MANCHESTER UNITED host Sheffield United in the Premier League TONIGHT.
And they've received a big boost in their pursuit of Jadon Sancho, with the Dortmund winger dropping the clearest hint yet that he wants a move to the Red Devils, but they could face competition with Real Madrid for his signature.
Follow all the latest transfer gossip and updates from Old Trafford below…
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FRED'S FIGURES
Here are the Brazilian's numbers since making his Manchester United debut in 2018.
- Games played – 55
- Minutes played – 4034
- Goals – 3
- Assists – 6
- Passes – 3168
- Passes successful – 2770
- Passing accuracy – 86.9%
- Tackles – 104
- Tackles won – 60
- Tackle success – 57.6%
EXCLUSIVE – FRED DEAL IN PIPELINE
Fred is open for talks over a new long-term Manchester United deal after a stunning turnaround in form.
The Brazilian midfielder had a miserable start to life at Old Trafford, struggling to adapt to the Premier League.
The 28-year-old has turned it around in recent months, putting in a string of fine performances as United fight for a Champions League spot.
SunSport understands he is now ready to pen an extension at United, with three years left on his £130,000-a-week deal.
He would like a bump-up in wages, allowing with some fresh incentives as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men fight on three fronts.
United hope he can lead them back into the Champions League this season, along with winning the FA Cup and Europe League.
JADON THE MONEY
Borussia Dortmund want £117million for Jadon Sancho to leave, according to reports.
The 20-year-old has been red hot this season with 20 goals and 20 assists to his name in all competitions.
United are the only option for the winger as it stands and at £117m, the Red Devils face a huge bill for signing the England ace, according to Bild.
Former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves described Sancho as a ‘generational’ talent during the Bundesliga restart.
And Sancho is keen to return to England and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are in need of a right winger.
STAT'S IMPRESSIVE
A cheeky little fact from Opta you may want to regale down the pub… when they open again.
Can Bruno keep his wonderful run going tonight?
- Since Bruno Fernandes’ debut for the club in February, no Manchester United player has scored more goals (4), made more assists (4), had more shots (38), shots on target (15), created more chances (26) or played more passes into the box (98, incl. crosses) than the Portuguese star.
UNITED FIXTURES
Here are the Red Devils' upcoming games against opponents in the league and cup, resuming tonight against the Blades.
And here's all the TV info too.
'SURE HE REGRETS IT'
Louis Saha has revealed that Ruud van Nistelrooy once reduced Cristiano Ronaldo to tears over an argument shortly after the death of the Portuguese star's father in 2005.
Saha has revealed Van Nistelrooy's hunger proved to be difficult for the younger players of Sir Alex Ferguson's squad.
Speaking to FourFourTwo, he said: “Ruud had that kind of ego, he wanted all the passes.
“And some times, for the development of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, it was difficult for the manager to deal with.
“Did Ruud make Ronaldo cry?
“Yeah, there were stories because I think they ended up in an argument at the moment when Cristiano’s father had passed away, so it wasn’t the right moment.
“Things like that happen when two players have lots of spirit, but I’m sure Ruud regrets some of his words.”
SCOTT'S STATS
Scott McTominay signed a new Manchester United contract yesterday.
Here are his stats in the Premier League since his debut in 2017.
HEAD AUBA TO UTD
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should quit Arsenal and join Manchester United, says former Old Trafford favourite Louis Saha.
The striker is yet to agree a new deal with the Gunners with his contract up next summer.
And Saha, who spent four seasons with United between 2004-2008, thinks the Gabon international should head up to the North West.
Speaking to Compare Bet the 41-year-old said: “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.”
The 31-year-old is on a £200,000-a-week contract.
GET CROWDY
Manchester United will have the faces of 40,000 fans at Old Trafford tonight – with images forming a “spectacular mosaic”.
They will just be on a mosaic, however, as football starts again at the famous stadium with their match against Sheffield United.
Fans worldwide submitted their pictures so they could be there in spirit at least with their images draped across three sides of the ground.
The last time a ball was kicked in the famous stadium it was packed and the noise was deafening as they celebrated a 2-0 win in the derby over neighbours City.
In the programme, Woodward says: “Emotions are mixed as we welcome Sheffield United to Old Trafford this evening.
“While everyone at Manchester United is excited to be getting back to playing football, we regret that our fans cannot be in the stadium, and recognise these are difficult times for many people around the world.”
MORE ON GREENWOOD
Fortune continued: “This is how amazing Mason is and why he’s a little bit different.
“I’m walking through the building at the Aon Training Complex and there’s a computer room where the analyst team work.
“Mason was in there, looking at games and how he can do better. He’s on it. He’s just a natural.
“He’s an unbelievable finisher. He’s the real deal.”
DR FORTUNE
Mason Greenwood has been so impressive in Manchester United training, that Quinton Fortune was left asking “are you okay?”
The South African is now assistant coach of the Red Devils' Under-23 side – and worked with Greenwood for much of last season.
And the talented teenager blew Fortune, 43, away with his skills and two-footnedness.
The former United full-back told UTD Podcast: “There’s not many players in world football that are able to go both ways like Mason does. Equally, left and right foot, he’s ridiculous.
“I thought he was left-footed and then he takes penalties with his right! And I’ve seen him take a free-kick with his right foot, his left foot.
“I’m like ‘what’s wrong with you!? Just pick one! Are you okay?’”
THIA-GO-GO
One-time United target Thiago Alcantara, who David Moyes and Ed Woodward infamously failed to sign for United, has told team-mates he wants to move to the Premier League… with rivals Liverpool.
The Italy-born midfielder, who has Brazilian parents and plays for Spain was approached by United when leaving Barcelona in 2013.
But Bayern Munich were quick off the mark and landed him instead.
Now, according to Bild's Christian Falk, he has told pals he wants a switch to Jurgen Klopp's champions elect.
'GUEZ THAT'S OVER
Manchester United have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Real Madrid star James Rodriguez.
United have been long-term admirers of James – who spent two years on loan at Bayern Munich before returning to Madrid last summer.
But after playing 78 minutes of Real's 2-1 win against Real Sociedad at the weekend that saw them go top of LaLiga, the midfielder didn't seem ready to give up on his Bernabeu future.
He also rejected any claims there had been a fall-out with boss Zinedine Zidane and appeared to respect the boss' decisions.
Speaking to Colombian TV, the 28-year-old said: “There was never any problem [with Zidane]. Each coach has his tastes.
“We have a normal, working relationship. It does not seem fair to me that a person is disrespected for not picking a player.”
LIKELY LINE-UP
Here is how we suspect United might line up at Old Trafford tonight.
Pogba and Bruno in midfield?! You betcha!
GOOD MORNING RED DEVILS FANS
Alexis Sanchez is reportedly returning to Manchester United next month.
Sky Italia claim the Red Devils will not extend his Inter Milan loan spell until the end of the season as they are both competing for Europa League glory and do not want to strengthen a potential opponent.
Sanchez has scored just once in 17 games for Inter after completing a loan move to the San Siro last summer.
Despite his poor form, Antonio Conte was keen to keep hold of the 31-year-old as Inter look to win the Europa League and remain in the battle for the Serie A title.
But United have no intention of letting Sanchez stay and will bring him back to Carrington at the start of July.
Meanwhile, Man Utd have been offered the chance to sign Arsenal and Spurs target Willian on a free transfer, according to reports.
The Chelsea winger, 31, was out of contract at Stamford Bridge on June 30 but today agreed to extend his deal until the end of the Premier League campaign.
The Daily Mail claims the Brazilian's name was handed to Manchester United in case they wanted to snap him up.
The Red Devils, though, are expected to pass on the opportunity to bring in the two-time Premier League champion.
Finally, Gary Neville believes Paul Pogba is the one genuinely world-class player in the Manchester United squad.
Speaking on his own podcast, Neville said: “There's no doubt that a committed Paul Pogba to Manchester United can be a great player.
“His assists, his goals, are good. They've been very good in the last couple of seasons.
“He's up there with some of the very best in his position in Europe. It's just the case of settling down.
“Hopefully with the economic problems around Europe, teams won't be able to go out and spend £80million, £90m or £100m on new players.
“[Therefore] Manchester United will keep him and Paul Pogba will understand that he's staying at Manchester United.
“That's all I've ever asked of Paul Pogba, just commitment.
“His performances, I've never blamed him for Manchester United's problems over the years.”
FAME AND FORTUNE
Mason Greenwood has been so impressive in Manchester United training, that Quinton Fortune was left asking “are you okay?”
The South African is now assistant coach of the Red Devils' Under-23 side – and worked with Greenwood for much of last season.
Fortune told UTD Podcast: “There’s not many players in world football that are able to go both ways like Mason does. Equally, left and right foot, he’s ridiculous.
“I thought he was left-footed and then he takes penalties with his right! And I’ve seen him take a free-kick with his right foot, his left foot.
“I’m like ‘what’s wrong with you!? Just pick one! Are you okay?’
“This is how amazing Mason is and why he’s a little bit different.
“I’m walking through the building at the Aon Training Complex and there’s a computer room where the analyst team work.
“Mason was in there, looking at games and how he can do better. He’s on it. He’s just a natural. He’s an unbelievable finisher. He’s the real deal.”
KOUL STORY BRO
Man City are leading the race to sign Man Utd and Chelsea target Kalidou Koulibaly.
Duncan Castles said: “Gattuso has been told Koulibaly WILL be sold this summer.
“Koulibaly himself is open to that and is ready for a change of environment. He's keen to move to the Premier League.
“Talk from Napoli is they could be looking at around £70m now for Koulibaly.
“The word from people close to Koulibaly is he thinks there's a strong chance he will end up at Man City.
“They're short on quality at centre-back and the only option Pep Guardiola trusts is Aymeric Laporte.
“In Koulibaly's mind, it's his more likely destination this summer.”
PICTURE PERFECT
Man Utd will have the faces of 40,000 fans at Old Trafford tomorrow – with images forming a “spectacular mosaic”.
Fans worldwide submitted their pictures so they could be there in spirit at least with their images draped across three sides of the ground.
The last time a ball was kicked in the famous stadium it was packed and the noise was defeaning as they celebrated a 2-0 win in the derby over neighbours City.
Now it will be empty but for the players, coaching and medical staff, directors and media.
COMMENT BY NEIL CUSTIS
There were doubts then, and there are doubts now.
It seems David De Gea has enough in the bank to have been afforded defences but more and more he is proving costly.
Eight errors have led directly to goals in the league since the start of last season more than any other goalkeeper in the English top flight.
His reputation is being tainted.
At 29-years of age most goalkeepers are at their best but De Gea is looking past his peak.
A blunder, or soft goal at his near post, is not such a surprise any more.
Perhaps the travails of keeping United’s heads above water since Sir Alex Ferguson retired are finally taking their toll.
DE GOER
David De Gea has come in for huge criticism of late, with many fans believing his time as No1 must be over.
Dean Henderson has been in sublime form for Sheffield United and could return to take over the gloves from blunder-prone De Gea.
Once the Red Devils' perennial Player of the Year, the Spaniard could now be left to rot on the bench, or even sold.
But he's been given more chances than any other goalkeeper in recent Premier League history.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE TIMES DE GEA WAS LET OFF FOR HORROR BLUNDERS
HOT POG
Pogba is the one genuinely world-class player in the Manchester United squad, according to Gary Neville.
Speaking on his own podcast, Neville said: “There's no doubt that a committed Paul Pogba to Manchester United can be a great player.
“His assists, his goals, are good. They've been very good in the last couple of seasons.
“He's up there with some of the very best in his position in Europe. It's just the case of settling down.
“Hopefully with the economic problems around Europe, teams won't be able to go out and spend £80million, £90m or £100m on new players.
“[Therefore] Manchester United will keep him and Paul Pogba will understand that he's staying at Manchester United.
“That's all I've ever asked of Paul Pogba, just commitment.
“His performances, I've never blamed him for Manchester United's problems over the years.”
WEIGHS A TON
Inter Milan have reportedly opened talks with Brescia over a move for top-rated youngster Sandro Tonali.
The playmaker is rated as one of the most exciting kids in Europe and has already been compared to Andrea Pirlo.
Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal have all been linked with moves for Tonali, who is set to go down to Serie B with Brescia.
But Sky Italia claim Inter are in pole position to sign him this summer after already entering talks with his club.
FAN’S VIEW BY TOM McDERMOTT
Here are three reasons why Dean Henderson SHOULDN’T replace David De Gea next season.
Firstly, there’s the huge step-up from Sheffield United number one to Manchester United number one, even though he knows all about the club from his time at the academy.
Then, there’s how he fits in with the current back four at United. Is it fair for the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Maguire and Luke Shaw to play in front of someone who is potentially more vulnerable than De Gea?
Thirdly, and as impressive as Henderson has been, he has made one or two errors himself, which is natural from any young footballer.
CAVING A LAUGH
Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea target Edinson Cavani is being lined up for a stunning move to Inter Milan.
Sky Italia claims the veteran forward could be heading to the San Siro as a replacement for Barcelona-bound Lautaro Martinez.
Cavani will leave Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of the month.
Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is also being lined up for an Inter switch this summer.
WHERE THERE’S A WILL
Man Utd have been offered the chance to sign Arsenal and Spurs target Willian on a free transfer, according to reports.
The Chelsea winger, 31, was out of contract at Stamford Bridge on June 30 but today agreed to extend his deal until the end of the Premier League campaign.
The Daily Mail claims the Brazilian's name was handed to Manchester United in case they wanted to snap him up.
The Red Devils, though, are expected to pass on the opportunity to bring in the two-time Premier League champion.
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