MANCHESTER UNITED are hopeful of completing their big-money transfer for Jadon Sancho NEXT WEEK, according to reports.
Meanwhile Rio Ferdinand may have dropped a hint on Twitter that Sergio Ramos could be headed to Old Trafford.
And the Red Devils are reportedly looking to sell Alex Telles to make money for Kieran Trippier.
Stay up to date with every twist from Old Trafford in our live rolling blog…
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SANCHO LATEST
Manchester United are ‘very confident’ of signing Jadon Sancho.
According to the Mirror, further talks with Borussia Dortmund have provided cause for optimism despite an opening bid of £67million being turned down.
The Bundesliga giants are said to want most of the payment up front while personal terms were already agreed last year, meaning an update to the deal will not prove difficult.
LOU ARE YA
Louis van Gaal is set to return to management five years after departing Manchester United.
The 69-year-old, who was sacked by the Red Devils in 2016 after winning the FA Cup, will step back into the dugout next season with SC Telstar.
Thougn Van Gaal will only be in charge of his former employers for one game as part of a fundraising drive.
Supporters can buy lottery tickets for the chance to serve as his assistant during the match.
Looking ahead to his return to football, SunSport takes a look at seven of the most mental Van Gaal moments during his coaching career.
Click here to read more
SPANISH INQUISITION
Gini Wijnaldum joked that Memphis Depay speaks to him in Spanish, ahead of the forward’s impending move to Barcelona.
Depay, 27, crashed Wijnaldum’s post-match interview, with the pair both on Netherlands duty.
The former Manchester United star whispered something to Wijnaldum, prompting a Dutch reporter to ask the new PSG star what Depay had said.
With a smile, Wijnaldum joked: “I do not know, I have not understood.
“He must have spoken in Spanish.”
Wijnaldum, who himself was in advanced negotiations with Barca before choosing PSG, was referring to Depay’s likely transfer to Catalonia.
LION’S PRIDE
Jesse Lingard admits watching England in Euros action with the fans has given him a new understanding of how much playing for the country really means.
The Manchester United star said: “It’s crazy, you don’t realise until like you’re actually in it how much it means to everyone.
“Everyone’s watching the game and everyone’s in a beer garden, and the sun was out, the drinks are flying everywhere.
“You don’t realise how important it is to the whole nation, to be to be putting on that shirt and playing for your country.
“It gives you a different, different perspective. It’s crazy how many people really love football and want to be part of football.”
READY TO RAM-BLE
Jose Mourinho has backed Sergio Ramos to be a huge success in the Premier League – but believes only a ‘top club’ can afford him.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “I can imagine we will see him [Ramos] playing in a very good club.
“Only a top club will be in a condition to fulfil his financial demands.
“Look to Thiago Silva – he is in a similar situation.
“He came to Chelsea, didn’t play every match, had a couple of little muscular issues.
“But in big matches he gave great stability and you can imagine how much he helped the team to develop, the young players, the leadership.
“Ramos is in a similar situation. He is even more physical than Thiago to compete with the Premier League demands.
“I have no doubt he can play with intensity and the demands of the Premier League. No doubts.”
RAMOS RULES OUT TWO CLUBS
Sergio Ramos has immediately ruled out moving to Sevilla or Barcelona, following his Real Madrid exit.
The defender will leave the Bernabeu for good at the end of this month after 16 years of service.
As quoted by Fabrizio Romano, he said: “I’m not joining Sevilla, this is not even an option.
“Barcelona? Impossible. You’ll never see me at Barca. I don’t know which club I’m joining yet.
“When I’ll know, I’ll be the first to announce it. It’s not time to talk about my future.”
Ramos is believed to be a target for Manchester United.
Credit: PA YOUR IN DEMAND
Leicester are hoping Youri Tielemans will sign a new contract amid transfer interest from Manchester United and Liverpool.
The midfielder, 24, enjoyed a stunning season for the Foxes.
As reported by the Leicester Mercury, the Foxes are doing their best to tie Tielemans down in the East Midlands.
He has two years left to run on his current contract and the club want to improve his deal to fend off potential interest.
BELLI RUB
Jude Bellingham says it was an ‘easy’ decision to reject Manchester United – despite Sir Alex Ferguson giving him a guided tour of the club.
The 17-year-old midfielder left Birmingham City for Borussia Dortmund last summer and has gone on to shine in the German top-flight.
He said: “To be fair, it was a decision that was quite easy in the end.
“I think if you look at Dortmund’s track record with young players and the way they develop them, it was the obvious answer.
“Obviously at the time it’s hard to see it like that because you’ve got so many other options.
“But my strength of character, I’d probably say it comes from my parents and stuff.”
NEY WAY
Scott McTominay has revealed all on his sparring match with Neymar in the Champions League.
Paris Saint-Germain’s trip to Old Trafford last year featured plenty of toing-and-froing between the pair, which the Scot has opened up on.
He told The Athletic: “I do quite like verbal sparring with opponents.
“I had a run-in with Neymar when Paris Saint-Germain came to Old Trafford last season.
“He ended up grabbing me. You could see his head was gone for a moment in the way he was so aggressive.
“There was a lot of talking going on — words that your mum or dad might not like to hear. But that is part of the enjoyment of football, of competition. He’s trying to beat me, and I’m trying to stop him.”
Credit: Reuters
REAL DEAL
Manchester United could miss out on long-term target Raphael Varane after Sergio Ramos’ dramatic exit from Real Madrid.
Madrid’s decision to end Ramos’ 16-year stay in the Spanish capital has forced club president Florentino Perez to rethink Varane’s future at the club.
The club has now opened talks with the France international over a new contract to fill the void left by Ramos, which could bring an end to Man Utd’s interest in the player.
Talks previously haven’t progressed well with Madrid, and at one point an exit looked inevitable for the 28-year-old.
Varane will most likely form a centre-back partnership with new signing David Alaba, who signed as a free agent from Bayern Munich.
Either way, returning boss Carlo Ancelotti has a defensive headache to sort out.
BRU THE ONE
Bruno Fernandes has paid tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo – but insisted the Portuguese team is paramount.
The Juventus forward scored twice against Hungary in their opening Euro 2020 game, even bagging penalty rights over the Manchester United spot-kick specialist.
And Fernandes said: “Ronaldo is influential, as always.
“He is another one who wants to do his best and is making a difference.
“The most valuable player in the national team is the ‘we’. The ‘we’ is the most important, there are many Is, but the ‘us’ is what counts.”
Credit: Reuters THE HEAT IS ON
Tom Heaton will soon be announced as a Manchester United player.
According to BBC Sport, the anticipated deal to bring in the ex-Red Devil from Aston Villa as a free transfer is near completion.
The goalkeeper is expected to provide back-up to David De Gea and Dean Henderson.
SHAW ENOUGH
Luke Shaw is reportedly in line for a start against Scotland tonight.
The defender sat out England’s win over Croatia but Gareth Southgate may shift things around for this Wembley clash.
Steve Clarke’s men play with a back five and England could follow suit with Reece James also coming in.
According to Sky Sports, it is James and Shaw likely to set up alongside Harry Maguire in defence.
HAK’D OFF
Manchester United Hakan Calhanoglu is set to be offered a REDUCED deal by AC Milan.
A lacklustre Euro 2020 performance with Turkey has left the out-of-contract midfielder’s options limited, as reported by Tuttosport.
The Rossoneri’s new offer is said to be weighted towards performance related bonuses rather than a high basic salary.
Credit: Alamy VA-RANE DANCE
Reports in Spain suggest Real Madrid are increasingly resigned to selling Raphael Varane.
After letting Sergio Ramos go, Carlo Ancelotti is set to have David Alaba and Jesus Vallejo introduced to his defence next season.
And Cadena SER claim Varane has already informed them that he does not want to sign a new contract.
With his deal up in 2022, the Frenchman rejected a renewal offer earlier this year.
MAC BACKING
Scott McTominay has praised Bruno Fernandes’ role in leading the Manchester United team.
Writing in The Athletic, the midfielder talked up the instant impact his team-mate had when arriving at Old Trafford last year.
He said: “Bruno Fernandes is always communicating. Sometimes in strong terms!
“But Bruno is Bruno, he can say what he wants. He is a top personality. A lot of the things we’ve been doing well at United, he’s been firmly at the heart of them. Big credit to him.
“As soon as he walked through the door he was practising hard, doing everything to the best of his abilities. He revels in that competitive edge.
“You can tackle him hard, you can talk back to him, and he still loves you. He never holds back with anything and that’s the sign of a true Manchester United player.”
Credit: AFP JADON INCOMING
Manchester United are ‘very confident’ of signing Jadon Sancho.
According to the Mirror, further talks with Borussia Dortmund have provided cause for optimism despite an opening bid of £67million being turned down.
The Bundesliga giants are said to want most of the payment up front while personal terms were already agreed last year, meaning an update to the deal will not prove difficult.
WOOD YOU KINDLY?
Ed Woodward hailed fans ‘the lifeblood of the game’ after the club’s financial losses were confirmed.
The outgoing executive vice-chairman is optimistic about the prospect of fans returning to football grounds in much greater numbers following losses of £21.7million.
He said: “The absence of fans over the past year has proved that they are the lifeblood of the game.
“Following the successful return of limited numbers at the end of last season, and continued trials of increased crowds at sports events this summer, we remain optimistic about the prospect of fans returning to Old Trafford in larger numbers going forwards.
“With the foundations for long-term success in place, including significant initiatives to strengthen engagement with our supporters, we look forward to the upcoming season.”
Credit: EPA IN THE RED
Manchester United have posted a £21.7million loss due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The absence of fans inside Old Trafford has seen United’s matchday sales fall to just £1.6m, down from £29.1m the year prior.
Man Utd’s matchday, commercial and sponsorship revenue slump all saw drops of £27.5m, £10.5m and £8.9m.
Figures from January to March 2021 show that Man Utd made £118.3million compared to £123.7m the year before, a revenue fall of 4.4%.
But an increase in broadcasting revenue – five additional games broadcasted – slightly softened the financial blow.
IN-SAN-ITY
Manchester City are the ‘only winner’ if they decide to go head to head with Manchester United for Jadon Sancho.
That is according to former City star Paul Stewart, who has told Football Fancast that his old club would be streets ahead in cutting a deal.
He said: “There’s only one winner if both clubs are going for him and that’s Manchester City, and I would like to see him back in the Premier League.
“I think he’s one of the best right-sided players out there and he’s gone away and proved it.”
Credit: Reuters WHO’S IN ACTION TODAY?
Harry Maguire is racing back to fitness for England’s game with Scotland tonight.
The Manchester United star last played in the Red Devils’ trip to Aston Villa in early May and missed the Europa League final.
Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw will also hope to make the starting XI having been substitutes for the win over Croatia.
On the other side, Scott McTominay is expected to keep his place in the Scots’ side.
GOOD MORNING RED DEVILS FANS
Man United target Sergio Ramos claims he wanted to stay at Real Madrid – but didn’t sign his contract extension in time.
Speaking to the Spanish press, Ramos said: “The offer was accepted but it had a use-by date.
“They informed us a week ago that the offer had run-out. I don’t know why it had an expiry date.
“Maybe I interpreted it wrongly or I didn’t understand it but no one told me.”
Meanwhile, Donny van de Beek’s agent has labelled reports linking the midfielder with a move away from Man United as ‘bulls***’.
VI transfer expert Simon Zwartkruis said: “He [the agent] told me the rumours are complete bull**t. Donny had a discussion with his manager about next season.
“[Solskjaer told him] he simply needs to get fully fit quickly, in order that right from day one he will be the strong Van de Beek who United signed last year.”
Finally, Harry Maguire is ready to make his injury comeback for England against Scotland today.
The Man United captain beamed: “I feel good. I’m back available, been training and I’m looking forward to it.
“Obviously, the injury was a setback club-football-wise.
“Internationally, I wanted to come into this with a lot of games under my belt with full fitness.
“I’ve done a few sessions now and feel like my fitness is there, so I’m available for the game.”
DEP IN THE DEEP END
Man Utd flop Memphis Depay wasted a glorious chance for Netherlands in their 2-0 victory over Austria at Euro 2020.
The Dutchman opened the scoring in Amsterdam before Denzel Dumfries confirmed his country’s spot in the last 16.
But Depay won’t be able to forget this horror miss any time soon as he closes in on a free switch to Barcelona.
RAPH RIDE
Man Utd are kicking on with a busy summer in the transfer market amid talk of a bid for Raphael Varane.
The Manchester Evening News claims Ole Gunnar Solskjaer failed with a £50million bid for the Real Madrid star.
However, Varane is refusing to commit to a new deal, with his current contract expiring in 2022.
And an offer of around £80m could be enough to bring the French World Cup winner to Old Trafford.
DANCE A HIG
Gonzalo Higuain claims the only way to play alongside Man Utd legend Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona icon Lionel Messi is to ‘serve’ them obediently.
Higuain told Bobo TV: “I was fortunate to play with both.
“They are at a level so high that you have to adapt them to serve them.
“With Messi and Ronaldo to the side have at the least three or four goal situations a game, if you ‘re smart and you understand.
“For me it was a privilege.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
