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    Man Utd ‘chasing Sadio Mane’ in shock summer transfer but face competition from top four rivals

    MANCHESTER UNITED are in the hunt to sign Sadio Mane this summer but face competition from Newcastle, according to reports.The ex-Liverpool winger is expected to leave Bayern Munich after just one season with the club.
    Sadio Mane could secure a move back to the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
    Sky Sports in Germany claim they want to get rid of him after a troubled campaign.
    The Senegalese international punched team-mate Leroy Sane after a Champions League tie versus Manchester City.
    Mane was suspended and fined a reported £250,000.
    He earns a supposed £17.4million per year, meaning many sides are likely to be priced out.
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    Man Utd would be able to afford him and are interested as he would be able to add versatility and experience to the attack.
    Mane wanted a move to the Red Devils prior to signing for Liverpool in 2016.
    Meanwhile, Newcastle are in for the 31-year-old as Eddie Howe looks to bolster his attacking options with European football on the horizon.
    Chelsea were also reportedly keeping an eye on Mane’s situation but already have a bloated squad with plenty of wingers.
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    A switch back to Anfield appears unlikely after Jurgen Klopp signed the likes of Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez since his departure.
    Outside the Premier League, the Champions League winner could head to Barcelona but would need to take a pay cut as the club battle ongoing financial constraints.
    Teams from Saudi Arabia could also be keen as they look to add more high-profile players to their league. More

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    Man Utd wanted Cristiano Ronaldo to go to Barcelona instead of Real Madrid in 2009, where he could’ve played with Messi

    CRISTIANO RONALDO and Lionel Messi’s rivalry almost never happened as the Portuguese star almost joined Barcelona.The former Manchester United ace broke the football transfer record when he left the club in in 2009 for Real Madrid in an £80million deal.

    Los Blancos had already splashed out on Karim Benzema, Xabi Alonso and Ballon d’Or winner Kaka in response to Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering debut season as Nou Camp chief the year before.
    But they were almost denied the jewel in returning president’s Florentino Perez’s masterplan if Sir Alex Ferguson had got his way.
    The legendary Scot was desperate to avoid losing Ronaldo to Real once he’d accepted that the former Sporting Lisbon winger was set to leave.
    Fergie had even said back in 2008 that he wouldn’t sell Madrid a ‘virus’ let alone his best player.
    And according to Spanish newspaper AS, the United boss realised at the time that Barcelona were the only other club who could afford Ronaldo, who now plays his football in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr.
    Fergie apparently contacted the Catalans to encourage a bid but the Portugal captain had already set his mind on a move to the Bernabeu.
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    Guardiola’s most notable signing that summer involved an infamous swap deal with Inter Milan involving Samuel Eto’o and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
    But the acquisition of Ronaldo would have not only ushered in an era of pure dominance for Barcelona, but also have cancelled out his famed rivalry with Messi.
    Whether Manchester City chief Pep could have managed to get the two to play together is up for debate, as he boasted an embarrassment of attacking riches while in charge of Barca.
    While Arsenal legend Thierry Henry flourished for Barca on the left wing, Ronaldo could have occupied the opposite flank to leave Messi in the hole behind Ibra.
    Yaya Toure and Sergio Busquets may have had to share a spot on the substitutes bench, with Spanish duo Xavi and Iniesta holding down the two spots in the middle.
    Messi was asked by Mundo Deportivo last year whether he would pass to Ronaldo if the two were on the same team.
    The Argentine joked: “I guess so, in the end, yes.”
    Cristiano Ronaldo sealed a then-world record transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2009Credit: PA:Empics Sport
    The Portuguese superstar was also offered to Barcelona which would have made him teammates with Lionel MessiCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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    Ex-Man Utd star has theory why Phil Jones refused to quit Man Utd despite fact he should have ‘left a long time ago’

    A FORMER Manchester United star reckons he knows why Phil Jones has stayed at the club for so long.The centre-back, 31, is in his 12th season at Old Trafford following a 2011 move from Blackburn Rovers.
    A former Man Utd star reckons he knows why Phil Jones has refused to leave until nowCredit: Getty
    Despite enjoying his start to life at United, Jones eventually suffered several injury setbacks.
    And he’s played just 13 times in the last four years.
    Jones is now set to be released when his contract expires this summer.
    The Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League winner’s exit will call time on his up-and-down football career.
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    Jones already turned down the chance to play a testimonial after more than a decade of loyal service.
    And former Red Devil Dimitar Berbatov reckons he knows why Jones has refused to quit United before now.
    The Bulgarian scored 56 goals in four seasons at the club, winning two Premier League titles.
    And Berbatov believes that once you get a taste of life in the famous red shirt, you become extremely reluctant to let it go.
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    Dimitar Berbatov reckons United is too great a club for many to simply walk away fromCredit: Getty
    He told Betfred: “I believe Phil should have left a long time ago because it was obvious that he wasn’t in the plans of a couple of Manchester United’s recent managers. 
    “He was obviously not going to play, his time was up and he needed to leave sooner, but it is what it is. I wish him the best of luck in the future.

    “Has he been unfairly criticised? We’ve all been there and sometimes you get criticism you deserve and sometimes you don’t. That’s football. 
    “In Phil’s case, I can understand it because when you go to Manchester United, you don’t want to leave. 
    “Trust me. I can understand why he’s stayed at the club for so many years.” More

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    Ryan Giggs’ son Zach, 16, signs for Premier League club after leaving Man Utd as proud dad watches on

    RYAN GIGGS’ son Zach has signed a youth contract with Sheffield United as the youngster bids to be part of a Premier League squad for the next season. The 16-year-old has left Manchester United’s academy after four years following a trial at Bramall Lane.
    Zach Giggs had been with the United academy since 2019Credit: Getty
    Ryan Giggs remains one of the Premier League’s most decorated playersCredit: Dave Pinegar – The Sun

    He had been linked with the Yorkshire club over the previous month but has now put pen to paper on a deal.
    A photo from the Manchester United Youth Twitter account shows the star signing a scholarship contract.
    The wall behind him reads “The Academy of Opportunity” with pictures of Sheffield United youth graduates like Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire visible.
    The Blades’ promotion back to the top division means Zach could potentially make his Premier League debut next season.
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    But it is likely he will spend most of his time trying to earn his stripes in the youth team.
    Paul Heckingbottom’s side beat West Brom at the end of last month to join Burnley in going up.
    Zach will be hoping to emulate his father’s career with Ryan Giggs still one of the Premier League’s most successful players.
    He scored at least one goal in all of the first 21 seasons of the re-branded top division and appeared in the first 22 campaigns for United.
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    Giggs also holds the record for most appearances of all time for Manchester United and has the second-most Premier League outings.
    He won 13 Premier League medals, lifted the FA Cup four times and was part of both Man United Champions League winning squads. More

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    Forgotten Man Utd star dubbed ‘little Iniesta or Xavi’ confirms exit after six years at Old Trafford

    MANCHESTER UNITED midfielder Ethan Galbraith has confirmed he will leave Old Trafford at the end of the season.The 22-year-old has made just one first-team appearance for the Red Devils – which came under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the Europa League in 2019.
    Ethan Galbraith will leave Old Trafford at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty
    He has had loan spells with Doncaster and SalfordCredit: Getty
    He spent the 2021-22 campaign on loan at Doncaster where he played 36 games for the League One side.
    And this season he has been a part of Salford’s team – which is owned by Man Utd legends Gary Neville, Nicky Butt, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Ryan Giggs.
    Northern Ireland international Galbraith has been with United since arriving from Limerick six years ago.
    But now his exit has been announced on social media.
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    Speaking on Instagram, the central midfielder said: “After 6 years, my time has come to an end with this magnificent club at Manchester United.
    “I want to thank the club, coaching staff and players for helping me become a better player, a better person and for making me feel at home.

    “My earliest ambition as a boy was to become a professional footballer and I’m forever grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity and support to fulfil that dream.
    “It’s been a privilege and I feel very fortunate to have been able to represent the club.
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    “I step into the next chapter of my career a more mature well rounded person and I’m excited for what’s next…”
    Following his Man Utd debut, ex-Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough described Galbraith as their country’s Andreas Iniesta or Xavi.
    Speaking in 2020, he said: “Not to put too much pressure on his shoulders, but he’s our little Iniesta or Xavi.
    “[He’s] someone who can get on the ball and manipulate the ball and find positive passes.
    “Over the coming years, he will give us a different flavour to the squad.”
    Galbraith has earned two international caps but has not featured for his country over the past three years. More

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    Man Utd looking to win transfer race for ‘new Frenkie de Jong’, 16, after tracking wonderkid for a year

    MANCHESTER UNITED are trying to get ahead of their rivals in the race to sign Norwegian teen talent Sverre Nypan this summer.The Rosenborg midfielder is the hottest prospect in Scandinavian football right now after announcing himself in senior football with a goal last weekend.
    Sverre Nypan has been likened to Frenkie de JongCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sverrenypan/
    United have been tracking the 16-year-old for around a year and had him on their radar before his initial first-team breakthrough at the end of last year.
    The Red Devils followed Nypan’s progress over the winter months when he played for his country’s youth side in a tournament over in Spain.
    They have since kept tabs on him and one of their top talent spotters attended Norway’s Uefa Under-17 Championship qualifiers against Croatia and Slovenia.
    United’s leading Scandinavian scout Tommy Moller Nielsen was then in attendance at Rosenborg’s home clash with Odds BK in late April the weekend after Nypan had returned to training after a knock.
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    However, the midfielder — whose press-resistant style has been likened to United target Frenkie de Jong — did not make the matchday squad.
    The Old Trafford club are now facing increased competition for Nypan’s signature after his goal against Norwegian table-toppers Bodo/Glimt last weekend alerted other top clubs in Germany, Holland and Belgium.
    TV 2 analyst Petter Bo Tosterud believes the fact that under-fire Rosenborg coach Kjetil Rekdal, whose side are just above the relegation zone, chooses to throw the youngster into an already pressured situation speaks volumes about his temperament.
    “His touch on the ball and calmness mean that the coaches don’t feel stressed at all, and they probably need to check his passport to see if he is actually 16-years-old,” he told Nettavisen.no.
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    “He is probably shorter than most of the others on the pitch and 50 kilograms lighter than them.
    “But every time a team-mate plays a pass to him, they feel they are making a safe choice.
    “That is perhaps what makes him stand out.
    “He is young, but you can trust him.”
    Man United were heavily linked with Frenkie de Jong last summerCredit: Getty More

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    Harry Kane’s representatives ‘meet with PSG transfer chief Luis Campos as French giants make Tottenham man No1 priority’

    HARRY KANE’S representatives have met with PSG to discuss a potential transfer, according to reports.The striker has been tipped to leave Tottenham this summer with his contract expiring next year.
    PSG have contacted Harry Kane over a potential summer transferCredit: Reuters
    Manchester United have reportedly made Kane their number one summer transfer target but he is attracting interest across Europe.
    PSG are believed to be prioritising a move for a number nine and like the look of Kane after missing out on Robert Lewandowski.
    And according to French outlet Foot Mercato they have opened talks with Kane.
    Sporting director Luis Campos is believed to have met with the England captain recently to propose a move to the Parc des Princes.
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    But it could prove difficult to persuade Kane to join with the striker hunting down Alan Shearer’s Premier League goal record.
    Shearer finished on 260, with Kane now second in the all-time list with 210.
    Spurs may also be unwilling to let Kane leave this summer and could demand £100million for the 29-year-old.
    Kane said in January that there had “not been much talking” with Spurs over a new contract but he was “sure there will be conversations over the coming months”.
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    United have also made contact with Kane over a potential summer transfer, SunSport has revealed.
    And the Red Devils would be willing to significantly boost Kane’s current £200,000 a week salary. More

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    Man Utd scouts blown away after watching 19-goal transfer target score stunning hat-trick

    MANCHESTER UNITED scouts have reportedly been sent to watch KAA Gent prodigy Gift Orban.The Nigerian striker has been brilliant this season, as he has needed 19 goals in 19 games this season.
    Manchester United have reportedly scouted Gift OrbanCredit: Rex
    United scouts watched Orban score a hat-trickCredit: Twitter – @@ElevenBeNL
    His second goal was typical of a poacherCredit: Twitter – @ElevenBeNL
    His third goal was the best as he lobbed the goalkeeperCredit: Twitter – @ElevenBeNL
    His impressive record of a goal every game includes nine goals in 10 Belgian league games.
    The 20-year-old’s prolific nature has seen him start to gather interest from clubs all over Europe.
    Man United are one said club, with the club looking to bolster their attacking options this summer.
    The Red Devils’ top two targets are Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Napoli star Victor Osimhen.
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    However, the club would also like to sign a younger striker that can learn and grow into the role.
    And according to Nieuwsblad, United scouts were in attendance for Orban’s most recent match.
    He helped Gent to a stunning 4-0 victory over Cercle Brugge by netting a hat-trick.
    Orban’s first two goals were typical of a poacher, but his third was the best of the lot.
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    The pacy forward latched onto a long ball and lobbed the goalkeeper with his first-time shot.
    Orban is a player that is not short of confidence. In one game this season, he hit the crossbar straight from kick-off.
    He also almost scored an outrageous overhead kick against West Ham in the Europa Conference League quarter-finals.
    Orban cost Gent £2million when he joined the club in January from Norwegian side Stabaek. More