MANCHESTER UNITED take on Brighton this evening in the Premier League.
Meanwhile Jack Grealish is reportedly close to buying a new home near Carrington, fuelling rumours that he will move to Old Trafford in summer.
Follow ALL of the latest United news here…
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MARTIAL LAW
Anthony Martial is learning from Odion Ighalo in his quest to become a world-class No9.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told Sky Sports News: “Odion is a seasoned No9.
“He’s played that position his whole career whereas Anthony has played more out on the wing.
“Odion is helping on the training pitch, in terms of his movement, hold-up play and just being himself.
“Anthony’s learning off an experienced centre-forward.”
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NEWS TO ME
Frank Lampard claims Chelsea have NOT offered a contract to Angel Gomes.
The Blues boss also confirmed signing the out-going Manchester United youngster has never even been discussed at the club.
He said: “I can elaborate to the point that it's never been mentioned on my end. That's it.”
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MORE FROM CAMERON
Borthwick-Jackson added: “I’ve had some great experiences, made some great friends and had the opportunity to play against great players.
“To that I owe a huge amount of gratitude to those members of the club who believed in me.
“Likewise, I’ve had many negative experiences which in turn become lessons, especially in recent years.
“It’s revealed some truths in football most people won’t ever see.
“Lastly I’d like to say a big thank you to all the fans who have supported me and those who still continue to do so. I appreciate you.
“I’m looking forward to a new chapter that awaits me, wherever it may be.”
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CBJ: THANKS UTD
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson has thanked United as the defender gets set to leave the club today, with the expiry of his contract.
The 23-year-old is without a club after loan spells with Wolves, Leeds, Scunthorpe, Tranmere and Oldham.
But fans will remember him breaking into the first team as a left wing-back under Louis van Gaal after Luke Shaw’s horrific injury.
He said on Instagram: “After 17 years at the club, it’s time for me to leave Manchester United.
“Growing up as a kid from Manchester, all I wanted to do was to play for United.
“To make my debut for the club I grew up supporting was a dream come true and a day that will stay in my heart forever.”
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SHUFFLE FOR SCUFFLE
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hinted that tonight is going to be prime time for Manchester United to shuffle the pack.
The Norwegian told ManUtd.com: “We’ve discussed it quite a few times now, this lockdown period means there are loads of games in a short space of time, but the five subs of course makes it a different job.
“You can make changes at half-time and or make them early and you spread the minutes around, and that’s what it’s about for a squad.
“We’re all working here every day together and everyone needs to feel that they’re part of it and they have been.”
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PRICE AIN’T RIGHT
Manchester United will NOT pay more than £50million for Jadon Sancho, according to reports.
That is despite Borussia Dortmund slapping a £100m price tag on the England winger’s head.
According to Sky Sports, United are still favourites to do a deal but Red Devils officials think he is overvalued given the market has contracted after coronavirus.
The huge gap between the two clubs’ valuations could lead to Sancho staying at Signal Iduna Park.
Or rival clubs would be able to step into the breach, who Owen Hargreaves has described as a “generational talent.”
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MATIC ON BRUNO
Nemanja Matic is not surprised Bruno Fernandes has hit the ground running at Manchester United.
The ex-Benfica midfielder said of the former Sporting Lisbon ace: “I've followed him for a long time because I played in the Portuguese league at Benfica.
“I knew he would bring quality for us. He played for a big club with a lot of pressure to win, but I didn't think he would adapt so quick.
“From the first minute in the Premier League he made the difference.
“I'm happy for him and happy we have him in the team.
“He's playing in the position where he needs to make the difference. He has all the ability to be the leader on the pitch.”
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FIXTURES AND TV CHANNELS
Manchester United's upcoming games include these for confirmed matches and kick-off times.
The date and kick-off time for FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea – on either July 18 or 19 – is yet to be confirmed.
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MORE MATIC
The Serbian added: “I’m a soldier and I wait for the instructions from my coaching team.
“To be honest, when you don't play of course you think about everything but in my head I always try to be positive.
“I always believe in my quality and I know if work hard my time is going to come again.”
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NE-MAN HE TURNS TO
Nemanja Matic admits he has had to work to earn the trust of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Serbian was in a rich run of form when lockdown kicked in in March.
He told Sky Sports: “I always try to be professional and give my best when I am on the pitch, it doesn't matter if it is training or a game.
“I’ve played football for a long time already and this situation is normal, sometimes you don't play and the coach doesn't see you as a first option.
“You can accept it or not but you have to be professional.
“You have to work hard, wait for your chance and use it. This is exactly what I did.
“Now the situation is different, the coach trusts me more.”
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THE RAUL DEAL
Raul Jimenez has admitted that it is “good to know” that other teams are talking about him, in a boost to potential suitors Manchester United.
He told Telemundo: “First of all I am very happy here with the Wolves.
“I am in a place where from the first moment we made an incredible connection.
“I am no stranger to all that [the rumours], every day a new team comes out, every day a new offer comes out, I do not know how many millions.
“It is good to know that they are talking about you, but what I have to do to make that happen is to continue doing my job here with the Wolves.”
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ICYMI – AJAX FIRE SALE
Erik Ten Hag has confirmed Donny van de Beek is among several Ajax stars who have “agreements” to leave the club.
United are considering a bid for the livewire Dutch midfielder.
Ten Hag said: “Based on their performance and ambition, a number of our players also want to make the move abroad.
“Agreements have been made with Andre Onana, Donny van de Beek and Nicolas Tagliafico, but it remains to be seen whether the market is indeed breaking loose.
“For Onana and Van de Beek, another year of Ajax could certainly be an option, for Tagliafico it is slightly different because of his age.”
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ON THE UP
Michael Owen has backed “improving” Manchester United to challenge Liverpool for the Premier League title next season.
Owen told Premier League Productions: “I think [Liverpool] are a very, very strong team that’s probably going to be strong for some time.
“[But] that’s not to say they can’t be caught.
“Manchester City are a phenomenal team and if they turn it on we’re going to have a great title race.
“Manchester United are the first team outside those two that spring to mind because they’re improving at a rapid rate.”
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LIKELY XI
United take on Brighton tonight still dreaming of snatching a top-four spot.
The Red Devils go into the clash at the Amex Stadium on the back of a last-gasp, extra-time win over Norwich – courtesy of a Harry Maguire header.
With the games coming thick and fast, boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to rotate heavily.
And that should mean a return to the starting XI for Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.
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OFF THE MARC
As one promising youngster leaves, another is set to arrive for United.
Marc Jurado has bid farewell to Barcelona as his free transfer to Manchester United draws closer.
The 16-year-old wonderkid announced on Instagram he will be leaving the Nou Camp after nine years with the club.
He wrote: “It’s never easy to leave a team that has given you everything. FC Barcelona has been my second home, my second family, where I have developed as a player and as a person.
“Today it’s time to say goodbye, but not before expressing my gratitude to each of the people who have helped me since I started in the prebenjamín in the year 2011.”
The right-back has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford and it emerged last month he agreed personal terms with United.
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Gracias/Gràcies @fcbarcelona ??
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EXCLUSIVE: THE BIG COME-BAKU
Roy Keane is in talks with Azerbaijan about becoming their new national team boss, writes ALAN NIXON.
The fiery TV pundit is willing to get back into management after a spell on the sidelines following his departure from the Republic of Ireland set-up.
And the wealthy state have made former Manchester United legend Keane their first choice to lead them in the Nations League.
Azerbaijan have been promoted to Group C and have a chance of qualifying from that as they try to get on the map.
The terms are attractive but Keane may have to be persuaded to take the post as he wants to be sure his next job is right.
Azerbaijan are pushing for an answer in the next 48 hours as their search for Nikola Jurcevic's successor comes to a head.
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MCLOVIN'
Manchester City are eyeing a shock move for Dwight McNeil to replace Leroy Sane – six years after he was released by United.
German winger Sane, 24, is set to quit City either this summer or at the end of his contract in 2021 to join Bayern Munich.
Boss Pep Guardiola revealed the news last week, saying the former Schalke man has no interest in signing a new contract.
The Man City boss then claimed he has enough wingers in his squad to go without signing anyone new.
But local lad McNeil – born under ten miles from the Etihad, in Rochdale – could prove a cheap, yet hugely talented, back-up option.
He was on the books of rivals United as a youngster but was released aged 15.
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WHERE WILL HE GO
Chelsea have reportedly made a “lucrative” offer to sign Angel Gomes after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed he has not extended his Manchester United contract.
The playmaker is set to walk out on Old Trafford today, having failed to agree fresh terms with the club.
According to the Independent, Gomes rejected an offer of £25,000 plus bonuses, but had more favourable options elsewhere.
One of those is said to be Chelsea, with manager Frank Lampard keen to add the 19-year-old to his crop of homegrown talent.
Super-agent Pini Zahavi is involved in the discussion, but Gomes also plenty of other interest from across Europe.
It is understood he has been approached by clubs from Germany, Spain, Italy and Portugal with Hamburg, Valencia and Benfica named as teams among those leading the chase.
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MORE ON SANCHO
Watzke added: “I don’t think there will be a summer transfer.
“We have a more unusual situation next year than usual.
“With the exception of Achraf Hakimi [who is moving to Inter Milan] the team will stay together. That helps with development.”
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WATZ GONNA HAPPEN
Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has revealed how he is determined to hold on to Jadon Sancho, because they DON’T have to balance the books.
Dortmund have slapped a £100m-plus valuation on Sancho’s head.
He said: “If Jadon comes up to us and says he absolutely wants to leave – which has not been the case so far – and a club wants to pay what we want, then we will discuss it.
“I don’t think a club will pay the sum.
“There is also no coronavirus discount on him.
“We have left the period where we had to sell players.”
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DOUBLE CENTURY
Nemanja Matic was handed a special medal to commemorate 200 Premier League games.
The Serbian said on Instagram: “@PremierLeague Thank you for the nice gesture.”
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SHREDDED
Former United star Nani has shown off his ripped physique in an incredible body transformation, aged 33.
The Orlando City star has clearly been hitting the weights during lockdown with the MLS season not set to return until July 8.
But ahead of the condensed mini-tournament, Nani enjoyed a relaxing day off in Orlando – showing off his ridiculous six-pack.
The Portuguese star – who has also played for Sporting Lisbon, Valencia and Lazio during his career – left fans' jaws on the floor on Monday evening.
Nani posted a picture of himself standing on a rock wearing just a pair of shorts.
As well as his rock-hard abs, the formerly slender Man Utd winger – who spent eight years at Old Trafford – flexed his arms to reveal his bulging biceps.
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GOOD MORNING MAN UNITED FANS,
Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are being told to up their game – or risk United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer bringing in striking reinforcements.
Despite the duo enjoying their best season so far, amid a 14-game United unbeaten run, Solskjaer said:: “We’re too far away from where we need to be and want to be.”
United can leapfrog Wolves into fifth spot if they win at Brighton in the Premier League on Tuesday night.
And the Norwegian added: “If you think you’ve got a divine right to be playing every game and are doing so well that we’re not going to look for players to replace you, you’re in the wrong place.
“You need competition for places at Man United.”
But Aston Villa's England hopeful Jack Grealish – for so long United's top summer transfer target – is now also being linked with neighbours City.
And Solskjaer admits they could lose midfielder Angel Gomes, 19, whose unwillingness to sign a new contract at Old Trafford has alerted Chelsea.
United are letting keeper Dean Henderson and centre-back Chris Smalling stay on loan for the extended season at Sheffield United and Roma respectively.
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IS ROY STILL AZ KEANE?
United legend Roy Keane is in talks with Azerbaijan about becoming their new national team boss.
The fiery TV pundit is willing to get back into management after a spell on the sidelines following his departure from the Republic of Ireland set-up.
And the wealthy state have made former Manchester United legend Keane their first choice to lead them in the Nations League.
Azerbaijan have been promoted to Group C and have a chance of qualifying from that as they try to get on the map.
The terms are attractive but Keane may have to be persuaded to take the post as he wants to be sure his next job is right.
Azerbaijan are pushing for an answer in the next 48 hours as their search for Nikola Jurcevic's successor comes to a head.
A source close to the Azerbaijani FA confirmed Keane is their top choice.
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EVEN TOP MARC MIGHT NOT BE ENOUGH
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has warned his United strike duo: Up your game or I’ll buy replacements.
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are enjoying their best season in front of goal with 19 strikes each.
United are also on a 14-game unbeaten run going into tonight’s Premier League clash at Brighton.
Yet boss Solskjaer said: “We’re too far away from where we need to be and want to be.
“We have always got to look at improving and if they don’t improve, we might have to look somewhere else to get better because we have to be better.”
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