CRISTIANO RONALDO could make a stunning return to Old Trafford this summer, according to reports.
The deal could reportedly be a swap for Paul Pogba, who has refused to be drawn on speculation regarding his future at Man Utd.
We’ve the very latest on Jadon Sancho as Dortmund rejected a Ballon d’Or clause in United’s proposal, as well as an update on Saul Niguez.
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ENGLAND CAN SQUAWK TALL
Jesse Lingard popped a parrot on his shoulder as he cheered on England’S 1-0 win over Croatia from a pub garden.
The Manchester United midfielder just missed out on Gareth Southgate’s final 26-man squad despite a stunning end to the season on loan at West Ham.
But he was all smiles as he enjoyed a day out with friends in glorious sunshine.
Lingard, 28, donned an England shirt with Declan Rice’s name and number on the back.
Also wearing a bucket hat and sunglasses, he posed with a parrot on his shoulder for the post to his social media channels.
He captioned the snap: “COME ON ENGLAND!!”
A number of happy punters waved at the camera as Lingard’s camera scanned the venue where he took in the Three Lions opener.
MARTIAL FLAW?
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is open to selling Anthony Martial in the summer transfer window.
That is according to Duncan Castles, who claims Solskjaer could let Martial go if he signs another striker.
Castles told the Transfer Window Podcast: “Anthony Martial is to be sacrificed should they get this new forward in.
“Solskjaer is tired of his attitude and hasn’t been impressed with his goal production and general knitting into the team this season.”
ODEGAARD BLOW FOR GUNNERS
New Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is keen to give Arsenal loanee Martin Odegaard a chance to shine this coming season.
That is according to DefensaCentral, who also claim Real wish to tie Odegaard down to a new contract.
That poses as a major blow for the Gunners, who have been hoping to land the attacking midfielder, who spent the second half of the season on loan at the Emirates, on a permanent deal.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta needs a midfielder to partner up with Thomas Partey.
DON’T TAKE TRIPP FROM MADRID TO MANCHESTER
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone doesn’t want to sell Kieran Trippier to Manchester United.
That is according to the Daily Mirror, who claim Simeone is in no mood to do business with United over Trippier.
Thus, Atleti have slapped a £30million price tag on the right back in order to put the Red Devils off.
United have been hoping that the England international is available for a fee between £15-£20m.
DENMARK PRESS CONFERENCE
Back to Christian Eriksen following yesterday’s incident against Finland:
The team doctor Morten Boesen was asked to confirm whether Eriksen suffered cardiac arrest.
He said: “Yeah, he was gone and we did cardiac resuscitation.
“It was cardiac arrest, how close were we? I don’t know.
“We got him back after one defib. That’s quite fast”
MAN UTD SNUB
England manager Gareth Southgate has made quite a decision today.
Southgate decided not to start a single Manchester United or Liverpool player in the Three Lions’ Euro 2020 opener against Croatia.
This hasn’t happened since 1992, more below:
HERE COME THE TEAMS
Wembley Stadium is set to host the big Euro 2020 opener between England and Croatia.
Harry Kane leads the Three Lions out to the pitch whereas Luka Modric dons his nation’s armband.
A number of fans have made it to the stadium and the hosts are set to take the knee as a sign against racism.
Not long to go now…
CROATIA SUBS
Here’s who will be on Croatia’s bench for today’s opener with England.
Manager Zlatko Dalic has put together a strong team in his starting line-up.
Of course, the likes of Ivan Rakitic and Mario Mandzukic are not part of the squad as they have retired from international duty, just like Danijel Subasic and Ivan Strinic.
Subs: Brekalo, Kalinic, Vlasic, Budimir, Pasalic, Skoric, Badelj, Petkovic, Juranovic, Sluga, Bradaric, Ivanusec.
CROATIA XI
Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic, who led them to the 2018 World Cup Final, also appears set to play in a 4-3-3 formation.
Domink Livakovic starts in goal with Sime Vrsaljko at right-back and Josko Gvardiol on the other side, while Domagoj Vida and Duje Caleta-Car team up at centre-back.
Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic link up in midfield.
Ante Rebic, Andrej Kramaric and Ivan Persisic lead the line
Livakovic, Vrsaljko, Vida, Caleta-Car, Gvardiol, Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Rebic, Kramaric, Perisic
ENGLAND XI
Here’s England’s starting line-up for their Euro 2020 opener against Croatia at Wembley Stadium.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate seems to have opted for a 4-3-3 formation with Jordan Pickford between the sticks and Kyle Walker at right-back as well as Kieran Trippier on the other side, while John Stones and Tyrone Mings team up at centre-back.
Kalvin Phillips, Mason Mount and Declan Rice team up in midfield.
And Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling as well as Harry Kane lead the line.
As expected, Harry Maguire didn’t make the squad due to his ankle injury
MARTIAL LAW
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is open to selling Anthony Martial in the summer transfer window.
That is according to Duncan Castles, who claims Solskjaer could let Martial go if he signs another striker.
Castles told the Transfer Window Podcast: “Anthony Martial is to be sacrificed should they get this new forward in.
“Solskjaer is tired of his attitude and hasn’t been impressed with his goal production and general knitting into the team this season”
LEAKED XI
It appears that England’s starting line-up ahead of today’s Euro 2020 opener against Croatia has been leaked.
That is according To The Athletic, who claim there will be no Manchester United players in Gareth Southgate’s starting XI.
More specifically, Southgate appears to have opted for a 4-3-3 formation in what is most certainly NOT the Three Lions’ official team to play against Croatia.
Here it is: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Mings, Trippier; Rice, Phillips, Mount; Foden, Sterling, Kane
CANCEL TRIP
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone doesn’t want to sell Kieran Trippier to Manchester United.
That is according to the Daily Mirror, who claim Simeone is in no mood to do business with United over Trippier.
Thus, Atleti have slapped a £30million price tag on the right back in order to put the Red Devils off.
United have been hoping that the England international is available for a fee between £15-£20m
MAGUIRE LATEST
It looks like Manchester United star Harry Maguire won’t be starting for England against Croatia.
Maguire trained with the rest of the Three Lions squad but doesn’t seem set to make a return from an ankle injury just yet.
Manager Gareth Southgate even claimed that the possibility of the centre-back getting involved would be a “long shot”.
England take on Croatia at Wembley Stadium at 2pm
CANCELO OUT
Manchester City star Joao Cancelo has been ruled out of Euro 2020 after testing positive for coronavirus and has started to quarantine.
Cancelo has been replaced by Manchester United loanee Diogo Dalot ahead of Tuesday’s opener with Hungary.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) said: “Under-21 international Diogo Dalot will join the National Team’s delegation in Budapest to prepare for his debut at Euro 2020.
“The AC Milan player will replace Joao Cancelo, who tested positive for Covid-19 following a rapid antigen test carried out this Saturday by the FPF Health and Performance Unit”
MAN UTD ON ERIKSEN
Manchester United reached out to Inter Milan star Christian Eriksen and his loved ones.
Eriksen collapsed during Denmark’s Euro 2020 opener against Finland after 41 minutes and medics rushed to the scene to treat the Inter Milan star.
The former Tottenham ace’s condition is now stable and continues to be hospitalised ahead of some further examinations.
Here’s what United tweeted:
JESS DO IT
Jesse Lingard has held a candid meeting with Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and told him he wishes to stay at Old Trafford.
Lingard spent the second half of the season on loan at West Ham, where he was such a hit that he went from Red Devils outcast to an England return.
The Hammers want to land the forward on a permanent deal and the 28-year-old hasn’t completely ruled that out.
However, SunSport understand that Lingard prefers to stay at United and fight for his place
Credit: Sportimage BAD TRIP
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has advised his former club against signing Atletico Madrid star Kieran Trippier.
Ferdinand told Metro: “I don’t think they’d buy someone to come in and play [every week], I think whoever’s coming in there is going to be playing backup.
“They spent £50million on [Aaron] Wan-Bissaka, not to be a backup or No2. He [Trippier] wouldn’t be my choice if I’m honest, but I see the qualities he has.
“But Trippier definitely wouldn’t be my choice in terms of the profile of player that I’d be bringing in to play as a No2 right-back”
CLOSING D’ORS
Borussia Dortmund have rejected Manchester United’s proposed Ballon d’Or clause in any deal for Jadon Sancho.
According to the Athletic, United and Dortmund are close to sealing a dealing for Sancho.
The last part of the transfer is largely down to bonuses with the Bundesliga giants keen on realistically achievable add-ons.
Dortmund are said to be seeking instalments that are based on club income via team success rather than individual awards.
That has caused them to reject United’s Ballon d’Or clause that would have been triggered if Sancho finished in the top three in the annual gong
SAUL SEARCHING
Chelsea are reportedly set to rival Manchester United in the race for Saul Niguez as Atletico Madrid lower their asking price to £68million.
The Premier League pair are joined by Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Bayern Munich in tracking Saul.
The star midfielder is highly rated at Atletico, but due to financial strains amid the coronavirus pandemic, they are open to selling him.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Spain international has a release clause of £130m with his contract expiring in 2016.
But Atleti will listen to offers of around £68m and Juventus are said to be the most interested.
RON THE PAUL
Manchester United may swap star midfielder Paul Pogba for Juventus stars Cristiano Ronaldo or Paulo Dybala this summer.
That is according to Tuttosport, who report Juve would be willing to part with Ronaldo or Dybala in exchange for Pogba.
That is because the Bianconeri cannot afford the sort of transfer fee that the Red Devils would demand for the France international.
Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes has been in Italy for meetings this week, with the 36-year-old talisman’s future on the agenda
GOOD MORNING RED DEVILS FANS
Manchester United’s alleged bid to sign Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho continues to gather pace, with the German giants reportedly rejecting a proposed Ballon d’Or clause.
The two clubs are expected to agree a fee in due course – and that will be good news for Manchester City’s bank balance as they are believed to receive a 15 per cent sell-on fee.
United’s alleged pursuit of Kieran Trippier also remains in the news, although club legend Rio Ferdinand has told them NOT to sign the England star.
Ferdinand told the Metro: “He wouldn’t be my choice, if I’m honest, but I see the qualities he has.”
And the Red Devils are believed to be interested in signing £68m-rated Saul Niquez from Atletico Madrid but face competition from Chelsea, Juventus and Bayern Munich.
Donny van de Beek, meanwhile, could be on his way out of Old Trafford as Arsenal have reportedly enquired about the midfielder.
And Paul Pogba has refused to rule out a move, telling the press: “I have one year left on my contract, everyone knows that.”
But one player that seems likely to stay is Jesse Lingard as SunSport understands he wants to fight for his place in the team next term.
EXCLUSIVE – LING LONGS TO RETURN
Jesse Lingard has held a candid meeting with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and told him: My heart still belongs to Manchester.
The 28-year-old spent the second half of the season on loan at West Ham, where he was such a hit that he went from Old Trafford outcast to an England return.
Although the Hammers would love to make the move permanent – and the player himself still hasn’t totally ruled it out – he would far prefer to stay in the north west.
And he told United manager Solskjaer exactly that when they had a frank meeting recently to discuss the striker’s future.
Lingard accepted he had to leave Old Trafford in the short-term if he wanted first team football and was an instant success at West Ham.
He hit nine goals in 16 games, won an England recall after two years and only narrowly missed out on a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Euros.
But despite also having an excellent relationship with Hammers boss David Moyes, he has admitted to friends his big hope is to rebuild his United career.
JOSE MOURINHO COLUMN
Jude Bellingham is going to have a major role to play for England in this tournament, I am convinced of it.
And while it’s very dangerous to compare players – especially when you compare them with top, top performers – I do think Bellingham has something of Frank Lampard about him.
Click here to read Jose Mourinho’s column
RAPHAEL VARANE LATEST
Real Madrid are ‘willing to sell Raphael Varane for around £52million’ to Manchester United this summer.
The defender, who is currently with the French squad preparing for Euro 2020, is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract.
Varane, 28, has enjoyed a glittering decade at the Bernabeu but he has so far failed to show a strong desire to sign an extension.
A host of clubs have been linked with the ace, including the Red Devils and Premier League rivals Chelsea.
And Spanish show El Partidazo de COPE report that Real would be willing to listen to offers for Varane now and have set their asking price rather than risk losing him for nothing in 2022.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who is closing in on the signing of England winger Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund, is also determined to land a centre-half over the close-season.
And Varane is believed to be his No1 target to partner captain Harry Maguire at the back next term.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
