Man Utd Haaland transfer latest, Van de Beek and Rabiot 'swap proposed', Sancho pursuit UPDATE, Granada win reaction
MANCHESTER UNITED picked up a handy 2-0 win in their Europa League quarter-final first leg at Granada after goals from Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils could swap struggling midfielder Donny van de Beek with Juventus star Adrien Rabiot.
And we have the latest updates on chases of Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho.
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Stay up to date with our blog, below, for all the latest from Old Trafford…
- Dylan Terry
MOURINHO ON SPURS V MAN UTD
Spurs boss Jose Mourinho has reflected upon his side's 6-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford earlier this season, insisting it has no bearing on the reverse fixture this weekend.
He said: "I believe that 6-1 doesn't reflect the reality. It can happen. Of course it can happen, between two great, the results they can happen in an isolated way.
"I go much more in the direction of the other two previous matches between us and United.
"We lost 2-1 at Old Trafford, with the penalty, and we draw 1-1 at home last season, also with a penalty. I think this is more the reality. We are not far from each other so I think it is going to be a difficult match for both.
"If Solksjaer is going to use that result I don't know. If it was the opposite. If it was my team losing 6-1 to them I would just say to my guys that it happened once and it's not going to happen twice. This doesn't reflect the reality.
"The game is going to be tight and we can win, but I don't know, maybe Solksjaer has different things."
- Dylan Terry
HAALAND OR KANE?
Among this debate around Harry Kane and a possible move to Manchester United, there is also the question as to whether they would consider moving for Erling Haaland this summer.
Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves had that conversation last night…
- Dylan Terry
SOLSKJAER ON KANE
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has spoken about Spurs star Harry Kane as Man Utd prepare to come up against him this weekend.
Kane, 27, is being linked with a move away from north London at the end of the season.
And Solskjaer could not be more complementary about the brilliance he possesses.
He said: "When you're playing against one of the best centre forwards in European football, of course it’s something that we prepare for.
"I think every team when they play Tottenham or England, you know Harry Kane's qualities.
"But we prepare the defenders for every single opponent.
"The season that Son and Kane have had, their relationship is one of Tottenham's strengths and they have other quality players we have to be aware of."
Credit: PA
- Dylan Terry
MAN UTD BACK CORONAVIRUS PASSPORT
Manchester United have officially declared their support for the Premier League's decision to write to Boris Johnson in a bid to back vaccine passports to pack out stadiums this summer.
The footy body and other major sports groups including the England and Wales Cricket Board, Wimbledon and the RFU told the PM and other party leaders ‘Covid certificates’ are needed to ditch social distancing in stadiums.
And the Red Devils have now released their own statement on the matter.
Collette Roche, Manchester United Chief Operating Officer, said: “Manchester United fully endorses the open letter signed by a range of sports governing bodies, including the Premier League.
“We support the ongoing work of the Premier League and DCMS to deliver a timetable and a framework for the safe return of our fans.
“We have worked closely with the Premier League as they negotiate the challenges, consult with medical experts and review the different options open to them.”
Credit: Getty – Contributor - Dylan Terry
DEATH OF PRINCE PHILIP
Manchester United's official Twitter account have just sent out their condolences following the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke Of Edinburgh.
- Dylan Terry
READY TO JO
So, earlier today defender Joachim Andersen – on loan at Fulham from Lyon – was linked with a permanent move to Manchester United at the end of the season.
What do we think of that Red Devils fans? Has he impressed you enough in the Premier League so far in the 2020-21 campaign?
Credit: Jamie McPhilimey – The Sun - Dylan Terry
LEVEL HEADED
Paul Pogba remained level headed this morning despite Man Utd's positive result last night.
Here's what he said:
- Dylan Terry
THE UNITED WAY
Eric Cantona has written and will star in a new documentary about the 'epic' history of Manchester United.
The Old Trafford legend, 54, lends his voice to a new film – taking on the role of narrator – set for release next month.
- Dylan Terry
OLE BACKS FERNANDES
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has backed Bruno Fernandes after he controversially won his side a penalty against Granada on Thursday.
He said: "To be honest, I haven't seen it, just seen his eye when he came on, he got hit.
"Mick Phelan was sat behind me in the dugout and he said he took one in the face, so it's a clear penalty.
"I've not seen it, I've got to say. His eye is red and to score with just one eye open is also a skill!"
Credit: Getty
- Dylan Terry
BEEK ON THE BRINK
Manchester United legend Gary Neville is confused by Donny van de Beek's inability to establish himself at Old Trafford.
Who else agrees?
- Dylan Terry
RASHFORD AND POGBA INJURY UPDATES
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given an update on the fitness of Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba following their win in Granada.
Speaking to MUTV after the match, he said: “Marcus, as we spoke about, his foot is a bit sore. Paul had a bit of a niggle but we should be okay."
Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd - Dylan Terry
'LUCKY BRUNO'
Paul Scholes feels Bruno Fernandes was 'lucky' to win a penalty for Manchester United in their 2-0 win over Granada last night.
He told BT Sport: "[Fernandes] makes a meal of it I think he's lucky to get the penalty. Lucky to score it as well as the goalkeeper should do better.
"You know when it's given and it goes to VAR [that] they're going to give it because it's not a clear and obvious error and he has touched him, so there's no way they were going to overturn it.
"Fernandes does very well to get the penalty, they'll be very disappointed.
"He was just feeling where his player is and the ball's nowhere near him anyway.
"It was always [Edinson] Cavani going to get the header. Fernandes was very clever and he's fooled the referee and he's fell for it."
- Dylan Terry
MAKING THEIR MARC
Has Marcus Rashford's stunning finish last night put him in pole position for a starting place in Gareth Southgate's England side for Euro 2020.
- Dylan Terry
SPURRED ON
Turning their attention away from Europe, Man Utd now focus on the trip to Tottenham this weekend.
Will they remain scarred from the 6-1 hammering Jose Mourinho's side gave them at Old Trafford earlier this season.
A lot has changed since then…
Credit: Ian Hodgson – Daily Mail - Dylan Terry
NEVILLE NAMES MAN UTD TRANSFER PRIORITIES
Gary Neville has named the three positions Manchester United need to add to in the summer transfer window.
Answering a Q&A on Friday, he simply said: "Centre back, striker and right winger."
Do you agree?
Credit: Getty
- Dylan Terry
PAUL-ING FOR HAALAND
Paul Scholes has backed Manchester United to sign Erling Haaland this summer.
Asked about a United bid on BT Sport, the former midfielder explained: "I think they probably would, why not? I think it's about the club who can pay for him. I don't think there's too many of them.
"You think of Real Madrid and Barcelona, all the noises you hear. They probably couldn't pay that type of money. Man City look like they don't want to pay that type of money.
"To be fair, they very rarely play with a No9 anyway. Even with [Sergio] Aguero and Gabriel Jesus, he's hardly played them. So is that the type of player that Guardiola wants? I'm not sure it is.
"It's a player United will be desperate for, Chelsea will be desperate for. They're probably the two clubs who I think could probably afford it this summer."
- Dylan Terry
'NOT A PERFECT NIGHT'
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists his side's 2-0 win over Granada in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final 'was not the perfect night'.
The Red Devils all but completed the job in 90 minutes in Spain, but the Norwegian remained reserved after the game.
"It was not a perfect night," he told BT Sport.
"We got three yellow cards and three suspensions. 2-0 is very good result. We know how difficult it is to come to Spain. We've got to play well to get a result.
"Same as always [attitude for next week]. We want to win every game. It’s still a young team, a learning team."
Credit: Reuters - Dylan Terry
ED-ING TO BOCA
Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani is 'closer than ever' to joining Boca Juniors at the end of the season, according to ESPN.
The Uruguyan is out of contract at Old Trafford come the summer and is set to look for a move away from England.
And Boca look to be unquestionably the front-runners to secure his services.
Credit: AP - Dylan Terry
SHAW THING
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given an update on the fitness of both Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford.
"I had to protect Luke but I think and hope he should be okay for the weekend. Marcus: fantastic goal, great pass by Victor [Lindelof], great run, the skill to take it down like this, we've seen it a few times before and that's a top, top quality goal.
"It was an important goal, the second one there, because a 1-0 lead, losing three players is not a good position to be in. I don't think we deserved those five yellow cards or however many we got, but that's happened. Delighted with the result, of course.
"It's the same thing as before [with Rashford]. He's not recovered from it and hopefully it's not gotten any worse from this, because he lasted 70 against Brighton, 65 now, so hopefully he's ready. I think he should be ready for Sunday and the goal is exceptional.
"Marcus is someone we have to protect but he was ready and he was vital for us today."
Credit: Getty - Dylan Terry
THREE AND OUT
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be without THREE key players for the Europa League quarter-final second leg against Granada.
The Red Devils boss saw centre-back Harry Maguire, left-back Luke Shaw and midfielder Scott McTominay all booked during the 2-0 win.
It means the Norwegian will face something of a defensive crisis at Old Trafford next Thursday.
Eric Bailly would usually be next in line to start alongside Victor Lindelof, but the Ivorian tested positive for coronavirus during the international break.
It is not known when he tested positive and when he will be clear to play again.
That could potentially see Solskjaer selecting Axel Tuanzebe, who has started just ONE game all season.
- Dylan Terry
HENDS DOWN
Dean Henderson is now Manchester United's No1, according to Paul Scholes.
"It's always awkward when you try and keep two goalkeepers happy.
"Who is the No1 here? Ole is saying both which is clearly wrong. With David de Gea's wife having a baby, it gave Ole the chance to make Henderson number one.
"I think No1 plays in Premier League but has Henderson totally convinced Ole?
"I think he has a big chance but I don't think he has these five or six games he's played.
"What David de Gea did for 4-5 years, United could have been a mid-table team without him. I wouldn't completely write him off."
- Dylan Terry
FORGET ABOUT HAALAND
What do we make of Jamie O’Hara’s comments that Man Utd are ‘not good enough’ for Erling Haaland?
“They can’t get Haaland – because they’re not good enough,” he told talkSPORT. “Why is he going go to Man United? Why?
“It’s alright needing him, but you’ve got Real Madrid, Barca, Man City. They need him.
“[United] paid £100m for Paul Pogba and he’s gone there thinking they’re gonna go to the next level. And it hasn’t worked and he’s been trophyless. Haaland’s not going to go to Manchester united and be thinking ‘We might win something, we might not, he’s going somewhere where he might win everything.”
Credit: Getty - Etienne Fermie
MORNING MAN UNITED FANS
The Red Devils have all-but secured their passage into the Europa League semi-finals after beating Granada 2-0 in their quarter-final first leg.
Marcus Rashford broke the deadlock in the first half in Spain, before Bruno Fernandes tucked in a penalty in second half stoppage time.
Commenting on the result, boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: "It was not a perfect night. We got three yellow cards and three suspensions. 2-0 is a very good result.
"We know how difficult it is to come to Spain. We've got to play well to get a result."
In other news, the Red Devils are reportedly exploring a swap deal involving Declan Rice and Jesse Lingard after ‘talks on England duty’.
David Moyes has warned it would take bids in excess of £100MILLION to sign him.
But according to The Athletic, Man Utd are keen to discuss a swap deal involving Lingard in order to tempt the Hammers into selling their star man.
Meanwhile, Marcus Rojo wants to use FISHING as bait to persuade Edinson Cavani to follow in his footsteps and quit Old Trafford for Boca Juniors.
The ex-Man Utd defender said: “I promised to take him fishing if he comes here.
“He loves fishing, he’s always going on about it. He has a lake near his home and was always trying to get me to go out with him.”
And finally, United have shortlisted Juventus winger Dejan Kulusevski as a potential summer transfer target.
The 20-year-old has struggled for first team football with the Old Lady this term.
And United are said to be thinking about trying to prise him away from Italy, according to journalist Daniele Longo.
- Jake Lambourne
IRN BRU
- Jake Lambourne
BRUNO FERNANDES – 7
Made himself busy as he tried to create in tight spaces among the home side's densely packed half.
Put through on goal by Dan James with eight minutes to go but missed from close range. Replays show he would have been offside anyway.
Won a late penalty when he was struck in the face by Yan Brice Eteki. Got up, hit it bottom left and it somehow squeezed under the keeper who should have saved it.
DANIEL JAMES – 5
Found it difficult to get going on the right hand side in the first half. Had a little more joy in the second-half when he switched to the left flank.
Set up Fernandes for a big chance in the last ten minutes which the Portuguese missed. All in all a fairly quiet evening.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 8 (subbed 65mins)
Limited to half chances until he opened the scoring as Granada sat deep, but excellent run and delightful touch to pluck Lindelof's long ball out the sky before stabbing it past the on rushing keeper on the half hour mark.
Showed no sign of the ankle problem that threatened to keep him out of this game but was taken off just past the hour mark with his team looking comfortable.
MASON GREENWOOD – 5 (subbed, 84mins)
Limited to very few touches in the first half by the deep-lying hosts.
Started drifting out to the right to try and get on the ball but was quickly snuffed out. Not much more luck after the break.
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