MANCHESTER UNITED are in advanced talks over the £43.4m signing of Villarreal’s Pau Torres, according to reports from Spain.
The centre-back impressed in the Yellow Submarine’s 2-1 win over Arsenal last night and is reportedly seen as an ideal partner for Harry Maguire.
Meanwhile Uruguay’s top commentator has stated that Edinson Cavani will sign a one-year contract extension with Man Utd today.
And reports in Italy claim that United are the only club interested in Cristiano Ronaldo.
Agent Jorge Mendes has sounded out PSG, Real Madrid and the Red Devils – the only three clubs who can afford the Portugal captain.
Get all the latest Man Utd news, updates and transfer gossip here…
TELE ME MORE
ITV are preparing a bid to bring top flight English football back to free-to-air TV as they contemplate buying a stake in BT Sport, according to reports.
It was revealed earlier this week that BT Sport was being put up for sale.
And streaming platforms Amazon, Disney and DAZN were all touted as potential buyers for the TV network in a deal that would be worth billions.
But according to The Telegraph, ITV have now emerged as another possible buyer.
Both ITV and BT Sport have attempted to diversify in recent times, with ITV a partner in YouView and BT considering investing in ITV’s streaming service BritBox.
BT Sport is believed to be worth around £2billion.
FAN-DEMONIUM
Every Premier League team will be allowed fans in their stadium before the end of the season after an entire round of fixtures were moved.
Prem chiefs today confirmed that match week 37 set for Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 May will take place a few days later.
The round will now be played on Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 May – one day after the latest lockdown restrictions lift.
From Monday 17 May sports teams can host up to 10,000 fans or 25 per cent of stadium capacity.
That meant that teams scheduled at home on the final day of the season on Sunday 23 May could’ve potentially had an unfair advantage.
But the Premier League today moved the penultimate set of fixtures – meaning the 10 away sides on the final day will now have a midweek home game with fans.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty KLOPP OF THE POPS
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has praised Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba for their starring roles against Roma last night.
Ahead of Sunday’s derby, he spoke of the likely line-up his side will face at Anfield.
Klopp told reporters: “Fernandes is playing pretty much all games and the other three he can change from time to time.
“Is it Rashford up front or Greenwood up front. Is it James on the wing or Greenwood on the wing? Is Rashford on the wing or is it Pogba?
“Obviously Pogba played again a really good game last night. Who we will face is pretty clear.
“They cannot make massive changes and probably will not make if they had no injuries last night. I think that’s clear.”
ED IN CHECK
Outgoing Manchester United chief Ed Woodward has told a fans’ forum that the club will not reconsider its European Super League exit.
The doomed breakaway plot featured the Red Devils and five other Premier League clubs but was stamped out amid heavy fan protests.
And Woodward today said: “I can assure you that we have learned our lesson from the events of the past week and we do not seek any revival of the Super League plans.
“I would like to add my personal apology to this forum. I know that you will feel angry and let down by the lack of consultation and by the way the proposal failed to recognise the vital principle of open competition. Proper discussion would have helped us avoid the mistake we made.
“While there would have been a substantial increase in solidarity payments from the leading clubs to the rest of the pyramid across Europe, we fully accept that there were fundamental elements which were badly misjudged.”
KEEP THE PEACE
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made a plea for peace with up to 10,000 fans set to march on Old Trafford in protest.
The mass gathering will take place outside the Red Devils ground ahead of Sunday’s match against rivals Liverpool which kicks-off at 4.30pm. Extra police and security have been called in with fears the match may not go ahead if things spill over.
But Man Utd manager Solskjaer said that while the fans should be heard, he has been backed by the Glazers and any protests should remain peaceful.
Solskjaer said: “It’s important that the fans’ views are listened to and we communicate better. My job is to focus on the football side and that we have the best possible team.
“As I’ve said before I’ve been backed, I’ve had great support from the club and the owners and I’m sure I will get the backing again to go one step further. But I’m so happy all the clubs have agreed that this shouldn’t be the way of moving forward.
“Then again, when the protests are on, it’s important they go in a good fashion and that we keep it peaceful.”
Credit: AFP QUALIFY QUALITY
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side can all-but ensure their qualification for next season’s Champions League THIS weekend, if a few results go their way.
Beating Liverpool is a big part of the mix and United fans should be wary: Lose to the Reds on Sunday and – if Manchester City beat Crystal Palace – City will be crowned champions.
Check out the full permutations here.
RETURN LEG
A reminder that Manchester United will defend their 6-2 Europa League semi-final lead when travelling to Italy next week.
The second leg kicks off at 8pm on Thursday, May 6.
OOPS
Paul Pogba has admitted he ‘can’t tackle’ after giving away a penalty in Manchester United’s resounding Europa League semi-final win over Roma on Thursday night.
The Red Devils midfielder slid in to try and block a cross from Roma defender Rick Karsdorp, but instead gave a spot kick away when the ball struck his arm.
Speaking to BT Sport, he said: “Just don’t tackle. I don’t know how to tackle – why should I tackle? That’s my problem! I try to tackle and be the English guy.
“I need to practice more. I need to practice to tackle without my arms. It’s unlucky. I’ve been unlucky a lot this season with penalties.”
WAITING GAME
Here’s a reminder of what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Edinson Cavani’s future last week…
He told reporters: “We’re still in the same boat with Edinson in that he’s not decided on his future yet.
“He’s not told me he wants to leave, but I’m very aware he may be going back home to South America with the difficult year he has had.
“If that’s his decision, I’ll understand it, but he knows my view and he knows I’d love to see him play in front of the Man United fans at Old Trafford.
“It will be the year when we can get the fans back in and it’s important that he makes the decision not with anything else in mind.”
EDI, SET, GO!
Edinson Cavani is reportedly ready to commit his future to Manchester United.
ESPN report on the Uruguayan deciding to stay in England despite huge questions over his future, ahead of his contract expiring.
It is said he has ‘doubts’ over Boca Juniors’ willingness to meet his demands.
And a contract renewal could be announced next week.
Credit: AFP KA-PAU
Manchester United are in ‘advanced’ talks to sign Villarreal defender Pau Torres, according to reports.
The Red Devils are searching for a long-term centre-back partner for club captain Harry Maguire.
And according to El Larguero they are closing in on Torres as they hope to secure his signature before he joins up with the Spain squad for Euro 2020 in June.
It has also been reported that while Real Madrid were interested in him, they are now ‘resigned’ to the fact that he is heading to Old Trafford.
Torres’ release clause is currently £43.4million, but that rises to £56.4m in the final 15 days of the summer transfer window.
OH CO ON THEN
Manchester United, Arsenal, Napoli, Juventus, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid and MORE have all had their interest piqued by news that Bayern Munich are open to selling Corentin Tolisso.
According to Kicker, the German giants will consider bids ahead of his contract expiring in 2022.
An injury has kept France international Tolisso on the sidelines since February.
Credit: Alamy STICK YOUR BEEK IN
Manchester United have reportedly offered a swap deal that would see Donny van de Beek leave the club.
Roma lost to the Red Devils last night and have been given the opportunity to sign the Dutchman in exchange for Nicolo Zaniolo.
La Repubblica detail that deal – which the Serie A side are not interested in due to Zaniolo’s importance to the team.
GLAZE OF GLORY
Paul Scholes has accused Manchester United owners the Glazers of using the football club as a ‘toy’ in a furious rant.
Speaking to BT Sport, he said: “I’m not sure there ever will be a connection with these owners.
“I don’t think that’s just this club, I think it’s every club that started with billionaire owners that we brought into here for them to have a toy to make money with.
“This is a great club as well to actually have that connection with the owners – the young players this club has, the young local lads coming through the academy, there’s a great chance for that connection, but as long as these billionaire owners, from America and other countries, there’s never ever going to be a connection.
“Look at Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool – is there a connection there? I don’t think there is, I don’t think there ever will be. I think we need to stop pining for that.
“The most important thing for the fans now is what happens on the football pitch and if you look at the last four or five years at Manchester United; the resources, the money that this club has had, and it’s not won a trophy for four years. It’s absolutely ridiculous.”
Credit: BT Sport
BREAKING
Prem clubs will be allowed 500 away fans inside stadiums for the final two matches of the season.
With lockdown rules being relaxed in sporting venues, clubs are preparing to welcome fans back into grounds across the country.
Turnstiles are being reopened from May 17 with 25 per cent of full capacity – or a maximum 10,000 fans – able to finally watch their side in action. And it has been revealed by the Times that 500 of those will also be away supporters.
The Premier League’s chief exec Richard Masters has written to the 20 clubs to confirm the plans.
The letter declares: “Government has informed us that, as Covid-19 indicators continue to improve, it is planning to relax the ‘no away fans’ stipulation from the Stage Five Guidance, governing the playing of our final match rounds in season 2020-21.
“The Executive proposes an away ticket allocation of 5 per cent of available capacity (a maximum of 500 away fans) at round 37 and 38 matches, respecting the £30 away ticket price cap.”
DONE AND DUSTED
TalkSPORT host and Manchester United fan Andy Goldstein reckons the Red Devils WON the Europa League last night.
He said after the 6-2 demolition of Roma: “One to 11, it was a fantastic performance from United, who now not only in the final of the Europa League, but tonight they’ve won the Europa League.
“From what I saw in the other match, Villarreal beating Arsenal, it wasn’t the best match, both teams were quite poor.
“Neither side can stop the juggernaut that is Man United. The way United played tonight, none of those teams can live with them.”
Credit: AP SOCIAL SANCTIONS
UK culture secretary Oliver Dowden has written in The Sun to detail his plans for Government punishments for social media platforms who do not do enough to tackle online hate.
Much of the British sporting world will commit to a social media blackout today at 3pm following continued abuse.
Dowden wrote: “I will shortly introduce legislation into Parliament that will force social media firms to stamp out abuse — or face the consequences.
“I want footballers and everyone else to know that we heard them in Westminster and change is coming.
“The Online Safety Bill, as it is called, is one of the first of its kind.
“Under the legislation, if social media companies do not keep their promises to users by, for example, failing to remove racist abuse, they will face severe sanctions.”
UNITED ACTION
Manchester United have banned three season ticket holders, two club members and another registered fan over alleged social media abuse.
The club investigated after Tottenham star Son Heung-min was subjected to sick taunts online following their game earlier this month.
A statement read: “Manchester United has instigated club sanction proceedings against six individuals alleged to have breached club rules by abusing Tottenham’s Heung-Min Son on social media following the match on 11 April.
“Regretfully, suspensions have been issued, subject to appeal, to three season ticket holders, two official members and one individual on the season ticket waiting list.”
Credit: PA SOCIAL MEDIA SHAME
Manchester United players have received a sickening 3,300 incidents of social media abuse since September 2019 – the majority of them racist.
The astonishing figure has highlighted the rise in social media abuse of their stars, up 350 per cent in that time scale.
In a wide-ranging investigation set out by the club they found that 86 per cent of these posts were racist, while eight per cent were homophobic or transphobic.
It peaked in January 2021 with over 400 abusive player posts recorded.
The disgusting racist posts contained either the ‘N word’ (and variants on the spelling) or emojis used with racist intent.
United are joining a worldwide social media boycott by sports stars and organisations from 3pm today until 11.59pm on Monday in response to the sustained attacks.
TOP POG
The big man for the moment – Paul Pogba delivered at Old Trafford.
MOUR MOUR MOUR
It’s the Special Sun! Former Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho has signed up to be our expert columnist for the Euros.
The European Championship heads an epic sporting summer and he will pull no punches in football’s No 1 paper.
You can also hear him exclusively on talkSPORT during the tournament.
And there will be exclusive videos and online pieces to enjoy as well.
So come on England, let’s make it a Special summer all round!
CAV’S AND CAV NOTS
Edinson Cavani’s Premier League stats this season, as Solskjaer says he’s doing everything he can to keep Uruguayan ace at the club:
GOOD MORNING UTD FANS,
United have more than one foot in the Europa League final after a scintillating Edinson Cavani-inspired 6-2 first leg win against Roma.
The Red Devils were 2-1 down at half-time, but whatever boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said in the dressing room worked a treat.
Cavani scored twice and Bruno Fernandes added to his first-half strike to make it 4-2.
Paul Pogba got the goal his industrious performance deserved and then sub Mason Greenwood rounded off the scoring as United completed a stunning turnaround at Old Trafford.
But manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted that the job is not done yet after he hailed Pogba’s performance
He told BT Sport: “I don’t feel the job is done yet, but that was a good job done.
“They were good and had quality, as you saw from the goals in the two moments we gave them.
“In Rome, they’ll get chances against us, so we have to be prepared with a response.
“We know we have creative players who can create big moments and big chances.
“Paul’s positioning today was very good, he was allowed freedom and knew there was a good foundation behind him.
“That’s the difference today, we took most of our chances, so I’m very pleased.”
Meanwhile, on the transfer front, Cristiano Ronaldo’s super-agent Jorge Mendes reportedly offered the five-time Ballon d’Or winner back to 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.
And finally, SunSport’s Charlie Wyett has revealed that Borussia Dortmund have joined the race for United target Ben White.
Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal also remain interested in the Brighton defender.
The Seagulls will demand about £35million for White, having turned down three bids from Leeds last summer – with the final offer totalling £25m.
White spent a successful season on loan in the Championship with Leeds last term and has gone from strength to strength on the south coast this year.
Brighton will demand about £35million for White, having turned down three bids from Leeds last summer – with the final offer totalling £25m.
White spent a successful season on loan in the Championship with Leeds last term and has gone from strength to strength on the south coast this year.
CAV SOME OF THAT
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed he will do everything to keep Edinson Cavani at Man Utd next season.
The Uruguayan, who scored a brace against Roma tonight, has been heavily linked with a move to Boca Juniors this summer.
But Solskjaer said: “He knows my feelings. He knows I would love to have him here.
“I promised him Old Trafford is a different place with fans. I am doing my best. Hopefully we will see him here for another year.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
