MANCHESTER UNITED are braced for a monumental summer transfer window – with Ruben Amorim expected to overhaul the squad with incomings players AND exits.
But Geovany Quenda will not be coming to Old Trafford to join his former boss after Chelsea agreed a deal worth up to £41.9million for the Sporting wing-back.
Elsewhere, SunSport can exclusively reveal that the Red Devils are keeping tabs on Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Aynsley Pears.
Elsewhere, Man Utd have unveiled stunning plans to build a new £2bn 100,000-capacity stadium.
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Follow ALL of the latest news, rumours and updates from Old Trafford below…
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Amorim on Ayden Heaven
Ruben Amorim has spoken about new recruit Ayden Heaven – and the youngster being given more opportunities if he continues to impress.
The Portuguese manager said: “If he continues like that he is going to play. Of course he is young and he didn’t play much this season, maybe only 45 minutes for the Under-21s, then a few minutes here and now a full game.
“I really like his confidence. I like his pace, I think he is good in defending the box and I think he is quite complete. But he has a lot of work to do in the Premier League.
“We will face a different kind of player and he will be tested in a different kind of way, so we are trying to manage all of this because he is still really young.”
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Money man
Remember Louis Saha?
The former Man Utd man traded Fulham for the Red Devils in 2004.
He then went on to net a credible 42 goals in 124 outings, until leaving Old Trafford in 2008.
However, since leaving Old Trafford he has made mega money.
The Frenchman now owns a company that’s worth a staggering £4.3billion!
Read the full story below.
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Fernandes’ Ratcliffe retort
BRUNO FERNANDES has bitten back at Sir Jim Ratcliffe over the Manchester United part owner’s brutal comments about the squad.
On Monday, the penny-pinching Ineos chief let rip as he called some of the players “not good enough” and “overpaid” in a BBC interview.
Fernandes said: “We need to prove ourselves every day in training, every day that we have a game. We can’t relax at this club.
“You know that there’s a big standard, a big attention that you get from the media, from everywhere.
“You need to realise that sometimes you need to put your focus on your game, trying to improve yourself.
“It’s not nice to hear certain things, obviously. I don’t think that any player likes to hear criticism or things that are talked about to you, that you’re not good enough or you’re overpaid or whatever.
“Everyone has their own contract. The club agrees to do the contracts at the time you come here or at the time you do a new contract or whatever.
“It’s about yourself proving that you can be important for the club.”
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Fernandes transfer
Bruno Fernandes has revealed he came close to leaving Man Utd last summer.
The Portugal star has carried the Red Devils at times this season, scoring a vital hat-trick to see of Real Sociedad in the Europa League last night.
Fernandes said: “I sat with the club [in the summer] because I had an offer to leave, we talked about the possibility of me leaving the club or staying.
“They said what they wanted from me. I just asked if they still see me as part of the future of the club or not. I spoke at the time with Ten Hag also. He was very clear with me, the club was very clear with me, that they thought I would be a big part of this rebuild that they want to do in a different way.
“I heard what they had to tell me. I thought that we could be successful. Unfortunately, we didn’t start the season very well. Erik had to lose his job by the results we had and the performance we had, but the fault was on everyone and everyone together with the manager.
“Now we are in a different moment with a new manager that thinks in a different way, that has a different way of playing. I’m still very happy at the club.
“I’m being always happy at the club to play for this club, to represent the club is a big honour for me. It doesn’t matter where we are in the league, it will always be an honour for me to be at this club and I will try my best to keep the club fighting for everything we can.”
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Sane chance
Man Utd have been offered the opportunity to sign Leroy Sane, according to reports.
According to TBR, his agents have discussed a move away from Bayern Munich with several clubs.
One of those is the Red Devils, who could snap the winger up for a free.
Sane’s contract is due to expire in the summer, with Bayern and the German international at an impasse over a new deal.
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Transfer blow
Chelsea have secretly completed a shock deal to land Sporting wonderkid Geovany Quenda from under Manchester United’s noses.
The 17-year-old sensation is a former protege of Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim.
And the Portuguese chief had considered a move for Quenda in January.
But after biding his time, Chelsea stepped in with what reports call a “secret blitz” to land the right winger, who can also wing-back.
Quenda underwent a medical in private and agreed to join after being impressed by Enzo Maresca’s vision for the West London giants.
Chelsea and Sporting have also agreed to the deal worth £40million.
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Antony’s resurgence
ANTONY continued his incredible career revival by netting once again for Real Betis.
The 25-year-old was in action for his club in the Europa Conference League for their second leg against Vitoria Guimarães.
Antony had chipped in with an assist in a 2-2 draw last week during the first leg.
But in the second leg he turned on the style by scoring his fourth goal in ten games before later putting the cherry on top with an assist.
Betis took a 2-0 lead in the first half thanks to a brace from Cedric Bakambu, who, like Antony, joined the club in January.
After the interval, Antony raced down the right, smashing a shot to the near post to make it 3-0.
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Amorim explains Hojlund role
Ruben Amorim claims Rasmus Hojlund showed against Real Sociedad he is making the right “connections” to become a United star.
The striker has struggled for goals since his big-money arrival.
But after last night’s 4-1 win Amorim said: “We play with two 10s.
“We need one player to push the team and make the runs. He his helping a lot.
“He did three or four connections that can allow us to change the game.
“He just needs to score a goal, he is so anxious.”
Credit: Getty -
Bring Pogba back? No, no, no’
Gordon Strachan has pleaded with old club Manchester United not to re-sign Paul Pogba after his drug ban.
The ex-France and Juventus midfielder, 31, is free to play again from this month.
But Strachan told makthavare.se: “Absolutely not. No, No, No. No chance. Not for me. I wouldn’t want to see Pogba back at United.
“First of all, it’s great that I don’t see his Instagram in the dressing rooms and dancing with players when they get a draw with somebody and things like that.
“That’s the type of stuff that I think a person like Roy Keane would be in there to stop.
“If Roy Keane or Bryan Robson was in there, he’d be off his head. You’re talking about people that need to set standards. Paul Pogba is not one of them.”
Credit: Getty
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Utd legend doubts Rashford has changed
Former United midfielder Gordon Strachan believes Marcus Rashford’s loan at Aston Villa isn’t going as well as many reckon.
Strachan told credit makthavare.se: Can it really change? Because once you get into a habit, it’s very hard to change.
Has he scored for Villa? No. He has set up a couple of goals, come on a couple of times. So I don’t think anything has dramatically changed there.
“He does the Rashford things, which is great, fantastic. There’s nobody denying his ability…. and I’m sure he’s a lovely lad.
“But when you’re the top paid player at a club, you’ve got to lead by example everywhere. On the pitch, off the pitch, in front of the cameras, everything.
“You have to be the one. And it might have been too much for him to do the whole thing.
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Pat’s amazing
Here’s some of the praise for Patrick Dorgu after he pleaded with the ref NOT to give United a penalty.
One said: “It’s a shame this kind of thing is so rare in football, brilliant sportsmanship.”
Another declared: “Great sportsmanship, good kid.”
A third noted: “At least bro is honest.”
Another commented: “Great show of sportsmanship in a game that doesn’t have a lot of it, well done Dorgu.”
Boss Ruben Amorim was also pleased with Dorgu’s behaviour.
He said: “It is the right thing to do so I am quite proud of him but I cannot say if it is 0-0 or we are losing that I’d have the same response.”
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Fail hail classy Dorgu gesture
FANS praised Patrick Dorgu after spotting the Manchester United star’s incredibly classy gesture against Real Sociedad, writes ANTHONY CHAPMAN.
The Red Devils cruised in the quarter-finals of the Europa League with a 4-1 win over their Spanish opponents on Thursday night.
Fans loved Patrick Dorgu’s incredible gesture after winning a penalty for Man Utd Bruno Fernandes netted a hat-trick at Old Trafford, with two of his goals coming from the penalty spot.
Diogo Dalot put the finishing touches on a wonderful result as United sealed a 5-2 aggregate win to set up a final eight tie against French giants Lyon.
Meanwhile, Sociedad’s sole goal in the second leg also came via a penalty, making it three successful spot-kicks on the night.
But there were actually FOUR penalties given at the Theatre of Dreams.
The ace went down as his side smashed Real Sociedad 4-1Credit: Rex Fernandes looked set for a stunning spot-kick treble against 10-man Sociedad when referee Benoit Bastien awarded United their third of the game.
January arrival Dorgu looked to have been fouled in the box by Hamari Traore. But the left-back immediately went over to the official to insist he had NOT been fouled.
VAR then got involved, with video replays showing Traore had indeed made contact with the ball during his challenge.
The slow-motion action, along with Dorgu’s incredible sportsmanship, saw Bastien overturn his original decision.
And despite United missing out on the chance to score yet another penalty, fans revealed they were incredibly proud of Dorgu’s brilliant gesture.
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Ruben ‘learning’ about Casemiro, Garnacho & Hojlund
Ruben Amorim believes the Red Devils’ Europa League adventure is teaching him so much about certain players.
The United boss said: “I am also learning how to use players like Casemiro.
“Without a lot of options we are trying to put our players in the best positions. You can feel they have more freedom because of the one game in Spain [first leg against Real Sociedad] we tried to use the pace of Garnacho on the right.
“He has shown me so many things on the right, maybe better than the left.”
And of striker Hojlund he said: “We play with two 10s.
We need one player to push the team and make the runs. He his helping a lot. Today, he did three or four connections that can allow us to change the game.
“He just needs to score a goal, he is so anxious.”
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Fernandes insists Red Devils’ confidence is growing
Bruno Fernandes reckons United’s fine Europa League form can help transform their confidence.
The three-goal skipper told TNT Sports: “This club is all about winning.
“With the result and performance when you start to get a bit more confident, confidence is a big thing in football.
“We are doing very good progress, but the progress will be seen if we get results. At this club it is all about results.”
Bruno Fernandes led the way with a trebleCredit: Getty -
How did United rate?
Bruno Fernandes bagged a treble as United sunk Real Sociedad 4-1.
But boss Ruben Amorim spoke out on Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund afterwards.
Click below to find out how SunSport reckons the Red Devils performed individually.
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SPECIAL BRU! Man Utd 4 Real Sociedad 1
Hat-trick hero Bruno Fernandes sunk 10-man Sociedad as United deservedly booked a Europa League semi-final with Lyon.
The Red Devils wen through 5-2 on aggregate after recovering from Mikel Oyarzabal’s early penalty opener.
Fernandes replied with two spot-kicks of his own before Mikel Oyarzabal saw red for fouling Patrick Dorgu.
The Red Devils’ main man and Diogo Dalot then struck in the closing minutes to underline United’s success.
Boss Ruben Amorim told TNT Sports: “It was a complete week. We showed a bit of the future.
“Today, we had a good performance from our team – the physicality was there.
“In this competition it is completely different – we can be the dominant side in physicality. It was a tough week, but a good week.”
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RED CARD & GOAL! Man Utd 2-1 Real Sociedad (3-2)
Bruno Fernandes’ second penalty of the night put United on front on aggregate.
Then just after coming on Sociedad sub Jon Aramburu saw red for bringing down Patrick Dorgu.
Jon Aramburu was the last man when he felled Patrick DorguCredit: Rex -
Latest: Man Utd 1-1 Real Sociedad (2-2)
The Red Devils are zipping the ball around neatly – after an explosive start.
Bruno Fernandes’ 16th-minute spot-kick cancelled out Mikel Oyarzabal’s spot-kick opener.
Bruno Fernandes pulled United level on the night and on aggregateCredit: Rex -
Moxon joining Brighton
Outgoing Manchester United doctor Jim Moxon is to join Brighton, according to Sky Sports News.
Moxon is leaving his role as senior men’s first team doctor at United to take up a new post with the south coast club.
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We’re under way: Man Utd 0-0 Real Sociedad
United’s bid to reach the Europa League is now in full flow.
We’ll have updates of major incidents – with blow-by-blow news on our match blog below.
Remember, it’s level at 1-1 after last week’s first leg in Spain.
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Return of Angel
Man United’s squad rebuild could be handed a boost with the return of a former player.…
Tottenham have opened talks with Lille midfielder Angel Gomes in the hopes of beating both United and West Ham to his signature on a free transfer.
Though the Red Devils could hold an advantage in discussions due to Gomes’ 14-year association with the club dating back to his formative years in 2006.
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Ratcliffe cost-cutting ‘absolutely necessary’
A football finance expert reckons Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-slashing at Manchester United is “absolutely necessary”.
The Red Devils’ minority owner has launched controversial staff cuts – and now wants a £2billion new stadium.
Dr Rob Wilson told JeffBet: “It’s such a difficult situation.. You’ve got poor sporting performance and you have had poor decisions that are still costing a significant amount of money.
“United had probably 30% more workers than any other Premier League team, but they’re not 30% better. So you’ve got to look at two things. One is the structure right? Probably not. Two, are the personnel right? Possibly not.
“All of the things happening off the field, the staff redundancies, closing the canteen, the free fruit instead of free lunch, is not great for those involved in it, but is probably the right decision for the long-term interest of Manchester United as a commodity.”
But Dr Wilson added: “What makes it really difficult to stomach is how poor the sporting performance is.
“So I think you end up scoring a bit of an own goal with your own staff morale. Ruben Amorim has mentioned it two or three times in his press conferences.
“Having said that, how many organizations do you know that provide free staff lunch – there aren’t many. Most of the executives I speak to are all on subsidized lunches.
“You can’t keep giving stuff away when your organization has lost over 300million quid in the last three or four years irrespective of whether some of that is a consequence of one field activity or not.”
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Team to face Sociedad – as Heaven starts
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee both start against Sociedad tonight.
And teenager Ayden Heaven starts in defence – with Victor Lindelof on the bench.
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Bayern’s Dalot interest
Bayern Munich are the latest side to express an interest in Man Utd full-back Diogo Dalot, who is also wanted by Real Madrid, TEAMtalk says.
The Portuguese international has been a mainstay in the United team in the last 12 months, but could be seen as a sellable asset in the club’s dire financial situation.
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Sociedad boss reckons United are under-rated!
United host Real Sociedad at 8pm – level at 1-1 for the Europa League last-16 second leg.
And Ruben Amorim’s under-fire squad have received backing from a surprise source.
Sociedad chief Imanol Alguacil said: “They have a lot of power, they have a lot of potential… They deserve much more.
“They are one of the best teams in Europe. You have to be very precise and have a lot of speed.”
