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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Rooney on Fergie texts
Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney revealed he still receives texts from manager Sir Alex Ferguson – but only when the 39-year-old is sacked from the dugout.
The ex-Everton star joined Gary Neville, Ian Wright, Roy Keane and Jill Scott on The Overlap, via Sky Bet, and answered fan questions.
Neville read out one of them for the panel, which read: “Do you ever hear from your old managers?”
And that was when Rooney revealed: “Every time I get sacked Fergie gives me a text.”
The former centre-forward’s fellow panelists immediately burst into laughter.
Scott asked: “What does it [ the text] say?”
However, the United great opted against sharing any details of the exchange.
Instead, Rooney replied: “He gives me a text every time I get sacked.”
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney revealed he still talks with Sir Alex Ferguson -
Cutting costs
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos have paid millions to end a sponsorship deal with Tottenham.
The Manchester United co-owner’s Petrochemicals company penned a five-year contract with Spurs back in 2022.
Conversations over bringing the sponsorship to an early end began last month.
And according to the Mail, an agreement has since been amicably reached.
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‘I’d walk away if abuse became too much’, says Ratcliffe
In his interview with The Times, Sir Jim Ratcliffe says he “doesn’t mind being unpopular” but would draw the line at the toxic level of abuse aimed at the Glazer family and walk away from the club that he bought a 28.94% stake for £1.3bn.
He said: “If I draw a bit of the ire, I can put up with that. But I’m no different to the average person. It’s not nice, particularly for friends and family.
“So, eventually, if it reached the extent that the Glazer family have been abused, then I’d have to say: ‘Look, enough’s enough, guys, let somebody else do this.'”
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‘It should cost more to see Utd’, says Ratcliffe
Sir Jim Ratcliffe believes it should be more expensive to watch the biggest club in the world and in their new stadium.
With its planned 100,000 capacity, there will be room for more affordable seating.
But that’s a long way off, five years at least, and a lot of rough sea to cross, particularly getting the Government to uphold its end of the deal.
The 72-year-old co-owner, who has embarked on a wide range of staff and spending cuts since he took control of football operations last year, was speaking to The Times.
Jim Ratcliffe on the grid during the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on SundayCredit: Getty -
Sancho saga
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano states that Chelsea may pay Manchester United compensation to avoid fulfilling their obligation to buy Jadon Sancho, but that is not the intention at this time.
United do NOT want him back, he added.
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Onana replacement?
Alognside the David rumours, Man United may be in for a Lille double swoop as they are considering a £34m move for his 23-year-old French goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, according to Give Me Sport.
Chevalier has been one of the standout goalkeepers in the Champions League this season, and is now a full France international.
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David race
Jonathan David has been on the transfer gossip columns for quite a few years and that will continue this summer.
Tuttojuve are reporting that Man United, including multiple English clubs are interested in Lille’s 25-year-old Canada forward David, who is out of contract in the summer.
But the Premier League clubs face competition from Barcelona, Juventus and Inter Milan.
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Ambitious move
According to football.london, Man United are eyeing up a sensational move for Barcelona‘s Ballon d’Or-chasing forward Raphinha, who could be available for just £60m.
Now, what would seem unlikely may have some validity given Barcelona’s incredibly dire finical situation that still requires a big sale – and it wouldn’t get bigger than Raphinha, who has been the Catalan’s most productive player this season.
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United signing struggles
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s extraordinary week of interviews has revealed a lot of home truths about the current state of Man United.
In his latest sit-down with the Times, the minority owner revealed that United completely missed the “data revolution” and that they struggle to make signings compared to the likes of “Liverpool, Brighton and Brentford.”
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Osimhen race
Victor Osimhen has taken a somewhat sabatical-like year from the top tier of European football as he applies his trade in Turkey.
However, his performances for Galatasaray (on loan from Napoli) – scoring 26 goals in 30 – has enhanced interest rather than temper it.
Niccolò Ceccarini reports that Manchester United, Arsenal and Juventus will all try to sign Victor Osimhen this summer.
He has a £63m release clause, which will need to triggered.
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Williams commitment
Man Utd are fully committed to signing Nico Williams, according to reports.
Reports in Spain claim the Red Devils see the Spain winger as a “primary objective” in the summer.
The wide man could be available for as little as £48million because of a release clause in his contract.
Barcelona, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Juventus have also been linked with a move for the Euro 2024 winner.
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Rooney on Fergie texts
MANCHESTER UNITED legend Wayne Rooney revealed he still keeps in touch with iconic manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
However, there is a catch as they only contact each other after Rooney, 39, gets sacked from the dugout.
The ex-Everton star joined Gary Neville, Ian Wright, Roy Keane and Jill Scott on The Overlap, via Sky Bet, and answered fan questions.
Neville read out one of them for the panel, which read: “Do you ever hear from your old managers?”
Wright confirmed that he still keeps in touch with his former gaffers.
And that was when Rooney revealed: “Every time I get sacked Fergie gives me a text.”
The former centre-forward’s fellow panelists immediately burst into laughter.
Scott asked: What does it [ the text] say?”
However, the United great opted against sharing any details of the exchange.
Instead, Rooney simply said: “He gives me a text every time I get sacked”
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‘Give him a break’
RUBEN AMORIM says Bruno Fernandes is a shining light for Manchester United — and the club’s former stars in the media need to give him a break.
Boss Amorim jumped to the defence of his fellow Portuguese, saying: “When you play for this team you have to be prepared for the critics.
“I understand former players had a lot of success here and standards for them were so high.
“They see things in black and white. Life is sometimes not black and white — there are other colours and you have to understand that context.
“He is always there, trying his best. I am really proud to coach a player like him.”
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Fernandes U-turn
BRUNO FERNANDES has revealed the main reason he stayed at Manchester United after admitting he had an offer to leave.
He said: “I sat with the club because I had an offer to leave and we talked about the possibility of me leaving the club or staying.
“They said what they wanted from me. I just asked if they saw me as part of the future of the club or not.
“I spoke at the time with (Erik) Ten Hag also. He was very clear and the club were very clear with me, that they thought I would be a big part of this rebuild.
“I heard what they had to tell me. I thought that we could be successful.”
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Ratcliffe aims barbs at former United staff
SIR JIM RATCLIFFE has taken aim at Manchester United’s previous custodians – and claims they made a “complete cock-up” of running the club.
Ratcliffe told The Times: “I mean, I wouldn’t have tolerated Ed Woodward, or Richard Arnold.
“Richard was a rugby man, he didn’t even understand football. Ed didn’t have the credentials to manage the club.
“He was a merchant banker, an accountant. He wasn’t the chief executive.”
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United’s next five matches
March 16: Leicester (A)
April 1: Nottingham Forest (A)
April 6: Man City (H)
April 10: Lyon (A)
April 13: Newcastle (A)
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Target bid
Fenerbahce have reportedly received an offer for Man Utd target Yusuf Akcicek.
Fanatik claim the club’s Vice President Acun Ilicali said:: “We had a verbal meeting for Yusuf.
“After the Anderlecht game, a sporting director from the Premier League texted me saying, now it’s £20 million, but we don’t plan to sell him.”
Napoli and Atletico Madrid are also said to be interested in the central defender.
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Fergie’s words to Ratcliffe
SIR JIM RATCLIFFE has revealed the first thing Sir Alex Ferguson told him after he bought a stake in Manchester United.
Speaking to The Times, the Ineos chief revealed: “The first thing Alex Ferguson said to me was that the shirt can be too heavy. It applies to everyone here really, the coach, the players — the owner.
“It’s turning me into an old man. It’s hard to do the interviews. On camera for 40 minutes, one cock-up and you’re legendary for it.
“Remember [jewellery chain chief executive] Gerald Ratner, the guy with the rings? Spent his life building a business -one word, all gone.
“It takes a lot out of you. Because it’s around the world in a heartbeat. It goes viral. Everything is scrutinised.”
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Gyokores latest
Man Utd’s board have reportedly given the green light to signing Victor Gyokores, according to reports.
TEAMtalk claim that United’s hierarchy are backing Ruben Amorim’s wish to bring the Sweden striker to Old Trafford.
However, there are some hurdles the Red Devils face.
First, is his £83.6million release clause which his club Sporting Lisbon are demanding.
That could mean United would have to sell players first, before footing that transfer feee.
Second, they face competition for the player from Arsenal and Chelsea.
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Quenda reason
Man Utd lost out in the race for Sporting Lisbon wonderkid Geovany Quenda.
Chelsea stole a march on their rivals to secure a £42million move for the 17-year-old winger, who Ruben Amorim brought through with the Portuguese giants.
See why below.
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De Jong latest
Arsenal and Man Utd have been linked with a move for Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong.
And now his manager Hansi Flick has revealed the latest on the Dutch midfielder’s contract situation.
Flick said: “De Jong’s future depends on both the club and himself.
“He has recovered well from injury and is performing excellently. His ability to control possession is vital, and I’m delighted to have him in the squad.”
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Quenda snub hint
GEOVANY Quenda dropped a huge hint he would snub Manchester United for Chelsea.
However, the teenager – who earned a Portugal call-up this week – arguably showed early signs that favoured a move to Chelsea.
He hit Palmer’s famous ‘ice cold’ celebration after scoring his penalty in Sporting’s penalty shootout defeat to Benfica in the Portuguese League Cup.
When Quenda beat Anatoliy Trubin from 12-yards, he paid tribute to Palmer by rubbing his hands over his arms to mimic shivering.
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More from Ratcliffe
SIR JIM RATCLIFFE claims that co-owning Manchester United is turning him “into an old man”.
The British billionaire, 71, also admits that he doesn’t know why he decided to buy into his boyhood club.
On if it was the money that appealed, he said: “That is 100 per cent not where I’ve come from at all. I’m making enough money in chemicals and oil and gas and all that stuff.”
He then added: “I can’t honestly answer why we did it. It’s quite a difficult question.
“With Nice, in the French league, you can buy a club for £100million. It’s much cheaper access.
“But I don’t particularly enjoy going to watch Nice because there are some good players but the level of football is not high enough for me to get excited.”
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Utd eyeing Onana replacement
It’s fair to say Andre Onana has divided Man Utd fans since signing for £47million.
So it’s no surprise to hear the Red Devils linked with a move for a new keeper.
According to Fichajes, the Premier League side are eyeing up a move for Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak.
The report says United are confident they can secure a £30million deal for the Slovenian.
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Ratcliffe would walk
SIR JIM RATCLIFFE has indicated he’ll walk away from Manchester United – if he gets as much stick as the Glazers.
He told The Times: “It can be unpleasant. And I’ve probably failed on the having fun front. I mean, I can put up with it for a while.
“I don’t mind being unpopular because I get that nobody likes seeing Manchester United down where they are, and nobody likes the decisions we’re having to make at the moment.”
He added: “So, eventually, if it reached the extent that the Glazer family have been abused, then I’d have to say, look, enough’s enough guys, let somebody else do this.
“They can’t really come to a match, the Glazers. They’ve retreated into the shadows a bit now, so I’m getting all the bloody stick.
“We bought in and I haven’t seen them since.
“At the moment, I don’t have security, I don’t have to walk around like that.
“But it would defeat the object, wouldn’t it? You couldn’t tolerate it at that level, it just wouldn’t be fun.”
