Man Utd takeover LIVE: Sir Alex Ferguson joins Premier League greats, De Gea FUTURE, Fati transfer BOOST, £80m Kane DEAL
MANCHESTER UNITED legend Sir Alex Ferguson has been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.The Scot and former rival Arsene Wenger are the first managers to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
In other news, Man United goalkeeper David de Gea has rejected a new contract at Old Trafford, according to reports.
Elsewhere, the Red Devils have been given a boost in their pursuit of Barcelona winger Ansu Fati.
Meanwhile, United have reportedly given Erik ten Hag the green light to make an £80million offer for Harry Kane this summer.
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De Gea future
Manchester United star David de Gea has rejected a new contract as the club attempts a pay cut on his current £375,000-a-week deal.
According to The Athletic, United’s opening proposal has been dismissed by De Gea.
Manager Erik ten Hag is keen for the Spain international to remain his first-choice goalkeeper for many years to come.
And while the 32-year-old wants to stay at Old Trafford, he also feels his performances warrant him still being one of the best-paid players in the squad.
Sir Hall of Famer
Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson has become the first manager, along with Arsenal great Arsene Wenger, to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
Fergie said: “It’s an honour when you receive recognition like this. However, it’s not just about me as a person.
“It’s about the job at Manchester United and the bond we had over many years, so I’m also proud for the club, the staff and my players.
“My job was to send the fans home happy. United’s history and my own expectations were the things that drove me, and I then had to try and develop all my players with the same expectations and make sure we could go out and achieve them.”
Arsenal ‘lead race for Rice’
Arsenal are reportedly confident of beating Man Utd and Chelsea to Declan Rice.
The Standard claims Mikel Arteta is ready to launch a huge bid for the West Ham star this summer.
And he believes Rice already wants to link up with England pal Bukayo Saka at the Emirates.
United and Chelsea remain hopeful of putting up a fight but it’s Arsenal who are in pole position.
Dumfries hints at summer move
Man Utd target Denzel Dumfries could be on the move this summer.
That’s because he has picked up a new agent.
The Dutchman has been linked with United for several windows.
And Inter Milan could finally decide to sell him this summer.
Kane splurge gets green light
United have given Erik ten Hag the green light to bid £80million for Harry Kane, according to reports.
And they want to wrap up a deal to sign the England captain before the end of the season.
The Tottenham striker, 29, is a long-term target for the Red Devils who desperately want a new No9 this summer after axing Cristiano Ronaldo.
But it remains to be seen if Spurs are finally willing to sell.
Great Scott in Wag heaven
Man Utd star Scott McTominay has been told he is “lucky boy” as fans raved about his stunning girlfriend Cam Reading.
One wrote: “Scott is a lucky boy 😍”.
Another added: “You look amazing cam!”
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Sir Alex joins Prem greats
Sir Alex Ferguson has become the first manager, along with Arsene Wenger, to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
Fergie said: “It’s an honour when you receive recognition like this. However, it’s not just about me as a person.
“It’s about the job at Manchester United and the bond we had over many years, so I’m also proud for the club, the staff and my players.
“My job was to send the fans home happy. United’s history and my own expectations were the things that drove me, and I then had to try and develop all my players with the same expectations and make sure we could go out and achieve them.”
De Gea future still unclear
David De Gea has reportedly rejected a new contract as Man Utd attempt a pay cut on his current £375,000-a-week deal.
According to The Athletic, the club’s opening proposal has been dismissed by De Gea.
Manager Erik ten Hag is keen for the ex-Atletico Madrid man to remain his first-choice keeper for many years to come.
And while De Gea wants to stay at Old Trafford, he also feels his performances warrant him still being one of the best-paid players in the squad.
Moyes facing weekend Hammers chop
Former Man Utd boss David Moyes reportedly fears he could be sacked if West Ham lose to Southampton on Sunday.
The relegation six-pointer takes place at the London Stadium.
And while the Hammers have home advantage, defeat could see supporters turn on Moyes and call for his dismissal.
Sources close to Moyes and his coaching staff fear that could happen, report the Daily Mail.
United get Fati boom boost
Man Utd have been put on red alert after Ansu Fati was urged to quit Barcelona by his DAD.
Bori Fati said: “It bothers me how they are treating Ansu. I am very disappointed, Ansu deserved much more.
“As a father, I see Ansu [playing] for a short time and it p****s me off but I think as a father, not as a coach.
“I have told Ansu that it is better for him to have a change of scenery.[But] Ansu does not agree with me. He wants to stay and succeed at Barcelona.”
Morning, United fans
Harry Kane or Scott McTominay up front?
That’s not quite as ridiculous a question for United fans as it might have seemed 24 hours ago.
The Red Devils have reportedly told manager Erik ten Hag he can bid £80million for England record scorer Kane.
Tottenham have been holding out for £100m – but it’s even suggested the Red Devils hope to tie up a deal EARLY in the summer.
Meanwhile, McTominay struck twice as Scotland beat Spain 2-0 – following his double in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat of Cyprus.
Many supporters on social media are now urging Ten Hag to play the midfielder up front instead of loan striker Wout Weghorst when Prem action resumes at Newcastle on Sunday.
Neighbours City are said to have joined United and Newcastle in trailing Celta Vigo attacking midfield star Gabri Veiga.
Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries has hinted he could move to Old Trafford at the end of the season.
And crocked playmaker Christian Eriksen is ahead of schedule and could return in just ten days.
Finally, the Red Devils could miss out on the Champions League even if Jim Ratcliffe takes over and they finish in the top four.
Fans already knew rival bidder Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani might need to prove he has no influence on PSG should he buy out the Glazers.
But Ratcliffe already owns Nice – meaning if United and the French top-flight club both finish in Champions League qualification spots, only the side finishing higher would enter the competition.
Champions League dilemma even if Ratcliffe takes over
Manchester United could miss out on the Champions League even if Jim Ratcliffe takes over and they finish in the top four.
Fans already knew rival bidder Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani might need to prove he has no influence on PSG should he buy out the Glazers.
But the new revelation is a further blow to both takeover hopes and what comes after that.
The issue stems from Ratcliffe, Britain’s richest man, owning Nice.
Under Uefa rules, that would mean if United and the French top-flight club both finish in Champions League qualification spots, only the side finishing higher would enter the competition.
So if Nice come third and United finished fourth, then Ratcliffe’s Ligue 1 team would make it.
United fans want Scot hero McTominay up front
Manchester United fans are begging Erik ten Hag to play Scott McTominay up front ahead of Wout Weghorst after he “cooked” Spain with two goals.
The midfielder thumped home on seven and 51 minutes to put Scotland 2-0 up in their home Euro qualifier – having also netted twice in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Cyprus.
And one supporter posted: “It started as a joke but Scott McTominay might genuinely do a better job for us up top than Weghorst.
Another wrote: “McTominay is cooking Spain, Two goals for McTominay as it stands.”
And a third said: “Should just play as our striker for the rest of the season.”
United ‘keen on quick Kane deal’
United have given Erik ten Hag the green light to bid £80million for Harry Kane, according to reports.
And they want to wrap up a deal to sign the England captain before the end of the season.
The Tottenham striker, 29, is a long-term target for the Red Devils who desperately want a new No9 this summer after axing Cristiano Ronaldo.
SunSport revealed earlier in March that the Old Trafford club are confident they will land Kane this summer if Tottenham miss out on the top four and the Champions League.
Spurs have been holding out for £100m – but United hope they will accept an offer below that.
Now the Mirror report the Red Devils board have sanctioned an £80m opening offer for their priority transfer target.
It is thought Ten Hag implored his seniors to stump up the cash because he is desperate to secure the striker to transform his side into genuine title contenders and therefore wants to open talks as soon as possible.
Kane is wanted by plenty of Europe’s top clubs including Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Chelsea – but the report adds his preferred destination is Old Trafford.
His current £200,000-a-week contract at Tottenham expires in 2024 and he needs to make a decision on his future as his long wait for a trophy goes on.
City linked to ‘Utd target Veiga’
Man City have joined United and Newcastle in trailing Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga.
That’s the claim from Spain as the LaLiga side fight an uphill battle to keep the 20-year-old beyond this summer.
Real Madrid are also thought to be keen, with Veiga understood to have a £35million release clause.
Etihad chief Pep Guardiola has one eye on strengthening in mid-pitch.
That’s partly because City duo Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva face uncertain futures in the summer
And Celta president Carlos Mourino accepts holding onto Veiga is virtually impossible – not least financially.
He also revealed that at least four Premier League clubs are seriously interested.
Mourino said: “We want to keep Gabri Veiga but it will be impossible due to his release clause.
“There are several teams behind Gabri. Real Madrid? They haven’t asked us, we don’t know if they will have called the player.
“Of the top 10 in the Premier League, four have asked about him.”
Dumfries in Red Devils’ hint
Denzel Dumfries has dropped a hint that he will join Manchester United after switching agents.
The Dutch defender has reportedly dropped his previous representative Rafaela Pimenta and will now be looked after by the Wasserman Group.
The decision, as reported by Calciomercato.com, comes as Inter Milan plan to cash in on Dumfries this summer.
The Wasserman Group represents current United stars Alejandro Garnacho and Phil Jones.
According to Football Italia, the Serie A giants are hoping to sell the 26-year-old for a fee of at least £35million.
Eriksen could be back in just TEN DAYS
Christian Eriksen is ahead of schedule and could be back in action for Manchester United in just ten days.
The Danish international midfielder, 31, was expected to be out until May with an ankle injury.
But he has returned to training and there is optimism around the club that he could be available soon.
While Eriksen is expected to miss United’s next two league games away to Newcastle and at home to Brentford a place on the bench for the visit of Everton on April 8 is now on the radar.
Speaking during the international break Eriksen said: “It is going well. I have just started being outside with football boots on.
“And then we take it from there, that is the next step. I have been in the gym for some weeks now and now it is time to do the next rehab session outside.”
3 Utd stars in Tiktok top 10
Antony and Alejandro Garnacho are amongst the Prem’s top-four most followed TikTokers.
And Harry Maguire is the third United player on the list at 10th.
But Spurs’ Brazil striker Richarlison is way in front on nine million, followed by Man City playmaker Kevin de Bruyne on 5.6m.
No players for leaders Arsenal or Liverpool make the top 10.
Vertical sports site Sport World News produced the data.
United predicted to comfortably finish third
Arsenal will win the Prem by two points from champions Man City – with United way behind in third.
That’s the prediction from spread betting firm Sporting Index as the table-topping Gunners chase their first top-flight crown for 19 years.
United are tipped to finish four points clear of Newcastle – narrowly ahead of Spurs and Liverpool.
And Brighton are backed to come seventh – six points above Chelsea.
Neville Burdock, Head of Sportsbook at Sporting Index, said: “After composing a brilliant six-game winning run before the March international break, we now forecast Mikel Arteta’s side will finish on 88 points, two points clear of Manchester City
“We forecast high-flying Newcastle will secure European football for the first time since the 2013/14 season.
“It’s equally tight in the battle to beat the drop, with Everton forecast to avoid relegation by a single point, while West Ham and Leeds will finish only two points clear of the bottom three.”
Ten Hag ‘gets go-ahead for £80m Kane bid’
United have given Erik ten Hag the green light to bid £80million for Harry Kane, according to reports.
And they want to wrap up a deal to sign the England captain before the end of the season.
The Tottenham striker, 29, is a long-term target for the Red Devils who desperately want a new No9 this summer after axing Cristiano Ronaldo.
SunSport revealed earlier in March that the Old Trafford club are confident they will land Kane this summer if Tottenham miss out on the top four and the Champions League.
Spurs have been holding out for £100m – but United hope they will accept an offer below that.
Now the Mirror report the Red Devils board have sanctioned an £80m opening offer for their priority transfer target.
It is thought Ten Hag implored his seniors to stump up the cash because he is desperate to secure the striker to transform his side into genuine title contenders and therefore wants to open talks as soon as possible.
Kane is wanted by plenty of Europe’s top clubs including Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Chelsea – but the report adds his preferred destination is Old Trafford.
His current £200,000-a-week contract at Tottenham expires in 2024 and he needs to make a decision on his future as his long wait for a trophy goes on.
Fans baffled by Sanchez’s late winner direct from CORNER
Former Manchester United and Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez scored a bizarre corner winner for Chile, leaving fans baffled.
The 34-year-old now plies his trade in France for Marseille after winning a Serie A title with Inter Milan.
But Sanchez remains a key player for his country.
He won his 153rd international cap for Chile in Monday’s friendly game against Paraguay. And he scored his 51st goal with 15 minutes left to level the score at 2-2.
But Sanchez wasn’t finished yet as he landed a winner for Chile in the 92nd minute. Sanchez fired in a corner as time ticked down to the final whistle. And somehow the ball ended up in the back of the net at the near post, sparking wild celebrations.
Replays showed that Paraguay goalkeeper Antony Silva had actually palmed the ball straight into his own net when trying to punch what should have been a routine save away.
And TV viewers were left puzzled by his horrendous mistake, which later went down as an own-goal.
One said: “I didn’t understand Alexis’ shot but even less what Silva did.” Another declared: “He fished for the ball and caused the goalie to make an error, the quality of Sanchez.”
One asked: “How on earth has that gone in?” Another added: “The best player Chile has ever produced.”
Four years ago today…
Four years ago today Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was appointed Man Utd manager.
The 50-year-old first took charge as a caretaker and then got the job permanently.
He guided Man Utd to some memorable victories, a Europa League final and a second place finish in the Premier League.
Solskjaer has been out of management since he was sacked in November 2021, but he was linked with the Everton job.
Wou about that
Wout Weghorst was asked a BRUTAL question by a reporter following his wasteful display for the Netherlands.
The Dutch beat minnows Gibraltar 3-0 in their Euros qualifier in Rotterdam on Monday evening but missed a host of chances during the game.
Ronald Koeman’s side had a total of 51 SHOTS in the match – 39 of which were off target.
It was put to Weghorst: “Wout, imagine we would have continued this game for another 48 hours. Would you have scored a goal?”
To which he diplomatically replied: “Good question. At least I would have had more time. I did my best, but time was up.”
Into the Den
Denzel Dumfries has dropped a hint that he will join Manchester United after switching agents.
The Dutch defender has reportedly dropped his previous representative Rafaela Pimenta and will now be looked after by the Wasserman Group.
The decision, as reported by Calciomercato.com, comes as Inter Milan plan to cash in on Dumfries this summer.
The Wasserman Group represents current United stars Alejandro Garnacho and Phil Jones.
According to Football Italia, the Serie A giants are hoping to sell the 26-year-old for a fee of at least £35million.
Credit: AFP
Four Lions
United Women’s quartet Mary Earps, Maya Le Tissier, Ella Toone and Alessia Russo have all made the England squad.
The Lionesses play Brazil in the Women’s Finalissima at Wembley on April 6.
They then meet Australia in a friendly on April 11.
Le Tissier was not part of the England squad that won the Euros last year, but the other three were.
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