BRUNO FERNANDES has been handed a new Manchester United contract worth £240,000 a week, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
The United midfielder, 27, has been convinced to sign till 2027 at United after discussions with Old Trafford chiefs over the future of the club.
This is despite him not knowing the identity of the club’s next manager yet.
But Erik Ten Hag has come through his Man Utd interview “with flying colours”, according to reports.
The Ajax boss is the favourite to take over at Old Trafford just ahead of Mauricio Pochettino.
Ten Hag is also said to enjoy the support of interim manager Ralf Rangnick.
On the transfer front, Man Utd are said to lead the race for Declan Rice. But West Ham reportedly want them to stump up a whopping £150m.
Part of that fee could be covered by the removal of Paul Pogba’s wages from the books.
The France star has admitted he hasn’t been satisfied at all during his five years at Old Trafford.
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Elanga praises Ronaldo
Anthony Elanga has praised Man United mentor Cristiano Ronaldo.
“It’s really good [to have Ronaldo as a mentor] because I go to training quite early and see him there.
“If we have had a game the day before, we’ll speak about the game or training. He’s a really good person to have around the building, not just because of what he does on the pitch, but what he does off the pitch as well.
“If we (younger players) need any help we can speak to him, so he’s a really good person to be around.”
Lindelof congratulates Elanga on achievement
Victor Lindelof played his part in helping Sweden to a World Cup play-off semi-final win, and then afterwards congratulated his Manchester United teammate Anthony Elanga on making his international debut.
Lindelof played all 120 minutes as the Swedes defeated Czech Republic 1-0 after extra-time, a tie decided by Robin Quaison’s winner.
Nineteen-year-old Elanga came on for this Sweden bow with five minutes of extra-time remaining, and afterwards was pictured on social media celebrating with Lindelof.
And the centre-back went a step further, adding the image to his Instagram story and paying tribute to the teenager with the words: ‘Congratulations on the debut brother. So happy for you.’
Credit: @ManUtd Twitter United must move quickly for Erik
Manchester United will need to move quickly to secure Erik ten Hag as their new manager – because he is reportedly attracting interest from other clubs.
Earlier this week, SunSport exclusively revealed that the Ajax head coach was at the top of the pile to be offered the position at Old Trafford, and it has since been confirmed that he has interviewed for the role.
But according to The Mail, Man Utd will need to be swift in their dealings with Ten Hag as two other European clubs have also spoken to the 52-year-old.
The other two unnamed sides are said to be Champions League regulars – with one having already tabled an offer to the Dutchman.
There are also reports in Holland that Ten Hag could stay at Ajax after he signed a new deal only last year following an unsuccessful interview with Tottenham.
Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino is the other candidate at the forefront of United’s consideration.
Parker: Maguire must perform well
Former Manchester United and England defender Paul Parker believes it is essential that Harry Maguire puts in a good performance when representing his country this weekend.
International friendlies are often a chance to experiment with tactics and selection, but Parker feels the spotlight will be firmly on the Red Devils captain.
Maguire has endured a difficult domestic season with many critics calling for him to be dropped from the United first team.
In an interview with OddsNinja, Parker said: “For certain players, these games are important.
“They’ve got to treat them as games to get themselves back into the system again, and Harry Maguire needs a good performance for his country because he’s going to be scrutinised by every single football supporter – and maybe even non-football supporters because even they’re gonna want an opinion about his performance for the country.
“It is really important, and Harry Maguire cannot afford to take his foot off the gas. He has to step forward and show it there.”
Poch waiting on United call
Mauricio Pochettino is ‘waiting to hear back’ from John Murtough after holding initial talks with Manchester United’s director of football several weeks ago.
According to reports in The Express, the PSG boss spoke to Murtough about the upcoming position, but is yet to receive confirmation of an official interview for the role.
The Argentine coach was a long time favourite for the job, but has now slipped behind Ajax manager Erik ten Hag in the betting.
And Ten Hag now appears in pole position after he was said to impress United officials at his interview earlier this week.
Whether Murtogh actually gets round to contacting Pochettino remains to be seen.
United and PSG in Poch stand-off
The Glazer family’s unwillingness to pay substantial compensation to land Mauricio Pochettino is another reason why Erik ten Hag is now the preferred candidate to take over at Old Trafford.
In an intriguing stand off, Paris Saint-Germain officials are considering sacking Pochettino, but don’t want to hand him to United for nothing.
ESPN report that PSG would rather force the Red Devils into paying a sizeable fee for the Argentine’s services – which United officials are refusing to do.
The compensation package necessary to bring Ten Hag to the Premier League is understood to be both less costly and less complicated.
United’s Elanga makes Sweden debut
Anthony Elanga’s dream season took another turn last night as the teenager made his international debut.
The 19-year-old came on for the last five minutes of extra-time in Sweden’s World Cup play-off semi-final win over the Czech Republic.
The United starlet replaced Emil Forsberg at a crucial point in proceedings, but Janne Andersson’s men held on to their 1-0 lead and will now face Poland in Tuesday’s final.
The late cameo ensures Elanga’s international allegiance for Sweden. The forward was also eligible for England and Cameroon.
Fernandes to pen new deal
Bruno Fernandes is close to agreeing a new five-year deal at Manchester United, reports Neil Custis.
The Portuguese star will more than double his salary to £240,000-per-week after the club hierarchy convinced him of their plans for the future.
Fernandes, 27, was uncertain about staying at the club during this season following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Their exit from the Champions League means United are heading for a fifth successive season without a trophy under the interim management of Ralf Rangnick.
But United have moved to get Ajax coach Eric Ten Hag and start a rebuild towards challenging for the title again, convincing Fernandes to commit himself to the club.
In demand Diaby considering options
Bayer Leverkusen’s hottest property Moussa Diaby is already thinking about his future move – and it could depend on who clinches fourth spot in the Premier League.
The 22-year-old winger, wanted by both Arsenal and Manchester United, has revealed his desire to play in the Champions League.
In a conversation with Le Parisien (via Football.London), the French international admitted: “Obviously, I’m thinking about [my future], but not too much yet. I remain focused on the end of the season. For the moment it is my only concern.
“I want to play all the high level matches. The objective is to qualify with Bayer for the Champions League. I love participating in games with pressure.”
Diaby has scored 16 goals and provided nine assists in 35 games for Leverkusen this season, and is expected to cost in the region of £50m.
Good morning Man Utd fans
Ex-liverpool star David James reckons Man United striker Marcus Rashford would do well at Liverpool.
He told GGRecon: “I just think he’s got all the attributes to be a false-nine, through-the-middle player, rather than being stuck out wide.
“I think he could be a valuable asset to Liverpool.”
Meanwhile, Ally McCoist is baffled as to why Man United aren’t pursuing Zinedine Zidane to become their new manager.
He said on talkSPORT: “The one name I haven’t heard anything from is Zidane.”
“Clearly, the one thing he can do and do on a regular basis is win the Champions League. He’s proved that. He did it three times with Real Madrid.
“He can handle big players and big pressure and a big situation at a massive club so I’m not sure why he isn’t in the running at all. Unless he’s ruled himself out?”
Elsewhere, Erik ten Hag will bring a former Manchester United star with him to Old Trafford if he lands the manager’s job.
The Daily Mail believe that the Ajax boss wants a Dutch coach with ‘strong connections to the club’ to join him at United.
The revelation has excited United fans, who are now dreaming of a return to club for either Robin van Persie, Jaap Stam or Ruud van Nistelrooy.
All three candidates went into coaching following their playing careers with Van Persie currently assistant to Arne Slot at Feyenoord.
Van Nistelrooy, meanwhile, has been in charge of PSV Eindhoven’s reserve team, and has recently been linked with the top job at the Philips Stadion.
Finally, Rio Ferdinand has shut down talks of him joining the Manchester United backroom staff by labelling the reports “mad lies”.
Speaking on his YouTube channel FIVE, he said: “I’ve been online and I’m meant to be – I’ve put myself forward – for the assistant manager’s job at Man Utd. I don’t know who gets this mad news.
“When have you pressed the send button and thought that you’re not going to get me to come back and go ‘actually, no I ain’t, what are you chatting about?’
“So whoever has told you that you need to go back to your source and say ‘listen man’.
“But if I did go in there – woo – the whip would be getting cracked! Crack that whip.
“But no, no I’m not, man. I’m not going in there.”
Rudiger’s transfer plans revealed
Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger would only consider a move to Manchester United if he spoke to the new permanent manager first, reports suggest.
According to Bild’s Christian Falk, the centre-back won’t make any decisions regarding his future before the Champions League quarter-final matches against Real Madrid.
Falk tweeted: “[Rudiger] will make no decision before the Matches against [Real Madrid] about his future.
“He hopes on the one hand that the difficult situation at [Chelsea] will be cleared up. On the other hand: Real is also still interested.”
He added: “A decision about a future of [Rudiger] at [United] is difficult. Rudiger would like to Talk with the new Coach before…”
Akanji rejects Dortmund extension
Man United target Manuel Akanji has rejected a contract extension offer from Borussia Dortmund.
Dortmund’s efforts to convince him to sign a new contract have failed to succeed due to his wage demands.
That’s according to Bild who claim Akanji and his representatives were after more cash from Dortmund.
Ibrahimovic on Elanga
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed that he’s proud that Man United ace Anthony Elanga is playing for Sweden.
Ibrahimovic said ahead of Sweden’s play-off tie against Czech Republic: “He is a great talent – we are proud and happy that he comes from Sweden.
“He has all the future ahead of him, and if he continues just as he has done, it looks positive.”
Ten Hag may stay at Ajax
Erik Ten Hag could remain with Ajax despite interest from Man United.
That’s according to Dutch publication Voetbal’s reporter, Freek Jansen.
He said on the Pak Schaal Podcast: “United have wanted him for a long time, they have been interested for a long time.
“That’s where conversations take place. But he’s not into that. That is mainly the management.
“He is working on this season and how he can turn it around again so that Ajax will again book convincing victories.”
Rudiger price revealed
Man United will have to depart with £25million plus add-ons to recruit Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger.
Rudiger looks set to leave Stamford Bridge when his contract ends in the summer.
But the German’s representatives are demanding any interested parties cough up a £25m signing on fee plus £5m-a-year in wages after tax.
That’s according to journalist Duncan Castles who said on the Transfer Window Podcast: “The price that his representatives are asking for is €30million signing on fee and a basic wage of at least €6m after-tax each year.”
Aguero makes bold claim
Former Man City ace Sergio Aguero has claimed that everyone in England supports Man United.
Aguero made the claim whilst watching his goal for City against QPR when the Citizens won the Prem in the 2011/12 season.
The 33-year-old said: “People, you don’t know what it’s like in England.
“In England, everybody, all the journalists, all the TV channels, everybody, they’re all Manchester United supporters. Everybody!”
Woolston makes Man United return
Paul Woolston posed with Manchester United’s goalkeepers at Carrington the day after being forced to retire aged just 23.
The former Newcastle youngster announced he was quitting the beautiful game after an unknown injury forced him into two operations.
And Woolston was welcomed by United’s current senior stoppers as he visited Carrington on Thursday.
David De Gea, Dean Henderson, Tom Heaton and Lee Grant all posed for a touching picture with a smiling Woolston.
‘United should be considering Zidane’
Ally McCoist is baffled as to why Man United aren’t pursuing Zinedine Zidane to become their new manager.
He said on talkSPORT: “The one name I haven’t heard anything from is Zidane.”
“Clearly, the one thing he can do and do on a regular basis is win the Champions League. He’s proved that. He did it three times with Real Madrid.
“He can handle big players and big pressure and a big situation at a massive club so I’m not sure why he isn’t in the running at all. Unless he’s ruled himself out?”
Prem giants Araujo transfer boost
Barcelona are keeping tabs on Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly ahead of the summer transfer window, reports suggest.
According to Calciomercato, Barca consider Koulibaly as a potential replacement for Ronald Araujo – who has been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea.
That will come as a major transfer boost for both United and the Blues as the Blaugrana understand there is a possibility of losing Araujo and are thinking ahead.
The centre-back’s contract runs out in 2023 and the Nou Camp outfit is working hard to seal a renewal.
United are reportedly planning a ‘big investment’ for the Uruguay international after a poor season that has seen captain Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly all struggle.
Chelsea have also been linked, although they currently can’t sign or sell players after departing owner Roman Abramovich was hit with sanctions by the Government.
James on Liverpool’s Rashford interest
Ex-liverpool star David James reckons Man United striker Marcus Rashford would do well at Liverpool.
He told GGRecon: “I just think he’s got all the attributes to be a false-nine, through-the-middle player, rather than being stuck out wide.
“Therefore, again, when you look at the likes of Liverpool’s fluidity, he could actually play wide, and in the middle, and essentially do anything he wants to do if he was playing in that Liverpool side.
“I don’t think he’s afforded that with Manchester United with their reliance on the likes of [Cristiano] Ronaldo going down the middle. In a theoretical world, if you took the rivalry out of the equation, I would snap him up straight away.
“I think he could be a valuable asset to Liverpool.”
Diego Forlan speaks on Fred
Man United legend Diego Forlan has recalled playing alongside Red Devils star Fred at Brazilian side Internacional.
Forlan said to United’s media: “He [Fred] had his debut when I was there at Internacional.
“We played together just one, one-and-a-half years, I think. Since I arrived there, I think, for one year and a half and was playing a little bit forward in midfield.
“He scored goals in those moments, I know he’s little bit away from being close to the goal now but he has a couple of goals for United.
“In that moment, he was just closer to the goal and he had some goals for Internacional.”
Ferdinand slams Man United lies
Rio Ferdinand has shut down talks of him joining the Manchester United backroom staff by labelling the reports “mad lies”.
peaking on his YouTube channel FIVE, he said: “I’ve been online and I’m meant to be – I’ve put myself forward – for the assistant manager’s job at Man Utd. I don’t know who gets this mad news.
“When have you pressed the send button and thought that you’re not going to get me to come back and go ‘actually, no I ain’t, what are you chatting about?’
“So whoever has told you that you need to go back to your source and say ‘listen man’.
“But if I did go in there – woo – the whip would be getting cracked! Crack that whip.
“But no, no I’m not, man. I’m not going in there.”
Defoe on failed United transfer
Jermaine Defoe has opened up about his failed move to Man United but admits he tries not to regret it.
The veteran striker who’s called time on his playing career recalled to talkSPORT: “I remember speaking to Man Utd.
“I spoke to the Man Utd boys years later, they said they thought I was coming which would’ve been amazing given the trophies that were won with Sir Alex Ferguson.
“But I try not to regret it as everything happens for a reason.
“I remember my agent saying there was interest from Italy which would have been a great experience but I ended up going back to Tottenham.”
Ten Hag wants Dutch connections
Erik Ten Hag wants a Dutch coach with Manchester United connections if he takes the Old Trafford job, according to reports.
The Ajax boss, 52, is the new favourite to be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s permanent successor.
They would provide wisdom and understanding of what it means to be at the club – and have a “bond” with the squad, staff and fans.
The report names Dutchman Ten Hag’s compatriot trio Robin van Persie, Jaap Stam and Ruud van Nistelrooy as potential candidates.
Donny neglect ‘a mortal sin’
Yet another top coach has hit out at Manchester United’s mistreatment of Donny van de Beek – only this time it’s the Red Devils’ prospective boss, Erik ten Hag.
In an interview that has emerged from December, the Ajax boss spoke solemnly about the Dutchman’s situation at Old Trafford.
Speaking to de Volkskrant (via talkSPORT), Ten Hag said: “Donny, I find that hard. [It’s a] mortal sin.
“If you haven’t had a chance yet, then development will also stall.
Van de Beek started just four Premier League games in 17 months under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and then Ralf Rangnick.
Should Ten Hag take charge at United, it will be interesting to see whether Van de Beek features prominently following the return from his loan spell at Everton.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
