MANCHESTER UNITED fans are set to protest against the Glazer family ahead of their match against Liverpool on May 2.
We've got an update on a potential swoop for Norwich full-back Max Aarons, while Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes could be set for new deals at Old Trafford.
Stay up to date with our blog, below, for all the latest from Old Trafford…
- William Pugh
KARREN BRADY – EXCLUSIVE
Just in case you think the threat of the European Super League has scotched the privilege of football’s self-chosen few, it hasn’t — not yet.
Uefa, aware of the media-entitled Dirty Dozen’s greed for more, more, more, had taken this into account when they re-drew plans for the Champions League.
Announced the day after the short-lived Super League coup, their plan accepted the right of the dozen to special treatment giving 'clubs with the highest club coefficient over the last five years' two places among the 36 in the first round.
This means simply that should, say, Leicester finish sixth in the Premier League and Spurs tenth, then Spurs having the 'coefficient' — a coverall word for a decent record and a big reputation — could go through.
Leicester, by the way, have as many Premier League titles as Liverpool, and one more than Spurs. Anyone can see this is not fair. It is a further connivance at gross favouritism and, indeed, a suggestion from Uefa that there were grounds for the breakaway.
There aren’t. The way to win a place must be on the field not in a cabal of men in suits. I watched four of the six give apologies to their fans and players for being part of the money cartel and wondered where the apology was to their colleagues in the Premier League, as well as all our managers, players and fans.
- William Pugh
GUN BLAZING
Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan has blasted Uefa and called the revamped Champions League the ‘lesser of two evils’ amid the collapse of the European Super League.
His club announced on Tuesday night they were pulling out of the controversial breakaway after backlash from fans and criticism from players.
And City boss Pep Guardiola even refused to call it sport when quizzed about it.
Two squad members of the Premier League leaders, Kevin De Bruyne and Aymeric Laporte, both used their social media platforms to publicly condemn the proposal earlier in the week.
Now Gundogan has become the latest City star to express his views as he also slammed Uefa’s new format for the Champions League.
- Gary Stonehouse
GOOD MORNING FOOTY FANS
Manchester United fans are planning a protest against the Glazers before the Liverpool match next month.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hit out at the botched Super League plan.
The Red Devils beefed up their security after fans broke into the training base at Carrington.
Former United winger Ryan Giggs has been charged with coercive control and assaulting his ex-girlfriend after a row. It has ruled him out of taking charge of Wales' Euro 2020 campaign this summer.
United face competition from clubs including West Ham and Tottenham for Norwich defender Max Aarons.Former United striker Louis Saha believes the club need to sign Harry Kane or Erling Haaland to compete for the Premier League title.
Old Trafford missed out on potentially staging Euro 2020 matches because of summer pitch work planned for the ground.
- Simon Mail
AMAD DELIVERS
Manchester United fans will be happy to see rising star Amad score during the Under-23s' 4-2 win over Chelsea tonight.
The United winger netted a superb free-kick to help the side overcome Chelsea.
Shola Shoretire also continued his impressive progress with two goals in the Red Devils' win.
- Simon Mail
EDIN OFF
A reminder that Edinson Cavani appears to have his heart set on moving on this summer and returning to South America.
Boca Juniors are reportedly in the driving seat to land the Manchester United striker.
Credit: Reuters The 34-year-old is out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of the season and wants to be closer to his family.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised Cavani recently and opened up on his contract situation.
He said: "For a new lad who doesn’t speak English and not having his family over here, of course [returning to South America] is in the back of his head.
“If he decides it’s just the season then we’d be very happy to have had him here.
"We’ve had up front and honest meetings. It’s no secret we want to keep him. I don’t think it’s any secret too that this has been a difficult year for everyone."
- Simon Mail
GREAT SCOT
Sir Alex Ferguson is a big fan of Manchester United's Scott McTominay and has been delighted by his progress.
The former Red Devils manager revealed he was the man who brought the midfielder to Old Trafford, aged around seven or eight.
Credit: The Sun Ferguson told the Scottish FA: "McTominay is now emerging as one of Man United’s big players.
"When you watch United pick a team for a big game, McTominay is in it.
"Good character, great trainer, I know a little bit about the boy.
"I signed him when he was seven or eight. He was actually a centre-forward as a kid. He has sprouted, a little bit like Darren [Fletcher] when he first came.
"McTominay is a similar type as Darren, long, lanky, good winner of the ball, good turn of pace going forward, great attitude to the game."
- Simon Mail
GIGGS VOWS TO CLEAR NAME
Ryan Giggs has vowed to clear his name after being charged with coercive control and assaulting his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville after a row.
The former Man Utd star was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm against PR exec Kate.
He faces an additional charge of coercive and controlling behaviour between December 2017 and November 2020.
Giggs has also been charged with a second count of assault against another woman aged in her 20s following the alleged bust-up at his home.
In a statement, Giggs said: “I have full respect for the due process of law and understand the seriousness of the allegations.
“I will plead not guilty in court and look forward to clearing my name.
“I would like to wish Robert Page, the coaching staff, the players and
the supporters every success at the Euros this summer.”Credit: Getty Images – Getty - Simon Mail
WELSH CHAOS
Ryan Giggs will miss out on leading Wales at Euro 2020 after the former Manchester United star was charged with coercive control and assault on his ex-girlfriend.
The Crown Prosecution announced their decision this afternoon into the alleged incident at Giggs' home in Manchester last November.
Robert Page will continue to take charge of Wales, on a temporary basis, with his role extending to the duration of this summer's tournament.
The Welsh FA released a statement which said: “The Football Association of Wales has noted the decision of The Crown Prosecution Service to proceed with charging Ryan Giggs, the Men’s National Team Manager.
“In light of this decision, the FAW can confirm that Robert Page will assume the role of Cymru Men’s National Team manager for this summer’s EURO 2020 tournament and will be assisted by Albert Stuivenberg.
“An FAW Board meeting will be convened to discuss these developments and its impact on the Association and the National Team."
Credit: AFP or licensors - Simon Mail
GIGGS CHARGED
Former Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs has been charged with coercive control and assaulting his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville after a row.
The Wales manager, 47, was held after cops were called to his £1.7million mansion in Worsley, Greater Manchester on November 3.
He was quizzed at a police station before being released on bail pending further enquiries.
But Giggs was charged today with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of coercive and controlling behaviour against PR exec Kate.
The second count spans more than three years – between December 2017 and November 2020.
Giggs has also been charged with a second count of assault against another woman aged in her 20s following the alleged bust-up last year.
He will appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court on April 28.
Credit: PA
- Josh Graham
TO THE MAX
West Ham have joined the fight for Max Aarons this summer and Norwich are willing to let the defender leave, according to reports.
Aarons, 21, has been a long-term target of Manchester United and it now appears he is on the radar of Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Tottenham.
West Ham and United will have to pay £30million to land the England U21 international, claim The Independent.
The Canaries persuaded him to stay last summer but a promise the club made means Aarons has now been told he can leave.
But it is The Irons who could hold the advantage in the transfer battle, as Aarons is reportedly keen to stay in the south.
That could rule out a move abroad or to United, and West Ham may have the added appeal of European football to offer next year.
- Josh Graham
BACK TO BRUM
Manchester United legend Lee Sharpe was once told to move his girlfriend back to Birmingham by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Sharpe, now 49, had been desperate to move out of digs as a youngster, in order to live with his other half. But when his form subsequently suffered, he felt the famous wrath of his manager.
The ex-Old Trafford wing wizard said: "I had a few run-ins with him, to be fair!
"The biggest one was when we went to Anfield. Before that match, I had asked to move out of digs and move in with my girlfriend in my own house.
"He said I was a little bit too young, but he let me do so because I was in the first team. But he told me that if my work suffered then I’d have to move back into digs. I said that was no problem.
"I found a house in Whitefield and moved my girlfriend up from Birmingham and everything was great. But then I hit a little bit of form that wasn’t quite up to the manager’s standards.
"We were at Anfield getting beat at half-time, and he gave me the biggest rollicking of my life and told me to sell my house, move my girlfriend back home and told me to get out there and play!"
Lee Sharpe (right) with Fergie and Ryan GiggsCredit: Getty – Contributor - Josh Graham
FORWARD THINKING
Manchester United need to sign Harry Kane or Erling Haaland to compete for the Premier League title, according to two-time winner Louis Saha.
The Red Devils look on course to finish second this term, well adrift of leaders Manchester City.
He told GentingBet: “I think when you look at Harry Kane and Haaland, it’s two different profiles but they score goals.
“Haaland has a great future, he is a top striker and you can see he already has that fire in him so he will really help any side in this world because of that.
“He’s got the size, he’s got the speed, he’s got all the qualities you need to be a top striker.
“Harry is more about consistency, you know what he’s going to give you. He’s like a super striker, but a super team player as well. A captain in so many ways.
“So yes these guys can give a lot to Manchester United but again it depends on the strategy of the management with the transfers.
“If they want to win a Premier League, these are the kind of players you have to get – a player who has 30 games and 30 goals.”
- Josh Graham
CAV A GO
Here's how Manchester United could line-up against Leeds.
- Josh Graham
SOL-LESS
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hit out at the botched plan for a European Super league being driven by his own boss Joel Glazer.
The Manchester United manager only became aware of it on the day it was announced last Sunday and has since had to confront an angry group of protestors at the club’s training ground.
Credit: Getty Solskjaer said: “I didn't like the concept, it has to be on sporting merit, I want to earn the right to play in Europe.
“We know we've been pioneers and we've been in Europe for many, many years, with the Busby Babes, we want to be part of a successful European campaign again. One of my best nights was something we worked really hard towards.
“You can't be given it because your name is such and such, you have to earn the right to be there. And I've always felt and believed in stepping out of your comfort zone, being afraid of failure, that spurs you on, living on the edge a little bit, and that wasn't part of this.
“My players last season were excellent, when I talk about this fear of failure, they were afraid of not making Champions League because we were so many points behind. They pulled themselves together as a team, achieved third, a very good achievement, this year striving towards trophies, and we're second.
“I back my team to be in the top in Europe. But I still think that fear of failure is helping us do that and being a sporting competitor as I am and my nature is not being handed this, we can't be handed a place, that's my opinion.
“I'm very happy all of the clubs have admitted their mistake, this was a bad idea, and the way it came out as well.”
- Josh Graham
TON OF CHECKS
Manchester United have beefed up their security at Carrington after fans broke into the training complex yesterday – and even boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had to prove who he was.
As the players arrived for drills today, two security guards greeted them at the entrance.
Even United gaffer Solskjaer was stopped by two burly high-vis-wearing men.
He appeared to be asked to remove his sunglasses to prove he really was the Red Devils leader.
Around 20 supporters stormed Carrington on Thursday to voice their anger at the club's owners and their attempt to join the breakaway European Super League.
The group made it on to the first-team pitch and refused to leave until manager Solskjaer came and spoke to them.
- Josh Graham
RUUD NOT TO
It's 20 years to the day since Ruud Van Nistelrooy joined Manchester United.
And as they say, the rest is history.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Ruud van Nistelrooy (@rvnistelrooy)
- Josh Graham
BAR-D MOVE
Cash-strapped Barcelona have released a bizarre statement saying they joined the European Super for 'financial sustainability' – despite spending almost £1BILLION on transfers in the last five seasons.
- Josh Graham
PITCH PERFECT
Manchester United missed out on hosting Euro 2020 matches due to summer pitch work while Wembley only gets one of Dublin's games – England's potential Last 16 tie.
The FA had made it clear they were open to staging extra Euros matches on English soil, echoing the offer from PM Boris Johnson.
That appeared to open up the chance of all four Dublin games coming to the north west, with Manchester the initial favourite.
But both Manchester City’s Etihad and United’s Old Trafford were ruled out when the clubs informed Uefa two weeks ago that they had already decided to major pitch renovation projects that will take much of the summer.
And while London remained a possibility, Sweden’s game with Slovakia is scheduled for Dublin on June 18 – the same day as England play Scotland.
Uefa’s aversion to staging major matches in any competitions in the same city on the same day ruled out any London ground.
More crucially, with all the other groups split over two venues, Uefa felt it would be unfair to make Sweden and Slovakia alone play their group matches in three different stadiums and cities.
Instead, Group E will now be split between St Petersburg and Seville. Munich finally met the Uefa demands and will keep its planned matches, including a last eight clash.
- Josh Graham
SMASH ‘N G-RAB
Manchester United defender Alex Telles could reportedly be heading to Juventus with Adrien Rabiot coming in the opposite direction.
The Brazilian left-back has failed to make an impression at Old Trafford since joining from Porto in October having featured in just seven Premier League games.
Telles has had to settle for a place on the bench due to Luke Shaw’s stunning form, with his last top-flight appearance coming on January 27.
And according to Calciomercato, the 28-year-old is keen to depart Old Trafford having grown frustrated by his lack of game time.
They state that Juventus are admirers of the player, and could look to bring him to Turin to compete with Alex Sandro.
It has been suggested that the Old Lady would be willing to exchange midfielder Rabiot, 26, for Telles.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is known to be a fan of the Frenchman having failed to lure him to the Theatre of Dreams last season.
- Josh Graham
PM TO THE RESCUE
Uefa chief Aleksander Ceferin has hailed PM Boris Johnson for helping save European football by leading the national 'revolution'.
Johnson’s dramatic intervention and promises to bring in laws to block the Super League breakaway cut off the legs of the 'dirty dozen' plotters.
Ceferin said: “Boris Johnson is aware that football fans are from the working class.
“They live hard, and they spend the last money to watch football matches, which is their passion, relaxation, which is part of European culture, part of history.
“It seemed to me the reaction was very logical – he cared what happened to football, because that would affect the people, of course."
Ceferin added: “In England there are so many fans and they love their club immensely. If the fans get angry, it is a kind of revolution. And no country can afford that.
“I find it very responsible from the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to take a sharp stand on the side of the fans, not only because of the culture and love of football, but also because it ensures order in the country.
“We were in contact and I also spoke to his cabinet. They responded excellently."
- Josh Graham
NO MOR SUPER LEAGUE
Super League bankrollers JP Morgan have pledged to learn from the breakaway debacle after revealing they misjudged the situation.
The investment bank were due to stump up a 3.5billion euros loan for the Dirty Dozen before the Big Six pulled out and the project crumbled.
A statement from a JP Morgan spokesperson read: “We clearly misjudged how this deal would be viewed by the wider football community and how it might impact them in the future.
“We will learn from this.”
- Josh Graham
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Manchester United fans are reportedly planning another Glazer Out protest after breaking into the training ground.
Around 20 supporters stormed Carrington on Thursday to voice their anger at the club's owners and their attempt to join the breakaway European Super League.
Credit: Twitter @RedIssue The group made it on to the first-team pitch and refused to leave until manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came and spoke to them.
And according to the Mirror, the anti-Glazer movement plot to make another stand a week on Sunday when United host fellow ESL rebels Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Thousands of fans will march from Manchester city centre to the stadium and make their voices heard beside the statues of Sir Matt Busby, Sir Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best.
The report adds a joint-protest alongside Liverpool supporters – usually fierce rivals – has been canned now that both teams announced their withdrawal from the ESL.
The supporters who breached the security to get into the AON training complex on Thursday were part of the Manchester Education Committee – the same group that confronted Wayne Rooney in 2010 and targeted Ed Woodward's home in January last year.
- Josh Graham
RON THE WAY HOME?
Cristiano Ronaldo is 'tempted' by a return to Manchester United, according to reports.
The Portuguese star became a legend at Old Trafford between 2003 and 2009, winning his first Ballon d'Or and Champions League gongs during his time in the North West.
Cristiano Ronaldo could return to Old TraffordCredit: Reuters According to Gazzetta dello Sport, CR7 is growing unhappy at Juve, with a return to Old Trafford starting to cross his mind.
Ronaldo has failed to go beyond the quarter-finals of the Champions League since swapping Real Madrid for Juve in 2018.
And this season, under Andrea Pirlo, the Old Lady appear unlikely to even win Serie A – currently sat in fourth, 11 points behind Inter Milan.
In fact, Juve are only two points above fifth-placed Napoli, opening them up to the unthinkable possibility of not even qualifying for the Champions League.
Struggling financially due to Ronaldo's wages and the effect of the coronavirus pandemic, Juventus could benefit from offloading the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
- Josh Graham
PROUD BRO
Phil Neville reckons brother Gary showed massive balls in becoming the first critic to slaughter the botched plans for the European Super League.
Proud Nev was digesting the fall-out from his debut as Inter Miami boss last Sunday when news of the chaos brewing filtered over to Florida.
He heard former Manchester United and England full-back Gary pull no punches by instantly blasting greedy Old Trafford chiefs and the rest of the snakes who wanted to rip football apart.
Neville, 44, told SunSport: "Watching my brother speak so passionately about the subject after the game when nobody really knew anything about it, the ins or outs or what the project was all about, he had the courage and bravery to stand up for what was right.
“He probably started the ball rolling and then in the next 24 to 48 hours later, common sense prevailed. The overriding feeling is that a group of people totally misread and had a lack of knowledge of what football means to people in England and Europe.
“Think about all the stances of the fans of the clubs who tried to break away, it made me really proud of where I have grown up.
“The entertainment levels aren’t the same and when you look back in history at the six clubs, their foundations come from working-class people and a group of people made the wrong decision.
“You have to accept their grave misunderstanding and make sure football is in a good place for the next 100 years.”
Credit: Getty - Josh Graham
EDIN OFF
Boca Juniors are a step closer to snapping up Edinson Cavani with the striker reportedly maintaining his desire to leave Europe.
The 34-year-old has hit ten goals in his first and possibly only campaign at Old Trafford, ahead of his contract expiring in June.
Last month, SunSport revealed his desire to hold talks with the club and thrash out his future.
And rumblings of discontent have refused to go away with Cavani's father asserting that he wants to depart Manchester.
According to Argentine outlet Depo, the player recently sat down with United and reiterated his plan to move on.
A return to South America is said to be Cavani's wish, to bring him closer to his family.
Buenos Aires giants Boca Juniors have been linked with a deal and discussions with the club are described as positive.
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