10pm Man Utd news LIVE: Matondo transfer if Sancho offer fails, Dembele £61.8m fee AGREED, Bellingham LATEST – The Sun
MANCHESTER UNITED are ready for a busy summer on and off the pitch.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will hope to guide the Red Devils to the Champions League as and when the Premier League returns, while Man Utd have reportedly agreed a fee with Lyon for Moussa Dembele.
Follow all the latest updates and transfer news below…
BRAND NEW START
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer feels his exciting youngsters might actually benefit physically from the coronavirus lockdown.
He told Sky:“It's going to be exciting now with the young players, Brandon (Williams) and Mason (Greenwood).
“Maybe the break will do them good, their bodies might fill out, it's a new training environment for them.”
'I'D RATHER GO BROKE'
Troy Deeney has blasted the plans for Project Restart.
Watford’s outspoken skipper has been a key figure in talks among Premier League stars.
And he insists he will not put a return to action before his family’s health — even if it means going broke.
He cannot see how:
Football can return in June if people cannot get haircuts before July.
Penalty areas will be packed while the rest of the nation is social distancing.
Players can be tested regularly for Covid-19 when NHS staff and key workers are short of tests.
Deeney was one of the senior Prem players briefed by medical experts on Covid-19 risks during a conference call on Wednesday.
He said: “I am not even talking about football at the moment — I am talking about my family’s health and that is it.
“What are they going to do, take money off me? I’ve been broke before so it doesn’t bother me.”
MADD TROPHY HUNTER
United and Chelsea target James Maddison is keen for the Premier League to resume and has told Leicester his priority is to win silverware.
The Foxes' once-capped England midfielder, 23, told Arsenal legend Thierry Henry on a Puma Football Instagram Live chat: “It has only really come in the last year or two, but my biggest goal now is to win trophies.
“In my house I have a trophy cabinet and there are… individual awards but no trophies.
“We have Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter finals and hopefully we get to play that.
“My mouth gets wet when I walk around the Leicester training ground and the stadium and see the pictures of them winning the league and here the players talk about it.”
NO HURRY SAYS MURRAY
Brighton's Glenn Murray cannot understand the Premier League’s rush to get back next month.
The striker believes top-flight chiefs should wait to see the impact of easing the lockdown BEFORE staging matches.
Prem players were told in a conference call that plans for phase one of Project Restart include returning to training while still social distancing.
Murray, 36, speaking on Sky’s Football Show, said: “Phase two hasn’t been drawn up yet but I think they’re looking at a mid-June restart for the Premier League.
“Football isn’t a necessity, it’s a game, it’s a sport. What if we go through all this rigmarole of trying to get back and we have a second peak and have to stop anyway?“I can’t understand why we’re in such a rush to get back.
“Why not see how the country deals with stopping the lockdown first before we even start unnecessary sports when people are dying all around us and the death rate is still high?”
SCHAL WE GET HIM?
Man Utd have decided to move for Rabbi Matondo if they are unable to nab Jadon Sancho, according to reports.
The Manchester Evening News states that the Red Devils hierarchy view the former City starlet as a more cost effective option than Sancho, who some sources claim they will not pay more than £60-70m for.
And a fascinating extra dimension to this saga is added by the face that Matondo will take Sancho this weekend as Bundesliga football returns.
Matondo's Schalke head to Dortmund looking to achieve a big upset in the Revierderby.
AWESOME THREE SPIRIT
Gary Neville has claimed the Premier League's best ever attacking three was Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez – but you might be surprised at what the stats for goals and assists say.
One fan has tweeted figures suggesting not even Liverpool's electric current trio of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, nor Arsenal's sparkling spearhead of Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry Robert Pires, can match Chelsea's finest.
And those Blues' triple treaters include a MIDFIELDER in now-manager Frank Lampard, Chelsea's all-time top scorer on 211 goals, who linked up spectacularly with Nicolas Anelka's pace and Didier Drogba's power.
Their feats in2009-10 easily topped the list for a single season – on 101 goals and assists.
Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane were next best with 85 from 2017-18.
Prem table-toppers Salah, Mane and Firmino amassed 82 – three more than the Gunners' trio led by four-time Golden Boot winner Henry in 2002-03.
BALE IN FIRE-SALE?
Gareth Bale could leave Real Madrid on a FREE this summer as Spanish football counts the cost of the coronavirus pandemic, reports say.
MailOnline say ex-Spurs wideman Bale, who has been linked with his old club and Manchester United, and James Rodriguez, another rumoured Old Trafford target, could exit the Bernabeu for nothing
Colombian Rodriguez was sent out on loan to German giant Bayern Munich, while Bale was on the verge of moving to the Chinese Super League side last summer before Real's president pulled the plug.
Rodriguez flourished in the German League, even admitting he wanted to remain there.
And the fire-sale could continue over at fierce rivals Barcelona too.
Philippe Coutinho, Samuel Umtiti, Ousmane Dembele and even £108m signing Antoine Griezmann are among those who could go.
Brazil playmaker Coutinho has been regularly kinked with Chelsea, as well as United, plus old club Liverpool and, recently, Newcastle.
BARGAIN G-RAB
Schalke winger Rabbi Matondo is a bargain back-up target in case United miss out on £100million-rated Jadon Sancho.
That's the claim from the Manchester Evening News, who suggest Old Trafford chiefs regard 19-year-old Matondo as a similar safe option to his Wales colleague Daniel James.
Chelsea have also been linked with Borussia Dortmund's England attacker Sancho, 20, but such a huge summer switch seems less likely now after the coronavirus lockdown hit football's finances.
United have also been linked with a third Wales international, James' ex-Swansea team-mate Joe Rodon, a centre-back aged 22.
Wideman James has surprised many by becoming a Premier League regular in his first season at Old Trafford.
LOOKING BACK IN ANGER
Noel Gallagher claims the Premier League season would have been voided ages ago if it was Manchester City or Chelsea rather than Liverpool who were 25 points clear.
The Oasis star thinks the Reds should have been handed the title by now – but with no relegation and promotion ditched for the Prem and Championship.
He told talkSPORT:“I think it should have been voided weeks ago. Just give them the trophy, they’ve won it anyway.
“The cynic in me think if it wasn’t Liverpool going for the title, if it was City or Chelsea, it would have been voided already.
“I don’t think anybody should go up or go down They should be looking towards next season now.
“If they try and finish this season then the next few seasons are going to be chaos.”
OD DILEMMA
Odion Ighalo's United future looks in the balance – after The Premier League confirmed clubs must complete short-term deal extensions by June 23.
The Nigeria striker, 30, still hopes Shanghai Shenhua will let him stay beyond his loan deal that ends on May 31 – even though they want him back for the start of the Chinese football season.
With United's England frontman Marcus Rashford set to be fully fit when the Prem resumes after the coronavirus lockdown, Old Trafford chiefs might be unwilling to cough up to make Ighalo's move permanent.
So his main hope is a lengthened stay on loan.
MADD FOR SILVERWARE
United and Chelsea target James Maddison is keen for the Premier League to resume and has told Leicester his priority is to win silverware.
The Foxes' once-capped England midfielder, 23, told Arsenal legend Thierry Henry on a Puma Football Instagram Live chat: “It has only really come in the last year or two, but my biggest goal now is to win trophies.
“In my house I have a trophy cabinet and there are… individual awards but no trophies.
“We have Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter finals and hopefully we get to play that.
“My mouth gets wet when I walk around the Leicester training ground and the stadium and see the pictures of them winning the league and here the players talk about it.”
WIDER SCREEN
TV chiefs have been told to “widen” access” for armchair football fans if and when the Premier League season resumes.
Sky and BT Sport are due to 47 of the remaining 92 games – all to be played behind closed doors – on their subscription networks.
SunSport has reported plans to use YouTube channels, Amazon, or the Prem’s own in-house network to allow access to the other 45 matches but they could also go on Sky Freeview channels.
There will be no demand that terrestrial broadcasters show games.
The matches will be set out over seven weekends, with two confirmed midweek dates, now likely to start on Friday June 19, with suggestions the opener will be Spurs’ home match with Manchester United.
Four matches could be played on Saturday and Sunday with staggered kick-offs across the entire afternoon and evening, with a Monday night game as well, although that may be subject to change.
PREM GETS GREEN LIGHT
Culture secretary Oliver Dowden has declared it is now up to football to formulate a return to action in June.
The coronavirus pandemic led to all levels of the game being halted over two months ago, with only the Premier League and Championship likely to see out the season.
On Thursday, Dowden chaired a meeting with chief executives from the Premier League, English Football League and Football Association and described talks as “positive”.
Discussions were also held about “widening access” for fans, in a hint of proposals to make football free-to-air in some capacity while games take place behind closed doors.
Dowden said in a statement: “Today's positive meeting I hosted with the football authorities progressed plans for the resumption of the professional game in England.
“We all agreed that we will only go ahead if it is safe to do so and the health and welfare of players, coaches and staff comes first.
“The government is opening the door for competitive football to return safely in June.
WE'LL PAUL TOGETHER
Paul Pogba joined Anthony Martial, Victor Lindelof and Andreas Pereira for United training as the French World Cup winner looked like he is hungry to return after injury and the coronavirus lockdown.
The Old Trafford quartet observed social distancing rules as they went through drills on a Cheshire pitch.
Thegovernment has now confirmed it is giving the green light for the Premier League to step up plans for restarting full training – with the hope of resuming the remaining 92 games by mid-June.
FOR WHOM DEMBEL TOLLS
Manchester United have reportedly agreed a £61.8m fee with Lyon for striker Moussa Dembele.
The former Celtic and Fulham man was believed to be a top target for Chelsea this summer, but according to Todo Fichajes, United have stolen in to agree a deal.
All three parties are said to be happy with the move, with Lyon needing to sell after being demoted to 7th place – outside the European spots – when the French season was concluded on points-per-game.
ERLING SHOULD RESIST UTD
Robert Lewandowski has urged United and Real Madrid target Erling Haaland to stay at Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern Munich's Poland striker Lewandowski believes the Norway goal-getter, 19, should first focus on improving his all-round game in the Bundesliga.
Lewandowski said: “He has huge potential, but still has time. I don’t want to put any pressure on him with my statements.
“‘If he works hard, he can become a better player and eventually reach the top level.
“Therefore, it might be good for him if he would stay in the Bundesliga longer before taking the next step.”
MOURINHO IN BUND FIGHT
Jose Mourinho urged his fellow managers to “stay home and watch Bundesliga” if they do not want the Premier League to resume.
The Tottenham boss made it clear he is itching to return to the dugout during the League Managers' Association meeting.
According to The Mirror, Mourinho took a cheeky swipe at the managers that do not want football to return yet.
He allegedly told them: “If you don't want to play, stay home and watch Bundesliga!”
BELL CAN TOWER AT OLD TRAFFORD
United are prepared to offer Jude Bellingham first-team football if they land the Birmingham City sensation this summer, according to reports.
SunSport revealed how the Red Devils are preparing to part with £50million to land the 16-year-old midfielder.
And the Standard write that despite his age, boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ready to let him compete with the likes of Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes in United's midfield.
Bellingham has already featured 32 times in the Championship this season.
They hope the lure of playing regularly and offering him the opportunity to develop at the Theatre of Dreams will help fend off their rivals.
RASH-BACK
United star Marcus Rashford has posted a flashback snap from the start of his football journey.
The 22-year-old striker is a regular starter at Old Trafford and he has already been capped 38 times for England, scoring 10 goals.
But behind the talent is a hunger to succeed, as well as loving support from his mum Melanie who has appeared alongside her son on contract signings.
Rashford shared a photo of him receiving a football award aged 10 on Twitter.
Alongside the forward is his friend Travis Johnson who he describes as “an unbelievable talent.
Johnson unfortunately never progressed from the youth ranks at United.
Rashford captioned the photo: “Blessing the timeline with a little throwback this Thursday.”
ONE CLUB MAN
Paul Scholes has been among those who have gotten their clubs out after restrictions on golf clubs were lifted.
The former Old Trafford midfielder posted a short video of his return to the tee on a sunny afternoon.
FUTURE XI
United are relying on talented youngsters to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants Jude Bellingham, Marc Jurado to line up alongside talented youngsters Mason Greenwood and Hannibal Mejbri.
Here is how SunSport predicts they could look in 2025.
YOUNG RASH
Marcus Rashford has shared a throwback pic of himself with a footballing award.
The United striker appears to be 10 or 11 years old as he holds the award alongside a young Trav Johnson, who is no longer at the club.
View this post on Instagram
Blessing the timeline with a little throwback this Thursday ♥️☺️
A post shared byMarcus Rashford (@marcusrashford) on
'DINHO WHAT HAPPENED
Paul Scholes has shed light on Ronaldinho’s last-second decision to sign for Barcelona over United in 2003.
He said: “He was away on pre-season and we were as a close as announcing him and giving him a number, but I think he ended up changing his mind at the last minute and signing for Barcelona.
“It's strange really because we played Barcelona on that pre-season tour.
“We were all excited – Ronaldinho, what a player! I think he was coming from PSG at the time and we were all going to get to play with him and he's going to bring something special.
“Almost like what Eric Cantona brought to the team then three days later, we're playing against him and all trying to kick him because he didn't sign for us.
“It was disappointing but I was lucky enough to play with some great players and he'd have just been another unbelievable player I'd had played with but it just never happened.”
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