SunSport can exclusively reveal that Manchester United bidder Thomas Zilliacus wants to team up with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qataries to complete £6billion takeover.
Speaking to SunSport, The Finnish entrepreneur said: “I have reached out to both Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim to try and join forces and am waiting to hear back.”
Meanwhile, Sir Jim Ratcliffe made an improved world-record £5bn offer on Thursday.
And Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is expected to match that before Friday’s 9pm deadline.
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Varane: I’ll end career at Real, Utd or Lens
Raphael Varane reckons United could well be his final club – but says olds clubs Lens or Real Madrid are also possible.
The France centre-back is delighted at the way his and the Red Devils’ fortunes have transformed in his second season at Old Trafford
Varane, 29, is under contract until 2025 and he rates not moving again as a “serious option”.
He told GQ in France: “I will finish my career either at Real Madrid, Manchester United or at Lens.
“It’s sure that I won’t do another club, but Madrid, it seems complicated. You don’t tend to go back generally.
“The most likely is that I end in Manchester or Lens.”
Wout on after 33 mins as Holland wilt
Wout Weghorst was part of a “mercy substitution” in the Netherlands’ 4-0 Euro 2024 qualifier loss in France.
The Manchester United loanee watched from the bench as his team-mates fall 3-0 down in a mere 22 minutes.
The Oranje’s terrible start to the match prompted a quick reaction from manager Ronald Koeman, who hooked Ajax youngster Kenny Taylor in favour of Weghorst.
Netherlands fans were quick to respond, with one tweeting: “Ronald Koeman has had enough and takes Kenneth Taylor off.”
Another said: “Very Harsh on the youngster.”
And another said: “Weghorst coming in for Taylor?!!
“Koeman’s head is completely gone I’m cryin’.”
Another chimed in: “Weghorst is on for Taylor. A mercy substitution.”
Weghorst was unable to make the desired impact as the Oranje struggled to create any clear-cut chances.
Sabitzer free-kick ‘better than Messi and Ronaldo’
Marcel Sabitzer netted a worldie of a free kick on Friday night.
The Manchester United loanee opened the scoring for Austria against Azerbaijan, but it was his second goal that caught the eye.
Sabitzer, 29, bent a beauty of a free-kick into the top corner from 25 yards out.
His second strike came after Michael Gregoritsch had added to Sabitzer’s opener.
The United man is currently on loan at Old Trafford from Bayern Munich.
There is no option to make the deal permanent, but United fans begged for the club to extend his stay past the end of the season after seeing the free kick.
One lauded: “Sabitzer with a banger free kick. Better than Ronaldo and Messi.”
Another gushed: “I’ve seen enough sign him permanently.”
A third added: “Nah get him on a permanent immediately.”
And a fourth said: “We should buy him.”
‘Kane bad value unless he helps Utd win title’
United legend Andy Cole has revealed who he thinks they should sign next.
The club have been linked with both Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen, but Cole has tippd United to sign Osimhen and build for the future in a similar way Manchester City have with Erling Haaland.
He told King Casino Bonus: “Harry Kane is 30 years old next season and Victor Osimhen is currently 24-years-old and he’s already done a lot at his age too.
“Italian football is difficult but there will be no doubts that he can adapt to the Premier League.
“If Manchester United want to pay £100m for a 24-year-old or a 30-year-old, you have to look at it in the long term.
“The only value Manchester United can get from Kane is if he can win them the Premier League.
“Meanwhile, Osimhen is near the same age as Erling Haaland and look what he’s doing at the moment.
“Everyone wants instant success, but that does not guarantee a bright future for the club.
“Look at Manchester City, they did not have instant success and look at them now. The players Pep Guardiola brought in were always young and he could still sell them for a decent price if he needed to.
“That’s what I think Manchester United should do because they have been caught too many times bringing in players for ridiculous fees and on ridiculous wages who have run down their contracts, I don’t think they can afford to be caught in that position again.”
Ed Devil looking unlikely
Man Utd look set to miss out on Eduardo Camavinga as Real Madrid open new contract talks with the midfielder.
The 20-year-old joined Real Madrid in 2021 for £26million as a long-term replacement for Casemiro.
Madrid want a reported £115million for the six-cap French international, with United willing to break their club record to sign him.
However, Los Blancos have made a bold move in their attempt to lock down Camavinga, which could jeopardise United chances of pinching the player.
According to The Athletic, the Spanish team have responded to United’s moves by offering the Frenchman a potential €1billion (£874million) release clause.
The new release clause would make it almost impossible for Ten Hag’s team to secure Camavinga, even with the sale of the club looming.
Do you know the way to San, Jose?
Alexis Sanchez has revealed Jose Mourinho persuaded him to snub Manchester City and join Manchester United by promising him the No.7 shirt.
Sanchez completed a shock move to Old Trafford from Arsenal in January 2018, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan moving the other way.
A reunion with former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola at the Eithad was on the cards for the Chilean before he moved to the red side of Manchester.
But Mourinho twisted his arm by promising him the iconic No.7 shirt.
Sanchez said: “I was about to go to City. I spoke to Guardiola every day, he told me happy birthday.
“He was like my dad. He was my dad at Barcelona and he was like my dad at City.
“We talked, we talked every day, he sent me messages.
“And everything was ready, there was a player who was going to go to Arsenal.
“Then [Arsene] Wenger tells me you are not leaving because the other player did not want to come and they do not have another.
“Suddenly the cell phone rings. Mourinho tells me: ‘Alexis, here is the seven [shirt] available for you.'”
Erik’s United success a ‘surprise’ in Holland
Erik ten Hag’s instant success as United boss has “surprised” everyone in Holland, according to Chelsea legend Ruud Gullit.
Gullit admitted during an interview with A Bola that he and everyone else back in their home country are impressed with how well the ex-Ajax chief is doing.
He said: “I’m surprised, we’re all surprised, with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.
“The Dutch Eredivisie does not have the same levels of competitiveness as the Premier League, perhaps the most attractive championship in world football.
“But the truth is that he was able to impose a work philosophy and the playing formula he advocates.”
Veiga fancies Real over Prem giants
Rumoured Manchester United and Arsenal target Gabri Veiga would prefer to join Real Madrid,
That’s according to reports in Spain amid claims Liverpool are also keep on Celta Viga’s 20-year-old midfielder.
The Spanish Under-21 international has notched nine goals and three assists for his mid-table LaLiga side this season
But Cadena SER say he’d rather join home-country giants Real than move to the Prem.
Veigas is thought to have a release clause of around 40million euros – about £35million.
Coronation pickin’
The Premier League have confirmed which games have been selected for TV coverage on the weekend of King Charles’ Coronation.
New dates for previously postponed fixtures have also been confirmed.
And there are two awkward kick-off times for Manchester United.
There is an 8pm KO for the trip to Brighton on May 4, which will be shown live on Sky Sports.
Then just three days later the away game at West Ham on May 7 will now get underway at 7pm.
That clash will be shown live on BT Sport.
Other games selected for TV include Manchester City vs West Ham (May 3 at 8pm), Liverpool vs Brentford (May 6 at 5.30pm), Manchester City vs Leeds (May 7 at 2pm), Newcastle vs Arsenal (May 7 at 4.30pm), Brighton vs Everton (May 8 at 5.30pm) and Nottingham Forest vs Southampton (May 8 at 8pm).
Just four matches will be played on May 6, the day of King Charles’ Coronation.
Bournemouth vs Chelsea, Spurs vs Crystal Palace and Wolves vs Aston Villa will all kick-off at 3pm, with Liverpool vs Brentford to be shown on TV later that evening.
Why not sign Mount AND Jude?
Dimitar Berbatov has had his say on transfer rumours linking Mason Mount to Manchester United.
Speaking to Betfred, he said: “He’s a talent and I like to see young players making the next step and the next challenge of moving to a bigger club.
“He’s at a big club already, of course, but let’s say if Manchester United can’t sign Jude Bellingham, then why shouldn’t they sign Mason Mount?
“He has the talent and he has proven quality.
“At the end of the day, when you sign new players, you need to ask yourself whether you need them, where are they going to play and who’s not going to play as a result of a new player coming in.”
Ruben rated at £50m
Wolves have set a £50million price tag on Manchester United target Ruben Neves.
Football Insider claim United, Liverpool and Barcelona all want to sign the Portugal international.
The midfielder’s contract at Wolves expires in 2024, and the club are expected to cash in on him in the summer.
This price could be cut further if Wolves are relegated at the end of the season.
Sheri buried Cole hatchet in a nightclub
Teddy Sheringham has revealed he buried the hatchet with former Manchester United team-mate Andy Cole – in a nightclub, writes CHISANGA MALATA.
Despite banging in the goals for United during the ’90s, the pair were far from pals – with their feud stemming from Sheringham snubbing Cole when he was replaced by his fellow striker during England’s clash with Uruguay in 1995.
Sheringham failed to acknowledge Cole as he was replaced, a snub the latter took to heart and held against his future Red Devils team-mate.
But the bad blood was put to bed ten years after they retired as Sheri told talkSPORT: “Probably about ten years after we finished playing, I was in a nightclub with a couple of pals.
“Andy was in the nightclub and I saw him walking towards me. And I thought to myself, ‘He looks a little bit stern, this looks a bit naughty’.
“I just looked over his shoulder and his wife Shirley was in the background, and I could see her looking over and looking a little bit apprehensive.
“I thought ‘Hello, this could turn a bit nasty’, I don’t know whether he’s going to try and put one on me or what.
“He walked over and he said, ‘Ted look, let’s let bygones be bygones and forget about what’s happened and move on’.
“He put his hand out and I was like, ‘Wow, I did not expect that Andy’.
“But yeah I’m happy to do that, put my hand out and shook hands.”
Mata returning to Manchester for shock role
Juan Mata is coming back to Manchester in the summer, but it’s not to rejoin Erik ten Hag’s revolution.
The ex-Manchester United star returns to the city to curate an art exhibition focusing on football.
The Galatasaray ace left United in 2022 but will be attending this year’s Manchester International Festival.
The playmaker is known for his artistry on the pitch as he won a raft of trophies with the Red Devils as well as Chelsea where he also conquered the 2012 Champions League.
But now the former Spain international has turned his attention to actual art as he teams up with Hans Ulrich Obrist.
Together they will produce new works inspired by the Trequartista, a legendary football position most akin to a modern No10.
Mata said: “It is fantastic to be returning to Manchester, the city I called home for more than eight years, and to be part of Manchester International Festival for the first time.
“I am thrilled to be co-curating ‘The Trequartista – Art and Football United’ with Hans Ulrich Obrist over the next two years, bringing together two of my passions: the worlds of football and art.”
Scott freed?
With the reported boost in the pursuit of Ruben Neves, Erik ten Hag is reportedly set to allow Scott McTominay to leave.
The Daily Telegraph have reported McTominay is attracted to the idea of a move to Newcastle.
This could mean Ten Hag will be able to upgrade his midfield with minimal effort.
Camavinga blow
Man Utd look set to miss out on Eduardo Camavinga as Real Madrid open new contract talks with the midfielder.
The 20-year-old joined Real Madrid in 2021 for £26million as a long-term replacement for Casemiro.
Madrid want a reported £115million for the six-cap French international, with United willing to break their club record to sign him.
However, Los Blancos have made a bold move in their attempt to lock down Camavinga, which could jeopardise United chances of pinching the player.
According to The Athletic, the Spanish team have responded to United’s moves by offering the Frenchman a potential €1billion (£874million) release clause.
The new release clause would make it almost impossible for Ten Hag’s team to secure Camavinga, even with the sale of the club looming.
Ten Hag surprise
Erik ten Hag has surprised everyone in Holland, according to Ruud Gullit.
Gullit admitted during an interview with A Bola that he and everyone else back in Holland are impressed with how well the ex-Ajax man has done.
He said: “I’m surprised, we’re all surprised, with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.
“The Dutch Eredivisie does not have the same levels of competitiveness as the Premier League, perhaps the most attractive championship in world football.
“But the truth is that he was able to impose a work philosophy and the playing formula he advocates.”
Andy Cole on United’s next striker
Manchester United legend Andy Cole has revealed who he thinks Manchester United should sign next.
The club have been linked with both Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen, but Cole has tippd United to sign Osimhen and build for the future in a similar way Manchester City have with Erling Haaland.
He told King Casino Bonus: “Harry Kane is 30 years old next season and Victor Osimhen is currently 24-years-old and he’s already done a lot at his age too.
“Italian football is difficult but there will be no doubts that he can adapt to the Premier League.
“If Manchester United want to pay £100m for a 24-year-old or a 30-year-old, you have to look at it in the long term.
“The only value Manchester United can get from Kane is if he can win them the Premier League.
“Meanwhile, Osimhen is near the same age as Erling Haaland and look what he’s doing at the moment.
“Everyone wants instant success, but that does not guarantee a bright future for the club.
“Look at Manchester City, they did not have instant success and look at them now. The players Pep Guardiola brought in were always young and he could still sell them for a decent price if he needed to.
“That’s what I think Manchester United should do because they have been caught too many times bringing in players for ridiculous fees and on ridiculous wages who have run down their contracts, I don’t think they can afford to be caught in that position again.”
Ronaldo ‘robbed’ of hat-trick
Cristiano Ronaldo was “robbed” of a hat-trick while playing for Portugal.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was making his 197th appearance for his country and celebrated by bagging a brace against Liechtenstein in the Euro qualifiers.
It could – and should – have been an even better night for the former Manchester United star as he deserved to be awarded another goal.
In the 8th minute of the match, Man City’s on-loan star Joao Cancelo fired a shot goalwards.
The ball ricocheted off a defender and clipped Ronaldo’s heel on the way into the goal.
But the officials did not see the touch and the goal was awarded to Cancelo.
Cristiano Ronaldo was not awarded a goal despite a deflectionCredit: Twitter Berbatov on Mount rumours
Dimitar Berbatov has had his say on transfer rumours linking Mason Mount to Manchester United.
Speaking to Betfred, he said: “He’s a talent and I like to see young players making the next step and the next challenge of moving to a bigger club.
“He’s at a big club already, of course, but let’s say if Manchester United can’t sign Jude Bellingham, then why shouldn’t they sign Mason Mount?
“He has the talent and he has proven quality.
“At the end of the day, when you sign new players, you need to ask yourself whether you need them, where are they going to play and who’s not going to play as a result of a new player coming in.”
McTominay out the door
With the reported boost in the pursuit of Ruben Neves, Erik ten Hag is reportedly set to allow Scott McTominay to leave.
The Daily Telegraph have reported McTominay is attracted to the idea of a move to Newcastle.
This could mean Ten Hag will be able to upgrade his midfield with minimal effort.
In Wolves clothing
Wolves have set a £50million price tag on Manchester United target Ruben Neves.
Football Insider claim United, Liverpool and Barcelona all want to sign the Portugal international.
The midfielder’s contract at Wolves expires in 2024, and the club are expected to cash in on him in the summer.
This price could be cut further if Wolves are relegated at the end of the season.
Red-faced
Manchester United could launch a £100million bid for Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix, reports suggest.
Felix is currently on loan at Chelsea, and has impressed so far.
However, if the Blues decide not to make his switch permanent, United could come in with an offer according to AS, via football365.
The Red Devils are looking for a new frontman to bolster their attack, with Marcus Rashford being the only reliable goalscorer for the team this season.
Surprise package
Erik ten Hag has left his Manchester United squad “surprised” with his continued selection of Wout Weghorst, reports suggest.
According to GiveMeSport, the Dutchman’s insistence to use Weghorst at all times has come as a shock given the lack of goals he contributes to the team.
Weghorst has his uses, such as helping the ball to stick up front and bringing other attackers into play.
But with just two goals and assists to his name since joining his selection has been questioned.
Morning United fans
United expect to have at least two massive takeover bids in by tonight’s 9pm deadline.
Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe made an improved world-record £5billionn offer on Thursday.
And Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is expected to match that.
US investment company Elliott have offered to buy a minority stake, no matter who ends up owning the club.
And Finnish entrepreneur Thomas Zilliacus says he will bid £3billion – but half of that must come from supporters.
He said: “Any club ultimately should belong to its fans. My bid is built on equality with fans.
“The current development, where billionaire sheiks and oligarchs take over clubs and control them as their personal playgrounds, is not a healthy trend.”
Meanwhile, Napoli are reportedly willing to sell striker Victor Osimhen – but only for around £115-£130million.
United are rated favourites to sign the Nigeria frontman ahead of PSG as talk of nabbing Harry Kane fades – at least for now.
Fourth-choice Old Trafford centre-back Victor Lindelor has suggested he might think over his future in the summer.
Finally, Red Devils’ fans on social media didn’t seem too unhappy Luke Shaw was sent off in England’s 2-1 win in Italy last night.
It means the left-back will be suspended for Sunday’s home Euro qualifier against Ukraine on Sunday – leaving him fresher for United’s return to Prem action at Newcastle on Sunday, April 2.
Red Devils’ fans happy with Luke seeing red
Luke Shaw’s red card for England came as welcome news to Manchester United fans.
The left-back was sent off in the 2-1 win over Italy after picking up two yellow cards in less than a minute.
He is now suspended for England’s next game against Ukraine on Sunday.
That means the 27-year-old faces an extended rest before returning to United duty.
The Red Devils return to action after the international break with a tough trip to Newcastle on April 2.
But United fans are safe in the knowledge that Shaw can put his feet up for the England game against Ukraine at Wembley and not play again until United’s match at St. James’ Park.
Red Devils supporters took to social media after Shaw was sent off to rejoice at the fact he doesn’t have to play on Sunday.
One exclaimed: “SHAW SUSPENDED LETS GOOOOO.”
Another sarcastically wrote: “Oh dear! Luke Shaw red card and suspended for next game. As a United fan I’m devastated.”
A third added: “Shaw suspended niceeeeee.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
