ERIK TEN HAG has ordered Manchester United to get him a striker this summer.
And the Red Devils are determined to land England captain Kane — with Tottenham demanding £100million.
Meanwhile, SunSport can exclusively reveal that Marcus Rashford came to the aid of the world’s sexiest footballers Alisha Lehmann on a night out.
And SirJim Ratcliffe is now the hot favourite to win the bidding war for Manchester United, according to reports.
Through his firm Ineos, the British billionaire, 70, has made an offer in excess of £5billion, say the Daily Mail.
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Keep up to date with the latest on the takeover saga at Old Trafford…
United sub ratings
FRED for Eriksen 75 – came on to calm things down and got booked for time-wasting 6
ANTONY for Sancho 75 – Fluffed a late chance to make the game safe. 6
MARTIAL for Rashford 86 – Not much time to make any impact. 6
MAGUIRE for Sabitzer 86 – Got a couple of important clearances in as United held firm. 6
How Red Devils’ front two fared
JADON SANCHO: 6
Some nice touches but not much of an end product from the England man. Twisted and turned his way into United box early in second half but passed up opportunities to shoot and the chance was gone. 6
MARCUS RASHFORD: 7
Low effort saved by Martinez. Played his part in the opener but would have been disappointed with connection that was spilled by the Villa keeper. Felt he should have had a pen when he was bundled over by Chambers. 7
Midfield ratings
CASEMIRO: 8
Curled shot against bar after good work by Sancho. Low shot from 20 yards in second half had Martinez scrambling but drifted just wide. United look a much more stable team with the Brazilian in the team.
MARCEL SABITZER: 6
Volley over bar early on when he should have hit the target. Influence on the game started to wane in the second half and he was sacrificed late on to get the extra defender on in Maguire.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN: 6
Disappointing cross when he raced clear and had options. Dragged a shot well wide just afterwards. Had been bright early on but he fizzled out and ten Hag threw on Fred late on to give his team more legs.
BRUNO FERNANDES: 7
Cross shot almost caught out Martinez – was on hand to pounce when Martinez made a mess of Rashford’s tame shot. Celebrated in front of the Villa fans as he rammed their taunts back down their throat.
United ratings – defence
Here’s how our man Martin Blackburn assessed the Red Devils after a fine 1-0 defeat of Aston Villa.
DAVID DE GEA: 6
Shanked one of his early pass but dashed out in the second half to calmly head the ball away from danger. Might have expected to be busier against an in-form Villa side but did what he had to do well enough.
DIOGO DALOT: 7
Moved over to the right and looked more comfortable there. Cleared one off line in the first half when under pressure from Watkins. Managed to keep Ramsey and the Villa forwards down his flank quiet.
VICTOR LINDELOF: 9
Superb performance. Vital header to prevent a certain goal for Watkins. Great tackle to deflect Ramsey’s shot over the bar. Headed one off the line late on from Luiz although it might not have counted anyway.
LUKE SHAW: 7
Stepped in with Maguire injured at centre back – his England team-mate was only on the bench. Formed a decent partnership with Lindelof to keep in-form Watkins quiet and ensure injured pair Varane and Martinez are not missed too much.
TYRELL MALACIA: 7
Nice pass to Rashford early on but the forward was denied by Martinez. Great tackle on McGinn when the Villa man was poised to shoot. Gave away a late free-kick that could have proved costly.
RESULT: Man Utd 1 Aston Villa 0
Bruno Fernandes’ 100th career goal deservedly ended Villa’s 10-game undefeated run
But United remain two points off third spot as Newcastle’s second-half comeback earned a 3-1 home win over Southampton.
Fernandes snapped up a 39th-minute rebound after Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez parried Marcus Rashford’s shot.
Casemiro hit the bar and fellow Marcel Sabitzer also nearly added to United’s victory margin.
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Red Devils want to pair Kane with Marcus
Erik ten Hag has told United chiefs: Get me a No9.
The Red Devils are determined to land England captain Kane — with Tottenham demanding £100million.
And the Old Trafford club could soon be flush with cash if Sheikh Jassim, who wants Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar, buys the club in a £5.5BILLION takeover.
SunSport understands United stars are desperate for the Glazer family to sell up to end the negative atmosphere and boost their squad with world-class signings.
United fans sang about signing Kane in their 2-2 draw at Spurs on Thursday — after their boss Ten Hag had called him “a great player and personality”.
And now Ten Hag says: “Everyone knows and it is not a secret that long-term and over a whole season we had a shortage of No9s.
“We had the drop out of [Cristiano] Ronaldo, then Anthony Martial was often not available, Jadon Sancho often not available, then you have a shortage of front line players.
“We have players who can play the role but definitely we need some offensive players who are impact and quality players.”
United want to pair Kane and Marcus Rashford together next season in a £600,000-a-week strikeforce.
Full Time – Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa
Bruno Fernandes’ first half goal seals all three points for the Red Devils.
Credit: EPA Half Time – Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa
The Red Devils currently have a one-goal advantage over Unai Emery’s Aston Villa at Old Trafford thanks to Bruno Fernandes.
Credit: PA Ten Hag forced into reshuffle
Harry Maguire has been named on the bench for Manchester United’s clash against Aston Villa after battling an abdominal injury.
Erik ten Hag has selected Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw at centre-back.
Maguire’s problem kept him out of the 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Thursday and the FA Cup semi-final win over Brighton last weekend.
He is now fit enough for a place on the amongst the substitutes, putting himself forward for selection to help with Ten Hag’s defensive woes.
The boss has just one fit recognised centre-back with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez both out injured.
Man Utd’s game versus Aston Villa is the club’s ninth this month.
Credit: Getty
Red-y to Shine
Man Utd promoted a 15-year-old wonderkid to join in first-team training this week.
The Red Devils’ busy run of fixtures continues at home to Aston Villa today.
And on Friday, the Manchester Evening News reported Amir Ibragimov joined in with the senior stars despite his tender age.
The rising star only turned 15 a few weeks ago.
But he took to social media with a photo of his United training shorts and red adidas boots.
He captioned the image: “1st team session,” followed by a green tick.
Every Lille Helps
Man Utd and Chelsea are set to duke it out for striker Jonathan David this summer, according to reports.
The Canada international has caught the eye of several clubs this season with a string of scintillating displays for Ligue 1 big boys Lille.
Former Gent hitman David is said to have a number of clubs interested in acquiring his services.
And according to French newspaper L’Equipe, Prem rivals United and Chelsea will battle it out to bring him to England this summer.
It’s also claimed that managerless Tottenham also hold an interest in snapping up the 23-year-old.
David has been in fine form for Paulo Fonseca’s side – who are currently fifth in the Ligue 1 table – this season.
Credit: Getty Hey Jude
Real Madrid are reportedly preparing to send officials to Germany to talk to Jude Bellingham about signing for the club.
The England international, 19, has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in the summer.
The Spanish giants are set to fly representatives over to Dortmund in the next few days for talks with Bellingham.
They are understood to have a “direct” line of communication with the midfielder.
And they are optimistic the former Birmingham man will join them on June 30.
But Dortmund are holding out hope of keeping him for one more season.
Credit: Getty Injury Scare
Former Manchester United man Tahith Chong was rushed to hospital after being stretchered off with a nasty looking calf injury while playing for Birmingham.
During a 2-0 defeat to Coventry, the 23-year-old winger went down midway through the second half following a challenge from Jake Bidwell.
He could be seen on the floor in some distress, holding the back of his leg as medics rushed to his aid.
And after receiving treatment, Chong, who played 16 times for Man Utd, left the field on a stretcher.
He was replaced by a former Red Devils team-mate in loanee Hannibal Mejbri.
Birmingham manager John Eustace confirmed after the game that Chong had gone to hospital for a scan.
Credit: Getty Cliffe Hanger
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is now the hot favourite to win the bidding war for Manchester United, according to reports.
Through his firm Ineos, the British billionaire, 70, has made an offer in excess of £5billion, say the Daily Mail.
Ratcliffe is desperate for a 69 per cent stake in the club, or more than 50 per cent if Joel and Avram Glazer perform a sensational U-turn and decide to stay at the club.
On Friday, sources close to Sheikh Jassim, who is also in the running to buy the Red Devils, revealed his bid had broken the £5billion barrier.
However, that has since been quashed with sources close to US merchant bank Raine Group, who are managing the bidding process, claiming that the Ineos offer values the club at much higher.
MORNING, UNITED FANS
Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group are favourites to take over United as Erik ten Hag’s men eye third place today.
And manager Ten Hag has told club chiefs he needs a new world-class striker as speculation around Tottenham main man Harry Kane increases.
Ratcliffe, Britain’s richest man, is understood to have bid more than main rival Sheikh Jassim.
The Mancunian entrepreneur at first wanted all the Glazers’ 69% share in United, whereas the Sheikh is after 100% control.
But it’s understood Ratcliffe might now be willing to accept just a slim majority.
That might be controversial with fans as it would enable co-chairmen Joel and Avram Glazer to stay in some capacity.
Meanwhile,Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire face late fitness tests for this afternoon’s home Prem clash with in-form Aston Villa, who are just two places below in sixth.
Luke Shaw should again feature in central defence if Maguire misses out.
The Red Devils will go third if they win and Newcastle lose at home to bottom side Southampton.
Ten Hag demands new No9
Erik ten Hag has told United chiefs: Get me a No9.
The Red Devils are determined to land England captain Kane — with Tottenham demanding £100million.
And the Old Trafford club could soon be flush with cash if Sheikh Jassim, who wants Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar, buys the club in a £5.5BILLION takeover.
SunSport understands United stars are desperate for the Glazer family to sell up to end the negative atmosphere and boost their squad with world-class signings.
United fans sang about signing Kane in their 2-2 draw at Spurs on Thursday — after their boss Ten Hag had called him “a great player and personality”.
And now Ten Hag says: “Everyone knows and it is not a secret that long-term and over a whole season we had a shortage of No9s.
“We had the drop out of [Cristiano] Ronaldo, then Anthony Martial was often not available, Jadon Sancho often not available, then you have a shortage of front line players.
“We have players who can play the role but definitely we need some offensive players who are impact and quality players.”
United want to pair Kane and Marcus Rashford together next season in a £600,000-a-week strikeforce.
Ratcliffe favourite for take-over
Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group seem favourites to take control of United after bidding more than Sheikh Jassim.
Britain’s richest man is thought to want a majority share, whereas the Qatari banker wants a 100% buy-out
Ratcliffe was at first understood to be targeting all the Glazers’ 69% share.
But now it’s thought he might reduce that to slim majority share – to enable co-chairmen Joel and Avram Glazer to retain some link with the club.
Chong suffers nasty calf injury
Ex-Manchester United winger Tahith Chong was rushed to hospital after being stretchered off with a nasty looking calf injury while playing for Birmingham.
During a 2-0 defeat to Coventry, the 23-year-old winger went down midway through the second half following a challenge from Jake Bidwell.
He could be seen on the floor in some distress, holding the back of his leg as medics rushed to his aid.
And after receiving treatment, Chong, who played 16 times for Man Utd, left the field on a stretcher.
He was replaced by a former Red Devils team-mate in loanee Hannibal Mejbri.
Birmingham manager John Eustace confirmed after the game that Chong had gone to hospital for a scan.
Maguire tipped to weigh up future
Harry Maguire fears he may have to quit Manchester United in order to play at Euro 2024.
But there will be plenty of transfer offers for the defender.
The Red Devils skipper, 30, is struggling for game time under new boss Erik ten Hag.
Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are the first-choice centre-backs while Victor Lindelof and even Luke Shaw have regularly been picked ahead of the ex-Leicester man, who came on for the final two minutes of the Carabao Cup final win.
And in a further blow, Ten Hag labelled Bruno Fernandes “our captain” despite Maguire being the official skipper at Old Trafford.
Now the Daily Mail report the £85million man is worried the lack of action could see him snu
Ratcliffe ‘hot favourite’ to take over Red Devils
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is now the hot favourite to win the bidding war for Man Utd, according to reports.
Through his firm Ineos, the British billionaire, 70, has made an offer in excess of £5billion, say the Daily Mail.
Ratcliffe is desperate for a 69 per cent stake in the club, or more than 50 per cent if Joel and Avram Glazer perform a sensational u-turn and decide to stay at the club.
On Friday, sources close to Sheikh Jassim, who is also in the running to buy the Red Devils, revealed his bid had broken the £5billion barrier.
However, that has since been quashed with sources close to US merchant bank Raine Group, who are managing the bidding process, claiming that the Ineos offer values the club at much higher.
Ever since United were put up for sale in November, Ratcliffe and Jassim have remained interested parties in acquiring the Premier League giants.
Before an earlier deadline, both Ratcliffe and Jassim had said they had made offers, although it was later confirmed they had both asked for an extension on the deadline.
The final bids were made before Friday’s deadline, with the Glazers now mulling over the offers.
A decision for the preferred bidder could be made within the next 10 days.
Sheikh Jassim has made no secret that he would want a 100 per cent stake in the club.
Stelling quitting after 25 years
Jeff Stelling has announced he’s stepping down as Soccer Saturday host – after a whopping 25 YEARS at the helm.
The 68-year-old’s final broadcast – which will no doubt be watched by thousands of long-time fans of the show – will be on May 28.
An emotional Stelling announced his departure live on air and received rapturous applause from the pundits in the studio and the film crew behind the camera.
He said: “I’ve been at Sky for more than 30 years and loved every moment of my time as part of the Soccer Saturday team.
“It is now the right time to move on and give Sky Sports viewers a break from my relentless rants, bad gags and over-the-top celebrations of Hartlepool United goals.
“It’s been a lot of fun – for me at least!”
Footie fans were quick to react to the news of Stelling’s departure.
One tweeted: “Sad to see Jeff Stelling stepping down at Sky Sports.
“An absolute titan. Simply won’t be the same without him.”
Another said: “Gutted Jeff Stelling is leaving Soccer Saturday. He was fantastic in it. End of an era.”
Real tipped for Bellingham talks
Real Madrid are reportedly preparing to send officials to Germany to talk to Jude Bellingham about signing for the club.
Borussia Dortmund’s England midfielder, 19, has been heavily linked with Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea, with PSG also said to be interested.
Liverpool pulled out of the race as they look for better value – as Bellingham is valued at around £130million.
And according to Marca, United, City and Chelsea could be set to miss out on him too as Real Madrid step up their pursuit.
The Spanish giants are set to fly representatives over to Dortmund in the next few days for talks with Bellingham.
They are understood to have a “direct” line of communication with the midfielder.
And they are optimistic the former Birmingham man will join them on June 30.
But Dortmund are holding out hope of keeping him for one more season.
Prem giants queue up for Jonathan
Manchester United and Chelsea are set to duke it out for striker Jonathan David this summer, according to reports, writes CHISANGA MALATA.
The Canada international has caught the eye of several clubs this season with a string of scintillating displays for Ligue 1 big boys Lille.
Former Gent hitman David is said to have a number of clubs interested in acquiring his services.
And according to French newspaper L’Equipe, Prem rivals United and Chelsea will battle it out to bring him to England this summer.
It’s also claimed that managerless Tottenham also hold an interest in snapping up the 23-year-old.
David has been in fine form for Paulo Fonseca’s side – who are currently fifth in the Ligue 1 table – this season.
Young teases Fergie
Ashley Young spoke with his former boss Sir Alex Ferguson this week, writes CHARLIE WYETT.
And Young, 37, who spent 8½ years at Manchester United and won the title there in 2013, is hoping to see Fergie again tomorrow to discuss a Premier League double for the Villans.
He said: “I spoke to the boss this week.
“We will have a quick sit down after the game and hopefully we can talk about us having won three points.
“We beat United in the league this season although lost there in the League Cup.
“I got a really nice reception when going back there which meant a lot. I had a fantastic time there.”
As for United under Erik ten Hag, Young said: “They are a lot better.
“It will take more than one season to get it sorted but success is coming back — although hopefully not against Villa.”
Villa travel to United unbeaten in ten and sit six points adrift of tomorrow’s hosts, but have played two games more.
Chelsea vs United for David?
Manchester United and Chelsea are regarded as way out in front in the pursuit of Lille striker Jonathan David.
Arsenal have also been linked with the Canadian speedster.
But reports today suggest the race for the ex-Gent star, 23, is narrowing.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
