Man Utd news LIVE: Takeover latest as US investors ready to BACK Glazers, Sabitzer's cryptic message, Bellingham BLOW | The Sun
ELLIOT Management are open to financing £2billion worth of upgrades at Manchester United amid fears the Glazers could stay at the club.
Qatar's Shiekh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe have made offers to purchase the Premier League giants.
But while both parties await a response from Raine Group, an offer to finance the upgrade of Old Trafford has arisen from American investors Elliott Management.
Meanwhile, United fans believe that Marcel Sabitzer wants to join the club permanently following a cryptic post on Instagram.
The Red Devils have received a blow in their pursuit of Jude Bellingham as Real Madrid have made the England international their top target.
And Manchester United take on West Ham in the fifth round of the FA Cup TONIGHT.
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- Joshua Mbu
More Neville
He told The Overlap: "I think Raya would interest United in the summer.
"I went to watch Brentford a couple of weeks ago… I think he’s going to become available, he’s only got a year left.
"I think he could step up."
Neville, however, did insist that being the goalkeeper at Old Trafford is the "most difficult position in English football" and that Raya would need to be ready for the scrutiny that he would come under.
He added: "It is a problem that. I’ve said it’s the single most difficult position in English football being the Manchester United goalkeeper. I genuinely believe that. I think Liverpool’s number one is the second.
"And that’s not to be disrespectful to all other clubs, I think the Manchester United goalkeeper comes under more scrutiny if they make a mistake than any other position in English football on the pitch.
"It’s tough! And I’ve seen lads in that goal [struggle]. That’s the problem they’ve got. It’s whether [a new goalkeeper] can handle that stadium."
- Joshua Mbu
Neville has his say on most difficult position
Gary Neville believes that David Raya would be the ideal replacement for Man United goalkeeper David de Gea.
The Brentford goalkeeper has rejected two contract offers and is believed to be interested in move away from the club this summer.
Neville thinks that Raya has the attributes to be able to make the step up to the Red Devils in order to step in to De Gea's spot.
De Gea is set to be handed a new contract at Old Trafford as a reward for his brilliant performances this season.
But Neville reckons that the club should still be looking for a replacement.
Credit: Alamy - Joshua Mbu
What Ronaldo said to Mane after Bayern transfer
Sadio Mane has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo told him that leaving Liverpool for Bayern Munich last summer was a "great step".
The Senegal superstar, 30, quit Anfield after six years in 2022 having helped the club win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Super Cup and Club World Cup.
Speaking to BILDSport, Mane said: "That says everything about the Bundesliga and underlines what I've already said: I think you underestimate the Bundesliga here.
"The recent performances in the Champions League prove that.
"I met Cristiano Ronaldo in Mallorca before this season after my move was completed.
"He congratulated me and told me: 'A great club. This is a great step for you.'"
- Henry Tomlinson
More from Fernandez
The defender also singled out Alejandro Garnacho for taking his chance at Old Trafford.
He added: “He has been given the vote of confidence that a young player needs. He has grabbed it in an incredible way.
“He has scored goals, laid on assists. I’m very happy for him.
“Against Barcelona he did well in the minutes that the coach gave him.”
Credit: Getty - Henry Tomlinson
Martinez the 'most surprising'
Man United star Lisandro Martinez has been called the most surprising by out-on-loan star Alvaro Fernandez.
He told AS: “The truth is that I did not train with him much, but Lisandro Martínez.
“I was with him in pre-season and we said, ‘where did he come from?!’ He is short, low-centre of gravity, but very forceful.
“He’s doing amazing.”
Credit: Getty - Henry Tomlinson
Rashford or Saka
Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit has revealed that he would "love" to have both Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford in the same team.
But he did insist that he prefers Saka over the Man United ace.
Petit told Premier League Odds via Football365: “I would love to have them both on my team.
“Marcus Rashford was so miserable last season and he was losing his confidence, but now he is a completely different player and back to perfect standards. He is also very clinical.
“Saka, however, is very important for Arsenal and does great things on the pitch. I am a massive fan of Saka and the way he plays – I think he will be the captain of Arsenal in the years to come.
“Both players are so important and clinical for their clubs. I think they could compete for the Ballon d’Or, if they keep playing the way they are.
“I love the pair of them but as a Gunner I would stick with Bukayo Saka.”
Credit: Getty - Henry Tomlinson
Team vital for Casemiro
Casemiro has insisted that success can not be achieved by a single player.
The Man United star believes that the club's achievements this season are down to every player in the team.
He told club media: “Every team has its own way of playing. It's true here I have a greater role in attack.
“The style of play here is different, the build-up play, the manager, the league, the club are all different. Every club has their own way of playing, the most important thing is adapting quickly, that's what I try to do.
“I'll say it again, it's impossible to do it on your own. There's the quality of my team-mates. There's Licha [Lisandro Martinez] and [Raphael] Varane – high quality players. Christian [Eriksen] who I played alongside for a long time, another exceptional player.
“Fredinho [Fred], another excellent player, then there's Bruno [Fernandes] who plays a bit further forward, a world-class player.”
- Henry Tomlinson
Cresswell targeting United
West Ham defender Aaron Cresswell is hoping to get revenge for the club's defeat at Old Trafford in October.
He scored a freekick against United a couple of seasons ago and is hoping to pull off the same feat in the FA Cup tonight.
He told club media: "If I am on the pitch, I will certainly be looking to take a free-kick or two. I have always fancied myself on set pieces, and I've got a few over the years, so we will see what happens.
"We all know it will be tough on Wednesday as Manchester United have just won the Carabao Cup, and have found some form themselves, and will also have their home support behind them too.
"We were unlucky to leave empty-handed when we played them in October and lost 1-0 but now is the time in the season when we can really achieve something special if we can get a few good results over the next weeks."
Credit: Reuters - Henry Tomlinson
Elanga praised by Dalot
Diogo Dalot has heaped praise on the professionalism of team-mate Anthony Elanga.
He told the club website: “Anthony Elanga, for me, is probably one of the most professional guys that I’ve known since I started football.
“I also see a lot of myself in him in terms of trying to wait for the opportunity to come and show to everyone that you are capable of doing it.
“He never lost his way of showing everyone he is here to help and he is here to play and he’s been doing that every single day in training. I am sure the opportunity will come and he will be ready for it.”
- Henry Tomlinson
Loanees must wait
Marcel Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst will have to wait to find out if they have a future at Man United.
Ten Hag has claimed it's "too soon" to decide whether the Red Devils will pursue permanent moves for either of them.
When asked if he wanted to keep them in the squad, Ten Hag said: ''I think it is much too quick [to decide]. [It is] much too soon to talk about that.
"First, we are in this season and that is where the focus has to be.
"No distractions for what is coming next season. Only the season we are in.
"We are in the right position at this moment, this is the position we want to be as we are now competing in three leagues [competitions].''
Credit: Getty - Henry Tomlinson
United stars send love to Pogba
Man United players have been sending their best wishes to former team-mate Paul Pogba after he made his return from injury for Juventus.
On Pogba's social media, Bruno Fernandes commented "Pogback", while Harry Maguire said "PP❤".
Anthony Elanga, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Jesse Lingard also sent messages to the midfielder.
Credit: Alamy - Henry Tomlinson
Rashford best on the left
Dean Ashton believes that Marcus Rashford should stay on the left-hand side of Man United's attack rather than be pushed into the centre.
The forward has been in prolific form leading some to suggest he should be played as a number nine, however, Ashton disagrees.
He told Sky Sports: “I think you will be taking away from Marcus Rashford if you ask him to do that [play central].
“Whereas you can see the freedom he has on the left when he has Weghorst.
“You can see it in the final as he gets behind and scores the goal.
“It will be interesting to see where Rashford thinks he plays best, I’d be amazed if he said down the middle.”
Credit: PA - Henry Tomlinson
Neville on summer transfers
Gary Neville believes that Erik ten Hag will not want to sign big name players this summer and will instead prefer to sign "hungrier" rising stars.
He said on The Overlap: "I feel like Ten Hag is not going to sign [marquee names]. If new owners come in they’re going to want to make a statement, they’ll want to blow the transfer market open. I don’t think that will suit him.
"I think he’ll want those younger, hungrier ones that have still got that growth rather than the finished article. Casemiro obviously defeats that a little bit, but you look at Antony and Lisandro Martinez, they’re younger and hungrier.
"I think that’s the type of player he’ll want to add to this squad rather than saying, 'Oh, Kylian Mbappe’s available or so-and-so is available'. But Casemiro, there’s no doubt – we all said it by the way – £60m? £70m? And £20m-a-year [contract] for five years is a £170m investment. That is a massive investment.
"It’s not a smart or shrewd signing when you look at it from a [big picture] point of view. None of us thought that. But the impact he’s having in the short term and what Manchester United need now, he’s devastating for the club in unbelievable ways."
Credit: Getty - Henry Tomlinson
Moyes inspired by Ten Hag
Former Man United boss David Moyes has joked he would happily “dad-dance” with Samba-loving Lucas Paqueta if West Ham win the FA Cup in a similar style to Erik ten Hag's dance with Lisandro Martinez and Antony.
He leads the Hammers against his old stomping ground tonight.
Asked if he would consider busting a groove, Moyes, 59, laughed: “I certainly would, yeah!
“I certainly would, don’t worry, if I win a trophy, I’ll be flipping dad dancing and everything.
“Have you see the Scottish Gay Gordons and the real dancing? You don’t know what I’m talking about here..!”
Credit: Alamy - Henry Tomlinson
United clearout
Man United could reportedly sell SEVEN players in the summer if the Glazers stay and force Erik ten Hag to raise funds.
The Glazers opened the door to selling the club earlier this season and have attracted interest from Qatar's Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
However, there is still a fear among some Man Utd fans that their despised bosses will decide to stick around.
And The Mirror are reporting that as many as seven stars face the chop at Old Trafford.
This includes the likes of Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan Bissaka, Donny van der Beek, Brandon Williams, Anthony Martial, Alex Telles and Eric Bailly.
Full story here
- Henry Tomlinson
Casmiro is 'world class'
Casemiro has also been praised by Erik ten Hag after he received his his award for being in the FIFPro Team of the Year.
Ten Hag said: “Yeah, of course, I think we are so proud of him. I think he showed how important he is and how he contributes to our team – in the dressing room, not only on the pitch.
“He is important, everyone can see that, but also around to construct the climate which is necessary to win trophies, and he is showing by example the squad all the example on Sunday.
“And it’s great to work with him. We are so happy with that, it’s a big reward, I’m so happy for him to be rewarded to be in the World Team of the Year.
“That is really a reward and so wonderful.”
Credit: AFP - Henry Tomlinson
Boss on West Ham
Erik ten Hag has also insisted that West Ham are a "decent" team despite their struggles this season ahead of the FA Cup clash at Old Trafford.
He added: “It’s a good team, a really decent team with a good manager, so he has always a good plan.“
“So we have to be aware of that. We have to make it our game and then you have to be 100 per cent.
“When you don’t give the 100 per cent, it won’t be good enough.”
- Henry Tomlinson
Ten Hag remains focused
Despite leading Man United to their first trophy in 5 and a half years on Sunday, manager Erik ten Hag does not want any slack from his side.
He told club media: “It’s our job, it is their job, so we don’t allow them to stay in the mood from Sunday.
“Sunday is the history. It’s nice, memories, but if you want to perform, you have to focus on the things you have to do.
“You have to focus on the job.”
The Dutchman will be in the dugout as his side take on West Ham in the FA Cup tonight.
Credit: Getty - Henry Tomlinson
Goals galore for United
Man United have been the top-scoring club in the Premier League since November 6.
The club have found the net 50 times, 14 more than the next most prolific side, Man City.
- Henry Tomlinson
McManaman can see Mount move
Former Liverpool star Steve McManaman can envisage Mason Mount at another Premier League club amid links to Man United.
Although he does think his old side will be able to afford to pay Chelsea their asking price.
He told Betfred: “I can see him moving to another Premier League club, but I could say that about any Chelsea player. Chelsea have so many players in their team that something has to give.
“If you’re Mason Mount, then you’re going to want to play every single game and if you’re suddenly in limbo because you don’t know what’s going on with all the new players getting brought in around you, then you’re going to want to know what’s going to happen regarding your future.
“I don’t know how much Mason Mount would cost but I do believe Liverpool could afford to bring in two good midfielders because I believe Liverpool have the finances this summer, I really do.”
- Henry Tomlinson
Ten Hag 'eyes another Ajax star'
Man United manager Erik ten Hag is reportedly interested in signing a third player from Ajax.
The Dutchman already brought in Antony and Lisandro Martinez last summer but now wants to sign attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus, according to MEN.
The report also suggests that the club are still interested in signing Napoli star Victor Osimhen.
Credit: EPA
- Henry Tomlinson
Neville backing United
Man United legend Gary Neville believes that his former side can leapfrog Arsenal and finish the season in second place.
However he does still think that Man City will win the Premier League title
He told The Overlap: "That’s my inkling earlier in the season, what normally happens is one team gets so close they realise they can’t win it and then they just go like that in the last two or three games.
"You lose two games and then all of a sudden someone else goes above you. I thought City would win the league and United would finish second two or three months ago.
"To be fair, I’m not going to change my mind on it. I still think City are going to win the league even though Arsenal, the closer it gets… but 14 games is still a long way to go. I still think United will finish second."
- Henry Tomlinson
'JUST IN TIME'
Man United transfer target Victor Osimhen have lost his sight” due to the horror facial injury he suffered in November 2021.
However, it has now emerged that Europe’s most in-demand forward actually came within centimetres of being left permanently blind following a clash of heads with Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar last season.
Osimhen required surgery which involved placing six plaques and 18 screws being put into his face after suffering multiple fractures to the cheekbone and orbital bone.
The ace was sidelined for over two months and has played with a protective mask ever since – even though it is no longer technically required.
Read full story here
- Gary Stonehouse
Good Morning United fans
Man United pick up their quadruple bid today as the club turns its attention to the FA Cup.
Only days after their Carabao Cup victory, the Red Devils squad will have to refocus the minds with former manager David Moyes and West Ham set to meet at Old Trafford in the fifth-round of the FA Cup.
The club remain in the world's oldest cup competition and in the Europa League and are within touching distance of Arsenal in the Premier League title race.
The bloated schedule has left the United squad knackered and Erik ten Hag has hinted he may not have two of his stars ready for tonight.
When discussing team news ahead of the game, the Dutch boss said: "Anthony Martial is not available and Luke Shaw and Fred are questions for tomorrow."
Meanwhile, reports have suggested that United's takeover could drag on until May.
The Guardian reports that despite a number of bidders being interested, any takeover may not happen until around the end of the season.
Elsewhere, United have announced the signing of Cardiff wonderkid Gabriele Biancheri.
The club managed to fight off competition from elsewhere to land the attacker who has impressed consistently at underage level.
And United and Crystal Palace have both been fined £55,000 each for the mass brawl at Old Trafford earlier this month that saw Casemiro sent off.
- Kiro Evans
Time to go again
Erik ten Hag has ordered his players to focus on the games ahead and stop celebrating Sunday's Carabao Cup win.
When asked how he enjoyed himself after the victory, ten Hag said: "No, nothing beyond. Get back to work."
The Dutchman added: “We have great months ahead of us, also great games, and I think everyone wants to play games. The players who form the best teams will play.”
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