MANCHESTER UNITED continued their Premier League campaign with a resounding victory over Sheffield United tonight.
And on the transfer front Borussia Dortmund have named their price for United's top transfer target this summer, Jadon Sancho.
Follow ALL of the latest United news here…
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SETTING THE TONE
United's squad are delighted for Anthony Martial after the Frenchman scored his first career hat-trick.
Andreas Pereira, Odion Ighalo, Marcus Rashford and Juan Mata were among those to send their congratulations.
Mata even branded Martial the 'French Ronaldo' – sending fans wild.
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SIGNAL ID-EUNIER PARK
One-time United target Thomas Meunier has signed for Borussia Dortmund.
He tweeted: “The big day has come!
“It is a great honour for me to announce that I am now a Borussia Dortmund player.
“A new chapter opens up for you, me and you. I will wear the black and yellow jersey with pride!”
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PLAIN SAILING
Cristiano Ronaldo has been enjoying a sesh on a private yacht with his partner Georgina Rodriguez.
The former Old Trafford star was grinning from ear to ear on deck with his lady.
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Lo único que me gusta más que tú, somos nosotros. ⚓? #unanochesincafe #love #goodmorning
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END OF THE ROAD
United have announced they are letting go certain players ahead of next season.
That includes former LVG favourite Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, who leaves aged 23.
The left-back has had loan spells at Oldham, Tranmere, Scunthorpe, Leeds and Wolves, but it has not resulted in him breaking into the first team.
CBJ also managed 10 Premier League games with one assist.
Here are the players being let go:
- Aidan Barlow
- Cameron Borthwick-Jackson
- Alex Fojticek
- Ethan Hamilton
- Dion McGhee
- Demetri Mitchell
- Kieran O’Hara
- Largie Ramazani
- George Tanner
FAT CHANCE
Ansu Fati’s father has denied his speculation his son is joining Manchester United and insists he is “following his dream” at Barcelona.
Reports have been mounting that the Red Devils have tabled an offer of £135million to the Catalan giants.
That was believed to have been rejected by the LaLiga outfit, but the 17-year-old winger continues to be linked with Old Trafford.
Bori Fati said: “We are enjoying life at Barcelona.
“But my son must be patient for his chances, as he is playing with the greatest footballer ever in Lionel Messi.
“The United links are not true, Ansu is happy here, he is following his dreams. He does not have to start every game, and he has Griezmann and Suarez ahead of him. Ansu has a lot of time.”
AGENTS RAKING IT IN
Premier League clubs paid out a whopping £263million on agent fees during 2019/20.
Manchester United were the third-highest spenders behind Manchester City and Liverpool.
The Red Devils paid £27.6m to agents from 1 February 2019 until 31 January 2020.
During the summer of 2019, United signed Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Daiel James and Harry Maguire.
And they waved goodbye to the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez, Chris Smalling and Ander Herrera.
Solskjaer also added Bruno Fernandes to his squad in January from Sporting CP for £45.7m.
THIA-NO-GO
Spanish journalist Guillem Balague has revealed how David Moyes KO’d any deal for Thiago Alcantara in 2013 because he already had… Marouane Fellaini.
Balague has revealed what happened in a series of tweets, which make for fascinating reading.
And the tale certainly doesn't cast United in a good light.
Surely everyone could see that Thiago would have been perfect for United.
CRUISE CONTROL
Anthony Martial rocked up to training fashionably late following his hat-trick against Sheffield United.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side got straight back to business at Carrington ahead of Saturday's clash against Norwich.
But Martial arrived to the training ground 30 minutes later than the rest of his team-mates on Thursday morning.
The Frenchman broke a long-running club curse by scoring the club's first Premier League hat-trick in seven years.
He scored twice in the first half and again after the interval as United secured their first win since football returned.
It was his first ever hat-trick after 284 games, but he forgot to collect the match ball after the final whistle.
READ MORE ABOUT THE MAN UTD SQUAD ARRIVING FOR TRAINING HERE
GOT TO BE ICE COLD
Gary Neville has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson used to bludgeon any emotionalism out of his game in order to cut out mistakes.
Speaking about Arsenal's current defensive plight, Neville said: “They just need defenders with better concentration. Jamie (Carragher) mentioned about Dejan Lovren being emotional.
“Sir Alex Ferguson – there were elements of me that were emotional sometimes as a player and he would knock it right out of me.
“He said I hate emotional defenders. He wants his defenders to be ice cold.
“You are going to make mistakes as a goalkeeper and a defender, but then it's that second mistake.
“It's that one where you try and win it back and you give that penalty away. It's where you try and win it and you can't win it.”
GOLDEN HOUR
David Beckham and wife Victoria shared a picture of their walk near their quiet country pile in the Cotswolds.
Becks, 45, is wearing a t-shirt from the TV show Friends.
Afternoon walk ♥️ @victoriabeckham
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GOLDEN BOY XI
United starlet Mason Greenwood is part of the Golden Boy's most valuable XI as compiled by Transfermarkt.
Jadon Sancho is also on their team-sheet, as is Norwich's Max Aarons.
MORE ON MARTIAL
O'Hara added: “I think Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hit the nail on the head really when he said he is capable of doing that and he is. He can be a world class player.
“He showed yesterday how good he was, his finishing around the box.
“For me, the jury is still out on him in terms of whether he can be the No 9 at Man Utd who is going to go on and be a legend and win them trophies. Personally I don't think that's him.
“I don't think he's quite at that level when you talk about the players they've had over the years in Rooney, Tevez, Van Nistelrooy, Van Persie.
“I just don't know if Martial does it enough on a weekly basis to win them a title.”
KANE 'MISSING PIECE'
Jamie O'Hara reckons United should replace Anthony Martial with Harry Kane.
The former Spurs ace told talkSPORT: “Listen, I'd love to see him stay at Spurs but they have to match his ambition.
“He wants to win trophies.
“Man Utd for me are still the biggest club in the world for me even though they aren't where they were.
“I think the missing piece in that Man Utd team – even though Martial is a fantastic player – if they did sign someone like Harry Kane then you're talking about a team that wins the title again.”
WOAH
Check out this stat from Opta.
– Manchester United have won their last four home games in all competitions by an aggregate score of 13-0.
TRIPLE WHAMMY
When you realise no United player has scored a hat-trick before yesterday since 2013.
VERY PROUD
Juan Mata hit 250 appearances for United last night.
The Spaniard is obviously delighted about it, while Harry Maguire has been supportive too.
FORWARDS
Mason Greenwood – 4
With Martial taking up the sole striking position, Greenwood saw himself shifted out to an isolated left-hand side, leaving him with few touches before being substituted in the second half.
Marcus Rashford – 8
The 22-year-old proved to be a true trailblazer off the pitch during lockdown and tonight reminded everyone he still has it on the pitch.
It was business as usual for the young striker who fizzed a hopeful ball across the six-yard box for Martial’s opener in the 6th minute, before teeing him up for his hat trick in the second half.
Rashford should have had a goal of his own when Martial repaid the favour with an unselfish ball across the face of goal, but the England star got it all wrong to scuff a glorious chance wide.
Anthony Martial – 10
Martial is known for his pace and trickery, but the young Frenchman showed he has an eye for goal.
He shrugged off any lockdown stiffness to take home the match ball – scoring United's first hat-trick in SEVEN years.
After scoring his first, he added his second just before the stroke of half time with another emphatic finish, before rounding off a perfect performance with a cheeky chipped goal.
MIDFIELD
Nemanja Matic – 6
Solid for 90 minutes and stood up the few times Sheffield United encroached into United’s final third.
His presence provided balance to United's midfield and he could prove to be the final piece in the puzzle if the relationship between the Frenchman and Fernandes prospers.
Paul Pogba – 6
Deployed in a more deeper role alongside Matic, Pogba was unable to unleash the flair which saw him make an impact off the bench against Tottenham.
Albeit, the two goal cushion in the first half allowed him to push forward in the second half and produce a tidy performance in his first start since September.
Bruno Fernandes – 8
Fernandes is still yet to lose in a United shirt and after tonight’s performance you can see why.
He was in everything good for United from the off and proved to be the puppeteer in United’s midfield.
The Portuguese kept them ticking with his acute passing ability and fancy flicks which caught Sheffield United's defence off guard.
DEFENCE
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 7
With little threat down the Blades' left-hand side the young full back was able to shelf his defending capabilities and concentrate on mastering his final-third delivery.
It paid off in the 44th minute when he set up Martial’s second with a fine low cross.
Victor Lindelof – 6
After recovering from a niggle against Spurs, the Swedish international slotted seamlessly back into United’s defence.
Harry Maguire – 6
After looking off the pace against Tottenham on Friday, he was back to his former self with a cool, calm and assured performance on the ball.
He was denied United’s second when referee Anthony Taylor ruled out his headed effort in the first half after he was found guilty of pushing Phil Jagielka in the build-up.
Luke Shaw – 6
A lively presence down United’s left side throughout as he completed the full 90 minutes.
Should have got himself an assist late in the second-half but Ighalo’s first touch robbed him of that feat.
UNITED RATINGS
Let's have a look at last night's ratings from Old Trafford.
David De Gea – 5/10
After making the headlines with another gaffe last week, this game proved to be perfect for the Spaniard.
Sheffield United’s failure to register a single shot on target meant he was unable to live up to Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s claim that he is still the best in the world – but I am sure De Gea will not be losing sleep over it.
GOOD MORNING UNITED FANS
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hailed hat-trick hero Anthony Martial after the Frenchman netted his first senior treble in the 3-0 win over Sheffield United.
The Norwegian said: “Very happy for Anthony.
“Of course when you get your hat-trick… it's just unfortunate he didn't celebrate with our fans. I thought our performance deserved a win, definitely.
“The third goal was a great goal, but for me the first and the second were better.
“He's in the box, ready to go. We have worked on that, getting in the box in that situation more often.
“At the near post he showed composure and I think as I said the first goal was vital the way he turns and gets himself into a position to score from Marcus (Rashford's) cross, very pleased with that.
“He's getting more and more into those position he could have had one at Spurs a great turn and finish and a great save he's in good form.”
United's win also gave fans their first glimpse of a Bruno Fernandes partnership with Paul Pogba.
And Solskjaer added: “Paul is still a bit away from his best form.
“That's natural because it's his first start since September. He's been working hard.
“I thought we controlled the game. Paul and Bruno showed some quality and it's exciting for us to be working with talent like this.
“Now it's keep on working, onto the next one.”
Meanwhile, SunSport exclusively revealed that Fred is open for talks over a new long-term United deal after a stunning turnaround in form.
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.
POGBACK
United's 3-0 win over Sheffield United gave fans their first glimpse of a Bruno Fernandes parternship with Paul Pogba.
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “Paul is still a bit away from his best form.
“That's natural because it's his first start since September. He's been working hard.
“I thought we controlled the game. Paul and Bruno showed some quality and it's exciting for us to be working with talent like this.
“Now it's keep on working, onto the next one.”
PUT A SOCK IN IT
Cristiano Ronaldo's girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez relaxes on a yacht in leather hot-pants and £140 socks.
The Manchester United legend's other half soaked up the rays as she sunned herself.
⚓??
A post shared byGeorgina Rodríguez (@georginagio) on
MARTIAL ART
Anthony Martial broke a long-running Manchester United curse by scoring the club's first Premier League hat-trick in seven years – before forgetting the match ball.
The French striker, 26, scored three times to lead his side to a crucial 3-0 win over Sheffield United.
But in scoring a hat-trick on Wednesday, Martial also broke a seven-year curse which had plagued Old Trafford No9s.
Incredibly, it was the first Man Utd trio in the Premier League since Robin van Persie's against Aston Villa in 2013.
In those seven years and 63 days, United have played a ridiculous 263 games without any other player scoring a hat-trick.
GREEN WITH ENVY
Mason Greenwood is “one of the best Nicky Butt has ever worked with”, according to Jamie Redknapp.
The young forward, 18, has impressed since making the leap from youth team to senior squad this season.
Redknapp told Sky Sports: “I remember talking to Nicky Butt about eight months ago.
“He said Mason Greenwood was the best young player he’s ever seen at Manchester United.
“That is some statement considering all the players they’ve produced, like the Class of 92.
“There’s nothing he can’t achieve with his pace and power.”
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