Transfer: Coutinho snubs Man Utd move ‘because of Liverpool’

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Transfer: Coutinho snubs Man Utd move ‘because of Liverpool’

 

Barcelona midfielder, Philippe Coutinho, will turn down a move to Manchester United this summer out of respect to former club Liverpool, Sky Sports reports.

 

Coutinho is widely expected to leave Spain in the transfer window, after a below-par season at Camp Nou.

United were thought to be the frontrunners for the 27-year-old and were weighing up a move for the Brazil playmaker.

However, Coutinho is unwilling to consider a move to Old Trafford, after his spell at Liverpool from 2013-2018.

After a loan spell in Espanyol, Coutinho left Inter Milan permanently in January 2013, to join Liverpool for £8.5m.

It was at Anfield that Coutinho’s career really began to take off, with the Brazil international quickly becoming a key figure for the Reds.

Coutinho eventually left for Barca in January 2018 for a reported fee of £142m.

 

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Transfer: Lukaku told to leave Manchester United

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Transfer: Lukaku told to leave Manchester United

 

Head coach of Belgium national team, Roberto Martinez, has urged Romelu Lukaku to leave Manchester United.

Lukaku’s future at Old Trafford is in doubt, following a difficult second season.

The 26-year-old fell out of favour under new boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with Marcus Rashford being preferred upfront.

Lukaku netted 15 goals in 45 appearances for United in all competitions, a drop from the 27 goals he scored in his debut campaign following his £90million move from Everton in 2017.

That dip in form has sparked rumours of a potential summer move, with Serie A outfit Inter believed to be leading the chase for the striker

“It is clear that he has to leave Manchester United.

“It would be a good thing for both parties. It is now important that Romelu finds the right club,” Martinez told Belgian outlet Het Laatste Nieuws.

 

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Transfer: Man Utd to offer Pogba £500,000-a-week deal to snub Real Madrid move

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Transfer: Man Utd to offer Pogba £500,000-a-week deal to snub Real Madrid move

 

Manchester United are willing to offer Paul Pogba a stunning £500,000-a-week contract, to stop him from moving to Real Madrid this summer, SportsMail reports.

Pogba admitted his intention to leave, after saying “it could be time for a new challenge” last weekend.

Real Madrid and Juventus have shown an interest in him, but United are determined to keep their record signing next season.

Senior officials at Old Trafford, are also set to address the issue by offering Pogba a pay rise, that will up his current £290,000-a-week pay to nearer the £500,000 being picked up by United’s top earner Alexis Sanchez.

Pogba has two years left on his deal, which United have the option to extend by 12 months.

Real Madrid are believed to have made an opening offer of £90m, but know that it will take considerably more than that to test United’s resolve.

 

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Transfer: What Sarri said about bringing Pogba back to Juventus

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Transfer: What Sarri said about bringing Pogba back to Juventus

 

Maurizio Sarri has said he can “succeed” with Paul Pogba at Juventus, if the Italian champions re-signed him from Manchester United, according to Calciomercato.

Sarri was confirmed as Juventus’ new manager on Sunday, following his exit from Chelsea after just one season.

The Italian has reportedly already been in touch with Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici via his agent and has chatted about the many transfer targets on the club’s wishlist.

It is reported that one name that has caught Sarri’s attention more than any other is Pogba’s.

The France international used to play for Juventus and while Sarri has never worked with him, he knows of him from his time in the Premier League.

Upon learning of Juve’s interest in the Manchester United midfielder, he reportedly said: “I succeeded with [Eden] Hazard, I can also do it with a phenomenon like Pogba.”

Pogba is keen to leave Manchester United this summer as he publicly confirmed this to reporters in Japan on Sunday. 

 

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Rio Ferdinand confirms he has spoken to Woodward about Man Utd job

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Rio Ferdinand confirms he has spoken to Woodward about Man Utd job

 

Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he has spoken to Manchester United executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, about the sporting director role.

United have been looking to overhaul football operations, allowing Woodward to focus on the commercial side.

Despite lots of speculations linking people with the role, things have gone cold in recent months with a report claiming that the club have stalled on hiring someone. Woodward set to remain in charge of transfers for the time being.

However, former United captain, Ferdinand has not been shy in declaring his desire for the position and says he has discussed the job with Woodward.

“I’ve always spoken to Ed since I left, anyway. I had that type of relationship with him.

“I’ve not seen him at a game, so all the chats I’ve had with him have been on the phone or I go and see him when I’m in London.

“I’m not the type to dilly-dally around. I’ve seen the stuff in the papers. ‘What’s that role about?’ I’ve asked that question – so yes, I have spoken to him.

“I’m very honest and Ed’s open and honest with me. Manchester United and the powers that be will decide as and when they are going to put someone into that role.

“If I am the person on that list and the person they are going to talk to, then that time will come.

“It’s nice to be on a list in such a responsible role at such a prestigious club. If the call comes I will say, ‘thank you very much for that’, but if that call doesn’t come, I’ll not lose sleep over it,” Ferdinand told BBC Sportsweek.

 

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Transfer: Man Utd identify two midfielders to replace Pogba after player revealed exit plan

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Transfer: Man Utd identify two midfielders to replace Pogba after player revealed exit plan

 

Manchester United have finally identified two players to replace midfielder Paul Pogba, after the France international revealed his plan to leave Old Trafford in this summer’s transfer window.

Pogba had on Sunday told reporters in Tokyo, Japan that he wants “a new challenge” this summer. 

The France World Cup winner, who has been linked with a move to Juventus and Real Madrid, said, “Like you said, there is a lot of talking a lot of thinking as well.

“For me, I have been for three years in Manchester and have been doing great; some good moments and some bad moments, like everybody, like everywhere else.

“After this season and everything that happened this season, with my season being my best season as well.

“I think for me it could be a good time to have a new challenge somewhere else.”

However, Mundo Deportivo is now reporting that Man United have turned their attention to two Barcelona midfielders, Ivan Rakitic and Philippe Coutinho, as potential replacement for the 26-year-old when he eventually leaves the Red Devils.

The report claimed that United have long admired the pair and will step up their pursuit for the Croatian international and the Brazilian international in the coming days.

 

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EPL 2019/2020: Full list of Man United games as Premier League announces fixtures

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EPL 2019/2020: Full list of Man United games as Premier League announces fixtures

Manchester United’s first fixture of the 2019/2020 Premier League campaign is against Chelsea.

The game will be played on Sunday, August 11.

It is the first time the Red Devils will clash with the Blues at Old Trafford, on the opening day since the 2004/2005 season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first away trip next season, comes the following week against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The first Manchester Derby takes place at the Etihad Stadium on December 7, with the reverse fixture on March 7.

United finish the season against West Ham and Leicester City.

UNITED’S PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES 2019/20

Sun Aug 11 Chelsea H
Sat Aug 17 Wolverhampton Wanderers A
Sat Aug 24 Crystal Palace H
Sat Aug 31 Southampton A

Sat Sep 14 Leicester City H
Sat Sep 21 West Ham United A
Sat Sep 28 Arsenal H

Sat Oct 5 Newcastle United A
Sat Oct 19 Liverpool H
Sat Oct 26 Norwich City A

Sat Nov 2 Bournemouth A
Sat Nov 9 Brighton and Hove Albion H
Sat Nov 23 Sheffield United A
Sat Nov 30 Aston Villa H

Tue Dec 3 Tottenham Hotspur H
Sat Dec 7 Manchester City A
Sat Dec 14 Everton H
Sat Dec 21 Watford A
Thu Dec 26 Newcastle United H
Sat Dec 28 Burnley A

Wed Jan 1 Arsenal A
Sat Jan 11 Norwich City H
Sat Jan 18 Liverpool A
Tue Jan 21 Burnley H

Sat Feb 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers H
Sat Feb 8 Chelsea A (Matches to be played 8 or 15 February).
Sat Feb 22 Watford H
Sat Feb 29 Everton A

Sat Mar 7 Manchester City H
Sat Mar 14 Tottenham Hotspur A
Sat Mar 21 Sheffield United H

Sat Apr 4 Brighton and Hove Albion A
Sat Apr 11 Bournemouth H
Sat Apr 18 Aston Villa A
Sat Apr 25 Southampton H

Sat May 2 Crystal Palace A
Sat May 9 West Ham United H
Sun May 17 Leicester City A

 

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Transfer: Man United offers Nigerian forward two-year contract

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Transfer: Man United offers Nigerian forward two-year contract

 

Nigerian forward, Ayodeji Sotona, has been offered a two-year contract by Manchester United, as reported by Allnigeriassoccer.

The report claimed that the Red Devils will promote the 16-year-old to the Under 18 team after extending his stay at Old Trafford ahead of next season.

Sotona, an Irish-born winger of Nigerian parentage, was impressive for Man United’s Under 16 team last campaign.

The player had represented the Republic of Ireland at Under 15 and Under 16 levels respectively.

He made his first Under 18 debut for Man United in their 3-1 victory over Newcastle United in March.

 

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EPL: Manchester United reveals final decision on Nigerian defender

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EPL: Manchester United reveals final decision on Nigerian defender

 

Manchester United have revealed their final decision on American-born Nigerian defender Matthew Olosunde.

The club stated that the player will be departing once his contract expires on June 30, 2019.

The club confirmed this through a statement on their official website.

Olosunde who is eligible to play for Nigeria, joined Manchester United from New York Red Bulls in March 2016.

The player started with the U18 team at Old Trafford before he was promoted to the U23 squad in the 2016-2017 campaign and went on to make 33 appearances across three seasons in the Premier League 2.

He, however, struggled with injuries in his final season at the club.

Olosunde began his career at Princeton Football Club, where he spent seven years before shifting to NYRB.

The club’s statement reads, “At this time of year, players’ contracts are set to expire at all levels within Manchester United as the squads start to take shape in advance of the upcoming 2019/20 season.

“While some will inevitably move on, the Under-23s welcome the older members of the Academy group, who step up to Premier League 2 football. An intake of first-year scholars then replaces them in the Under-18s. Of course, all players named on the actual retained list published by the Premier League remain under contract to the club.

“In terms of the first team, it has already been confirmed that Ander Herrera and Antonio Valencia are leaving United after distinguished service in the red shirt. Juan Mata, meanwhile, has been offered a new contract.

“At Under-23s level, the club has taken up the option to extend midfielder Aidan Barlow’s deal. Fresh terms have also been offered to keepers Alex Fojticekand Paul Woolston, plus Italian defender Luca Ercolani.

“Several players who spent time away from the club on loan last term will be seeking deals with new teams as they continue their careers elsewhere.

“Regan Poole helped Newport County reach the League Two play-off final, while Zak Dearnley (Oldham Athletic), Tom Sang(AFC Fylde), Callum Whelan (Port Vale), Matty Willock (Crawley Town) and James Wilson (Aberdeen) also had loans away from Old Trafford.

“Of course, both defender Poole and striker Wilson have represented the United first team.

“Matthew Olosunde, Tyrell Warren, DJ Buffonge, Callum Gribbin, Millen Baars and Josh Bohui have also been released, as has Under-18s goalkeeper James Thompson.

“We would like to wish all the players leaving the club the very best of luck for the future.”

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Transfer: Solskjaer’s first signing having Manchester United medicals today

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Transfer: Solskjaer’s first signing having Manchester United medicals today

 

Swansea City winger, Daniel James, is having a medical with Manchester United today, according to Sky Sports.

James is set to become Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first signing of the summer, as he seeks to rebuild his squad.

It is believed the player would cost United around £15million.

James currently has a year left on his contract with the Championship side.

The Wales international has been included in manager, Ryan Giggs’ squad for their Portugal training camp, ahead of next month’s Euro 2020 qualifying round matches against Croatia and Hungary respectively.

The 21-year-old had scored his debut international goal in their 1-0 victory over Slovakia in March.

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Transfer: Manchester United identify Lukaku’s replacement

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Transfer: Manchester United identify Lukaku’s replacement

 

Manchester United are weighing up a move for Eintracht Frankfurt striker, Sebastien Haller, should Romelu Lukaku leave the club this summer, ESPN reports.

Lukaku is a transfer target for Inter Milan and their new manager Antonio Conte, but United will only sell if the Italian side meet their £80million asking price.

If the Belgian eventually leaves, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will move for a new striker and has identified Haller as a potential option.

The 24-year-old has been superb upfront for Frankfurt alongside the now departed Luka Jovic, who joined Real Madrid this week.

Haller scored 20 goals last season and chipped in with a further 12 assists.

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EPL: Man United to triple Rashford’s salary next season to keep him off the market

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EPL: Man United to triple Rashford’s salary next season to keep him off the market

 

Manchester United are willing to triple striker, Marcus Rashford’s £75,000-per-week salary next season.

Daily Star reports that the Red Devils are determined to treble the England international’s wages in a bid to keep him out of the grasps of Spanish La Liga giants, Barcelona and Real Madrid this summer’s transfer window.

Rashford has been heavily linked with a move to both Barcelona or Real Madrid after Man United failed to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.

The report also claimed that Rashford over the weekend stalled talks over a new contract with the club’s board as he has doubts over the direction the club is heading under manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Solskjaer’s side finished in sixth position on the Premier League table with 66 points from 38 matches this season.

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EPL: What I discovered during my time in charge of Man Utd - Solskjaer reveals

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EPL: What I discovered during my time in charge of Man Utd - Solskjaer reveals

 

Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has admitted that his time in charge of the club, has proven to him that he hates losing.

The Norwegian replaced Jose Mourinho as United manager in December and shone as caretaker boss, only to struggle as permanent boss.

And a miserable Premier League season came to an end on Sunday, as relegated Cardiff won 2-0 at Old Trafford.

Solskjaer is positive he can kick on next season, after an underwhelming campaign.

“I’ve learned that I don’t like losing. I like winning. We started off fantastically.

“The boys were unbelievable when I came in. We were positive. We won games. The whole group gelled together and I enjoyed winning but I know that football is hard.

“You can’t just expect everything to go that way and the reality hit us. We are in a league with loads of very good teams and, to be at our top (level), we need to be 100 per cent focused.

“We came into some games really, really focused with the full team and I thought that was fantastic.

“Then you learn a lot when you go through tough times and think about ‘who can we build this team around?’ and who we think is going to take the next step because we need to go to the next level,” Solskjaer told MUTV.

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EPL: I will sell half of Manchester United team - Solskjaer threatens

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EPL: I will sell half of Manchester United team - Solskjaer threatens

 

Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, was so furious with his players after the Cardiff defeat, that he threatened to sell half the squad, the UK Sun reports.

United were left humiliated after a 2-0 defeat by Neil Warnock’s side at Old Trafford, in their final Premier League fixture of the season.

Solskjaer also cancelled the club’s end of season debrief on Monday, after calling his players a “disgrace”.

 

The 46-year-old has been left angry, at the attitude of some of his players after a terrible end to the season.

United finished the season in 6th place in the Premier League to qualify for the Europa League.

Plans for next season may also need to be altered, should Watford find a way to beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

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EPL: Mourinho Reacts To Man United 2-0 Win Against Bournemouth, Pogba

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EPL: Mourinho Reacts To Man United 2-0 Win Against Bournemouth, Pogba

Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, has praised his players after their 2-0 win over Bournemouth on Wednesday night.

Chris Smalling opened scoring in the first half, before United held off the hosts’ resistance and Lukaku added the second with 20 minutes left.

“The players were good. I think good team performance, professional, controlled, good effort, desire to play, to score, desire to cope with the defensive responsibilities.

“Everything was different, it was faster, simple. I’m happy the result was also good, the players can have that positive feeling. Every player on the pitch was positive,” Mourinho said after the game.

The Portuguese also praised midfielder Paul Pogba, who put in a very impressive performance on the night and laid on the assist for Lukaku.

“I’m not very good on man of the match. Especially because i’m a team manager, but he played very well.

“Against City he was phenomenal but today he was very very good, so good choice,” Mourinho added.

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EPL: Martial Most Likely To Move To Arsenal

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EPL: Martial Most Likely To Move To Arsenal

Arsenal have emerged as favourite to lure Anthony Martial from Manchester United, according to reports in his native France.

Le 10 Sport claims the 22-year-old is keen to leave Old Trafford and wishes to stay in the Premier League to prove a point to Jose Mourinho.

Martial would be available for around £60million should United chiefs allow him to leave, after his playing time reduced since the arrival of Alexis Sanchez in January.

The Frenchman is also believed to be keeping an eye on other Premier League options and sees Gunners rivals Spurs and Chelsea as potential destinations.

Martial’s current deal expires in the summer of 2019, but the club retain the option of a one-year extension.

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EPL: Mourinho Enlists Paul Pogba For Transfer

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EPL: Mourinho Enlists Paul Pogba For Transfer

Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho has added Paul Pogba to a list of players he may offload this summer.

Pogba’s relationship with his Portuguese manager has hit a new low after the former Chelsea boss substituted the Frenchman during the defeat to West Brom on Sunday.

The defeat handed the Premier League title to Manchester City earlier than expected.

It is not the first time Mourinho has lost faith in Pogba this season.

He has repeatedly been dropped by Mourinho this season.

And Daily Mail UK reports that Mourinho has finally decided to let the Frenchman leave the club.

The newspaper claimed that Mourinho wants to sell Pogba, although there is set to be resistance from the United board.

Ed Woodward will not want to sell a player United paid a club record transfer fee of £89million to sign just two years ago.

The 25-year-old midfielder has struggled to fit into Mourinho’s system and follow his manager’s instructions.

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EPL: Mourinho Urged To Sell The Troublemakers in the Squad

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EPL: Mourinho Urged To Sell The Troublemakers in the Squad

Former Manchester United captain, Gary Neville, has urged manager Jose Mourinho to identify the troublemakers in his squad and sell them in the summer.

Neville was reacting to United’s 1-0 defeat to West Brom on Sunday, which handed the Premier League title to rivals Manchester City.

Jay Rodriguez’s goal was enough to stun Old Trafford and give the Baggies their first league win since the 2-0 victory over Brighton in January.

Neville, who won eight Premier League titles in Manchester, has now told Mourinho what to do in the off season.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, he said: “I didn’t see it coming, it was a dismal, weak day for United. They started the season trying to rid themselves of these performances.

“Mourinho referred to attitude and consistency, he needs to identify the ones causing those problems and they need to go. I think there will be three or four players leaving and the same number coming in.

“He’s got to make that gap up and it’s going to be tough. Consistency is about mentality and the players fell well below that considering the last couple of weeks.”

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EPL: Mourinho Sets To Sign Neymar, Plans On Swapping Pogba, Martial

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EPL: Mourinho Sets To Sign Neymar, Plans On Swapping Pogba, Martial

Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho might use Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial in a swap deal to land Brazilian international, Neymar.

Neymar moved to the Ligue 1 giants in a world record £224million transfer from Barcelona last summer.

The 26-year-old has grown disillusioned at PSG, fallen out with his coach Unai Emery and several of his high-profile teammates.

Pogba, who scored twice for Manchester United in Saturday’s derby victory, has also endured a turbulent few months at Old Trafford.

Also, Martial has been used sparingly in recent weeks having lost his starting spot to new signing Alexis Sanchez and has regularly been linked with a move to Juventus.

The Daily Star claims any deal would see United having to trade both Pogba and Martial, plus around £50m, in order to sign Neymar.

Neymar has been sidelined with an ankle injury for six weeks now.

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Manchester United Wonder Kid, Kehinde Reveals Why He Chose Nigeria Over England

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Manchester United Wonder Kid, Kehinde Reveals Why He Chose Nigeria Over England

Manchester United youngster, Tosin Kehinde has explained why he chose to play for Nigeria instead of England.

The young central midfielder and his representatives had held talks with the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Vice President Shehu Dikko, Secretary General Mohammed Sanusi and manager Gernot Rohr at the Super Eagles Crowne Plaza Hotel in London before the national team’s friendly against Serbia.

He told BBC Sports, ”Nigeria has always been a part of me. I was born there. My whole family are Nigerian.

“I come from a very strong Nigerian background, so the influence has always been around me.”

Kehinde is hoping to follow the footsteps of Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi and Ola Aina. He did not hide his admiration for Jay Jay Okocha and John Mikel Obi.

He added, ”When you are growing up, when you see players like Jay Jay Okocha, how good he was and the current crop of players such as Alex Iwobi and Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi, the desire to get the opportunity to play for Nigeria has always been there really.”

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