MANCHESTER UNITED are monitoring the Erling Haaland situation closely, but have been warned his release clause is higher than first expected.
Meanwhile, United reportedly face competition from Liverpool and Tottenham to sign Marcel Sabitzer from RB Leipzig.
Stay up to date with our blog, below, for all the latest from Old Trafford…
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ROY-AL RUMBLES
Roy Keane is never one to back down in an argument.
The Irishman has gone from midfield hardman, to bearded boss, to TV executioner over the last few decades.
But during all this time, he has never allowed any foe to have the last laugh.
Keane, 49, is currently strongly linked with the vacant managerial post at Celtic.
And should he make a return to the dugout, Hoops fans must be ready for some explosive moments – just ask Alan Shearer or Jamie Redknapp.
So amid his links to Parkhead, let’s take a look at some of Keane’s most memorable bust-ups HERE.
JUAN’S PAIN
Juan Mata’s mother has passed away after a long battle with illness, according to reports.
Reports in Spain described Marta Garcia as a ‘very dear, good and loving person’.
Mata himself has not confirmed the news but close pals Bruno Fernandes, David De Gea and Ander Herrera took to Instagram on Monday afternoon to share pics with Mata showing their love and support.
Fernandes said: “Friend, a very strong hug for you and your family.”
Goalkeeper De Gea captioned his post with a love heart and ex-United midfielder Herrera wrote ‘siempre’ meaning ‘forever’.
Marta had two children – the Manchester United midfielder and his sister Paula.
CRIS CROSS
Cristiano Ronaldo let his emotions get the better of him when his winning ‘goal’ against Serbia did not stand.
The Portugal superstar, 36, appeared to have bagged an injury-time winner in the World Cup qualifier.
But neither the referee nor his assistant thought the ball had crossed the line before it was hooked clear.
And with that, Ronaldo threw his toys out of the pram – but it certainly was not the first time.
Click HERE for seven times the Manchester United legend lost his cool on the pitch.
LEFT BACK LEANING
Luke Shaw is winning the race to be England’s first choice left-back this summer, Ashley Cole reckons.
Ex-England defender Cole thinks the Man Utd man has edged ahead of Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell.
He told ITV: “Shaw’s just pipping Chilwell.
“At the moment, Shaw’s in the lead, but going into the last few games of the Premier League, it’s a question of keeping consistency.”
YOUNG LION
Manchester United’s newest first-team member Shola Shoretire helped England’s Under-18s beat Wales 2-0 today.
Shola Shoretire starred for the Young LionsCredit: PA ONLY LING WHEN YOU’RE WINNING
Manchester United loanee Jesse Lingard couldn’t believe he didn’t find the net against the world’s worst team San Marino last week.
Check out this behind the scenes footage.
READY FOR FANS
Just one positive coronavirus test has been recorded by the Premier League over the past week as football continues to edge towards the return of fans.
Football fans will be allowed back in for the final day of the Premier League season on May 23.
And the continual fall in the number of coronavirus cases within top flight clubs can only bode well for the road out of lockdown and towards the return of spectators.
The Premier League confirmed that there was one new positive coronavirus test between March 22 and March 28.
Between March 22 and March 25 there were 1,045 players and club staff tested, with zero positives.
Then the one positive came when 1,165 more players and club staff were tested between March 26 and March 28.
KIT FOR KIDS
Manchester United and adidas have been donating kit to school kids in need.
SURREND-ERLING
Manchester United target Erling Haaland has been criticised for “surrendering” on Norway after their heavy defeat to Turkey.
Haaland’s country were thrashed 3-0 in Malaga in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier following a brace by Ozan Tufan and a finish by Leicester star Caglar Soyuncu.
Erling Haaland couldn’t replicate his Dortmund form for NorwayCredit: Getty Norway received some heavy criticism from the press, who dubbed the game “a disaster”, and the Dortmund star took a heavy beating following a poor display for his country.
Liverpool and Norway legend John Arne Riise felt like the star striker lacked the same passion he shows at the Westfalenstadion.
Riise told VG: “”He has received so much praise for showing his emotion when things aren’t going well with Dortmund, but we don’t see any of that back here.”
Retired Norwegian striker Bernt Hulsker was especially critical after Haaland’s “disappointing” performance.
He said: “He doesn’t play with the same confidence that we’re used to from him. In Dortmund he hits himself in the face if he misses such a pass.
“Here it was just surrender. I’m not saying he’s disinterested, but he exudes it. “
SHORE THING
Manchester United youngster Shola Shoretire started for England Under-18s against Wales today.
The second-half is getting underway with the score 0-0.
GOOD LUKE
Luke Shaw dazzled on his return to the England fold against Albania.
The left-back had 100 touches, 100 per cent long pass accuracy, 92 per cent pass accuracy, won three out of three tackles and laid on one assist.
Luke Shaw shone with England against AlbaniaCredit: AP NUMBER WAN
Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka should be in the England squad ahead of Chelsea’s Reece James, according to Troy Deeney.
The Watford skipper is a big fan of the former Crystal Palace ace’s defensive abilities.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been overlooked by EnglandCredit: Getty Deeney told talkSPORT: “It’s not personal, just an opinion; I don’t think Reece James goes over Wan-Bissaka. I don’t think he should have been in this squad over Wan-Bissaka.
“He doesn’t always start for Chelsea, that’s a main one. But I just think Wan-Bissaka is so good defensively.
“You can say what you want about him with the ball, but when it comes to the nitty-gritty you’re going to need someone who will clamp down on their winger, know his role, do his job, get the ball and give it to the better players – that’s what you need in those situations.
“I’d back him or Kyle Walker because he’s so fast. But I’d have Wan-Bissaka.”
DAN THE CLUBMAN
Manchester United winger Dan James shut down claims he grew up a fan of arch rivals Liverpool.
The Welsh speedster signed for the Red Devils for £15million in summer 2019.
Dan James didn’t support Liverpool as a kid but did follow ChelseaCredit: Getty And the 23-year-old recalled how a Sky Sports pundit claimed he was a Reds fan as a youngster.
But James actually grew up a Chelsea supporter and he said: “When I signed for United, I can’t remember who it was, one of the Sky Sports [pundits] said: ‘he supports Liverpool’.
“I was thinking I don’t support Liverpool, but I never wanted to come out and say I supported Chelsea as a youngster.
“When I started playing for Swansea it [Chelsea] was the team I followed, but you don’t end up supporting them really.”
SHAW THING
Former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole has backed Luke Shaw to be Gareth Southgate’s England left-back at the delayed Euro 2020 tournament.
Cole – who bagged over 100 caps for the Three Lions – reckons Shaw is just ahead of Stamford Bridge ace Ben Chilwell.
Luke Shaw is fighting to be England’s No1 left-backCredit: EPA Shaw started the 2-0 win over Albania on Sunday while Chilwell began the 5-0 win over San Marino in midweek.
On ITV, Cole said: “I think it’s a tight one between Shaw who I think is just pipping it at the minute.
“I think he is playing more consistently for Manchester United, whereas Chilwell – some days he plays [for Chelsea] and some days he doesn’t.
“I think at the moment Shaw is in the lead. But who knows?
“Going into the last games of the Premier League season, who can hold their nerve and keep that consistency up before the squad gets announced.”
MAKING THEIR MARC
Manchester United have joined Tottenham and Liverpool in the race for RB Leipzig captain Marcel Sabitzer.
The 27-year-old Austrian, who captains the high-flying Bundesliga side, is catching the eye of several Premier League teams with his performances this season.
And now Bild have reported that the Red Devils are keen to bring the midfielder to the club in the summer window.
Sabitzer has made it clear to Leipzig he would like to leave at the end of the season and he appears to be eyeing a move to England.
Since signing with the German outfit in 2014, he has played 219 times and scored 50 goals.
He has also spearheaded the club’s charge up the table as they are now challenging for the Bundesliga title in second place – four points behind Bayern Munich.
AWKWARD
Anthony Martial was involved in an awkward moment with Kylian Mbappe as he hobbled off injured for France last night.
The Manchester United star started for his country ahead of the PSG man against Kazakhstan in their World Cup qualifier.
Martial’s lack of handshake left Mbappe baffledCredit: Twitter Following the 1-1 midweek draw with Ukraine, French boss Didier Deschamps opted for Martial in his starting XI instead of Mbappe.
And he was rewarded as the 25-year-old set-up Ousmane Dembele for the opening goal of the 2-0 win after a great pass by his club-mate Paul Pogba.
However, Martial’s appearance was cut short just before the hour mark when he suffered a blow.
He was replaced by Mbappe, who later missed a penalty, but as his countryman went to give him the customary handshake, Martial failed to respond.
IMPACT SUBS
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is doing something right with his tactical subs as United’s reserves are the most prolific off the bench.
KON THE WAY
Liverpool are reportedly finalising a deal to bring highly-rated RB Leipzig centre-back Ibrahima Konate to the club this summer.
The 21-year-old has caught the attention of several Premier League sides with his impressive displays for the German outfit.
Ibrahima Konate is being linked with a move to Liverpool from RB LeipzigCredit: Getty Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal have all been trying to acquire the services of Konate.
But according to The Athletic it is Liverpool who are closing in on putting pen to paper.
Journalist David Ornstein has revealed that the Reds have made ‘significant progress’ when it comes to a deal for Konate.
It is thought Jurgen Klopp’s side will be forced to pay a minimum of £34million in order to trigger the Frenchman’s release clause.
RED DEM-VIL
Manchester United are ‘in contact’ with Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele and ‘preparing a summer transfer bid’, according to reports.
The Frenchman is currently under contract at the Catalan club until 2022 and Barca boss Ronald Koeman is keen to keep the attacker.
But Sport have reported that Man Utd are ready to swoop in and claim Dembele by turning his head at the end of the season.
Barca are currently trying to lower their wage bill due to financial problems at the club.
Mundo Deportivo believe the club and player are in negotiations over a fresh deal to keep him at the Nou Camp.
However, if Dembele’s salary expectations cannot be met then Man Utd are poised to strike and offer a transfer fee for the forward this summer.
The Red Devils see him as a possible alternative to Jadon Sancho, who they have been trying to sign for some time.
KEANE TO IMPRESS
Micah Richards revealed he won Roy Keane’s ‘respect’ and relishes making his punditry colleague ‘uncomfortable’ on TV.
Richards and the Manchester United icon have formed an unlikely bromance together as analysts for Sky Sports.
Roy Keane and Micah Richards work together for Sky SportsCredit: Getty Retired Richards, 32, said on the Match of the Day: Top 10 podcast: “Roy’s a legend of the game.
“And when I’m initially going to work with someone I don’t get nervous – I never get nervous – but you’ve got respect for people and that’s the way it should be.
“I’ve seen his clips and he used to destroy people left, right and centre. The first clip that did the rounds was where I said I’d burst on the scene as a defender, that’s the one that went viral, and he said he didn’t know any defenders that had burst on the scene.
“I said, ‘Hold on, hold on, I’m the youngest ever defender for England, won the Premier League and won the FA Cup’ and at that moment he was like ‘OK’ – I earned a little bit of his respect.
“After that I just loved working with him because I can never compete with Roy Keane as a player, or his medals, but I can make him feel uncomfortable on camera, and that’s my strength.”
MARTIAL LAW
Manchester United’s Anthony Martial came off injured in France’s 2-0 win over Kazakhstan.
The forward assisted Ousmane Dembele’s 19th minute opener with a clever turn and pass.
Anthony Martial was replaced after receiving treatmentCredit: AFP But the Red Devils star was replaced by Kylian Mbappe after 59 minutes having received treatment for an injury blow.
Martial appeared to jar his knee with his studs caught in the artificial pitch.
CANDY KANE
Manchester United legend Roy Keane believes Harry Kane has to LEAVE Tottenham this summer if he wants ‘to win big prizes’ amid links with the Red Devils and Real Madrid.
England skipper Kane, 27, is yet to win a single piece of silverware with Spurs but that could end if Jose Mourinho’s men beat Pep Guardiola’s quadruple-chasing Manchester City in next month’s Carabao Cup final.
Harry Kane was urged to leave Spurs if he wants to win trophiesCredit: AP But the chances of Tottenham winning a major trophy in the near future look slim following some dismal performances in the Premier League and Europe.
Kane’s north London contract runs until 2024 and he is reportedly valued at £150million by Spurs.
On ITV after Kane scored in the Three Lions’ 2-0 win over Albania on Sunday, Keane said: “If you’re in his shoes and it comes to the summer, I think the guy has to move on to really win the big prizes.
“He’s not going to do it at Tottenham. He wouldn’t be the first player to sign a contract and then want to leave a year or so later.
“Mourinho might have to say, ‘he keeps making these noises, let’s take the money and move on’.”
GOOD MORNING RED DEVILS FANS
Manchester United are one of six clubs set to be offered Juventus forward Paulo Dybala.
United target Marcos Llorente’s asking price has been set at £103million with Atletico Madrid playing hard ball for their highly-rated midfielder.
The Red Devils have held talks with AC Milan over a permanent move for defender Diogo Dalot.
United suffered an injury scare after forward Anthony Martial limped off the pitch during France’s win over Kazakhstan.
David de Gea’s future looks bleak at Old Trafford if he does not start the game against Brighton, according to a former United keeper.
Paul Pogba has finally got his £300,000 Rolls Royce back – after leaving it in a police car pound for months.
Former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has been slated for his angry antics during Portugal’s draw with Serbia.
SunSport readers have voted Roy Keane as the Premier League’s greatest captain ahead of Chelsea’s John Terry.
Bruno Fernandes claims he could not choose between midfielders Paul Scholes and Roy Keane, insisting he would select both in his United dream team.
COULDN’T CAR LESS
Manchester United star Paul Pogba has finally got his £300,000 Rolls Royce back – after leaving it in a police car pound for months.
The France midfielder ran up storage charges estimated at £5,500 as he left the car unclaimed for 270 days.
Paul Pogba’s car has been in a police car pound for monthsCredit: Collect Pogba was stopped in his Wraith Black Badge near Manchester Airport in June because it had Monaco-registered plates.
The World Cup-winner‘s car was put on a low loader and taken away, leaving him with a £150 towing bill.
A source said: “It’s incredible to think Paul took so long to sort out getting his car back.
“It’s not a little runaround — it’s a stunning limited edition £300,000 Rolls-Royce which anybody would love to sit in, let alone own.
“Instead, it gathered dust because Paul took absolutely ages to sort the necessary paperwork.”
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
Roy Keane is the greatest Premier League captain in history, according to SunSport readers.
We devised a poll asking readers to decide who wore the armband the best.
Roy Keane was voted the best Premier League captainCredit: Hugh Routledge On the list were Arsenal’s Tony Adams, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard, Keane, Vincent Kompany, Wes Morgan, John Terry and Patrick Vieira.
Around 2,600 people had their say and there was a resounding winner.
United’s former hard man Keane took 36 per cent of the votes ahead of Terry in second who had 19 per cent.
Kompany, who won 10 major domestic trophies, was third followed by Gerrard, Vieira and Adams who all had 9 per cent of votes.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
