CRISTIANO RONALDO is looking very carefully at a potential move to Man Utd, according to reports in Italy.
Juventus are in danger of missing out on the Champions League and will be unable to afford to keep the Man Utd legend if they fail to make the top four.
They currently sit fourth in Serie A, ahead of AC Milan on goal difference alone.
Get all the latest Man Utd news, updates and transfer gossip here…
BRU BEAUTY
Bruno Fernandes revealed compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo is his No1.
But the Portuguese playmaker, 26, is the undisputed GOAT at Manchester United following another stunning season at Old Trafford.
MORE FROM BRUNO
Fernandes admitted national pride takes over, with Fred and Telles backing the Brazilians, while he defends his Portuguese colleagues.
The United star continued: “They say it because they’re Brazilian and, in Brazil, they say it.
“I think Pele is one of the best in the world because I hear people talking about him.
“I’ve seen some videos… everyone can see [Diego] Maradona, Eusebio and people talk about Pele as being the best of all time.
“But we always fight about Rivaldo and [Luis] Figo and which one was best.
“So, for me as a Portuguese, I always defend my players.
“It doesn’t matter if I like them or not, I defend the Portuguese players every time.
“So this is a fight between Brazilian and Portuguese people but it is more of a joke than other stuff.”
NO RON GREATER
Bruno Fernandes has admitted he argues with his Manchester United team-mates over who is football’s true GOAT.
In a fan Q&A, he told the Man Utd website: “[Fred and Telles] always talk about who is the best player in the world, in history…
“We always fight because they say Pele was the best in the history of football.
“I put Cristiano in the middle, of course.
“For me, Cristiano and Messi have been making history for many years and they were capable of being at the top for many years.
“And, of course, the same as me, [Fred and Telles] have never seen Pele play so they can’t say he was the best because they never saw him.”
COACH BRUNO?
Bruno Fernandes has set his sights on reaching the top in management.
PS-GLEE
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes Kylian Mbappe and Neymar will fire Paris Saint-Germain to their first-ever Champions League title.
Les Parisiens are preparing to host Manchester City in the first leg of their semi-final on Wednesday night as they look to reach the final yet again.
Speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel, he said: “I think Paris Saint-Germain will win it.
“They have the experience of last season, two strikers, the business end of the season they know what it’s about now.
“They’ve been here together, they’re not fazed and I think they’ll have the experience.
“Pochettino comes up smelling of roses after a turbulent couple of years.”
FER THE FUTURE
Bruno Fernandes has revealed his desire to become a manager after hanging up his boots.
The Portuguese midfielder said: “I think more [it’s] in my future. Now I’m seeing time passing and seeing kids coming from 2000, 2001, 2002, and my sister is from 2000, so it’s making for some confusion in my head.
“I’m trying to enjoy the football, you know. I think I want to be a coach. Honestly, I would like to be a coach.
“I don’t know which team I would like to manage. Of course, the biggest team if I can manage Manchester United, I will be happy.
“I can leave now just some words so if people see this, if I’m a manager in the future, the fans can make some pressure to bring me as a coach!
“But I think I would like to be a coach in the future. I’m not sure but for what I feel for football, for the feeling I have, I think I have to continue to be inside of football because my whole life is about this. So I think, in the future, it needs to be with football too.”
Credit: PA ON YOUR MARCS
Marcos Llorente showed Manchester United what they’re missing after breaking a speed record in the 91st minute.
The Athletic Bilbao ace showed remarkable pace and willpower to help ensure his side picked up all three points against Atletico Madrid.
His willingness, desire and speed is further evidence why United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is willing to pay £68.5million for his signature.
Llorente, 26, is eyed as the ideal man bolster United’s midfield options having scored 10 and assisted nine this season.
RUUD NOT TO
Ruud Van Nistelrooy has been reminiscing about his glory days at Old Trafford.
EU BEAUTY
Gareth Southgate will be able to choose a 26-man squad for the Euros after a Uefa rethink.
Members of Uefa’s national team committee agreed to extend squads from the normal size of 23 players as a result of the demands of the Covid-condensed season.
The decision will be ratified by Uefa’s ruling executive committee later this week.
But it means Southgate will be given more flexibility in his thinking when it comes to his squad for the finals which start in June.
Southgate suggested last month he would be happy to stick with the normal 23 and he appeared to hint that Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was likely to miss out.
But the extra places represent good news for Alexander-Arnold and also for players like Bukayo Saka at Arsenal and Dortmund teenagers Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho. It is also a boost for Aston Villa starlet Jack Grealish.
DON AND DUSTED
Manchester United have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Gianluigi Donnarumma with the goalkeeper reportedly set to stay at AC Milan.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper is out of contract in the summer, leading to the likes of the Red Devils and Chelsea to keep tabs on his situation.
It had been claimed that the Italy international was given a May 23 deadline by the Rossoneri to pen a new contract at the San Siro.
Tuttosport stated that Milan were ready to hand the academy graduate £130,000-a-week to keep him at the club, with Juventus also keen to snap him up.
And according to talkSPORT’s European transfer expert Chris Parrott, Donnarumma is expected to commit his future to Milan, who could be back in the Champions League next term.
SHORE FIRE
Manchester United youngsters Shola Shoretire and Amad Diallo were in the goals for the Under-23s on Friday night.
SCRATCH THE IC
Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic recognises Roma will be a tough task in the Europa League semi-final but the club need to progress and bring trophies home.
He said: “I think it’s time to get to the final and win this trophy, but it’s going to be hard.
“We respect Roma, we know that they are a good squad with a good coach and a big club.
“It’s going to be interesting, but we have to believe in our qualities.
“We want to play in that big final and bring trophies to Old Trafford because this club deserves the best.”
Credit: Getty WHEN IN ROME
Manchester United’s Luke Shaw believes the Europa League semi-final against Roma could define their season and it’s time they scooped up the trophy.
Resurgent left-back Shaw said: “These are three massive games coming up and especially the two against Roma, which could sort of define our season.
“I think we have been in the semi-finals a lot in the last two seasons, and we haven’t been successful in them.
“So this is a chance for us to take a step in the right direction, get through that and then win the competition.”
Credit: PA SOL SEARCHING
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has spoken ahead of Manchester United’s crucial Europa League semi-final first leg against Roma on Thursday.
The Norwegian said: “Roma defend well, as Italians always do of course.
“They’re an experienced team and we all know Edin Dzeko, so any ball in the box is a dangerous one.
“We’re looking forward to it, of course. We’re in a semi-final now and it feels like a proper European tie, because Roma is a club with loads of tradition and history, but we’ve done well against Italian teams before.
“We’re looking forward to it and we’re going into these games hoping to get to the final. If you can finish this season with a final and a trophy then that would be great.”
CALL FOR VAR
Raphael Varane has edged closer to the Real Madrid exit door after refusing to commit his future to the club.
Reports claim how Manchester United and Chelsea will battle it out for his signature in the summer.
World Cup winner Varane has just a year left on his contract at the Bernabeu and has yet to agree on new terms.
Varane, 28, was quizzed on his uncertain future ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League encounter with Chelsea.
According to AS, he gave the Premier League duo a transfer boost by only responding: “I am focused on giving everything in this season finale.”
The report adds how Varane has been preparing his departure for months and the club have made no special effort to retain his services.
With a market value of around £61million, Los Blancos know his fee will help ease financial woes caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
FANDEMONIUM
Manchester United are increasing security at their Carrington training complex and Old Trafford following the European Super League fallout.
Last week a group of furious fans broke into Carrington and blocked the first-team players and manager from entering.
They demanded they spoke with boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer while holding up banners such as ‘we decide when you play’ and ‘Glazers out.’
Their protest ended peacefully with coach Michael Carrick, technical director Darren Fletcher and midfielder Nemanja Matic also addressing the players.
Hundreds of United supporters also protested in mass against their owners outside Old Trafford on Saturday.
A plane was also flown over the 0-0 draw with Leeds with a banner that read ‘£2BN STOLEN #GLAZERSOUT.’
According to the Athletic, United are increasing security at Carrington following the backlash. The report adds how emails have been sent to staff and players detailing the new protection measures.
RON RETURN?
Cristiano Ronaldo is “looking very carefully” at a return to Man Utd in case Juventus fail to qualify for the Champions League, according to reports in Italy.
TuttoSport claim Ronaldo’s future in Turin is a “thorny and uncertain” issue even if Juve finish second, third or fourth.
But if they finish outside the top four the club will certainly not be able to afford the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s wages.
Juventus are currently in fourth position in Serie A, above AC Milan on goal difference alone.
Ronaldo is also said to be looking at PSG as a potential destination.
GOOD MORNING UTD FANS,
Eric Bailly has signed a new deal until 2024 with the option of a further year.
The Ivorian told the club’s media: “I’m very happy. This decision is something I didn’t have to think about, I love this club and I love playing for Manchester United.
“I’m happy and so are my family, everything is good. Now the moment with my injury has passed and I’m fit and feel good, and that’s it. A new contract is like a new challenge and I’m ready for this.
“That’s why I say the new contract shows the group has confidence in me – the coach, the staff and the players and, for me, that is very important.
“And that’s why I made this decision to stay at the club.”
Meanwhile, United have joined Arsenal in the race to sign Abdallah Sima, according to reports.
The Slavia Prague ace has impressed for the Czech side in the Europa League this season.
Impressive forward Sima, 19, has drawn comparisons with Thierry Henry with his livewire performances.
And he fits in to Man United’s current recruitment policy.
According to the MEN, the Red Devils are ‘monitoring’ Sima’s progress ahead of a potential summer move.
And finally, Villarreal star Pau Torres admits he’s ‘proud’ to be linked with the likes of Manchester United.
He told Sport: “It’s a pride to see that your work is reflected in these kind of things that are talked about.
“But I face it with a lot of calm, I’m in a great club like Villarreal, and from the tranquility, I work every day.
“I’m not thinking about (leaving) either, there’s still a long way to go and my short-term objectives are the European semi-final and then to be available for the national team.”
HALL OF FAME
No fewer than ten former Man Utd stars have been nominated for the Premier League Hall of Fame.
They are:
David Beckham
Eric Cantona
Andy Cole
Rio Ferdinand
Roy Keane
Michael Owen
Peter Schmeichel
Paul Scholes
Robin van Persie
Nemanja VidicRED RUMBLE
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played down talk of a bust-up between Fred and Harry Maguire.
The Red Devils captain was heard calling his team-mate a “f***ing idiot” in their goalless draw with Leeds.
But Solskjaer, 48, brushed over the incident by claiming it was a result of the demands his players have of one another.
He said: “We have got a group that demands a lot of each other.
“The standard is high, both in training and in a game — it is not just about being a nice guy. We demand maximum effort.”
He added: “I was really proud of how strong we looked. I never thought they threatened our goal in the second half but we missed a little bit of spark to win the game.”
FANDEMONIUM
Five Premier League clubs are included in the top ten teams that boast the biggest social media following in world football.
Nine of the sides also feature in the top ten most valuable clubs, where Barcelona pipped their Spanish rivals Real Madrid to first spot.
UNITED WE STAND
Roy Keane and Andy Cole are among the Manchester United legends that have the chance to enter the Premier League Hall of Fame.
SHEAR DELIGHT
Alan Shearer claims snubbing Manchester United for boyhood club Newcastle was ‘the best decision I ever made’.
He said: “The No9 shirt in Newcastle is very important, very special.
“I watched No9s when I was a youngster in Newcastle growing up, it was always my dream to play for them and have that shirt.
“I was aware of the interest, and also the interest of Manchester United.
“I spoke to both managers at the time, Alex Ferguson and Kevin Keegan, and I was very close to going to United.
“In fact I’d chosen a house I was going to buy and then I thought ‘you know what, I’m going to go back home’.
“I left home in 1985 to go to Southampton to start my career.
“It had been 10 or 11 years and I thought ‘you know what, I’m going to go back home’.
“It meant that much to me and I wanted to have some great years at Newcastle where I could still play and not go back in my thirties and not see the best of me.
“It was the best decision I ever made, I know I would have won more trophies at United but the ten years I had there were unbelievably special, it was everything I hoped and wanted and more.”
VA VA VOOM
Manchester United have joined Arsenal in the race to sign Abdallah Sima, according to reports.
The Slavia Prague ace has impressed for the Czech side in the Europa League this season.
Impressive forward Sima, 19, has drawn comparisons with Thierry Henry with his livewire performances.
And he fits in to Man United’s current recruitment policy.
According to the MEN, the Red Devils are ‘monitoring’ Sima’s progress ahead of a potential summer move.
BOY OH BOY
Two social media giants are ignoring the planned boycott of their sites by football – and refusing to change their policies on trolls and racists.
Prem players, managers, clubs and officials will join with the FA, EFL and the women’s game in a three-day social media blackout from Friday afternoon.
The game is uniting to urge the social media companies to act against online hate.
But Facebook, which owns Instagram, said it was sticking with its existing rules rather than acting to introduce new safeguards.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
