1pm Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Sancho £109m bid ‘expected’, Pogba five-year deal EXCLUSIVE, Denia REJECTS switch – The Sun

July 16, 2020

MANCHESTER UNITED take on Crystal Palace this week as they aim to keep alive their Champions League hopes.

The overturning of Man City's European ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport means only the top four will qualify for next season's competition.

And on the transfer front we have the latest updates on Jadon Sancho plus a huge exclusive on Paul Pogba's new contract.

Get all the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford here…

PLAY IT KOUL
Manchester United and City are on red alert after Napoli reportedly slashed Kalidou Koulibaly's transfer fee.
The Italian side had originally valued the in-demand defender at £80million.
But according to the Mirror, Napoli will let him leave this summer for £65million.
Koulibaly has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League following his impressive spell in Italy.
Manchester City are said to be lining up a move for him after their Champions League ban was overturned.
VIRGIL VS HARRY
Harry Maguire trumps Virgil Van Dijk in virtually every department after the Dutchman's mistake last night led to comparisons between the two.
Van Dijk gifted the ball to Alexandre Lacazette to put Arsenal level last night, before Alisson's howler helped Reiss Nelson make it 2-1.
And United fans have been quick to hail Maguire as the best defender in the Premier League, even though he was criticised for his positioning for Southampton's equaliser in their 2-2 draw on Monday night.
Here is how the two compare in stats:
RINGS A BELL
Jude Bellingham has arrived in Dortmund to complete his move to Borussia, according to reports.
The English teenager, 17, played the final 32 minutes of the Blues' 1-1 draw with Charlton last night.
But it appears the Bundesliga club are keen to accelerate a deal for the midfielder.
Manchester United had shown keen interest in Bellingham, but it appears he will be another signing to slip through their fingers and join the Westfalenstadion.
FINAL THIRD
Manchester United have a 66 per cent chance of making the top four, according to boffins.
The Red Devils have a two-thirds chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League, while Leicester have been given a 49 per cent chance.
Chelsea are favourites to make the top four and have been given an 85 per cent chance of qualifying, according to these stats from FiveThirtyEight.
DENIAL
Manchester United look set to miss out on Atletico Madrid youngster Marcos Denia this summer.
The forward, 16, is set to stay with the Spanish club after rejecting a proposal to move to Carrington.
United are already welcoming another Spanish teenager in Arnau Puigmal this summer.
WE WANT PAUL ON THE BALL
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has described Paul Pogba as undroppable after the Manchester United midfielder’s return to the team.
Solskjaer said: “I’ve been speaking more or less every day with Paul and of course he knows that he wouldn't be dropped.
“When Paul plays like this he wouldn't be dropped from any team in the world.
“But he has been out for a long time and there was question mark before the Southampton game.
“He felt ready for it and that was great. Now, let's see how he is today and tomorrow.
“He has been fantastic since the restart and he has brought a lot to the team.”
YOUNGSTERS WARNED
Manchester United have warned five of their young stars about Covid-19 guidelines after they attended a four-team tournament at a Fives Soccer Centre, reports NEIL CUSTIS.
The event which involved 44 players and 50 spectators in Trafford, Manchester, will have fallen outside the strict protocol United have also put in place to protect their players from the virus.
James Garner and D’Mani Mellor, both 19, have represented the United first team and both played in the event as has Ethan Laird, 18, who was there as a spectator.
Youth team players Anthony Elanga, 18, also played while Teden Mengi, 18, was a spectator.
Both Brandon Williams and Mason Greenwood – a doubt for the clash against Crystal Palace – had been asked to play but refused.
The event involved players from all over the North West.
EXCLUSIVE
Manchester United have ramped up their coronavirus prevention protocols – as more staff started returning to Carrington this week.
The high-tech training complex has been on near-lockdown since the Covid-19 pandemic gripped the world in early-March.
Only the first-team and academies have been allowed through the door, along with members of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s backroom staff.
There has also been access for key workers, to keep their base of operations in working order, such as groundsman.
But more people have started to return this week, as Boris Johnson’s Government ease restrictions on heading back to work.
ICYMI – POGBA CONTRACT EXCLUSIVE
Paul Pogba is close to agreeing a new five-year Manchester United deal, writes NEIL CUSTIS.
SunSport understands the Red Devils are confident of announcing the news at the end of the season.
The Frenchman, 27, has had a change of heart since expressing his desire to leave the club this time last season.
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reinstated him into his post-lockdown team after he recovered from an ankle injury.
While Pogba looked tired and made a couple of errors against Southampton — one of which led to their first goal in Monday’s 2-2 draw — he has generally been playing well.
Solskjaer had started to plan for the future without him but has noticed a real change in attitude and form.
I'M UP FOUR IT
David De Gea has declared that he wants to reach ANOTHER 400 games with Manchester United after beating Peter Schmeichel's mark of 398 games with the club.
The Spanish stopper, 29, said: “I’m very, very proud to reach 400 games.
“It’s something amazing just to be part of this club. It’s something crazy… imagine to reach 400 games… it’s something very, very special for me and hopefully I can play another 400 games and just enjoy things day by day and enjoy being part of this club.
“I just want to keep playing and enjoying training and enjoying being with my team-mates and the staff and everyone.
“I just enjoy wearing the Manchester United shirt in every game and to play at Old Trafford is always special.
“I’m grateful to be here and hopefully I can be here for many years.”
PREDICTED XI
Manchester United travel to Crystal Palace tonight hoping to bounce back from their 2-2 draw with Southampton on Monday.
Brandon Williams and Luke Shaw were both injured in the clash and are doubts for the visit to Selhurst Park.
And a knock taken by Mason Greenwood could also add to the Red Devils' woes.
Here is how SunSport predict the Red Devils could line up in South London.
WILF'S AT THE DOOR
Former United winger Wilfried Zaha faces another summer of uncertainty at Selhurst Park with four clubs believed to be interested in him.
The 27-year-old – who saw potential moves to Arsenal and Everton fall through last year due to the Eagles‘ £80million price tag – has once again been influential for the South London side this season.
Zaha has featured in all 35 Premier League games for Palace – chipping in with four goals and five assists.
And fans will be now wondering whether this will be the last campaign he has at the club, with the Daily Mail stating that the forward is being chased by clubs from around the continent.
They report that Newcastle are one of the teams vying for his signature as they eye up a marquee signing should their proposed takeover be completed.
Meanwhile the Toffees are said to have retained interest in Zaha – despite signing Alex Iwobi from Arsenal after they failed to agree a fee with Palace.
£109M JAD
Borussia Dortmund “are expecting a bid of £109million” from Manchester United for Jadon Sancho.
The England international is one of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s top summer transfer targets as he looks to continue rebuilding the Red Devils.
And the star’s Bundesliga employers seem to believe they are on the verge of receiving a huge offer if United qualify for the Champions League, according to German newspaper Bild.
Solskjaer's side face a fight to secure a top four finish with just three Premier League matches left to play.
GOOD MORNING RED DEVILS FANS
SunSport can exclusively reveal that Paul Pogba is close to agreeing a new five-year Manchester United deal.
We understand the Red Devils are confident of announcing the news at the end of the season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had started to plan for the future without him but has noticed a real change in attitude and form.
There is a belief on both sides that a new deal would finally end any doubts about his future, with Pogba’s current deal expiring in 2021.
Further reports claim Borussia Dortmund are expecting a bid of £109million from United for Jadon Sancho.
Bild claims an offer from the Red Devils is imminent.
And personal terms are not expected to be a problem between the club and winger.
Meanwhile, Solskjaer has blasted Man Utd’s jam-packed fixture schedule with Chelsea getting 48 hours extra to prepare for their FA Cup semi.
He said: “There is a concern, obviously, they will have had 48 hours’ more rest and recovery.
“We spoke about a fair scheduling going into this restart and it isn’t.
“But I have to think about winning this one and then pick up the pieces after that.
“Forty-eight hours is a big difference at this stage of the season so we’ve not been handed four aces, to put it that way, for the last two weeks. But we’re going to have to put on a poker face and play the cards well.”
Finally, Solskjaer has also slammed ref Chris Kavanagh for not sending off Oriol Romeu for a bad foul on Mason Greenwood.
The incident occurred during Man Utd’s 2-2 draw with Southampton, and Greenwood is now set to miss the next game against Crystal Palace.
Solskjaer raged: “In the heat of the moment he'll play on and adrenaline gets you going, and then you get a little bit of reaction after.
“I said after the game that my ankles were a bit weak after many years of football.
“But obviously Mason carried on and I think it should have been looked upon by the referee definitely.”
NEW DEVIL
Borussia Dortmund are expecting a bid of £109million from Manchester United for Jadon Sancho.
Bild claims an offer from the Red Devils is imminent.
And personal terms are not expected to be a problem between the club and winger.
WAT ON EARTH
Watford supporters are the Premier League’s biggest potty mouths, a study found.
They get a red card for using foul language about their relegation-threatened team online.
But where does your team rank?
SOL CRUSHING
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has blasted Man Utd’s jam-packed fixture schedule with Chelsea getting 48 hours extra to prepare for their FA Cup semi.
He said: “There is a concern, obviously, they will have had 48 hours’ more rest and recovery.
“We spoke about a fair scheduling going into this restart and it isn’t.
“But I have to think about winning this one and then pick up the pieces after that.
“Forty-eight hours is a big difference at this stage of the season so we’ve not been handed four aces, to put it that way, for the last two weeks. But we’re going to have to put on a poker face and play the cards well.”
EXCLUSIVE BY NEIL CUSTIS
Paul Pogba is close to agreeing a new five-year Manchester United deal.
SunSport understands the Red Devils are confident of announcing the news at the end of the season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had started to plan for the future without him but has noticed a real change in attitude and form.
There is a belief on both sides that a new deal would finally end any doubts about his future.
KAVANAGH LAUGH
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has slammed ref Chris Kavanagh for not sending off Oriol Romeu for a bad foul on Mason Greenwood.
The incident occurred during Man Utd’s 2-2 draw with Southampton, and Greenwood could now miss the next game against Crystal Palace.
Solskjaer said: “In the heat of the moment he'll play on and adrenaline gets you going, and then you get a little bit of reaction after.
“I said after the game that my ankles were a bit weak after many years of football.
“But obviously Mason carried on and I think it should have been looked upon by the referee definitely.”
FAN VIEW BY TOM McDERMOTT
Man Utd didn’t ‘bottle’ it vs Southampton but their mentality will be questioned if they fail to get a Champions League spot.
It’s a weakness that must be rectified if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to take his team from top four challengers to genuine title hopefuls over the next couple of seasons.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE FAN VIEW
LITTLE DEVILS
Ole’s at the wheel, and he's looking to promote youth.
There's a growing feeling at Old Trafford that the class of 2020 could just emulate the legendary class of ’92.
That's why the Norwegian is planning to introduce more fledgling talents into his first team set-up next season.
CLICK HERE TO MEET UNITED'S NEXT STARS
PHIL ME IN
Man Utd star Phil Jones has taken the flash yellow wrap off his £160,000 Lamborghini.
The England defender, 28, has toned the Urus 4X4 back down to its original white because he intends to sell it.
The eye-catching Lamborghini has a 4 litre V8 engine and can reach a top speed of 189.5mph.
It boasts 641bhp and can do 0-60mph in a rapid 3.3 seconds.
The starting price for one of these impressive motors is £160,000.
SKRIN OF MY TEETH
Inter Milan are apparently open to selling Milan Skriniar for the right price.
The defender has been linked with Manchester United.
But he could cost upwards of £50million, according to Football Italia.
RIGHT SAID FRED
Fred showered his wife with gifts on their wedding anniversary – including a jar of cooking sauce and a picture of himself.
The Manchester United midfielder showed off his romantic side as he decorated their room with balloons and dozens of red roses.
Fred then took her out for a romantic meal at the posh 20 Stories restaurant in Manchester.
RIK ROLL
Christian Eriksen is one of 11 players Inter Milan could sell – just six months after his £20million switch from Tottenham.
That's according to Football Italia, with the Denmark playmaker rated at £55m despite his erratic season.
Marcelo Brozovic, Matias Vecino, Kwadwo Asamoah, Roberto Gagliardini, Andrea Ranocchia, Danilo D’Ambrosio, Cristiano Biraghi, Tommaso Berni, Diego Godin and Sebastiano Esposito could also leave, putting Premier League teams on alert.

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