MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly been given the all clear to sign Frenkie de Jong by Barcelona boss Xavi.
Erik Ten Hag is a long-time admirer of his fellow compatriot and is said to be eager to bring de Jong to Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, English star Jude Bellingham has turned his nose up at the chance to sign for United in the summer.
And Cristiano Ronaldo has stated that everybody in the squad is ‘excited’ to work with the new boss according to the official club website.
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Ronaldo hints at United stay
Cristiano Ronaldo has dropped his biggest hint yet that he will remain at Man Utd under Erik ten Hag.
Ronaldo said: “I know that he has done a fantastic job at Ajax, and that he is an experienced coach. But we have to give him time.
“Things must change the way he wants. If he does well, all of Manchester United will be successful, so I wish him well.
“We are all happy and excited, not only as players, but as fans as well. We have to believe that next year we can win titles.”
Exclusive by SunSport’s Neil Custis
Man Utd’s shambolic end to the season reached a new low when two senior players had a full-on scrap at Carrington.
The shocking incident came towards the end of a training session at their base on Thursday.
The duo went at it and had to be pulled apart.
It brought the session to a premature end as all the team’s stars were ordered back to the changing rooms.
Even players used to bust-ups between team-mates were stunned.
Man Utd get Danjuma boost
Man Utd target Arnaut Danjuma is available for £45million this summer.
Marca claims the bargain release clause kicks in following his stunning season in Spain.
Danjuma fired Villarreal to the Champions League semis straight after joining from Championship side Bournemouth.
But Danjuma could now be set for an immediate Premier League return, with Liverpool also interested.
Red Devils arrive for training
Cristiano Ronaldo and Co rocked up to Carrington for training this morning.
There was a subdued atmosphere with United’s season virtually over already.
But some plucky fans were on hand to ask their heroes for autographs.
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Bellingham snubs summer United switch
Jude Bellingham has shut the door on a summer move to Man Utd by pledging his loyalty to Borussia Dortmund.
The England midfielder said: “The only future I think about is the next game for Dortmund.
“I look forward to next season. I look forward to it finally starting.
“But yes, I will be here next season and I will be ready.”
Keane targeted revenge on Fabregas
Roy Keane threatened to “SMASH” Cesc Fabregas after claiming the Spaniard “killed” him with a brutal tackle in 2005.
The Manchester United legend was left fuming during the 2005 FA Cup final against Arsenal following a chunky challenge from Fabregas.
The ace said: “I tackled Roy Keane really hard and felt really good about it because he was always giving me a tough time.
“A few years later, Pique said to be that at half-time Keane said, ‘That Spanish friend of yours, I will smash him, he killed me’.”
New era at Old Trafford
Man Utd will oversee a transfer “revolution” under Erik ten Hag this summer.
Fabrizio Romano said: “It’s gonna be a revolution, I’m sure about that. I see a United revolution in the summer.
“Many players leaving on a free, Jesse Lingard, Edinson Cavani, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic.
“Also players that are still in the club with a contract, who want to discuss directly with Ten Hag about their future.
“Marcus Rashford, this is going to be a really interesting one because he’s out of contract in one year, with an option to extend for future seasons.”
Teams with most Prem titles
Man Utd boast a record 13 Premier League title wins.
However, the last time they topped the table was 2013 – Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season.
Will Erik ten Hag end 10 years of hurt next year?
Guardiola hits back at Berbatov and Evra criticism
Man City boss Pep Guardiola has begun a war of words with ex-United stars Patrice Evra and Dimitar Berbatov.
Evra slammed Guardiola saying he likes to have players who don not have personality meanwhile Berbatov claimed City lacked concentration versus Real Madrid as they allowed a place in the Champions League final to slip through their fingers.
When asked about the comments the former Barcelona boss hit back saying: ““It’s the same character and personality that lost in Madrid that we have had for the last years.”
“I’ve played against them, and I didn’t see this kind of personality when we destroyed United in the Champions League final.”
“You cannot have personality because you concede two goals in one minutes after you have chances to score?
“And after the last four league games we scored 19 goals so we have incredible personality and these kind of things?
“I’m sorry but I completely disagree. Personality is what we have done in the last five years every three days in all competitions.”
Credit: Rex
Eyes on Ekitike
Manchester United are in the market for a new striker with Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani leaving the club.
Cristiano Ronaldo is 37-years-old so Erik ten Hag could be keen on a new long-term option.
Reims striker Hugo Ekitike could be on the move this summer after attracting attention from Newcastle and West Ham in January.
The 19-year-old has netted nine times in Ligue 1 during his break through year in France.
ESPN report is Ekitike someone Man Utd have a big interest in.
Ferdinand welcomes De Jong transfer
Man United legend Rio Ferdinand has praised the imminent signing of Frenkie de Jong.
Ferdinand, 43, insists the Barcelona man would tick the necessary boxes.
He told Vibe with Five: “I’ve always thought he was a top player.
“I watched him closely in the Champions League semi-final year, I got to see a lot of him as part of the BT team.
“They’re saying Frenkie de Jong could be the first player to come in under Erik ten Hag and I would be saying ‘yes, great signing’.
“He’s not huge in terms of frame but he is quick with the ball, really good dribbler, can get out of tight situations, makes good decisions, good passer, his balance and dribbling ability are really good.
“(United) are a team who are looking for players who can control the ball and control the game and get the team functioning in terms of balance and possession, I think he would be a good addition.
“He’s not a player who scores loads of goals like Bruno Fernandes, but he’s more about dictating the game.”
United trying hard to get rid of Martial
The career of Man Utd forward Anthony Martial has stagnated after another underwhelming year at Old Trafford followed by a loan spell at Sevilla where he has netted just one goal.
The Red Devils are looking to offload him this summer potentially as part of a deal that gets them to sign another player.
Victor Osimhen is wanted by United and they could offer Martial as part of the deal according to Area Napoli.
It has also been reported that the Frenchman could be used in a deal to bring Inter striker Lautaro Martinez to the club.
Going Dutch?
Erik ten Hag is already close to bringing in Frenkie de Jong, who he worked with at Ajax.
And now rumours are circulating another member of that Ajax squad could join Donny van de Beek at Old Trafford.
Juventus centre-back Matthijs de Ligt is being eyed up by Man Utd.
That is according to journalist Oriol Domenech.
Why aren’t United playing this weekend?
Man Utd fans have got a break this weekend as their side are not in action and have just one match remaining this season.
They were scheduled to play Chelsea but because they are in the FA Cup final another date was set for the fixture.
Ordinarily, rescheduled games due to the FA Cup are put back to the approaching midweek.
However, because of the large amounts of cancellations this season as a result of COVID-19 on top of Chelsea’s cup runs in the Carabao cup and Club World Cup, they will instead face Leicester on Thursday 19th May.
De Jong praised by Messi
Imminent new signing Frenkie de Jong has been praised by Lionel Messi.
The Argentina legend now at PSG, played with the 25-year-old midfielder at Barcelona.
Messi said: “(de Jong is a) very intelligent player.
Former manager Ronald Koeman also said: “When I arrived I told Frenkie: ‘This is your second season, you have to make a step higher now, you need to do more than just play along’. This sounds cruel, but he got the message.
I told him to take more responsibility. To arrive in the opponent’s box more.
“During these conversations I also involved Messi.
“Messi told Frenkie that he is a fantastic player. He becomes happy around a player like Frenkie, because he wants to have pure football players around him.
Credit: AFP
Van de Beek given three weeks to impress
Incoming Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag is rumoured to be giving Donny van de Beek a three week trial period to impress or he coudl leave the club.
The pair worked together at Ajax before he made the move to Old Trafford but there are apparent concerns over his ability to adapt to the English game.
The 25-year-old midfielder is struggling to get minutes on loan at Everton.
However a Frenkie de Jong and van de Beek midfield duo was the core of that incredible Ajax team that made the Champions League semi-final in 2019.
Ronaldo films advert with incredible body doubles
Cristiano Ronaldo was surrounded by security and two unbelievable body doubles as he filmed an advert for Nike in a park.
He was kitted out in all black Nike gear, as were his doubles, in Cheshire.
The 37-year-old’s deal with Nike is worth £14.7million per year.
Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke United football director at Tottenham vs Arsenal
Manchester United’s football director John Murtough was in attendance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last night.
He met with Erik ten Hag in Amsterdam on Thursday then came back for the game.
Perhaps he has his eye on some players from either of the clubs?
Ronaldo misses out on Player of the Season nomination
Despite carrying Man Utd at times this season, Cristiano Ronaldo has not been nominated for the Premier League’s player of the season award.
He has scored 18 times this campaign.
Joao Cancelo, Kevin De Bruyne, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, Jarrod Bowen, Bukayo Saka, Son Heung-Min and James Ward-Prowse are the eight chosen.
Credit: Getty Jesse to Italy
Man Utd midfielder Jesse Lingard is being eyed up by four Italian giants this summer.
The 29-year-old is ready to exit Old Trafford as his contract expires at the end of this season and will not be renewed.
Now, journalist Rudy Galetti, has said AC Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan and Roma are all keen on him.
Motivated Ronaldo hunting trophies
Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo won April’s Premier League player of the month.
He netted five times in four matches last month.
In a tweet he wrote alongside a photo of himself holding the award, he said: “My second Premier League player of the month award, the sixth in my career.
“I’m as happy to win today as I was in my early days, the hunger for victory and achievements never fades away. Thanks to everyone that made this possible.”
Man Utd trail in race for Victor Osimhen
Arsenal are the team most keen on Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.
Reports in Italy suggest it would take a bid of over £85million to secure a deal.
The fee could put Man Utd off with Cristiano Ronaldo set to stay and a move for Darwin Nunez still being considered.
Spurs are also interested in Osimhen.
McClaren close to joining Ten Hag
Former England manager Steve McClaren is set to re-join the coaching staff at Man Utd.
He worked alongside Sir Alex Ferguson when the club won the treble in 1999.
According to The Telegraph he is “definitely joining” and it would be “a major shock if it didn’t happen.”
Bayern Munich join the race for Paul Pogba
Spanish outlet Fichajes claim Bayern Munich are the latest club to be interested in Paul Pogba.
The Frenchman is out of contract at the end of this season and seems set to leave on a free.
PSG, Real Madrid and a return to Juventus are all possible destinations.
There is even the chance he switches red for blue as Man City are also rumoured to be keen.
His replace at Man Utd looks set to be Frenkie De Jong as he nears completion of his move.
Xavi gives green light to De Jong deal
Frenkie de Jong’s transfer to Manchester United has reportedly been signed off by Barcelona boss Xavi, in a huge boost to the Red Devils.
Deportes Cuatro report that the transfer will be completed in the following weeks for a fee in excess of the £64m Barcelona paid to sign De Jong from Ajax.
De Jong was of Barcelona’s standout performers under Ronald Koeman, but Xavi has been less impressed with him.
Cuatro claim the Barca legend wants midfielders better at retaining possession, in the mould of Pedri.
De Jong is also said to welcome the move after reportedly growing frustrated at playing second fiddle to Sergio Busquets.
And Barca are well aware that they will require another summer of sales as the Catalan club’s debt crisis continues.
Frenkie de Jong could be announced by Man Utd before the end of the season
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
