MANCHESTER UNITED take on Villarreal tonight as they look to end their trophy drought by winning the Europa League.
Meanwhile on the transfer front, we’ve the very latest on United’s potential swoop for Cristiano Ronaldo and Youri Tielemans.
Harry Kane is also on the target list for this summer, while West Ham fear United want to KEEP Jesse Lingard after his on-loan heroics.
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FANDEMONIUM
Manchester United fans have been getting into the party spirit in Gdansk ahead of tonight’s Europa League final.
The Red Devils will be backed by 2,000 travelling supporters from England tonight, as they face Villarreal in the Baltic city.
And as fans starved of European travel have arrived in the city, they’ve been quick to revel in the adventure and have a good time.
A great number have been seen enjoying Gdansk’s bars.
And no shortage of pints have been consumed in the city centre.
IN THE FOXHOLE
Manchester United have been handed a boost in the race to land Youri Tielemans after Leicester reportedly agreed a deal for his replacement Boubakary Soumare.
Belgium international Tielemans has been voted the Foxes’ player of the season and SunSport revealed he is set for talks over a new contract.
But reports in Belgium claim Liverpool have targeted former Anderlecht and Monaco ace Tielemans to replace Gini Wijnaldum.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is also credited with an interest in signing £50million-rated Tielemans.
Leicester have now secured an ideal replacement if the Belgian quits the King Power Stadium – by tying up a £20m deal for French ace Soumare.
WAN-BISSAKA ON SHAW’S IMPRESSIVE FORM
Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka has praised fellow Red Devils full-back Luke Shaw ahead of their Europa League final clash with Villarreal tonight.
He told the club website:
“Luke has been the stand-out for me
.“His performances push me to compete with him, to get the best out of all of us.
“He’s been positive throughout, making the most out of every game. He’s not taken his foot off the pedal, he’s kept going, pushed himself until the whistle goes. That’s good. He helps the team as well.”
FANS LIVING IT UP IN GDANSK
Manchester United fans are enjoying themselves in Gdansk, Poland ahead of tonight’s Europa League final against Villarreal.
FERGIE TIME
Manchester United icon Sir Alex Ferguson has travelled with his former side to Gdansk, ahead of the Europa League final tomorrow.
The Scot, 79, attended training this evening, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer put the players through their paces.
Credit: Getty Credit: Getty RUDDY GOOD
Rio Ferdinand has named his Premier League’s four best defenders… including Antonio Rudiger.
The Chelsea ace almost departed in the summer under Frank Lampard after being frozen out of the first team.
But he was thrust back into the starting XI following Thomas Tuchel’s appointment in January and has gone from strength to strength.
Rudiger, 28, has been part of a Chelsea defence that kept a hugely impressive 19 league clean sheets.
Speaking about his top four Premier League defenders of the season, he said: “I think [Antonio] Rudiger, since he’s been playing, has probably been [the] second or third best centre-half after [Ruben] Dias and maybe [John] Stones, [Harry] Maguire.”
TAP DANCE
Arsenal are reportedly in negotiations to prise highly-rated centre-back and Manchester United target Edmond Tapsoba away from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.
The 22-year-old has been earning rave reviews in the Bundesliga since joining the German side from from Portuguese outfit Vitoria in January 2020.
Man Utd have also been linked with a move for the Burkina Faso international having scouted him this season.
And according to Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari, Arsenal have joined the race to sign the defender.
He has claimed that the player is at the top of Mikel Arteta’s wishlist as he looks to bolster his backline.
LEVEL HEADED
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given his final thoughts on the Europa League final ahead of tonight’s showdown between Manchester United and Villarreal.
He told the club website: “Well, the final, first of all, is the reward for all the hard work they’ve put down in the last two years.
“They have worked together as a group and the spirit is fantastic, so now we hope we can perform on Wednesday night because that’s the main thing.
“We will prepare as normal and then I’m sure the result can hopefully come.”
RU THE DAY
Wolves are willing to sell midfielder and Manchester United transfer target Ruben Neves for around £35million this summer, according to reports.
The Portuguese international looks likely to be one of the names sacrificed as the club plot a mini overhaul.
According to the Athletic, Wolves are being forced to sell their assets if they want to spend big.
Neves, 24, is one of the names up for grabs with reported interest from Man Utd.
He moved to the Molineux in 2017 with the club in the Championship and helped earn promotion in his first campaign.
Neves has since played a key role in Wolves’ time in the Premier League including qualifying for Europe.
EDEN HOME
Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea are the leading contenders to sign Real Madrid star Eden Hazard.
That’s according to bookmakers Betfair, who’ve installed the European heavyweights as favourites to clinch his signature this summer.
Hazard joined Real Madrid from Chelsea in June 2019 in a mega-money deal worth upwards of £130million.
However, things haven’t exactly gone to plan with injuries limiting the 30-year-old to just 34 appearances in all competitions.
The Belgian international managed 10 starts as Real Madrid ended the season without a single trophy and losing their La Liga crown to rivals Atletico Madrid.
The attacker also received scorn from supporters for laughing and joking with his former Chelsea colleagues after his old side had dumped them out of the Champions League.
As a result, reports claim Real will look to offload Hazard in order to finance a major rebuild at the Bernabeu.
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MAN UTD EUROPEAN FINALS XI
Manchester United take on Villarreal in the Europa League final on Wednesday night aiming to win their second title in the second tier of European football.
Luke Shaw will incredibly play in his first-ever cup final after missing the 2017 Europa League final win over Ajax through injury.
But he will almost certainly start for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the 2020-21 squad aim to write their names in the record books.
Ahead of the game, we’ve taken a look at the Man Utd’s best XI based on cup finals.
FINAL WARNING
Bruno Fernandes will not be crushed by expectation in the Europa League final against Villarreal tonight.
The Manchester United playmaker, 26, knows he is under huge pressure to deliver in Poland.
But he said: “I think if you look at the history of the club, you understand pressure is there. It is part of life. I like working under pressure, that’s good for me. Everyone knows it’s important for us to win trophies.
“We come to this club because we want to win. It doesn’t matter if the club hasn’t won for many years. The hope to win is still there and we want to do it. Trophies are part of this club and I think everyone knows that.
“Every player that signs knows he will come to fight for trophies, to be a better player. The team has grown up a lot and we have improved from the semi-final.
“Being in the final is good but to be perfect we have to win and the dressing room is confident. It is a 50-50 game.”
WAN OF A KIND
Former Manchester United and England star Andrew Cole believes that Aaron Wan-Bissaka was unlucky not to make Gareth Southgate’s provisional 33-man Euro 2020 squad.
He told talkSPORT 2: “When anyone gets mentioned regarding the right-back position, they always say they’re not sure about players defensively, especially Alexander-Arnold.
“Wan-Bissaka is the opposite. Defensively, he’s brilliant. Going forward, he doesn’t attack as good as he rest of the boys.
“But defensively, he’s up there with the best of them.”
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MAN OF THE PEOPLE
Manchester United have given ALL staff a day off to watch the Europa League final tonight.
The Red Devils take on Villarreal in Gdansk, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to win his first trophy as boss.
The Premier League runners-up would usually put on a huge party and screening to watch the game.
But due to coronavirus restrictions the backroom team aren’t allowed to be together to watch the European clash.
However, United are letting employees have today or tomorrow off as a goodwill gesture after a tough season.
They are also giving everyone a ‘front room final party pack’ including drinks, snacks, free merchandise and takeaway vouchers.
EUR’LL BE LUCKY
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has NOT been ruled out of his side’s Europa League final against Villarreal.
The defender picked up an ankle ligament injury in a 3-1 Premier League win against Aston Villa at the start of May.
The 28-year-old has not played since, and was relying on crutches to get him around.
But United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has refused to definitely rule out his captain, and Maguire has been named in the 26-man squad flying out to Gdansk.
Speaking on the club website, Solskjaer said: “Harry is just going to jog up and down the sidelines [in training].
“I reckon he’ll try to join in a bit.”
EUR IN TROUBLE
UEFA have opened the way to ban Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus from the Champions League after beginning formal disciplinary charges against the rebel trio.
Euro chiefs are determined to bring the three Super League ringleaders to heel after the collapse of their breakaway plan.
Unlike the Prem Big Six, the two Milan sides and Atletico Madrid, the three clubs have refused to pull the plug on their scheme.
That has infuriated Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin.
He is out for revenge and wants to impose two season bans.
And now that prospect had moved a step closer after Uefa announced its first move.
In a statement, Nyon officials said: “Following an investigation conducted by UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors in connection with the so-called ‘Super League’ project, disciplinary proceedings have been opened against Real Madrid CF, FC Barcelona and Juventus FC for a potential violation of UEFA’s legal framework.
“Further information will be made available in due course.”
SOLSKJAER ON EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted the Europa League final is not about him as he goes in search of his first silverware with the club.
“It’s not about me. I’ve got enough self-belief, whatever circumstances I’ve been in,”
Solskjaer told reporters at his press conference prior to the final.“[I’m] Quietly confident, as I’ve always said. Trusting the players. These players are ready for this and that’s the main thing.
“I’ve seen in them something growing inside of them, more and more confident, more and more robust and resilient to setbacks.
“As a group, I’m confident that we’re ready for this now.”
FAN ATTACKS
Several Manchester United fans were reportedly injured last night following an attack by locals in Poland ahead of the Europa League Final.
The Red Devils are in Gdansk to take on Villarreal this evening as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to land his first piece of silverware as manager.
A number of fans, including United and England legend Wayne Rooney, have flown over to watch the action live.
However, three supporters suffered minor injuries after they were attacked in a bar yesterday.
BBC reporter Simon Stone says club staff are assisting those individuals who had items stolen.
He added: “Not aware of any issue involving Utd/Villarreal fans and general atmosphere good natured.”
INJURY TIME
Gareth Southgate admits he is in the dark whether Harry Maguire will be fit for the Euros – because Manchester United have kept his medical details secret from England.
He said: “At this moment in time, Harry might play tomorrow or he might be out for two months I just don’t know.
“We had an initial assessment, which was positive in terms of the tournament, but there was always a little bit more swelling and further investigation needed.
“Of course 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 little bit more difficult for us but I don’t have a problem with Manchester United at all, I totally understand it.”
GREEN LIGHT
Mason Greenwood has been tipped to be named as the man of the match ahead of Manchester United’s Europa League final against Villarreal in Gdansk.
Stadium operators at PGE Arena Gdansk picked the 19-year-old forward as the star performer during screen tests for Wednesday night’s clash.
Greenwood is in great form having fired in six goals in his last eight Premier League games.
His recent dazzling displays have seen him be included in Gareth Southgate’s 33-man provisional England squad for Euro 2020.
Red Devils fans are hoping that it is a good omen for them that Greenwood was named by stadium operators as United look to win silverware for the first time since lifting the Europa League in 2017.
Taking to social media to share the image of the teenager, PA’s Simon Peach tweeted: “Stadium operators are testing the screens and tipping Mason Greenwood for a big night.”
MORNING, MAN UTD FANS
Manchester United take on Villarreal tonight in Gdansk, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer attempts to get his hands on his first silverware as Red Devils boss.
The Norwegian put his players through their paces last night, but skipper Harry Maguire did NOT take part in training.
Solskjaer, 48, refused to rule his captain out of contention to play.
He said: “We’ve prepared well. Anthony didn’t make it, Phil didn’t make it, of course, and Harry is just going to jog up and down the sidelines [in training]. I reckon he’ll try to join in a bit.
“Apart from that, we’re looking quite good.”
But having not trained, selection appears unlikely.
Maguire has, however, been included in Gareth Southgate’s 33-man provisional England squad for Euro 2020.
And he’s joined by United team-mates Dean Henderson, Luke Shaw, Jesse Lingard, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford.
There is no place for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, however, with the squad expected to be whittled down to 26 next week.
United have been joined on their trip to Gdansk by legendary former boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Scot observed training from the stands last night, as the players attempted one final time to impress Solskjaer, ahead of him naming his starting XI for this evening’s clash.
ICYMI – GDA-MN IT!
Harry Maguire did NOT train with his Manchester United team-mates this evening, despite travelling with them to Gdansk.
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer refused to rule his skipper out of contention for tomorrow night’s game, despite his recent injury woes.
But the big defender, who was earlier included in Gareth Southgate’s provisional 33-man England squad, was forced to watch the from the sidelines as his team-mates were put through their paces.
Harry Maguire watches training from the bench FERGIE TIME
Manchester United icon Sir Alex Ferguson has travelled with his former side to Gdansk, ahead of the Europa League final tomorrow.
The Scot, 79, attended training this evening, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer put the players through their paces.
Sir Alex Ferguson cast an eye over trainingCredit: Getty Fergie travelled to Poland alongside David GillCredit: Getty WAN OF A KIND
Former Manchester United and England star Andrew Cole believes that Aaron Wan-Bissaka was unlucky not to make Gareth Southgate’s provisional 33-man Euro 2020 squad.
He told talkSPORT 2: “When anyone gets mentioned regarding the right-back position, they always say they’re not sure about players defensively, especially Alexander-Arnold.
“Wan-Bissaka is the opposite. Defensively, he’s brilliant. Going forward, he doesn’t attack as good as he rest of the boys.
“But defensively, he’s up there with the best of them.”
Aaron Wan-Bissaka failed to make Southgateâs squad
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
