MAN UTD are stepping up their pursuit of Erling Haaland, with reports from Spain claiming Ole Gunnar Solskjaer never stops calling his fellow Norwegian.Meanwhile Villarreal defender Pau Torres is reportedly very keen on moving to Old Trafford this summer and has admitted he is learning English.
Stay up to date with our blog, below, for all the latest from Old Trafford…
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ARE YOU FER REAL?
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand bizarrely told Newcastle fans to stump up £300million to buy out owner Mike Ashley if they hate him so much.
Just one win from 18 league games leaves the Magpies facing a third relegation from the Premier League under the despised Sports Direct tycoon.
Rio Ferdinand extraordinarily called on Newcastle fans to pool together £300m to oust Mike Ashley
Ashley is desperate to sell and is currently suing the Premier League over the failed £300m Saudi Arabian-led bid.
And Ferdinand angered the Toon Army by claiming they can have few complaints unless they are willing to put their money where their mouth is.
The former England defender told his YouTube channel: “He doesn’t care what people think. It’s his club and he’s doing what he wants to do.
“Whether you like it or not, he’s the one that’s put the money up and he’s doing what he thinks is right for the club.
“Whether the Geordies don’t like it, a lot of them hate him and don’t like him but, round your money up and take over the club then.”
DEAL WITH IT
Manchester United are set to hand Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a new £10million-a-year contract, according to reports.
The Norwegian, first appointed by the Red Devils on a temporary basis in December 2018, is currently contracted until 2022.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to be handed a bumper new dealCredit: Getty
And while he is yet to win a trophy, club chiefs are convinced that he is the right man for the long-term.
According to The Mirror, Solskjaer will be handed a new three-year deal, even if they fail to win the Europa League this season.
The 48-year-old is also set for a significant £2.5m rise on his current £7.5m-a-year salary.
MARC MY WORDS
Holland legend Marco van Basten wants to scrap the offside rule from football.
The iconic former midfielder wants to do away with the rule as it will make the sport ‘more interesting’.
Van Basten, 56, was Fifa’s technical director between 2016 and 2018 and rule improvements were part of his remit.
The Dutchman told Sky Sports: “I am still very curious about the offside rule because I am convinced that it is not a good rule.
“At least I would like to trial it to show that football is also possible without the offside rule. I am convinced that football would be better without it.
“Football is a fantastic game but I still think that we have to do much more to make it better, more spectacular, more interesting, more exciting. We have to work on that.”
NICK OF TIME
Nicky Butt reportedly left Manchester United after ‘friction’ with the club’s newly-appointed director of football John Murtough.
The official line from the former England midfielder, 46, who won six Premier League titles as a United player, was that he wanted ‘a new challenge’.
Nicky Butt announced he was quitting Old Trafford for a ‘new challenge’ this weekCredit: PA:Press Association
SunSport has exclusively revealed that Derby boss Wayne Rooney is interested in adding Butt to his management team at the Championship outfit.
But according to The Athletic, Butt and Murtough had ‘differing footballing views’.
Murtough was essentially Butt’s line manager in the new coaching set up. The Athletic describes the pair as ‘like chalk and cheese’.
It is also alleged that Butt felt ‘overlooked’ for the technical director role that his former team-mate Darren Fletcher bagged.
Butt helped bring current first-teamers like Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay, Axel Tuanzebe, Dean Henderson and Mason Greenwood through United’s famous academy.
RASH DECISION
Marcus Rashford joined up with the England camp to catch-up with his team-mates and rehab in a social environment but will not play in the World Cup qualifier.
The 23-year-old Manchester United forward is struggling with an ankle injury but The Athletic reports he was desperate to be in and around Gareth Southgate’s side.
Marcus Rashford was eager to see his England palsCredit: PA
Rashford is said to have wanted to be in team meetings ahead of plans for the delayed Euro 2020 tournament this summer.
Rashford is still fully recovering from an ankle blow suffered in the Manchester derby and despite returning for 90 minutes against West Ham, he was hooked at half-time against AC Milan.
The report states he did not suffer ligament damage but bruising and bleeding on the bone initially ruled him out of the first leg in the Europa League.
BREAKING: LIONS IN WAIT
England’s World Cup qualifier with Albania is at risk at being axed over police security fears, according to reports.
The Three Lions were due to face their European opponents in the Albanian capital Tirana on Sunday.
But the Albanian Football Association (AFA) have released a statement claiming the safety of both teams cannot be confirmed because the State Police have not taken over its security.
The statement, posted on Albanian Daily News, read: “Today in the Albanian Football Federation a letter arrived from the Local Police Directorate of Tirana which states the structures of the Local Police Directorate Tirana cannot guarantee the taking of measures before, during and after the Albania-England match.
“Faced with the situation where the state authorities did not react after the request of the AFA for the release of spaces on the perimeter of the National Stadium, we request urgent response to these structures.
“The cancellation of the Albania-England match would have catastrophic consequences for the image of our country, the National Team and in general for Albanian Football.”
KEANE ON CELTIC
Manchester United legend Roy Keane has been made the odds-on favourite to become the next Celtic boss.
John Kennedy is steering the Hoops until the end of the season after Neil Lennon walked away from his second stint in charge.
Roy Keane is being linked with a return to the dugoutCredit: Getty
And outspoken pundit Keane – who finished his career at Celtic Park – could be gearing up for a return to management after formerly taking the reins at Ipswich Town and Sunderland.
Bookmaker Coral’s John Hill said: “Roy Keane had a brief spell at Celtic as a player at the back end of his career and if the betting is anything to go by, he could be set for a return to Glasgow to take over as manager in the summer.
“John Kennedy has a contract until the end of the season, but it is Keane who is the odds-on favourite to take over ahead of the start of the 2021/22 SPL campaign.”
SOL MATES
Manchester United are reportedly ready to offer boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a bumper new deal.
The Norwegian gaffer penned a three-year deal when he was given the Old Trafford job full-time in March 2019.
ESPN reports the club have seen enough progress to offer the former super sub a new deal.
The 48-year-old is approaching his final year in the summer and United brass are wary of causing too much speculation if negotiations drag on.
The club are planning for the long-term under Solskjaer and have installed John Murtough as football director and Darren Fletcher as technical director with the pair’s relationship with the manager key in securing their roles.
SWEDE AND SOUR
Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof revealed the personal sacrifices he has to make to represent Sweden.
The Red Devils centre-back is missing his son’s second birthday to play for his country during the international break.
He wrote on Instagram: “Two years of being a father to this little man. I will always walk side by side with you through life. Happy birthday son.”
Sweden face Georgia in tonight’s World Cup qualifier before playing Kosovo on Sunday and Estonia in a friendly next Wednesday.
ACE FROM MASE
Manchester United ace Mason Greenwood has proved he is also a star off the pitch after sending an ill fan a heartwarming letter.
The England talent, 19, took notice of the teenager’s situation by former Man Utd youth player Nenad Smiljanic.
Mason Greenwood’s handwritten letter to a young #mufc fan who is currently ill in hospital ❤️📝 “… I hope you are soon better and back home. I’m enjoying playing for the first team and hope to score lots of goals for you over the next few seasons. Get well soon.” Class 👏 pic.twitter.com/N2TX0DHWVH— United Zone (@ManUnitedZone_) March 24, 2021
Smiljanic reached out to the Red Devils to see if anything could be done to raise the spirits of the teenager in hospital.
And to his delight, Greenwood took time out of his day to construct a handwritten letter wishing him a speedy recovery.
It read: “How are you? I believe you have not been well, but you are now recovering in hospital.
“I hope you are soon better and back home. It is great that you are a Man Utd fan and I hope we can win something for you this season.
“I’m enjoying playing for the first team and hope to score lots of goals for you over the next few seasons. Get well soon.”
SERG IN DEMAND
Manchester United should ‘break the bank’ for Erling Haaland or Harry Kane rather than sign Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, according to Ally McCoist.
The Scottish legend and former striker believes a move for Aguero would cause ‘uproar’.
On talkSPORT, he said: “It would cause an uproar, I don’t see it.
“They’ve already gone for the short-term fix of Cavani. I don’t think you’d go for another 32-year-old for a season.
“I think the time has come for Manchester United to go and get Harry Kane or break the bank for Haaland.”
DEVILISH
How Manchester United could line-up next season with Sergio Aguero crossing the city and Hugo Lloris and Pau Torres arriving.
JUST JU & ME
Former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly set to hold crunch talks over his Juventus future at the end of the season.
The Old Lady are fighting to qualify for the Champions League having been knocked out of this year’s competition and the Serie A title race.
A 1-0 defeat to Benevento before the international break left the team ten points off leaders Inter Milan despite Ronaldo hitting 23 goals in 24 league matches this campaign.
But reports of a potential exit, including to old club Real Madrid, refuse to go away.
It had been suggested that financial problems at Allianz Stadium could lead to the Italians accepting a bid as low as £21.5million for the star.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, neither Juve nor Ronaldo are planning on a summer transfer at this time.
In May, the two parties plan to sit down and discuss the path ahead with the 36-year-old out of contract in 2022.
DON DEAL
Manchester United are still interested in Jadon Sancho but only in a cut-price deal.
The Telegraph reports the Red Devils will only be keen for a move for far less than the £108million Borussia Dortmund asked for last summer.
United are in for a right-winger and the Three Lions star, 20, has been on their radar for the best part of four years.
The report states it appears unlikely the Bundesliga side will sanction the sale of Sancho and Erling Haaland at the end of the season which could hinder a move with the Norwegian high in demand.
SCHOLE OF HARD KNOCKS
What a banger from Paul Scholes 21 years ago today.
KA-PAU
Manchester United could be ready to launch a bid for Pau Torres with the defender reportedly interested in a move to England.
The Spaniard is said to be available for around £52million in the summer due to a buyout clause in his Villarreal contract.
According to MEN, the 24-year-old is open to leaving LaLiga having come through the ranks at Estadio Ceramica.
However, United may be made to wait on Torres if he is called up to Spain’s Euro 2020 squad.
He reportedly wants to focus on a strong end to the season with Villarreal and a good tournament in the summer before deciding on his future.
The Yellow Submarine’s form could play a big role with the club sat seventh in its pursuit of European football.
It has previously been said that missing out on a Europa League spot could see Torres become available for less than his release clause.
GOOD MORNING MAN UTD FANS
Nicky Butt could join Wayne Rooney at Derby after quitting as Manchester United’s head of first team development.
The former Red Devils midfielder, 46, spent nine years in the role and as a coach at Old Trafford, bringing through the likes of Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Scott McTominay and Dean Henderson.
Man Utd legend Paul Ince revealed he would prefer to sign Erling Haaland than Harry Kane.
The ex-England star said: “If I was in charge of United and you offered me Harry Kane or Erling Haaland on a plate right now, I think I’d be taking Haaland.
“He’s younger, not that Kane’s old, and he’s got a bit more pace, not that Kane is slow.”
It comes amid rumours Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly in contact with Erling Haaland over a summer transfer to Manchester United.
United are among a number of top European sides chasing the Norwegian’s signature at the end of the campaign.
And Red Devils boss Solskjaer ‘keeps calling’ his countryman in a bid to convince him to move to Old Trafford, according to Spanish outlet AS.
RAMBUTT
Nicky Butt could join Wayne Rooney at Derby after quitting as Manchester United’s head of first team development.
The former Red Devils midfielder, 46, spent nine years in the role and as a coach at Old Trafford, bringing through the likes of Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Scott McTominay and Dean Henderson.
Yet it is understood Butt did not see eye to eye with new director of football John Murtough.
And while the Class of ’92 star said all the right things on his departure, his exit was still a surprise.
Butt, who played almost 400 games under Sir Alex Ferguson and was a member of the historic 1999 Treble-winning side, said: “Having come through the academy myself it has been an absolute privilege to come back and work with a new generation of talent making that same journey.
“I’m proud of the role everyone on the staff plays in giving our young footballers the best possible chance of fulfilling their potential.
“The results are clear to see in the increased number of home-grown players reaching the first team.
“I already know from my playing days how difficult it is to leave Manchester United but it feels like the right moment for a new professional challenge.
“I look forward to exploring opportunities that build on the great experiences I’ve had here over the past nine years.”
Credit: PA:Press Association
SPURRED ON
Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has emerged as a rumoured transfer target for Manchester United.
At 34, the World Cup winner is said to want to leave North London for one final big challenge of his career.
A return to Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain or Nice has been reported and now L’Equipe detail a potential move to Manchester.
Lloris is in his ninth season at Tottenham but is yet to win a trophy, although he will get a fresh chance in the upcoming Carabao Cup final.
SunSport recently revealed the club’s plans to replace club captain Lloris at the end of the season.
England trio Sam Johnstone, Nick Pope and Dean Henderson are understood to all be targets for Jose Mourinho.
United star Henderson is finally getting his chance in the team but may seek a move if he is once again dropped to the bench with the club preparing to either sell the former Blades No1 or David De Gea.
Credit: AFP
PAUL NO PUNCHES
Man Utd legend Paul Ince revealed he would prefer to sign Erling Haaland than Harry Kane.
The ex-England star said: “If I was in charge of United and you offered me Harry Kane or Erling Haaland on a plate right now, I think I’d be taking Haaland.
“He’s younger, not that Kane’s old, and he’s got a bit more pace, not that Kane is slow.
“If you were going to buy Harry Kane right now he’d probably cost you around £80/90m and he’d likely be on a five-year contract which takes him into his thirties.
“When you buy a player you’ve always got to look at how you might make a profit from them later on.
“Haaland is only 20, so you could bring him in for around £100m and you’d still be able to make a profit from him in five years’ time.
“With Kane you’d have the guarantee that he’s already a proven goalscorer in the division.
“He knows the Premier League well so you know he’d get you 25 goals a season.
“But I think Haaland would do the same at any club in any division, and he’s only going to get better.”
NO GOLDEN TUCH
Thomas Tuchel’s sour relationship with Borussia Dortmund could dent Chelsea’s chances of signing Erling Haaland, in a boost to Man Utd.
Bild claim the German left Dortmund on bad terms and club chiefs are reluctant to sell to a side coached by their former manager.
The report adds that it’s ‘very unlikely’ the Bundesliga outfit will allow Haaland to seal a move to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Although Tuchel won a German Cup at Dortmund, his time there is best-remembered for the bust-ups he had.
There were disagreements with senior players, including Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic, Jakub Blaszczykowski and Roman Weidenfeller.
While Tuchel also clashed with former chief scout Sven Mislantat, who would later work for Arsenal.
He was then sacked by Dortmund with chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke saying he was ‘worn out’ dealing with the manager.
OL HAVE YOUR BACK
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskajer has commented on Nick Butt’s decision to QUIT as head of first-team development.
Solskajer said: “Nicky will always be a legend of Manchester United as a six-time Premier League winner and, of course, an integral part of our Treble-winning team.
“That pedigree has made him a great source of guidance and inspiration to our Academy players since he returned to the club.
“We are all going to miss him around the Aon Training Complex but Nicky knows he will always be welcome back.”
DON DO IT
Rio Ferdinand is convinced the Donny van de Beek has the talent to improve United’s side – if given the chance.
Ferdinand said: “‘I think he would add value to this team, definitely. He’s someone who would create goals, he played a part in the goal (vs Leicester). When he gets in the box, he knows how to put the ball in the back of the net.
“But to get in the box he’s got to play in the position where Bruno Fernandes is playing and he’s not going to do that. Can he do it from No 8 position or No 6 when he’s holding? I think he can. He’s intelligent enough.
“Ajax players are brought up to be intelligent footballers, they are able to play multiple positions, he can do that. It’s just obviously United want a stiffer central midfield area behind Bruno.
“I get that, given that’s got to be protecting the centre backs and that’s not going to be one of Van de Beek’s strengths. But then it begs the question: why buy him then?”
RIO DONNY GET IT
Rio Ferdinand admits he feels sorry for Manchester United outcast Donny van de Beek.
The United legend has questioned why the club signed Van de Beek if they were not prepared to play him regularly.
Ferdinand told his podcast, Vibe with Five: “I feel for him. I don’t care who you are – if you’re playing the odd two minutes here and there, three minutes here and there, you cannot perform.
“I don’t care what level of player you are.
“I don’t think he’s been helped in terms of team selection and opportunities so I don’t think it’s fair to say he’s underperforming because he’s not been put in a position to perform yet on a consistent basis.
“I really do feel for him but it would be interesting to hear what he was sold and told on the way in because the lack of opportunities, I don’t think he’d have come here if he’d known that.”
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