Man Utd fans protest against Glazers outside Old Trafford, Tom Heaton EXCLUSIVE, Luke Shaw 'set for bumper pay rise'
MANCHESTER UNITED fans vented their anger against the board on Saturday for their European Super League blunder.
Thousands of supporters were outside Old Trafford yesterday, burning an American flag as they protested against the Glazer family.
Meanwhile, we've the very latest on a potential swoop for keeper Tom Heaton and Luke Shaw is set for a bumper pay rise.
Stay up to date with our blog, below, for all the latest from Old Trafford…
- William Pugh
GOOD MORNING MAN UNITED FANS
Here are your main headlines this Sunday morning:
Thousands of United fans protested against the Glazers outside Old Trafford yesterday, burning an American flag at one stage.
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted the controversial owners will not sell the club – despite their embarrassing European Super League climbdown.
Avram Grant has refused to apologise for the affair – and his perceived lack of respect for the United faithful was certainly recognised in Manchester yesterday.
Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez has warned United and the rest of the so-called 'Big Six' they cannot leave the ESL and the competition still exists.
Although the ESL may not be coming to Old Trafford any time soon, Tom Heaton might as SunSport's Alan Nixon understands the Red Devils have identified the Aston Villa goalkeeper as cover.
And Heaton isn't the only Villa player linked with United as they are said to be tracking wonderkid Carney Chukwuemeka.
- Thomas Blow
GLAZER TAG
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says the Glazers will not walk away from Manchester United after their Super League slapdown.
Hundreds of United fans protested outside Old Trafford on Saturday over the American owners’ involvement in the European Super League.
Solskjaer said: "I think the owners that signed up for this proposal have a job on their hands, of course they have.
"We’ve had an apology from Joel and that’s important. He’s told us how committed he is to helping us go forward.
"Unity and everyone coming together for one common goal is the best way forward."
Manchester United fans protest outside Old Trafford in a bid to remove club’s owners
- Thomas Blow
BLANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND
Thierry Henry hailed his ‘happiest moment’ as English football unites in a stand against racism and all online abuse.
The Prem, EFL and the women’s game will boycott Twitter, Facebook and Instagram over four days next weekend.
From 3pm on Friday, April 30, through to the end of Bank Holiday Monday on May 3, every club will switch off their social media accounts.
Prem legend Henry has been at the forefront of the fight after removing himself from social media last month.
- Thomas Blow
GIGGS' NEW LOVE
Ryan Giggs has found love with a lingerie model — as he waits to appear in court charged with assaulting two women, including his ex-girlfriend.
The former Manchester United star, 47, was seen out with Zara Charles, 33, in Hale, Cheshire, days before he was also charged with coercive and controlling behaviour against ex Kate Greville, 36.
A source said: “Zara has been supporting Ryan over the last few months.
“She’s a great, upbeat girl. Ryan has been completely open with her about his situation. They seem very strong together.”
Giggs was, on Friday, charged with assaulting two women.
One alleged victim is his ex Kate and the other — a woman in her twenties — is believed to be her younger sister.
- Thomas Blow
MANCHESTER LADS
Could you imagine playing for United AND City?
Well, here are just a handful of players that have crossed the Manchester divide during their playing days – including legendary goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.
- Thomas Blow
KYL THE THREAT
United are the only team Kylian Mbappe has faced at least twice this season without managing to score.
Not a bad stat for the Red Devils…
Credit: Getty - Thomas Blow
SHAW TO GET MORE
Luke Shaw is set to receive a reported £40k pay rise.
According to the Daily Star, the United defender will be offered a new £190,000-a-week deal to keep him at Old Trafford until 2026.
Shaw has been one of the team's best players this season, making 40 appearances in all competitions.
Gareth Southgate says Luke Shaw’s passes are beautiful after England win
- Thomas Blow
SIX MORE?
The last time United played Leeds they hammered them 6-2 at Old Trafford.
Will we see a similar scoreline tomorrow?
- Thomas Blow
THE FINAL SIX
United's final Premier League fixtures are as follows:
Tomorrow: Leeds United (a)
Sunday, May 2: Liverpool (h)
Sunday, May 9: Aston Villa (a)
Tuesday, May 11: Leicester City (h)
Saturday, May 15 (TBC): Fulham (h)
Sunday, May 23: Wolves (a)
And here's how they've performed in the league to date…
- Thomas Blow
BIG WIN FOR YOUNGSTERS
United's U18 have beaten Wolves 5-1 at Carrington.
Charlie McNeill and Zidane Iqbal both scored twice and there was also a goal for Dillon Hoogewerf.
The result puts United top of the U18 Premier League North table.
Here's the best of the action…
- Thomas Blow
SECOND PROTEST COMING
Today won't be the last time we'll see United fans complaining about the Glazers.
Rumours on Twitter suggest another protest is scheduled for next Sunday ahead of United's home match against Liverpool.
And as Liverpool fans are also furious at their owners, could we see the two fan bases protesting together?
Stranger things have happened in the last week.
Here is SunSport's report from today's events at Old Trafford.
- Thomas Blow
NEW ERROR
Thousands of 'New Era' Super League football shirts have been put on sale for just £2 after the competition's calamitous collapse.
Last Sunday, it was revealed 12 clubs had signed up for the controversial breakaway tournament.
But by Tuesday, the European Super League was dead in the water after NINE clubs – including all of the Premier League's Big Six – withdrew following an incredible fan backlash.
However, within that 48-hour window, a well-known high street store had designed a 'New Era' football shirt for each of the six English clubs involved.
The unnamed chain bought a staggering 70,000 tops and had planned to sell them for £29.99.
However, Wholesale Clearance UK have now decided to take the jerseys off their hands and try to sell them themselves for just £2, a sensational 93 per cent price slash.
Credit: NC - Thomas Blow
FAN OF THAT
Manchester United star Nemanja Matic has hailed his manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for showing 'we respect our supporters' by confronting angry protesters this week.
A group of fuming fans stormed Carrington on Thursday morning, in protest at the club's decision to break away as part of the European Super League.
The fans brought banners with them, featuring anti-board messages including 'Glazers Out' and '51 % MUFC 20'.
Matic and Solskjaer, as well as ex-players Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher confronted the angry supporters.
And the Serbian, 32, believes that the incident is a 'positive thing'.
He told Sky Sports: "We saw the fans here in our training ground and that was very nice from our manager to decide to go out and speak to them."
Credit: Getty - Thomas Blow
UNITED FANS BURN AMERICAN FLAG
The protest is in full flow at Old Trafford.
A video has emerged on Twitter of United fans burning the American flag.
The protesters are desperate to see the back of their American owners – the Glazers – following the failed European Super League plot.
Here's the video…
- Thomas Blow
COME HERE CHUK
Manchester United and Manchester City are monitoring Aston Villa prodigy Carney Chukwuemeka, reports claim.
The midfielder, 17, is an emerging talent at Villa Park and is edging closer to first-team action, having featured on the bench against City on Wednesday.
And he is very highly rated by his current club, with chief executive Christian Purslow describing Chukwuemeka as 'probably the best 16-year-old in England' last year.
A number of clubs have now joined the Manchester clubs in taking an interest, The Guardian claims.
Monaco, PSV Eindhoven and RB Leipzig are all believed to be tracking the youngster, with the latter no strangers to pinching young English talent.
Juventus and Bayern Munich have also been linked to the wonderkid in the past.
- Thomas Blow
39 YEARS OF WHITESIDE
It's 39 years since Norman Whiteside made his Manchester United debut as a 16-year-old.
The Northern Ireland international went on to become a legend at Old Trafford, winning two FA Cups before joining Everton in 1989.
Injury forced him to retire aged just 26 – yet he remains a cult hero among United fans.
- Thomas Blow
CROWD'S GROWING
Rumours are emerging on Twitter that more people have turned up to the protest.
As many as 5,000 people could be campaigning against the Glazers at Old Trafford.
And the crowd could get very big, very quickly.
Thousands of Arsenal fans protested against Stan Kroenke outside the Emirates last night.
Credit: Twitter @RedIssue - Thomas Blow
3,000 AT OLD TRAFFORD PROTEST
A video of this afternoon's protest has emerged on Twitter, claiming 'at least 3,000' are currently in attendance.
The United Trinity statue of George Best, Denis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton has been covered by scarves and a sign that reads 'GLAZERS OUT'.
Gold and green flares – an ode to the club's original colours – have been lit and famous United chants can be heard.
Here's the breaking news story.
- William Pugh
SOL DESTROYING
Rio Ferdinand has opened up on the ribbing he received from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after his £30million move to Manchester United in 2002.
The England star set a record as most expensive defender ever at the time as he swapped Leeds United for Old Trafford.
And the United dressing room, including current boss Solskjaer, demanded the highest standards immediately.
Speaking to the Mail, Ferdinand revealed that he immediately found passes being fired at his shins in training, as his new team-mates tested his skills. And when one didn't stick, there was hell to pay.
Ferdinand, 42, said: "Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the one who immediately went, '30mill? Really? Wow'.
"It was intimidating but you have to cope. I have seen players walk in for England or United and you can see the fear. They can't deal with it."
- William Pugh
SEEING RED
Manchester United fans have headed to Old Trafford in their droves to protest against the club owners.
Supporters are furious following the foiled plans for the European Super League.
Red Devil fans arranged the protest on Twitter for 3pm on Saturday – exactly 123 years after the club was founded.
Manchester United even shut the Old Trafford megastore earlier in the afternoon ahead of the expected protests.
The loyal fanbase were vocal in their anger towards American owners The Glazers which was further fuelled following the fallout of the ESL.
They set off smoke bombs, chanted against the Glazers and held banners such as 'Glazer Out Now' and 'Enough is Enough.'
- William Pugh
KLOWNING AROUND
Gary Lineker has hit out at Jurgen Klopp for being 'spectacularly tone deaf' over the European Super League fallout.
The Liverpool boss was further asked his thoughts following the fierce backlash and collapse of the money-making farce.
A hundred or so angry Liverpool fans protested against their American owners before kick-off against Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.
Arsenal and Chelsea supporters protested outside their stadiums while a group of Manchester United fans also blocked the player's access to the Carrington training ground – all in protest against the ESL plans.
Klopp was eager to remind supporters that the blame lies only at the feet of the owners while asking the public to 'calm down' with their opinions.
Lineker was far from impressed with Klopp's reasoning and believe the fans have every right to continue making their voices heard.
- William Pugh
RAPH AND READY
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes always talks about rumoured target Raphinha, team-mate Fred has revealed.
The Leeds United winger is reportedly on the Red Devils' radar, having impressed since joining Marcelo Bielsa's side from Rennes. And having played alongside Raphinha at Sporting Lisbon, Fernandes hasn't forgotten his talent.
Fred, who played for Raphinha's boyhood club Internacional, told Man United's official website: "Bruno's been talking about Raphinha ever since he arrived. They played together at Sporting.
“He's a great player having an amazing season and a lot of clubs have their eye on him. I met him recently, great guy, excellent player but… I hope he won't be lining up against us!
"I wish him a quick recovery and a lot of success in his career. He's a stand-out star player for Leeds so, of course, it's better for us if he's not on the pitch.
“If he does play, we'll look to mark him carefully and work on our game-plan as best as possible. We'll try to nullify his threat to come out on top in this game.”
Raphinha and Bruno Fernandes were team-mates at Sporting - William Pugh
'NO TIME TO RELAX'
Mason Greenwood has lauded the impact Marcus Rashford and Edinson Cavani have had on him at Manchester United.
The young forward said: "You couldn’t ask for anyone better with Marcus being in a similar situation that I have, and then there’s Cavani who has won it all.
“He’s played for a number of years and it’s perfect timing for him to come into the club really at the time he did. He’s helped me a lot this season – he speaks to me sometimes and tries to help me work on my heading and stuff like that. He’s a nice lad and I’m very pleased that he’s here.
“You always need the older players in the team who have done it all and then you’ve got the younger players looking up to them and you feed on stuff they’ve done. You just watch them in training and you add it to your game.
“You’ve got the likes of Nemanja [Matic] who has won Premier Leagues with Chelsea, you’ve got Juan [Mata] who has played for many years. You’ve got Bruno [Fernandes] in behind you in that 10 position and he’s always talking, always giving me tips on playing. You’ve got a lot of older players you can just watch and take note of.
“We’re all good players here at United, so there is never time to relax because there could be that kid coming up who wants to take your position; you’ve got to always want to keep fighting. You’ve got to always want to play football and I always want to play for United, and be the player scoring goals for Manchester United.”
- William Pugh
AV THAT UNITED
Avram Glazer refused to apologise to Manchester United fans over the European Super League plot.
And when asked whether he will sell the club, the Red Devils co-chairman 'snapped' in response. The Mirror tracked down the American near his £16million six-bedroom mansion in Palm Beach, Florida.
He was approached by a reporter as he visited a pharmacy in a black t-shirt, grey jeans and red trainers while driving his big, white Jeep Wrangler.
Glazer, 60, had not been seen since his club confirmed their intention to join the controversial breakaway competition last Sunday and subsequent withdrawal within 48 hours.
The Mirror reporter repeatedly asked him if he wanted to say sorry to fans – but he declined.
He was then asked if he would sell United following the debacle but the report adds he snapped back: "No comment." Glazer got into his car alongside wife Jill and sped off and returned home.
- William Pugh
'READY TO FIGHT'
Manchester United star Mason Greenwood says there's still more to come from him at Old Trafford.
The striker is enjoying an excellent run of form in the team of late, scoring four times in his last three Premier League games.
And he thanked former United academy graduates like Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay and Jesse Lingard for their impact on his career.
He said: "I’ve come a long way really. I always knew I could take the pressure, take it into the first team.
“It’s been a good journey and there have been lots of ups and downs. But I’m only 19 and I’m ready to carry on fighting for the badge and for United. I had Marcus and Scott, Jesse and Paul [Pogba], the likes of them coming up through the academy.
“It’s them just leaving little footprints behind you that you’ve got to follow, do what they did and take it in your stride really and when you come up to the first team it’s like a family anyway, so you just do what you do.”
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