12pm Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Jadon Sancho bid LATEST, Thiago Alcantara ‘chooses Liverpool’, Pogba RETURNS – The Sun
MANCHESTER UNITED continue to pursue Jadon Sancho ahead of their friendly clash with Aston Villa today.
Meanwhile, reports suggest the Red Devils are also keeping an eye on Chelsea star N'Golo Kante as Frank Lampard looks to raise funds for his squad.
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Get all the latest Manchester United news and transfer gossip here…
DONNY TO START
Donny van de Beek is set to start for United today.
RED SERG
According to reports, Manchester United have made a breakthrough to sign Real Madrid left back Sergio Regulion.
The Spaniard spent last season on loan at UEFA Europa League winners Sevilla, where he has impressed massively.
Due to Madrid having Ferland Mendy and Marcelo, Zidane doesn't see Regulion as part of his plans.
Madrid are reportedly set to let the left back leave WITHOUT a buy back clause.
GAME DAY
United face Aston Villa today in a friendly ahead of their Premier League opening fixture next weekend.
LATE ARRIVAL
Manchester United are set to get their Premier League campaign underway next week due to their participation in the later rounds of European competitions.
They were set to face Burnley today, that has since been postponed and they will start their campaign off against Crystal Palace next Saturday.
Manchester City are also set to start their Premier League season next week.
LEAGUE RETURN
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has expressed his excitement for the return of the Premier League.
Solskjaer guided United to a third place finish last season, he had this to say: “Very (excited). Of course, now has been a different pre-season and a different summer but it’s been a quick turnaround and we’re excited, of course.
“We’ve had a few weeks away from each other but then we’ve started again.”
Solskjaer also had this to say about new signing Donny van de Beek: “He’s been training only a couple of days but he’s a bright, bubbly character.
“He wants to learn and the first few signs are positive, not that I doubted that one because I’ve followed him for a few years, of course.
“He’s been a talented youngster and now we felt he was ready to come here. He felt it was the best place to come so, for us, it’s a good transfer.”
THREE’S A CROWD
In the latest Premier League prediction, Manchester United are predicted to finish third once again!
The Red Devils finished in the top four last season with an impressive third placed finish, whilst also reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League.
United still have a lot of work to do to catch city rivals Manchester City.
BALE OUT
According to reports, Manchester United could be set to Bail out Gareth Bale from Real Madrid.
The Red Devils have reportedly admitted defeat in the pursuit of Borussia Dortmund and England star Jadon Sancho and they’re looking for alternatives.
Bale is on the list of possible target alternatives, alongside Juventus’ Douglas Costa and Atletico Madrid’s wonderkid Joao Felix.
Costa and Bale’s injury records will no doubt be a cause for concern in the United camp, both players have had their fair share.
Felix would also be very pricey, with the Portuguese youngster joining the Madrid based club for £116million in 2019.
POGBACK
Manchester United hope to have star midfielder Paul Pogba back for their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace next Saturday.
The Frenchman has been quarantining for two weeks after contracting Covid-19.
Boss Solskjaer said: “Paul’s had a couple of training sessions so he’s lost out on a few sessions because of the virus, of course.
“But Paul is quick to get fit…. hopefully, he’ll be ready for next weekend. I am not 100 per cent sure though.”
TROUBLE IN PARADISE
United legend Gary Neville has warned that the goalkeeping situation could cause problems.
The United legend told Sky: “The idea that Dean Henderson would come into Manchester United and replace David de Gea as No 1 goalkeeper straight away… it won't happen, I can guarantee it won't happen.
“This has got 'problem' written all over it. The one area of the pitch where you need consistency and stability is your goalkeeper.
“You need to know who your No 1 is, you cannot be flip-flopping. It just does not work; I've never seen it work at any club or at international level.
“Where there is a decision to be made about two goalkeepers you have to pick your No 1, go with him and stick with him, even if there is a mistake.
“Once you take David de Gea out of the team and put Henderson in, you may as well forget about De Gea. That's coming from my experiences at United.”
SHAW'S BACK
Luke Shaw is fit ahead of today's pre season friendly against fellow Premier League side Aston Villa.
The left back has struggled with injuries since joining in 2014, only making 139 appearances.
United will be hoping to keep him fit, and hopefully this season they'll be able to see the talent which brought him to the club.
THROWBACK
“Welcome to Manchester! Anthony Martial!”
KANTE TO GO
According to reports, Chelsea's N'Golo Kante is a shock target for Manchester United who are plotting a move.
The midfielders future is unclear with the Blues thought to be open to the idea of shifting him on to make funds available.
Chelsea are reportedly willing to accept an offer of around £55million for the midfielder, the funds would no doubt go on a bid for West Ham's Declan Rice.
FRIENDLY FIRE
United are facing Aston Villa in a friendly this afternoon on a day when their rivals return to Premier League action.
Because of their European exertions, United have been given a 30-day break between seasons.
Villa, on the other hand, were set to play Man City who are also on their 30-day break.
The match kicks off at 2pm TODAY at Old Trafford behind closed doors as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gets one final rule of his squad before United's first Premier League game of the season next weekend.
GOOD MORNING UNITED FANS
Paul Pogba will get fit quickly again for Manchester United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has promised.
The Frenchman has been quarantining for two weeks after contracting Covid-19.
But Solskjaer hopes the 27-year-old will be ready for United's first game of the season against Crystal Palace next Saturday.
The Norwegian said: “Paul’s had a couple of training sessions so he’s lost out on a few sessions because of the virus, of course.
“But Paul is quick to get fit…. hopefully, he’ll be ready for next weekend. I am not 100 per cent sure though.”
Meanwhile. Fred has reminded United fans he is NOT leaving in a rush, despite the signing Donny van de Beek.
The Brazilian told FourFourTwo: “I want to stay here – that's my desire,” he told FourFourTwo.
“I don't want to leave. As I've always said, I want to be an important player and win trophies for this club.
“[Van de Beek's arrival] means we're getting stronger and that's good for everyone at United.
“We need more players for this season because it will be even more demanding: the calendar is crammed and we need a strong squad to compete for every title.
“When you play at a big club, there will always be competition – I'm used to it. It's been like that from day one at United.”
And finally, Marcus Rashford has admitted the challenge of overtaking rivals Liverpool is a huge motivation for Manchester United's players.
He told the Press Association: “I think that's natural for anyone who plays for the club or anyone who's from Manchester.
“We have to use all that as motivation to keep improving as a team.
“But we can't lose sight of what's important, and that's our own team's development and to keep improving.”
NEV-ER SAY NEVER
Gary Neville has explained why United would benefit from signing Thiago Alcantara.
He told 90min: “United weren’t really strongly linked with him and I can see why with Pogba and Fernandes. But watching him play in a two-man midfield for Bayern Munich I don’t think he needs to play in a forward role.
“I think he can play deeper and United’s players in that position – Fred, [Scott] McTominay, [Nemanja] Matic – have all done okay. But if [Thiago] was there… I think he’s clever enough to intercept, read the game and do the things that a holding midfielder can.
“You don’t need to be six feet tall, tackle and quick to play in that position anymore. You just need to be intelligent and understand the game, and he’s got that in abundance.
“I don’t know why United wouldn’t try and get him, particularly if he was going to Liverpool because it would strengthen them.”
UNITED WE STAND
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara has rejoined Burton Albion after leaving the club this summer.
ON YOUR MARCS
Marcus Rashford has admitted the challenge of overtaking rivals Liverpool is a huge motivation for Manchester United's players.
He told the Press Association: “I think that's natural for anyone who plays for the club or anyone who's from Manchester.
“We have to use all that as motivation to keep improving as a team.
“But we can't lose sight of what's important, and that's our own team's development and to keep improving.”
DEVIL MAY CARE
Bayern Munich’s Thiago Alcantara has reportedly snubbed any interest in a move to Manchester United.
The Athletic claim that the 29-year-old is fully focused on agreeing a deal to join rivals Liverpool.
GO MAD
Real Madridare preparing three mega deals in 2021 with Kylian Mbappe, Manchester United target Dayot Upamecano and Eduardo Camavinga reportedly on their radar.
Following a hugely busy summer of 2019, no major signings have been made this time around with the focus on player sales.
But the one year on, one year off pattern will see Real ready the cheque book for 12 months' time with reports of a triple swoop.
According to Spanish newspaper AS, Los Blancos will push hard to sign French trio Mbappe, Upamecano and Camavinga.
Should Madrid fail to land Upamecano, Benoit Badiashile is named as their back-up option with the Monaco defender also interesting Manchester United.
YOU'RE WELCOME
The Premier League returns this weekend, with a host of new names ready to grace England's top division.
Established internationals, as well as newly promoted stars will be ready for the action to get underway.
And they will be cheered on by their stunning partners, who offer just as much glam as they do.
Meet the Wags ready to take the Prem by storm this season including Estelle Bergkamp, the daughter of Arsenal great Dennis, who is the girlfriend of new Manchester United signing Donny van de Beek.
Check the rest out HERE.
PAUL TO PLAY FOR
Manchester United admit Paul Pogba could still miss their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on September 19 following his coronavirus scare.
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has ruled the midfielder out of this Saturday's friendly with Aston Villa after the French World Cup winner missed training sessions because he and his wife tested positive for Covid-19.
Now the 27-year-old's fitness is lagging behind as he had to self-isolate.
Solskjaer told MUTV: “Paul’s had a couple of training sessions, so he’s lost out on a few sessions because of the virus, of course.
“But Paul is quick to get fit…. hopefully, he’ll be ready for next weekend. I am not 100 per cent sure, though.”
FIFA FURY
This is the Fifa 21 card Romelu Lukaku is so unhappy about…
The Belgian striker has dropped from an 86 overall to an 85 following his first season at Inter Milan since leaving Manchester United.
PSY-KICK
Football fans have predicted Liverpool to win a Premier League and FA Cup double… with Harry Kane top scorer.
A poll of 1,000 followers of the sport found seven in ten have had a hunch about a match that turned out to be spot-on.
Although the same amount confessed their pre-game predictions often turn out to be well wide of the mark.
The survey also asked so-called ‘football psychics’ to predict the outcome of the 2020-21 football season – with Liverpool tipped to retain their title – but only just.
Precisely 24.9 per cent of those polled selected Jurgen Klopp’s Reds to win the league again, compared to 24.2 per cent who think Manchester City will wrestle the crown back.
As a result of the survey findings, pub company and brewer Greene King has hired an official ‘PSY-KICK’ to help sports fans predict the outcome of the games at one of its London pubs.
England hero Harry Kane has been tipped to finish the season as the top scorer in the league, according to the OnePoll results.
BREAKING THE ICE
Icelandic stunner Lara Clausen has lifted the lid on exactly what went on during her infamous night with shamed England footballer Phil Foden.
The 19-year-old and her model cousin met with Three Lions debutants Foden and Mason Greenwood in Reykjavik's £55-a-night Radisson Blu Saga Hotel on Saturday night after England's 1-0 win over Iceland.
She revealed to the Mail: “I told him Nadia's probably bigger than you. Then he just kissed me. He didn't reply, I didn't think. I just kissed him back. He was a good kisser.”
After having sex, they were joined again by Nadia and Greenwood, with the complimentary footballers taking videos of the girls.
Lara continued: “We had a lot of fun. Mason was talking about how good my ass was. I felt okay about it. I was fully dressed. He was telling Phil that. I told them I could hear them, and he said yeah, that's okay.
“Phil said I was hot and beautiful and agreed that I had a good ass. I really think he had a good time with me. He talked nicely about me, telling me how beautiful I was. All sorts of things. Then he hugged me and told Mason I was a 'keeper'.”
LUK OF THE DRAW
Former Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku has hit out at his Fifa 21 rating…
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