MANCHESTER UNITED are licking their wounds after losing a heartbreaking Europa League final to Villarreal on penalties.
One man who is being tipped for a switch is Pau Torres, who was so impressive for the Spaniards in Gdansk.
Meanwhile Declan Rice has been touted for a switch to United as well, with the England midfielder a target for one of the positions Solskjaer wants to improve.
WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game
Stay up to date with every twist from Old Trafford in our live rolling blog...
HAA-RD TO SAY GOODBYE
Erling Haaland has sensationally suggested he might snub the advances of Manchester United to STAY at Borussia Dortmund.
Both Man City and United are interested in the £150million-rated striker, with Real Madrid and Barcelona keen, despite struggling financially.
But for now, Haaland has suggested he will be staying at Borussia Dortmund.
Haaland told NENT: “I have a contract for a couple of fine years, so I am respectful towards my contract.”
CHANGED HIS TUN
Manchester United prospect Hannibal Mejbri has been called up to Tunisia’s national team after switching allegiances from France.
The midfielder was born in Ivry-sur-Seine, France and represented them at youth level.
But his father, Lotfi, is Tunisian and played in his homeland and now his son is set to follow in his footsteps.
Current club United confirmed the 18-year-old has been called up to Tunisia’s first-team.
Mejbri is in their squad for upcoming games against DR Congo, Algeria and Mali next month.
GUNNER STAY
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly set to sign a new three-year deal worth £27million despite suffering heartbreak in the Europa League final.
The Red Devils lost an astonishing penalty shoot-out 11-10 to Villarreal as Solskjaer missed the opportunity to claim his first silverware as manager of the club.
But The Telegraph claims that the disappointing end to the campaign has not dissuaded Man Utd bosses from offering the Norwegian a new contract.
And it has also been reported that Solskjaer will be backed in the summer transfer window.
It is said that he will be given the funds to sign up to four players before the start of the new season as they look to close the 12-point gap to Premier League champions Manchester City.
RICE TO MEET YOU
Manchester United will look to pip rivals Chelsea to the signing of Declan Rice, according to reports.
The West Ham ace is hot property following yet another brilliant season in East London.
Chelsea were desperate to land him last summer under ex-boss Frank Lampard but refused to match his £70million asking price.
Despite replacing Lampard with Thomas Tuchel in January, the German boss is still open to the idea of bringing Rice back to his former club.
But the Standard write how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ready to swoop from under the noses of the Blues.
The Norwegian is ready to splash the cash this summer after Europa League final defeat to Villarreal meant it is now four years since their last silverware.
SANCHO UPDATE
Manchester United are still in talks with Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho’s representatives over a potential summer deal.
According to Sky Sports, “as it stands, United represents the most realistic destination” for Sancho.
United are not going to have to worry about personal terms as they already agreed last summer when they tried to sign the star winger.
Dortmund are listening to offers for the England international and have not publicly named a price.
But it seems like the 21-year-old could be available for £80million, which is significantly less than the £108m the Bundesliga giants demanded last summer
HAALAND LATEST
Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland has attracted immense interest from some of Europe’s biggest hitters.
Manchester United are among the clubs interested in signing Haaland but are facing fierce competition.
According to Marca, Real Madrid are still keeping tabs on the star striker.
However, the Norway international has turned into a plan B as Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe remains a priority for Los Blancos
GETTY IMAGES PAUL-ING TOGETHER
Manchester United star Paul Pogba has reacted to Wednesday’s Europa League Final loss.
Pogba admitted he needed some time to reflect after the defeat to Villarreal but insists United will get back up on their feet soon.
The star midfielder posted on his Instagram: “I needed some days to reflect after the match.
“Of course, very upset not to win the final but we’re a team that will look forward with our heads held high.
“Thank you to all of the fans for the support. We will come back stronger”
ENGLAND FAVOURITES
England are 4/1 favourites to win Euro 2020 after Gareth Southgate picked his squad for the delayed tournament, according to Betfair.
Manchester United have six players (Dean Henderson, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood) in Southgate’s provisional 33-men shortlist.
Here’s how the Three Lions fare compare to the rest of the opposition:
England 4/1
France 5/1
Belgium 13/2
Spain 7/1
Italy, Germany 15/2
Portugal 9/1
Netherlands 11/1
Denmark 22/1
Croatia 25/1UNITED TRANSFER LATEST
Jadon Sancho, Declan Rice, Harry Kane, Raphael Varane and Pau Torres are considered as Manchester United’s top targets ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to The Guardian, Sancho appears as the likeliest candidate to join United as Borussia Dortmund are more open on letting him go this year.
Kane, on the other hand, appears to be the unlikeliest signing as Manchester City pose as favourites to land the Tottenham superstar.
West Ham are not willing to sell Rice whereas Torres and Varane are going to cost £26million and £60m respectively
TOP POG
Tottenham superstar Harry Kane has admitted he would like to have Paul Pogba’s skills amid reports suggesting that Manchester United want to sign him.
Kane had a chat with TCL Europe where he discussed areas of others’ games he would like to include into his own.
The England captain said: “Pogba’s skills, [Marco] Reus’ amazing free-kicks, Saul [Niguez’s] perfect dribbling, [Krzysztof ]Piatek’s intuition and [Gianluigi] Donnarumma’s big arm span.
“I think having a strong mindset is a big part of that I think.
“I always say self-belief and hard work are the two most important things to go along with talent. Of course, you need talent to get you a certain way but the other two are very important”
HURRI-KANE HARRY
Tottenham superstar Harry Kane is odds-on favourite to finish Euro 2020 as the tournament’s top scorer, according to Betfair.
Kane has reportedly informed Spurs that he wishes to leave the club in the summer after another trophyless season, which saw them missing out on Champions League qualification again.
The star striker is now being monitored by Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.
Here’s how the England international’s chances look like ahead of the Euros:
- Harry Kane 5/1
- Romelu Lukaku 13/2
- Cristiano Ronaldo 9/1
- Kylian Mbappe 9/1
- Karim Benzema 11/1
- Memphis Depay 16/1
- Raheem Sterling 16/1
GETTY IMAGES DE-CISION EXPLAINED
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer decided to start David de Gea in goal ahead of Dean Henderson because he felt more confident about the Spain international.
Solskjaer said: “You go through every scenario, of course. And it had crossed my mind in the build-up to the game but we were confident in David and prepared.
Anything can happen in a penalty shootout. I stuck with the keeper who played all of the game.
“I’ve got to say the penalty shootout was high quality, but we didn’t do enough in the 120 minutes to score more goals and that’s the disappointing bit.
“We had pressure, we had moments where we felt if we can just kick on a little bit now we can get a goal. But we just couldn’t.”
TOP PICK
Everton star Jordan Pickford is going to be England’s No1 at Euro 2020 ahead of Manchester United ace Dean Henderson, according to former Three Lions goalkeeper Rob Green.
Green said: “It’s a case of one from one. Jordan will play. Gareth [Southgate] has been very persistent and very clear with that.
“He’s one that, the way that they play, he’s never made a mistake whilst playing for England that has cost a goal. I think what’s good is that Dean Henderson has already made his debut so he’s got that bit out of the way.
“He’s played 50 per cent of the games that David de Gea has played at United.
“But it’s not like he’s played a full season there. He’s had to bide his time at Manchester United so if he does get to play every week, then he’d have a louder case.
“But we’ll have to see where we are in 12 months’ time. At the moment it doesn’t seem to suggest that it should be pointing in any other direction really”
MAGUIRE/RASHFORD HEADACHE
England manager Gareth Southgate is facing a major Euro 2020 headache over the fitness of Manchester United stars Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford.
According to the Daily Mirror, Maguire is still dealing with an ankle injury and is facing a race to be fit in time for England’s opening game against Croatia on June 13.
Rashford is nursing a shoulder as well as a foot problem and appears to be a little tired after a busy season.
The United centre-forward, however, did play in the Europa League Final, which could be a promising sign for Southgate
WAN-T ARE YOU THINKING
Manchester United fans have slammed England manager Gareth Southgate for omitting Aaron Wan-Bissaka from his provisional 33-man squad.
Southgate announced his shortlist on Tuesday ahead of the delayed Euro 2020 and didn’t include Wan-Bissaka as he preferred Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James at right-back.
However, that didn’t bode well with some United fans, who took to Twitter to air their disagreement.
One fan tweeted: “How has AWB not even made the provisional England squad?
“I get that England have a ton of good right backs but Southgate’s constant overlooking of him is ridiculous.”
Another supporter wrote: “I still think it’s a farce that AWB hasn’t been called up again.”
A third posted: “Wan-Bissaka doesn’t even make the provisional squad. We’ll get our respect one day”
PRESIDENT’S MAN
Manchester United ace Marcus Rashford had a “surreal” Zoom chat with President Barack Obama about the importance of giving back to your local community and the positive impact of reading.
Rashford initiated a prominent campaign last year to tackle child food poverty in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic.
The England international’s efforts led to 1.7 million vulnerable kids being supported by a £520 million government scheme and other projects have helped deliver 130 million meals.
That led to immense praise by Obama, who said: “A lot of the young people I meet — including Marcus — they’re ahead of where I was when I was 23. They’re already making changes and being positive forces in their communities.”
Rashford added: “It’s quite surreal isn’t it? I’m sitting in my kitchen in Manchester, speaking to President Obama. But, immediately, he made me feel at ease.
“It wasn’t long before I realised just how aligned our experiences as children were in shaping the men you see today – adversity, obstacles and all. I genuinely enjoyed every minute of it. When President Obama speaks, all you want to do is listen”
DE GEA RALLY
Manchester United players, past and present, have rallied around goalkeeper David de Gea after the Europa League Final.
De Gea endured a miserable performance in the penalty shootout as he failed to save a single spot-kick, which led to Villarreal’s triumph.
However, the Spain international has received support from current and former team-mates.
Juan Mata posted: “We win and we lose. Always together. Always with you @d_degeaofficial.”
Ex-United star Ander Herrera said: “Football has given me friends for life. Always by your side @d_degeaofficial”
DE-CISION TIME
Manchester United are willing to offer David de Gea as makeweight in their bid to sign Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
The Sun has exclusively revealed that some of United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s closest advisers have been pushing for Oblak.
And the Red Devils could be willing to swap De Gea in order to lower the Atletico star’s £70million asking price.
This comes after the Spain international’s poor performance during the Europa League penalty shootout in which he failed to make a single save and thus Villarreal won the trophy
DON & DUSTED
Borussia Dortmund have told Manchester United target Jadon Sancho he can leave the club.
That is according to BILD, who claim that this summer will be Dortmund’s ‘final goodbye’ to Sancho.
The Bundesliga giants are determined to hang on to star striker Erling Haaland as a host of top bidders across Europe plot swoops.
But selling the England international to United instead of cashing in on Haaland is reportedly viewed as ‘acceptable’ by Dortmund chiefs
RICE DOWN THE MIDDLE
Manchester United will test West Ham’s resolve over Declan Rice when the transfer window opens in the summer.
That is according to the Evening Standard, who claim that United will try hard to sign Rice even though the Hammers have insisted he is not for sale.
Manager David Moyes has said it would take “Bank of England plus Bank of Scotland” money to land the talented midfielder.
The England international has also attracted interest from Chelsea as well as Manchester City
PAU WOW
Manchester United fans have urged manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to sign Villarreal star Pau Torres.
Torres stood out in the Yellow Submarine’s Europa League triumph over United in Wednesday’s final.
Solskjaer will be looking for a defender to partner up with Harry Maguire at centre-back in the summer transfer window and the £55million-rated Spain international is among their top priorities.
The Red Devils faithful appear to be in agreement and have pleaded with the club to land the 24-year-old.
One wrote: “Pau Torres is exactly what we need.”
Another added: “Pau Torres please. Do the deal before the summer madness.”
A third wrote: “If that was Pau Torres’ audition, then I think he passed.”
A fourth said: “Pau Torres was unreal, Man Utd should cop him ASAP”
GETTY IMAGES
GOOD MORNING UTD FANS,
United will make an ambitious move for Atletico Madrid keeper Jan Oblak to solve their No 1 crisis.
And the Red Devils would let blundering David De Gea go the other way as a makeweight in the deal for Oblak — in an attempt to get his huge £375,000-a-week wages off their books.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his coaching staff have had headaches over who starts in goal for months — and gave De Gea and Dean Henderson a chance to claim the jersey.
But some of Solskjaer’s closest advisers have been pushing for Slovenian stopper Oblak, who has just won the LaLiga title with Atletico.
Highly-rated Oblak, 28, would cost in the region of £70million but United are looking at ways of brokering a move with De Gea part of the package.
De Gea, who missed the crucial 22nd penalty in United’s Europa League final shootout defeat to Villarreal on Wednesday, came through the ranks at Atletico and the move would appeal to him if the money men get the figures to work.
Elsewhere, Marcus Rashford vowed to end Manchester United’s trophy drought in an emotional interview.
He said: “The feeling inside is difficult to explain. We came here to win.
“We’ve been working so hard all season and this was the opportunity to win a trophy and it didn’t happen for whatever reason.
“We have to get rid of the disappointment and look back at the game and see what we did wrong.
“The team will not give up – no chance. The manager won’t allow us to give up.
“We will come next season with a bigger desire.
“People say a lot about Man Utd going downhill but for me, the club, desire, hunger, talent, ability, the squad, we have everything to compete at the highest level.
“We just have to show it to the world and ourselves, show why we belong in the top places and why we need to win finals like this.”
And finally, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has explained why he did not replace David De Gea with Dean Henderson ahead of the penalty shootout defeat to Villarreal.
Not only did stopper De Gea fail to save a single one of Villarreal’s efforts, he was also the unfortunate one to miss as the LaLiga outfit claimed the prize.
That continued De Gea’s poor penalty record – which now stands at 36 without a save.
Speaking of why De Gea stayed on, Solskjaer said: “You go through every scenario, of course. And it had crossed my mind in the build-up to the game but we were confident in David and prepared.
Anything can happen in a penalty shootout. I stuck with the ‘keeper who played all of the game.
“I’ve got to say the penalty shootout was high quality, but we didn’t do enough in the 120 minutes to score more goals and that’s the disappointing bit.
“We had pressure, we had moments where we felt if we can just kick on a little bit now we can get a goal. But we just couldn’t.”
JAN UTD
Exclusive by Alan Nixon: Manchester United will make an ambitious move for Atletico Madrid keeper Jan Oblak to solve their No 1 crisis.
And the Red Devils would let blundering David De Gea go the other way as a makeweight in the deal for Oblak — in an attempt to get his huge £375,000-a-week wages off their books.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his coaching staff have had headaches over who starts in goal for months — and gave De Gea and Dean Henderson a chance to claim the jersey.
But some of Solskjaer’s closest advisers have been pushing for Slovenian stopper Oblak, who has just won the LaLiga title with Atletico.
Highly-rated Oblak, 28, would cost in the region of £70million but United are looking at ways of brokering a move with De Gea part of the package.
De Gea, who missed the crucial 22nd penalty in United’s Europa League final shootout defeat to Villarreal on Wednesday, came through the ranks at Atletico and the move would appeal to him if the money men get the figures to work.
MAKING HIS MARC
Rio Ferdinand has praised Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford for campaigning against child hunger.
Speaking to ITV’s Robert Peston, Ferdinand said: “I think Marcus has done remarkably well.
“I think he’s a young man who is really showing the way for a lot of the young players and people in society that if you believe in something, and you have a platform, you have a voice, and you have the ability to really transcend and change things.
“And even going up against the establishment, almost, they did that with confidence and he got the backing of the nation, and listen, you have to understand as well, it was a cause that was worthwhile.
“In the end Boris Johnson came around and understood that right thing to do was to follow Marcus’s lead and that’s an unbelievable achievement.”
OPEN GATE
Gareth Southgate has lifted the lid on why injured Harry Maguire was included in his 33-man England provisional squad for Euro 2020.
Maguire’s ankle problem saw him miss Manchester United’s Europa League final against Villarreal, though he was surprisingly named on the bench.
Southgate said: “We had an initial assessment on Maguire, which was positive in terms of the tournament, but there was always a little bit more swelling and further investigation needed.
“When you’ve got a European final and information for the opposition is so tight, and things do leak, I understand why clubs want to keep their cards close to their chest.
‘It’s made it a bit more difficult for us but I don’t have a problem with United.
“We’ve got some injuries that are at various stages, (with) a couple that we have very little information about at the moment.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
