3pm Man Utd news LIVE: Bale transfer bid revealed, Pogba trains with Fernandes, Sancho LATEST, Ighalo deal ‘close’ – The Sun
MANCHESTER UNITED are pressing on with training as the fans move a step closer to seeing an iconic midfield partnership of Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes.
But the French World Cup winner may not be at Old Trafford much longer with Real Madrid back in the hunt for his signature.
Get all the Red Devils news, updates and gossip here…
AXEL TO GRIND
Luke Shaw has named the Manchester United youngster you simply cannot get out the gym.
Axel Tuanzebe, on this evidence, not a bad pick…
BREAKING: PROJECT RESTART ON TRACK
The Premier League is set to return on 17 June with Manchester City hosting Arsenal and Aston Villa taking on Sheffield United.
Project Restart has been handed a huge boost after talks between the 20 clubs were held today.
It is understood that the “majority” of Premier League clubs are keen to get the ball rolling next month.
The initial plan was for football to return on Friday June 12 – but it is now expected to be delayed by just under one week.
Players need more time to get back to match fitness to avoid the risk of injuries.
But the four clubs with games in hand, due to the Carabao Cup final, are preparing for a midweek start before the full resumption days later.
DUTCH DYNAMO
Over 250 games, four Premier League titles, a League Cup, Club World Cup and a Champions League.
Not bad for a 34-year-old costing £2million!
Edwin van der Sar retired on this day, nine years ago.
PO-PO A GO-GO
Police in England have reportedly given the green light for MOST Premier League games taking place at regular venues.
Neutral grounds were touted as a major part of Project Restart but were met with fierce opposition from several teams.
The Mail now reports that police are happy for games to be held across the country, in each of the 20 grounds.
Yet they still hold reservations over a small number of high-profile matches that could still attract fans to gather outside the ground – breaking coronavirus restrictions.
OD MOVE
Manchester United’s £140million loan has boosted their chances of signing some big names this summer.
But Paul Pogba has been heavily linked with a move away from the club after making just seven league appearances this season.
Solskjaer has confirmed Pogba is fit to play when football returns and he has been pictured at Carrington this week.
Real Madrid have reportedly offered United four big-name stars in a swap deal for the French World Cup winner.
Martin Odegaard, James Rodriguez, Lucas Vasquez and former Manchester City midfielder Brahim Diaz will be included.
And SunSport’s Joseph Miles has put together a tantalising sneak preview of what such a United line-up might look like – if the deal goes through…
MONEYBALL
Latest figures released by financial giant KPMG have Manchester United chasing the coattails of the world’s most valuable club.
Worth £2.95billion, Real Madrid are just ahead of Manchester United in second – at £2.84bn.
Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Liverpool make up the top five with the Premier League leaders rising two places since the previous valuations.
Manchester City are followed by Chelsea in seventh place, falling behind the Reds at a decreased value of £1.88bn.
Tottenham jump up to eighth and Paris Saint-Germain are next.
Hanging on in the top ten, Arsenal’s worth fell 13.2 per cent and is now rated at £1.57bn.
ODS ON
Odion Ighalo has reportedly urged parent club Shanghai Shenhua to let him stay at Manchester United on loan until the campaign is concluded.
The 30-year-old's spell at Old Trafford is set to come to an end on Sunday unless the Chinese club and the Red Devils can come to an arrangement.
He is desperate to see out the season with United as he knows this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent the team he loves.
According to the Manchester Evening News, such is his desire to remain at the Theatre of Dreams, Ighalo has made a personal plea to Shanghai to let him remain in England.
Shanghai are believed to only be willing to discuss terms on a permanent transfer or a loan with an obligation to buy for £20million, but United are seeking only an extension.
MERCS OF THE JOB
Marcus Rashford arrived at Manchester United's training ground in his new £150,000 custom Mercedes-AMG G63 this morning – and it looks like a TANK.
The England star, 22, cruised into Carrington in his incredible new ride – which can do 0-60mph in just 4.5 seconds.
The 4.0-litre V-8 engine in Rashford's new wheels brings with it a staggering 577 horsepower.
The car starts at around £140,000 – but that's before all the upgrades and custom features.
As well as the usual fittings, the Man Utd star's bonnet is customised, as well as featuring a camo-style paint job.
GAAL-ING
Louis van Gaal has opened up on the difficulty he had in bringing in the players he wanted to Manchester United.
Speaking to Voetbal International, the Dutchman recalled how clubs charged the Red Devils a premium at a time they desperately needed a squad overhaul.
He said: “Manchester United did not have the qualities to become champions and had an outdated selection with ten players over thirty, five over 35.
“So I told them I was going to rejuvenate and which players should come. I didn’t get one of those.
“Then you end up in a different segment and as a coach you have to push your boundaries. You don’t expect that at the richest club in the world. A turnover of £600million and can’t buy the players you need.
“You should buy number one and not number seven. Of course, the selling club also thinks, ‘If you are so rich, you also have to pay the highest amount imaginable for a player’.
“That was what happened with transfers. Then you have to do with the numbers seven or eight on your wish list. For which you actually pay way too much money, on which the coach is judged and convicted.”
IGHAL-GO?
Odion Ighalo was seen driving to Manchester United training on Thursday morning with talks over loan extension to continue.
Old Trafford chiefs have just THREE DAYS to negotiate a deal that would see the Nigerian extend his stay in Manchester.
Initially signed as emergency injury cover for Marcus Rashford – who suffered a fracture in his back – Ighalo has become a key man this season.
However, his loan deal expires on June 1 – by which point the Premier League and Europa League seasons should have finished.
Solskjaer wants to extend the loan spell by a further three months – but Shanghai Shenhua have so far rejected that proposal.
RACE TO THE VIN-ISH LINE
Manchester United are seeking to gain the upper hand in the battle over Eduardo Camavinga.
The teenager has impressed many with his displays for Rennes in Ligue 1.
And Real Madrid have long been tipped to seal the midfielder’s services at the age of just 17.
However Metro report on United’s hopes that offering to loan Camavinga back to Rennes for a season will help along any deal with the French club.
In April, the player’s asking price was reportedly £53million.
CUP GLORY
Louis van Gaal has revealed that his time at Manchester United was the “greatest achievement” of his career.
That is despite winning league titles with Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich – and a World Cup third-place with his native Netherlands.
He told Voetbal International: “Despite those disappointments, Manchester United did win the FA Cup.
“Manchester United has actually been the greatest achievement of my career.”
COUT SOME SLACK
Philippe Coutinho is edging closer to a Premier League return with Arsenal, Man Utd and Chelsea battling for his signature, according to reports.
The former Liverpool playmaker is looking for a new club this summer with Barcelona hopeful of cashing in.
Arsenal are making the strongest case to bring him to the Emirates with boss Mikel Arteta ready to make him the lynchpin in his side.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Coutinho feels Arteta's style of football would help him achieve his best form on the field.
The article also states how the player would be itching to get his career back on track in England's top flight.
Man Utd remain interested but prioritise the signings of Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho and Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish.
GOUW AND GET ‘EM
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Raimond van der Gouw has backed David De Gea to shrug off mistakes and bounce back to being among the game’s top keepers.
The Dutchman told MUTV: “De Gea is fantastic – he has shown that he is one of the best goalkeepers in England. Not only for one year, but for the last couple of years.
“Last season he made a couple of mistakes, but that’s normal. He’s a human being, and if I look back at when I was at Manchester United, when I first saw Peter Schmeichel I thought he would never make a mistake.
“But then during the Treble season he had a bad spell and you wonder how that is possible. De Gea is fantastic, but he can make mistakes. So do all top players!
“Fantastic players are always looking over their shoulders and if they make a mistake people say they’re not as good anymore.
“This is ridiculous because they are human beings. For a goalkeeper, you have to be stable and if you make a mistake, make sure next time you are in the right place so you can stop the ball.”
JACK ALL
Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has opened up on the devastation of seeing Robin van Persie leave for Manchester United in 2012.
After the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri left, the Dutchman headed to Old Trafford and wrestled back the Premier League title from rivals City.
Wilshere feels that, had the Gunners kept their stars, they could have won the trophy themselves.
He told 5 Live: “He had just scored 30 goals the season before. He was our captain.
“It felt like we were just about to challenge [for the title] again and all of a sudden he left to go to our biggest rivals. It was difficult to take.
“I was there when Fabregas left, Nasri left, big players. If we had kept that team together I think we would have gone on to win the Premier League — and who knows from there?”
PREM RETURN EXPLAINED
Are you a little lost trying to find out when the Premier League is returning? Well have no fear as SunSport has answered all your questions ahead of today's important meeting between the clubs.
What date is Project Restart likely to take place?
What's gonna happen with the TV money?
What time will the matches be?
Our man Dave Fraser is on hand to fill you in with everything you need to know about the Premier League's return.
GUNNAR COPY THEM
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits Manchester United have been watched the Bundesliga with interest since it restarted.
United are interested in Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho, but Solskjaer says they whole league is providing them with guidance.
“We’ve been watching what’s been happening in Germany,” he said.
“For us to follow their template, it’s important they can show everyone the way. It’s been great watching some live football, not just the old classics. We’ve been spending hours analysing our own games.
“There’s no doubt that football is a bit different with no fans. There’s that extra edge with the fans that you’re not going to replicate. Football is for the fans but we want to play football and fans can watch on telly at least, if we can get to the next stage. Hopefully we can.”
GOOD MORNING MAN UTD FANS
Man Utd have taken out a £140million loan to get through the coronavirus crisis.
And it should go some way to ensuring Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can still bring in stars like Jadon Sancho when the transfer window re-opens.
United could raise further funds by selling Paul Pogba to Real Madrid, who are offering a list of stars to form a swap deal.
The Red Devils also want to sign Aston Villa star Jack Grealish.
United revealed revenues for the first three months of 2020 were down almost £30m — while net debt soared to £429.1m.
The first 18 days of lockdown cost them £23m, with Woodward insisting: “It will not be business as usual for some time.”
United sources say the loan will be used mainly to safeguard the club through this tough period.
Meanwhile, United reportedly rejected the chance to sign Thierry Henry before he joined Arsenal as Sir Alex Ferguson claimed “he's always f***ing injured”.
According to Old Trafford's former head of security Ned Kelly the Red Devils were the Frenchman's “first choice” ahead of the Gunners.
Kelly told beIN Sports: “In the tunnel after the game my phone goes, Eric's [Cantona] older brother Jean-Marie says, 'Ned, tell Alex [Ferguson] that Thierry Henry wants to come to the club',
“Now this was before he went to Arsenal, his first choice was Manchester United. So I go to the boss and say, 'boss, I've just had Jean-Marie Cantona on the phone, he had said Henry wants to come to the club'.
“He [Ferguson] says, 'no way, he's always f****** injured'. He went to Arsenal, the rest is history.”
Finally, Man Utd are set to let Dean Henderson stay at Sheffield United for the rest of season – despite his loan deal expiring in June.
The England hopeful, 23, is currently on loan at Bramall Lane with United chiefs facing a moral dilemma over whether to recall him.
United and the Blades are both vying for the final Champions League qualification spot, worth £60million.
But Old Trafford chiefs are set to be kind and allow him to finish off the 2019-20 season at Sheffield United.
The current campaign has been on pause since March after the coronavirus pandemic forced all sport into lockdown.
Premier League chiefs are now hoping to restart next month, with Friday June 12 the initial proposed date, although some reports claim it could be pushed back to June 26.
POG OFF
Real Madrid could offer Manchester United four big-name stars including Martin Odegaard in a desperate bid to land Paul Pogba.
Old Trafford maintain £89m record buy Pogba is not for sale but Real, also hit by the pandemic, feel a swap deal is an option.
And on top of Odegaard, 21, those who could also be offered in part exchange are James Rodriguez, Lucas Vazquez and ex-City midfielder Brahim Diaz.
IN-THE-RED DEVILS
Man Utd have taken out a £140million loan to get through the coronavirus crisis.
And it should go some way to ensuring Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can still bring in stars like Jadon Sancho when the transfer window re-opens.
United could raise further funds by selling Paul Pogba to Real Madrid, who are offering a list of stars to form a swap deal.
The Red Devils also want to sign Aston Villa star Jack Grealish.
United revealed revenues for the first three months of 2020 were down almost £30m — while net debt soared to £429.1m.
The first 18 days of lockdown cost them £23m, with Woodward insisting: “It will not be business as usual for some time.”
United sources say the loan will be used mainly to safeguard the club through this tough period.
CURL OF THE BURL
Ex-Southampton manager George Burley has revealed they'd once knocked back a £3million Manchester United bid for Gareth Bale… as they'd just received £12m from Arsenal for Theo Walcott.
Burley told The Athletic: “He was like a winger playing at full-back, Manchester United were interested in him. I remember going to a hotel and speaking to Sir Alex and his chief executive.
“We'd already sold Theo Walcott for £12million [to Arsenal] and they offered three or four million so we said 'no way'.
“I think they were a little bit worried about his defensive side of the game, which we were working at, but he could handle that.”
FERR ENOUGH
The Standard claims Man Utd are preparing a move for Valencia star Ferran Torres.
The ace can play on either wing and could be an alternative to Jadon Sancho.
The Borussia Dortmund star could cost £100m and Torres would be a cheaper alternative.
SOL DESIGN
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits he would love to extend Odion Ighalo's Man Utd loan.
He told MUTV: “The loan deal went until the end of May now, so obviously he’s supposed to be going back.
“We’re in dialogue. They’ve been great towards us, his club, and allowed him to play for his dream club.
“It’s been a dream for him and hopefully he can finish off what he started, hopefully with a trophy for us.
“At the moment, nothing has been agreed. Their league is going to get started soon so we’re just waiting to see.”
MAKING HIS MARC
Marcus Rashford has given Manchester United a huge boost by confirming his injured back feels “good” ahead of the season restarting.
Rashford posted three photos of himself training in his back garden.
He wrote alongside the pictures: “Feels great to have the ball at my feet again. Weather isn't too bad either. Hope you've all had a great day!”
One fan responded to the message by asking: “How's the back Marcus?”
And the Old Trafford hero replied: “I'm feeling good mate, thank you!”
RODDY HELL
Former Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega claims he often saw Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney “drinking like a madman”.
Speaking to friend and fellow Colombian footballer Johan Arango, Rodallega said: “If people knew how many times I bumped into Rooney in Manchester drinking like a madman or the number of times I saw Gerrard on a bar dancing shirtless…
“They are human beings, there is nothing wrong with it.
“I can count with one hand the number of footballers who don't drink. All of them, all of us, go out and drink.
“I have always said it. I enjoy drinking and dancing. I love salsa dancing.
“There is nothing wrong with it. I know we are footballers, but we are human beings too.”
Source: Read Full Article