was his rock at the back.

He wasted no time in picking his forwards with Portuguese legends Luis Figo and Ronaldo slotting in up front.

But in his own midfield position the playmaker found it much tougher.

He was grappling between Deco and the mercurial Rui Costa and eventually opted for the latter – leaving himself out the side.

HEAR THE MAN OUT…

England stars from other clubs are reportedly asking their Man United Three Lions team-mates about life at Old Trafford.

United have recently been linked with the likes of Harry Kane and Declan Rice.

And according to the Manchester Evening News, football director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher have confirmed that England stars are asking about life at the club.

The minutes for a recent fans’ forum quote ‘JM&DF’ as saying: “Darren noted that they had heard that from players going away with England [and] other national teams that people have started to ask questions about Manchester United again.”

WORTH A LUKE

Former Manchester United ace Luke Chadwick has called on his old club to try and use Jesse Lingard in a swap deal for Aston Villa skipper Jack Grealish.

He told CaughtOffside: “I think Jesse Lingard, since his loan to West Ham, has probably been the best player in the Premier League for the past six, eight weeks.

“It’s been fantastic for him and has perhaps shown that it is time for him to move on to pastures new.

“If that was possible, and Lingard gets to play week in, week out at a club like Aston Villa, and Man United can attract one of the best players in the league in Jack Grealish, who’s got a huge future in front of him, that could be a fantastic piece of business on both sides.”

GRAN-D OLD TIME

Manchester United continue their Europa League campaign back against Villarreal at Old Trafford tomorrow night.

So let’s remind ourselves of how they booked their place in the semi-finals.

Enjoy, Red Devils!

ON THE PAUL

Fans will be hoping for a brilliant Paul Pogba performance tomorrow night against Roma.

And the French ace appears to have been feeling good in training today!

GUNNAR HAVE RESPECT

Man United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted he meant no disrespect to Roma, when he admitted he hadn’t seen them play after beating Granada earlier this month.

He said: “That was straight after the game and, with all the games we’ve had, I was just relieved that we had gone through.

“Of course, I’ve watched them but I hadn’t analysed them and I hadn’t seen them in depth to give them enough respect probably.

“It’s a fantastic club with a great history. I’ve actually got two prized possessions back home – a [Francesco] Totti shirt and a [Daniele] De Rossi shirt – I swapped shirts with them, they’re actually signed!

“We are ready for them,” he added. “My comment was not meant as any disrespect and I think everyone knows that. I have got loads of respect for them.”