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      Man Utd ‘expect up to EIGHT bids’ before Wednesday’s deadline and frontrunner could be revealed by end of week

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly expecting up to EIGHT bids before Wednesday’s deadline as the race hots up to take over at Old Trafford.Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani have publicly made their interest clear.
      Sir Jim Ratcliffe is one man interested in buying Manchester UnitedCredit: PA
      Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad AI-Thani another interested in Man Utd
      But Sky Sports are now reporting that as many as six other parties could enter the bidding process in the next 48 hours.
      It comes as buyers prepare to submit their second bids.
      Other potential bidders have remained under the radar, although US hedge fund Elliott Management also visited the club after making its initial proposal.
      Elliott, however, are seeking to provide finances for a bidder, rather than take control of United themselves.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      Now, though, the next stage of the contest will begin in earnest with the would-be new owners asked to make their “non-indicative” second bids.
      These are more formal offers, expected to be higher than the initial valuations which were understood not to exceed £4.5billion.
      With the Glazer family believing the club is worth £6bn, there is a considerable gap which is unlikely to be completely filled in the next stage.
      But it does mean that the Glazers’ chosen intermediary, the US-based Raine Group, could be in a position to formally declare a “preferred bidder” by either Friday or the beginning of next week.
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      That would open the way for full due diligence of the club, its finances and assets, to begin, a process that might take two weeks or more to be completed.
      Even so, there remains a high degree of uncertainty, especially if none of the bidders comes within hailing distance of the Glazer sale price.
      While Sheikh Jassim, a member of the Qatari royal family, is seeking a full takeover, Sir Jim’s Ineos group is aiming to buy out the Glazers’ 69 per cent controlling stake.
      And it does mean there might be a third effective auction bidding stage with Raine conducting proceedings to attempt to ensure a final price closer to the Glazers’ preferred valuation.
      Sir Jim has made it clear he will not be  paying “stupid” money to buy Manchester United.
      He said: “How do you decide the price of a painting? How do you decide the price of a house?
      “It’s not related to how much it cost to build or how much it cost to paint.
      “What you don’t want to do is pay stupid prices for things because then you regret it subsequently.”
      Oldham-born Ratcliffe, a lifelong United fan, added: “Our interest would be purely in winning things.” More

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      Antonio Conte’s epic rant was a new low for under-fire Tottenham boss – so why the hell take the job in the first place?

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      WITH every rant, every slur and every Spursy capitulation, we always return to the same old question: “Why the hell did Antonio Conte take this job in the first place?”Conte had snubbed Tottenham in the summer of 2021, when they staged their farcical 72-day search for Jose Mourinho’s replacement and ended up with poor old Nuno ‘Dispirito’ Santo.
      Antonio Conte unleashed an epic rant after Saturday’s draw with SouthamptonCredit: Getty
      Some well-informed sources believe the turbulent Italian accepted the job at the second time of asking in a fit of frustration after being overlooked by Manchester United during the dog days of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign.
      Others come up with the more obvious answer that £15million is one hell of a salary to turn down.
      And it is certainly a significant sum to trouser when you consistently react to setbacks by passing the buck to the dressing room and boardroom.
      Imagine earning that much money, yet still feeling free to slaughter your employers and subordinates every time you mess up. Nice work if you can get it.
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      Conte has made it pretty damned clear throughout his 16-month reign that he believes he is slumming it at Spurs.
      But Saturday’s epic tantrum, after his side tossed away a two-goal lead at bottom-club Southampton, plunged new depths in disrespect, as he called out Daniel Levy’s record over 20 years as chairman and branded his players “selfish”.
      Sure, Conte was a title-winner in his three previous club jobs at Juventus, Chelsea and Inter Milan.
      But he must surely have known he was never likely to achieve the same feat at Spurs, the seventh richest club in England.
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      To paraphrase Sir Alex Ferguson’s briefest and greatest team talk: ‘Lad, it’s Tottenham’.
      For the record, though, Spurs did reach the Champions League final four years ago.
      Conte has managed only one quarter-final in six attempts with four different clubs.
      So, perhaps his arrogance should know some bounds.
      Conte’s sneering tone began early on, when he frequently demanded a squad to match Tottenham’s world-class stadium and training ground, as if Levy had somehow got it wrong by building outstanding infrastructure for his club.
      Spurs have recruited well since Conte arrived in November 2021.Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski were excellent signings in January last year, playing significant parts in Spurs qualifying for this season’s Champions League.
      And last summer’s window was as good as Conte, or anyone else, could have reasonably expected.
      They bought quality and experience and, unusually for Levy, they bought early.
      Yet Conte wants no responsibility for the fact players with the impressive pedigree of Richarlison, Ivan Perisic, Yves Bissouma and Clement Lenglet have all bombed.
      Daniel Levy is reportedly ready to get rid of Conte this weekCredit: PA
      Under Conte, Spurs are often a desperately dull and predictable watch, as exemplified when they blew excellent chances of progress in two knockout competitions.
      Defeats by Sheffield United in the FA Cup and AC Milan in the Champions League seemed entirely avoidable.
      Harry Kane was benched for the trip to Bramall Lane. Had Spurs won there, they would have enjoyed a quarter-final at home to Blackburn and might be looking forward to a Wembley semi-final against a Manchester City side they have  regularly beaten in recent seasons.
      Against AC Milan, Spurs were passive and overly cautious when chasing a 1-0 first-leg deficit.
      Had they won, they would be facing an inviting half of the draw with Napoli, Inter and Benfica.
      Another Champions League final appearance might well have been on the cards.
      It’s difficult to say exactly which Spurs players Conte regards as “selfish”. A lot of them aren’t playing very well, some simply aren’t good enough. But “selfish”?
      The only obvious recent example of selfishness was Cristian Romero being sent off for two reckless challenges against Milan.
      Poor performances against Sheffield United, Wolves, AC Milan and Southampton has left Spurs’ season stumbling towards an unsatisfactory conclusionCredit: Getty
      And Conte seemed to give his Argentinian World Cup winner a free pass by accusing his team of being “too soft” in the aftermath of that Champions League exit.
      Conte is a demanding manager capable of short-term success.
      But he is also a tiresome bore, who even accused Roman Abramovich of not spending enough money during his prolonged second-season meltdown at Chelsea.
      Now he clearly wants out of Spurs and many players will bid him good riddance. We should not forget Conte has suffered bereavements and a serious bout of ill health this season.
      He probably needs a rest, physically and mentally.
      Although, as author Adam Powley put it so brilliantly on Twitter: “Conte is the only man in medical history to have his gallbladder removed yet be able to store up more bile.”
      Conte for Spurs was a marriage of inconvenience for both parties and divorce is long overdue.
      Spurs must now rebuild under an ambitious, upwardly mobile boss. And certainly not one who suggests he is doing them some sort of favour by picking up his vast salary.
      Gareth’s mo-role support
      So are England players role models or not?
      Gareth Southgate happily lauds his men as such when they take admirable stands for social justice, but he wasn’t so big on the whole ‘setting an example’ thing when he named Ivan Toney and Kyle Walker in his squad to face Italy and Ukraine.
      Toney has admitted to many of the 262 breaches of FA betting rules he has been charged  with, while Walker was dealt with by a police ‘out-of-court disposal’ after an alleged incident of indecent exposure.
      The England chief says he is ‘no moral judge’. In truth, he is more than willing to be a moral judge when England players behave morally, just not when they’re gambling and flashing.
      Shabby Palace
      Crystal Palace always seemed like one of the last bastions of down-to-Earth old-school decency in the Premier League.
      Yet for a man as great as Patrick Vieira to have been dismissed over the phone — two days before a trip to his beloved Arsenal and with a kindly run of fixtures up next for the Eagles — was one of the shabbiest sackings English football has known.
      Now we may witness a third ‘retirement’ in as many seasons from Roy Hodgson.
      Palace have stopped looking forward and  are swiftly heading backwards.
      AD ENOUGH
      Wolves have had a shocking run of refereeing decisions since the World Cup.
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      So it seems unfair to applaud a bad refereeing decision which went against them — but we’ll try.
      When Adama Traore refused to play to the whistle after a slight shirt pull and allowed Leeds through to score their final goal in the 4-2 win at Molineux, ref Michael Salisbury was wrong to wave play on by the letter of the law — but correct by the spirit of the game. More

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      I played in the Premier League and now play under Man Utd bidder Sir Jim Ratcliffe – he wants to take us to the top

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      AARON RAMSEY praised potential Manchester United owner Jim Ratcliffe for the impressive work he has done with Nice.The former Arsenal midfielder joined the French club on a free transfer in the summer and says he likes the way it is run.
      Sir Jim Ratcliffe is in talks to take over at Manchester UnitedCredit: PA
      Aaron Ramsey is playing for the Ratcliffe-owned NiceCredit: Getty
      Boyhood Red Devils fan Ratcliffe is looking to take control of the club – but faces competition from Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim.
      Ramsey, 32, said: “The owner is very passionate and very invested into Nice.
      “He wants to take Nice all the way to the top.
      “It’s a great project to be a part of. It just feels like a family-oriented club.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      “It’s been quite nice, really enjoyable. there’s worse places in the world to be playing.”
      Nice have reached the quarter finals of the Europa Conference League and are well-placed to secure qualification for a UEFA competition next season too.
      They sit seventh in the Ligue 1 table, just six points adrift of a place in the Conference League qualifiers.
      Meanwhile, Ratcliffe and the other contenders to take over at Man Utd are set to revise their bids by Wednesday’s deadline – with as many as EIGHT expected.
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      These are more formal offers, expected to be higher than the initial valuations which were understood not to exceed £4.5bn.
      With the Glazer family believing the club is worth £6bn, there is a considerable gap which is unlikely to be completely filled in the next stage.
      But it does mean that the Glazers’ chosen intermediary, the US-based Raine Group, could be in a position to formally declare a “preferred bidder” by either Friday or the beginning of next week.
      That would open the way for full due diligence of the club, its finances and assets, to begin, a process that might take two weeks or more to be completed.
      Even so, there remains a high degree of uncertainty, especially if none of the bidders comes within hailing distance of the Glazer sale price.
      While Sheikh Jassim, a member of the Qatari royal family, is seeking a full takeover, Sir Jim’s Ineos group is aiming to buy out the Glazers’ 69 per cent controlling stake.
      And it does mean there might be a third effective auction bidding stage with Raine conducting proceedings to attempt to ensure a final price closer to the Glazers’ preferred valuation.
      Sheikh Jassim, however, is reportedly set to make a second bid for the Red Devils in the coming days.
      Read More on The Sun
      That’s according to Sky Sports, who claim the Qatari will table his second gambit on Wednesday.
      It’s claimed the Sheikh’s team worked on the new offer over the weekend – just days after fresh talks with the Glazers at Old Trafford and Carrington. More

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      Mitrovic could be suspended until end of season with 10-match ban as FA CONFIRM charge for shoving ref against Man Utd

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      ALEKSANDAR Mitrovic faces being ruled out until the last day of the season – as the FA threw the disciplinary book at Fulham.Wembley beaks announced charges against Mitrovic, manager Marco Silva and the Craven Cottage club in a get-tough clampdown.
      Aleksandar Mitrovic faces a lengthy ban after being sent off against Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
      Mitrovic was dismissed by referee Chris KavanaghCredit: Rex
      And it is set to lead to a massive suspension for Mitrovic, an extended touchline ban for Silva and a huge fine for Fulham.
      Serbian striker Mitrovic lost his head after Chris Kavanagh correctly took VAR advice to award Manchester United a penalty and dismiss Willian for handball in the FA Cup quarter-final clash on Sunday.
      Sun Sport understands that in addition to explaining the red card, Kavanagh’s official report to the FA included a full account of the verbal confrontation that followed Mitrovic’s dismissal when he shouted into the referee’s face.
      That started the disciplinary process that has left Mitrovic facing a potential 10-match ban.
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      Earlier yesterday, SunSport revealed that the FA had already contacted Fulham to tell the club it was not prepared to allow a standard three-game violent conduct ban.
      That was officially confirmed as an FA spokesperson said: “The FA has claimed that the standard punishment which would otherwise apply to Aleksandar Mitrović for the sending off offence of violent conduct that he committed towards the match referee is clearly insufficient.
      “In addition, Aleksandar Mitrovic’s behaviour and/or language was allegedly improper and/or abusive and/or insulting and/or threatening following his dismissal.”
      Regarding Silva, the FA spokesperson added: “It’s alleged that Marco Silva used abusive and/or insulting words and/or gestures and/or behaviour towards the match referee.
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      “That he used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official prior to his dismissal. “And that he also used abusive and/or insulting words and/or gestures and/or behaviour towards the fourth official after being sent off.
      “It’s further alleged that in throwing a water bottle in the direction of the assistant referee his behaviour was improper.”
      Silva has already served one touchline ban, missing the FA Cup win over Sunderland after picking up a fourth managerial yellow card of the season in the goalless draw with Chelsea.
      It means a minimum two-match ban but the fact that he has been hit with FOUR separate charges will almost certainly lead to a significantly greater punishment.
      And Fulham as a club, charged with “failing to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion” can expect a significant fine.
      Charging Mitrovic, Silva and Fulham could speed up the timetable as a touchline ban for the manager will have to be imposed for the club’s next game, although the Mitrovic case could be decided by a separate commission after the international break.
      In any event, Mitrovic is automatically banned until Fulham’s home game with Leeds on April 22, allowing plenty of time for a commission to hear the case before the suspension is completed.
      But Kavanagh’s report, combined with the FA’s public stance against misbehaviour towards referees at grass roots level and the feeling that what happens in the Premier League is often replicated on park pitches, suggests a double-figure match ban is more than possible.
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      The most famous Prem example of footballers behaving badly came at Hillsborough in 1998.
      Firebrand Paolo Di Canio, wound up by an altercation with Martin Keown and sent off for his reaction, lost it after being shown a red card by Paul Alcock.
      In an astonishing scene still recalled 25 years later, the Italian pushed the referee backwards, with Alcock, floundering desperately to keep his feet, eventually tumbling over.
      It was an almost comedic moment yet there was no laughter at the FA, who rightly handed Di Canio an 11-match ban.
      A still hurt Alcock described him as “the Italian” shortly before his death aged 64 in 2018.
      That benchmark will be in the heads of many when the Mitrovic punishment is being discussed, even if Sunday’s incident was not in that same category.
      Di Canio was not the first to lose it and shove an official, even if he remains the most memorable.
      Pauli Di Canio received an 11-match ban in 1998 for shoving ref Paul AlcockCredit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD
      Former Southampton ace David Prutton was banned for ten matches in 2005 for shoving referee Alan WileyCredit: GETTY
      Seven seasons earlier, Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair saw his loan spell at West Brom cut short when he received a ten-match suspension for a clash with Alcock.
      Sinclair ran into the referee after he awarded a penalty against the Baggies and accidentally clashed heads.
      He immediately showed contrition but it could not prevent the lengthy suspension.
      And if the FA believed the punishment for Di Canio would prevent a recurrence they were proved wrong seven years later.
      This time it was Southampton midfielder David Prutton, now a Sky Sports presenter, who completely lost control after being given a second yellow card in a game against Arsenal.
      Prutton remonstrated with the assistant referee and then manhandled ref Alan Wiley as the official attempted to intervene, adding a verbal volley to his crime sheet as he was escorted from the pitch by Saints boss Harry Redknapp.
      Despite apologies, Prutton was banned for ten games the next day, although he was only fined £6,000.
      Despite plenty of situations in which players have surrounded referees since, there have been no really similar incidents in the Prem.
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      Many thought Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes should have been punished this month when he turned and pushed assistant referee Adam Nunn during the 7-0 mauling at Anfield.
      Yet on that occasion, both the referees’ organisation, PGMOL, and the FA agreed the incident had been caused by the actions of the assistant, and the Portugal star had reacted to his perceived assailant, rather than deliberately showing disrespect and assaulting the official. More

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      Arsenal in huge backroom shake-up with two new additions ahead of summer transfer window

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      ARSENAL are reportedly set to make two major additions to their backroom staff ahead of the summer transfer window.The Premier League leaders are already planning to mount another challenge for the title next season with an internal restructure.
      Arsenal sporting director Edu is set to make changes at backroom levelCredit: Getty
      The former Gunners midfielder is set to appoint an assistant sporting directorCredit: GETTY
      And according to reports, sporting director Edu will be overseeing the changes.
      The Athletic claim the former Gunners midfielder is set to appoint Jason Ayto as his No.2 – with his official title being assistant sporting director.
      First-team scout James Ellis is set to also receive a new role at the Emirates.
      Fulham’s former senior scout is set to be named the north Londoners’ new head of recruitment.
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      More appointments are said to be in the pipeline, although it’s claimed first-team scout Mark Curtis, loan manager Ben Knapper and analytics specialist Tolly Colburn will retain “signifcant roles” in the setup.
      Arsenal stretched their lead at the top of the table to eight points with a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
      Defending champions Manchester City, however, do have a game in hand on Mike Arteta’s troops.
      The Spaniard said: “I’m really happy and really pleased with the way we started the game and how we reacted to Thursday.
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      “We took any question mark away from it. We showed a lot of determination and a lot of purpose in the way we played.
      “I’m really happy with the way we played after playing 120 minutes, after losing two players [William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu], I’m really pleased with what we showed.”
      He added: “Everyone has to give a little bit more.
      ‘It’s not a secret. If you want to maintain that level, everyone has to step in and give a little bit more.
      “Rob [Holding] is an example of what we needed today.”
      Arsenal will be back in action a fortnight on Saturday, welcoming Leeds United to the Emirates. More

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      Tottenham set to sack Antonio Conte THIS WEEK after scathing rant with replacement already lined up

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      TOTTENHAM are reportedly set to sack Antonio Conte this week after his scathing rant.The Italian boss, 53, hit out at the players and club following Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Southampton.
      Antonio Conte looks to be on the brink at SpursCredit: PA
      SunSport have reported that several of the Spurs players want Conte sacked.
      And The Telegraph are now reporting chairman Daniel Levy is getting ready to part ways with Conte.
      It is believed Ryan Mason could take caretaker charge until the end of the season.
      Spurs’ first game after the international break comes away at Everton on April 3.
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      And they will be hoping they can keep hold of their fourth place in the Premier League.
      Tottenham are two points clear of fifth-place Newcastle who have two games in hand.
      Liverpool are also still in contention, while Brighton are just seven points adrift having played three fewer matches.
      Conte’s furious rant was heavily criticised by the Spurs faithful.
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      The Italian said: “I think it’s better to go into the problem, we are not a team.
      “We are 11 players that go into the pitch. I see selfish players, players that don’t want to help each other and don’t put their heart [into it].
      “This season compared to last, now we are worse in this aspect. When you are not a team you cannot improve.”
      He then went on to add: “They don’t play for something important, yeah. They don’t want to play under pressure, they don’t want to play under stress.
      “It is easy in this way. Tottenham’s story is this, 20 years there is the owner and they never won something but why? The fault is only for the club, or for every manager that stay here.
      “I have seen the managers that Tottenham had on the bench. You risk to disrupt the figure of the manager and to protect the other situation in every moment.
      “Until now I try to hide the situation but now, no, because I repeat I don’t want to see what I have seen today.
      “Everyone has to take their responsibility. Not only the club, the manager and the staff.
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      “The players have to be involved in this situation because it is time to change this situation if Tottenham want to change. They can change the manager, a lot of managers, but the situation cannot change. Believe me.”
      SunSport have considered five potential permanent successors including Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel and Zinedine Zidane. More

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      Major update on Man Utd sale with new bids expected TOMORROW – and frontrunner could be revealed by the end of the week

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      THE contenders to take over Manchester United are expected to put in their revised bids by tomorrow.Both Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and Britain’s richest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, are in the running to buy the Old Trafford club from the Glazer family.
      The Glazer family are looking to sell Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
      Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani is in the running to take ownership of the club
      Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe is also bidding to become the new Red Devils ownerCredit: PA
      Other potential bidders have remained under the radar, although US hedge fund Elliott Management also visited the club after making its initial proposal.
      Elliott, however, are seeking to provide finances for a bidder, rather than take control of United themselves.
      Now, though, the next stage of the contest will begin in earnest with the would-be new owners asked to make their “non-indicative” second bids.
      These are more formal offers, expected to be higher than the initial valuations which were understood not to exceed £4.5bn.
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      With the Glazer family believing the club is worth £6bn, there is a considerable gap which is unlikely to be completely filled in the next stage.
      But it does mean that the Glazers’ chosen intermediary, the US-based Raine Group, could be in a position to formally declare a “preferred bidder” by either Friday or the beginning of next week.
      That would open the way for full due diligence of the club, its finances and assets, to begin, a process that might take two weeks or more to be completed.
      Even so, there remains a high degree of uncertainty, especially if none of the bidders comes within hailing distance of the Glazer sale price.
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      While Sheikh Jassim, a member of the Qatari royal family, is seeking a full takeover, Sir Jim’s Ineos group is aiming to buy out the Glazers’ 69 per cent controlling stake.
      And it does mean there might be a third effective auction bidding stage with Raine conducting proceedings to attempt to ensure a final price closer to the Glazers’ preferred valuation.
      Sheikh Jassim, however, is reportedly set to make a second bid for the Red Devils in the coming days.
      That’s according to Sky Sports, who claim the Qatari will table his second gambit on Wednesday.
      It’s claimed the Sheikh’s team worked on the new offer over the weekend – just days after fresh talks with the Glazers at Old Trafford and Carrington.
      Manchester United will be back in action a fortnight on Sunday travelling to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle. More

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      Chelsea star Thiago Silva worries fans with injury update as he posts pic with knee in bizarre contraption

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      CHELSEA defender Thiago Silva has left fans concerned after sharing a picture of his rehabilitation.Last month, the Brazilian centre-back, 38, was ruled out for up to six weeks after suffering a knee injury during the Blues’ 2-0 defeat to Tottenham.
      Thiago Silva sufferd a knee injury against Tottenham last monthCredit: PA
      Silva shared a picture of him wearing a bizarre knee contraption as part of his physioCredit: Instagram / @thiagosilva
      Now he has provided an update to the Chelsea supporters by posting a picture of his leg in a strange contraption.
      Alongside the image, he added the caption “My physiotherapist” with laughing and heart eye emojis as he tagged his wife.
      The device is a part of the Cryotech Nordic kit.
      It aims to reduce inflammation and swelling while also improving mobility.
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      Chelsea have clinched three wins and a draw in the four matches since Silva’s injury.
      But manager Graham Potter will be keen for his experienced centre-back to return to the fold at the earliest possibility.
      Following his injury, a Chelsea statement read: “Having sustained a knee injury during the first half of Sunday’s match against Tottenham Hotspur, Thiago underwent further assessment and a scan on his return to the training centre on Monday.
      “Scan results from those assessments have confirmed damage to Thiago’s knee ligaments and he will now work closely with the club’s medical department during his rehabilitation to return to action as soon as possible.”
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      Chelsea have a host of options at the heart of their defence including Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah and Marc Cucurella.
      And Potter’s strength in depth is something he will hope can help them to finish the season strongly.
      They sit 10th in the Premier League table, 11 points adrift of fourth-place Tottenham.
      Silva will be hoping to return to action after the international breakCredit: Getty More