MANCHESTER UNITED are closing in on the transfer of top target Jadon Sancho this summer, and have tabled an opening £72m bid.
Personal terms based on a five-year deal worth £350,000-a-week have already been agreed.
But he is not set to wear the famous number 7 shirt if he signs, as it is already held by Edinson Cavani.
However, on the injury front Marcus Rashford could be forced to have shoulder surgery after Euro 2020 and miss the start of next season.
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MORE FROM RASHFORD
And Rashford admits he has been unable to produce his best form in recent months.
He said: “Obviously I am not performing at my best, and what I know I can perform to.
“Whatever that is down to, it doesn’t really matter because it has been going on since early on in the season.
“I managed to get through the season with United. I think I had 36 goal involvements so I can’t look back at the year and say ‘mmm, I should have taken time off to do this and do that.’
“I just want to be available for every game.”
RASH DECISION
Marcus Rashford could face shoulder surgery after the Euros, making him a doubt for the start of Manchester United’s Premier League campaign.
Rashford has played through pain to ensure his place in England’s squad for the Euros.
And asked whether he needed an operation, Man Utd ace Rashford, 23, said: “I have to decide after – it’s either an operation or I don’t get an operation on my shoulder.
“I’m not 100 per cent sure if I need it yet. I’ll finish strongly here and like I said I’ve got a few weeks off to just relax and decide what I’m going to do.
“The doctors have not said how long I’d be out for.
“The reason I don’t know is that when the season was going, and before I came here (with England), I knew there was no chance I was going to be getting the operation so I did not know how long the operation would put me out for.
“I am fully concentrated on here (England). When the tournament is finished then I will ask the question.
“But to get to this stage where I am now, it was a massive aim of mine back at the beginning of the season. I’m prepared mentally and physically for games.”
UP FOR THE CUP
Manchester United’s U21s have found out their fates for the Papa John’s Trophy next season.
The Young Red Devils will be up against Bradford City, Lincoln City and defending champions Sunderland in Group F of the Northern Section.
UNITED FRONT
Jadon Sancho is set to become one of Man Utd’s most expensive signings should he finally complete his move from Borussia Dortmund this summer.
PUT A FOOT RON
Cristiano Ronaldo was subjected to ‘insults and beatings’ from Arsenal when the former Manchester United star tried tricks.
That is the revelation by ex-Arsenal attacker Robert Pires on a harsh start to life in England for Ronaldo.
Ronaldo’s introduction to English football was greeted with plenty of harsh challenges and Pires admitted opposing players did not appreciate the star’s showboating.
Pires told Record: “Cristiano made feints and the English didn’t like it. It was just a beating.
“You can’t play like that against the English and you couldn’t do that at Highbury, Arsenal’s home. It was just insults and beatings.
“At first he didn’t stand it very well, it was complicated for him. Football in England is completely different.”
PARK THE BUS
One of Manchester United’s most unsung heroes in recent history.
TU STEP
Axel Tuanzebe is reportedly set for another loan move away from Manchester United.
The centre-back fell down the pecking order at Old Trafford last season, in which he made 18 appearances for the Red Devils.
And according to the Manchester Evening News, a number of teams have expressed an interest in signing the 23-year-old.
Premier League and foreign clubs are said to be keen on snapping up the former England Under-21 international.
Tuanzebe is said to have grown frustrated with his lack of first-team football and believes he deserves more ‘recognition’ for his efforts.
JA-DONE DEAL
Manchester United are reportedly closing in on a deal for Jadon Sancho.
NO MOUR TROUBLE
Jose Mourinho has held talks with Henrikh Mkhitaryan since joining Roma to repair his relationship with midfielder, according to reports.
And the pair have reportedly cleared the air after falling out at Manchester United, with Mkhitaryan starting just 26 league games in 18 months under Mourinho.
Mkhitaryan, 32, even agreed a new one-year deal with the Serie A club at the beginning of the month.
He is happy to play under the Portuguese, and was convinced to stay after the pair held a meeting, according to Corriere dello Sport.
The report claims the duo have even joked with each other about their time at Old Trafford, and it is now firmly behind them.
ROO-UNION
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney will be reunited with former teammates next season after his Derby side were drawn against the Class of 92’s Salford City in the Carabao Cup.
Former Red Devils Phil Neville, Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Nicky Butt all own shares in the League Two outfit.
And Salford will travel to Pride Park in the first round of the Carabao Cup after being drawn against Championship outfit Derby.
MIK TAKER
Former Man Utd defender Mikael Silvestre has urged England boss Gareth Southgate to be more adventurous at Euro 2020.
He told Ladbrokes: “I think Gareth Southgate could be more adventurous in midfield, rather than playing two defensive midfielders, and maybe he’s just being cautious.
“There are 70 million managers in England watching from home, and even more around the world, and so it’s sometimes easy for us to talk about who should be playing.
“England have to step things up a gear moving forward in the tournament now.
“We’ve seen players like Harry Kane struggling, but you can’t put all of the responsibility on him.”
WHERE THERE’S A WIL
Jack Wilshere has named his England XI to play Germany in response to Manchester United legend Gary Neville picking his team.
The ITV pundit wanted to see Wilshere’s team after the former Arsenal midfielder criticised his omission of Phil Foden and Jack Grealish.
TOP FRIENDS
Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema shared a heartwarming chat at half-time of their Euro 2020 encounter.
The former Real Madrid pals formed two-thirds of the feared BBC triumvirate at the Bernabeu, alongside Gareth Bale.
Therefore, their Group F meeting on Wednesday was a personal reunion inside a hugely-anticipated Euros clash.
At half-time and with the score one apiece, the forwards embraced and smiled as they shared a brief chat.
They then swapped shirts as they entered the tunnel in Budapest, continuing the discussion towards the dressing rooms.
STEAK THEIR CLAIM
Former Manchester United teammates Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and Ashley Young reunited for a well-deserved summer break.
The three Premier League stars were snapped by the world-famous steak chef Nusret Gökçe – AKA ‘Salt Bae’ – at his restaurant in Mykonos.
The trio were all filmed sharing their admiration for the food directly into the camera as Young stated that he “loved this place”.
Lingard then whipped out his trademark ‘J-Lingz’ celebration while Martial gave a swift smile before throwing up a cheeky thumbs up.
England international Lingard later uploaded a picture of the three posing with ‘Salt Bae’ with the caption: “My brothers”.
Declan Rice commented: “Enjoy bro”, while one fan replied: “The Squad!!”
A third added: “Looking sleek”.
Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial, and Ashley Young went to Salt Bae’s Mykonos restaurant UNITED FRONT
Jadon Sancho is set to become one of Man Utd’s most expensive signings should he finally complete his move from Borussia Dortmund this summer.
RED-EMPTION
Playing for Manchester United can be a heavy burden for some players, even the very best.
And many find their way again after moving away from Old Trafford to the frustration of supporters.
These seven did especially well after leaving the Premier League giants behind.
From a Uruguayan legend to a Dutch star who’s just earned a transfer to Barcelona, here’s the flops for whom life got much better after leaving United.
Click HERE to read more.
GUNNING RON
Cristiano Ronaldo was subjected to ‘insults and beatings’ from Arsenal when the former Manchester United star tried tricks.
That is the revelation by ex-Arsenal attacker Robert Pires on a harsh start to life in England for Ronaldo.
Ronaldo’s introduction to English football was greeted with plenty of harsh challenges and Pires admitted opposing players did not appreciate the star’s showboating.
Pires told Record: “Cristiano made feints and the English didn’t like it. It was just a beating.
“You can’t play like that against the English and you couldn’t do that at Highbury, Arsenal’s home. It was just insults and beatings.
“At first he didn’t stand it very well, it was complicated for him. Football in England is completely different.”
Cristiano Ronaldo receives rough treatment against Arsenal PARK THE BUS
South Korean star Park Ji-sung signed for Man Utd on this day.
The 40-year-old scored 27 goals in 205 games for the Red Devils between 2005-2012.
CASE FOR DEFENCE
Man Utd captain Harry Maguire has defended England’s defensive march to the Euro 2020 knockout stage – claiming they are playing the football needed to win tournaments.
Maguire said: “I know everyone wants to play well and create numerous chances but teams are well drilled and organised.
“It’s not all perfect, we can improve but you can’t argue with seven points from three games.
“Can we play better? Of course we can. Will we improve? We will do everything we can to improve.
“The fundamentals are there and now we’ve got to tidy up in every part of our game when we’re on the ball and there is a little bit more we can get out of each other and push each other.
“If we are going to progress in this tournament we’re going to have to do that.”
TAKING THE MIK
Mikael Silvestre has explained why he joined Arsenal over Manchester City in 2008 when he left Manchester United.
Speaking to Ladbrokes, he said: “At the time, Arsenal were in a different dimension to Manchester City.
“So when it came to leaving Manchester United, although I was sad to leave, it was always going to be Arsenal I chose.
“Even Mark Hughes, manager of City at the time, understood when I spoke with him about my decision. He said he’d have done the same himself if he was me.
“Some players stay at the same club for their whole career, but I’ve played in a few different countries now and I’m always following how my former teams have got on.
“I was at Arsenal for two seasons and I enjoyed my time there.”
SAN STORM
Man Utd have reportedly told Borussia Dortmund they are willing to pay £73m for Jadon Sancho plus add-ons.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made signing the England international his priority after failing to secure his services last summer.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Manchester United officially told BVB they’re prepared to pay €85m for Sancho.
“Add-ons included as part of the negotiation ‘to reach an agreement soon’. BVB still asking for €95m guaranteed.
“Clubs in talks about add-ons structure. Jadon made it clear: he wants Man Utd.”
ROY OF THE ROVERS
Man United legend Roy Keane revealed he drank ‘six or seven’ pints the night before his Nottingham Forest debut almost thirty years ago.
Keane said: “I went over pre-season and was obviously doing a lot of training with the reserves.
“Forest had played their first league game at home on the Saturday against QPR and I went to watch it, and I was on the bench for the reserves on the Monday night.
“I got on for the last ten minutes and the first-team were playing Liverpool on the Tuesday night.
“Went out that night with the players, as you do after a reserve match, I didn’t drink too much – maybe six, seven pints after the game. Came in on the Tuesday and was told ‘get dressed up’.”
PAUL OF DUTY
Former Man Utd defender Mikael Silvestre has spoke of his frustration at Paul Pogba’s lack of consistency.
Speaking to Ladbrokes, the 43-year-old said: “The problem with Paul Pogba is the consistency – or lack of.
“When he’s at the top of this game, his level is something else, but he finds it difficult to repeat that game after game. I look at it this way; he’s a world-class player, he’s got world-class attributes for sure.
“The question is, can he repeat it every three days? I’m not sure he can. He hasn’t done it for Man United, I’m not sure he can do it for France either.
“I’m always happy to see him on the pitch for club or country, because he’s been unlucky with injuries. The frustrating part is that we haven’t seen him reach his levels week-in, week-out.
“I don’t know whether it’s a psychological thing or a physical thing. I’m a Man United supporter and a France supporter, so I’m always hoping that whoever he represents, we see the best of him, because we saw against Germany just how much he can give to the team.”
BODES WELL
Danny Welbeck has signed on for another year at Brighton.
The ex-Arsenal and Manchester United ace, 30, was a hit at the Amex last term after joining as a free agent on a one-year deal from relegated Watford.
He played a key role in the Seagulls beating the drop, scoring six goals and grabbing three assists in 24 league appearances.
Welbeck said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time here so far – happiness is key. Being at a club where I am really enjoying playing my football, playing under the manager, his style of play and the good people around the club, it just feels right.
“I’ve got the foundation now, that understanding of the group. You come to a new club and you’re learning about how things work, where you can fit in and what you need do to impact games.
“We developed that towards the back end of the season and I want to be pushing on and giving much, much more.
“It’s important to feel appreciated and feel settled. Once you’re happy you can focus on doing your work, making sure you’re ready for training and games. Everything builds from there and it’s a good platform to start.”
SACRE BLEU
Man Utd legend Cristiano Ronaldo may have equalled Ali Daei’s international record… but French publication L’Equipe were still far from impressed.
The Portugal superstar scored twice from the spot in a hugely entertaining 2-2 draw with rivals France.
It took his international tally to 109 – meaning he is just one goal away from beating Iranian legend Daei’s all-time feat.
Ronaldo is also now surging ahead in the race for the Euro 2020 Golden Boot with five from his opening three matches.
Despite his achievements, L’Equipe still handed Ronaldo a measly six in their notoriously tough player ratings.
The publication are renowned for their brutal rating system with a perfect 10 rating being dished out just 12 times.
L’Equipe gave Cristiano Ronaldo a six rating for his performance against France
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
