Gareth Bale is not a transfer priority for Manchester United, amid reports he is set to leave Real Madrid.
Bale was left on the bench in Madrid's final game of the season, with manager Zinedine Zidane claiming he would not have brought the Welshman on even if he had another substitution to make. That had led to reports suggesting Bale could be headed to United, but MEN Sport understand the club are targeting younger transfer targets.
Instead, United will target a holding midfielder, reports say. That will give Paul Pogba the protection to play further forward, which is reportedly key to United's summer transfer policy.
Meanwhile, youngster Tahith Chong is reported to be a loan target for Green outfit Olympiakos next season. The 19-year-old winger made four first team appearances last season for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.
We'll have the latest Manchester United news and transfer gossip throughout the day.
The Great Dane returns
AC Milan captain on United transfer talk
Alessio Romagnoli, the AC Milan defender and captain, has rubbished talk that he could leave the San Siro this summer, amid reported interest from Manchester United and others, including Juventus.
Speaking at an end of season event, he said the following:
“I am happy in Milan, I will remain here as long as I am happy, then we’ll see.
“The club has to talk about rumours, not me. I am happy in Milan and I am the captain, so I have many reasons to stay.
“If we don’t qualify for the Champions League, then it’d be another season with the objective of getting into that tournament, like the current campaign. However, there’s still a round to go and anything could happen.”
Luke Shaw on Solskjaer bringing 'joy'
“Yeah of course it is refreshing and I think that’s what we needed at the time. The new manager brings joy and positivity to the training ground, he’s always smiling, always happy and it rubs off on the players.
“We’re really enjoying playing under Ole and looking forward to starting a fresh new season under him and seeing what we can do.”
Former United player on 'long project' to restore former glories
Former Manchester United academy graduate Danny Higginbotham has spoken at length to talkSPORT about United’s late-season slump under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and says it will be a ‘long term project’ to challenge for league titles again.
“When Ole first came in there was a lot of adrenaline around and the team looked good, they looked strong.
“But then as the season went on it was plain and obvious for everyone to see – the players aren’t fit enough for Ole’s style.
“That doesn’t mean they’re not fit players, because you have different styles of football.
“If you took Klopp or Guardiola and got them to take over this United squad now, regardless of the different in quality between the groups of players, the United players can’t play in that way. It requires a different level of fitness.
“That’s the way Ole wants to play but Mourinho played a different way, so their fitness levels need to go up considerably because of the style of play Solskjaer wants to bring to the team.
“It’s a long-term project. Anybody that thinks Man United are going to challenge Man City and Liverpool next season, you need to take a step back.
“You’ve got to build the house slowly but surely, you’ve got to have the foundations and United have not had foundations for a number of years now.”
How Manchester United could line up with Daniel James next season
It looks likely that Manchester United will make Daniel James their first summer signing, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s rebuild starting to take shape.
A deal worth between £15million and £20million has been mooted, with excited United fans already asking where James will fit into the Reds’ side for next season.
The Swansea City 21-year-old is expected to seal his move to Old Trafford and his arrival would be a boost for United who have pursued the signing of a winger for some time. They also interested in Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho as they bid to close the gap on Manchester City and Liverpool.
Here’s how Solskjaer could line up his team with James at his disposal.
Rio looks back on Moscow
Can you believe Manchester United’s Champions League victory over Chelsea in Moscow was 11 years ago today?
Rio Ferdinand was part of the winning United side that night.
Mata 'likely' to renew contract
Spanish media outlet Mundo Deportivo claim that Juan Mata is ‘likely’ to renew his Manchester United contract.
The MEN has reported that both United and Mata want to extend the deal and talks have progressed over the past few weeks. Despite reported interest from Barcelona, it appears Mata could be staying at Old Trafford.
A glimpse of Daniel James
Feast your eyes on this, United fans...
Former United star to miss Europa League final
Henrikh Mkhitaryan was part of the Manchester United squad that won the Europa League in 2017 after that famous night in Stockholm, before his subsequent transfer to Arsenal.
But he won’t feature in this year’s Europa League final in Baku against Chelsea due to security concerns.
An Arsenal statement said:
We have thoroughly explored all the options for Micki to be part of the squad but after discussing this with Micki and his family we have collectively agreed he will not be in our travelling party.
We have written to Uefa expressing our deep concerns about this situation. Micki has been a key player in our run to the final so this is a big loss for us from a team perspective.
We’re also very sad that a player will miss out on a major European final in circumstances such as this, as it is something that comes along very rarely in a footballer’s career.
De Ligt 'perfect' for Man Utd
Former Norway striker Jan Åge Fjørtoft has left us in no doubt that Matthijs de Ligt is “perfect for Man United”. It’s difficult to argue with him that the Ajax captain would be a superb signing.
Swansea's stance on James' transfer
This is potentially a spanner in the works of the James transfer.
Swansea City insist there has been no contact from Manchester United over Daniel James, despite reports to the contrary.
Although MEN Sport understands James has agreed a move to United with a potential fee of around £15million, sources at the Welsh club say such talk is premature and that James remains a Swansea player.
James to United agreed
It looks very likely that Daniel James will become Manchester United’s first summer signing - and indeed their first under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The MEN understands personal terms have been agreed after Brighton boss Graham Potter (who managed James at Swansea) tried to hijack the move.
Here’s the full story as the deal appears close.
John Hartson on Daniel James to United possibility
Former Wales striker John Hartson has told our sister publication the Mirror that Swansea would be willing to sell Daniel James to Manchester United.
He also talked up the young Welsh winger, who today has been heavily tipped to join United after ‘agreeing personal terms’ - though we’re working hard to bring you an update on the status of this one.
“If they are offered in excess of £20million for Daniel, then it’s difficult to turn down.
“It would also be hard to deny the boy the opportunity of playing for a Manchester United.
“He is a special talent and very, very quick. He runs with the ball, can beat a man and can finish – I watched him score for Wales in only his second game, the winning goal against Slovakia.
“Ryan Giggs, the Wales manager, obviously believes in him. That was fantastic for his confidence.”
United's squad for the Treble anniversary match
United legends take on Bayern Munich at Old Trafford on Sunday in a special match to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 1999 European Cup final and the completion of the treble.
Here’s the (very impressive) squad:
1 Schmeichel 2 G. Neville 3 Irwin 4 May 5 Johnsen 6 Stam 7 Beckham 8 Butt 9 Cole 9 Saha 10 Sheringham 13 Park 14 Poborsky 15 Blomqvist 17 van der Gouw 18 Scholes 19 Yorke 20 Solskjaer 21 Berg 24 Brown 27 Silvestre 34 Greening.
Meunier drops another United hint
PSG right-back Thomas Meunier has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United and in an interview with Belgian media outlet RTFB:
“The club and management know, I would like to finish my contract at PSG or why not extend it. If this is done, so much the better and if that is not done, we will see what is possible and we will go elsewhere. At the level of rumors, I am quoted everywhere. Only beautiful clubs come out (smile). Manchester United, Juve, Dortmund, these are just exceptional clubs. But that’s also the chance to evolve in a club like Paris-Saint-Germain because, even with little play time, we offer you some visibility. We know that the PSG rarely invests on players who are not worth it in quotation marks. So I hope to find a nice base if PSG does not want to prolong the adventure . “
Lingard and Rashford on England duty
The United pair are in the squad for the warm-ups to the Nations League.
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De Ligt offers update on future
Reported United target Matthijs de Ligt remains coy about his future but says ‘it would be good’ to play with Frenkie de Jong, who will line up for Barcelona next season.
The Ajax defender spoke after receiving the Eredivisie player of the season award:
“I think he [De Jong] had a great season.
“He deserves to sign for Barcelona.
“Play with him there? It would be good to play with Frenkie at a club, but in these moments I don’t know what will happen.”
United 'to face City competition for Maguire'
Jose Mourinho was keen on a move for Harry Maguire last summer after the Leicester defender’s impressive performances for England at the World Cup.
The manager’s wish wasn’t granted, however, with Leicester handing the centre-back a new, five-year deal.
United are said to have revived their interest, though, after a dismaying campaign but City are now said to be competing with the Reds for the 26-year-old’s services.
£75 million could be enough to tempt Leicester into selling, the Mirror report.
Lille manager issues Nicolas Pepe transfer update
Lille manager Christophe Galtier has confirmed Nicolas Pepe will leave the club this summer.
The Ivorian winger has been in sensational form for Lille this year and was a key figure in their qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Pepe has netted 21 goals and notched 13 assists for the French side this season, form which has naturally seen him linked with a whole host of teams ahead of the summer transfer window.
Manchester United, Arsenal and Bayern Munich have all been linked with a move for the 23-year-old in the coming weeks, and they will no doubt be on high alert following his manager’s latest comments.
Speaking after the final match of the season on Saturday, Galtier confirmed Pepe will leave the club following his breakthrough season but warned the player to think carefully before selecting his next destination.
“Nicolas Pepe will leave,” Galtier told Canal+.
Benfica 'set Joao Felix asking price'
United will have to smash their transfer record to land Joao Felix from Benfica, the London Evening Standard report.
The Portuguese outfit are said to have put a £150 million price tag on the 19-year-old attacking midfielder, with City also thought to be interested in his services.
Partey issues update on future
Amid links with a move to United, Thomas Partey says his priority is playing regular football ahead of a summer that seems destined to be punctuated by uncertainty over his future at Atlético.
Here’s what the Ghanaian told the BBC:
“It’s hard for me to talk about transfers because the next minute it will be like ‘Thomas is trying to leave’ but for me playing football is what makes me happy,” he explained.
“I keep saying I am lucky to be at this level now because I know people who play harder and worker harder than me but are nowhere close to being here.
“I don’t know what the future holds for me but as long as I play and they are happy with me here then there is no need flirting with others.
“So the only thing that would make me unhappy will be not playing. I think most footballers can understand that not playing is the greatest torture any professional footballer can go through.”
United 'target' Dembele breaks silence on future
United were tipped with a move for the Lyon striker, Moussa Dembele, ever since speculation arose concerning a possible Serie A move for Romelu Lukaku.
Lyong signed the 22-year-old from Celtic last summer, and Dembele says he’s happy to stay at the Ligue 1 club despite reports linking him with a move away.
“I signed for five years with Lyon and I’m happy there but we’ll see what happens,” he said.
“I’m happy to stay with Lyon next season but we’ll see.”
Wilson bids farewell to Aberdeen
James Wilson’s loan spell at Aberdeen bore little fruit - scoring four goals in 33 appearances - and is set to leave United at the end of the season.
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Manchester United are about to get another reality check
This weekend will see a host of football greats converge on the Old Trafford turf to replay one of the iconic Champions League matches.
May 26, 2019, marks 20 years to the day since Manchester United beat Bayern Munich in dramatic circumstances to clinch their second European Cup.
It would be easy and obvious to eulogise United’s injury-time heroics in Catalonia ahead of the celebratory fixture but the truth is Sunday’s game against Bayern feels like another reality check and a stark reminder of how far United have fallen, for never in the 20 years since that iconic night have United been further away from scaling those heights than they are now.
Goodison Park in April 2014 was a low point, the Britannia in December 2016 was another, Jose Mourinho presided over several moments earlier this season that had fans asking just how it could get any worse, but the almost-expectedly apathetic loss to Cardiff earlier this month was the nadir of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
United youngster including in preliminary Wales squad
Dylan Levitt, the United under-23 midfielder, has been included in Ryan Giggs’ 26-man training squad ahead of Wales’ end-of-season international fixtures.
Kylian Mbappe plunges PSG future into doubt
Kylian Mbappé says his future could lie away from Paris Saint-Germain as he feels ‘it’s time to have more responsibility’.
The 20-year-old has scored 38 goals in 42 appearances for the French champions this season but says he is on the verge of a ‘turning point’ in his career.
Paris Saint-Germain signed the forward for a fee in the region of £166 million last summer after a season-long loan at the Ligue 1 champions, winning the league title in each of his campaigns in the French capital.
But Thomas Tuchel’s side have still to taste success on the European stage after being dumped out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage by Manchester United, with the Reds becoming the first team in the history of the European Cup to reverse a two-goal deficit in a second leg away from home.
And Mbappé says change could be on the horizon.
“Of course there were some disappointments [this season] but it’s part of football, we managed to win this league,” he said after accepting the Ligue 1 player of the year award on Sunday evening.
Partey 'listening to offers from England'
The Atlético Madrid midfielder, Thomas Partey, has been linked with a move away from the La Liga outfit this summer, with United one of several European clubs to be tipped for a move.
Partey’s release clause is said to stand at €50 million and reports in Spain suggest he - and his agent - are both keen on a move to the Premier League.
Sanchez to star in film
‘My friend Alexis’ will be the title of the film that is set for release at the end of the month.
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United 'stepping up De Ligt pursuit'
Reports in Barcelona claim that Manchester United are ‘the most economically committed’ to signing the Ajax defender, Matthijs de Ligt.
The 19-year-old captained Ajax to the semi-final of the Champions League this season and is thought to be keen on a move to Barcelona, with teammate Frenkie de Jong having agreed a deal with the La Liga giants in January.
United urged to sign Bale
Gareth Bale’s Real Madrid career looks to be over after being sidelined by Zinedine Zidane, and former United winger Ben Thornley feels the 29-year-old would be an ideal recruit for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this summer.
“I for one would not be unhappy at all if we signed somebody of Gareth Bale’s ilk,” he told Tribalfootball.
“It’s been well documented that things have not gone brilliantly for him recently at Real.
“I don’t think too many United fans would be unhappy about having a stellar signing like him coming to the club. But I can also see with the average age of the squad that we are building for the future.
“When you think of Martial, Rashford, Luke Shaw, they are all lads that are below their mid 20’s yet. You’ve got Diogo Dalot who’s one for the future. And let’s not forget Scott McTominay who was arguably our best player against PSG.
“So it wouldn’t matter to me if Solskjaer [was looking at veteran players] and also the flip side of that is that we have a young squad and would somebody of Gareth Bale’s class and experience help these guys as well? It is a win-win situation for me on that score.”
