Man Utd LIVE: Marcel Sabitzer permanent deal latest, Christian Eriksen’s RETURN confirmed, takeover updates

Gunners rated favourites for Vlahovic ahead of Utd

Dusan Vlahovic will be an Arsenal player by July 1.

That’s the stark claim from Italian outlet Calciomercato as Juventus battle to keep hold of their top players.

Just last month it was claimed Manchester United were frontrunners for the Serbia striker, 23.

But Calciomercato say Juve are willing to sell the ex-Fiorentina star – albeit for a sizeable fee.

Glazers ‘could opt for third round of bids’

United owners the Glazers could call for a third round of takeover bids as they hold out for £6billion.

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani’s Qatari bid and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos group made offers of around £5bn, while four US investment firms made proposals to pump in funds.

Takevoer brokers Raine Group have yet to reveal their responses.

Now Football Insider say there is a “real possibility” the Glazers could invite new offers.

So far Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe have indicated they won’t over-bid.

And it’s still thought the Glazer brothers could stay in charge.

Ten Hag confirms Eriksen return tomorrow

Erik ten Hag has revealed that Christian Eriksen will be back in Manchester United’s match day squad to face Everton tomorrow for the first time since the end of January.

It was feared the midfielder would be out for the season with an ankle injury after a challenge by Andy Carroll in the Red Devils FA Cup encounter with Reading.

It is a tackle that still clearly angers the United boss as he lost one of his main playmakers at a crucial stage of the season.

Ten Hag said: “It was a really bad tackle and a really bad injury, it’s settled and now we are very happy with that.

“I think it was not for nothing, I was so angry about that bad tackle.

“We first feared we had lost him for the whole season but he has worked really well and the medical department did very well.

“He’s returning to the squad and is available for the final stages of the season, so we are very pleased with that.”

‘Better for Rice to join Arsenal, not Red Devils’

Manchester United have been linked with a summer move for Declan Rice.

But former England striker Andy Carroll has urged the West Ham man to join Arsenal instead.

Reading ace Carroll told Metro: “We all know he needs to go to a top club. I can’t see him going outside of England, but he should go to a top-three or top-two club.

“I’d like to see Declan at Arsenal to be honest – I’m not an Arsenal fan but I like the way they’re playing at the minute.

“The way Mikel Arteta has them playing and the young lads coming through – you see the team and the average age is incredible.”

Ten Hag – Passion is a minimum

Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag has spoken on the need for passion needed in order to play for Manchester United.

When asked about keeping passion in the team, the Dutchman said: “We have to do it every game and that needs preparation and it has to be the standard when you are playing for Manchester United.

“So this is the demand, no ifs or buts, you have to do it and that is the responsibility.

“That a player has to deliver when you are playing for Manchester United.

“So you have to be accountable.”

Ten Hag expecting physical battle

Erik ten Hag has spoken on the need to match Everton physically when the two teams meet at Old Trafford tomorrow.

The Dutchman praised Sean Dyche for the job he is doing with the Toffees.

He said: “It’s obviously a manager doing a great job.

“The team is really fit from Everton.

“Their physical output is outstanding so we have to match that.”

More on Eriksen

Erik ten Hag praised Christian Eriksen and Manchester United’s medical department after the midfielder returned to fitness ahead of schedule.

There were fears the playmaker would be out for the season after he picked up an ankle injury in the FA Cup win over Reading in January.

But Ten Hag said: “I was so angry about the tackle.

“He was away, we felt we had lost him for the whole season, but he worked very well. The medical department did very well.

“He’s now available for the final stages of the season. At first, it was a really bad tackle and a bad injury.

“He’s ahead of schedule, so we’re happy with that.”

Luke Shaw ruled out

Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Luke Shaw will not be available for tomorrow’s game against Everton.

But in good news for the Red Devils Christian Eriksen is set to reunite with the squad.

Ten Hag said: “Luke Shaw is not available for tomorrow.

“We have to see about the progress for the coming week, but the good news is Eriksen is back in training and he will be in the squad.”

Ten Hag to address media

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag will speak to the media this afternoon ahead of tomorrow’s game against Everton.

The Red Devils gaffer could give up an update on Luke Shaw after he was subbed off early in the 1-0 win over Brentford.

Ten Hag’s press conference is due to get underway at 2pm UK time.

Sabitzer set to stay?

Marcel Sabitzer could extend his Old Trafford stay past the end of the season.

The midfielder signed on loan from Bayern Munich in January.

And a return to the club is unlikely when his loan deal ends, according to Sky in Germany.

Talks with the Red Devils are scheduled for the coming weeks, with the Austrian ace open to staying at United.

A number of other Premier League clubs are also said to have enquired for his services.

Three for the axe

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has reportedly decided on three players to move on from his squad in the summer.

The gaffer is planning a clearout to finance moves for new signings.

And, according to Fichajes, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Donny van de Beek could all be sold.

Maguire and Lindelof have struggled for regular football, while Van de Beek has been sidelined by a long-term injury.

The Wright stuff for United

Arsenal legend Ian Wright is not going to judge Erik ten Hag as a manager until he signs a right-back and striker.

The Red Devils have been linked with Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong, while the likes of Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen have been touted as striker targets.

And Wright said on his Wrighty’s House podcast: “I can’t wait for Erik ten Hag to get the right-back he wants and the No 9 he wants.

“At some stage something needs to be done about the goalkeeper [De Gea].

“I want to see all of those things before I judge Erik ten Hag too much.”

Carroll – United not right for Rice

Manchester United have been linked with a summer move for Declan Rice.

But former England striker Andy Carroll has urged the West Ham man to join Arsenal instead.

Reading ace Carroll told Metro: “We all know he needs to go to a top club. I can’t see him going outside of England, but he should go to a top-three or top-two club.

“I’d like to see Declan at Arsenal to be honest – I’m not an Arsenal fan but I like the way they’re playing at the minute.

“The way Mikel Arteta has them playing and the young lads coming through – you see the team and the average age is incredible.”

Cleverley praises Fred

Former Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley has singled out Old Trafford ace Fred for praise.

Cleverley claimed the Brazilian is underrated, but he won’t be within the United dressing room.

He told the Man United Scandinavian Supporters’ Club: Yeah, massively [Fred underrated], within that dressing room Fred will have for sure a lot more respect than he does in the outside football world.

“Hopefully that’s all that matters to Fred personally, I think a lot of people can see what he does without the ball, the intensity he plays at and I’m glad that he’s been able to add some goals to that now, to get the recognition he deserves.”

Solskjaer candidate for Club Brugge job

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly a candidate for the Club Brugge job.

The former Manchester United boss is on the Belgian club’s shortlist, according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri.

Brugge are on the lookout for a new manager after sacking Scott Parker last month.

And Solskjaer is a potential successor, along with former Celtic gaffer Ronny Deila and ex-Bayern Munich assistant manager Dino Toppmoller.

Solskjaer is currently a youth team manager at hometown club Kristiansund BK in Norway, according to MEN.

United in Frimpong blow

Manchester United have been handed a blow in their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong.

Bayern Munich and Barcelona have held direct meetings with his agent, Jeffrey Lemmert, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 22-year-old is thought to have been on United’s shortlist since October.

Romano reports that Bayern will decide on Joao Cancelo’s future at the end of the season, while Barca’s position is unclear due to financial restraints.

Team news for Everton

There is no time to rest for Erik ten Hag and Co as his team prepare to return to action against Everton.

Full team news is expected later today.

Fans are sweating on the fitness of Luke Shaw after he came off early in the win over Brentford.

Elsewhere, Christian Eriksen is back in training and Ten Hag did not rule out a return for the playmaker on Saturday.

Casemiro is serving the final game of his suspension, while Alejandro Garnacho is out with an ankle injury.

Sutton – United will win again

Manchester United return to action on Saturday lunchtime following Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Brentford.

The Red devils welcome Everton to Old Trafford.

And former Premier League striker Chris Sutton is predicting another narrow win for the hosts.

He wrote in his BBC column: “Manchester United are anything but free-flowing at the moment but they still found a way of beating Brentford on Wednesday.

“United are in a decent position to make the top four with Tottenham hitting the buffers a bit, but it is important they keep pushing on, especially at home.

“Everton will not make it easy for them and, since Dyche took charge at the end of January, they carry more of a threat now, especially from set-plays – but I still see United edging this.”

Good morning Man Utd fans

Manchester United star Christian Eriksen has been spotted in training for the first time since suffering an ankle injury.

Eriksen limped off during a 3-1 win over Reading in the FA Cup fourth round in January when he was on the receiving end of a rough tackle from Andy Carroll.

The playmaker also gave the thumbs up to the camera to show he is fit and ready to go.

It is unclear when the Denmark international will be ready to play again, but he is hoping to be back for the weekend’s clash with Everton.

Meanwhile, The Glazers insist they remain “open-minded” amid suggestions they could stay in charge of United.

The unpopular owners put the club up for sale and are asking for a world record £6billion with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani posing as the frontrunners to succeed them.

But there are concerns the Glazers may end up staying at Old Trafford, particularly with brothers Avram and Joe open to minority investment from an outside source.

According to The Telegraph, however, the Americans have addressed speculation they may stay by just stating they remain ‘open-minded’.

The Glazers have also confirmed they continue to pursue “all available options” as well.

And United will invite potential bidders to more talks in the coming days – and insist a sale is still possible, reports SunSport’s Martin Lipton.

Doubts over the Glazer family’s true intentions have been raised after their bankers Raine Group opted for radio silence for almost a fortnight.

Both Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe’s Ineos have been left in the dark by the lack of contact since submitting world record £5bn bids over the final weekend of last month.

That has led to growing worries that the Glazers might be more minded to accept the offer of US hedge fund Elliott Management for a “small amount of common equity” that could see the club’s commercial and merchandising division hived off into a separate company.

But the Glazers now want to discover how serious the main bidders are about coming close to their £6bn valuation by inviting them for a further conversation.

It appears the Glazers and Raine are looking to give Ineos and Sheikh Jassim a final chance to raise their bids to a level where the deal cannot be turned down.

However, if an offer at the right level is not made, the sale could be scuppered, with the American family said to be “open minded” about their options.

Finally, United have been fined £65,000 for their players’ behaviour against Fulham in the FA Cup last month.

The fine comes after the Red Devils were charged for failing to control their players in the quarter-final win at Old Trafford.

The Manchester giants were charged for the way the players surrounded referee Chris Kavanagh as they appealed for a penalty after the Cottagers’ star Willian handled the ball.

Jadon Sancho’s goalbound effort was blocked on the line by the Brazilian and Kavanagh initially waved play on, leading to the protests, before a VAR check led to a penalty.

United accepted the charges and the FA confirmed the club has been handed a £65,000 fine.

Ten Hag praises players

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was delighted with his players’ concentration in beating Brentford 1-0.

Ten Hag said: “It’s about focus, we want to play as a machine.

“I thought we made one mistake but fortunately they didn’t get the benefit of it and [David] De Gea was the equal to it.

“This is a massive win, especially over Brentford because as I said I admire them. This win will give us energy.”

Lewandowski Prem approach

Barcelona superstar Robert Lewandowski has revealed he laughed at Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp when he made a cheeky transfer offer.

Lewandowski’s ex-Borussia Dortmund manager Klopp had stopped him from joining Manchester United six years earlier in 2011.

And the striker admits he was stunned when the German tactician asked him about moving to Anfield.

Lewandowski told Bild: “We spoke on that occasion. Klopp asked me, ‘Don’t you want to come to Liverpool?’  We looked at each other, then I laughed.

“I don’t know if he was totally serious. But going to Liverpool was never in my mind.”

Ten Hag on Martial

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has admitted he was scared to risk starting “fragile” Anthony Martial against Brentford.

When asked why Martial didn’t start, Ten Hag said: “He was an option but I don’t think he was fit enough.

“Also it’s prevention. Obviously, when you see his record over the last years you have to be really careful to plan it. Even then still he can be fragile physically.

“So I don’t want to take that risk because I know when he is on the pitch he has a great impact on our performance.”

Ian Wright’s super Sab

Arsenal legend Ian Wright praised Manchester United ace Marcel Sabitzer’s impressive display against Brentford.

Wright told Premier League Productions: “You have to say, Sabitzer came up with the goods.

“With the assist and in certain other areas, he was getting into pockets, making some nice little moves and always making himself available.

“He got taken off in the end but I thought he did more than enough tonight in that No10 position.”

Got the Gigg

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs’ son Zach looks set to leave the club.

The 16-year-old is nearing a move to Sheffield United and therefore could be part of a Premier League squad next season.

The Blades are in the hunt for promotion and sit in second place in the Championship table.

The left-back has been part of United’s academy since 2019, hoping to emulate his father at the club.

The Welshman has played for the Under-18s side, but his hopes of landing a professional deal at the Red Devils have been dampened.

Gunner blow it

Manchester United legend Roy Keane believes Arsenal will choke in the Premier League title race.

Keane said: “They [Arsenal] are in a great position, wouldn’t have thought that at the start of the season but they’ve been brilliant, a lot of the young players have been very consistent, they can just focus on the league.

“They’re definitely favourites for the title. I don’t think they’ll do it. I still have to fancy [Manchester] City but Arsenal have got themselves in a great position.

“You need a little bit of luck, injuries over the last few months, they’re in a great position and you have to admire them for that – can’t begrudge them.

“I just think City are that brilliant. The games they [Arsenal] have to go and win, these are obviously pressure games and they’ve not dealt with that over the last few years. Even last year with top four they came up short, that’s the question mark that’s just hanging over them.

“But again, they’ve been brilliant, if they did go on and win it you have to give them the plaudits, but this is the crunch time, when you sort the men out from the boys, who can get over the line?”