MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly held talks about the possibility of signing goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from AC Milan.
Meanwhile, SunSport can reveal that Bruno Fernandes is refusing to sign a new contract as he looks for assurances that United will continue being ambitious in the transfer market.
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- Joshua Jones
MORNING RED DEVILS FANS
Two more of Europe's top centre-backs are being linked with United as they prepare for tomorrow night's home Premier League clash against fellow in-form side West Ham.
There's been more speculation, of course, that second-placed United will launch summer bids for strikers Harry Kane and Erling Haaland.
But now defenders Pau Torres and Gianluca Mancini are reportedly on the radar in defence.
It's thought Villarreal's one-cap Spain star Torres, 24, could be available for less than half his £56million release clause if his seventh-placed LaLiga team fail to qualify for Europe.
And Roma's same-aged Italy defender Gianluca Mancini is said to be a target for United and Chelsea.
Elsewhere, the Transfer Window podcast. claim Old Trafford chiefs have held talks over possibly signing AC Milan keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Finally, former United and England midfielder Owen Hargreaves has named two priority signings for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Hargreaves believes West Ham’s versatile England star Declan Rice would be an upgrade on Scott McTominay and rates Leicester's Wesley Fofana as a "fabulous" French "Ferrari" at the back.
And finally, fans WILL be allowed to attend the FA Cup Final – despite it coming two days before the planned opening up of grounds to 10,000 fans.
The Wembley showpiece will be held on May 15, 48 hours before the relaxation of restrictions on crowds.
But the FA have lobbied to be one of the pilot events ahead of the official return.
United face Leicester away at the King Power on Sunday March 21.
- Ian Tuckey
REGRETS? I'VE HAD A ROO
EXCLUSIVE: Wayne Rooney has filmed a biopic celebrating his 20-year career in football — including some of his off-pitch exploits.
The ex-England captain and Manchester United legend, 35, has done a series of interviews alongside wife Coleen, 34, for the Bafta-winning team behind the Amy Winehouse and Ayrton Senna documentaries.
England legend Wayne Rooney and wife Coleen pose with their four sons Unseen footage, as well as some of Wayne’s most memorable goals and footballing highlights, will be shown. Famous faces like David Beckham and Gary Neville will provide commentary and insight.
It will also go into detail on the ups and downs of now-Derby chief Rooney's life — both personal and professional.
A production insider said: “It’s going to be a wonderfully powerful and inspiring look at Wayne’s career — how he went from unknown boy wonder to national captain, and England’s greatest- ever goal scorer.
“But it also offers a rarely seen look at the man behind the player. He will likely be asked about marital mistakes he’s made in the past, drink driving, and the time he was arrested in the US.
“It is made clear he’s a fantastic dad, and loving husband — but he holds his hands up to previous lapses in judgement. Wayne will, of course, also have a say in what gets signed off.”
The film is subject to a bidding deal between Netflix and Amazon Prime. Wayne’s spokesman said last night: “No decisions have yet been made on what content is or isn’t part of the movie, so people will just have to wait until its release.”
- Ian Tuckey
OLD TORR-AFFORD?
Manchester United have made contact with Villarreal's Spain defender Pau Torres reports say.
ESPN claims the 24-year-old is now a top target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this summer.
Man Utd have been in touch over a deal for Villarreal defender Pau Torres And United could even sign Torres for LESS THAN his £56million release clause if Villarreal fail to qualify for Europe.
Solskjaer is eager to sign a defensive partner for captain Harry Maguire after Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly both failed to impress this term.
United have been linked with a host of big names, including Real Madrid star Raphael Varane and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde.
However, it’s reckoned Torres is now Solskjaer’s preferred option due to his age, 6ft 3in height and the fact that he’s also left-footed.
United were eager to sign Nathan Ake from Bournemouth last summer before rivals Man City beat them after meeting his £40m release clause.
And Solskjaer now looks set to ensure he does not miss out on another left-footer for the backline. having already made contact with Torres’ representatives.
- Ian Tuckey
OLD TORR-AFFORD?
Manchester United have made contact with Villarreal's Spain defender Pau Torres reports say.
ESPN claims the 24-year-old is now a top target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this summer.
Man Utd have been in touch over a deal for Villarreal defender Pau Torres And United could even sign Torres for LESS THAN his £56million release clause if Villarreal fail to qualify for Europe.
Solskjaer is eager to sign a defensive partner for captain Harry Maguire after Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly both failed to impress this term.
United have been linked with a host of big names, including Real Madrid star Raphael Varane and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde.
However, it’s reckoned Torres is now Solskjaer’s preferred option due to his age, 6ft 3in height and the fact that he’s also left-footed.
United were eager to sign Nathan Ake from Bournemouth last summer before rivals Man City beat them after meeting his £40m release clause.
And Solskjaer now looks set to ensure he does not miss out on another left-footer for the backline. having already made contact with Torres’ representatives.
- Ian Tuckey
HENDERSON HAILS WILDER
Old Trafford keeper Dean Henderson has saluted outgoing Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder, for whom he spent two seasons on loan.
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A post shared by Dean Henderson (@deanhenderson)
Henderson who has started United's last three games, posted on social media: "Don’t ever underestimate what you did for Sheffield United!
"Can’t wait to see the statue at the Lane! Not only a great manager but a great person. Best of luck for the future."
- Ian Tuckey
NEW MANC?
Manchester United and Chelsea are being linked with Roma’s Italy defender Gianluca Mancini.
The 24-year-old, capped four times, is rated at a tempting £27million.
Everton were thought to have trailed Mancini while he was at his last club Atalanta from 2017-20.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty Roma star Gianluca Mancini is attracting interest from Premier League giants
- Ian Tuckey
STILL DI MAIN MAN
Former Manchester United wideman Angel Di Maria, 32, has signed a new one-year PSG deal, the Champions League quarter-finals have announced.
Argentina star Angel Di Maria, who joined PSG from United in 2015, is signing a new dealCredit: Reuters - Ian Tuckey
BARCA WHIZKID EYES £130m LIMIT ON BUY-OUT CLAUSE
Barcelona starlet Ilaix Moriba is reportedly keen on keeping his buyout clause below £130million to remain in control of his future.
The midfielder is out of contract at the Nou Camp next year and has been linked with moves to Manchester United and Chelsea.
The 18-year-old became the highest-paid player in the history of Barcelona’s academy when he last renewed his contact back in 2019.
But ESPN claim Ilaix’s agency, Stellar Group, hope to land a similar deal to Nou Camp teammate Ansu Fati, also 18, after he penned a bigger deal.
The report adds that Barca are keen for the midfielder to extend but hope to significantly raise his £85m buyout clause.
Yet Ilaix, who is reportedly keen to stay in Catalonia, is said to be reluctant for his release to be raised above £130m.
Moriba joined Barca aged seven from their city rivals Espanyol, and came through their famed La Masia academy.
- Ian Tuckey
DEAN VS DE GEA
Dean Henderson’s Europa League howler has left Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a goalkeeping quandary for Sunday’s visit of West Ham.
Even the manager himself is not sure what is going on.
David De Gea was allowed leave to return to Spain for the birth of his first child and came back to Manchester at the start of the week.
But Covid-19 self-isolation rules and subsequent tests and result wait time means he is unlikely to be available for Sunday’s visit of the Hammers.
At least that’s what Solskjaer thinks.
Solskjaer said: “He is self-isolating. He is touch and go for Sunday I think. I can’t really know when he came back so I am not really sure if it was Monday or Tuesday.
“I think the rules are he has to stay at home. He is not training with us anyway. It’s different if you travel away and compete so no he has not been training since he came back.”
- Ian Tuckey
ZZ WON’T RULE OUT RON RETURN
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has sensationally refused to rule out Cristiano Ronaldo’s return.
The ex-Manchester United superstar, 36, could be heading for the Juventus exit door at the end of the season.
Juventus crashed out of the Champions League round of 16 for the second consecutive year at the hands of Porto during the week. And they are facing serious financial problems due to the coronavirus pandemic.
To help boost the coffers, the club would reportedly be open to letting Ronaldo leave to get his £500,000-a-week wages off the books a year before his contract ends.
With speculation over his next move growing, it was revealed how his agent Jorge Mendes held ‘informal’ talks with a return to Real Madrid.
And Zidane said: “You know what Cristiano Ronaldo means for Real Madrid. You know the affection we have for him at Real Madrid. What he did here was magnificent.
“Right now he’s a Juventus player and he’s doing really well there. I can’t say anything about all the many things they say. I can only say that he is a Juventus player and we have to respect that.”
- Ian Tuckey
NICE LITTLE FERNA
Manchester United have hailed Bruno Fernandes winning February's goal-of-the-mont award for his long-ranger curler in a controversial 3-3 draw with Everton.
The midfielder arched a top-corner shot over and away from visiting keeper Robin Olsen to put United 2-0 up.
But Everton roared back to 2-2 before Scott McTominay restored United's lead, only for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to earn Everton a point five minutes into stoppage time.
- Ian Tuckey
'SIGN RICE AND FOFANA'
Owen Hargreaves wants Manchester United to sign West Ham's versatile England star Declan Rice and Leicester City centre-back Wesley Fofana.
Former England, United and Bayern Munich midfielder Hargreaves believes Rice, 22, would be an upgrade on Scott McTominay in mid-pitch.
And he rates "fabulous" French "Ferrari" Fofana, 20, as the solution to Old Trafford chief Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's desire to strengthen his defensive cover.
Speaking on Premier League productions, Hargreaves said: ‘I think Rice’s upside is off the charts. He has the potential to be anything and a lot better.
"I think he plays within himself at West Ham. ‘People don’t realise how big he is. He’s 6’3, so he looks like a centre back but he’s actually really good technically.
"Declan Rice doesn’t have to dictate the game for Manchester United, he can pass to the players who can make the difference and be good defensively."
And sked about Fofana, Hargreaves replied: "I’d love to see Manchester United get Fofana. ‘He’s a Ferrari, honestly.
"I’d throw whatever they’ve got left in the bank to get him. He’s a fabulous player."
- Ian Tuckey
ROMELU REVEALS WHY HE’S NEVER BEEN STRONGER
Romelu Lukaku has shared his Mediterranean diet of salad, fish, chicken and pasta that has turned him into an Inter Milan superstar.
The 27-year-old admitted he was overweight while at Manchester United due to a digestive problem that has since been corrected in Italy.
The Belgian dropped over a stone upon his arrival in Serie A following a strict diet carefully selected by the Nerazzurri’s medical staff.
Lukaku has already scored 18 league goals this season to spearhead Inter’s title charge and he has put his success down to his new physique.
Speaking in a podcast with Matteo Pincella, the club’s chief nutritionist, the striker revealed that he’s never felt better.
As reported by Sky Sport Italia, via the Mail, he said: “Since I joined Inter I have changed my diet and I can say that I have never felt so strong.
“My diet consists of salads for lunch, a lot of chicken breast, Shirataki pasta.
“I don’t change my way of eating much, for how we play we must have a very strong physique, we run a lot: since I have followed this lifestyle I feel better on the pitch, I feel more reactive and faster.
“I’ve always been an explosive player with muscles but Italy took me to another level. I have never felt so strong. I have reached another level, physically and mentally.”
- Ian Tuckey
GLAZER PUTS UTD SHARES UP FOR SALE
United co-owner Avram Glazer has put £71million of his shares up for sale on the stock market.
Tuesday has been set for the sale of the assets, which would slightly decrease the Glazers’ majority ownership of the club.
The sale would see Avram’s personal share drop to 10.2 per cent.
Whereas the Glazer family will control 74.9 per cent, down from 78 per cent.
A club statement confirmed: “Manchester United will not receive any proceeds from the sale of any Class A Ordinary Shares by the Selling Shareholder.”
- Ian Tuckey
WALES CALL UP SAVAGE SON
Robbie Savage's son Charlie has been called up by Wales Under-18s to face England.
The 17-year-old is currently impressing in Manchester United’s academy.
And that form has been rewarded with a call from the Dragons.
The midfielder is joined by Burnley's Keelan Williams, the younger brother of rising Liverpool and Wales star Neco, in Rob Edwards' 20-man squad for the fixture on March 29.
Savage Jr, was on the bench for United's U23s against Brighton today.
He has already impressed for the Dragons at U17 level after Wales qualified for the elite round before it was postponed due to Covid-19.
Edwards said: "We take great pride in seeing players take the step up to the senior team and we hope to see more of that across the age groups."
- Ian Tuckey
DALOT IS THE WAN TO CHALLENGE BISSAKA
United legend Scholes said of Diogo Dalot: “He's done the right thing to get games at a big club. That will do him the world of good.
“He played in an unfamiliar position, on that left side, but even his crossing with his left foot was brilliant. I thought defensively he did everything he had to do.
“Where does he stand now? I think he'll come back at the end of the season.”
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 23, has been widely-praised since joining the Red Devils from Crystal Palace.
However, some of his attacking qualities have been questioned at times.
And Scholes said: “Pre-season will be big for him (Dalot). It's time for him to really perform in those pre-season games. Put a bit of pressure on Wan-Bissaka.
“He's different to Wan-Bissaka. We know what a great defender Wan-Bissaka is. I think he's got more quality going forward.”
- Ian Tuckey
DIO ANOTHER DAY FOR UTD
Paul Scholes believes Diogo Dalot’s ‘brilliant’ performance for AC Milan against Manchester United could lead to him having a bright Old Trafford future.
The 21-year-old Portuguese full-back was signed by Jose Mourinho but fell down the pecking order under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Portuguese full-back Diogo Dalot showed AGAINST Man Utd he could be good enough to play for them He was shipped out to Milan last summer on a season-long loan but fate saw him return to Manchester last night.
Dalot was eligible to face his parent club last night in the Europa League.
And he produced an impressive display as Milan pounced late on to earn a crucial away goal in the first-leg 1-1 draw.
United legend Paul Scholes was watching the game for BT Sport and he heaped praise on Dalot afterwards.
And he thinks he could be called back by Solskjaer this summer as he offers something ‘different’ and could rival Aaron Wan-Bissaka for the right-back spot.
- Ian Tuckey
REAL 'PENALTY' IF THEY SELL DIAZ TO MAN UTD
Manchester City made Real Madrid agree to give them 40% of the transfer fee if they ever sold Brahim Diaz to their big rivals United, according to Marca.
Spanish striker Diaz, 21, joined his home-country giants in January 2019 to get more game-time, despite Etihad chief Pep Guardiol hoping to keep him.
Real would have to hand Man City extra cash if they sell Brahim Diaz on to UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty But the £15.5million Under-21 international is on loan at AC Milan this season after failing to earn a regular place with Madrid.
He has already made 17 Serie A appearances, including ten starts, and found the back of the net three times in the Europa League group stages.
- Ian Tuckey
OLE'S KEEPER DILEMMA
Dean Henderson's Europa League howler has left Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a goalkeeping quandary for Sunday’s visit of West Ham.
Even the manager himself is not sure what is going on.
David De Gea was allowed leave to return to Spain for the birth of his first child and came back to Manchester at the start of the week.
But Covid-19 self-isolation rules and subsequent tests and result wait time means he is unlikely to be available for Sunday’s visit of the Hammers.
At least that’s what Solskjaer thinks.
Solskjaer said: “He is self-isolating. He is touch and go for Sunday I think. I can’t really know when he came back so I am not really sure if it was Monday or Tuesday.
“I think the rules are he has to stay at home. He is not training with us anyway. It’s different if you travel away and compete so no he has not been training since he came back.”
- Ian Tuckey
BAILLY'S DREAM
Eric Bailly is in talks over a new contract to extend his stay at Manchester United for another three years.
The combative centre-back’s current deal is up at the end of next season.
Man Utd defender Eric Bailly could land a new long-term Man Utd contractCredit: Getty Images – Getty But manager Ole Solskjaer has seen enough to convince him the 26-year-old still has a future at the club.
SunSport exclusively revealed talks were planned – and now they are well underway.
Solskjaer said: “Yeah we have started talking to Eric and Eric’s representative.”
The deal on offer will be for three years with the option for a further year.
There have been concerns over the Ivory Coast star’s injury record.
He has played 100 games in five seasons with the club.
But Solskjaer is convinced that he is overcoming those problems.
- Ian Tuckey
NO HENDER THE CELEBRATIONS
Dean Henderson will hope to be United No1 for the fourth game in a row at home to West Ham on Sunday – after a 23rd birthday birthday gee-up from the Old Trafford media team
- Ian Tuckey
KANE AND HAALAND ON UTD LIST
Erling Haaland and Harry Kane are reportedly Manchester United’s top targets if they decide to replace Anthony Martial in the summer.
The French striker is fighting for his future as an unproductive season comes to an end.
With just seven goals in all competitions, he has struggled to keep his place in the team after Edinson Cavani’s arrival on the scene.
And the Mirror report on a potentially huge deal being considered if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to make a change.
Borussia Dortmund star Haaland and Tottenham’s Kane are named as being on the Red Devils’ radar.
A fee of around £150million has been touted for the Norwegian, who became the fastest-ever player to hit 20 Champions League goals in the week.
That record was taken off Kane and the Spurs star notched a brace of his own against Dinamo Zagreb last night.
- Ian Tuckey
UTD LINKED TO DONNARUMMA
United have held talks on possibly signing AC Milan keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, according to The Transfer Window podcast.
The Italian is available on a free transfer this summer and is said to be demanding £165,000-a-week, with the Italian club only willing to offer £125,000.
Duncan Castles told the podcast: “Our information is that both Chelsea and Manchester United have been in talks with Raiola about Donnarumma.
“It looks like Donnarumma has an opportunity to move to England, should he choose to.
“Accompanied by the commission that Raiola seeks and would want for free transfer of such a valuable asset.
“There is an opportunity for either club and others to secure Donnarumma on a longer-term contract without there being a fee.”
- Josh Graham
CITY SLICKERS
Manchester City reportedly insisted on an ‘anti-Man United’ clause as part of Brahim Diaz’s transfer to Real Madrid.
The 21-year-old was highly-rated at the Etihad but grew frustrated after only getting 15 appearances during his two-and-a-half years at the club.
That forced City to cash-in on the Spaniard forward in January 2019 just six months before he could exit for nothing.
Madrid splashed out £15.5million for Diaz, who is now on-loan in Italy with AC Milan.
However, City did ensure that there was no chance of their ex-starlet going straight on to their neighbours.
Reports claim Etihad chiefs included a remarkable 'anti-Man United clause’ in the agreement to take him to Bernabeu.
That clause stated that Madrid would be liable to pay a 40 per cent sell-on fee if they were to let Diaz move to 'another Manchester club.'
- Josh Graham
TEENAGE KICKS
How Manchester United could line up against West Ham – with Amad Diallo potentially in line for a Prem debut.
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