MANCHESTER UNITED are preparing for a MASSIVE summer transfer window – with Ruben Amorim set to overhaul the squad with plenty of players coming and going
Reports claim that the Red Devils are the front-runners in the race to sign Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo.
Elsewhere, RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko was watched by the new head of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, last weekend.
In other news, Man Utd and Liverpool are reportedly interested in 21-year-old Lyon forward Rayan Cherki.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
Follow ALL of the latest news, rumours and updates from Old Trafford below…
-
Cunha eyed
United will battle it out with Newcastle for Matheus Cunha, according to reports.
The Wolves winger has a release clause of £62.5million and has enjoyed a strong season at Molineux, scoring 14 in 27 games.
TEAMtalk claim United have “concrete interest” in the Brazilian and Wolves are “planning for a future without Cunha”.
Credit: Getty -
Pep talk
Pep Guardiola couldn’t resist a subtle dig at Manchester United following their Europa League heroics.
Talking ahead of City’s game with Everton, Guardiola appeared to reference the Red Devils’ bottom-half league position.
He said: “It’s not a bad thing to be fighting for a Champions League spot.
“You could be in a very, very lower position in the Premier League if you have done few good things than we have done in these four, five months.
“We could be 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th.”
-
Not so super
Manchester United could need to win the Europa League to sign one of their top targets this summer – but the stats experts reckon their chances are slim.
The Red Devils booked their spot in the Europa League semi-finals with a heroic comeback win over Lyon on Thursday night, sealing a clash with Athletic Bilbao in the final four.
Check out what the supercomputer believes will play out in the final four…
-
Joao Palhinha reports
Manchester United will be given the chance to sign Bayern Munich ace Joao Palhinha in the summer.
United are understood to be admirers of Palhinha, who has been blighted by injury this season.
And reports suggest Man Utd are set to be “offered’ the midfielder’s services in the summer.
According to CaughtOffside, Bayern are willing to let the Portugal international leave as they’re prioritising a new contract for fellow midfielder Leon Goretzka.
-
Europa League advice
Premier League legend Alan Shearer explained why Manchester United have to win the Europa League.
Shearer told Betfair:
Winning the Europa League is a necessity for Manchester United, going forward in the Champions League, to be able to sign the players they need and want. It’s critical.
The Newcastle game last weekend was pretty irrelevant. Their season is the Europa League and it really is critical that they win it because, for them going forward financially, playing Champions League football and to attract players to the club.
It could be a massive turning point for Man United. There are so many things wrong at that football club right now that, for them to get Champions League football, would be massive. That’s not an understatement.
Man United were pretty hopeless at the weekend. There are a dozen things wrong with them that you could pick out from last weekend’s game but in the grand scheme of things, if they win the Europa League, it’s all irrelevant because they’re in the Champions League if they win it and they’ll never have a better chance of doing that.
They’ve got a get-out-of-jail free card because I don’t think the opposition are that great in the Europa League. They have to win it.
Alan Shearer
-
Viktor Gyokeres prediction
Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson believes Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim will certainly want to reunite with Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres.
Lawrenson told Paddy Power:
Manchester United need a striker and I reckon he’ll go for his former player at Sporting, Viktor Gyokeres. I can’t see Ruben Amorim going for anyone else, especially as he knows how the striker plays and knows how to get the best out of him.
The current strikers they’ve got aren’t good enough and I’m sure they’ll look to offload one of them, but some will have to stay. United could let six players leave this summer and bring in six new guys, but then I’m not sure if they can do it from a financial point of view.
The big problem for United is that clubs know that when United knock on the door for a player, then can double the price.
Also, Amorim will have the injured players back, who will play next season, like Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount. And, for those players whose contracts are up, like Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof, I don’t see their contracts getting renewed.
I imagine United will be looking to get as many players as possible out the door this summer, to build up money so they can bring in at least three or four players.”
Mark Lawrenson
-
Man Utd’s unsung hero
Manchester United ace Casemiro was overlooked in all three goals from Thursday’s dramatic Europa League quarter-final at Old Trafford.
United fought back from 4-2 down in the second leg and ended up winning 5-4 on extra-time, which led to a staggering 7-6 win on aggregate.
Casemiro was firstly involved with the score at 4-2 to Lyon when he found his way into the box and was all set to score before he was fouled for the penalty, which Bruno Fernandes duly converted.
The Real Madrid legend was then involved again as the ball was played into him on the edge of the box before he laid off a pass to Kobbie Mainoo.
Mainoo produced a deft touch to move inside his marker before curling a shot into the bottom-right corner and past goalkeeper Lucas Perri.
And mere seconds after the restart, the Brazil international picked up the ball in the left half-space, turned and started dribbling towards goal.
The midfielder then lifted a perfectly weighted cross to the far post where Harry Maguire had peeled away from his marker, which saw the centre-back nod home the winner.
-
Dusan Vlahovic interest
Manchester United could join the bidding war for Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic this summer.
Vlahovic’s contract expires in 2026 and Juventus are keen to cut their losses and sell after an inconsistent season as they fear losing a prized asset for free next year.
According to TuttoJuve, United are one of four Premier League clubs “ready” to make a move for the “strong, massive” suitor.
However, Man Utd face competition from Premier League rivals Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle.
The same source claims the Serbia international’s camp demand a yearly salary of £8.5million, which is almost identical to his current wages in Turin.
The report adds that the potential transfer war could raise the 25-year-old’s asking price to £38m, which is considered a hefty fee for a player whose contract runs out in a year.
-
Man Utd on Thompson
Manchester United paid an emotional tribute to former academy star Joe Thompson:
A man who epitomised our club’s values – we are saddened to share that Joe Thompson has passed away.
A warm personality who had a deep connection with our club from a young age, our thoughts are with Joe’s family and friends at this difficult time.
Joe, who had been bravely battling cancer for a third time, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, with his family by his side.
Known by those close to Rochdale as ‘Joey T’, he made over 200 appearances for his local team, representing the badge with pride.
We first knew Joe primarily as a talented footballer, but we would soon grow to adore his loving, infectious personality. He faced every battle head-on, both on and off the pitch.
His journey and indomitable spirit have been an inspiration for everyone who has been touched by his story.
Above all of that, Joe was a loving husband to Chantelle and an incredible father to Thailula and Athena Rae.
Our thoughts are with Joe’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time.
Man Utd
Credit: Matthew Pover – The Sun
-
Sad loss
Former Manchester United starlet Joe Thompson has died at the age of 36.
The Bath-born midfielder had been diagnosed with cancer for the third time in April last year, following his retirement from the game in 2019.
He was found to have stage four lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, which had spread to his lungs.
Thompson had twice recovered from the disease during his playing career, which began and ended with Rochdale.
He had come through Manchester United’s academy from the age of nine before going on to join the Dale, where he spent the vast majority of his 13-year career.
-
Aaron Ramsdale interest
Manchester United are among a number of clubs monitoring Southampton ace Aaron Ramsdale as they bid to sort their goalkeeping crisis out.
This comes after United boss Ruben Amorim dropped starting keeper Andre Onana for Sunday’s Premier League loss at Newcastle before restoring him for Thursday’s dramatic Europa League win over Lyon.
Ex-Arsenal ace Ramsdale is set to leave Saints, who are already relegated to the Championship, at the end of the season.
Despite being part of a horror season with Saints, the England international has emerged with his reputation intact and is still seen as one of the best shot-stoppers in the UK.
The Red Devils have been watching the 26-year-old’s recent games, and think his Premier League experience could make him a strong option to help resolve their issues in leaking goals.
But Man Utd face a fight with West Ham as boss Graham Potter is believed to have identified the ex-Sheffield United ace as a key target in his summer rebuilding job at the London Stadium.
Ramsdale is also being courted by clubs abroad but SunSport understands his preference is to stay in England and in the Prem to help nail down a place in the Three Lions’ squad.
-
Xavi Simons latest
Manchester United have joined the bidding war for RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons.
Simons has been on the radar of Liverpool, Man City and Bayern Munich this season.
But according to The Mail, United have made the versatile playmaker their “top target”.
The Netherlands international has been linked with a big move ever since last year’s Euro 2024.
-
Man Utd star calls out fans who left Old Trafford early
Joshua Zirkzee sent a blunt message to Manchester United fans who left Old Trafford early during their Europa League epic with Lyon.
The Red Devils roared into a seemingly comfortable 2-0 first-half lead but threw it away and went 4-2 down in extra time, before remarkably coming back to win the game 5-4 and the tie 7-6 on aggregate with three goals in the final 10 minutes.
Fan footage on social media showed how scores of fans had left Old Trafford when ex-Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette stepped up to score his penalty in extra time to give the French outfit a two-goal cushion.
However, when captain Bruno Fernandes then netted United’s third on the night, many rushed back into the stadium or were forced to watch the game outside the Theatre of Dreams.
And the stadium was left in pandemonium when Kobbie Mainoo netted an injury-time equaliser, which then went to new heights when Harry Maguire nodded home the winner.
Ruben Amorim‘s side was without stricken striker Zirkzee in the clash, after the Dutchman pulled up with injury against Newcastle at the weekend – which the manager confirmed was likely the end of his season.
But the £36.5million signing from Bologna was present at the stadium for the dramatic second leg of the quarter-final.
Taking to Instagram, he shared a video of the deafening noise inside Old Trafford as the United faithful cheered on the team.
-
‘Showed spirit’
Harry Maguire has hailed his Manchester United team-mates for digging deep in their incredible comeback win over Lyon.
Obviously it’s an incredible game, we made really hard work of it.
We had full control in the second half, had chances to score a third, then they scored out of no where. It put us on the back foot.
To go down 4-2 in extra-time to 10 men is not good enough, we opened ourselves too much.
But we dug in and showed great spirit, that’s what this stadium does.”
Harry Maguire on TNT Sports
-
Scholes weighs in on ‘special’ win over Lyon
United legend Paul Scholes has had his on United’s stunning extra-time win over Lyon.
You’ve seen special things happen at this club. I think back to the Ole Gunnar against Liverpool.
It reminded me slightly, I know that’s only 2-1 and this was 5-4.
I always feel like when you get one here you’ve got a chance.”
Paul Scholes on TNT Sports
-
‘Outrageous’
Red Devils icon Rio Ferdinand couldn’t quite believe what he witnessed at Old Trafford.
He said: “I’ve never seen anything like that as a spectator. It was an amazing thing.
“We saw so many fans leaving when it was 4-2 and you thought that was over.
‘I said on commentary it would take more than a miracle to get back into it.
“And now, I’m actually a believer because that was outrageous.”
Credit: Rex -
Maguire speaks
Harry Maguire has reflected on his incredible winner against Lyon.
The England international said: “I felt like the fourth goal for them was a sucker punch.
“But that we’d get chances to get back into it.
“It fell to myself and thankfully I scored, it was an amazing feeling.”
Credit: Rex -
United through to Europa League semis
Manchester United sealed their place in the semi-finals of the Europa League in the most dramatic of fashions.
Two goals in the second half of extra time saw Ruben Amorim’s troops win the return leg 5-4 and the tie 7-6 on aggregate.
Check out SunSport’s report on yet another incredible Old Trafford night here.
Credit: AP -
United take the lead 120+1 ‘
Manchester United have just nabbed the lead with a Harry Maguire header.
They lead 5-4 on the night and 7-6 on aggregate. Insane stuff.
-
They’re level – 120′
Kobbie Mainoo has drawn United level against with a stunning finish in the 120th minute.
Incredible, incredible stuff
-
Extra time update – 113′
Bruno Fernandes pulls one back from the penalty spot. They can’t come back, can they?
-
Extra time update – 109′
The ten men of Lyon have killed off the game from the penalty spot, with Alexandre Lacazette putting the final nail in the coffin of United’s semi-final hopes.
They now lead the tie 6-4 on aggregate.
-
Extra time update – 104′
Lyon take the lead through a thumping Rayan Cherki strike.
United have 15 minutes to save their bacon and take the match to penalties.
-
Lyon update – 90′
The second leg is on the verge of heading to extra time after Nicolas Tagliafico drew the visitors level in the 78th minute.
-
Lyon update – 71′
Manchester United are seemingly on course to make the semi-finals of the Europa League as they lead Lyon 4-3 on aggregate.
Goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot put Ruben Amorim’s men on the brink of the last four of the competition.
But Lyon hit back in the 71st minute through Corentin Tolisso to reduce the deficit.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND â APRIL 17: Diogo Dalot of Manchester United celebrates scoring their second goal during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Manchester United and Olympique Lyonnais at Old Trafford on April 17, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)Credit: Getty
