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    Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag opens door to second Frenkie de Jong transfer bid this summer to build incredible midfield

    ERIK TEN HAG has opened the door to a shock second bid for Frenkie de Jong this summer.The Manchester United boss had an offer of £56.2million accepted by Barcelona last year but the midfielder refused to move until he had settled an issue over back-dated wages and the deal collapsed.
    Frenkie de Jong is preparing to face Man Utd on Thursday but the Barcelona star could yet move to Old Trafford next summerCredit: Rex
    Ten Hag said: “Frenkie is an incredible player and for every club in the whole world he will strengthen the squad because he has a unique quality.
    “If you can get him in the squad your team will be stronger.”
    The boss added that the Dutch international would bring a flair to any side as he did for him in Ajax and now does for Barcelona.
    He said: “I think we had a team in 2019 with a lot of fascination and he brings a lot of fascination.
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    “He has developed and, in Spain, become even better.
    “He’s a fantastic player, plays out from the back, he always has time and it was a pleasure to work with him.”
    It comes after Barca chief Xavi insisted De Jong never wanted to depart last summer.
    The Spaniard said: “He was very clear with me. He wanted to stay with us and there was no doubt.
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    “He is our player and I am very happy and satisfied with his performance and leadership.”
    Ten Hag’s Red Devils face Barcelona on Thursday in the first leg of their play-off tie in the Nou Camp to get into the last 16 of the Europa League.
    And they will be without the one midfielder they DID sign in January.
    Loanee Marcel Sabitzer is ineligible as he played for parent club Bayern Munich in the Champions League group stage. More

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    How Bayern Munich could line up with Kane and Rashford as they plot stunning swoop for Tottenham and Man Utd stars

    BAYERN MUNICH are monitoring Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford ahead of audacious transfer swoops this summer, according to reports.The England duo are two of the most-coveted stars in the Premier League.
    Bayern are after England duo Marcus Rashford and Harry KaneCredit: Getty
    Kane has bagged 17 league goals this season, while red-hot Rashford has netted 12.
    Tottenham and Manchester United will be desperate to keep hold of their respective stars, but Bayern reckon they can prise them away.
    Kane, 29, has 18 months remaining on his Spurs contract.
    The Three Lions skipper is chasing Alan Shearer’s Prem scoring record, but Bayern think they can tempt him to ditch his pursuit to move to the Bundesliga.
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    Rashford, 24, is also only under contract at United until 2024.
    German paper Bild claim that Bayern are “monitoring” Rashford’s situation, and are hoping to pounce if he becomes available.
    Julian Nagelsmann’s side lost star striker Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona last summer, and failed to adequately replace him.
    Former Stoke flop Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has been filling the role up top, but Kane could serve as a more appropriate Lewandowski replacement.
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    How Bayern could line up next season
    Bayern deployed a 3-4-3 formation against PSG last night in the Champions League.
    But they more regularly take to the field in a 4-2-3-1 system.
    Kane up top and Rashford wide left could be joined in a star-studded attack by Leroy Sane on the right and Jamal Musiala in the No10 position.
    An all-German midfield of Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich could provide an outstanding base for Bayern’s attack to thrive.
    While Dayot Upamecano and Matthijs de Ligt are a rock solid partnership at the back – with Benjamin Pavard and Alphonso Davies providing width at full-back.
    Yann Sommer arrived last month to deputise for Manuel Neuer- although Bayern’s regular No1 should be back from his broken leg suffered in a skiing accident to resume his place next season. More

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    Mystery man arrives at Man Utd’s training complex in chauffeur-driven car days before Glazers set deadline for bids

    A MYSTERY man has been spotted arriving at Manchester United’s training ground in a chauffer-driven car. Snaps show the unknown gentleman appearing just days before the deadline for bids for the club close.
    An unknown man holding a water bottle was snapped arriving at CarringtonCredit: Zenpix
    Fans will be wondering if the mystery man has anything to do with the bidding processCredit: Zenpix
    The Glazers put the club up for sale last year and several potential bidders are believed to be interested.
    New pictures have emerged showing a man at the back of a chauffer-driven grey car arriving at Carrington today.
    The vehicle had curtains in the window and a dark-suited man clutching a water bottle visible in the back.
    His appearance may spark speculation about the takeover process with fans desperate to learn the identity of their new owners.
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    Deadline for bids closes this Friday.
    It is unclear at this stage if the mystery man is linked to the takeover but supporters will be wondering about who he is
    As many as five serious contenders are believed to be in the race to buy one of football’s biggest clubs.
    US merchant bankers Raine are overseeing the sale and are monitoring offers for the club.
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    One of the world’s biggest clubs is set to undergo huge change over the following months
    Boyhood Man Utd fan and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe was joined in the race by a Qatari bid earlier this week.
    Ratcliffe, 70, has reportedly recruited Wall Street giants JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs to assist in his offer.
    And the Emir of Qatar is also reported as being ready to launch a huge bid for the club.
    A number of potential Saudi Arabian buyers have also reportedly expressed their interest.
    The Glazer family are believed to be looking to receive around £6bn for the 20-time English champions.
    But a fee of between £4.1bn-£4.5bn has been deemed more feasible. More

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    How Man Utd’s star man Rashford ‘nearly joined BARCELONA in 2019 with his brothers meeting club THREE TIMES’

    MARCUS RASHFORD nearly joined Barcelona in 2019, according to reports.The Manchester United star has been ever present for the Red Devils since breaking into the first team in 2016.
    Marcus Rashford turned down an approach from Barcelona in 2019Credit: Getty
    Rashford’s brothers met with Barcelona to discuss a potential moveCredit: marcusrashford
    But four years ago his career almost took a different direction amid interest from Barcelona.
    The Spanish giants were looking for a replacement for Luis Suarez and wanted a young player they could mould into their style of play.
    They liked the look of Rashford due to his age and the fact he only had 18 months remaining on his contract, which meant he may have been affordable.
    Then Barca general manager Pep Segura approached Rashford’s agent and his brothers to sound out a potential move, according to Mundo Deportivo.
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    Three meetings took place between Barcelona and Rashford’s representatives but a transfer never came to fruition.
    Rashford was believed to have been worried about moving to such a big club when he was only 21-years-old.
    He reportedly held concerns over adapting the language, culture and playing style at Barcelona.
    Rashford decided to stay at Old Trafford and soon after renewed his contract.
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    The 25-year-old penned a four-and-a-half-year deal worth £250,000-a-week with the option of an extra year. More

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    Excited Man Utd fans convinced Mbappe is joining club after bizarre translation on Instagram – and even Rashford replies

    A GLITCH on Kylian Mbappe’s latest Instagram post has sent Manchester United supporters into a frenzy.The Paris Saint-Germain superstar’s club were bizarrely linked to the Red Devils after he shared a new snap of himself in action.
    Kylian Mbappe sent Man Utd fans into meltdown with his latest Instagram postCredit: Rex
    This is how it was translated in EnglishCredit: Instagram
    Mbappe posted a photo from PSG’s 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League last night.
    The World Cup golden boot winner, 24, was returning from injury and he almost sparked a comeback after entering the action from the bench.
    Despite being unable to do so, he switched his focus to Instagram afterwards and his eye-catching caption soon had everyone talking – including United’s very own Marcus Rashford who replied with a fire emoji.
    Mbappe wrote in French the words for “all that remains to be done” as he looked ahead to the second leg of the last-16 tie.
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    However, the translation in English bizarrely added the claim that: “Manchester United’s team is now on PSG.”
    And followers of the former Monaco ace quickly took that as a sign that the hitman wanted to join the likes of Rashford at Old Trafford.
    One replied: “Mbappe x Rashford x Sancho .”
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    Another said: “He’s actually coming.”
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    A fellow Red Devil commented: “Man Utd coming to win Champions League next season.”
    While another added: “Welcome our new number 7.”
    And another simply wrote: “Here we go.”
    Even Marcus Rashford got involved in the responsesCredit: PA More

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    Man Utd have ‘genuine interest’ in shock transfer swoop for ex-Chelsea star Tammy Abraham if they can’t get Osimhen

    MANCHESTER UNITED have “genuine interest” in Tammy Abraham if they cannot land Victor Osimhen, reports claim. The Napoli striker is among Europe’s deadliest forwards and has long been tipped for an Old Trafford move in the summer.
    Abraham has been repeatedly linked with moves back to the Premier League after thriving at RomaCredit: Rex
    But he is not the only goalscoring talent in Serie A who has impressed.
    Former Chelsea hitman Tammy Abraham has re-energised his career after moving to Roma.
    While he is not enjoying his best season he remains an important piece of Jose Mourinho’s side.
    Caught Offside report that Man United are keeping tabs on the striker as they look for long-term options up-front.
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    Journalist Ben Jacobs writes: “For Manchester United, the admiration for Abraham is very genuine.
    “Ten Hag likes the player. But like Chelsea there are others ahead of him in the queue.
    “We know Manchester United love Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, as in fact do Chelsea. Manchester United won’t bill Abraham as a ‘back-up’ to Osimhen, but it’s not a bad way of putting it.”
    Previous reports have also claimed Abraham is on United’s radar, but the star has been linked to Arsenal.
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    Abraham, 25, has already proven capable of scoring in the Premier League with the Englishman netting 15 goals during Frank Lampard’s debut season.
    After being turfed out during Thomas Tuchel’s reign, he also adapted quickly to life in Italy and struck 17 league goals during his first season at Roma, with the club winning the inaugural Europa Conference League.
    He has only managed six in 22 Serie A game so far this season with Roma sat fourth and battling it out for a Champions League space.
    Wout Weghorst was recruited as a stop-gap loan for United until the end of the season amid Anthony Martial’s injury issues and Cristiano Ronaldo’s sudden departure.
    But he has so far struggled to shine even with United’s winning form in 2023. More

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    Man Utd ‘will do everything’ to sign £45m-rated Sevilla keeper Bono with De Gea out of contract in summer

    MANCHESTER UNITED are interested in signing Sevilla goalkeeper Bono, according to reports.The shot-stopper impressed with his performances for Morocco at the World Cup.
    Manchester United are interested in signing BonoCredit: Alamy
    David De Gea is out of contract at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty
    That led United to open talks with Sevilla in January over a potential transfer, report Fichajes.
    And although the LaLiga side snubbed the approach, United could make a bid in the summer.
    It is believed Sevilla want around £45million for Bono, whose contract expires in 2025.
    United will reportedly try to negotiate that price down, and could be boosted in their bid if Sevilla fail to qualify for the Champions League, in which case they may have to sell a prized asset.
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    However they face competition for Bono’s signature with Tottenham and West Ham.
    Spurs reportedly offered Sevilla £20m for the 31-year-old, who has also attracted attention from Bayern Munich.
    United have been linked with several goalkeepers in recent months with David De Gea out of contract at the end of June.
    He is currently the Reds’ top earner at around £375,000 a week and would have to take a drop of more than 25 per cent to get his wish.
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    Boss Erik ten Hag has assured the keeper he has his full backing and is not chasing a new No 1, despite links with Brentford’s David Raya.
    United are also said to be working on a deal to sign Porto goalie Diogo Costa, who could break the record transfer for a goalkeeper which stands at £72m for Kepa Arrizabalaga. More

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    How Liverpool beat Man Utd and BREXIT to £224,000 signing of teenage star now dubbed ‘best’ player

    LIVERPOOL’S midfield is an issue at the moment. But an 18-year-old star could save the club millions in the summer.
    Midfield is a problem position for Jurgen KloppCredit: EPA
    Stejan Bajcetic joined Liverpool aged 16 in December 2020Credit: Getty
    Stefan Bajcetic has broken into the Liverpool first-team this season and immediately caught the eye.
    Team-mate Mohamed Salah even dubbed Bajcetic as the “best player” at the club since the Spaniard has been part of the first-team.
    While the Reds’ pursuit of Jude Bellingham is well known, Bajcetic’s emergence could save them from splashing the cash on multiple midfielders in the summer.
    Bajetic signed for Liverpool in December 2020 aged 16 – with the club beating both Manchester United and Brexit to land his signature.
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    The Reds signed Bajcetic before new post Brexit rules came in and amid interest from United and Chelsea, as exclusively revealed by SunSport.
    While the Red Devils and Chelsea decided against a move due to fears he wouldn’t be allowed into the country, Liverpool swooped.
    Prem rules then came into place prohibiting visas for overseas players under the age of 18.
    He was Liverpool’s last signing under the old rules, costing a bargain £224,000.
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    The teenager now has 13 first-team appearances – but does not look out of place in a squad full of stars.
    He even scooped Jamie Carragher’s Player of the Match award in Monday’s 2-0 win over rivals Everton.
    And Bajcetic has made quite the impression among his Anfield team-mates.
    Egyptian ace Salah told Sky Sports: “He’s a great player and person, he always tries to work hard.
    “Since he started playing for us, he has been our best player maybe so hopefully he keeps that confidence and keeps going.”
    Bajcetic has caught the eye for Liverpool since breaking into the first-teamCredit: Rex More