OLD TRAFFORD chiefs are preparing for a busy summer on and off the pitch.
With the Premier League pencilled to return on June 12, Man Utd are also looking forward to the transfer window where their No1 targets are reportedly Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish.
Follow all the latest updates from Old Trafford below…
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PAT DOWN
Man Utd legend Patrice Evra says he received death threats from 'Liverpool fans in prison' following the Luis Suarez racism row in 2011.
Speaking on an official Manchester United podcast, Evra said: “Manchester United received so many threatening letters about me.
“People said ‘We’re in jail, we’re Liverpool fans. When we get out, we’re going to kill you and your family’.
“For two months, I had security everywhere I went. They were sleeping in front of my house. Everywhere I went, the security followed me.
“It was a tough time, but I wasn’t scared. My family were scared: my wife and brother, but I wasn’t.
“I couldn’t understand why people hated me so much. They didn’t know the truth.”
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RONNY'S BACK
Cristiano Ronaldo has left Madeira to return to Italy with his family after nearly two months on his native island.
The 35-year-old was chauffeur-driven to the airport named after him so he could board his Gulfstream G200 Galaxy on Monday evening with his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez and four children.
The £20million plane departed just after 6pm local time and landed in Turin later on Monday evening.
Cristiano is expected to have to self-isolate for 14 days on club orders before resuming training with the rest of the Juventus squad ahead of a possible return to Serie A football
Weekend reports claimed his return plans were being frustrated by Spanish airspace problems.
But his private jet landed on Sunday in Madeira to take luggage and three staff including a bodyguard to Italy before returning on Monday evening to the island.
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'ON TARGET
Odion Ighalo has been given tips to improve for Manchester United, even in games where he HAS scored.
The Nigrian said: “During games… there was even a game I scored in, and he said ‘You should have scored more if you do this or do that’.
“I thought about it and I know if I would have done what Ole said, I would have scored more. He says: ‘You’re a striker, take the chance’.
“So I’ve learnt a lot from him, in terms of positioning and how to do one or two things in a game.
“As a striker, it’s good when a striker is coaching you,” Ighalo added. “And, as a striker, you benefit even more than the defenders.
“He is someone who has scored goals for a long time and has done a lot for United, so it’s good to learn from him.”
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YOU'RE ALL LIONS
The England men's team have made a “significant donation” to the NHS, using match fees dating back to September 2018.
The move, which was instigated and orchestrated by the squad, comes in conjunction with the playerstogether movement involving Premier League players and will go towards the NHS Charities Together.
A players' fund already exists to support a selection of good causes, with a portion now steered directly towards the under pressure health service during the coronavirus pandemic.
A statement released on the official England Twitter feed read: “Following positive discussions with The FA, the England senior men's squad are pleased to confirm that a significant donation from their international match fees will be made to NHS Charities Together via the playerstogether initiative.
“This contribution will be taken from a fund already set aside to support a variety of worthy causes using all match fees collated since September 2018. We are also grateful to The FA for committing their support to the playerstogether initiative for the foreseeable future by helping to raise awareness and funds to assist throughout the fight against COVID-19 and beyond.
“This is in addition to the senior women's squad's commitment to playerstogether as we stand united as England players behind the nation during this crisis and our collective prayers and thoughts remain with all those affected.”
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SHORT SHRIFT
PFA chief Gordon Taylor has revealed Premier League matches may not be the full 90 minutes if and when the 2019-20 season resumes from the coronavirus lockdown.
The remainder of the English top flight looks likely to be played behind closed doors and in neutral stadiums across the country this summer.
But here is how the table would look if the season had taken Taylor's bizarre suggestion and played only 80 minutes per match.
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CAN'T. STOP. WATCHING.
It doesn't matter that this was 11 years ago, it's such a banger.
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FORS OF NATURE
United have been “fending off interest” from Arsenal for highly-rated youngster Omari Forson.
The midfielder, 15, was drafted in from Tottenham’s academy, while he also worked with the West Ham academy.
According to the Mail, the Red Devils have “moved quickly” to tie him down to professional terms, which kicks in on his 16th birthday.
Forson plays alongside another highly-rated youngster in Hannibal Mejbri.
The Gunners have been closely monitoring Forson, an England Under-16 international.
Forson plays either attacking midfield or on the wing, playing seven Under-18 Premier League games this term.
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SPORTING IN BRUNO DISPUTE
Bruno Fernandes has been dragged into a transfer probe involvinghis two former clubs.
Sampdoria and Sporting Lisbon have complained to Fifa over claims they are owed £4million after his January switch to Old Trafford, which cost United an initial £46.6m, rising to a potential £55m.
According to A Bola the clubs are in litigation with Fifa being kept abreast.
The situation should neither affect United, who have paid Sporting a fair whack up front, nor the player.
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GREAL DEAL
Manchester United could sign Jack Grealish for as little as £50m, reports the Manchester Evening News' Samuel Luckhurst.
He stated that Grealish is almost certain to leave in the summer transfer window and United are so keen on him that they attempted to set up a deal in February.
Luckhurst adds that Grealish is seen as a cheaper option than James Maddison and will cost just £50m if Aston Villa are relegated, while Maddison's value is around £80m.
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UNITED'S REAL DEALS: CRISTIANO
One of the greatest players of all time developed from a scrawny skilful teenager into one of the world's best talents under the stewardship of Sir Alex Ferguson in Manchester.
Such was his ability during his six years at Old Trafford that after bagging 118 goals and 69 assists from 292 games in all competitions, the Spanish giants paid a then world record £80million for his services in July 2009.
But Ronaldo did not stop there.
Unlike many who wilt under the gaze of the expectant Bernabeu crowd, the Portuguese icon cemented himself as one of the best to ever play the game.
He smashed heaps of records on his way to 16 titles, including four Champions Leagues landing an almost unbelievable 450 goals and 131 assists from 438 games for Los Blancos.
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UNITED’S REAL DEALS: BECKHAM
Becks slotted perfectly into Florentino Perez's Galacticos when Real pounced to land the superstar amid his tumultuous relationship with Fergie.
The Spaniards shelled out around £33m for the England ace in July 2003 and he enjoyed a successful spell in Spain scoring 20 goals and providing 51 assists from 159 games before heading off to the MLS.
Beckham won LaLiga just once and despite his free transfer to LA Galaxy in 2007 stunning the football world, the Englishman is still held in high regard at the Bernabeu.
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UNITED’S REAL DEALS: DI MARIA
Unlike most high profile names who have played for both clubs, the Argentine winger played for Los Blancos first.
The 32-year-old, who is now at Paris Saint-Germain, fell out of favour at Real and United swooped for around £70m in August 2014.
Having scored 36 and assisted 85 from his 190 Madrid games, there was high hopes for Di Maria at Old Trafford but just four goals and 12 assists from 32 games later, he left for France in the summer of 2015 for around £55m.
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UNITED’S REAL DEALS: VAN NISTELROOY
The Dutchman made the switch from United to Real fairly late in his career after etching himself into the hearts of the United faithful since his 2001 transfer from PSV.
After winning the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup in Manchester, his 150 goals from 219 games saw him secure a move to Madrid in July 2006, age 30.
He hit the ground running in his first season under Fabio Capello before injury hit the following year which eventually led to his departure for Hamburg.
But his 64 goals in 96 Real games made his short spell in Spain a successful one.
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UNITED'S REAL DEALS: CHICHARITO
The perennial super sub.
Hernandez made a name for himself at Old Trafford by coming off the bench to score big goals which is exactly what he continued to do at the Bernabeu after he was loaned there for the 2014/15 season.
He featured 33 times for the Spaniards that season scoring nine and assisting the same amount but was eventually offloaded on a permanent transfer to Bayer Leverkusen when he returned to Manchester.
His 59 goals from 157 appearances at Old Trafford – most of those from the bench – mean he is still loved at United as could be seen by the reception he received during his recent games against them with West Ham.
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UNITED'S REAL DEALS
Real Madrid are desperate to land Paul Pogba from Manchester United this summer.
The Frenchman clearly wants away and if he does depart Old Trafford for the Bernabeu, he would not be the first Red Devil to walk that well-trodden path.
Let’s look at some of the others…
GABRIEL HEINZE
The maverick Argentine joined Real from United in 2007 and helped them claim their second LaLiga title in a row in the 2007-08 campaign.
Having moved to Old Trafford from PSG in July 2004, the left-back managed 83 games and is often underrated by football fans despite winning the 2006-07 Prem with the Red Devils.
He went on to play 60 times for Madrid before a 2009 switch to Marseille.
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WINNING MINDSET
Rio Ferdinand has revealed how Cristiano Ronaldo still worries about what people think about him despite his reputation.
The vain Juventus superstar has cemented his place as one of the world's greatest ever players.
Former Manchester United team-mate Ferdinand told The Beautiful Game podcast: “We knew he was talented but his mentality was different. An elite mind. I thought 'wow'.
“Now, I talk to him sometimes and I can't tell you any of the things he complains about.
“He's gotten to the top but he's still concerned about what people say about him and not having all the recognition he thinks he should have. But that is what makes him so different.”
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NOT A CROSS WORD
Scott McTominay has been engaging in a naughty bit of trickery in his back garden, with a back-flick crossbar challenge.
Luckily he caught the evidence on CCTV.
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FERGIE'S RON & BALE SWOOP
Patrice Evra has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson was “99 per cent sure” of signing re-Cristiano Ronaldo, joined by Gareth Bale, before he retired in 2013.
The news will confirm to United fans quite how much Fergie's shock retirement turned the club upside down.
The Frenchman said: “I remember there was a lot of media saying Ferguson will maybe retire next year, and he said, 'Patrice, I will never retire. I will be here another 10 years’.
“He then said: 'My target is I'm 99 per cent sure we will have Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
“I just need these two players to win the Champions League again. Ninety-nine per cent.’
“And to be fair, when I speak with Cristiano, I ask him and he said yes to the boss, and was coming to join United. He told me this.”
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IT'S NOT ABOUT LUKES
Luke Chadwick has revealed his confidence was shot due to personal abuse he got while trying to make his name at United.
The midfielder broke into the United first-team in 1999-2000.
The 39-year-old tweeted: “As a young footballer the abuse I received about my appearance affected my mental health a lot.
“The feeling of embarrassment stopped me talking about how I felt.
“Although uncomfortable at times, it's so important we talk about our feelings to get through the tough times!”
Well said, Luke.
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RON GUNS 'EM DOWN
It is 11 years (yes, really) since Cristiano Ronaldo took Arsenal to the cleaners in United's Champions League semi-final win of 2009.
Fergie's then European champions were already 1-0 up from the first leg at Old Trafford, but an early onslaught in North London saw them go 2-0 up thanks to Ronny's free-kick from the other side of the river, after Park Ji-Sung's opener.
And let's not forget Park, Wayne Rooney and Ronaldo being involved in one of THE iconic United counter-attacking goals.
The only blot on United's copy book was the yellow card of Darren Fletcher, who would be cruelly suspended for the final defeat to Barcelona.
How do you pick between these two goals?
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1st @cristiano goal OR 2nd❓? ? Cristiano Ronaldo double #OTD in 2009 ⚽⚽ #UCL #MUFC #OnThisDay #Cristiano #Ronaldo #CR7 #cristianoronaldo
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BACK ON THE GRASS
United target Jadon Sancho is back in training ahead of the Bundesliga's restart with Borussia Dortmund.
The star winger, who is United's top transfer target this summer, has got back to business with Erling Haaland, Axel Witzel and Mario Goetze.
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TAYLOR MADE
Premier League games could last less than 90 minutes when football returns, according to PFA chief Gordon Taylor.
The controversial Professional Footballers’ Association supremo said: “I’m talking about protocol that’s coming out, I’m talking about the future.
“We don’t know the future, what we do know is what propositions have been put forward and ideas.
“More subs, games possibly not being full 45 minutes each way, neutral stadiums, there’s lots of things put forward.
“We’re trying to wait to see what proposals are and have the courtesy to let the managers and coaches and players assimilate all those and come to a considered view.”
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DIRECT APPROACH
Nemanja Vidic, 38, was interviewed for a director of football role at Old Trafford, before the club shied away from making the appointment.
According to the Athletic, his defensive pals Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Edwin van der Sar were among candidates.
Darren Fletcher was also considered, while the club has given the former Scotland and United midfielder another back-stage role at Old Trafford.
There has been a shunt away from getting big names involved in the club and towards those who understand the culture of United, who have been in the dressing room and get what it's like to play in the red shirt.
Gary Neville has been among those who have argued for a “best in class” director of football in the boardroom, similar to those at Manchester City and Liverpool.
But Ed Woodward has decided to share responsibility between Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and a recruitment team, a method that has worked so far with the recruitments of Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes.
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HOLD TRAFFORD
As reported last night, United’s plan to increase Old Trafford's capacity will have to wait until the end of next season because of coronavirus.
The Red Devils were planning on boosting attendances at home games by adding seats in the summer but they have been scuppered by Covid-19.
The club had planned to increase capacity after the installation of 300 disabled positions in 2006 reduced the overall capacity from 76,000 to 73,300 but this is now on hold, according to the Mail.
United were hoping to reconfigure existing areas to add more seats as stadium expansion poses significant logistical challenges.
In 2018, it emerged the Glazers wanted to increase Old Trafford's overall capacity to a whopping 90,000.
They planned to put an extra tier on the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand to boost attendances, but the ambitious and complex plan could have left the Red Devils homeless.
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REAL DEAL?
Paul Pogba has again been linked with a move to Real Madrid.
Spanish paper Mundo Deportivo write that Zinedine Zidane's men are “preparing a £70m bid for the midfielder”, but adds “according to what they are saying in England”.
The report also says that Inter are ready to join the race for the Man Utd midfielder.
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