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    Man Utd ‘will launch Raphael Varane transfer bid in summer’ with Real Madrid ready to offload stars for huge rebuild

    MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly ready to take advantage of Real Madrid’s squad rebuild and bid for Raphael Varane.A new centre-back is thought to be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s priority for the coming transfer window.
    Raphael Varane could be available for £60million this summerCredit: Rex
    The Red Devils’ defence has been guilty of lapses in concentration since the Norwegian took over, leading to a hunt for a fresh partner for Harry Maguire.
    A whole host of top stars have been linked with the club, including Jules Kounde, Sergio Ramos, Nikola Milenkovic and Pau Torres.
    According to the Mail, World Cup winner Varane is the first player United will attempt to sign.
    Real may be ready to agree a fee of around £60million to call time on his decade at the club, before his contract expires in 2022.
    The Frenchman, 27, is said to be ready for a fresh challenge with boyhood club Paris Saint-Germain also a potential option.
    Solskjaer has been urged by former team-mates Paul Scholes and Gary Neville to land a new centre-back.
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    Ex-defender Neville recently named Varane as his ideal capture with Scholes calling for a new ‘dominant’ star to play alongside Maguire.
    United reportedly want to negotiate down the £60m fee but will struggle to find a more decorated alternative than the quadruple Champions League winner.
    Playing into their hands could be Madrid’s summer overhaul, which is being formulated by Florentino Perez.
    The club president was handed a fresh four-year mandate on Tuesday and is set to end his period of relative quiet in the market.

    Real famously decided not to sign anybody in the past two windows and reportedly have big things in mind for the end of the season.
    Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are named as two top targets along with soon-to-be free agent David Alaba.
    The huge Estadio Bernabeu redevelopment also continues apace despite pandemic financial troubles, leading to the high chance of player sales to fund the overhaul.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
    Ferdinand says Man Utd should target ‘fantastic’ Dominic Calvert-Lewin More

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    ‘Cristiano Ronaldo-Pogba swap’, ‘Saul Niguez up for sale’, Milinkovic Savic transfer back on, Haaland decision imminent

    MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly lining up a surprise swap deal of Paul Pogba for Cristiano Ronaldo.Meanwhile Atletico Madrid are said to have put long-term United target Saul Niguez up for sale.

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    Stay up to date with our blog, below, for all the latest from Old Trafford…
    PATS THE WAY
    Manchester United target Patson Daka has opened the door to a summer Premier League move from RB Salzburg.
    His agent Freddie Kanoute told Austrian TV: “I think it is time for a new challenge for Patson at the end of the season. That is no secret.
    “We will sit down with the clubs interested in him, work out a good plan and them make the right decision.
    “We don’t want him to change clubs just for the sake of it.
    “He has really caught fire this season. He was good before, but now we are seeing a completely different Patson Daka.
    “He gets better almost every day, and he’s now showing what he truly can do.
    “We see a new, further improved Patson virtually every weekend.”
    PAUL OVER NOW
    David De Gea and Paul Pogba find themselves on the highest-paid XI – even if their performances have not justified their mammoth pay packets.
    That is according to Spanish outlet Marca’s ‘world’s best XI’ team featuring the top footballers.

    CRIS CROSS
    Former Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri reportedly told club chairman Andrea Agnelli to sell former Man Utd star Cristiano Ronaldo before he left in 2019.
    The 53-year-old stood down as the Old Lady gaffer at the end of the 2018-19 season after guiding the Italian side to five consecutive Serie A titles.
    He worked with Ronaldo, 36, for one year after he lured the Portuguese forward away from Real Madrid in 2018 in the hope he would guide them to Champions League glory.
    Ronaldo – who has been linked with a return to United – arrived to Turin having won the European Cup four times in five years, and there was expectation he could fire Juve to their first triumph since 1996.
    But Juve crashed out to Ajax in the quarter-finals in Allegri’s last year in charge, with the ex-AC Milan manager urging Agnelli to offload Ronaldo as he was stalling the growth of the club.
    According to La Repubblica via Football Italia, in Allegri’s last meeting with Agnelli, he stated that Ronaldo should also be following him out of the door. Allegri is claimed to have said: “Get rid of Ronaldo, he’s blocking the growth of the team and the club.”

    SHAW AND ORDER
    Manchester United star Luke Shaw has revealed that he’d have liked to have been a policeman had he not succeeded in football.
    The England star has been in sensational form for the Red Devils this season, keeping opposition wingers under lock and key.
    But had he lacked the football skills, he may have been keeping real-life villains out of harm’s way.
    Asked what he’d like to have done outside of football during a recent Man United Q&A, he replied: “If I wasn’t playing soccer I think I’d probably like to be a police officer.
    “It’s a random one but I watch a lot of series and stuff to do with the police and CIA and MI6 and I’m quite into stuff like that.
    “And I think if I wasn’t a footballer I think I’d want to do something based around what they do. So I’d say a police officer.”

    FRENCH TWIST
    Paris Saint-Germain are lining up a bid for Manchester United Harry Kane if they lose Kylian Mbappe this summer.
    The French giants fear that Mbappe could be leaving Paris with a new contract still not signed.
    Mbappe, 22, is wanted by the likes of Real Madrid and only currently has one more season on his PSG deal.
    And the Independent report that PSG will look towards Spurs striker Kane in a potential reunion with Mauricio Pochettino.
    SunSport revealed that Tottenham have no intention of selling their star striker.
    Daniel Levy’s club will demand £175million if a foreign club want his services but a sale to a Prem rival like Man Utd or Man City is said to be off the table.

    LO BLOW
    Odion Ighalo believes he was ‘unfairly’ benched during his time at Manchester United. The Nigerian striker, 31, joined the Red Devils on loan in January 2020 in a ‘dream’ transfer after snubbing Tottenham.
    But he felt he should have got more game time than his 757 minutes across 23 appearances under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before joining Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia in February.
    He told Sky Sports News: “After my initial loan was extended, I did not play much which was perhaps a bit unfair but I am always grateful for the opportunity.
    “When I joined, I always knew I wouldn’t be playing every game because I was signing as a back-up striker so I knew playing time was going to be limited. There were certain games where I thought I would play but that’s the decision of the coach and I am not holding anything against anyone.
    “I’m so happy that my path crossed with Manchester United – it’s the club I love with all my heart and for all my life so playing for them was a big privilege that I do not take for granted.
    “Just waking up every morning and going into training at Carrington was a thing of joy. Meeting the lads, laughing, talking, going inside the dressing room for training and games… every moment is one I am going to cherish.”

    CHO AGAIN
    Manchester United are still hopeful of signing Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund, according to reports.
    The 21-year-old English star has been on the Old Trafford radar for a number of seasons.
    Last year United failed to agree a deal to bring Sancho in from Dortmund.
    But Manchester Evening News report that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men are considering a fresh transfer attempt.
    And it comes as Dortmund chief Hans-Joachim Watzke admitted the club will listen to ‘exceptional offers’ – which put United and Chelsea on alert.

    CALLING DYBS
    Manchester United and Chelsea are both interested in signing Juventus superstar Paulo Dybala but Paris Saint-Germain are in pole position to bag the Argentine, according to reports.
    Dybala, 27, will have a just year left on his £125,000-a-week deal come the end of the season. And while he is interested in staying in Turin, a renewal isn’t easy for Juve.
    According to Corriere dello Sport, Juventus can only afford to keep one of Dybala and Cristiano Ronaldo.
    The Old Lady have struggled financially since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, with Ronaldo’s enormous salary in particular weighing down the club’s coffers.
    Tuttosport report that Paris Saint-Germain are well placed to recruit Juve’s No10, with boss Mauricio Pochettino a long-time admirer of his compatriot’s talent. Pochettino, 49, tried to recruit Dybala while manager of Spurs in the summer of 2019, only for the deal to fall through at the last moment.
    But, with PSG’s considerable financial clout behind him this time, he may finally get his man – although fans of Man Utd and Chelsea may hope that their team can pip PSG to the post.

    SHAWBERTO CARLOS
    Luke Shaw has repsonded to viral memes comparing him to Roberto Carlos.
    The Man Utd left-back has been in sparkling form this season but laughs off comparisons to the legendary Brazilian.
    He told United’s website: “I’ll be honest I’ve seen some things on it on social media and sometimes in my group chats my mates send me some stuff and I just laugh about it.
    “I can’t be compared to him, he was unbelievable!
    “I’m aware of it and it’s nice to be even mentioned alongside his name, but I just laugh about it!”

    NOT GUNNER HAPPEN
    Jesse Lingard has been warned off making a move to Arsenal by former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand.
    Arsenal are set for a summer rebuild after a miserable 2020/21 campaign – but Ferdinand doesn’t anticipate that will involving adding Lingard to the squad. And Ferdinand doesn’t believe the 28-year-old would ‘go anywhere near’ anyway.
    Asked about the Gunners’ reported interest in Lingard, Ferdinand told FIVE YouTube channel: “Yeah but you know what they [Arsenal fans] wouldn’t have him there.
    “The way he moonwalked off that pitch once, they wouldn’t have it. The fans would rip the place apart. He disrespected the Emirates in a way that hadn’t been seen.
    “Listen West Ham will have a fight to get him by the way because I think other teams are going to be like: ‘Listen, we want him!’
    “He’s not going to go to Arsenal over West Ham, obviously but there will be other teams. He ain’t going nowhere near Arsenal.”

    BETTER CALL SAUL
    Manchester United have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Saul Niguez with the Atletico Madrid ace reportedly up for sale.
    The Red Devils are known to be admirers of the 26-year-old, and were rumoured to be eyeing up a £71million bid for him last summer. And it was claimed in December how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have reignited their interest in the midfielder ahead of a possible summer move.
    It has been alleged that should Paul Pogba depart Old Trafford at the end of the season, then United would make a swoop to sign the Spain international.
    And according to Cadena Ser, United’s chances of landing him have been boosted, with Atletico prepared to cash in on their academy graduate. They state that up to seven players could be heading for the exit door at the Wanda Metropolitano, including loanee Lucas Torreira, who will be heading back to Arsenal.
    It has has also been suggested that Chelsea target Jose Gimenez could be sold. Winger Vitolo – who has been offered to West Ham for £8.5million – is another player that Atletico are said to be keen to offload.
    Speaking last year, Saul put United on red alert when he admitted that he is ‘flattered’ to being linked with the club.

    NEV-ER THOUGHT IT
    Gary Neville has tipped ‘wobbling’ Leicester City to miss out on the top four again.
    The Sun exclusively revealed that James Maddison, Harvey Barnes, Ayoze Perez and Hamza Choudhury were caught by Brendan Rodgers flouting Covid rules at a house party last week.
    And Manchester United icon Neville, 46, thinks that the incident could drive a wedge between certain players in the dressing room, after the guilty parties were dropped for Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at top-four rivals West Ham.
    Neville said on his podcast: “Where West Ham are is unthinkable. None of us thought they would be in with a shout of top four.
    ‘I worry about Leicester. I remember before Monday Night Football and thinking that Leicester would get into the top four. If you ask me now, five or six days later, I’m saying no (they won’t). I think they could really struggle in the next few weeks.”
    The Foxes missed out on Champions League football last season after a dire run of two wins in their final nine games saw them pipped by Manchester United and Chelsea.

    MARCED MAN
    Marcus Rashford is on fire this season.
    And the Man Utd admins wanted to remind the world.
    Although he didn’t score in the 3-1 win at Spurs on Sunday, the England star has still scored 20 and bagged 12 assists from 48 appearances so far this season.

    FOOD FOR THOUGHT
    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s son has hilariously revealed he ‘always gets food’ following the bizarre row between his dad and Jose Mourinho.
    The Manchester United boss accused Son Heung-min of conning officials to get Edinson Cavani’s strike chalked off by going down too easily under a flailing arm from Scott McTominay.
    Seething Solskjaer said: “If my son stayed down for three minutes and he needed ten mates to help him up, he wouldn’t get any food. The game has gone — absolutely gone.”
    But speaking to Norwegian newspaper Tidens Krav, thankfully Ole’s son Noah, 20, has insisted he doesn’t go hungry.
    The Kristiansund BK player said: “Yes, I laughed a lot on Sunday too. I always get food, I can assure everyone about that.
    “[Teammate] Max [Williamsen] asked me if I had been given food when he met me before training today. I have never been lying down the way Son did. Mourinho probably just wanted to take the focus away from the fact they had lost.”

    DOM-BELIEVABLE
    Rio Ferdinand has urged Manchester United to sign Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
    Speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel, the former United centre-back said: “Listen, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, for me I love him.
    “I’ve watched a lot of Everton this year and he’s one that unnerves defenders. He’s not one you want to play against week in, week out. He’s aggressive, he attacks the ball.
    “I was speaking to Carlo Ancelotti earlier this year and he mentioned Inzaghi and said he didn’t need many chances to score goals and he scores goals in and around the six-yard box.
    “I look at Calvert-Lewin this season and he’s listened to that, he’s taken that on board. Obviously he seems a real good student of the game and he’s started putting that into his own game.
    “We’ve seen the rewards he’s had – he’s got into the England squad by scoring loads of goals in and around the six-yard box, scoring those ugly goals.”

    RON THE WAY HOME
    Manchester United want to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus this summer, according to reports in Italy.
    And in order to get a deal done, they could let Paul Pogba return to his former club in part-exchange.
    The Red Devils are set to be feeling flush at the end of the season, with another shot at Champions League football in sight. And this could lead them to making a massive move.
    According to Calciomercato, United want to mark Champions League qualification with an ‘important’ signing. And Cristiano Ronaldo fits the bill.
    They claim that the Portuguese hasn’t ruled out a return to Old Trafford one day.
    With his wages reportedly crippling Juventus’ finances, the Old Lady may want to cash in with a year remaining on his contract.

    UNITED FRONT
    Premier League clubs are considering joining forces to boycott social media.
    Top-flight teams want to send a message that racism will not be tolerated and a blanket boycott is one way to do so.
    According to Daily Mail, teams could unite to stay away from platforms such as Instagram and Twitter for an entire round of fixtures. The report adds that the idea of a Friday 5pm to Monday 9am social media hiatus has been discussed.
    And such a move would ramp up pressure on social platforms to act against online hate and abuse after a spate of recent incidents.
    One potential hurdle for such a blanket boycott is the commercial deals and agreements that clubs have to promote on their social channels.
    It comes after Swansea ditched social media for a week in a self-imposed seven-day exile. Rangers also followed suit in Scotland with a boycott of their own.

    DORT OF CALL
    Erling Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola has revealed that Dortmund do not want to sell the Manchester United target this summer.
    And the super agent says he’s fine with the decision and respects their opinion. Man Utd and Chelsea lead the Premier League chasers for the £154m forward with Real Madrid and Barcelona also interested.
    But, in a fresh twist, Raiola revealed that Dortmund might try and hang on to his services.
    He told Sport1: “I can confirm that I was in Dortmund for talks. Michael Zorc made it clear to us that BVB does not want to sell Erling this summer.
    “I respect that opinion, but what does not automatically mean that I also agree. BVB were very clear in their views. We are okay with that.
    “There is no war between us and BVB – absolutely not! The relationship with Zorc, Hans-Joachim Watzke and Kehl is still good.”

    POWER SERGE
    Manchester United are ready to go back in for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, according to reports in Italy.
    The Serb was a top target for the Red Devils 18 months ago and Gazzetta dello Sport claim he is attracting interest from United, Real Madrid and PSG ahead of this summer’s window.
    Milinkovic-Savic’s future is likely to depend on whether Lazio can qualify for the Champions League this season.
    And the midfielder himself commented: “I have a long contract (until 2024), I don’t think about the future, but to finish in the top four with Lazio.”
    The story does not mention whether or not Paul Pogba’s decision on his future will influence United’s view on signing Milinkovic-Savic.

    GOOD MORNING UTD FANS
    Roy Keane believes Tottenham star Harry Kane ‘fancies’ joining United this summer.
    He told Sky Sports: “For Kane, he’d be looking at this United team and must be thinking: ‘I could be the top man at Man Utd up front’.
    “With the service he’d be getting, Kane must fancy United. [Trophies?] If Kane is in the United team, as night follows day, yeah.
    “United have closed the gap on City and Kane would be another hug step. Maybe Kane doesn’t want to go abroad, United are still a huge, huge pull.
    “United want to get back to winning titles so they’ll certainly need another striker. Kane, Haaland, I’d take either.
    “Probably Haaland [over Kane] because of his age and the investment, but I wouldn’t say no to Kane either.”
    Meanwhile, on the transfer front, Eduardo Camavinga will not sign a new contract at Rennes, according to reports.
    And that is set to put United and Real Madrid on red alert over a summer transfer.
    The European heavyweights are long-term admirers of the defensive midfielder.
    So reports from The Athletic that he is not going to put pen to paper on an extension will be music to the ears of the top brass at Bernabeu and Old Trafford.
    The 18-year-old’s current deal at Rennes expires at the end of the 2021-22 season.
    And finally, United have reportedly revived their interest in Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
    Gazzetta claims the midfielder, 26, could finally be set for a big-money move away from Italy’s capital.
    But United face stiff interest from Real Madrid and PSG, who are also big fans of the Serb.
    KANE AND ABLE
    Manchester United may have to occupy all of the top four spots on this list to attract either Harry Kane or Erling Haaland this summer.

    BETTER SWEET
    Mark Noble has been hit in the pocket after Jesse Lingard’s heroics in the 3-2 win over Leicester.
    A wager was made between the pair when Lingard arrived from Manchester United on loan in January.
    Hammers veteran Noble, 33, explained: “When he first came to the club, I had a bet with him that if he got eight goals I would pay for a night out for him and a stay in the Corinthia Hotel.
    “So it’s going to cost me a fortune, those two goals.
    “As much as I was buzzing that he got them, it’s now going to be costing me a few quid!”
    The Corinthia is a swanky hotel in the heart of London, where a stay costs at least £500 a night.
    CAM AND GET ME
    Eduardo Camavinga will not sign a new contract at Rennes, according to reports.
    And that is set to put Manchester United and Real Madrid on red alert over a summer transfer.
    The European heavyweights are long-term admirers of the defensive midfielder.
    So reports from The Athletic that he is not going to put pen to paper on an extension will be music to the ears of the top brass at Bernabeu and Old Trafford.
    The 18-year-old’s current deal at Rennes expires at the end of the 2021-22 season.
    UNITED WE STAND
    Manchester United remain are the most valuable football club in England – worth a whopping £3.06billion.

    SUMMER SPACTACULAR
    A remarkable calendar of British sport is taking shape in what promises to be a summer to remember.
    After the coronavirus pandemic put sport on its knees 12 months ago, events such as the European Championships and Wimbledon were postponed and cancelled as fans were left with little entertainment.

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    Man Utd transfer boost as Saul Niguez one of SEVEN players put up for sale in Atletico Madrid clearout

    MANCHESTER UNITED have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Saul Niguez with the Atletico Madrid ace reportedly up for sale.The Red Devils are known to be admirers of the 26-year-old and were rumoured to be eyeing up a £71million bid for him last summer.
    Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez could depart the Spanish side in the summerCredit: The Mega Agency
    And it was claimed in December that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have reignited their interest in the midfielder ahead of a possible summer move.
    It has been alleged that should Paul Pogba depart Old Trafford at the end of the season, then United would make a swoop to sign the Spain international.
    And according to Cadena Ser, United’s chances of landing him have been boosted, with Atletico prepared to cash in on their academy graduate.
    They state that up to seven players could be heading for the exit door at the Wanda Metropolitano, including loanee Lucas Torreira, who will be heading back to Arsenal.
    It has also been suggested that Chelsea target Jose Gimenez could be sold.
    Winger Vitolo – who has been offered to West Ham for £8.5million – is another player that Atletico are said to be keen to offload.
    Speaking last year, Saul put United on red alert when he admitted that he is ‘flattered’ to being linked with the club.
    He told Marca: “I am very flattered that a club like Manchester United or other teams that ask about me take me into consideration, for me it is very positive.
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    “And that strong people in those clubs speak well of you means that I am doing things well at Atletico Madrid.”
    Since making his Atletico debut in 2012 at the age of 17, Saul has featured in over 300 games for the club, where he has won the Europa League twice and the Copa del Rey.
    He has been a key player for Atletico this term, chipping in with two goals in 33 outings in all competitions.
    Saul has missed just five LaLiga games this season as Atletico sit top of the table with eight matches to play.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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    Man Utd and Real Madrid on red alert as Camavinga sparks transfer scramble after ‘refusing to sign new Rennes contract’

    EDUARDO CAMAVINGA will not sign a new contract at Rennes, according to reports.And that is set to put Manchester United and Real Madrid on red alert over a summer transfer.
    Eduardo Camavinga is reportedly refusing to sign a new contract at Rennes – opening the door for a bidding war between Real Madrid and Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
    The European heavyweights are long-term admirers of the defensive midfielder.
    So reports from The Athletic that he is not going to put pen to paper on an extension will be music to the ears of the top brass at Bernabeu and Old Trafford.
    The 18-year-old’s current deal at Rennes expires at the end of the 2021-22 season.
    The Ligue 1 side are struggling to secure European football next season – they currently sit seventh – and would likely try and add a release clause into any new contract.
    And that is thought to be putting Camavinga off committing his future to the club and pricing himself out of a dream move.
    That means the France international could be available for a cut-price fee this summer, or even for free in a year’s time.
    He signed with Gareth Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett at the end of last year, possibly in anticipation of a mega move.
    And with plenty of links in England and Spain, there will be no shortage of interest in the Frenchman.
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    He has 75 first-team club appearances under his belt already – including four impressive displays in this season’s Champions League.
    The Angola-born midfielder netted a stunning overhead kick on his international full senior debut for the world champions last October to become the youngest scorer for France in 106 years.
    As well as Real and United, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus are among the teams tracking him.
    Rumours in recent months have quoted a £45million transfer fee – the kind of money Rennes would surely find impossible to turn down.
    However, the Red Devils want to avoid any long-strung transfer sagas.
    Their pursuit of Jadon Sancho last summer ultimately failed and they do not want a repeat if they go back in for the England winger, his Borussia Dortmund team-mate Erling Haaland or Camavinga.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
    Gareth Bale, Eden Hazard and Sergio Ramos are Real Madrid’s top earners
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    Haaland decision imminent, Lingard Real Madrid interest, Kane transfer blow, United ‘obsessed’ with Pau Torres

    MANCHESTER UNITED will reportedly make an early decision on whether to sign Erling Haaland or pull out of the race for the Norwegian.Meanwhile Jesse Lingard is reportedly a shock target for Real Madrid and a host of other top European clubs.

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    Stay up to date with our blog, below, for all the latest from Old Trafford…
    PAUL OVER
    Andrea Pirlo has warned Manchester United off Paulo Dybala by claiming the superstar WILL be at Juventus next season.
    Dybala, 27, has been linked with a big-money move this summer as he approaches the final year of his Bianconeri deal.
    Pirlo declared: “I’ve always said Dybala is an important player and unfortunately I haven’t had him at my disposal very much this season.
    “Let’s look at the present, because that is more important than the future.
    “He still has a year left on his contract, so we will have him here next season.
    “Dybala is a player who makes the difference. I hope hope to be able to use Cristiano Ronaldo, Alvaro Morata and Dybala together at some point.
    “With Dybala, it’s the club who are in charge of making the decisions. I’m fortunate to coach winners like him. The final decisions are made by the directors.”

    OLED NEWS
    Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s rant about Son Heung-min on Sunday bizarrely mirrored a statement he made in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
    The Red Devils boss was left fuming when Son hit the floor following a hand in the face from Scott McTominay, which eventually led to Edinson Cavani’s goal being ruled out.
    And while Man Utd went on to win the game 3-1, Solskjaer still proceeded to rage at Son in his post-match interview over what he felt was a dive.
    In a strange rant, he said: “If my son stays down for three minutes and he needs his 10 mates to help him up, he won’t get any food.”
    But this is not the first time Solskjaer has used this sort of analogy when reacting to what he feels is diving from Spurs players.
    Back in October during Tottenham’s 6-1 win over United at Old Trafford, Solskjaer gave a similar response following an altercation between Erik Lamela and Anthony Martial.
    Lamela appeared to thrust an elbow into Martial, before the Frenchman responded by slapping the Spurs forward, a spat which lead to the United man being sent off as Solskjaer’s men proceeded to suffer a heavy defeat.
    After that incident, the Norwegian said: “If that was my son he would live on water and bread for two weeks, that’s not how I want my players to react.”

    BOUBA TRAP
    Leicester are reportedly ‘confident’ of beating Manchester United and Tottenham to the signature of Boubakary Soumare.
    The Frenchman, 22, has been a key part of Lille’s title bid with the Ligue 1 leaders three points clear of Paris Saint-Germain.
    Having made a name for himself at Stade Pierre-Mauroy after leaving PSG as a youngster, he has aroused the interest of several teams.
    Newcastle failed with a £35million bid for Soumare in the January of last year.
    And Premier League outfit Leicester are the latest to make their interest known with just over a year left on his contract.
    According to the Star, the Foxes are hunting down a deal worth around £30m.
    Bolstering the side for Champions League football will be a priority for Brendan Rodgers’ side, if they qualify for the competition.
    Credit: AFP
    NOT KEANE
    Manchester United legend Roy Keane delivered a hilarious deadpan joke at Jamie Redknapp’s expense while analysing the disciplinary breach at Leicester City.
    The Cork native and Redknapp have developed a bit of needle in their back and forths in the Sky studio over recent months.
    And Keane took the opportunity presented by the more serious situation surrounding Foxes’ aces being dropped by Brendan Rodgers to get a great one-liner in out of the blue that was aimed at his colleague.
    He said: “(Brendan’s) clearly disappointed with their behaviour.
    “I’m led to believe they were caught in a hotel room watching A League of Their Own.”
    🗣️ “I’m led to believe they were caught in a hotel room watching A League of Their Own”Vintage from Roy Keane on why Maddison, Perez and Choudhury were absent from Leicester’s match-day squad 👏🤣 pic.twitter.com/C9lcPzRzfU— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) April 11, 2021

    HALF MEASURES
    Manchester United’s prowess in the second-half has been revealed as they would not even be in the top ten in the Prem if games finished at half-time.

    FUMBLE!
    David De Gea was trolled for this warm-up video before he sat on the bench vs Tottenham.
    Man Utd star De Gea trolled over warm-up video as keeper fails to catch ball in drill before Tottenham clash
    JESS THE ONE I WANT
    European giants PSG, Real Madrid and Inter Milan are all monitoring Jesse Lingard’s situation at Manchester United, according to ESPN.
    The England forward has been a revelation for West Ham since arriving on loan in January, bagging eight goals in nine games.
    The Hammers want to make the move permanent but face competition from big clubs on the continent with Lingard having one year left on his Old Trafford deal.
    He wants to play Champions League football and could well help David Moyes’ side qualify for the tournament with the Irons sat in fourth spot.

    ERLI CALL
    Manchester United will reportedly make a quick decision on whether or not they’ll sign Erling Haaland in order to avoid a repeat of the Jadon Sancho saga of last summer.
    The Red Devils still hold an interest in landing the prolific Borussia Dortmund hitman, despite being snubbed by the Norwegian and his agent – Mino Raiola – in December 2019.
    But unlike their ill-fated pursuit of Sancho in 2020, the United brass will be ‘urged to assess whether Haaland is a viable option’ as soon as possible.
    That’s according to The Athletic, who claim Old Trafford chiefs want to know if the 20-year-old will be out of their price range in order to identify alternative targets.
    United were left scrambling to sign a winger last summer after Dortmund refused to budge on their £104million valuation of England international Sancho.
    The Red Devils ended up signing 18-year-old Amad Diallo on transfer deadline day after it became apparent they wouldn’t be able to land Sancho.
    Haaland is United’s top priority this summer, although they’re also thought to be interested in signing Tottenham striker Harry Kane.
    Credit: Rex
    MASE SOME NOISE
    Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire shouted praise at Mason Greenwood for his role in Edinson Cavani’s crucial goal against Spurs.
    The Red Devils came from behind to win 3-1 against Jose Mourinho’s men with Greenwood adding some gloss to the scoreline late on.
    But it was the England youngster’s pinpoint cross for the Uruguayan striker’s diving header that was the real moment of quality.
    Sky Sports cameras overheard centre-back Maguire saying: “Brilliant, Masey!”
    Manchester United came from behind once again to win 3-1 at Tottenham and dent the hosts’ top-four hopes with just seven Premier League games remaining. 🔴Report & highlights 👇— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 11, 2021

    DAN NOT THE MAN
    Dan James missed out on the Manchester United squad against Spurs.
    The Red Devils came from behind to beat former manager Jose Mourinho’s side 3-1.
    But there was no room for Welsh speedster James who was carrying an injury from the Europa League game against Granada.
    Pre-game, boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “We’ll freshen it up but also keep doing the same things that we have done.
    “Also, Dan had an injury from Thursday night, so he couldn’t be with us. Mason [Greenwood] has also had some niggles, so we gave him a rest from the start.”

    SONBURN
    Son Heung-min was close to tears after Spurs lost 3-1 to Manchester United despite the South Korean bagging the opening goal of the game.

    SOL-LESS?
    Jose Mourinho snapped back at Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the Norwegian slammed Spurs’ Son Heung-min.
    VAR gave a foul against Scott McTominay for a brush of the arm on Son who hit the deck hard and the incident caused an Edinson Cavani goal to be very harshly ruled out.
    The Norwegian said: “If my son stayed down for three minutes and he needed ten mates to help him up, he wouldn’t get any food.”
    Mourinho fumed in his press conference and replied: “I just want to say Sonny is very lucky that his father is a better person than Ole.
    “Because I think a father — and I am a father — you have always to feed your kids no matter what they do. If you have to steal to feed your kids, you steal.”

    FRED LETTER DAY
    Roy Keane was less than impressed with Fred’s performance against Tottenham on Sunday, despite a rare goal for the Brazilian.
    With Manchester United a goal down in North London, the midfielder popped up to poke home a rebound for the leveller for his first Prem strike in over two years.
    The 49-year-old told Sky Sports: “Just as well Fred scored – I thought he was dreadful. I don’t know what people are talking about, saying he played well. I thought he was dreadful.
    “But again good link-up play from United – what they’re good at. Quick play. One-two in and around the box. Poor defending from Tottenham and Fred on the spot.
    “I thought he was even going to miss, but lovely movement from United. Lovely little play [from] Fernandes, this is what good players do – quick play, clever play, intelligent play.
    “Keeper maybe could have done better, defenders with their hands up in the air. Slow.
    “But just good movement from Cavani, lovely goal and United never looked back after this.”

    KANE-D
    Manchester United have been handed a mega blow in their pursuit of Harry Kane.
    The Red Devils are already unwilling to do business at Tottenham’s asking price of £120m.
    And The Athletic indicates that even if they were to stump up that kind of money, Daniel Levy would be unwilling to sell the striker to any English club.

    PAU WOW WOW
    Manchester United are obsessed with Villarreal’s Pau Torres, according to reports in Spain.
    The Villarreal defender, who is available for £43m has become a ‘priority transfer’ for the Red Devils, AS claim.
    United are said to be sold on the idea of the 24-year-old becoming Harry Maguire’s long-term defensive partner.
    And this idea would have been reinforced by Victor Lindelof’s error against Tottenham yesterday.
    However United will face some competition from Real Madrid, who AS claim are being more subtle in their interest.

    NOT IN IT FOR THE LONG HAAL
    Manchester United are set to make a quick decision on whether to sign Erling Haaland or not, according to reports.
    The Athletic claim the Red Devils are desperate to avoid a protracted transfer saga like last year’s with Jadon Sancho.
    United attempted for ten weeks to agree a fee with Haaland’s club Dortmund for Sancho but nothing came of it.
    They are also aware that the package of a £150m transfer fee, Haaland’s wages and payments to agent Mino Raiola currently fall outside their wage structure.
    David de Gea is the Red Devil’s highest paid player at the moment at £375,000-a-week.
    Should United not sign Erling Haaland they could move on to other targets like Tottenham’s Harry Kane, or even keep Edinson Cavani.

    ‘THE GAME HAS GONE’
    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer declared himself furious with VAR’s decision to overturn Edinson Cavani’s goal at Tottenham.
    He said: “The game has gone. Game has absolutely gone.
    “If that’s a clear and obvious error, it’s an obvious error he had to look at it. It was a perfectly good goal.
    “We shouldn’t be conned. I have to say, if my son stays down for three minutes and he needs his 10 mates to help him up, he won’t get any food.
    “We weren’t conned, the referee was.”
    GOOD MORNING MAN UTD FANS
    Man Utd came from 1-0 down to beat Tottenham 3-1 at the new White Hart Lane yesterday.
    Edinson Cavani had a first-half goal controversially ruled out after Scott McTominay’s hand brushed Son Heung-min’s face in the build up.
    Ref Chris Kavanagh was told to check the screen by VAR before striking the goal off.
    And just minutes later the South Korean had put Spurs 1-0 up.
    United’s players looked on the brink of losing their heads but re-grouped at half-time and came out fighting after the break.
    The Red Devils were as unstoppable as Tottenham were pathetic in the second-half and goals from Fred, Cavani and Mason Greenwood saw United walk away with all three points.
    Despite the positive result for his team, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer blasted VAR for the decision to disallow Cavani’s strike and hit out at ‘con artist’ Son.
    Solskjaer told Sky Sports: “The game has gone, absolutely gone. If that’s a clear and obvious error, it’s one he [the ref] had to look at. It was a perfectly good goal, we shouldn’t be conned. I have to say, if my son stays down for three minutes and needs ten mates to help him, he won’t get any food because that’s embarrassing.
    “We weren’t conned, the ref was. That kick-started us. [Before] we played like a team who had played in Europe on Thursday.
    “Top reaction, we played great stuff second half. We felt the injustice and showed good character to come back. We can’t let those decisions ruin this good season for us. The goals we scored were excellent.
    “Cavani showed why he’s a No9. Fred even scores, that shows just how good we were. It was an excellent [disallowed] goal. Unfortunately the ref decided we are not playing football or VAR decided. I’m absolutely shocked if that is a foul.”
    Ex-United boss Jose Mourinho also lamented VAR – which made a convenient distraction from his team’s shambolic collapse.
    The Portuguese tactician told Sky Sports after the final whistle: “My opinion it was a good game but we didn’t deserve this result at all. We were unlucky because maybe Pogba should get a red card for an elbow on Serge Aurier.
    “I don’t know anything anymore [about VAR]. I watched Fulham vs Wolves, I don’t understand anything anymore. Sometimes you get, sometimes you don’t get, I don’t know how to comment. You don’t celebrate a goal because you are afraid.
    “It is difficult for everybody. For us, the players, the referees. Lots of contradictions and decision you don’t understand very well. That’s not my problem, I cannot fix this.”
    MOUR WAR
    Jose Mourinho launched a scathing attack on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the pair clashed in the tunnel after the final whistle.
    The Tottenham chief was furious after Solskjaer accused Son Heung-min of conning officials to get Edinson Cavani’s strike chalked off by going down too easily under a flailing arm from Scott McTominay.
    Seething Solskjaer said: “If my son stayed down for three minutes and he needed ten mates to help him up, he wouldn’t get any food. The game has gone — absolutely gone.”
    But former United boss Mourinho hit back as the row escalated when he told reporters: “I just want to say Sonny’s very lucky that his father is a better person than Ole.”
    Cavani thought he had given United the lead when he slotted home in the 33rd minute. But referee Chris Kavanagh ruled it out after VAR advised him to check the pitchside monitor.
    It looked a harsh decision and the Red Devils were further incensed when the South Korean fired Spurs ahead seven minutes later. Old Trafford manager Solskjaer — despite his side’s sterling second-half comeback — was still angry about the incident afterwards.
    The Norwegian said in a television interview moments after the final whistle: “It was a perfectly good goal. We weren’t conned, the referee was.”

    SUN BACK PAGE
    Here is the back page of Monday’s Sun newspaper after a thrilling weekend of Premier League action at both ends of the table.

    WE STAND WITH YOU
    Tottenham have released a statement slamming ‘abhorrent’ racial abuse of Son Heung-Min following Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester United.
    The South Korean star came under attack from sick trolls online in the wake of the crunch clash in London. Son was involved in a controversial first-half VAR decision that saw a United goal questionably chalked off.
    And the ace has since received vile racist messages on the internet from cowardly trolls. Spurs put out an official club statement on Sunday night taking aim at the people behind the messages.
    And they proudly told Son: We stand with you. The statement read: “Another matchday and more abhorrent racial abuse suffered by one of our players.
    “This has again been reported to the platforms and we shall now undertake a full review alongside the Premier League to determine the most effective action moving forward.
    “We stand with you, Sonny.”
    Another matchday and more abhorrent racial abuse suffered by one of our players. This has again been reported to the platforms and we shall now undertake a full review alongside the Premier League to determine the most effective action moving forward. We stand with you, Sonny. pic.twitter.com/fNBpSykJJo— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 11, 2021

    ‘CON ARTIST’
    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has blasted Son Heung-Min for ‘conning’ the ref during Manchester United’s 3-1 win at Tottenham.
    And the Red Devils boss believes ‘the game has gone’ after his side had a goal ruled out by VAR after an incident involving Spurs ace Son and Scott McTominay.
    Solskjaer told Sky Sports: “The game has gone, absolutely gone. If that’s a clear and obvious error, it’s one he [the ref] had to look at. It was a perfectly good goal, we shouldn’t be conned. I have to say, if my son stays down for three minutes and needs ten mates to help him, he won’t get any food because that’s embarrassing.
    “We weren’t conned, the ref was. That kick-started us. [Before] we played like a team who had played in Europe on Thursday.
    “Top reaction, we played great stuff second half. We felt the injustice and showed good character to come back. We can’t let those decisions ruin this good season for us. The goals we scored were excellent.
    “Cavani showed why he’s a No9. Fred even scores, that shows just how good we were. It was an excellent [disallowed] goal. Unfortunately the ref decided we are not playing football or VAR decided. I’m absolutely shocked if that is a foul.”

    MOUR PAIN
    Jose Mourinho lashed out at VAR after Tottenham’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester United.
    Some feel Tottenham were also fortunate to get away with having a United goal in the first half disallowed by VAR. Scott McTominay was judged to have raised his hand into Son’s face in the build-up for an Edinson Cavani goal.
    VAR controversially ruled the strike out moments before Son then put Spurs ahead. But despite appearing to benefit from the video system, Mourinho lashed out at it for, in his eyes, failing to spot an apparent elbow by Paul Pogba on Serge Aurier.
    The Portuguese tactician told Sky Sports after the final whistle: “My opinion it was a good game but we didn’t deserve this result at all. We were unlucky because maybe Pogba should get a red card for an elbow on Serge Aurier.
    “I don’t know anything anymore [about VAR]. I watched Fulham vs Wolves, I don’t understand anything anymore. Sometimes you get, sometimes you don’t get, I don’t know how to comment. You don’t celebrate a goal because you are afraid.
    “It is difficult for everybody. For us, the players, the referees. Lots of contradictions and decision you don’t understand very well. That’s not my problem, I cannot fix this.”

    Subs
    MASON GREENWOOD (FOR RASHFORD 72) – 8
    Nearly made an instant impact, cutting in from the left and firing in a shot just wide.
    Then brilliantly set up the second for Cavani with a superb in-swinging cross from the right-hand side.
    And finished off a great cameo with a third for United in added time.
    NEMANJA MATIC (FOR FERNANDES 90) – N/A
    Did not have enough time to make any sort of impact.
    MARCUS RASHFORD – 6
    No major contributions in the match but did make runs which drew defenders away from Cavani and Pogba.
    Looked gun shy when he went through in the second half, failing to pull the trigger in front of goal.
    EDINSON CAVANI – 8
    Was given very, very little to feed off in the first half an hour as those behind him failed to link the play.
    The first time he was given a sniff of goal he dispatched the chance with supreme class, only for it to be controversially ruled out.
    Got booked for a challenge on Joe Rodon as tempers flared, but took his winner sensationally with a textbook diving header.

    Load more entries… More

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    Man Utd’s Jesse Lingard ‘wanted by Real Madrid, PSG and Inter Milan’ after reviving career on loan transfer at West Ham

    JESSE LINGARD’S remarkable resurgence could earn the midfielder a move to Real Madrid, according to reports.The LaLiga giants are named as one of several clubs keeping an eye on the England international’s stunning form for West Ham.
    Jesse Lingard is catching the eye of Europe’s biggest clubs at West HamCredit: AFP
    Since joining the Hammers on loan in January, he has tallied eight goals and four assists – losing just one of his nine games.
    That has elevated him to the radars of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan, as reported by ESPN.
    Champions League football is said to be Lingard’s desire for next season.
    United surprised many when extending his contract until June 2022 in December.
    But it means the club will hold sway over a potentially lucrative sale this summer, or award the academy product a fresh run in the side.
    A permanent move to West Ham is also an option, but the 28-year-old reportedly has no interest in being used as a makeweight in a deal for skipper Declan Rice.
    The Hammers are hoping to offer Champions League football next season having returned to the top-four and beaten third-placed Leicester in the past week.
    Talks over a transfer are yet to take place with SunSport revealing Arsenal are also among those keen on the England international.
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    Lingard has earned huge praise for his form while Manchester United contemplate their next move.
    Gary Neville believes it is a win-win scenario for the club and former Red, Andy Cole, reckons cashing in is the right move.
    Ex-defender Neville told his Sky Sports podcast: “We know he’s a good player.
    “United have a big decision to make. Do they cash in and get good money for him, and then replenish the squad in an area they want to, and bring in extra quality?
    “Or do they think he’s part of a good 23-man squad? He can’t lose with the decision, [Ole Gunnar] Solskjaer.
    “Lingard’s value has gone up, Jesse is enjoying himself, so he either comes back to United and plays a big part in a title challenge, or he gets a good move, United get the money for him, and they can use that money to spend elsewhere.
    What I give Jesse credit for is he’s turned up without much football at United.Roy Keane
    “I don’t think United or Lingard can lose, it’s a win-win for both parties.”
    While Cole told talkSPORT: “I think if I was Manchester United, I would move him on.
    “And if I was Jesse I would want to go and play games. Definitely.”
    Roy Keane credited Lingard with staying in top condition despite a lack of playing time at Old Trafford.

    The Irishman said on the weekend: “He’s been outstanding.
    “What I give Jesse credit for is he’s turned up without much football at United.
    “He obviously kept himself in good shape which is the sign of a good pro. He maybe took his eye off the ball off the field, but he always had that talent and it’s great to see it.”
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
    Trevor Sinclair says Jesse Lingard should stay at West Ham More

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    Man Utd led by Leicester in Boubakary Soumare transfer race as Tottenham also keep tabs on 22-year-old Lille midfielder

    LEICESTER are reportedly ‘confident’ of beating Manchester United and Tottenham to the signature of Boubakary Soumare.The Frenchman, 22, has been a key part of Lille’s title bid with the Ligue 1 leaders three points clear of Paris Saint-Germain.
    Boubakary Soumare has once again caught the eye of Premier League clubsCredit: Getty
    Having made a name for himself at Stade Pierre-Mauroy after leaving PSG as a youngster, he has aroused the interest of several teams.
    Newcastle failed with a £35million bid for Soumare in the January of last year.
    And Premier League outfit Leicester are the latest to make their interest known with just over a year left on his contract.
    According to the Star, the Foxes are hunting down a deal worth around £30m.
    Bolstering the side for Champions League football will be a priority for Brendan Rodgers’ side, if they qualify for the competition.
    Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to West Ham left the team on the brink of losing their top-four spot, with similarities to last season’s collapse.

    Soumare, who has over 100 appearances for Lille and 12 for France Under-21s, is also said to be catching the eye of United and Spurs.
    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be preparing for a busy summer window with a new centre-back and striker hotly tipped to be arriving.
    While Jose Mourinho have been linked with a surprise move for Marouane Fellaini amid their hunt for a midfielder.
    Soumare rejected a move out of Lille in January and boss Christophe Galtier praised how the player has dealt with speculation over his future.
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    The 54-year-old said in February: “At every transfer window, we talk about him.
    “I know that he was in demand this winter, but he was very clear with the president, he wants to continue with us.
    “The competition, the transfer window, the situation has not always been easy for him, but I think he has greater clarity in his mind.”
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
    West Ham v Leicester as it happened More