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    Nemanja Matic announces he will LEAVE Man Utd in the summer as Erik ten Hag’s Old Trafford overhaul begins

    NEMANJA MATIC will leave Manchester United at the end of the season.The midfielder – who joined from Chelsea for £40million in 2017 – will be the first exit in a summer of upheaval at Old Trafford.
    Nemanja Matic will quit Manchester United in the summerCredit: Getty
    Matic has struggled to make much of an impact this seasonCredit: Getty
    The midfielder, 33, took to Instagram to confirm the news of his departure.
    He said: “After a great deal of thought, I have decided that this season will be my last with Manchester United.
    “I have informed the board, the manager and the players of my decision.
    “It has been a huge honour and a privilege to play for this great club.
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    “A big thank you to the fans for their unwavering support.
    “I will now give everything until the end of the season to help my teammates finish as strongly as possible.”
    SunSport revealed on Friday how incoming Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag wowed chiefs when he ripped United apart in his brutal assessment of the status of the club during his job interview.
    The Dutchman is set to revamp the Red Devils when he joins at the end of the current campaign, with the deal now believed to be a formality.
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    Erik ten Hag is set to revamp Man Utd’s squad in the summerCredit: EPA
    And it Matic is the first United stalwart to announce he is heading for pastures new.
    The Serbian a two-year extension in 2020 when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge, with an option of an extra season.
    However he has decided he does not want to stay an extra 12 months and has called time on his United career.
    Matic has racked up 183 appearances for the across his five seasons with United.
    However, he has made just 13 starts this term and is now largely used as backup to the likes of Fred and Scott McTominay as a defensive midfielder.
    The 48-cap Serbia international has not won any trophies during his time at United.
    However, he has two runners-up medals – from the FA Cup in 2018 and last season’s Europa League. More

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    Erik ten Hag wowed Man Utd chiefs as he listed EVERYTHING wrong with club in BRUTAL rant during his job interview

    ERIK TEN HAG stunned Manchester United into giving him the manager’s job following a brutal assessment of the club.Technical director Darren Fletcher and football director John Murtough flew to Amsterdam last month to interview the Ajax boss about taking the Old Trafford hotseat for next season.
    Erik ten Hag did not hold back in his brutal assessment of the club in his Man Utd interviewCredit: Getty
    Ten Hag shocked Darren Fletcher with his no-holds-barred dressing down of the clubCredit: Reuters
    Only now can SunSport reveal the incredible detail of that meeting as the straight-talking Dutchman gave the United chiefs a no-holds-barred dressing down.
    Both Fletcher and Murtough flew back to Manchester in complete shock after Ten Hag laid bare exactly what he feels is wrong with United.
    One high-placed Old Trafford source said: “It was like United were being interviewed by Ten Hag rather than the other way round.”
    Red Devils chief executive Richard Arnold has since flown to the Dutch capital for a one-to-one meeting of his own with the man he hopes can rebuild the fractured fallen giants.
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    Ten Hag is said to have “ripped the United set-up apart” criticising mainly the scouting and recruitment policy.
    The club has spent around £1billion on new players in the nine years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired but is in a worse state now than during the last three decades.
    United officials initially took a few days to digest what Ten Hag told them but concluded that, rather than be put out, they were impressed by his frank assessment and his vision for the club.
    As revealed by SunSport, the club had already made him their No 1 target after an in-depth dossier was compiled on all the top candidates for the United job.
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    That included Paris Saint-Germain and former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino. Ten Hag does not want the overall power that the likes of Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho craved.
    His interview made clear, however, that he believes the set-up behind the scenes needs a shake-up.
    While both meetings with Ten Hag were face-to-face, Poch’s was conducted on Zoom and things did not go as well.
    The French giants have since complained to United about the public courting of their manager, even though he was not their first choice.
    Pochettino spoke about how much money would be needed to overhaul the squad, many of which he was ready to let go.
    PSG also wanted to hold out to get a more substantial release fee for a manager they look ready to sack anyway.
    Ten Hag listed all the thing he thinks are wrong with Man Utd in his job interviewCredit: Getty
    Mauricio Pochettino was interviewed via Zoom but didn’t make the gradeCredit: AFP
    Ajax, in the meantime, are quite happy to negotiate and allow their manager to leave for a fee of around £2million.
    United are likely to miss out on the Champions League and maybe even European football altogether.
    And that could severely hamper the club’s spending power this summer.
    They have faith, however, that Ten Hag can get the best out of what is already a talented, if under-performing, squad.
    One that is slipping down the Premier League.
    Interim boss Ralf Rangnick took over following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking in November and has since presided over only eight wins in 17 Premier League games.
    That makes him United’s worst manager in the Prem era — with a win percentage of just 47 per cent.
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    Dissatisfaction among the fanbase is growing to the extent that another planned protest march on Old Trafford is being organised for tomorrow’s home clash against rock-bottom Norwich.
    One win in their last five league games has left United in seventh, six points behind Tottenham in fourth place —  the final Champions League qualification spot.
    The Red Devils’ last-16 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the  Champions League last month meant they  are now going to be without a trophy for a fifth  successive season.
    Ten Hag’s Old Trafford arrival will make it five permanent bosses since Ferguson retired in 2013 — adding to David Moyes, Van Gaal, Mourinho and Solskjaer — to go with two caretakers in Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick plus the interim Rangnick.
    The club knows this summer’s appointment is the biggest decision in their most recent history.
    United are set to announce the arrival of Ten Hag before the end of this season but not ahead of Sunday’s Dutch Cup final between Ajax and PSV Eindhoven.
    They are also in a title race with PSV, who they lead by four points with five games to go.
    If they were to win the Eredivisie it would be a third in succession under Ten Hag.
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    A man now charged with landing United’s first since Sir Alex bowed out.
    Someone who knows what needs to be done — as he told United’s hierarchy out in Amsterdam in no uncertain terms. More

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    Erik ten Hag ‘will AXE Cristiano Ronaldo as incoming Man Utd boss gives green light to summer transfer exit’

    CRISTIANO RONALDO is facing an exit from Manchester United this summer as he will not be part of Erik ten Hag’s plans.Ten Hag has verbally agreed to take over from Ralf Rangnick at the end of the season and will sign a four-year deal.
    Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly set to leave Manchester United this summerCredit: Terry Donnelly
    Erik ten Hag reportedly sees no place for Ronaldo in his long-term plansCredit: PA
    But he has already let United chiefs know they can sell Ronaldo.
    According to the Daily Star, Ten Hag feels that Ronaldo’s age and luxury status are not suited to his long-term plan.
    That means Ronaldo is free to leave less than a year after making a stunning return to Old Trafford.
    It is a bold move from Ten Hag given the fans’ love for Ronaldo, who has also top-scored this season with 18 goals.
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    Paris Saint-Germain and Roma have previously been linked with a move for CR7, who reportedly met with agent Jorge Mendes last month to discuss his future.
    Previous reports suggested Ronaldo would push for a move if United failed to qualify for the Champions League.
    And with the gap to the top four growing wider it appears Ten Hag has taken matters into his own hands by giving Ronaldo the green light to leave.
    A number of players have been linked with transfers to United since it became apparent Ten Hag would take over.
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    Antony, who currently plays under the Dutchman at Ajax, is said to be at the top of a shortlist of stars.
    Benfica striker Darwin Nunez is another target after impressing with 32 goals this season, but the Uruguayan only wants to move to a team who can offer him Champions League football.
    United are also eyeing RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku and Everton’s Richarlison to replace the goals Ronaldo provided.
    But it remains to be seen whether they fit Ten Hag’s long-term plan and whether he gives the go-ahead to complete deals for the pair. More

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    Man Utd ‘discuss transfer of Everton star Richarlison’ as alternative to Benfica striker Darwin Nunez

    MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly eyeing Everton’s Richarlison as an alternative to in-demand Benfica ace Darwin Nunez. The Red Devils are one of a host of top European clubs hoping to land Uruguayan striker Nunez this summer.
    Richarlison is being targeted by Man Utd in the summerCredit: GETTY
    Nunez has found the back of the 32 times this season, including one in each leg of his side’s 6-4 Champions League quarter-final loss to Liverpool.
    Reds manager Jurgen Klopp was full of praise, tipping the 22-year-old to have a “big career” in football.
    But unfortunately for United, Nunez will only be joining a team playing in the Champions League next season… and they are currently sat seventh in the Premier League.
    And according to Fabrizio Romano, Richarlison is being eyed as an alternative should Nunez be out of reach.
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    The Brazilian ace is still only 24 despite playing in England since 2017.
    He has 54 goals to his name between his time at Watford and Everton.
    The current season hasn’t been so fruitful for Richarlison.
    He has found the back of the net just seven times across all competitions.
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    And club Everton find themselves waist-deep in a relegation battle.
    Richarlison is said to be fully focussed on helping Everton stay in the Premier League.
    No talks have taken place over a potential exit. More

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    Man Utd ‘had Mbappe contract drawn up’, Rashford ‘agreed PSG transfer’, Ten Hag ‘wants’ Harry Kane and Declan Rice

    ERIK TEN HAG is reportedly eyeing up a move for English duo Harry Kane and Declan Rice once he steps through the Old Trafford doors.The Dutchman is on the verge of putting pen to paper with Manchester United and he is hoping to completely transform the squad.
    But the Red Devils squad could have looked very different this season, as reports suggest United had a contract offer prepared for Kylian Mbappe before he declared his intention to join Real Madrid.
    It is also claimed that PSG had agreed a deal to sign Marcus Rashford in the event that Mbappe agreed a switch to Spain last summer.
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    Stay up to date with all the latest from Old Trafford in our live blog…
    United’s Kane pain
    Manchester United’s decision to appoint Ajax manager Erik ten Hag over Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino looks to have cost them the chance to sign Tottenham superstar Harry Kane.
    Kane blossomed at Spurs under Pochettino and it was thought that the PSG tactician would tempt the star striker to join him at Old Trafford.
    But United’s hopes of recruiting the England captain have been dashed after they opted to appoint Ten Hag over the Argentine head coach, according to The Mirror.
    It’s been made clear that the 28-year-old won’t be joining the Dutchman’s revolution at Old Trafford.
    Instead, Kane now seems set to stay in North London where he’s been revitalised under Antonio Conte
    Pain in Spain
    Manchester United ace Anthony Martial admits he is expecting to return to Old Trafford after struggling during his loan spell at Sevilla.
    Martial took a pay-cut from his reported £130,000-a-week deal to secure a move away from United in January, but has scored just once since.
    Martial told ABC Sevilla: “I see it very complicated to be able to continue at Sevilla.”
    The Red Devils, though, look set to offload at least 10 players this summer, including the forward
    Fer the win
    Manchester United have joined local rivals Manchester City as well as Real Madrid in the race to sign River Plate starlet Enzo Fernandez.
    City are reportedly plotting a second transfer from River after securing the signature of Julian Alvarez.
    But according to Argentine journalist Cesar Luis Merlo, United and Real have joined the bidding war for the exciting prospect.
    The Red Devils and Los Blancos have already began talks but formal offers are yet to be submitted
    Shaw injury reminder
    Manchester United ace Luke Shaw is set to miss the remainder of the season after having the metal screws in his leg removed.
    Shaw was only expected to miss three weeks after hobbling off in the home draw with Leicester on April 2nd.
    However, the left-back’s injury has been complicated by a historic knee problem.
    According to the the Daily Telegraph, the England international requires further recuperation after the metal screws – inserted in 2015 to aid his recovery from a fractured tibia-fibula – were taken out
    Credit: GETTY IMAGES
    United’s Fernandez interest
    Manchester United are preparing to trigger River Plate starlet Enzo Fernandez’s release clause.
    Fernandez has an asking price of approximately £17million, and is reportedly open to a move to Old Trafford.
    The 21-year-old has made himself an integral part of Marcelo Gallardo’s side since forcing his way into the first team last season.
    According to TyC Sports, United see the young Argentine as a long-term replacement for Nemanja Matic should he join the Erik ten Hag revolution
    Ten Hag transfer targets reminder
    Ajax manager Erik ten Hag is the favourite to take over at Manchester United and is already preparing for his new job, reports suggest.
    According to the Mail, United are planning on spending big once more this summer and Ten Hag wants most of the budget to be blown on West Ham ace Declan Rice and Tottenham starHarry Kane.
    It’s likely that a huge squad overhaul is needed in the summer transfer window with up to 10 players expected to leave.
    Hammers boss David Moyes has previously said that West Ham wouldn’t consider a bid for Rice under £100million, while Kane still has two years to run on his current Spurs contract
    Ferdinand fears for new boss
    Rio Ferdinand fears that Erik ten Hag could be ‘chewed up’ by Manchester United unless he managers to change the club’s culture.
    The Ajax boss is on the brink of being installed at Old Trafford, and former Red Devil Ferdinand knows the Dutchman won’t have an easy job in turning his old team around.
    Discussing the appointment on his Vibe with Five show, he said: “I’ve got to take my hat off to him because this is a risk.
    “Many managers have been spat out here and he has good stock in the game at the moment.
    “He’s valued and is looked at as a very good coach. He’s coming in and he’s risking that.
    “We’ve seen many managers now with far more experience, who have won much more than Ten Hag, bigger reputations, who have come in and been chewed up by this football club and spat out.”
    United confirm Old Trafford redevelopment
    Manchester United have this afternoon announced plans for the redevelopment of Old Trafford.
    The club revealed on their official website that ‘leading consultants’ had been brought in ‘to begin work on creating a masterplan’ for the iconic stadium.
    The Red Devils admit to keeping their options open on improvements, but insist a main aim will be ‘significantly enhancing the fan experience’.
    While the focus is on modernisation and potential expansion, United are committed to ‘preserv[ing] the identity and heritage of Old Trafford.’
    Credit: @ManUtd Twitter
    United in ‘frame’ for Phillips
    Manchester United are plotting a move to steal the favourite son from one of their biggest rivals.
    Kalvin Phillips is Leeds United born and bred, but it is now being suggested that the England international is willing to cross the Pennines to join the Red Devils – if Erik ten Hag wants him.
    The Manchester Evening News believe that officials at Old Trafford are ‘setting up a framework’ in order to bring Phillips to the club this summer.
    The 26-year-old has previously indicated that he would never leave Leeds for Manchester United – in a similar vein to Alan Smith two decades ago – and had been expected to pen a new long-term deal at Elland Road.

    Red Devils to trigger Enzo clause
    Manchester United are preparing to trigger Enzo Fernandez’s release clause in order to bring the young South American star to the Premier League.
    The River Plate midfielder has a release fee of approximately £17million, and is reportedly open to a move to Old Trafford.
    The 21-year-old Argentine has made himself an integral part of Marcelo Gallardo’s side since forcing his way into the first team last season.
    TyC Sports are close to the story, and understand that United see the youngster as a long-term replacement for Nemanja Matic should he join the Erik ten Hag revolution.
    Ten Hag needs time in charge
    Manchester United fans should not expect the club to immediately begin challenging for the title under Erik ten Hag.
    That’s the view of a former Red Devil in Kleberson, who believes that the Dutchman will require time to make his mark at Old Trafford.
    “Erik ten Hag would represent a change in style as his teams like to have the ball and have more possession,” noted the Brazilian in conversation with Paddy Power.
    “That could help the quality players at United like Paul Pogba, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Marcus Rashford – they like to have the ball at their feet.
    “It’s hard to say if Ten Hag is the best option for Manchester United. He’ll need to take a lot of big decisions regarding the full squad ahead of next season in terms of who is going to leave.
    “Appointing Erik ten Hag would be long term project because it will take some time to get the players used to his style of play.”
    United hold fire on signings
    Manchester United will not progress with any future signings until Erik ten Hag has been officially confirmed as the club’s new manager.
    The Manchester Evening News understand that the Red Devils are prepared to wait for the Dutch coach to be announced in order for him to oversee the recruitment process.
    A busy summer of incomings and outgoings is expected at Old Trafford, and club officials are eager to ensure mistakes of previous seasons are not repeated.
    Reports last week indicated that Ten Hag’s appointment would not be announced until Ajax had participated in this weekend’s KNVB Cup Final against PSV Eindhoven.
    Shaw to miss remaining games
    Luke Shaw is set to miss the remainder of the season after having the metal screws in his leg removed.
    The Manchester United left-back was only expected to miss three weeks after hobbling off in the home draw with Leicester on April 2nd.
    However, the England international’s injury has been complicated by a historic knee problem.
    The Telegraph report Shaw requires further recuperation after the metal screws – inserted in 2015 to aid his recover from a fractured tibia-fibula – were taken out.
    Alex Telles has deputised at left-back in Shaw’s absence.

    United already making defensive moves
    Manchester United have already begun negotiating deals to sign defensive duo Antonio Rudiger and Jurrien Timber, according to the Daily Mail’s Chris Wheeler.
    The Red Devils have been tracking Chelsea’s Rudiger, who is out of contract at Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, for several months.
    And United are happy to use the funds saved by the free transfer to present a bumper contract to the centre-back.
    However, the Old Trafford club face fierce competition from the likes of Juventus and Bayern Munich.
    Bayern are also set to challenge United for Timber, Ajax’s highly-rated defender.
    The 20-year-old is expected to follow Erik ten Hag from Amsterdam to Old Trafford in the summer, and could cost as much as £45million.
    Ten Hag wants Rice and Kane
    Erik ten Hag has already begun drawing up a shortlist of players he wants to help kickstart his revolution at Old Trafford.
    The Dutchman is on the brink of being appointed as the new Manchester United manager, and is fully aware of the task ahead of him.
    It’s likely that a huge squad overhaul is needed this summer with up to ten players expected to leave the club.
    The Red Devils are expected to spend big, and – according to The Mail – Ten Hag wants most of the budget to be blown on England pair Declan Rice and Harry Kane.
    David Moyes has previously said that West Ham wouldn’t consider a bid for Rice under £100million, while England captain Kane still has two years to run on his current Spurs contract after a move to Manchester City failed to materialise last summer.
    McClaren compares Erik to Fergie
    Former England manager Steve McClaren has compared incoming Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag to the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.
    Ten Hag is on the brink of being officially confirmed in the United hot seat, and his former colleague believes the Red Devils have landed themselves a star.
    The Dutchman first impressed McClaren when working as his assistant at FC Twente – and it earned comparisons with one of the greats of the game.
    “He could see things that nobody else could see, myself included,” McClaren told The Athletic.
    “I have to sit up in the stands to see the patterns of a game, but he could stand on the touchline [and see them]. He always knew the answer to everything, how to change shape, change positions.
    “His adjustments in the games — obviously I had worked with Sir Alex, and I used to think that some of his subs and changes were strange, but they always worked. Erik is the same in that respect.”
    Spurs ‘crazy’ about United target
    Manchester United are desperate to be bring Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to Old Trafford – but face stiff competition from Premier League rivals Tottenham.
    The Red Devils have been linked with a move for the Serbian midfielder for several months, and had made him one of their priority targets ahead of a huge squad overhaul.
    However, Calciomercato (via The Express) now report that Spurs manager Antonio Conte and his sporting director Fabio Paratici are ‘crazy’ about the 27-year-old.
    It’s caused concern within the United boardroom that Conte’s reputation in Italy and the North London club’s geographical setting may put them in a favourable position to land the player.
    Morning, United fans
    United’s interest in Antonio Rudiger and Darwin Nunez could be revving up – but easing down on Kalvin Phillips.
    And Erik ten Hag’s appointment as permanent boss appears ready for rubber-stamping next week.
    Meanwhile, Saturday’s home game with bottom side Norwich is far more important than United would have hoped or expected.
    That’s because surely only victory will keep alive their top-four hopes.
    But of course interim chief Ralf Rangnick’s preparations have been overshadowed by talk of Ten Hag’s arrival, as well as transfer speculation.
    Chelsea centre-back Rudiger looms larger than ever on the radar after his outstanding display against Real Madrid.
    But United would reportedly face stiff opposition for the German from other interested giants, like PSG, Barcelona and Juventus.  
    The Blues hope to keep the 29-year-old but he’s out of contract this summer.
    It’s claimed Old Trafford striker Edinson Cavani has pushed the case of Uruguay strike-partner Darwin Nunez joining the Red Devils.
    Arsenal and Chelsea have also been linked with the £68million-rated Benfica superstar.
    But it looks increasingly likely that England midfielder Phillips will sign a new long deal with Leeds.
    Utd’s Dutch connection tipped to brief Ten Hag
    Rio Ferdinand reckons Erik ten Hag will be getting the lay of the land at Man United from the club’s former personnel before taking the job.
    Ferdinand said on his podcast: “He’ll be having conversations. He’ll be speaking to people like Rene (Meulenstein), Robin van Persie, Jaap Stam and Edwin van der Sar about what it is like at Manchester United.
    “I know the people who are there right now are working diligently to get a structure in place for the new manager and have a real good go at getting the right talent.
    “It’s about that conversation with ten Hag and the people that run the club on how the recruitment is done.
    “The key conversation is who is that driven by? Is it the manager who’s incoming or the recruitment staff, saying ‘this is the player, this is the DNA’. These are the conversations I’m sure are happening.”
    ‘Cris cross with Conte being on Utd boss list’
    Cristiano Ronaldo opposed Manchester United appointing Antonio Conte as manager, according to reports.
    Conte, 52, was being considered as a possible successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before the Norwegian was sacked in November.
    The board decided the Italian would not be suited to taking over at Old Trafford but only after hearing input from Ronaldo.
    According to the Manchester Evening News, Ronaldo’s reservations about appointing Conte were fed back to the board.
    As well as Conte being touted as a possible replacement for Solskjaer, former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane was also said to be in the mix.
    But it is now claimed his name was only mentioned to appease Ronaldo.
    CR7 enjoyed great success playing under Zidane, winning La Liga and the Champions League on three occasions.

    Erik should ‘go with that banana’
    Rafael van der Vaart has told Erik ten Hag to hurry up and take the Manchester United job, writes JOSHUA JONES.
    And the 109-cap Netherlands international called on his compatriot to “throw out” any uncooperative stars at Old Trafford.
    The current Ajax boss has already had an interview to succeed Ralf Rangnick in the summer.
    And reports this week suggest a “verbal agreement” has been reached between Ten Hag and United.
    All that remains is for the Red Devils need to negotiate a compensation package with Ajax.
    And Van der Vaart urged the incoming boss to waste no time in signing the contract.
    The former playmaker, who came through the youth ranks at Ajax, told Ziggo Sport: “If Ten Hag receives such an offer, he should not even think about it and go with that banana.
    “That’s an impression. You have to stay a little humble. He is a great trainer, he did a great job at Ajax. But Manchester United or the big clubs, don’t let them wait.”
    Edinson ‘hopes Utd win Nunez race’
    With Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea all linked with Darwin Nunez, it’s claimed Edinson Cavani has been pressing for the Red Devils to recruit his Uruguay team-mate since 2021.
    Cavani, 35, could well depart Old Trafford in the summer, whilst 22-year-old fellow striker Nunez appears sure to quit Benfica.
    And 90Min claim the PSG legend reckons that £68million-rated Nunez would be the perfect young goal-getter that many think United need.
    Morocco want Blanc for World Cup
    Former Manchester United defender Laurent Blanc is wanted by Morocco to lead their World Cup campaign, writes KEALAN HUGHES.
    Vahid Halilhodzic is currently the boss of the Atlas Lions but Morocco are said to be considering getting rid of the Bosnian despite him leading them to Qatar qualification.

    And they have eyed former Paris Saint-Germain boss Blanc as his replacement, according to French Football News.
    It appears Blanc is a man in high demand as Nigeria are also considering appointing the Frenchman.
    The Super Eagles are still on the hunt for a permanent manager after sacking Gernot Rohr before the Africa Cup of Nations.
    Temporary boss Augustine Eguavoen failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup so will not take the team forward.
    Rud Devil?
    Transfer interest in Antonio Rudiger is set to ramp up this week after Chelsea were knocked out of the Champions League.
    Rudiger, 29, scored in the second leg against Real Madrid but Chelsea let their 3-0 lead slip and exited the competition.

    Now the Spanish giants could rub salt in the wounds by making an approach for Rudiger in the coming days.
    The centre-back is out of contract in the summer and there has been a lot of talk about his future with Chelsea desperate to keep hold of him.
    Several foreign clubs are keen on Rudiger and are ready to make a move now Chelsea are out of Europe. According to reports, Rudiger was not prepared to decide his future while the Blues remained in the Champions League.
    Barcelona have previously held talks with the German’s representatives about a possible move.
    Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus are also said to be interested in Rudiger and might believe now is the right time to make a move.
    Meanwhile, Manchester United have been monitoring Rudiger’s situation but first the club will likely need to sort out their managerial situation.
    Erik ten Hag has reportedly verbally agreed to join the Red Devils on a four-year deal.
    Win the pink
    United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo’s pregnant partner Georgina Rodriguez has left fans in awe after posing in a pink dress in an old school yellow Corvette, writes JOSHUA MBU.
    The 28-year-old soon-to-be mother of THREE looked sensational in a large pink tulle dress.

    Buenos Aires-born Rodriguez managed to fit the dress and her big belly into the sports car for a snap.
    She is due to give birth to the twins later this year. They will join Rodriguez and Ronaldo’s already large family.
    The couple already have Alana together.
    But the twins will also join Cristiano Jr, 11, as well as twins Eva and Mateo, 4, who have a different mother.
    Ronaldo landed himself in hot water at the weekend after slapping a mobile phone out of a teenage Everton supporter’s hand after United’s defeat at Goodison Park.
    Ronaldo later apologised on social media, offering to arrange tickets to a game at Old Trafford for teenager Jake.
    But mum Sarah Kelly claims that her autistic son doesn’t want to attend a Man United game or meet Ronaldo after his ordeal that allegedly left him with bruising on his hand.
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    Erik ten Hag could get ‘chewed up and spat out’ by Man Utd players if he doesn’t change culture, warns Rio Ferdinand

    RIO FERDINAND fears that Erik ten Hag could be “chewed up” by Manchester United unless he changes the club’s culture.The Dutchman is reportedly set to pen a four-year contract at Old Trafford to take over from interim Ralf Rangnick this summer.
    Erik ten Hag will have a big job on his hands at Man UnitedCredit: Getty
    Rio Ferdinand has warned Ten Hag about the challenges he faces at Old TraffordCredit: Getty
    Former Red Devils defender Ferdinand knows that Ten Hag won’t have an easy job turning his old team around, and has offered some advice to the 52-year-old.
    He said on his Vibe with Five show: “I’ve got to take my hat off to him because this is a risk.
    “Many managers have been spat out here and he has good stock in the game at the moment.
    “He’s valued and looked at as a very good coach and he’s coming in and he’s risking that.
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    “We’ve seen many managers now with far more experience, who have won much more than Ten Hag, bigger reputations, who have come in and been chewed up by this football club and spat out.
    “And the players are still the same.
    “So he has to find a way of getting in there and managing the characters, the personalities and the egos that are in there.
    “And I know I sound like a broken record but the thing he has to do first is change the culture, bring the new culture and drive it.
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    “He has to do that, it’s a massive part of if he’s going to be successful.”
    Amid potential fears that Ten Hag won’t be able to handle the step up to a bigger club in United, Ferdinand reckons that his time under Pep Guardiola within Bayern Munich’s set up will stand him in good stead.
    The 43-year-old continued: “He has been at the background at a big club – Bayern Munich are a huge club, one of the biggest in the world.
    “He was in the building at Bayern Munich when Pep was there.
    “He understands what it is like at a big club with huge demands – something what Man United will be like.
    “And most importantly he has been around big players, sat in the background and watched – seen how they are handled by Pep and his staff and seen how they react to certain situations.
    “So he has the experience of being around big players.”
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    Man Utd rejected chance to sign Virgil van Dijk to sign Victor Lindelof instead, reveals ex-Saints star Charlie Austin

    MANCHESTER UNITED reportedly snubbed the chance to sign Virgil van Dijk to get Victor Lindelof instead.That is according to Charlie Austin, who played with the now Liverpool legend at Southampton.
    Man Utd reportedly snubbed the chance to sign Virgil van Dijk back in 2017Credit: Reuters
    The Red Devils allegedly opted to buy Victor Lindelof insteadCredit: Getty
    A host of European and Premier League sides were keen to sign Dutch international defender Van Dijk back in 2017.
    Then United manager Jose Mourinho was desperate for a centre-half and had been tracking the ex-Celtic ace for months.
    However, the Special One instead opted to splash out on Lindelof from Benfica rather than Van Dijk – who has since become arguably the best defender in Premier League history.
    Austin, who is now at QPR, told talkSPORT Drive: “I remember at the back end of his Southampton career, we were sitting on the bench together at Chelsea away.
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    “I said to him ‘come on Virgil what’s going on, surely Manchester United must have been in for you?’”
    “They’re a massive club in England.
    “He said ‘do you know what Chaz, in the summer it was between me and Lindelof, and they went for Lindelof’.
    “Nobody knows that. He told me on the bench and I couldn’t believe it.
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    “I was gobsmacked.”
    Van Dijk headed to Anfield in January 2018 for a then world record fee and has gone on to win both the Champions League and Premier League with the Reds.
    Lindelof is still at United but has struggled for regular action and with injuries, and the 27-year-old Swede is still yet to lift a trophy with the Red Devils. More