MANCHESTER UNITED beat Watford 1-0 in their third round FA Cup clash thanks to an early header from Scott McTominay.
Meanwhile on the transfer front, the Red Devils confirmed the signing of Amad Diallo from Atalanta, while we've the latest on potential target Jack Grealish.
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Follow all the latest with our blog below…
- Ian Tuckey
POGBA IN PSG LINK
PSG have joined Juventus in pursuing Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, one report claims.
The Daily Star suggest Mauricio Pochettino's new club are ready to pounce next summer, despite Real Madrid tracking the France superstar too.
Pogba is thought to be even more unsettled at United now as Bruno Fernandes and Fred cement a new central partnership,
Scott McTomina is also in fine form, while summer arrival Donny van de Beek has been promised he will get more game-time.
The suggestion is Pochettino fancies fielding Pogba in a new-look midfield next season, possibly alongside Spurs' Dele Alli.
- Ian Tuckey
DO US A FAIVRE
Manchester United are reportedly set to go toe-to-toe with Paris Saint-Germain in pursuit of Romain Faivre.
The Brest midfielder, 22, has been one of Ligue 1's surprise standouts in 2020-21 after a move from Monaco.
Les Pirates paid around £450,000 for Faivre last summer and a sale would reap a pretty profit for the Brittany club.
According to Le10Sport, a whole host of clubs are taking an interest in the player.
United and PSG are named as two contenders, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer recently adding a new wide-man to his squad in Amad Diallo.
Mauricio Pochettino got a good look at Faivre on Saturday night as the youngster played 90 minutes in his first win as Les Parisiens boss.
In 19 appearances for Brest, he has notched four goals and three assists.
That includes a winner against old club Monaco in October and a late equaliser from the spot away to high-flying Lyon.
- Ian Tuckey
WE CAN'T LOSE OUR POG
Bruno Fernandes says Manchester United need Paul Pogba if they are to lift silverware this season.
Bruno Fernandes says Paul Pogba staying is crucial for Man UtfCredit: AFP or licensors Pogba’s future was thrown into doubt last month when agent Mino Raiola declared the Frenchman’s second spell at Old Trafford was ‘over’.
Fernandes said: “It shows you the confidence he gives to you, like when he comes back, he’s trying to help you become better and you help him to become better.
“We ended the season really well playing together. But of course the beginning of the season was hard for Paul because he had COVID.
“It was really difficult for Paul to find his form but I think he’s much better and feeling much more confident.
“The goal against West Ham gave him much more confidence to understand. The team needs him and he has the quality to help us.”
- Ian Tuckey
LIN-TER MILAN?
Man Utd midfielder Jesse Lingard has been linked with a shock move to Inter Milan.
According to the Mirror, the Serie A outfit are keen to bring the England international to Italy on loan.
However Antonio Conte’s side must first offload Christian Eriksen before they can make a move for Lingard.
Should Lingard join Inter, he would link-up with his former United team-mates Alexis Sanchez, Ashley Young and Romelu Lukaku.
- Jake Lambourne
DEAL ME IN
Will Man Utd make any big-money signings this month?
Here is a list of the club's most expensive transfers.
- Jake Lambourne
SPECIAL JUAN
Juan Mata's close range strike against Hull in the League Cup semi-final first leg in 2017 is Man Utd's Goal of the Day.
Take a look at his finish below.
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- Jake Lambourne
TOP POG
Bruno Fernandes says Manchester United need Paul Pogba if they are to lift silverware this season.
Pogba's future was thrown into doubt last month when agent Mino Raiola declared the Frenchman's second spell at Old Trafford was 'over'.
Fernandes said: "It shows you the confidence he gives to you, like when he comes back, he’s trying to help you become better and you help him to become better.
"We ended the season really well playing together. But of course the beginning of the season was hard for Paul because he had COVID.
"It was really difficult for Paul to find his form but I think he’s much better and feeling much more confident.
"The goal against West Ham gave him much more confidence to understand. The team needs him and he has the quality to help us."
- Jake Lambourne
RED MIST
Red Bull Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has revealed the club may have to sell key players yet again if it makes sense financially.
Dayot Upamecano has been heavily linked with a move away due to his £40million release clause, with Man Utd said to be keen.
Commenting on potentially having to sell players, Mintzlaff told Sport BILD: “We have a squad that is very broad in terms of quality. So we will sell top performers again if it makes financial sense and we can cope with it from a sporting point of view.
“When I think of [Timo] Werner, [Matheus] Cunha, [Naby] Keita or [Diego] Demme, we’ve already made a lot of money and still made progress in terms of the sporting side.
“Overall, we have invested a lot in our team, no question about that. But look: the current squad had a market value of less than €250million (£225m) when the individual players made their debut.
“And if we now take the current market value, we are at around €550m (£495m). You have to take this plus of over €300m (£270m) into account when you talk about investments. We are creating value with our path.”
- Jake Lambourne
ICYMI
EXCLUSIVE – Roy Keane wants a managerial comeback — despite his success as a TV pundit.
The fiery Irishman has told pals he is itching to be a boss again and get the day-to-day involvement at a club that he is missing.
Keane, 49, has had a chequered career in management.
He was initially a huge success at Sunderland before spells with Ipswich, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest and the Republic of Ireland.
Since then Keane has emerged as one of the best and most outspoken commentators on the game with Sky, but now it may be time to get the tracksuit back on.
Keane has been visiting his old pals at Manchester United when he can, checking in to their training HQ on the quiet.
- Jake Lambourne
GREAT SCOTT
Take another look at Scott Mctominay's winner against Watford in the FA Cup last night.
- Jake Lambourne
FUR REAL
Man Utd fan Tyson Fury has sent a message of support to League Two's Crawley and said he is rooting for the underdog against Leeds.
Crawley host the Premier League side in round three of the FA Cup and have it all to do against Marcelo Bielsa's men.
The Gyspy King said: "This is a special message to Crawley Town.
"Hi guys, I know you have a big game against Leeds but never underestimate the underdog.
"I have been the underdog so many times in my career and always come out on top. Come on the boys!"
- Jake Lambourne
CAUTIOS
Rio Ferdinand is refusing to admit Manchester United are Premier League title contenders – because he doesn't want to become a meme again.
After a topsy-turvy start to the season, the Red Devils are now level on points with league leaders and defending champions Liverpool – who they have a game in hand on.
But Ferdinand is exercising caution when it comes to talking up his old side's chances of winning the league following his infamous 'Ole's at the wheel' speech after United's memorable 3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain.
The retired centre-back said: "The highs are high, and the lows are lower than a snake’s belly. I don’t want to jump the gun like I’ve done before.
"I don’t want to become a meme again, but as a football fan, it’s part of it to become emotional, to get hyped up and get excited about things.
"United sitting pretty at the top, after the game against Burnley we hope, I’ll be excited 100 per cent.
"But then it’s a massive game after that against Liverpool to say we’re not just flybys, we’re here to stay."
- Jake Lambourne
PAUL THE OTHER ONE
PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly looking to bring Man Utd midfielder Paul Pogba to France.
According to the Star on Sunday, the Argentine gaffer has made the World Cup winner his No1 priority.
It has been claimed that the 27-year-old could be available for £75million.
Pogba has also been linked with a move to Real Madrid as well as former employers Juventus.
- Jake Lambourne
GARD OF HONOUR
Man Utd ace Jesse Lingard has been linked with a shock move to Inter Milan.
According to the Mirror, the Serie A outfit are keen to bring the England international to Italy on loan.
However Antonio Conte's side must first offload Christian Eriksen before they can make a move for Lingard.
Should Lingard join Inter, he would link-up with his former United team-mates Alexis Sanchez, Ashley Young and Romelu Lukaku.
- Jake Lambourne
VANTASTIC
Rio Ferdinand has questioned why Donny van de Beek hasn't started much following his impressive performance against Watford.
The former Man Utd defender said: "I'm really surprised he’s not played more minutes. I’m 100 per cent certain that he expected to play more.
"The interesting point with the whole Van de Beek situation is, what was the conversation in negotiations coming here?
"When you negotiate a contract to go somewhere, you come into the football club knowing where you are, if you’re going to start, or are they going to have to work their way into the team.
"That’s the important part and we don’t know the answer yet. I’m sure from the soundings that his agent has been given off, he expected to be playing games and be a major part of this team.
"It hasn’t materialised so far, and he’s got a Euros to worry about if that goes ahead."
- Jake Lambourne
RICE IS RIGHT
Declan Rice reportedly has no intention to join Manchester United with a switch to Chelsea his priority should he leave West Ham.
According to the Mirror, the England international has told friends he doesn't want to live in the north.
A source close to the versatile 21-year-old said: "Dec has been flattered by interest in him but he doesn't see himself moving to Manchester.
"It's obvious where he'd like his next move to be.”
Potential suitors will have to cough up bug money for Rice, who has been valued at a whopping £80million by West Ham.
- Jake Lambourne
DEVILS DOWNED
Man Utd have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of AC Milan ace Hakan Calhanoglu.
The Red Devils have been linked with a move for the Turkey international who has six years left on his contract.
But the Serie A side's sporting director Frederic Massara has stated he is confident he will extend his contract – along with Chelsea target Gianluigi Donnarumma.
He told DAZN: "We’re confident to reach an agreement with Donnarumma and Calhanoglu in order to extend their contracts in the next weeks."
- Jake Lambourne
HAARD HITTERS
Manchester City hope they could have an ace up their sleeve in the race for Borussia Dortmund hotshot Erling Haaland.
The Etihad giants — along with neighbours Manchester United — are among a host of clubs keeping tabs on the striker.
And City believe the 15 per cent sell-on clause they have on Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho could work in their favour.
That is likely to be worth more than £15million — with the German club valuing the England ace at around £120m.
So they could agree to waiver or renegotiate that in order to gain an advantage over other clubs pursuing Haaland.
City will be in the market for a new striker this summer as they look to find a long-term replacement for all-time leading scorer Sergio Aguero, 32.
- Jake Lambourne
SCOTT TO BE PROUD
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer heaped praise on Scott McTominay for passing the captaincy test with flying colours.
The Manchester United boss surprised the Scot by handing him the armband for the first time.
And McTominay responded with the only goal – a header inside five minutes – and a man of the match showing against Watford.
Solskjaer said: “I gave him the armband to test him, to see how he reacted. I wanted to see if there was any change in him and, luckily, there wasn’t.
“He delivered, as he always does – Scott has everything a leader has to have.
“We have always trusted our young men coming through and Scott is one who we believe has the Manchester United DNA in him and knows what it is to be a Manchester United player."
- Alex Terrell
EXCLUSIVE
Roy Keane wants a managerial comeback — despite his success as a TV pundit, writes ALAN NIXON.
The fiery Irishman has told pals he is itching to be a boss again and get the day-to-day involvement at a club that he is missing.
Keane, 49, has had a chequered career in management.
He was initially a huge success at Sunderland before spells with Ipswich, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest and the Republic of Ireland.
Since then Keane has emerged as one of the best and most outspoken commentators on the game with Sky, but now it may be time to get the tracksuit back on.
Keane has been visiting his old pals at Manchester United when he can, checking in to their training HQ on the quiet.
- Alex Terrell
BAILL OUT?
Manchester United could be without Eric Bailly for the Premier League games against Burnley and Liverpool after the defender picked up a neck injury against Watford.
Speaking after the cup triumph, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: "It’s his neck I think.
“His head is fine. There is no concussion or anything like that. But we have got to do scans.”
The player himself also moved to reassure fans as he tweeted: "I am OK. It was just a knock."
Replacement Axel Tuanzebe said: “He’s alright, it’s good to see, he’s a warrior, he gets in the way of things.
"It’s good to see he's alright and I'm sure he'll be training this week."
- Jack Figg
GOOD MORNING, UTD FANS
Mason Greenwood and Donny van de Beek blew their chance to impress boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as United scraped past Watford in the FA Cup.
First-time skipper Scott McTominay's early header sent United into tonight's last-32 and last-16 draws.
But Greenwood, battling for a regular start up front, and rarely-used Holland midfielder Donny van de Beek performed tamely.
Instead it was Jesse Lingard who did the most from his own rare start, albeit tiring after the break.
On the transfer front, United are reportedly leading Arsenal and AC Milan in the battle for Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare.
The France Under-21 star has 18 months left on his contract.
But Bayern Munich defender David Alaba is regarded as more likely to join Real Madrid next summer than move to Old Trafford.
And finally, defender Ethan Laird, 19, is off to MK Dons on loan for the rest of the season.
He said: “This is the perfect place for me to continue developing. They are aggressive, they like to get in behind and they leave it all out on the pitch and that’s my idea of football.”
- Ian Tuckey
KEANE ON ANOTHER BOSS JOB
Roy Keane wants a managerial comeback — despite his success as a TV pundit.
The fiery Irishman has told pals he is itching to be a boss again and get the day-to-day involvement at a club that he is missing.
Keane, 49, has had a chequered career in management.
He was initially a huge success at Sunderland before spells with Ipswich, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest and the Republic of Ireland.
Since then Keane has emerged as one of the best and most outspoken commentators on the game with Sky, but now it may be time to get the tracksuit back on.
Keane has been visiting his old pals at Manchester United when he can, checking in to their training HQ on the quiet.
There may be a route back into the game for him at his old club despite some of his savage remarks about players.
Keane has always stood up for his mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and recently has been more mellow in his analysis of their side.
- Ian Tuckey
UTD SUB RATINGS
Harry Maguire (for Bailly 45') – 6
Would have been hoping for a rare night off but replaced the injured Eric Bailly just before half-time.
Some trademark headers and clearances but was rarely troubled. Went close with a header at the other end late on.
Anthony Martial (for Greenwood 69') – 6
Brought on for Mason Greenwood to add a spark but did not have a sniff.
Marcus Rashford (for James 69') – 6
A great run down the left minutes after coming on but his shot was straight at the keeper.
Nemanja Matic (for Lingard 79’) – 6
Replaced Jesse Lingard to close the game out and got through the last 10 minutes unruffled.
- Ian Tuckey
MORE UTD RATINGS
Jesse Lingard – 5
No disaster but did little to suggest he will be anywhere near the league side anytime soon.
Kept things neat and tidy but failed to impose himself in his first start since September.
Mason Greenwood – 5
A quiet night after being handed a golden chance to make the lone striker’s position his own.
Could not get in the game and barely had a sight of goal before being replaced by Anthony Martial.
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