MANCHESTER UNITED are stepping up their search for a replacement for Paul Pogba.
And to that end, long-term target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is reportedly in talks over a move to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have been linked with the Lazio man since the days of Jose Mourinho.
Meanwhile Ralf Rangnick has confirmed he will continue working with Man Utd in a consultancy role once Erik ten Hag takes over.
And David de Gea could have work to do to prove he is the right man between the sticks for incoming Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag.
The Dutchman reportedly has concerns about the Spaniard’s ability to fit into his system.
However, De Gea is set to receive a stay of execution as Ten Hag is said to accept that there are more immediate issues to solve within the United squad.
Stay up to date with all the latest from Old Trafford in our live blog…
Red Devils on the move
It’s match day in Manchester, and there’s as much happening off the pitch as there will be on it come 7.45pm this evening.
With injury-hit United poised to play Chelsea, Old Trafford officials have been busy identifying transfer targets for a summer squad overhaul.
Ruben Neves, Kalvin Phillips, Sebastian Haller and Victor Osimhen have all been strongly linked with the club this week, and some bids are already said to be in motion.
The Red Devils are certainly making moves, and so are we – if you’d like to stay up-to-date with all things Manchester United, then follow us to our new daily blog.
Fish thrown in at deep end
Manchester United have called rookie defender Will Fish into the first-team squad.
The 19-year-old could get his chance under outgoing boss Ralf Rangnick in the Premier League run-in despite floundering in the National League on loan at Stockport.
Centre-half Harry Maguire could have played his last game of the season after picking up a knee injury, and that has seen Rangnick run the rule over Fish and fellow youngsters Alvaro Fernandez, Shola Shoretire and Hannibal Mejbri in training.
Fernandez is another who could get his big choice with first-choice left-back Luke Shaw also out injured.
The teenager made his first-team debut in the final game of last season, coming on in the final moments of a 2-1 away win at Wolves.
Rangnick rubbishes United dossier rumours
Manchester United interim boss has shutdown the suggestions that he handed the Old Trafford board a dossier containing criticism of the current squad.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s game with Chelsea, the German hit back at rumours a report had been created in which he had labelled some players as ‘selfish’ and ‘unprofessional’.
“This is completely false. It’s completely untrue. The board has never asked me to prepare a dossier, neither for the board nor for Erik [ten Hag],” said Rangnick.
“I’ve also never said anything criticising the attitude of players, of them being selfish or unprofessional. I will always protect my players.
“I have never noticed any issues with them not being professional or selfish. In moments like this, the players are also looking for reasons as to why results have not been as good as they should be.
“I’ve been talking to the board regularly and exchanging impressions of the current situation, but for me, it is important that together with Erik and the scouting department, we can build a new squad with quality and mentality.”
Eagles could swoop for Aaron
Aaron Wan-Bissaka could return to Crystal Palace next season with the South Londoners considering a loan move for their former star.
The right-back moved to Manchester United from Selhurst Park for £45million in 2019, but has struggled at times to live up to the price tag.
The 24-year-old has made 20 Premier League appearances this season, but has often found himself second-choice behind Diogo Dalot.
The Athletic suggest that the Eagles are now plotting to bring Wan-Bissaka back to the capital although only on a temporary deal.
Patrick Vieira currently has two right-backs at his disposal in Joel Ward and Nathaniel Clyne, although both are the wrong side of 30.
Thursday night’s alright for rivals
Manchester United and Chelsea once again do battle this evening but will do so for the very first time on a Thursday.
The rescheduling of this clash means that it will become the 13th different Premier League fixture to have been played on all seven days of the week.
It’s a novelty for the Blues with United set to become the first club that they have faced on each day.
The Red Devils, meanwhile, have previously faced Aston Villa, Liverpool and Newcastle on Monday – Sunday.
United down to bare bones
Manchester United could be without up to EIGHT first team players for tonight’s Premier League match with Chelsea.
Interim boss Ralf Rangnick revealed yesterday that Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho and Aaron Wan-Bissaka had been added to the Red Devils’ ever-growing injury list.
Sancho is ill with tonsillitis while underfire captain Maguire has picked up a knee issue.
Wan-Bissaka’s problem is said to be minor, but may still be enough to keep him out this evening.
United are already without the injured Fred, Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani and Luke Shaw while Mason Greenwood remains indefinitely suspended from the club.
It’s a blow for any hopes that the Red Devils had of ending a disappointing season on a high, and further highlights the work that new boss Erik ten Hag has to do.
Red Devils preparing Kalvin coup
Manchester United’s audacious bid to land Kalvin Phillips from rivals Leeds United may be on, according to The Athletic.
Club correspondents report that the Red Devils have begun exploring the possibility of bringing the England midfielder to Old Trafford in a £50million deal.
As a boyhood Leeds fan, the 26-year-old has previously indicated that he would never do the unthinkable and cross the Pennines to join the Manchester club.
However, incoming boss Erik ten Hag has supposedly made a defensive midfielder his priority with Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic set to depart.
Phillips has long been a player of interest for Manchester United, and officials at the club believe that a big-money offer could be enough for the player and Leeds to put aside their grievances.
Good morning Man Utd fans
Ralf Rangnick has admitted that a season out of Europe could help new boss Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United rebuild.
Rangnick said: “It could be an advantage but that does not mean we will give away any of the remaining four games. For us it’s clear and our obligation.
“This is our job, my job, the job of the players that we try to get the best possible results and then see at the end of the season in which position we will finish.
“Now to speak about if that would be an advantage or not does not make sense because if I did that then this would be interpreted again.
“For me it’s important we get results, that we play as good as we possibly can, because this will also affect the atmosphere and mood for the new season.”
The German also believes that the captaincy should be put to a player vote.
Harry Maguire’s leadership has come under fire this season, as has his form on the pitch.
Wolves are ‘resigned to losing’ star man Ruben Neves.
The news comes as a boost to both Manchester United and Arsenal, who have expressed an interest in the midfielder.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Wolves are sounding out potential replacements for the 25-year-old.
And finally, United will face competition from Borussia Dortmund in pursuit of Sebastien Haller.
SunSport revealed how incoming Man United boss Erik ten Hag fancies bringing the Ivory Coast striker with him from Ajax in the summer as his first signing.
Dortmund are braced to lose striker Erling Haaland in the summer with Manchester City a possible destination.
And Haller is being viewed as a possible replacement for the brilliant Norwegian, albeit a cut-price one.
Ten Hag set to strengthen
Incoming boss Erik ten Hag will strengthen his Man Utd squad.
Here’s what the man who came before him brought in.
Do you expect Ten Hag to do better?
Better off without Europe
Ralf Rangnick admits that a season out of Europe could help new boss Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United rebuild.
The Red Devils are now outsiders for a Champions League spot and could even finish outside the Europa places in eighth if Wolves catch them.
Rangnick said: “It could be an advantage but that does not mean we will give away any of the remaining four games. For us it’s clear and our obligation.
“This is our job, my job, the job of the players that we try to get the best possible results and then see at the end of the season in which position we will finish.
“Now to speak about if that would be an advantage or not does not make sense because if I did that then this would be interpreted again.
“For me it’s important we get results, that we play as good as we possibly can, because this will also affect the atmosphere and mood for the new season.”
Man Utd captaincy: stars should VOTE
Ralf Rangnick says Harry Maguire’s captaincy should be put to a player vote.
Maguire’s leadership has come under fire this season while the Manchester United defender struggled with his form.
He is set to miss the final four games of the season through a knee injury — meaning either Cristiano Ronaldo or Bruno Fernandes will skipper the team against Chelsea tonight.
Asked if he would recommend Maguire to incoming boss Erik Ten Hag, Rangnick said: “I understand your question but again it doesn’t make sense because we don’t know what kind of players will be here, what the group will look like.
“I can only tell you what I have done in the past when I was head coach or manager because in Germany it’s called ‘Mannschaftskapitan’ — the captain of the team.
“I strongly believe the captain should be elected by the team because he’s called the team manager and we always did that, we always had a board of four or five players.
“We called it the ‘Spielerrat’ [players’ council] — elected by the players.
“The player with the highest amount of votes was the team captain at the end. That was how I did it.
“I know a lot of head coaches don’t do it that way. That’s what I would do if I was still the manager next season but in the end I’m not. This is something that Erik will have to decide.”
Wolves ‘resigned to losing’ Neves
Wolves are ‘resigned to losing’ star man Ruben Neves.
The news comes as a boost to both Manchester United and Arsenal, who have expressed an interest in the midfielder.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Wolves are sounding out potential replacements for the 25-year-old.
Any interested club may have to fork out upwards of £50million for Neves.
Mourinho on Ten Hag
Jose Mourinho made sure to remind people that Man Utd was his “former club” when asked on incoming manager Erik Ten Hag.
He said: “You touched on the point – my former club. Not my club.
“No, I don’t have advice.”
Man Utd scout uncovered ‘gem’ Vinicius Jr
Manchester United reportedly discovered ‘gem’ Vinicius Jr in 2014 – but failed to sign him.
The 21-year-old winger is currently starring for Real Madrid after joining from Flamengo on his 18th birthday in 2018.
But according to ESPN, it could have been very different with the forward representing that famous red shirt of Manchester.
Carlos Noval, who was an academy coach at Flamengo, explained: “A foreign scout from Manchester United said: ‘Noval, look at the player you have, he’s a gem!
“‘I’ve never seen a 14-year-old player do what he does.’
“That reinforced everything we already had in mind. He was a gem to be polished. Everyone wanted Vinicius.”
Ferguson reveals what Ten Hag MUST do
Legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson knows what Erik ten Hag needs to do to restore the club to its former glory.
The Red Devils have failed to win a trophy for five years, and have not lifted the Premier League since Fergie’s last season in 2013.
Speaking at Punchestown horse racing festival, Fergie told RTE Racing: “I hope he does well [Ten Hag], because the club needs someone to get in control.”
The 80-year-old went on to reveal he “hopes” Ten Hag is the right man for the job
He added: “I hope he does well yeah.”
Man Utd’s biggest sales
Cristiano Ronaldo’s £80million transfer to Real Madrid in 2009 is United’s biggest sale to date.
Man Utd call up Will Fish to first-team
Manchester United have called rookie defender Will Fish into the first-team squad.
The 19-year-old could get his chance under outgoing boss Ralf Rangnick in the Premier League run-in despite floundering in the National League.
Centre-half Harry Maguire could have played his last game of the season after picking up a knee injury.
That has seen Rangnick run the rule over Fish and fellow youngsters Alvaro Fernandez, Shola Shoretire and Hannibal Mejbri in training.
And Fernandez is another who could get his big choice with first-choice left-back Luke Shaw also out injured.
It could turn around a pretty dismal season for Fish.
The teenager made his first-team debut in the final game of last season, playing a 2-1 win away at Wolves.
He was shipped out on loan to National League side Stockport at the start of this season, but only featured in two games and 84 minutes before returning to Old Trafford.
Ball-carrying midfielder
Declan Rice is the leader in progressive yards carried outside of England’s “big six”.
The England midfielder has carried the ball over 6,000 yards.
Newcastle’s Allan Saint-Maximin is behind on 4,663.
If the “Big Six” were included, Rice would be behind Aymeric Laporte, Ruben Dias and Joel Matip.
Rice is a summer transfer target for both Chelsea and Man Utd.
Exclusive: Seb Haller transfer fight
Manchester United face competition from Borussia Dortmund in pursuit of Sebastien Haller.
SunSport revealed how incoming Man United boss Erik ten Hag fancies bringing the Ivory Coast striker with him from Ajax in the summer as his first signing.
Former West Ham man Haller has scored 33 goals in 39 games in the Dutch top flight this season to see his stock rise once more after a failed spell in the Premier League.
He was the Hammers’ record signing at £40million but lasted less than two years, in which he netted just ten times and did not fit in under boss David Moyes.
But he has been rejuvenated in Holland and is being sought after once more.
Dortmund are braced to lose striker Erling Haaland in the summer with Manchester City a possible destination.
And Haller is being viewed as a possible replacement for the brilliant Norwegian, albeit a cut-price one.
Next five games
Chelsea is up next for Man Utd.
Strike a deal
Man Utd could go back in for Paulo Dybala this summer when his contract with Juventus expires.
The Argentine striker is sure to be chased by a whole host of Europe’s top clubs so United will have to act fast.
Reports in Italy claim that Old Trafford could be a likely destination for 28-year-old Dybala.
Gazetta dello Sport states that the arrival of Erik ten Hag as new United manager has led to some early “timid interest”.
And Corriere dello Sport follows that same line, reporting that Ten Hag coming in as the new manager could accelerate the transfer.
The Dutch boss could be the driving force to get the deal over the line.
Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City could all rival United in the chase for the 32-cap Argentina international.
Credit: Reuters
‘There’s a player power problem’ – Enrique
Former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique has said that some players at Man Utd have too much power.
When speaking to LordPing, he said: “At some clubs, players have had more power than managers – it’s happening at United – and this has never happened before.
“Look at Solskjaer last year, Man United finished second and this year they signed players that he didn’t want and didn’t like the style and didn’t trust him and then you sign a temporary manager for a club like United, what is this, is it a joke?
“I think they should trust managers more. If I was a sporting director and I really liked a manager, I’d put my trust in him.
“Now in football, they sack managers a lot and that’s why Everton and Manchester United are in difficult situations.”
Man Utd keen to sign Kalvin Phillips
Man Utd are pursuing Kalvin Phillips after scouting the Leeds midfielder for three years, according to reports.
Old Trafford bosses have drawn up a shortlist of wanted men with Phillips, 26, at the top.
The Athletic claim that Man Utd have started “exploring the prospect” of a £50 million transfer.
Phillips began to shine under Marcelo Bielsa when Leeds were in the Championship.
He starred during promotion to the Premier League and earnt an England call-up before Euro 2020.
And he has been admired by United assistant manager Mike Phelan since watching the midfielder dominate a Carabao Cup game against Salford City back in 2019.
The Red Devils have made the international a top target with Ralf Rangnick, who will move up into a consultancy role in June.
Credit: Getty ‘Looney Tunes defending’
Man Utd stars Jadon Sancho and Alex Telles were brutally mocked for trying to mark Arsenal ace Eddie Nketiah.
The United pair tried in vain to block Nketiah in Arsenal’s 3-1 over Manchester United on Saturday.
The hapless duo attempted to sandwich the Arsenal striker during the Premier League clash.
Sancho inched in from the left, and Telles encroached on Nketiah from the right.
But when the sharp Nketiah realised what was going on – he simply side-stepped the United stars’ trap.
Sancho and Telles were left looking bemused as the 22-year-old left them in his dust.
How Man Utd could line up against Chelsea
Alternatively, Rangnick admitted in his press conference ahead of the Chelsea clash that he could put his trust in academy stars.
When quizzed on the prospect of including youngsters, Rangnick said: “Well, it’s possible. We have quite a few players missing tomorrow and one or two still with question marks so we will have to wait and see until tomorrow to see if, for example, Aaron Wan-Bissaka can play.
“I already played Hannibal at Liverpool so it’s possible [I’ll play youngsters] but we also have to be fair enough to those players.
“It has to be the right moment, they should have a chance to play well and perform well so it’s not just pushing them into a game. I think it should also be the right moment.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
