Man Utd takeover news LIVE: Hojlund TALKS, Harry Kane updates, Mason Mount latest, Wembley build-up | The Sun
MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly been in talks with Atalanta over a potential move for Danish international Rasmus Hojlund.
The forward, 20, is wanted by United and Chelsea, but the Serie A ace has also admitted he was a Red Devils fan as a kid.
United are also looking at Randal Kolo Muani.
Harry Kane is still wanted by United as a first-choice No9, but the striker could be tempted to run down his Spurs contract.
And United have also reportedly been in talks with Mason Mount over a potential move for the England ace, 24, but thrashing out a deal with Chelsea could be a stumbling block.
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Keep up to date with all the latest news from Old Trafford…
- By Tony Robertson
More on takeover
Four of the Glazer brothers – Bryan, Darcie, Edward and Kevin – want a full exit, while Joel and Avram want to extend their stay.
The lack of cohesion has complicated Ratcliffe's bid.
However, while the latest report suggests he may not make a full takeover straight away, Ratcliffe intends to take 100 per cent control through derivative contracts buying the shares down the years.
Due to speculation on the market, the current equity price of the Red Devils is $3billion (£2.4bn), while Ratcliffe's bid is said to value at £5bn including debt.
- By Tony Robertson
'It's always welcome"
Casemiro has told Man Utd to bring in quality players if they want to challenge for the title.
Ahead of the summer window, Casemiro has backed club chiefs to bring in the necessary reinforcements to allow them to compete on all fronts next season.
He said: "When top-class players come in, quality players, it's always welcome.
"We always want quality players and it's always the case that the more options you have, it's important to have as much quality in the squad as you can.
"But us players know that there are people who have the knowledge to do that.
"We've got John [Murtough, United director of football] who signed me and brought me here, so I have complete faith in him, along with his staff and the manager.
"It's always the club that has the final say and it's not us players who need to be putting our noses into this.
"But the more top players you have the better, because we know that with lots of quality players, there's competition for places and that means you get to the end of the season in better shape."
- By Tony Robertson
Takeover twist
ALL SIX of the Glazers could now retain shares in Manchester United.
The claim comes from the Financial Times, who report the takeover of the Red Devils by Sir Jim Ratcliffe could see them retain shares as part of a phased takeover.
The report explains the Glazer's family dynamics have complicated a full takeover.
Sources close to the matter have said the Glazers are now "focused on a structure that would allow the six siblings to sell down their holdings in proportion to their holdings".
Ratcliffe's bid would still enable him to take control of the club.
- By Alex Terrell
Ten Hag – this would make it a very good season
He said: "We had a good season – but this is a great chance to make it a very good season.
"We are in a good direction and have our chance in the summer to make new targets.
"But the longer-term plan will stay the same. We want to restore Manchester United.
"When you see where we came from and the progress of the team – third and winning the League Cup and in the final of the FA Cup – you can be happy. But in the summer, we start again."
- By Alex Terrell
Antony 'unlikely' to be available for Cup final
Erik ten Hag has confirmed Antony remains a huge doubt for today's FA Cup final.
The Brazilian limped off in the last Premier League match of the season against Fulham.
Ten Hag said: "Dos Santos still has a chance but it’s a really small chance.
“He didn’t make the progress, so he still has a chance but unlikely he is available."
- By Alex Terrell
Pumped for the Cup
Casemiro says Manchester United are "pumped up" to beat their arch rivals this afternoon, writes NEIL CUSTIS.
Victory at Wembley will not only complete a domestic cup double for the Red Devils – but also deny their 'noisy neighbours' City a possible Treble.
And midfielder Casemiro said: "Of course, all of us and everyone connected with United would love to win it.
"We also know it's a one-off game, and a very tough one at that, but we are really pumped up to do it."
United manager Erik ten Hag knows how crucial it is to the club's supporters to stop Pep Guardiola and Co from emulating their iconic 1999 Treble success.
Dutchman Ten Hag said: "It is important for the fans, and it is important for us, so we will just give everything to win the FA Cup."
- By Tony Robertson
Morning, United fans
Erik ten Hag insists United can complete a domestic cup double by giving neighbours City a dose of their own medicine.
The Old Trafford boss believes today's FA Cup final will showcase the Red Devils' attacking talents just as much as their defensive qualities.
Even United defender Raphael Varane has claimed shutting the supply line to 52-goal City striker Erling Haaland is crucial.
But Ten Hag said: "We want to win a cup, it is not about stopping them.
"We have a great opportunity. Wembley is probably the best stadium in the world and to be there in the cup final is really exciting."
However, the Dutchman all but confirmed Antony will join fellow crock Anthony Martial on the sidelines.
That means 18-year-old Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho could start out wide – behind sole centre-forward Marcus Rashford.
Ten Hag said: "It's about the players who are available and many times we were successful.
"We have a good squad and from that good squad we make a good team."
Transfer wise, United are said to be hotting up their interest in Rasmus Hojlund after Arsenal reportedly contacted Atalanta over the Denmark frontman.
It's also suggested Red Devils' target Delcan Rice will seriously consider overtures from Bayern Munich.
- By Ian Tuckey
Ten Hag says stat shows Utd were better than City
Casemiro says Manchester United are “pumped up” to beat their arch-rivals this afternoon.
Victory at Wembley will not only complete a domestic cup double for the Red Devils — but also deny their ‘noisy neighbours’ City a possible Treble.
And midfielder Casemiro said: “Of course, all of us and everyone connected with United would love to win it.
“We also know it’s a one-off game, and a very tough one at that, but we are really pumped up to do it.”
United manager Erik ten Hag knows how crucial it is to the club’s supporters to stop Pep Guardiola and Co from emulating their iconic 1999 Treble success.
Dutchman Ten Hag said: “It is important for the fans, and it is important for us, so we will just give everything to win the FA Cup.”
The ex-Ajax chief, who tasted Carabao Cup glory in February, says they have the belief after gaining revenge for a 6-3 October loss at the Etihad by beating the champions 2-1 at Old Trafford.
City fans still feel they were robbed in January when Marcus Rashford was flagged offside — but the ref allowed Bruno Fernandes to continue and net the equaliser.
Yet Ten Hag argues the expected goals (XG) stat of 1.98 to 0.74 on the day proved they were the better side. He said: “No, if you see the XG in that game it was absolutely our side’s.
- By Ian Tuckey
Rice 'gives feeling' he's open to Bayern move
Arsenal's status as favourites to sign Declan Rice has been wobbled by claims he's "given the feeling" he'd consider joining Bayern Munich.
Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg suggests the West Ham skipper is open to linking up with ex-Chelsea chief Thomas Tuchel at the German champions.
Manchester United and Liverpool have also been linked with the England anchorman.
But the 24-year-old is rated the main summer target for Gunners' boss Mikel Arteta.
- By Ian Tuckey
Ten Hag all but rules Antony out
Erik ten Hag admits Antony is likely to miss tomorrow's FA Cup final with injury along with Anthony Martial.
That means United's 18-year-old winger Alejandro Garnacho could start against neighbours City at Wembley.
Ten Hag said Antony "still has a chance but it's a really small chance".
The United boss added: "He didn't make the progress, so he still has a chance but unlikely he is available."
Lisandro Martinez and loanee Marcel Sabitzer are the other main casualties, with Donny van de Beek a long-term absentee.
But Ten Hag was frustrated to be quizzed about selection issues.
He said: "These questions so many times about the absence of players in the last couple of months.
"Every time I say the same answer: it's about the players who are available and many times we were successful. We have a good squad and from that good squad we make a good team."
Possible Utd team: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Sancho, Fernandes, Garnacho; Rashford.
- By Ian Tuckey
'Detailed talks on Rasmus'
Manchester United have held "detailed talks" over signing Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund.
So says The Athletic's Laurie Whitwell, who believes Old Trafford boss Erik ten Hag wants one new young forward plus an experienced one.
Eintracht Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani, 24, is on the list alongside 20-year-old Hojlund.
Negotiations over Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount are ongoing.
- By Ian Tuckey
Maguire wants to make Utd fans 'proud' in final
Harry Maguire wants United fans to be "loud" as he promised to make them "proud" in tomorrow's FA Cup final.
The England centre-back is tipped to exit Old Trafford this summer, even if he plays and shines against Manchester City at Wembley.
But he roared a message to Red Devils' supporters as, for now, he focused purely on completing a domestic cup double.
Maguire told MUTV: “The fans have been right with us throughout the season and I think they’ve been really important to the success that we’ve had and the positive results that we’ve had.
“I think we’ve seen at Old Trafford, our results have been amazing so we know at Wembley they’re going to be there, they’re going to be loud and it’s a day that we hope we can do them proud.”
He also believes Erik ten Hag's successful first season in charge has reconnected supporters with players.
Maguire said: “I think the fans at this club are a huge part of the club, they’re right behind the team, you can feel the energy and the intensity that they bring to the matches as well.
“I think obviously last season was such a disappointing year for us all, as players and staff, as fans, just as a club in general, so to bounce back in such a positive manner, I think it’s really, really impressive."
- By Ian Tuckey
Avram set to be at Wembley
Avram Glazer is expected to be in attendance at Wembley for the FA Cup final.
The United owner was also in the stadium for the Carabao Cup final win over Newcastle earlier this season.
The Glazer family have put Man Utd up for sale with no preferred bidder revealed yet.
- By Ian Tuckey
It's now Bliss-aka with Ten hag
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has opened up on relationship with manager Erik ten Hag after he was initially going to be sold by United last summer.
Wan-Bissaka: “I’ve just been hungry and wanting to learn under him [Ten Hag]. As you can see it’s showing, I’m happy he’s giving me my chance and I believe the relationship is growing stronger.”
On his connection with the boss: “I think it’s been growing since the start. I’ve got more of an understanding of what he wants and what he demands of me.”
- By Ian Tuckey
'Rice agrees terms – but Liverpool also keen'
Declan Rice has reportedly agreed terms with Arsenal but Liverpool, Manchester United and Bayern Munich are still in the hunt.
That's the suggestion from Football Transfers as West Ham all but resign themselves to losing the England midfielder this summer.
The Hammers' skipper, 24, would be content to join the Gunners, having previously revealed he's happy staying in London.
But Football Transfers also say he wants his club to be “adequately compensated for his departure”.
And it's said this "could get open the door for a late swoop from Manchester United, Liverpool or Bayern Munich”.
- By Ian Tuckey
Play Fred or Scott – to avoid 6-0 rout
Gary Neville reckons Manchester City could win tomorrow's FA Cup final 6-0 unless United play Fred.
Old Trafford legend Nev believes the Red Devils will be over-run without another ball-winner.
The former England defender told The Overlap: "I don’t want Manchester United to play with Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, and Christian Eriksen in midfield.
"The game where they won, it was Fred with Casemiro. I just don’t see how City won’t run amok if it’s Casemiro, Eriksen and Fernandes.
"That’s what I’d like us to do. I’d like that extra [player]. If it’s [Scott] McTominay by the way, alongside Casemiro, it doesn’t really matter. I just feel that having that open midfield is going to be an issue.
"You’ve got Eriksen, Fernandes and only Casmeiro thinks [about defending].
"I think not having that extra man, I would be really worried about that, where it could be 6-0. They played at City, it was 6-1 but ended 6-3 and I think that was with McTominay, Eriksen and Fernandes, and they just got killed."
- By Ian Tuckey
Utd 'step up Hojlund hunt after Arsenal join race'
Manchester United are hotting up their interest in Rasmus Hojlund after Arsenal reportedly contacted Atalanta over the Denmark striker.
That's the claim from Calciomercato, who also suggest Prem clubs would need to bid around £43million for the 20-year-old.
Hojlund has set Serie A alight with his pace, also notching 15 goals.
- By Ian Tuckey
Casemiro opens up on 'spat' with pal Bruno
To watch Casemiro tearing into Bruno Fernandes you would be forgiven for thinking there is problem between the two, writes NEIL CUSTIS.
It was the end of the Carabao Cup Final as Fernandes began to celebrate the 2-0 win over Newcastle when Casemiro grabbed him by the arm and started remonstrating.
He was unhappy that Fernandes had shot rather than teed him up for a simpler chance near the end of the game.
It was the same at the final whistle of Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa at the end of April after Fernandes lost the ball in the closing seconds.
But Casemiro explains these are just examples of how the pair drive each other on as he opened up about his close relationship with someone he describes as ‘the engine’ of the team.
Casemiro, 31, said: “I have a very good relationship with Bruno, we get on really well, and as you get to know him as a player, I can say this with complete confidence, he is one of the most important players at the club and everyone sees what a great player he is.
“We could spend all day talking about how good Bruno is because he is a fantastic player but to be honest and I say this to him, I expect a great deal from him because in my eyes, he's one of the most important players in the team.
“So, when he misses a chance, when one of his passes goes astray, we always want him to do everything perfectly but these are normal conversations.
“I've never had an argument with Bruno, the opposite in fact, I just always demand a lot from him, and he demands a lot from me too.
“Behind the scenes too, sometimes we'll say to each other, ‘You could have scored, you could have done better there, because you've got the quality to do it’."
- By Ian Tuckey
Rice & Kane the difference
Sam Allardyce thinks that if Man Utd buy Harry Kane and Arsenal target Declan Rice they will win the Premier League.
The ex-Prem boss told William Hill: “I saw Declan Rice first hand at West Ham away this season. It’s rare that you see a player who has been brought up as a centre-half evolve into a central-midfield player as well as he has.
“He’s the all-action midfield player, he’s not just a sitting anchor man, he’s everything. H
“e’s a passer and he’s box-to-box, and people might say he doesn’t score enough to be worth £100m, but what he can bring to the team would evolve Manchester United through the middle.
“If Harry Kane and Declan Rice were both through the middle for United then they’d be fighting for spots one and two in the league.”
- By Ian Tuckey
Sorry to be Wout of here
Wout Weghorst has conceded that he is unhappy with just the two goals he’s scored for Man Utd since his January loan arrival.
Weghorst said: “I’ve really tried to give my all in every match I’ve played, in every minute I’ve had.
“It doesn’t matter which position it is. I always give my best.
“Of course, for me as a striker, only two goals is not enough. It’s not good.
“That’s just the only thing for me that’s disappointing, because I know I’m capable to do it.
I scored a lot in the past, but all the other parts of the football contribution, in helping with the team pressure and work ethic, link-up play.
“I think I’ve developed myself there again and I could help the team and be important for them.
“Let’s keep the goal for Saturday. Let’s do it that way.”
- By Alex Smith
Pep praises Ten Hag
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag has been hailed by his Man City counterpart Pep Guardiola.
The Spanish manager said: "He represents our profession in the best way possible. I can’t say we are friends, we are not in touch much, but I think Man Utd have an exceptional manager for many, many years."
Both worked at Bayern Munich at the same time, Guardiola was first-team manager while Ten Hag was in charge of the youth setup.
- By Alex Smith
Ed' gone
Man City goalkeeper Ederson will not play in the FA Cup final tomorrow with Stefan Ortega set to start instead.
Pep Guardiola confirmed he will reward his No2 stopper with a starting spot having played in all domestic cup games this season.
The manager also said Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish are likely to shake off minor knocks and be fit for the game.
- By Alex Smith
AWB on Ten Hag
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has opened up on relationship with manager Erik ten Hag after he was initially going to be sold by United last summer.
Wan-Bissaka: "I’ve just been hungry and wanting to learn under him [Ten Hag]. As you can see it’s showing, I’m happy he’s giving me my chance and I believe the relationship is growing stronger."
On his relationship with the boss: "I think it’s been growing since the start. I’ve got more of an understanding of what he wants and what he demands of me."
- By Alex Smith
Man Utd chase Hojlund
Man Utd are leading the race to sign Atalanta star Rasmus Hojlund.
The club are beginning to make contact with the players representatives.
Atalanta want United to put an offer in of £43m to bring them to the negotiating table.
- By Alex Smith
Tierney ref for final
Paul Tierney will referee the FA Cup final tomorrow.
Man Utd have a poor record when he is in charge, winning only 63.3 per cent of matches.
Meanwhile, City have won 88.5 per cent of matches with Tierney in charge.
He has handed both teams six penalties in the matches and United three more yellow cards when he has officiated either side.
Stats via Gambling Zone.
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