8am Man Utd news LIVE: Sancho UPDATE, Van de Beek transfer agreement CONFIRMED, Gomes set to leave, Grealish BOOST – The Sun
MANCHESTER UNITED will be looking to do the quadruple over Chelsea after drawing Frank Lampard's men in the FA Cup semi-final.
Meanwhile Jack Grealish is reportedly close to buying a new home near Carrington, fuelling rumours that he will move to Old Trafford in summer.
Follow ALL of the latest United news here…
GOOD MORNING MAN UNITED FANS,
Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are being told to up their game – or risk United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer bringing in striking reinforcements.
Despite the duo enjoying their best season so far, amid a 14-game United unbeaten run, Solskjaer said:: “We’re too far away from where we need to be and want to be.”
United can leapfrog Wolves into fifth spot if they win at Brighton in the Premier League on Tuesday night.
And the Norwegian added: “If you think you’ve got a divine right to be playing every game and are doing so well that we’re not going to look for players to replace you, you’re in the wrong place.
“You need competition for places at Man United.”
But Aston Villa's England hopeful Jack Grealish – for so long United's top summer transfer target – is now also being linked with neighbours City.
And Solskjaer admits they could lose midfielder Angel Gomes, 19, whose unwillingness to sign a new contract at Old Trafford has alerted Chelsea.
United are letting keeper Dean Henderson and centre-back Chris Smalling stay on loan for the extended season at Sheffield United and Roma respectively.
IS ROY STILL AZ KEANE?
United legend Roy Keane is in talks with Azerbaijan about becoming their new national team boss.
The fiery TV pundit is willing to get back into management after a spell on the sidelines following his departure from the Republic of Ireland set-up.
And the wealthy state have made former Manchester United legend Keane their first choice to lead them in the Nations League.
Azerbaijan have been promoted to Group C and have a chance of qualifying from that as they try to get on the map.
The terms are attractive but Keane may have to be persuaded to take the post as he wants to be sure his next job is right.
Azerbaijan are pushing for an answer in the next 48 hours as their search for Nikola Jurcevic's successor comes to a head.
A source close to the Azerbaijani FA confirmed Keane is their top choice.
EVEN TOP MARC MIGHT NOT BE ENOUGH
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has warned his United strike duo: Up your game or I’ll buy replacements.
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are enjoying their best season in front of goal with 19 strikes each.
United are also on a 14-game unbeaten run going into tonight’s Premier League clash at Brighton.
Yet boss Solskjaer said: “We’re too far away from where we need to be and want to be.
“We have always got to look at improving and if they don’t improve, we might have to look somewhere else to get better because we have to be better.”
MARTIAL'S LIKE THIERRY AND ME
United legend Dwight Yorke has compared Anthony Martial to all-time Premier League great Thierry Henry – and claims Marcus Rashford is under-rated.
Yorke said:“Anthony reminds me of myself and Thierry Henry in the way he has started his career playing out wide before developing into someone who can play down the middle, while Marcus does not get the credit for how intelligent a player he is.
“He is the perfect partner for Anthony in that he can play just off him as a number ten and drop into the pockets, going long or short or floating wide off much like I did with Andy Cole.
“Not that he has to be stuck in that role because he can also run beyond Anthony to get his goals too.”
RASH IS DWIGHT HOT
Dwight Yorke believes Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are on course to emulating his legendary United strike partnership with Andy Cole.
He said: “I can see a good bond developing between the two and good connection.
“Of course both will like to score and they know as forwards they get judged on that but as you saw against Sheffield United Marcus looked just as pleased to have set Anthony up for two of his goals as well.
“The key is building on that understanding but also having the faith of the manager who looks to have said to them ‘you are my front two’ and given them their heads to go out and do it.”
BLUE ANGEL
Chelsea will exploit Manchester United inability to keep Angel Gomes by offering him a lucrative deal, reports say.
The Independent claim Blues boss Frank Lampard is keen on the attacking midfielder, 19.
And United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed Gomes is set to leave.
Super-agent Pini Zahavi is said to be leading the discussions to find Gomes a new club.
He has been contacted by clubs from Germany, Spain, Italy and Portugal.
Hamburg, Valencia and Benfica are understood to be prime contenders for his signature.
NOT THE HEND YET
United keeper Dean Henderson is staying at Sheffield United for the rest of the extended season.
The former England Under-21 was due to return on June 30.
But top-four hopefuls the Blades have now kept one of their key players, following long talks with United.
With Old Trafford No1 David De Gea's form again a topic of huge discussion, there had been calls from some fans and pundits for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to turn to the 23-year-old.
But Blades' chief Chris Wilder will be delighted to keep Henderson, who also helped them get promoted last season.
CITY JOIN JACK CHASE
Manchester City are reportedly plotting a swoop for Jack Grealish – if Bayern Munich cough up the £50million asking price for Leroy Sane.
Neighbours Manchester United have been long-term admirers of the Aston Villa attacker and are expected to launch a move once the transfer window re-opens.
But City boss Pep Guardiola has already described the 24-year-old as “one of the best players in the league” and admitted he was a “big fan” of the playmaker.
The ex-Barcelona coach says he is not looking for a like-for-like Sane replacement – but The Telegraph claim Grealish is a player he views as someone who could “operate in central midfield and an attacker”.
And with the addition of him boosting their homegrown quota, City may move if they sell Sane to Bayern.
SANCHEZ DOUBT
Man Utd and Inter Milan have failed to agree a loan extension over Alexis Sanchez.
Sanchez has spent the season on loan in Serie A but hardly set it alight.
United chiefs see the Chilean's massive £505,000-a-week wages as a huge drain on the club.
Inter supremo Beppe Marrotta has expressed his frustration at how slowly talks are progressing.
The Italian side also have Chelsea's Victor Moses, while Ivan Perisic is on loan at Bayern Munich.
He said: “This is a great regulatory anomaly that needs to be resolved because we are still dealing with Chelsea and Manchester United today to try to extend their loans.
“It is not a beautiful thing. We are also dealing with Bayern Munich over Ivan Perisic.”
TEAM NEWS
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to have a fully-fit contingent for tomorrow night's Premier League trip to Brighton.
The Norwegian boss revealed his squad had pulled up well after their FA Cup exertions on Saturday.
He told club media: “Apart from, of course, the after-effects of the physical work-out and coming back late, they had a recovery day yesterday and today will be an easy day and we’re just preparing for tomorrow.
“I think the buzz and the energy that the win and a semi-final place will give you will help us tomorrow night.”
TELLY GOLD
Manchester United's FA Cup triumph over Norwich set a post-resumption TV audience record.
The Red Devils edged past the Canaries 2-1 thanks to a late goal in extra time from skipper Harry Maguire on Saturday to set up a semi-final clash with Chelsea.
Some 6.4m viewers were watching on BBC1.
A further 1.7m streamed the match online on the BBC's website.
NOT OVER UNDER
Man Utd remain in the hunt for Roma winger Cengiz Under.
Spurs, Everton and West Ham are some of the others linked with the 22-year-old.
Under is considered a cheaper alternative to Jadon Sancho.
Roma want around £32m for him.
FINAL BELL
Man Utd will lose out to Borussia Dortmund on landing Jude Bellingham because of a lack of assurances over playing time, according to reports.
The Birmingham wonderkid can officially sign his first professional contract with the German giants today as he celebrates his 17th birthday.
Bellingham has been locked in a transfer tug-of-war between the two sides as he decides on his next move.
And it appears Dortmund have convinced him to take the leap of faith in the Bundesliga after the two clubs reportedly agreed a fee believed to be in the region of £25million with significant future incentives.
The Brummie-born superstar believes he will handed more first-team opportunities in Germany as he looks to progress his career, write the Mirror.
Jadon Sancho's impact has played a key part in his decision with the winger leaving Man City for Dortmund as a 17-year-old in 2017.
The England ace is now one of the most sought-after players in world football after starring on the big stage.
Bellingham is heading in the same direction with the ace tipped to martial England's midfield for years to come.
KEANE DEFENDS ALEXIS
Roy Keane has launched a blistering defence of Man Utd flop Alexis Sanchez and how much he is paid.
The £505,000-a-week Chilean is currently on loan at Inter Milan.
His future remains up in the air, but Keane believes his critics have treated him too harshly, overegging the important of his salary.
He told the Irish Independent: “I don’t know why anyone would ever be worried at what players are getting.
“The first thing you mention to me is his wages. What’s his wages got to do with me and you?
“Other people are overpaid. In the media. Actors have a bad movie and they make 20 million dollars but I don’t hear people criticise them. ‘Oh, but they made a good one two years ago.’
“The bottom line is the club gave him the wages, the club agreed the contract and a contract is there to be honoured.
“He’s having a difficult spell.
“A lot of players will have difficult spells. But I certainly wouldn’t look at a player who is on X amount and get angry.”
MARC MY WORDS
Solskjaer has backed Marcus Rashford to get back among the goals as Manchester United prepare for tomorrow's trip to Brighton.
Red Devils' stars have been snapped arriving at Carrington as their boss puts the finishing touches on their preparation for another crucial Premier League match.
On Rashford, Solskjaer said: “Of course, Marcus has been out for a while, but I think he's looked sharp.
“I think he came on and looked sharp again against Norwich.
“Sheffield United he did miss, yeah, one or two chances, but the goals he created I think that is what we are focusing on and I think Marcus is on his way to his best season ever at Man United.
“So, for me, I'm just looking forward to him getting more and more minutes. He will definitely score a goal soon.”
SNAP HIM UP
Chelsea and Real Madrid are among some of the clubs linked to Angel Gomes.
Solskjaer said this morning that, barring a last minute deal, the 19-year-old will leave the club.
SunSport had told you how Gomes was offered a £30,000-a-week deal to stay.
Chelsea are currently the 4-1 favourites with the bookies to sign Gomes.
PSG and Barcelona come next with, with LaLiga rivals Real Madrid a 10-1 price to land him.
Man City and Liverpool are also rumoured to be interested in a deal.
SMALL STEPS
Reports in Italy claim Man Utd and Roma have reached an agreement on the future of Chris Smalling.
Il Tempo say United will allow the Serie A side to keep the England defender until the end of the league season.
Both sides remain in the Europa League.
There is a chance Smalling could play against his parent club as things stand.
For that reason, it is claimed bosses will hold crunch talks over his future once more ahead of the Europa League resuming on August 5.
RECORD SIGNING
Odion Ighalo wrote his name into the Manchester United history books after equalling a scoring record set 95 years ago.
Until the weekend, no Red Devil had scored on their first four competitive starts for the club since local lad Jimmy Hanson back in 1925.
But that wait was over on Sunday afternoon when Ighalo smartly shinned home an effort past Tim Krul in the Norwich net to give United the lead at Carrow Road.
The signing of the 30-year-old was widely mocked at the time, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having loaned in a striker form Shanghai Shenhua who scored just one goal in 18 appearances for Watford in his most recent Premier League campaign.
Ighalo is yet to establish himself in the Norwegian's starting XI in the league, having only featured for a grand total of 52 minutes over six substitute appearances.
But he has well and truly announced himself as a man for the cups, netting all five of his goals in the Europa League and FA Cup.
RIO ROCKET
Rio Ferdinand reckons Dean Henderson could have done more to prevent Arsenal nabbing a late winner against Sheffield United.
The Gunners narrowly defeated the Blades 2-1 in the dramatic FA Cup quarter-final at Bramall Lane, thanks to Dani Ceballos’ first goal in the competition.
Mikel Arteta’s side, whose defending has looked shaky in previous fixtures, secured their victory after Ceballos, 23, squeezed a shot past Henderson's near post.
And Ferdinand, 41, reckons the Manchester United loanee keeper, 23, should have provided more protection for the Blades at their near post.
The Red Devils icon told BT Sport: “I spoke about this a while ago, as a defender I would be very upset with the keeper there.
“I'm saying to the keeper 'the front post, nothing goes through the front post.
“The goalkeeper union might suggest something different but when I was playing that was how I used to feel.”
A SHAW THING?
Solskjaer says he has been impressed with Luke Shaw and could start him in the clash against Brighton.
Ole said this morning: ” We manage a squad, we manage players differently and Luke has had a good upturn in form. He's playing some good football, let's see if he starts this one.”
ANGEL HAS FALLEN
Angel Gomes is all set to leave Manchester United tomorrow after the club could not agree a new deal.
Despite months of negotiations, Solskjaer revealed there has been no progress, despite reports of a £30,000-a-week offer for the 19-year-old.
Asked if Gomes would remain at the club, the United manager said: “I’ve got no news – nothing. So it doesn’t look it.
“I’ve not heard from them (the club) last night or this morning, so it seems like they haven’t managed to agree.
“So the answer is probably short and yes (he’s going to leave).”
Gomes has been linked with moves to Barcelona and Chelsea.
Of course, there is still for a late deal to be completed.
But going by Solskjaer's words, it appears the club will not be going all out to get Gomes to stay.
THE ONE FER US
Man Utd are ready to “make a firm transfer offer” for Valencia’s Ferran Torres, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes.
The 20-year-old’s agent has “been in contact” with United for some time, it has been claimed.
The winger's relationship with the club hierarchy has said to have soured in recent months following a falling out with the ex-manager.
Torres – no relation to Fernando – has been at Valencia since he was six and would command a fee of around £35m, making him a much cheaper option than Jadon Sancho.
JIMENEZ HAPPY WITH MAN UTD LINKS
Wolves hero Raul Jimenez says it's “good to know” he is being linked with a £90m move to Man Utd.
Spurs, Man City and Juventus have all checked out the Molineux ace.
Nuno Espirito Santo is determined to keep hold of the forward beyond this season.
And Jiminez told Telemundo: “First of all I am very happy here with the Wolves.
“I am in a place where from the first moment we made an incredible connection.
“I am no stranger to all that, every day a new team comes out, every day a new offer comes out, I do not know how many millions.
“It is good to know that they are talking about you, but what I have to do to make that happen is to continue doing my job here with the Wolves.”
BEEK BOOST
Man Utd have been given a huge boost in their pursuit of Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek.
Manager Erik ten Hag revealed there is an agreement in place between the player and the Dutch club that he can leave this summer.
Former United keeper Edwin van der Sar recently confirmed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's interest in the star.
Ten Hag said: “Based on their performance and ambition, a number of our players also want to make the move abroad.
“Agreements have been made with Andre Onana, Donny van de Beek and Nicolas Tagliafico, but it remains to be seen whether the market is indeed breaking loose.
“For Onana and Van de Beek, another year of Ajax could certainly be an option, for Tagliafico it is slightly different because of his age.”
AL UP IN THE AIR
Man Utd and Inter Milan have failed to agree a loan extension over Alexis Sanchez.
Sanchez has spent the season on loan in Serie A but hardly set it alight.
United chiefs see the Chilean's massive £505,000-a-week wages as a huge drain on the club.
Inter supremo Beppe Marrotta has expressed his frustration at how slowly talks are progressing.
The Italian side also have Chelsea's Victor Moses, while Ivan Perisic is on loan at Bayern Munich.
He said: “This is a great regulatory anomaly that needs to be resolved because we are still dealing with Chelsea and Manchester United today to try to extend their loans.
“It is not a beautiful thing. We are also dealing with Bayern Munich over Ivan Perisic.”
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