MANCHESTER UNITED have received a boost in their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong.
It is claimed that the Dutchman has given the club “private assurances” he is keen to join.
The main stumbling block to a move is said to be Barcelona demanding a £68m fee.
And De Jong may not be the only midfielder incoming, with United reportedly ready to pursue their “long held” interest in Christian Eriksen now he is available on a free transfer.
Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham is said to be top of the Red Devils’ wish list, but a deal with Dortmund is more likely to happen next summer.
Stay up to date with all the latest from Old Trafford…
United academy coach departs
Manchester United’s head of academy goalkeeping has left the club, according to The Athletic.
Alan Fettis has quit Old Trafford to become a first-team goalkeeper coach at Middlesbrough.
Fettis has spent the last 11 years with United after initially being brought in by former goalkeeping coach Eric Steele and Sir Alex Ferguson.
Garnacho contract talks progressing
Manchester United are reportedly hopeful of tying wonderkid Alejandro Garnacho down to a new deal.
The Red Devils are confident the 17-year-old will agree to fresh terms, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Negotiations between the two parties are understood to be progressing well.
Serie A giants Juventus are thought to be keen on the young winger.
MEN claim the Red Devils are willing to reward Garnacho with a bigger deal after he helped fire the club to FA Youth Cup glory.
Credit: Getty De Gea praises Ronaldo
Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has lauded Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the best players “in history”.
The Spaniard praised CR7’s dedication to training while talking to the club’s website.
De Gea said: “He’s great. The way he works speaks for himself. The way he treats himself, his body. He is focused in every training session and every game.
“This is why he is one of the best in history. He’s mentally very strong and that’s an example for everyone [to follow].”
De Jong greenlights United switch
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has reportedly given the green light for a move to Manchester United.
According to The Athletic, the 25-year-old has agreed to join Erik ten Hag’s Old Trafford revolution.
All that’s thought to be left now is for the two clubs to agree on a transfer fee.
Barca are understood to want to recoup as much of the £65million they paid to sign De Jong from Ajax in 2019.
United are said to be currently proposing an offer of £50million for his services.
Man Utd release 11 players
The Red Devils have this afternoon confirmed their retained list for next season.
As many people already knew, Edinson Cavani, Lee Grant, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba are leaving.
Meanwhile in the Academy Paul McShane has retired after spending a year with the U23s, at 36-years-old.
Elsewhere D’Mani Mellor, Reece Devine and Connor Stanley will all depart, and goalkeeper Paul Woolston has been forced to retire through injury.
Mata bids farewell to United
Juan Mata has said an emotional goodbye to Manchester United with a heartfelt post posted on social media.
During a four-minute video, the Spanish star thanked the entirety of the club from the fans, the staff and his teammates.
He said: “All good things come to an end, and my time as a Manchester United player has just finished.
“I am the proudest man in the world for having represented this unique club for the last eight and a half seasons.
“It is something I would never have dreamt of when I was little as it felt too distant for a kid in Spain to one day play for one of the best clubs in the history of football.
“But sometimes reality exceeds dreams.”
De Jong nearly done deal
Manchester United are on the verge of confirming the signing of Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong.
TalkSPORT sources understand that a deal for the 25-year-old midfielder will be completed swiftly, and he could be unveiled as a Red Devil over the weekend.
New United boss Erik ten Hag has been keen to bring in the Dutch international, who he first worked with at Ajax.
De Jong left Amsterdam for the Nou Camp in 2019 for €75m, and he has gone on to score 13 times in 139 appearances for the Catalans.
Kante available for reduced fee
Manchester United are hoping to land Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante at a knocked-down price this summer.
The Red Devils have been tracking the status of the French international, and plan to take advantage of the fact that only one year remains on his current deal at Stamford Bridge.
Thomas Tuchel hopes to keep hold of his midfielder, but there are concerns within the club over his injury record.
The Blues boss had previously said: “I think he is our key, key, key player; but key, key, key players need to be on the pitch.
“He plays only 40% of the games. So it’s maybe a miracle that we arrived in third place.”
Phelan to leave coaching staff
Mike Phelan’s 21-year association with Manchester United may be about to end.
The Athletic have confirmed that the former player, coach and assistant manager will not stay on his current role following the arrival of Erik ten Hag.
However, Old Trafford officials are sensitive to the 59-year-old’s service, and are currently exploring the possibility of other non-coaching jobs at the club.
United favourites to land Asensio
Manchester United are among the favourites to land Real Madrid star Marco Asensio, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The Spanish international is eyeing a move away from the Bernabeu in order to guarantee regular first team football ahead of November’s World Cup.
Juventus are also keen on the 26-year-old attacking midfielder, who is said to have had a number of offers from abroad.
Asensio scored ten goals in 31 LaLiga appearances for Real last term.
Ten Hag wants to keep coach
New Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag wants to keep Eric Ramsay at Old Trafford – despite the highly-rated coach being linked with the vacant Barnsley manager’s job,
The 30-year-old is on the shortlist for the Oakwell hot-seat after earning rave reviews during his first season with the Red Devils.
However, the Manchester Evening News report that Ten Hag is keen to keep Ramsay, who has been working on set-pieces and technical skills since his appointment.
Ten Hag has been busy reshaping his backroom team, but Ramsay is understood to be one of the current members of staff that he hopes to work with following his appointment at the Premier League club.
United to meet with Mendes
Darwin Nunez’s big-money move to Liverpool appeared a done deal…
…but Manchester United are preparing a last-minute bid to hijack the move.
As first reported by The Express yesterday, Old Trafford officials will meet with Nunez’s agent Jorge Mendes to discuss the possibility of a late switch to the Red Devils.
Benfica hot-shot Nunez had looked set for an £86m move to Liverpool after bagging 34 goals for the Portuguese giants last season.
Mendes is also agent to Wolves’ Ruben Neves, who has also been linked with a summer transfer to United,
Morning Man Utd fans
Man Utd are reportedly in talks over a £51million transfer for Ajax winger Antony.
The 22-year-old Brazilian enjoyed a productive year under Erik ten Hag at Ajax last season, bagging 12 goals and 10 assists in 33 appearances in all competitions.
According to GOAL, Antony’s agents have flown to Europe for talks with United over a £51mi transfer.
The report indicates a deal could be struck in the coming days between the two parties.
Meanwhile, Frenkie de Jong’s agent is set to hold talks with Barcelona over his client’s future amid United’s reported interest.
Mundo Deportivo states that De Jong’s representative Ali Dursun is scheduled to fly to the Catalan capital within the next few days.
The Spanish outlet adds that manager Xavi would only agree to the midfielder’s departure if the club signed a worthy replacement.
The Barcelona boss’ preferred choice in that case would be Manchester City star Bernardo Silva.
In other news, Liverpool have agreed personal terms with Benfica star Darwin Nunez… but Manchester United want to hijack their deal.
Jurgen Klopp is keen to get the £86million deal done as he searches for a replacement for Bayern Munich bound Sadio Mane.
But according to Portuguese reporter Pedro Sepulveda, United aren’t ready to give up on signing the Uruguayan.
He told Sky Sports on Thursday that Red Devils chiefs are set to meet with Nunez’s agent Jorge Mendes.
And finally, United are keen on Leicester’s Wesley Fofana, according to RMC Sport.
The 21-year-old centre-back missed much of the season that just finished due to injury.
It is rumoured that the Foxes will demand a fee of £68m with Chelsea also keeping their eyes on the Frenchman.
In the Hag
Erik ten Hag will improve the fortunes of struggling Manchester United pair Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford.
That is the view of Netherlands and Juventus centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, who played under his fellow Dutchman at Ajax.
The defender, 22, said: “Erik is someone who loves his job and he loves to work.
“He definitely does improve players. He’s really into the details. This makes him a really good trainer.
“He wants to do everything to make his team play better.”
Can Ten Hag succeed at United? De Ligt, who reached the Champions League semis with the Dutch coach in 2019, replied: “Of course. He has a lot of qualities. We will have to see how he goes.”
Ten for effort
EXCLUSIVE – Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag has warned his struggling stars there is no room for egomaniacs, writes Richard Moriarty.
The Dutchman plans to instil a Sir Alex Ferguson-style discipline at the club after a disastrous season tarnished by dressing room splits and training ground bust-ups.
And he has already made his crackdown clear by EMAIL.
A source said: “The new gaffer sent the first-team players an email, telling them that football is a team game and no individual is more important than any other.
“His emphasis is all on the team — despite United possessing world class stars.
“He wants the players to train at a higher intensity so that each session is like a game.
The players have been told that their fitness levels will be the best they have ever been and that if they stick with him and back him, they will be fine.
“If not, they will be out the door. They will be drilled and drilled until they get it right. And if they can’t he’ll replace them with some of the promising youngsters.”
Read more HERE.
Blind opens up on Ten Hag
Former Man Utd ace Daley Blind has told fans what to expect of Erik ten Hag having worked under him at Ajax.
Asked what sort of manager the Dutchman is, Blind told United’s website: “I think he is a brilliant one.
“A manager who loves to play attacking football, what Manchester stands for.
“I think he’s a manager who knows what he wants.
“He knows exactly how he wants to bring it over to the team and express that and keep everyone on board, everyone in the same direction to get that winning mentality and winning trophies.”
Firmino drops Nunez hint
Man Utd transfer target Darwin Nunez has hinted that he could be on his way to Liverpool… by liking Roberto Firmino’s Instagram post.
The Reds are reported to have agreed personal terms with Benfica hotshot Nunez ahead of a summer transfer.
Liverpool are understood to have offered around £86million for the forward but Manchester United are currently trying to hijack the deal.
Jurgen Klopp is said to have held private discussions with Nunez’s representatives who have made it clear he prefers a move to Merseyside.
And Nunez himself may have given the game away too after liking Firmino’s Instagram upload from Thursday evening.
The Uruguayan ace liked the snaps Firmino, 30, posted of himself helping deliver a sermon while away on his summer holiday.
Read more HERE.
Salah and Foden big winners
Mohamed Salah has won his second PFA Premier League Player of the Year award after his sensational 2021-22 season, with Phil Foden retaining his Young Player gong.
The Liverpool star, 29, joins a prestigious list of legends including Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry to win the annual award more than once.
Salah tied Son Heung-min for the Golden Boot with 23 goals last season.
His heroics led the Reds to within minutes of their second Premier League crown, but for Manchester City’s heroics late in the season finale.
The Egyptian star joins Ronaldo, Henry, Mark Hughes, Alan Shearer, Gareth Bale and Kevin de Bruyne as the only stars to win the award more than once.
Meanwhile, Foden becomes the fifth person to win the Young Player of the Year gong two years in a row.
The Man City and England ace, 22, follows Ryan Giggs, Robbie Fowler, Wayne Rooney and Dele Alli in winning back-to-back PFA Premier League Young Player of the Year awards.
Creme de la Prem
The PFA Premier League Team of the Year has been announced – with runners-up Liverpool dominating the star-studded XI.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds fell agonisingly short in a thrilling final day of the 2021-22 season, ultimately coming up one point – and just a matter of minutes – short.
The Anfield side played superbly all season – and their squad has been rewarded with no fewer than FIVE stars making the campaign’s best XI.
Take a look at the team below.
Ragnick’s Man United failure explained
Ralf Rangnick failed to make an impact at Man United because he wasn’t given enough time.
That’s the view of Real Madrid ace David Alaba who has been working with Rangnick since he became Austria’s new manager.
Alaba, who labelled Rangnick world class, told The Athletic: “He has been really good, you can see we have a really good plan and you can see it works for us on the pitch.
“He doesn’t want us to let the opponents breathe air. It is good for us. I have known Ralf since I was 18 years old and he is a world-class coach.
“What he did in the past is something special and now I am seeing it close up. He showed what he can do at Leipzig, Salzburg and Hoffenheim.
“He didn’t have a lot of time in Manchester. He has a really good plan and knows a lot about football.”
He’s the Special Ron
Cristiano Ronaldo is a machine that won’t stop any time soon, according to his Man United team-mate Diogo Dalot.
Dalot told United’s media: “I think the stats can speak for themselves.
“He’s a machine, like I like to call him. Inside of the pitch, outside of the pitch, the way he works, the way he drives himself every single day to perform like this, to give us these goals and these performances.
“I think it’s a plus for this club and for the fans and, hopefully, we can stay with him for many, many years.
“I know he is not going to be here forever but I’m sure that he will play football for a few more years yet.”
Ant and Ten
Man Utd are in talks over a £51million transfer for Ajax winger Antony, according to reports.
New boss Erik ten Hag wants to bring Antony with him to Old Trafford from Ajax, recognising that The Red Devils current squad lacks a true quality right-winger.
The 22-year-old Brazilian enjoyed a productive year under Ten Hag at Ajax last season, bagging 12 goals and 10 assists in 33 appearances in all competitions.
Antony has also made his Brazil debut during their World Cup qualifying campaign. He has made nine appearances where he has scored and assisted twice each.
According to GOAL, Antony’s agents have flown to Europe for talks with United over a £51mi transfer.
The report indicates a deal could be struck in the coming days between the two parties.
Danjuma wants England return
Arnaut Danjuma has admitted he still has “unfinished business” in the Premier League.
The Villarreal winger, 25, has been linked with a move to both Manchester United and Liverpool.
Danjuma first and only taste of Premier League action was in the 2019-20 season after he signed for Bournemouth from Belgium outfit Club Brugge.
He later moved on to Villarreal after two seasons on the South Coast, and his excellent form has seen Danjuma tipped to head back to England this summer.
When quizzed on whether he feels as though he has unfinished business in the Prem, Danjuma admitted to Sky Sports: “That I will have to confirm.
“I think there is definitely unfinished business for me in England.
“Because if you look back to the reason why I joined Bournemouth initially was [for] me to play Premier League football.”
Utd and Chelsea battle for Sangare
Chelsea and Manchester United are set to fight it out over PSV Eindhoven star Ibrahim Sangare ahead of the summer transfer window.
That is according to a report from Sky Sports that claims that the Premier League duo are eyeing Sangare, who is believed to have a €35million (£30m) release clause in his contract.
The Blues and United are set for quite a bidding war as the midfielder has also been linked with Liverpool as well as Newcastle.
However, the 24-year-old appears keen to move to the Premier League and is convinced he will be playing in England next season.
The Ivory Coast international was a regular for PSV last season as he registered four goals and four assists in 49 appearances across all competitions.
Sangare helped Eindhoven win the Dutch Cup by beating new United manager Erik ten Hag’s Ajax in the final.
Man Utd still want Nunez
Manchester United are reportedly in contact with Darwin Nunez’s agent, despite Liverpool ready to bring him to Anfield.
That is according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano who has stated the Benfica striker is at the centre of a battle between the two rivals.
He tweeted: “Darwin Nunez deal. Key hours ahead as reported.
“Waiting for key stages as Liverpool are in advanced talks with Benfica on €80m [£68m] verbal bid and personal terms [five year deal] already discussed.
“But Manchester United are in contact with his agent, even today afternoon.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
