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    Man Utd and Chelsea ‘leading Romeo Lavia transfer race’ with Southampton star at centre of Premier League tug-of-war

    PREMIER LEAGUE giants Manchester United and Chelsea are leading the race for Southampton star Romeo Lavia according to reports.Lavia, 19, has enjoyed a breakout season at Southampton following his £14million arrival from Manchester City last summer.
    Lavia is already being linked with a move away from Southampton despite only joining in the summerCredit: EPA
    The midfielder has enjoyed a breakout season for SouthamptonCredit: Rex
    Despite only arriving at St Mary’s six months ago the midfielder is already being linked with a move away.
    Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri has said United and Chelsea are leading the race for the 19-year-old’s signature.
    Tavolieri adds that Manchester City remain in the race due to having a buy back clause inserted in the contract when they sold Lavia.
    Chelsea are in the market as they search for a defensive midfielder which will allow Enzo Fernandez to operate higher up the pitch.
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    Despite heavy investment from owner Todd Boehly the Blues don’t have a holding midfielder amongst their ranks following the departure of Jorginho to rivals Arsenal.
    Alongside Lavia, Graham Potter’s side have also been linked with moves for West Ham’s Declan Rice and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Manu Kone.
    For United the Southampton man doesn’t represent their first choice option.
    Erik ten Hag wants to pursue a deal for Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong who the Red Devils were heavily linked with last summer.
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    The Old Trafford outfit have also been linked with a summer move for Rice and Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham.
    Lavia has made 18 appearances for Southampton this season, scoring once.
    The Saints’ ability to keep hold of their star man would be severely weakened if the club were to get relegated.
    Southampton sit bottom of the table and host Tottenham tomorrow. More

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    Man Utd set for shake up to recruitment staff with key position appointed ahead of summer transfer window

    MANCHESTER UNITED have bolstered their backroom staff with the appointment of Adidas executive Matt Hargreaves to one of their key positions in player recruitment.United have appointed Hargreaves to replace Matt Judge who worked as director of football negotiations alongside Ed Woodward before leaving United last year.
    It’s set to be another busy summer at Old Trafford as United look to bolster their squadCredit: AP
    United are currently in the midst of a takeover as the Glazers look to sell the clubCredit: Getty
    Hargreaves will be negotiating deals for the club and it’s been reported he has accepted terms with United and will start before the summer transfer window.
    The Old Trafford outfit have an existing relationship with Hargreaves dating back to when Adidas returned as United’s kit supplier in the 2015/2016 season.
    Hargreaves had been a marketing director at the German sportswear giant and focused on players and scouting.
    It will be an important summer for the Red Devils with negotiations needed for current players including goalkeeper David De Gea who will be out of contract at the end of the season.
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    Marcus Rashford who has been in superb form this season will have just one year left on his deal come the end of the season.
    Despite the uncertainty surrounding the ownership of the club it is going to be a busy summer at Old Trafford as Erik ten Hag looks to build on his first season in the Premier League.
    The restructuring of the recruitment department has been a focus for United as they look to build on last summer’s successful window.
    The Carabao Cup winners signed  Casemiro, Antony, Lisandro Martínez, Christian Eriksen and Tyrell Malacia.
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    The club are in the market for a centre forward and have been linked with Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen who will both likely command in excess of a £100million fee.
    United have also been linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Jude Bellingham but face competition from Europe’s top clubs for his signature.
    The Red Devils are back in action at Old Trafford on Sunday when they host Fulham in the FA Cup quarter finals. More

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    Fuming Man Utd fans say Europa League draw is ‘even more fixed’ than Champions League

    MANCHESTER UNITED fans have claimed the Europa League draw is “EVEN MORE FIXED” than the Champions League ballot after being handed a tough quarter-final tie.The Red Devils learned their fate for the last eight of Europe’s secondary club competition on Friday afternoon.
    Manchester United fans are fuming with the Europa League drawCredit: Rex
    The Red Devils have been drawn against Spanish giants Sevilla in the quarter-finals of the tournament.Credit: GETTY
    Some of the Old Trafford faithful have claimed the draw is ‘fixed’Credit: REUTERS

    Erik ten Hag’s troops will lock horns with six-time tournament winners Sevilla in the next round of the competition.
    Should they advance, United will face either Juventus or Arsenal’s conquerors Sporting Lisbon in the semis.
    And some of the Old Trafford faithful reckon the draw has been rigged against them.
    One tweeted: “Europa league draw even more fixed UEFA you are a f***ing joke.”
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    Another said: “Fixed draw.”
    And another said: “All European draws are fixed, IDC.”
    One remarked: “Looks like we are f***ing fixed draw. Destined to be us [and] Roma final.”
    One fuming Red Devil added: “At this point, I’m suspecting that this draw is fixed. Four Spanish teams in one campaign??”
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    The quarter-final draw for the Europa League took place after its Champions League counterpart.
    And the two remaining English teams remaining in the tournament were handed supremely tough ties for the next round of Europe’s elite club competition.
    Premier League strugglers Chelsea were drawn against tournament legends Real Madrid, who dumped them out of the competition last season.
    And reigning English champions Manchester City were handed a tasty tie against their German counterparts Bayern Munich.
    The first leg of the ties will take place on April 11, with the returns scheduled for a week later.
    The Europa League quarter-finals, meanwhile, will take place on the weeks of April 13 and 20 respectively. More

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    Paul Scholes urges Man Utd to seal transfer for ‘aggressive’ Champions League star after quarter-final draw is revealed

    PAUL Scholes has urged Manchester United to sign Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez after the Champions League quarter final draw was revealed. United signed Dutchman Wout Weghorst on loan in January but it is unlikely he will be signed on a permanent basis.
    Scholes has urged Manchester United to sign Lautaro Martinez from Inter MilanCredit: Rex
    Marcus Rashford has shouldered the goal scoring at United this seasonCredit: Rex
    The Red Devils’ only other options are Marcus Rashford, who has been in superb form this season, and the injury-prone Anthony Martial.
    The Old Trafford club will likely spend a large fee on bringing a striker in this summer.
    The two big names being linked are Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen but Scholes think’s Maritnez would be a good choice.
    Scholes spoke to BT Sport on Thursday night following United’s 1-0 over Real Betis.
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    He said: “I like Lautaro Martinez at Inter Milan.
    “I think he is a Ten Hag type of player, he likes a centre forward that will run about, be aggressive, get against people.
    “I like United’s current options, I like Rashford, I like Martial, but Martial just can’t stay fit. So there are options out there.”
    The former midfielder also spoke about Harry Maguire’s situation at the club.
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    He said: “Harry’s in a difficult position not playing games but I think his attitude there with the interview saying ‘it doesn’t matter if I’m playing or not, it’s my job to make sure I can make the club as successful as they can be.
    “I think that guarantees him in the England situation as well. It’s a good thing.
    “It’s good for Man Utd as well that he will go away and get a couple of games that will only bode well for Manchester United.”
    United are next in action on Saturday when they host Fulham at Old Trafford in the FA Cup quarter final. More

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    Man Utd star Alejandro Garnacho rejects chance to switch national allegiance from Argentina

    MANCHESTER UNITED star Alejandro Garnacho has officially snubbed Spain to play for Argentina.The 18-year-old has burst onto the scene at Old Trafford this term and is currently negotiating a new long-term contract.
    Man Utd star Alejandro Garnacho, pictured training with Argentina, has declared his international allegianceCredit: Getty
    The winger, who boss Erik ten Hag has confirmed will be sidelined long-term with an ankle injury, has also had things to sort regarding his international future.
    Garnacho was born in Madrid and has represented Spain at youth level but qualifies for Lionel Scaloni’s World Cup winners due to his mother being born in Argentina.
    He initially received a call-up to the South American country’s senior squad for two World Cup qualifiers a year ago but did not make an appearance in either game.
    After scoring four goals in four caps for their U20s to help them win the 2022 Maurice Revello Tournament he then missed out on the squad for Qatar in November.
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    That allegedly led to Spain getting back in touch with him to try and persuade him to switch his allegiance – but Garnacho allegedly politely declined.
    He was then included in the Argentina squad for their upcoming friendlies with Panama and Curacao only for the blow he suffered against Southampton on Sunday to rule him out.
    Bernardo Romeo, coordinator of Argentina’s youth teams, was the one to reveal to publication Ole that the United ace “had been called by the coordinator of Spain’s teams”.
    He said: “Alejandro Garnacho was very clear, he told me that he answered him out of respect, but he has decided to play for Argentina.”
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    Romero added that the attacker “is very convinced of playing for the Argentine National Team. You enter the house and he has all the photos with Messi.”
    Garnacho, who moved to Old Trafford from Atletico Madrid in October 2020, said after he pulled out of the latest Argentina squad: “It is difficult to put into words how I feel at this moment.
    “I am disappointed to miss the opportunity to be with my teammates from the Argentine national team, in what would have been a great moment of pride for me and my family.” More

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    Thugs linked to raid at Man Utd star Victor Lindelof’s home while his terrified wife and kids were inside are jailed

    A GANG of car thieves have been linked to a terrifying raid at Victor Lindelof’s home while he was playing for Man Utd.The centre-back’s wife Maja previously revealed how she was forced to lock herself in a room with her two children as the thugs broke in.
    Victor Lindelof and wife Maja were targeted by thievesCredit: Getty
    Lindelof, 28, was playing for Utd against Brentford at the time of the burglary on January 19 last year.
    Declan McClusky, Alan McCabe, Kade McEwan and Christopher Ward have now been jailed for their part in a conspiracy to burgle homes in a three-month rampage.
    Manchester Crown Court heard the burglars at Lindelof’s home in Trafford left empty-handed after they were “interrupted”.
    But police found a white Nissan Qashqai linked to the raid, which ad earlier been stolen from a nearby property.
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    Fingerprints found on the seized motor were identified to McCluskey.
    Police later linked the gang to 13 incidents where cars – including Audis and Porsches – were stolen from car parks and driveways acrpss Manchester.
    These vehicles would then be used in other burglaries as the thugs terrorised victims across the city.
    Hugh Mckee, prosecuting, said: “McCluskey and McCabe, the Crown says, are part of a long-running operation to burgle houses and steal cars.
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    “Jewellery was taken on at least two occasions that we know of.”
    Maja previously opened up about the raid on the family home in a harrowing Instagram post.
    She wrote: “During Victor’s game this Wednesday night we had a break-in at our house in Manchester.
    “I was home alone with both the kids but we managed to hide and lock ourselves in a room before they entered our house.
    “We are okay under the circumstances, but it was obviously a very traumatic and scary moment for both me and my little kids.
    “We are now in Sweden and are spending some time off with our families. Love, Maja.”
    Ralf Rangnick, then-interim manager, said at the time the Sweden international told him he did not want to leave his wife and children at home alone.
    McClusky, 20, was caged for thee years and four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary, driving whilst disqualified and without insurance.
    McCabe, 19, was jailed for three years and 11 months and McEwan, 20, was sentenced to one year and 20 months after after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary.
    While Ward, 20, was jailed for two years and eight months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary, dangerous driving, driving without insurance, possession of a bladed article and possession of cannabis.
    Detective Constable Chris Bromley from GMP Serious Organised Crime Group said: “This group were prolific thieves, and these were really intrusive crimes where they would often break into people’s homes and steal the cars from their drives, leaving people unable to get to work or take their children to school.
    “These men had no regard for public safety with their behaviour and reckless driving, and I hope this incident demonstrates that no matter how organised a gang may think they are, we will use all the experience and resources available to available to put these individuals behind bars.”
    Maja previously spoke of her terror at the burglaryCredit: Instagram / @majanilssonlindelof
    She had to hide with their two children as thugs raided her home
    Lindelof was away playing for Utd at the timeCredit: Getty
    The couple wed in 2018
    McClusky’s fingerprints were found on a car linked to the burglaryCredit: GMP
    McCabe was jailed for three years and 11 monthsCredit: GMP
    McEwan admitted conspiracy to commit burglaryCredit: GMP
    Ward was jailed for two years and eight monthsCredit: GMP
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    I played for Man Utd in the Champions League in 2003, but now I am a builder and trained plumber

    ON March 18, 2003 Lee Roche was thrown in at the deep end – handed his Champions League debut against Deportivo La Coruna in a 2-0 defeat.Some five years later, he was left on the football scrapheap and now works on building sites installing cavity wall insulation, and is a trained plumber.
    Former Man Utd youngster Lee Roche made his Champions League debut in 2003Credit: AP:Associated Press
    Today, Roche is a builder and trained plumber

    Now 42, Roche was given a free transfer two months after his bow in Europe’s premier club competition.
    And when a football career petered out after spells at Wrexham, Burnley and Droylsden, the youngster had to come up with a different plan in life with the help of the PFA.
    COMING TO AN END
    At the age of 27, Roche was admittedly fed up of the game.
    He’d bounced from a loan deal at Wrexham to Burnley, then back to Wrexham again.
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    Injuries began to take their toll, and the former England U21 star lost his hunger for playing.
    “I was coming home and not wanting to even watch football on the TV, he told Planet Football.
    After he was released by the Welsh club, he trained with Royal Antwerp and former United youth Warren Joyce.
    But when a move failed to materialise, he signed for non-league Droylsden in 2007.
    It was there he started to think about a life after the beautiful game.
    Promising youngster Roche was released by Man Utd in 2003 and after bouncing around at different clubs needed to find a different careerCredit: Getty
    Roche, chatting to PFA member Don Goodman, was helped by the organisation to retrain in a new careerCredit: Twitter @PFA
    With the help of the PFA, Roche now has his own cavity wall insulation business
    The PFA supported the lost talent and helped him retrain in another profession.
    Today, Roche is a qualified plumber and has his own cavity wall insulation business.
    “I have had a few fellow workers on the building sites asking me about United and how have I ended up here,” he revealed.
    “It can get pretty tiresome so I don’t go shouting about that I played for United. I do think young players today should be made to train as something, so they know about the real world.
    “Most of them probably don’t have a plan to fall back on if they don’t make it as a professional.”
    BAPTISM OF FIRE
    Roche made two starts for United, but it was always in scratch sides.
    His debut came in 2001 in a Worthington Cup tie against Arsenal – a 4-0 thrashing in a team that featured mainly reserve players.
    In 2001 Roche appeared for Man Utd for the very first time against Arsenal in a Worthington Cup tieCredit: PA
    Roche, up against Arsenal striker Kanu, couldn’t believe the size of his opponents feetCredit: PA
    “Sylvain Wiltord scored a hat-trick and I remember Kanu being a massive handful – I couldn’t get over the size of his feet,” Roche joked.
    “At one point, he flicked the ball over my head and volleyed it, but it went just over the bar, thankfully, otherwise it would have been one of those goals which would have been shown forever.
    “There was no hairdryer from Sir Alex afterwards because he knew we had been up against it. I took what I could from that game and tried to learn from it.”
    A year later, Roche came on as a sub against Newcastle United in front of a packed house at Old Trafford in a 5-3 win.
    “It was unbelievable, coming on in front of 75,000 fans at Old Trafford,” he said.
    “I did okay, but I remember Sir Alex talking to me afterwards because Alan Shearer had beaten me at the far post to win a header, so he told me to get up first and not let the forwards do that to me.”
    THE BIG LEAGUE
    Roche’s third and final performance for United was in the Champions League.
    Roche made his final appearance for United against Deportivo La Coruna in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
    At half-time Roche was hauled off as United lost 2-0 to the LaLiga sideCredit: PA
    He appeared against Deportivo, who at the time were LaLiga challengers to Real Madrid and Barcelona.
    Playing in a back three with Laurent Blanc and John O’Shea, the Red Devils look disjointed in a different formation.
    Roche, himself, was hauled off at half-time with the Premier League giants trailing 1-0 at the break.
    “I was up against (Albert) Luque and thought I had done alright, but I wasn’t going to come off and start arguing with Sir Alex,” he said.
    “Giggsy told me to keep my chin up and that I had not done anything wrong. Sir Alex didn’t tell me why I had been substituted, but I didn’t want to overthink it.”
    ‘NO REGRETS’
    Despite how his football career turned out, Roche is thankful for his time at Manchester United.
    Although he doesn’t have any regrets, there is one thing perhaps he might’ve done different.
    “I don’t have any regrets,” Roche revealed.
    Despite his career not panning out how he had hoped, Roche was no regretsCredit: Rex
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    “The only thing I would point out is that I was known at United for being really quiet, so perhaps I should have been more assertive and mingled more with the lads.
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    “I’d be straight off home after training to hang out with my own group of friends. I look back now at team-mates like John (O’Shea) and Darren Fletcher and think I should have been more like them and gone out and socialised.
    “I think it would have gone down better with United.” More

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    ‘I want to play more’ – Harry Maguire opens up on tough season at Man Utd but admits he’s revelling in ‘important role’

    HARRY MAGUIRE has admitted his frustration over his lack of action at Manchester United and says he “wants to start more games”.The Red Devils booked their spot in today’s Europa League last-eight draw with a 1-0 win over Real Betis to seal a 5-1 aggregate victory last night.
    Harry Maguire has insisted that he wants to play more for Man UtdCredit: Getty
    United’s club captain Maguire, 30, led the team to a clean sheet in what is just his sixth start of 2023.
    The England international defender has lost his place to regular centre-back pairing Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez but he has made it clear that he wants more.
    Maguire told BT Sport: “I work hard at the training ground and that’s all that you can do.
    “You can work hard in training, I put everything into training. We have good coaches at this club and they put on really good sessions for us the day after games.
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    “Listen, it’s not been too long since my last game, I think it is a couple of weeks ago. I have started five, six, seven since the World Cup.
    “Obviously, I want to play more, I want to start more games, but I’m playing my part on and off the field.
    “It’s nice to be out there leading the team and getting the victory, which is the most important part for myself and the club.
    “I’ve got an important role on and off the field at this club and every day I try to make this club succeed, whether I’m playing or not.”
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    United legend Paul Scholes was full of praise for the way Maguire has handled being left out and says that the ex-Leicester City ace’s upcoming stint on international duty with the Three Lions would benefit his old club.
    “Harry’s in a difficult position not playing games but I think his attitude there with the interview saying ‘it doesn’t matter if I’m playing or not, it’s my job to make sure I can make the club as successful as they can be.
    “I think that guarantees him in the England situation as well. It’s a good thing. It’s good for Man Utd as well that he will go away and get a couple of games that will only bode well for Manchester United.” More