MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly weighing up a bid for highly-rated Villarreal defender Pau Torres to strengthen their defence.
The Spain international has a release clause of £51m, making him an appealing option for the Red Devils and competitors Chelsea.
Meanwhile, flop Wan Bissaka could reportedly earn himself a surprise move to Atletico Madrid.
And Cristiano Ronaldo is said to be keen to stay at Old Trafford, so long as new boss Erik ten Hag wants him.
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Man United problems examined
Man United’s problems are due to bad management over the years it’s been claimed.
That’s the opinion of retired footballer Jonathan Woodgate.
He told Britishgambler.co.uk: “I think they’ve been mis-managed, and the recruitment has been poor.
“Look at the managers that have been in there – Mourinho, Van Gaal, Moyes, Solskjaer and now Ragnick – none of them have been able to produce the goods, and there hasn’t really been a plan at United.
“On Ronaldo, if you’re gonna sign him, build a team around him. It was done that last minute and no one expected him to go there, it wasn’t planned – just because City wanted him and Untied said ‘you’re not having him, so we are having him’.
“Recruitment has gone out the window at United. Look at City – you know how they play, Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea. You don’t know how United play, they don’t have an identity.”
Ferdinand slams Man United flops
Rio Ferdinand has urged Manchester United players to “f**k off” if they do not care about the club.
Speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel, he said: “If you asked Albert Morgan, the kit man, he would have said there would be a lot of cleaning up to do.
“I would have messed up that changing room for starters. I would have gone nuts.
“You have to question each other, asking questions of each other. Does anyone f*****g care? I want to know that those questions are being asked. Because if I smelt that somebody didn’t care, I would be calling them out.”
‘Big fish’ role for Lingard
Jesse Lingard will be a ‘big fish’ at Newcastle if he decides to join the Magpies.
That’s the opinion of Jonathan Woodgate who reckons Lingard will flourish on Tyneside as he will have a point to prove following a dismal spell with Man United.
Woodgate told BritishGambler.co.uk: “I think if he comes to Newcastle he will be the big fish, and he’s not the big fish at [Manchester] United.
“If he goes [to Newcastle] he will be one of the main men, and that might help him.
“I like him and think he has great qualities, and great attitude. He will want to prove a few people wrong.”
Man United transfer blow
Man United transfer target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is not for sale.
That’s the declaration made by Lazio’s president Claudio Lotito who says he’s already turned down a £120m transfer offer for the midfielder.
Lotito told Rai Sport: “Milinkovic is not for sale. I turned down a €140million (£120m) bid for him.”
But Lotito admitted that he would discuss a transfer with the Serbian international if a world-class club tables an enticing proposal.
He added: “I’d ask Sergej what he wants to do in case we receive an important proposal from a world-class club,”
One to watch – Ajejandro Garnacho
In two years, Alejandro Garnacho has gone from promising youth star at Manchester United to getting picked by Argentina, writes JON BOON.
The rapid left winger, 17, was handed a surprise call-up to Lionel Scaloni’s 44-man squad ahead of World Cup qualifying games against Venezuela and Ecuador back in March.
The wonderkid has starred for United’s U18s this campaign, excelling in the FA Youth Cup with four goals.
One of those strikes saw the talent run from his own half down the left flank to score against Everton with an astonishing solo goal.
And now, after featuring as a late substitute for United in the Premier League at the end of April, he is preparing to be the talisman in Man Utd’s FA Youth Cup final against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
The fleet-footed forward was the third La Liga starlet to join the club in 2020, signing from Atletico Madrid after the arrivals of Marc Jurado from Barcelona and Alvaro Fernandez from Real Madrid.
Garnacho was called the ‘jewel’ of Atletico’s academy, and is working hard to emulate his idol growing up.
He is obsessed by Cristiano Ronaldo, and even wore the same shirt number – No7 as his idol, although he’s had to accept No11 with the Red Devils.
Still, that didn’t stop him celebrating that goal against Everton with CR7’s famous ‘SIUUU!’ roar.
How Man Utd legends could line up in charity match
Gary Neville will renew his rivalry with Liverpool after announcing that he will captain a Manchester United legends team against the Reds, writes Gary Stonehouse.
The 47-year-old former England right-back, now a pundit for Sky Sports, will be back on the pitch at Old Trafford on Saturday 21 May for the Legends of the North charity clash.
The match will raise valuable funds for the Manchester United Foundation.
Bryan Robson will be in charge of the United side that will take on their Liverpool counterparts – and now it’s been confirmed Neville will be wearing the armband for the Red Devils team.
Paul Scholes, Dimitar Berbatov, Nicky Butt, Jaap Stam, Patrice Evra, Antonio Valencia and Dwight Yorke have all agreed to take part.
And Diego Forlan, John O’Shea, Mikael Silvestre, Karel Poborsky, Wes Brown, Louis Saha, Ronny Johnsen, Jesper Blomqvist and Quinton Fortune will also represent United.
Edwin van der Sar and Peter Schmeichel have both lined up in goal for the legends side over recent years, but the club have yet to confirm which keepers will be involved next week.
Phillips set to reject United, say reports
Kalvin Phillips is reportedly set to reject a move to Manchester United this summer.
Phillips, 26, has been on the Red Devils’ radar for three years.
The club have now made him a priority transfer target, and chiefs are prepared to make an offer of around £50million.
United see him as the perfect solution to their midfield problems, especially considering the upcoming departures of Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba.
However, according to MailOnline, Phillips is likely to snub any offers out of loyalty to Leeds.
The midfielder is said to be keen to stay however his hands may be tied if the Yorkshire club are relegated to the Championship.
Put it on R-ice
Manchester United target Declan Rice has given the biggest hint yet he will stay at West Ham next season, writes Jordan Davies.
The Hammers midfielder has been linked with mega-money moves away to the likes of United, Chelsea and Manchester City this summer.
Rice, 23, has turned down three improved contract offers that would make him the highest paid player in the club’s history on around £200k-a-week.
Rice’s current deal has two years left with the club having the option of extending that by a further year – while boss David Moyes has valued Rice at “north of £150m”.
And speaking at the club’s end-of-season awards last night, Rice picked up the Hammer of the Year before being asked if they will see him for the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
Rice smiled and replied: “Yeah of course.”
After the crowd started chanting his name, he added: “There has been so much speculation but you can see every time I put on a shirt what this club means to me.
“Every time I step onto that pitch, every time I leave the pitch, I will always walk off having given 100 per cent and I will always give everything for this club and the manager and my teammates.”
Free agent XI targets for Man Utd
Manchester United have told agents to find the best FREE TRANSFERS this summer — as they do not have a bottomless pit of cash.
Interim manager Ralf Rangnick said as many as ten new players were needed to make the Red Devils competitive again.
And with United set to explore the free agent market this summer and there is no shortage of options for the Red Devils.
In fact, a top-class XI could be compiled of the players whose contracts are set to expire in the summer.
Manchester United’s worst moment of the season
What has been the worst moment of the season Man Utd fans?
The 4-1 away at Watford which saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sacked and Bruno Fernandes pulled away from the United supporters?
The dross 1-0 home loss to Wolves?
or maybe when Middlesbrough dumped Rangnick’s side out of the FA Cup and Old Trafford stopped serving food or drink?
Or was it the humiliating 4-0 at the Amex on Saturday?
United forced to delete Ten Hag tweet
Manchester United deleted a tweet about new boss Erik ten Hag following a furious fan backlash, writes Etienne Fermie.
The Red Devils posted about their incoming manager’s Ajax side on Monday.
But with fans unready to move on from Saturday’s 4-0 battering at Brighton, the replies to the tweet were seething.
United’s tweet had read: “Erik ten Hag’s side maintained their advantage in a dramatic afternoon in the race for the Eredivisie title.”
The post caused irate fans to vent online.
One wrote: “Imagine posting this on the clubs official twitter. No wonder they deleted it. Absolute f***ing embarrassment we are!”
To which another replied: “I dont know how many times this season ive said surely it cant get worse and it does.”
Mitchell van der Gaag talks ‘getting closer’
Manchester United are “working on contract details” with Mitchell van der Gaag, who was Ten Hag’s assistant at Ajax.
Van der Gaag, 50, has been Ten Hag’s assistant since the summer of 2021, after moving up from the reserves at the club.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reported the details this morning.
He wrote: “Manchester United are working on the details of the contract to bring Mitchell van der Gaag at the club from Ajax, as part of Erik ten Hag coaching staff.
“Van der Gaag has been considered an important addition for months – agreement getting closer. Talks ongoing.”
Now 50-years-old, Van der Gaag enjoyed a successful playing career spanning 18 years between 1989 and 2007.
Van der Gaag was a centre-back, as was Ten Hag, and spent time playing for clubs in his native Holland, Portugal and Saudi Arabia.
But he also enjoyed a two-year spell in Scotland with Motherwell between 1995 and 1997.
Becks backs Ronaldo to stay
David Beckham, who is now co-owner of MLS side Inter Miami, watched the city’s inaugural Grand Prix on Sunday.
He spoke to Man Utd’s official site about the latest famous No7 at Old Trafford.
The 47-year-old said: “Obviously, Cristiano is one of the best players over the last 15 years, with Leo Messi.
Credit: Eroteme “To see him stay, hopefully staying on at United, is important for the fans. I think it’s important to him.
“We all know how much Manchester United means to him.
“He is still doing what he does best, scoring goals and creating and that’s what Cristiano does, even at his age.
“To be doing what he’s doing is really incredible. Hopefully, it continues and, hopefully, he stays for another year or two.”
Pow, Pow, Pau
Man United have reportedly shortlisted Villarreal defender Pau Torres as a potential summer target.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano claims Manchester United have bookmarked Torres as one of three or four potential new centre-back options.
The 25-year-old Spaniard has a £51million release clause in his contract.
The Red Devils have not tabled anything concrete as of yet as they are waiting for Erik ten Hag to take up his position as head coach.
Possible changes in the boardroom also mean negotiations with the LaLiga side over a deal for Torres are yet to get underway.
Good morning Man United fans
French giants Paris Saint-Germain are favourites to sign Paul Pogba, according to Betfair.
The bookies have Mauricio Pochettino’s Ligue 1 champions best priced at 4/5 to secure the services of Manchester United’s unsettled France superstar.
Pogba, 29, has reportedly turned down a move to Manchester City but looks set to leave Old Trafford this summer at the end of his contract.
Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag has reportedly made his first Manchester United signing in the form of Stevenage wonderkid Elyh Harrison.
The 16-year-old keeper has made a name for himself in the League Two side’s U18s team.
And at just 15 years of age, he joined up with the senior squad for training earlier this season as his rapid progression continued.
Now UtdDistrict are reporting that he has agreed a deal to join Man Utd.
Elsewhere, Man United’s pursuit of Red Bull Salzburg hotshot Karim Adeyemi is as good as over.
Adeyemi’s agent Thomas Solomon has confirmed a switch to Dortmund is “close” to completion, as revealed by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Solomon said: “We’re now close to complete the deal with Borussia Dortmund.
“There will be no release clause included into his five-year deal.”
Finally, Man United have reportedly shortlisted Villarreal defender Pau Torres as a potential summer target.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano claims Manchester United have bookmarked Torres as one of three or four potential new centre-back options.
The 25-year-old Spaniard has a £51million release clause in his contract.
The Red Devils have not tabled anything concrete as of yet as they are waiting for Erik ten Hag to take up his position as head coach.
Possible changes in the boardroom also mean negotiations with the LaLiga side over a deal for Torres are yet to get underway.
Rice tipped for key role
Declan Rice is the man who will change the dynamics for Man United next season.
That’s the opinion of football reporter Dean Jones.
The journalist told Give Me Sport: “They’ve got to be careful about the budget because they don’t have hundreds of millions to just go and spend.
“Declan Rice, for me, is the one that would change everything. I think that he wants to move, he’s ambitious, he’s young, and he would be a leader.”
Man United chase free transfers
Man United have told agents to find the best FREE TRANSFERS this summer — as they do not have a bottomless pit of cash.
Incoming boss Erik ten Hag will be given a budget of around £100million, which is not enough to fund a major overhaul.
So new chief executive Richard Arnold is leading a major overhaul of the recruitment department.
Scouting heads Jim Lawlor and Marcel Bout, along with chief negotiator Matt Judge, have gone.
Football director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher now have more power to identify and sign targets.
The likes of Juventus forward Paulo Dybala, AC Milan’s Franck Kessie and Ousmane Dembele of Barcelona are among a number of stellar names whose contracts expire this summer, although it’s not known if United will target any of those stars.
Neville warns Lingard
Gary Neville has told Jesse Lingard that no player warrants the right to a send-off.
Neville highlighted that neither he – nor club legends Bryan Robson and Steve Bruce were given special send-offs when they left the club.
Neville said on his podcast: “But I saw Bryan Robson and Steve Bruce not play their last games for the club and not get a send-off.
“They were two of the greatest captains, one of them is probably the greatest ever captain Manchester United have ever had.
“The other is one of the greatest captains they have ever had. They did not get the send-off they wanted, a farewell from the fans.
“I’m not quite sure why Jesse Lingard deserves it. I was thrown away at West Brom in a toilet!
Lautaro Martinez wants Inter stay
Lautaro Martinez has no intention of leaving Inter Milan this summer.
That’s according to the Argentine’s agent, Alejandro Camano who claims his client is happy in Milan despite reports in the media linking him with a Prem move.
Camano said, via Football Italia: “Sometimes the media publishes stories about his possible transfer, but Lautaro is only focused on Inter, giving the fans joy and making them champions again, then he can start preparing for the World Cup with Argentina.
“We are not expecting or looking for a transfer. He is at Inter, he is happy, the city is wonderful. We are thinking only of Inter.”
‘No club needs Declan Rice’
No Premier League club will have a use for Declan Rice next season.
That’s the opinion of Stephen Warnock who reckons none of the Prem’s clubs have a need for Rice in their squads.
Warnock said: “Chelsea was the team that we all thought would be in for him. Now the situation is at Chelsea that we don’t know what the new owners are going to put into the club, do we? There’s talk that they’re going to go in heavily but until we know and we see that first move from them.
“You look at every other club and you think, would he go to Manchester United at the moment? Would that be an option for him? He’d benefit them, but would it benefit him at this moment, because again you don’t know what Ten Hag’s going to be like and you don’t know the influence he’s going to have.
“United need to shift a load of players out in order to probably get him in as well, and it’s like where else? Does he go abroad? I don’t see anyone else in the Premier League needing him. I don’t see Manchester City needing him, I don’t see Liverpool needing him.”
Rio apologises to Mourinho
Rio Ferdinand has apologised to Jose Mourinho for criticising the Portuguese boss during his ill-fated reign as Man United boss.
Ferdinand said: “But in terms of looking behind the scenes, that quote he said in 2019 on finishing second in the Premier League, that has aged so well.
“We can see that there’s been stuff going on that’s wrong behind the scenes, but at that time we didn’t know the extent of it. Obviously Jose Mourinho did.
‘He wanted to get rid of numerous players and he wanted to bring in certain players, and obviously big wages and contracts were handed out to certain players and he’s thinking, “Woah, woah, woah, what’s going on?!”
Man United chase Pau Torres
Man United have reportedly shortlisted Villarreal defender Pau Torres as a potential summer target.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano claims Manchester United have bookmarked Torres as one of three or four potential new centre-back options.
The 25-year-old Spaniard has a £51million release clause in his contract.
The Red Devils have not tabled anything concrete as of yet as they are waiting for Erik ten Hag to take up his position as head coach.
Possible changes in the boardroom also mean negotiations with the LaLiga side over a deal for Torres are yet to get underway.
Ronaldo’s sister fuels exit fears
Fears that Cristiano Ronaldo may leave Man United this summer have been heightened by his sister.
A post urging CR7 to exit United before Ten Hag arrives was put up on social media.
And the post was liked by Ronaldo’s sister Katia, the Daily Express reported.
Gary Neville slams Man United
Gary Neville thinks Man United players threw the towel in against Brighton.
He told Sky Sports: “The players are only damaging themselves. With every minute they play football for that club they’re just damaging themselves to a point whereby fans won’t forget.
“The fans last night were singing ‘you’re not fit to wear the shirt’. I’ve never, ever heard Manchester United fans resort to that chant.
“I’ve never in my time known the fanbase turn on the team like this one. But it’s now really clear that they’ve thrown the towel in.”
Fergie’s ex-assistant slams United
Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant Rene Meulentseen has hit out at Manchester United, claiming the club is “lost completely”.
The ex-Fulham gaffer and current Australia assistant manager told talkSPORT: “When I see United play, I see a team that is lost. They are lost completely.
“There is no cohesion, no organisation, no structure, any basic thing that you need in any successful performance is not there.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
