MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly been given the all clear to sign Frenkie de Jong by Barcelona boss Xavi.
United were already reported to be ’95 per cent likely’ to sign Erik ten Hag’s fellow Dutchman.
And they are said to have received another big boost as Xavi has decided to let the midfielder go in order to reduce the club’s debt.
Meanwhile, Man Utd have also discussed moves for Everton’s Richarlison and Benfica’s Darwin Nunez, but are waiting for approval from Ten Hag before making their move.
Meanwhile, centre-back Pau Torres has a release clause of £51m, making him an appealing option for the Red Devils and competitors Chelsea.
And Cristiano Ronaldo is said to be keen to stay at Old Trafford, so long as Ten Hag wants him.
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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 Good morning Man United fans
Manchester United are “95 per cent” likely to sign Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong this summer.
According to reporter Gerard Romero, Barca need to sell players for “purely economic reasons” as they look to balance the books.
Meanwhile, United have shortlisted Villarreal star Pau Torres as a potential summer target once more.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims United have bookmarked Torres as one of three or four potential new centre-back options.
In other news, Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has told team-mates he intends to stay but only if incoming manager Erik ten Hag wants him, reports SunSport’s Richard Moriarty.
A United insider revealed: “Ronaldo told the players he’s not going anywhere unless the club say they don’t want him.
“No one is more disappointed than him about how the season has panned out.
“But he doesn’t want to leave on a low and wants to help get the club back into the Champions League and try and win a trophy next year.
Elsewhere, departing Manchester United star Nemanja Matic is set to pocket a £10million signing-on-bonus as he edges closer to joining Juventus.
Matic will leave Old Trafford as a free agent in the summer after he decided against staying for his final year.
According to the Daily Star, the midfielder, who joined United from Chelsea, is poised to link up with Juve.
The Serbia international will also take home a £10m signing-on-fee.
That is in addition to earning a staggering £90,000-a-week salary in Turin.
Finally, Erik ten Hag has outlined a shortlist of priority positions Manchester United should look to address in the transfer market, according to reports.
Ten Hag has held a meeting with United director John Murtough to discuss the areas United will prioritise.
Four players will be prioritised this summer, with two midfielders, a versatile attacker and a centre-half all on the list, according to The Telegraph.
Ten Hag wants De Jong reunion
Erik ten Hag desperately wants to be reunited with Frenkie de Jong as he kick-starts his Manchester United revolution.
The former England chief met Ten Hag at an Amsterdam summit, along with the new manager’s No 2 Mitchell van der Gaag and United’s football director John Murtough.
And Barcelona’s ex-Ajax star De Jong emerged as Ten Hag’s top summer target at the get-together.
The meeting took place less than 24 hours after Ten Hag — who labelled his new job ‘a fantastic challenge with something to build and win’ — clinched the Dutch title with Ajax.
But United admit it will be tough to get the playmaker away from Barcelona and also fight off interest from the likes of Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and neighbours Manchester City.
Ten Hag outlines shortlist
Erik ten Hag has outlined a shortlist of priority positions Manchester United should look to address in the transfer market, according to reports.
Ten Hag has held a meeting with United director John Murtough to discuss the areas United will prioritise.
Four players will be prioritised this summer, with two midfielders, a versatile attacker and a centre-half all on the list, according to The Telegraph.
United are set to lose a significant number of players this summer, with a mixture of sales and contract expirations expected to bolster the transfer kitty further.
Ten Hag’s long-term assistant Mitchell van der Gaag and former England boss Steve McLaren were also at the meeting, which is said to have taken place on Thursday after Ajax won the Dutch League for the third season in a row.
Eric Cantona shirt for sale
An infamous “invisible” grey football shirt worn by Manchester United legend Eric Cantona is set to sell for £12,000.
Cantona’s XXL-sized Umbro shirt, with his name and number seven on the back, is to be sold by Graham Budd Auctions in London.
Boss Adam Gascoigne said: “The ‘invisible’ shirts are one of the great stories of Premier League history.”
Until now the shirt has been owned by an overseas private collector of Manchester United memorabilia.
It forms part of a sale that celebrates 30 years of the Premier League.
Mr Gascoigne added: “A sale commemorating 30 years of the Premier league wouldn’t be complete without something from Eric Cantona.”
Youth star earns pro contract
Man United are reportedly set to hand a new contract to Alejandro Garnacho after his impressive showing in the FA Youth Cup final.
Garnacho scored twice in front of a delighted home crowd before paying tribute to hero Cristiano Ronaldo – who had sent an inspiring message to United’s kids before kick-off.
And the Mail claims he is now set to be handed a lucrative new deal – less than a year after penning his first-ever pro contract.
Man United’s tough job process
Erik ten Hag has detailed the thorough process he and Man United went through before he was given the job,
Speaking to Dutch outlet VI, Ten Hag said: “‘Despite it being a beautiful club, I would never just start.
“I know United went through a very precise procedure. They’d done scouting, analyses, data, interviews with people who worked with me.
“Then we held multiple interviews. They didn’t rush into things. And neither did I.”
Ronaldo reveals award pride
Cristiano Ronaldo declared he’s still hungry for more while picking up his second Premier League Player of the Month award.
It was the sixth time Ronaldo’s scooped the prize in his career.
And he’s planning on snagging a few more by the sounds of it.
De Gea trolls Lindelof
David De Gea was quick to poke fun at Victor Lindelof after the defender posed in a photoshoot for H&M.
The third-choice Manchester United centre-back proudly announced his new role as an ambassador for the retail company on social media.
Posting pictures to Instagram modelling his new threads, Lindelof wrote: “Excited to be part of the @hm family.”
The 27-year-old looked smart as he rocked a grey T-shirt tucked into matching grey trousers.
He completed the look with a pair of white trainers as he candidly sipped on a coffee.
United team-mate De Gea was impressed by how Lindelof scrubbed up, commenting “very handsome” on his post in Spanish.
Carrick being touted as manager
Man United legend Michael Carrick is rated a top candidate to take over League One strugglers Lincoln City.
The former England midfielder is pondering his first full-time boss job after quitting Old Trafford last December.
The five-time Premier League winner, 40, left United when Ralf Rangnick was named interim manager.
Carrick picked up two wins and a draw in his three-game stint as Old Trafford caretaker chief after 15 years as a player and coach.
And many will be surprised he’s reportedly on the Lincoln shortlist.
The Mail say the ex-West Ham star is considering the opportunity.
Ajax name Ten Hag’s successor
Ajax have found Erik ten Hag’s successor already.
Ten Hag is on his way to United after winning the Eredivisie with Ajax.
But the Dutch side have already moved on from their old boss and appointed Alfred Schreuder as his replacement.
The 49-year-old who currently manages Club Bruges has agreed to a two-year contract with the option to extend by an additional year, the Daily Mail reported.
Steve McClaren’s Man United return
Steve McClaren looks set for a return to Manchester United after being part of talks with the club and incoming boss Erik ten Hag.
Former England boss McClaren joined the incoming Red Devils boss today and his assistant Mitchell van der Gaag who is following him to Old Trafford.
They met in Amsterdam with United’s Director of Football John Murtough less than 24 hours after Ten Hag had clinched the Dutch title with Ajax.
McClaren, 61, was Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant from 1999 to 2001 before going on to manage Middlesbrough.
His presence at such a meeting is the clearest indication yet that he is going to be involved in the new management set-up at the club.
The group got together to identify which players they wanted to bring in this summer with Frenkie de Jong top of their wish list.
Harry Maguire gets married
Man United captain Harry Maguire has officially tied the knot with long-term partner Fern Hawkins.
The couple wedded in secret at Crewe Registry Office on Thursday.
United and England defender Maguire, 29, was spotted leaving the service wearing a white shirt and smart trousers, with white trainers.
Meanwhile Fern, 27, left the venue separately in a white blazer and trousers, with a matching white bag.
A huge ring was also visible on her ring finger.
Ferdinand grooves to the beat
Rio Ferdinand may have won six Premier League trophies with Manchester United, but his dancing skills still need some work.
The 43-year-old has gone viral for his dad moves alongside TikTok sensation Noah Beck.
United fan and Arizona-born Beck boasts over 33million followers on the platform.
And in a bizarre link up the duo came together to show off their dancing skills in footage posted to Beck’s TikTok account.
Ferdinand awkwardly bopped along to a version of Michael Jackson hit “Wanna Be Startin’ Something”.
The Red Devils icon chuckled as he wiggled his arms and legs to the beat.
Man United plot double swoop
Man United are reportedly plotting a double transfer swoop for Benfica striker Darwin Nunez and Everton forward Richarlison.
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial’s futures are uncertain, while Edinson Cavani is set to leave for free, plus Cristiano Ronaldo may also leave in pursuit of Champions League football next season.
And the Red Devils’ hierarchy believe Nunez and Richarlison can fill the void if the quartet leave the club, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
Although he says incoming boss Erik ten Hag will need to give the green light to pursue the pair.
Darwin Nunez price named
Benfica star and Manchester United target Darwin Nunez will cost around €75-80million (£64-68m) in the summer and many other clubs are expected to go after him.
Romano told the Wondergoal Podcast: “I’m really curious to see what happens with Darwin Nunez because I see him leaving Benfica this summer.
“I’m sure. It will depend on the price because, for example, in January on deadline day, West Ham made a proposal of €45m and it was turned down because Benfica wanted €55m.
“Now I think with €55m, you are absolutely not buying him. So, what is needed is around €75-80m for Darwin Nunez, to open negotiations with Benfica”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
