Milenkovic EXCLUSIVE, Andre Silva to cost Man Utd £35m, ‘Ronaldo-Pogba swap’, Rice ‘wants transfer’, Haaland LATEST

ANDRE WOULD COST UTD £35m

Man Utd will have to fork out £35million if they want to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Andre Silva in the summer.

According to Bild, the Red Devils are interested in the Portugal international who has banged in 23 Bundesliga goals this term.

It has been claimed that United are battling Atletico Madrid and Barcelona for his signature.

Silva is seen as a cheaper alternative to Borussia Dortmund marksman Erling Haaland.

ZLAT’S ALL FOLKS?

Former Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic is facing a three-year ban for investing in a Malta-based betting company, it has been claimed.

A bombshell report in Sweden says that the 39-year-old’s career could be brought to a premature end as a result of the ban.

Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet state that he owns ten per cent of Bethard, a gambling company with offices in Malta, through his business Unknown AB.

Both Fifa and Uefa do not let players have financial interests in gambling companies. Fifa’s ethical rules say that anyone who violates them faces a fine and a ban from all football activities for a maximum of three years.

The report continues that the Swedish FA were aware of the problem and it’s the reason he didn’t feature in the 2018 World Cup. AC Milan striker Zlatan had already retired from international football in 2016 but made his return ahead of this summer’s Euros.

The report adds that Zlatan’s company is the fourth largest shareholder in Bethard and it made a profit after tax of £25.79m in 2019. He was announced as a co-owner and ambassador for the brand three years ago.

TOP OF THE KOPS

Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool is the ideal setting for Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian is wanted by a host of clubs, including Manchester United, this summer but the ex-defender hopes to see him at Anfield.

He told CBS Sports: “I think Haaland should come to Liverpool, because it’s his type of football.

“Basically heavy metal football, he relies on his pace and his power. That’s the type of football that Liverpool play.

“Who would not want to play in front of the Kop? Liverpool, energy, Champions League football nights.”

RASH RUSH

Marcus Rashford remains a doubt for Manchester United’s clash with Burnley on Sunday.

But Eric Bailly could be in store for a recall after completing his self-isolation for coronavirus.

Rashford, 23, is recovering from a foot injury and was an unused substitute on Thursday night.

His potential absence could see Solskjaer stick with the front four that started the 2-0 win over Granada.

Edinson Cavani led the line – grabbing his second goal in five days – with Mason Greenwood, Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba in support.

Here is how United could line-up.

EURO CASH

Chelsea and Manchester City are cashing in the most from their European exploits so far this season after making the Champions League semi-finals.

Chelsea have banked £79.8m for their exploits in Europe so far this season while Pep Guardiola’s Citizens have netted £76.8m, according to figures from football-coefficient.eu.

The riches on offer in Europe’s premier competition dwarf the financial benefits of playing in the Europa League – where the rest of the Prem sides find themselves.

Manchester United have the considerable advantage of having dropped down into the tournament courtesy of finishing third in their Champions League group.

The Red Devils have earned £50.7m worth of prize money as it stands after beating Granada to make the Europa League semi-finals where they will play Roma.

Arsenal started the season in the competition and have only chalked up £14.4m in winnings.

ABS-OLUTE HUNK

Reported Man Utd target Cristiano Ronaldo is still ripped to shreds at 36 – and wanted to remind his 276million Instagram followers.

The Juventus superstar proved age is just a number once again with his latest social media selfie.

Relaxing topless in what appears to be a sauna, the forward posed for the selfie with his eyes closed and bulging muscles on show for all to see.

Ronaldo simply wrote: “Kaizen,” on the photo – which means ‘improvement’ in Japanese.

The Euro 2016 winner has been linked with a return to Old Trafford, with Paul Pogba heading in the opposite direction.

BAIL OUT

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed he is relaxed over Eric Bailly’s contract situation with the defender set to become a free agent in 2022.

The Man Utd boss said: “Eric has played well when he’s played. I know there’s been speculation. We’re talking to him about his contract so I don’t see any issues really.”

And the Red Devils boss is hopeful the centre-back will be ready for selection to face Burnley on Sunday.

He added: “Eric has been isolating back home in the Ivory Coast. He’s back to England now. We hope he can be available for the weekend.

“Hopefully he can train tomorrow, depending on how he feels within himself. He’s had his tests today so we need to get the confirmation that he’s still negative.”

SILVA LINING

Man Utd will have to fork out £35million if they want to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Andre Silva in the summer.

According to Bild, the Red Devils are interested in the Portugal international who has banged in 23 Bundesliga goals this term.

It has been claimed that United are battling Atletico Madrid and Barcelona for his signature.

Silva is seen as a cheaper alternative to Borussia Dortmund marksman Erling Haaland.

SILVA LINING

Man Utd will have to fork out £35million if they want to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Andre Silva in the summer.

According to Bild, the Red Devils are interested in the Portugal international who has banged in 23 Bundesliga goals this term.

It has been claimed that United are battling Atletico Madrid and Barcelona for his signature.

Silva is seen as a cheaper alternative to Borussia Dortmund marksman Erling Haaland.

RAPH AND READY

Former Man Utd midfielder Owen Hargreaves has urged the club to sign Leeds winger Raphinha instead of Jadon Sancho.

The BT Sport pundit said: “I don’t think it’s realistic for Manchester United to win the Premier League next season.

“They have to find a way to bridge that gap. You bridge that gap by getting another centre-back, getting a central midfielder, and getting a right winger.

“A lot of people have played out on that right hand side and haven’t really found it. Jadon Sancho would be amazing.

“You think about Raphinha at Leeds and what he could do in this United team – there’s obviously levels, and you can’t always spend £100million on a player.”

IRN BRU

Bruno Fernandes has his sights set on winning the Europa League after Man Utd advanced into the semi-finals.

FORWARD PLAN

Paul Scholes wants Manchester United to bring in a new striker this summer and boost their forward options.

He told BT Sport: “I think they’ve got really good forwards but are any a real-centre forward? They look better in wide areas.

“[Edinson] Cavani has only started 15 games, can they keep him another year? It will cost a lot of money but they have to sign someone eventually.

“If Cavani was to stay, he wouldn’t want to sit on the bench, I think he’s waiting to see if United sign a centre-forward. He hasn’t played a lot due to injuries and that is a concern given his age.”

The ex-Red Devils midfielder added: “I don’t see Mason Greenwood as a centre-forward, I just see him in wide areas, not a great link up man, not making clever runs or tap ins, I see him in a wide right area that none of the other players like.

“He is devastating when facing a player up on the right side, that’s what makes him such a dangerous player.

“As a kid he wasn’t like a traditional centre-forward but always scored spectacular goals. He’s a wide player and that’s why United need to sign a top class centre-forward.”

ON THE PAUL

Paul Pogba laughed at Jose Mourinho’s distraction tactics after United’s victory at Spurs last week.

After the game the ex-Chelsea and Porto boss hit out at Solskjaer for saying he wouldn’t feed his son if he went down like Son Heung-min did after Scott McTominay’s hand brushed his face.

Mourinho then said he is glad Son’s dad is a better father than Ole.

Asked for his thoughts on the post-game reaction, Pogba said: “I don’t know what happened, I’m sure Mourinho said something that would make people speak, that’s what he does.

“We got the result we wanted, Ole knows it and we enjoyed that moment because we know Mourinho and we know what he likes. We don’t need this [war of words], we just focus on us.

“We won the game, he lost the game and he doesn’t want to speak about the game, he wants to speak about the dad of someone, that’s what he does. Everybody knows him, it’s very Mourinho.”

FOOTIE RAID

Roma defender Chris Smalling was robbed at gunpoint in front of his wife and toddler son when three hooded men broke into his home.

The 31-year-old was sleeping when the armed thugs broke into his home and forced him to open his safe.

Smalling, who played for Manchester United for ten years, handed over a Rolex watch and other items of jewellery, Gazzetta dello Sport reports.

His wife Sam, 35, called the police at 5am this morning after the break-in at the home in the Appia Antica area of Rome.

The robbery happened in front of the couple’s two-year-old son Leo.

Roma were playing in the Europa League last night but Smalling was injured with a knee injury.

NO RASH DECISION

Man Utd are hopeful Marcus Rashford will be fit to face Burnley after missing the Europa League win over Granada.

The England forward, 23, was left on the bench for Thursday night’s 2-0 semi-final win.

And after the game, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed Rashford missed the game – which United won 2-0 to seal a 4-0 aggregate victory – with a knock and was only named on the bench in case of emergency.

All eyes will now turn to Sunday’s Premier League game at home to Burnley, with Solskjaer admitting Rashford could miss out.

Immediately after beating Granada, Solskjaer said: “We hope [Rashford] is going to be ready [to face Burnley].nToday was about not risking him.

“He was on the bench just in case because you never know in a knockout tie. He’s been playing with a sore foot. I don’t know [if he’ll be ready] yet.”

NO WAY, JOSE

Paul Pogba has hit out at former manager Jose Mourinho suggesting he ‘goes against his players’ unlike current Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The World Cup winner told Sky Sports: “What I have now with Ole is different, he wouldn’t go against the players.

“Maybe Ole wouldn’t pick them, but it’s not like he puts them on the side like they don’t exist anymore. That’s the difference between Mourinho and Ole.

“Once I had a great relationship with Mourinho, everybody saw that, and the next day you don’t know what happened.

“That’s the strange thing I had with Mourinho and I cannot explain to you because even I don’t know. Maybe [Solskjaer’s methods work] because he is a bit closer to the people.

“Every coach has their own way to coach and deal with players, and as a player you have to adapt. Sometimes it doesn’t suit you and sometimes it does.”

CAM TO THE PARTY

Arsenal are reportedly in the transfer battle to sign Eduardo Camavinga after he refused to sign a new contract at Rennes.

But the Gunners face strong competition from Manchester United and Real Madrid for the defensive midfielder.

Reports earlier this week stated the 18-year-old would not put pen to paper on a new deal with the Ligue 1 side.

With his current contract expiring in 2022, that means Rennes may be forced into selling their young star or risk losing him for free next year.

And according to Marca, Arsenal may try their luck to lure the Frenchman to the Emirates – even if, like Rennes, they cannot offer Champions League football next season.

GREAT DANE

Man Utd have joined the race for Fulham’s on-loan Lyon defender Joachim Andersen, according to reports.

The Dane moved to Craven Cottage last summer, after finding opportunities limited with the French side.

Despite Fulham’s struggles, he has hit the ground running in West London, earning the captain’s armband in just his fourth Premier League appearance.

And his quick progress has not gone unnoticed by potential suitors.

Danish outlet BT claim that the Red Devils have more than just a passing interest in the 24-year-old.

GOOD MORNING UNITED FANS

Edinson Cavani opened the scoring as Manchester United comfortably made it into the Europa League semi-finals last night.

The 2-0 win against Granada at Old Trafford, 4-0 on aggregate, was sealed late on thanks to a Jesus Vallejo own goal.

Marcus Rashford watched on from the bench due to a foot knock while Paul Pogba took the armband in Harry Maguire’s absence due to suspension.

Roma are the Red Devils’ opponents in the semis after Edin Dzeko scored an equaliser against Ajax, securing a 1-1 draw on the night and 3-2 aggregate win.

In transfer news, SunSport revealed yesterday United’s intention to push ahead with signing Nikola Milenkovic.

The Fiorentina defender is available for £38million this summer, a fee the Red Devils will hope to negotiate down.

Raphael Varane has also been linked with a move from Real Madrid.

According to Spanish journalist Jose Alvarez, the Frenchman is heading to Old Trafford.

He told El Chiringuito TV that United and Varane are in ‘advanced talks’ and that Madrid are preparing for his exit.

ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROMA

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer cannot wait to face Roma in the Europa League semi-finals.

Tonight’s 2-0 win over Granada confirmed Manchester United’s clash against the Italians, with the first leg on April 26.

Solskjaer said: “We’re looking forward to it, we’re in the semis and it feels like a proper European tie.

“Roma is club with loads of tradition and history but we’ve done well against them before.

“We look forward to them and hope we can get to the final. If we can finish the season with a trophy that’ll be great.”

POG REACTION

Paul Pogba has spoken of his early substitution tonight despite taking the armband from the suspended Harry Maguire.

He told BT Sport: “[After] some tackles, a yellow card, I had to come off obviously.

“The yellow card was unfortunate. It wasn’t a yellow card for me but you have to accept it. We won the game, that’s the most important thing.

“I know the foul just after it, I saw all the players trying to get me out. [The manager thought] it’s better I come off before a red card.”

He still had time to set up Edinson Cavani’s goal, his third assist in four games – having previously taken 51 games to clock that many.

SOL MATE

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed he substituted Paul Pogba at half-time due to fears over a red card.

He told BT Sport: “Sometimes, Paul wants to win so much…

“He went into a couple of tackles after his yellow card but I thought I don’t want to risk [him being sent off] even though he played so well.

“We missed three today [through suspension]. The season has been hard enough as it is.”

BRU ARE YA?!

Bruno Fernandes has warned Manchester United not to underestimate Roma in the semi-finals.

He told BT Sport: “Every team will give you problems. They have a good organisation defensively, they can create problems offensively.

“Some of their players have played in England. We know what we have to do. If we do the right things, we will have our chances to win the game.”

FORWARD THINKING

Owen Hargreaves does not think Manchester United need to sign a new centre-forward – so long as they sign Edinson Cavani to a new contract.

The 34-year-old scored against Granada earlier but could leave at the end of the season, something former midfielder Hargreaves does not want to see.

The ex-Red Devil told BT Sport: “Obviously everyone wants Harry Kane and Erling Haaland but they should keep Cavani and reinvest it elsewhere. 

“They could spend that money on three other players in important positions. Cavani could get you 25 goals if he plays regularly next season.

“They are the second highest scorers in the league already so is it the biggest issue? 

“Their best players are attackers, I don’t think it is realistic to win the league next season but they need a new right winger and centre-back and you can’t spend £100million on every player.”

SEMI-FINAL LINE-UP

Here are the confirmed Europa League semi-final ties…

First leg – Thursday, April 29. 8pm:
Manchester United vs Roma
Villarreal vs Arsenal

Second leg – Thursday, May 6. 8pm:
Roma vs Manchester United
Arsenal vs Villarreal