Nkunku deal could be scuppered by Bayern, Gakpo transfer eyed, Pogba’s possible Juventus return – Ten Hag updates

Williams hints at exit

Manchester United ace Brandon Williams has hinted at an Old Trafford exit after his loan stint at Norwich ends, writes KOSTAS LIANOS.

Williams joined the Canaries on a season-long loan last summer due to the lack of first-team football opportunities with United.

The left-back has amassed a total of 26 appearances across all competitions this season and is loving life at Carrow Road.

Williams told Jamie Redknapp for the Daily Mail: “I’m playing games now and I love it. I can’t wait for the weekend so I can get to the stadium.

“There would be no point in me going back to United and just sitting on the bench.

“I want to play and feel I’m better equipped for the Premier League after this experience.

“Whether it’s at United or somewhere else, we’ll deal with that in the summer. But I’ve got a job to do here at Norwich.”

The defender had only one goal in mind before moving to Norfolk and that was to prove he is a “Premier League player”.

Williams added: “I could have stayed and trained but I knew deep down I had to get out and prove I was a Premier League player.”

It’s a new Die-y

Ex-Man Utd star Diego Forlan is rocking a new look after ditching his iconic golden locks.

The 42-year-old has been snapped at the 72nd Fifa Congress at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center with brown hair and a beard.

Cody Gakpo race heats up

Man United could join the bidding war for PSV Eindhoven star and Arsenal transfer target Cody Gakpo, reports suggest.

That is according to Manchester Evening News, who claim that United may turn to Gakpo as they will need at least one attacker in the summer to replace the departing Edinson Cavani.

The Amsterdam giants’ manager Erik ten Hag must be impressed with what he’s seeing, and he’s the favourite to take over at the United dugout this summer.

However, Arsenal are also determined to land the £42million-rated Netherlands international.

Recent reports even suggested that the Gunners are favourites to price the 22-year-old away from the Philips Stadion.

Mason Greenwood’s status revealed

Man United have insisted there has been no change to the status of Mason Greenwood at the club.

The 20-year-old was suspended back in January after being arrested by police in connection with the rape and assault of a young woman.

He has since been released on bail, with the club stating at the time that he would not be available until further notice.

However, some fans recently found that Greenwood was still visible on the club website – leading some to speculate that he could be reinstated.

This has forced Man Utd to release a statement on the matter.

It read: “There has been no change whatsoever in Mason’s status.

“We removed his profile from the club app soon after he was removed from the squad in January.

“This was in order to remove Mason from interactive elements of the app, such as team predictions etc.

“However, his profile was never removed from the website as he remains a Manchester United player, albeit not currently part of the squad while the legal process unfolds.”

Man United want Salzburg keeper

Man United are considering a move for Red Bull Salzburg keeper Philipp Kohn, according to reports, SunSport’s Steve Goodman writes.

The Swiss international has had an outstanding season to help his club top the Austrian Bundesliga.

And current Old Trafford boss Ralf Rangnick knows the 23-year-old well, having signed him for RB Leipzig in 2017.

Kohn has kept 13 clean sheets this season, enabling minnows Salzburg to reach the Champions League last 16.

United scouts have checked on him several times, including three weeks ago – when he impressed despite Salzburg ‘s 7-1 defeat at Bayern Munich.

The Red Devils are seeking back-up for David de Gea next season, with none of Lee Grant, Tom Heaton or Dean Henderson certain to land the understudy role.

Fans think Pogba’s staying put

Man United supporters believe the club have dropped a huge hint that Paul Pogba will stay at the club.

The Red Devils announced their pre-season plans earlier today with the headline match set to be against Liverpool in Bangkok on July 12.

They will then head Down Under to Australia to take on Melbourne Victory and Crystal Palace at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 15 and July 19 respectively.

However, despite his uncertain future, many United fans think today’s announcement is a clue that the midfielder will be staying put.

One replied to the post with: “Why is Pogba on the poster of the pre season tour??

Is there something they hiding from the fans coz if he doesn’t resign then he won’t be at the club come the tour.”

Another wrote: “Pogba is on the poster for the Pre-Season Tour ? hmmmm interesting.”

While a fellow fan commented: “So @paulpogba is on the cover of this pre-season tour poster. Is this a sign that he’s staying?”

How United can help Maguire

Man United need to bring in better plays to help Harry Maguire grow, Jaap Stam claims.

He told bettingexpert: “I still think that he can do a lot better than what he’s been showing now. And I’m not saying he played very poorly but he has got the ability to improve.”

“And if you bring in players of a certain quality or bring players in of a certain value, then you need to help this player out as well, to become a better player.

“I’m not sure that this is happening.”

Matic on United’s team spirit

Nemanja Matic has admitted that the dressing room atmosphere at Manchester United is “not fantastic” amid their current struggles.

Quizzed about the mood in the camp heading into the run in, Matic admitted that things aren’t going well.

The Serbian, 33, told talkSPORT: “The atmosphere? It depends on results.

“Of course, when you have good results the atmosphere is much better and everyone is happy.

“As you know we are not in the best position in the league and the atmosphere is not fantastic, but we have to stay positive and believe until the end because we want to finish in that top-four.

“The atmosphere in our dressing room will depend on that. If we finish top-four then it will be good for us, everyone will be… I cannot say happy, but satisfied.

“If we don’t make that, it will be a very sad dressing room.”

Maguire has face-off with truck

Harry Maguire was held up on his return to Manchester United training.. by a massive truck!

As if the England defender, 29, hadn’t had a difficult enough week, he couldn’t even make it to Carrington without some drama.

On his return to the Aon Training Complex following his return from international duty on Thursday, Maguire was delayed by an advancing lorry.

As Maguire drove his Range Rover towards the gates, a massive truck trundled towards him down the single-track road.

Maguire was forced to pull over to the side of the road to allow it to pass before finally making it to the safety of Carrington.

Rud not to

Man United’s hopes of signing Antonio Rudiger have been dealt a huge blow after the Chelsea defender’s agent was spotted meeting Barcelona’s representatives.

The 29-year-old’s representatives are reported to have held “secret talks” with Barca chiefs on Wednesday night.

Reports from Sky in Germany claim the two parties had a three-hour long meeting in the plush 5-star “The Barcelona Edition” hotel in Spain.

The LaLiga side are said to be keen on signing Rudiger on a free transfer this summer.

Stam: Maguire’s a scapegoat

Jaap Stam thinks Harry Maguire is a scapegoat after the Man United star was booed on England duty.

He told Betting Expert: “He’s an easy target because it’s easy to say that he is making mistakes or wrong choices.

“Everybody, even when I played, I made mistakes, I made wrong choices as well.

“I think he also needs to have help from his teammates. He also needs to have the confidence of people around him and they will have for him. But also from outside as well, so he can make these steps.”

Carragher’s advice for Maguire

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher reckons Maguire is best to just “get on with it” after being jeered by Three Lions fans.

He wrote on Twitter: “Harry’s biggest problem is not England fans, it’s his performances & future at Man Utd.

“He’s not the first person to be booed by a few [clown emoji] & won’t be the last so get on with it! Show some character, perform well & shut people up!!”

Adding in his Telegraph column, Carragher referenced former England stars who had also been booed on national team duty, but hit back with “world-class” performances at club level.

Barnes on Maguire

There’s no chance of Harry Maguire leaving Man United to join Tottenham, according to John Barnes.

Barnes said to BonusCodeBets: “Harry Maguire will not be leaving Manchester United to go to a club that plays a back three like Tottenham. That’s a nonstarter.

“Maguire has played in back fours for the majority of his career and including for England.

“I don’t believe he [Maguire] plays better in a back three than a back four.

“When England played with a back four, he played well. His form has nothing to do with that.

“It is all to do with the protection he gets from the hard-working England players in front of him, whereas at United the front four don’t work hard enough to protect the defence.”

Neville praises Chelsea

Gary Neville has praised Chelsea for managing to get good results on the pitch in spite of the chaos surrounding the club.

The Man United legend said on Sky Sports: “Firstly for the players and the manager, they have done unbelievably well in the last few weeks to carry on as they have done in winning all the games.

“That’s the first thing to say with the disruption and distraction that has gone on in the club.

“So, it tells you that when you have got a real strong manager and strong changing room which Chelsea have, you can withstand all the stuff that is going on externally and outside.”

Mills blames Keane for Maguire backlash

Danny Mills believes that “vicious” Roy Keane’s comments are partly to blame for fans booing Harry Maguire.

The former England right-back told talkSPORT: “Roy Keane has massive influence, unbelievable.

“Roy Keane says it, it’s gospel. I think when Roy Keane speaks we all sit up and listen.

“I think he’s got huge gravitas in the game, for what he’s achieved, for what he’s done and everything he’s gone through and achieved in the game.

“You do have to listen but he can be particularly vicious at times.

“No matter how he’s played, if Roy Keane says he’s had an absolute shocker and it’s disgraceful and he’s had a stinker we all go ‘well, he has done’, even without watching the game ourselves and going through it.

“We listen because it’s Roy Keane and he’s spoken so without seeing it as ourselves we take his opinion as gospel. Maybe we shouldn’t do that.”

United and Liverpool clash set

Man United will take on bitter rivals Liverpool in Bangkok as part of a pre-season tour.

The game for the Centenary Cup will take place on July 12 at the Rajamangala stadium in the Thai capital.

The Red Devils will then fly to Australia for their first visit to Melbourne since 1999.

They will play at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground against local A-League team Melbourne Victory on July 15, and then Crystal Palace on July 19.

Quieroz quits as Egypt boss

Carlos Queiroz has resigned as Egypt boss after failing to lead the African nation into the World Cup in Qatar this winter.

The Man United coach wrote on Twitter: “Dream is over. From the bottom of my heart, my gratitude to Egypt Federation for this honour of coaching the National Team.

“To all my players and my staff, my recognition and humble thank you so much,’ he added. ‘You will be always in my heart.

“It was my privilege to work and be helped by such dedicated and capable professionals and wonderful friends.

“Without you, nothing could be possible for me in my life, I am very much proud of you lads.

“My best wishes and enormous gratitude to all Egyptian fans. To the future.”

Ron more record broken

Cristiano Ronaldo can break ANOTHER goal scoring record at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

The 37-year-old is playing in his fifth World Cup having first been selected to represent Portugal in 2006.

And Ronaldo has scored in the four World Cups he has played in so far, putting him level with a select few football legends.

He is level with Pele, Uwe Seeler and Miroslav Klose, who have also scored at four separate World Cups.

This year, Ronaldo could make more history by becoming the first player to score in five editions of the tournament.

Ronaldo will also become just the fourth player to feature at five or more World Cups.

Gary Neville on Arteta

Gary Neville has declared his admiration for Mikel Arteta but fears fourth spot in the Prem is the highest place he can take the North London side.

Speaking at a Sky Sports fan debate, he said: “I really like Mikel Arteta, I think he’s a brilliant coach. I think the team is fantastic in terms of the young players they’ve got.

“But it’s interesting when you’re in a cycle of a club and you depress the ambition and have a significant period of failure because you then get really happy about finishing fourth.

“I found myself saying that about Manchester United. But it’s because of a depressed ambition.

“I think Mikel Arteta is a good operator. My concern is if Arsenal finish fourth this season – which to be fair, I think is 50/50, I still think there’s a long way to in that race – but if they finish fourth, that’s in some ways as good as it gets.

“You’ve got Pep [Guardiola], [Jurgen] Klopp, Man United, Chelsea, where can Arsenal go? They’re not going to compete.”

Man United are digital kings

Man United may be struggling to reach their previous heights on the pitch, but they have the biggest digital value in the world.

A new report into the digital value of fans shows the Old Trafford side are still a commercial powerhouse.

Researchers at Horizm found that Man Utd can create £177.5million from their audience across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube.

That was £27m more than Catalan giants Barcelona in second place (£150m) with Real Madrid a distant third on £97m.

The El Clasico rivals both have a bigger following than Man Utd.

Real Madrid’s total audience is 282million with Barcelona on 278m and the Red Devils on 179m.

Gakpo to the Prem?

Man United have been linked with a summer move for PSV attacker Cody Gakpo.

The Red Devils need a replacement for the outgoing Edinson Cavani whose contract expires next season.

Plus, they’ll need a new hitman to provide the goals when Cristiano Ronaldo likely leaves the club the following season.

And according to Manchester Evening News, Gakpo could be the man to fill the void left by the pair.

Ajax boss Erik ten Hag whose in the frame to become United’s new manager could play a key role in recruiting Gakpo who has scored 16 goals and provided 15 assists this season.

However, Arsenal are also keen on the hot-shot striker.

‘Rice’s on Keane and Gerrard’s level’

Paul Ince has compared Man United transfer target Declan Rice to Steven Gerrard and Roy Keane.

Speaking after Rice’s dominant display for England against Ivory Coast this week, Ince said: “He’s got leadership qualities. Even the way he talks in interviews, you can see he has desires to be one of the best players in the world. You can see his game developing at West Ham.

“He’s now driving with the ball, making things happen. We talk about the [Steven] Gerrards, Keanes – box-to-box players. This kid is on the same level.”

Gary Neville wants Glazers gone

Gary Neville has once again called on the Glazers to SELL Manchester United.

He said on the Overlap show: “They’ve proven they can’t do it, they’ve proven they can’t build a successful football club here in Manchester without being propped up by the team Sir Alex Ferguson had and himself being there.

“To me, at this moment in time, the first thing that should happen is they should sell the club.

“Because of the Super League, because of their ten years of failure without Sir Alex Ferguson, and the team and the squad he had, I think they should go.”

Morning, United fans

United have already talked terms with Ajax for boss Erik ten Hag – but have suffered two transfer blows.

That’s the main gossip around Old Trafford this morning as Dutchman Ten Hag becomes an even firm favourite for the manager’s job this summer.
The Red Devils reportedly face an increasingly tough task if they hope to land Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo and Benfica striker Darwin Nunez.
But as United prepare for Saturday’s Premier League return at home to Leicester, the focus remains on the hunt to replace interim chief Ralf Rangnick.

It’s claimed the Red Devils have discussed finances and even a possible announcement date with Ajax over Ten Hag.

Publicly United insist their search for a permanent boss is still open.

But SunSport revealed Ten Hag came out way on top after the Old Trafford chiefs assessed detailed dossiers on all the candidates.

PSG’s Mauricio Pochettino is regarded as his only serious rival, although there was speculation yesterday over an outside contender – Spain chief Luis Enrique.

Meanwhile, Barcelona believe they can persuade Araujo to sort out his contract issues and stay.

And fellow Uruguayan Nunez, rated at £68m, is said to want a move only to a Champions League club.

Arsenal are also keen – so that’s another reason why United will hope to overhaul the Gunners for a top-four finish.

Finally, ex-England defender Jamie Carragher Has told Harry Maguire his main problem is his erratic United form for United, not the booing he received from some England fans. 

Red Devils ‘sorting out Ten Hag compensation’

Manchester United have reportedly sounded out the compensation fee needed to prise Ajax boss Erik ten Hag away from the Johan Cruyff Arena, writes JAKE LAMBOURNE.

SunSport understands the Dutchman is the favourite to succeed interim Ralf Rangnick at Old Trafford at the end of the season..

The 52-year-old was interviewed for the United job last week, though no offer has yet been sent to Ten Hag.

United’s failure to offer him a contract is said to have shocked the ex-FC Twente centre-back.

But according to Sky Sports, United have been gathering information as to what compensation figure Ajax would be seeking to part ways with Ten Hag.

They state that sources close to Ajax and Ten Hag have suggested that dialogue has taken place over the financial element of a potential move to Old Trafford.