MANCHESTER UNITED are in FA Cup action at Norwich City today.
Meanwhile Alexis Sanchez could be set for a stunning move to Tottenham while Nemanja Matic has rounded on critics of fellow Serb Novak Djokovic.
Follow ALL of the latest United news here…
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GOOD MORNING UNITED FANS,
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says the hurt of watching Liverpool win this season’s title will spur his side on to knock them back off their perch.
That is what Sir Alex Ferguson did when he came to Old Trafford and it has taken their fiercest rivals 30 years to get back on it.
Solskjaer said: “Any team that wins the Premier League deserves it. They deserve credit. It is a hard league to win. Credit to Jurgen and his players.
“But every time you see anyone else lift a trophy, it hurts. That’s the feeling everyone associated with Manchester United. We want to get back to winning ways. That is our challenge.”
United may receive a boost in their title-charge next season following reports that Jadon Sancho wants to return to England.
ESPN claim long-term admirers United look in pole position to secure the 20-year-old's signature this summer.
He has proved his potential with 17 goals and 16 assists in the Bundesliga this season.
Elsewhere, United have emerged as shock contenders to sign Matteo Guendouzi from Arsenal, according to reports.
It is claimed that the 21-year-old has informed Gunners bosses that he would like to leave the Emirates this summer, because he doesn't feel “trusted” by manager Mikel Arteta.
The midfielder is believed to be unhappy after being dropped for Thursday's 2-0 win over Southampton, and has drawn the interest of a number of Europe's top clubs.
Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are thought to be keen on the France Under-21 international.
And according to L'Equipe, Manchester United are also eager to swoop for his signature.
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POG OF WAR
Paul Pogba wants to finish his career with no regrets.
Which is why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes the French World Cup-winner has a renewed enthusiasm to make his return to Manchester United work.
Boss Solskjaer said: “I don’t think you can ever question Paul’s professionalism. He is a very, very professional boy and he lives his life the right way.
“He wants to be the best he can be. He knows he’s a special talent and he doesn’t want to, in five or ten years’ time, look back and think ‘I didn’t make the most of it.’
“He is already a World Cup winner, he has won things with Juventus and us so I’m not surprised by his enthusiasm and dedication to us.
“We are looking to keep Paul here.”
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HEART-AKE
Paul Parker has urged Manchester United to sign Nathan Ake to help David De Gea
He told Eurosport: “David de Gea is certainly not finished at Manchester United.
“The Spaniard was once the best in the world, and has done so much for the side.
“It wouldn’t surprise if De Gea is on edge because he does not trust his back four. When you trust your defence, you play much better.
“I think that United needs to make changes in the transfer window. Harry Maguire should not be on the left on the central defence. He should be on the right where he is more comfortable.
“I’d drop Victor Lindelof and bring in Nathan Ake from Bournemouth. Chelsea don’t seem to want him, so now is the time to make a move. He has proven that he is a good defender in a poor team. He’s comfortable on the ball.
“Being left-footed, he would bring the ball forward better than Maguire does from that side, which is needed because Luke Shaw isn’t good enough in attack either. Ake would balance the whole side.
“Every player has a blip, and it’s up to the manager to coach De Gea, to sort him out and stick him out. He can’t just throw him out. De Gea knows he needs to justify his contract, and the club can’t afford to stick his £300,000-a-week wages on the bench.”
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NOT S-MART
Michael Owen has questioned Anthony Martial's role at Manchester United.
He told the Daily Mail: “Now is the right time to be playing as a centre-forward for Man United, with the likes of Pogba, Fernandes and all these players around you.
“Is he one that's going to be the No.9 for years to come? At the minute, he looks very inconsistent. Is he going to constantly score a lot of goals?
“There is still a question mark – and there is still a question mark over what his best position is.
“I probably think it's off the left, but then again that's probably Marcus Rashford's best position.
“They are shuffling the pack a little bit at the moment but if you ask most people where Manchester United need to strengthen, they will say they need a main No.9.”
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ULLA LA
Liverpool fans owe a debt of gratitude to Jurgen Klopp's wife Ulla in the wake of their Premier League title success… after she advised him against taking the Manchester United job in 2013.
The Red Devils hotseat was about to become vacant, upon the news that Sir Alex Ferguson was to retire at the end of the 2012-13 season.
Naturally Klopp was in the frame, having secured back-to-back Bundesliga titles with Borussia Dortmund in 2011 and 2012, as well as guiding them to the Champions League final in 2013.
Klopp met Ulla while she was working as a waitress during the Munich Oktoberfest, and the couple wed in 2005.
And according to Reds legend Phil Thompson, the German didn't pursue the Man United opportunity, because Ulla didn't think it was “right”.
Thompson told TV2 in Norway: “I interviewed Klopp for Sky, and I asked if he and Liverpool were created for each other. He looked at me and asked 'Why?'.
“Then Klopp told me he could have taken over Manchester United, but his wife said it wasn't right.
“When Liverpool arrived, his wife said it was right. There is something strange there.
“It is as if he's created for Liverpool.”
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CUPSET
Norman Whiteside has revealed he's been forced to sell his priceless FA Cup winner's medal as he tries to top up his pension by £140,000.
The Manchester United legend, 55, says he has sold medals, caps and old jerseys to bring in some much-needed money.
Whiteside, who scored the winner in the 1985 FA Cup final, confessed to being left with a “small pension” following his career in football, which spanned just nine years.
Now, he has taken the tough decision to sell his treasured memorabilia to help make ends meet – with his 1985 FA Cup winners' medal the star attraction.
The medal will go up for sale starting at £15,000 in Whiteside's lot – with the whole collection expected to rake in at least £140,000 at the July 29 auction.
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PAUL THE OTHER ONE
Bruno Fernandes has revealed that Paul Pogba turned estate agent in a bid to help him settle quickly into life at Manchester United.
He told Soccer Bible's show The Dial Up: “Paul is the guy who showed me every house.
“He came when I arrived with a book like this and said 'where do you want to live? which price you want to pay? you want house or apartment? and flicked through the pages.
“In that day, he showed me the list, I chose three or four houses… and next day he said 'tomorrow we'll go to check every house'.”
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GUEN THEN
Manchester United are interested in signing Matteo Guendouzi from Arsenal, according to reports.
It is claimed that the 21-year-old has informed Gunners bosses that he would like to leave the Emirates this summer, because he doesn't feel “trusted” by manager Mikel Arteta.
The midfielder is believed to be unhappy after being dropped for Thursday's 2-0 win over Southampton, and has drawn the interest of a number of Europe's top clubs.
Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are thought to be keen on the France Under-21 international.
And according to L'Equipe, Manchester United are also eager to swoop for his signature.
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HE'S THE DON
Erling Haaland has revealed he believes pal Jadon Sancho “is the best player” around – and was when they faced off aged 16.
The Norwegian forward, 19, was full of praise for his Borussia Dortmund team-mate – saying he's the best in the world.
Sancho, 20, is being chased by a host of European giants this summer including Chelsea, but Haaland will be desperate to keep his fellow attacker at the Westfalenstadion.
Haaland told BT Sport: “I'm not sure how many but goals and assists [Sancho has this season, but]) that speaks for itself.
“You can also see the goals and the way in which he dribbles past players it's looking so easy.
“It's also funny because I played against him when I was 16-years-old, and he was the exact same player dribbling past players.
“When I played against him then he was the best player I played against because he was so good.
“Now that I get to play with him it's fantastic and he's also assisted me and we play good together, he's as young as me and he's amazing.
“He has a very bright future.”
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REAL PROBLEMS
Gareth Bale's relationship with Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid is at breaking point, according to reports.
ESPN claim that the Welshman's situation with the French boss is at its lowest ebb and looks beyond repair after becoming personal between the pair.
The animosity is said to stretch back to the 2018 Champions League final victory against Liverpool.
Zidane infamously left Bale out of his starting line-up, but the winger was brought on as a substitute with the score level and went on to notch a match-winning double.
Madrid legend Zidane left the club days later, and their relationship has steadily deteriorated since he returned in March 2019.
Bale is said to be upset at frequently being named a substitute in key matches with his negative reactions allegedly disappointing Los Blancos' coaching staff.
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KOUL STORY BRO
Kalidou Koulibaly is reportedly set to join Manchester City in a £72million deal this summer.
The Napoli defender had attracted interest from the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, PSG, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Newcastle were also hoping to convince him to join them ahead of their proposed takeover.
But according to Italian source II Mattino, he is set to chose Man City as he wants to play under Pep Guardiola.
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TAKE IT AS RED
Jamie Redknapp has claimed being at Sheffield United is the “best thing” for Dean Henderson right now.
He told Sky Sports: “Everything I see and hear, he's made for the top.
“It's only a matter of time but you have to get it right.
“I think Henderson developing at Sheffield United right now is the best thing possible for him.
“He doesn't want to go to Manchester Untied as No2.”
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GUNNAR SWITCH IT UP
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hinted some changes could be made to his squad for the trip to Carrow Road.
He said: “Of course we're playing so many games in a short space of time, and its great seeing the players being in good form.
“I know that we've got so many others wanting to play as well, so there will have to be a few changes, because there's a game again on Tuesday and then Saturday.”
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TEAM NEWS
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given an update on his squad ahead of the clash against Norwich.
He said: “Are there any new injuries? No. I think we came through unscathed.
“It's only Axel and Phil, they're out. They are the only two absentees.”
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BARGAIN BUCKET
Free agents are expected to hold extra value in the upcoming transfer market – and some top players are up for grabs.
With many clubs unlikely to splash the cash on transfer fees, any out-of-contract stars could be subject to many offers.
Here's who Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could swoop for if he wants to bag himself a bargain…
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RON OF A KIND
Bruno Fernandes has hailed Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player in the world but just a smidge ahead of Lionel Messi.
He told SoccerBible: “As a person from Portugal, every time someone mentions your name with Ronaldo, you just have to be grateful.
“You can like Messi more than Ronaldo or you can like Pele more than any other player.
“I didn’t see Pele play so I can’t say he was the biggest player in the world. For me, Cristiano is the best I’ve ever seen.
“Messi and Cristiano are the best. You can’t say they are not the best players in the world. You can like one or there other.
“Italian people may like someone like Pirlo, English people may like Beckham more, you have your choice but what these two players have done for football (Messi and Ronaldo) is impressive.
“Cristiano is a Portuguese guy like me, I need to enjoy him. He is the best for me.”
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GUNNAR STING
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says the hurt of watching Liverpool win this season’s title will spur his side on to knock them back off their perch.
That is what Sir Alex Ferguson did when he came to Old Trafford and it has taken their fiercest rivals 30 years to get back on it.
Solskjaer said: “Any team that wins the Premier League deserves it. They deserve credit. It is a hard league to win. Credit to Jurgen and his players.
“But every time you see anyone else lift a trophy, it hurts. That’s the feeling everyone associated with Manchester United. We want to get back to winning ways. That is our challenge.”
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SANCH-GO
Jadon Sancho has told Dortmund he wants to return to England, according to ESPN.
Long-term admirers Manchester United look in pole position to secure the 20-year-old's signature this summer.
He has proved his potential with 17 goals and 16 assists in the Bundesliga this season.
And it seems he's already preparing for his return to England.
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MILIKING IT
United and Tottenham are set for a transfer tussle for Napoli striker Alexander Milik, according to reports.
The Pole has been in decent form for Gennaro Gattuso's side this season, scoring 13 goals in 23 outings.
The 26-year-old seems unlikely to extend his deal beyond its current 2021 expiry date and Napoli have accepted they will have to part ways with him.
According to TuttoMercato, Tottenham have made contact with Milik's entourage but will only look to get a deal over the line if Harry Kane edges closer to the exit door.
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THE CHOSEN WAN
Speaking about Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “I saw an exceptional defender when I watched him last season, and when we signed him I saw a boy who wants to learn and improve.
“He wants to go forward, create chances and provide assists – I'm very happy with his progress.”
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'I'D BE VERY HAPPY'
Louis Saha has urged former club Manchester United to make a move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
He told compare.bet: “Arsenal fans may not like this, but I'd like him to join United.
“I'd be very happy with that.
“I'm sure Arsenal fans would not take that well, but that's my advice to Auba.”
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BOG OFF
United have made their move for Sassuolo winger Jeremie Boga, according to ESPN.
It is understood that the 23-year-old is being viewed as a cheap alternative to Jadon Sancho.
The former Chelsea star is said to be “very interested” in the approach from the Red Devils.
it is understood he is keen to move to a “big” club – but would ideally want Champions League football.
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NEV-ER SAY NEVER
Port Moresby and the beaches of Madang may soon have one more resident after Gary Neville said he would move to Papua New Guinea if Liverpool win the title.
The Manchester United hero has remarked a number of times that the southwestern Pacific may be his only safe haven if the Reds claim first place.
Following the title confirmation, Sky Sports posted a hilarious clip of pundits and presenters attempting to find the former right-back.
Neville had previously joked: “Liverpool could win the league and I might have to move to Papua New Guinea or something!”
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'I DON'T CARE'
Nemanja Matic has jumped to the defence of Novak Djokovic.
The Serbian tennis star has been slated as he tested positive for coronavirus after hosting the Adria Tour.
But Matic said: “Mice came out of the hole and gave themselves the right to criticise the world No1, in tennis but also how he relates to all other people in the world.
“But I don't care.
“Very soon the cat (Djokovic) will be on the court, and the mice in the hole.”
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UNITED AS ONE
The Red Devils will reportedly not release any player under the age of 19 following the pandemic.
According to Simon Peach, the club are doing as much as they can to support the youngsters.
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