Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Pogba expected to stay, Varane watches Leeds win on TV inside Old Trafford, Haaland latest
MANCHESTER UNITED have begun their Premier League campaign with a crushing 5-1 win over Leeds.
And following that result, reports abound that Paul Pogba is keen to stay at the club.
Watching on at Old Trafford was new signing Raphael Varane as he was unveiled in front of fans following his move from Real Madrid.
But despite being inside the ground, the Frenchman bizarrely decided to watch the game on TV rather than in the stands.
We've also got all the latest on Man Utd's pursuit of Erling Haaland and Eduardo Camavinga.
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Follow all the latest updates below…
- Alex Terrell
OLE HAILS POGBA
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has heaped praise on Paul Pogba after the Frenchman's stunning FOUR assists for United against Leeds.
The Old Trafford boss said: "Paul's always got that vision, he's got that quality.
"I know the headlines will probably be about Bruno but it's a team effort, the space Mason (Greenwood) creates for Bruno to open up the channels, what everyone does ahead of the goals has been worked on this week.
"Paul, I'm very impressed with his fitness levels as well, he's not been with us for too long and he looks fit, raring to go, enjoying his football.
“I love seeing Paul smiling when he is playing football."
- Alex Terrell
RATINGS VS LEEDS – SUBS
Jadon Sancho – 6
Man Utd fans cheered the introduction of Sancho as if they'd seen another goal.
He didn't have many touches on the ball but he showed flashes of slick dribbling as Leeds were desperate to see the final whistle.
Credit: AP Anthony Martial – 6
Anthony Martial was unable to make an impact in the game as Man Utd comfortably saw out the latter stages.
But he will find it hard to break into this line up if the attack maintain this form.
Nemanja Matic – 6
The experienced midfielder maintained Man Utd's dominance in the middle of the park and kept the pressure on.
- Alex Terrell
RATINGS VS LEEDS – FORWARDS
Dan James – 6
Following the high-profile arrival of Jadon Sancho, it was big opportunity for Dan James to show what he's all about.
The Welshman started brightly and he was able to stretch Leeds' defence and exploit spaces in behind.
But after getting in dangerous positions he was unable to punish Leeds as wasted strong shooting and crossing opportunities.
Mason Greenwood – 8
Mason Greenwood led the line tremendously for United as he put the Red Devils back in front.
He showed his blistering to pounce on Pogba's long ball before firing the ball into the back of the net off the post.
The teenager was a handful for Leeds and also did a good job of pressing Leeds' back four.
Greenwood's performance showed he's capable of sharing responsibilities with Edinson Cavani up front, as interest for Harry Kane and Erling Haaland continues to be rumoured.
- Alex Terrell
RATINGS VS LEEDS – MIDFIELD
Scott McTominay – 7
This fierce rivalry brings the best out of McTominay.
The Scottish midfielder burst into the Leeds box inside the opening two minutes and forced a huge block from Liam Cooper.
He flew into tackles and stopped Leeds from playing int he middle of the park.
Fred – 7
Fred was fairly quiet throughout but was right on cue to burst into he box and get on the end of Pogba's fourth assist.
He arrived late and unmarked to side foot the ball home to wrap up the win.
Paul Pogba – 9
Pogba received a standing ovation after dismantling Leeds.
The Frenchman caught Leeds' man-marking off guard with a wonderfully weighted first-time through ball to Fernandes for the opening goal.
And then four minutes after Leeds' equaliser he picked out Greenwood with a sweeping long ball, deep from within his own half as United established their lead.
Pogba then slipped the ball to Fernandes for the third before teeing up Fred with a low cross for the fifth and final goal, to round off a spectacular performance.
Bruno Fernandes – 9
Fernandes kicked off his season with a terrific hat-trick after finishing the last campaign as the Red Devils' top scorer.
The Portugal international burst behind Leeds' defence before firing the opening goal through the keeper's legs.
United's talisman evaded Leeds' man-marking system on numerous occasions and made them pay.
Fernandes' second saw him swivel in the box, putting the keeper and a Leeds defender on their backside before his lashing his shot on target.
His attempt was blocked on the line but goal-line technology showed the ball had narrowley crossed the line.
The 26-year-old then capped off his hat-trick with a thumping first-time finish into the roof of the net as he latched onto a precise pass from Victor Lindelof.
- Alex Terrell
RATINGS VS LEEDS – DEFENCE
Here is how the Red Devils stacked up against their trans-Pennine rivals.
Let's start with the defence.
David De Gea – 6
With Dean Henderson ruled out after testing positive for Covid-19, the stage was set for De Gea to clinch his place in the staring XI.
There was little the Spaniard could do about Luke Ayling’s equaliser as his long-range effort arrowed into the top corner.
But despite conceding, De Gea dealt with saves you’d expect him to make comfortably and was also consistent with his distribution, providing a solid base.
Aaron Wan Bissaka – 7
Aaron Wan Bissaka kept Leeds' marauding left-hand side under wraps fairly comfortably.
Leeds' Jack Harrison and Stuart Dallas both struggled to build anything meaningful on his side of the fied.
Harry Maguire – 7
The England international made some strong interceptions and kept Patrick Bamford quiet.
He commanded the back four and provided a strong base at the back.
Victor Lindelof – 8
After seeing Raphael Varane being announced before kick-off, Lindelof put in a solid performance and provided a clinical assist.
The Swede's pass is one Pogba would have been proud of as Fernandes was able to thump it home.
Luke Shaw – 7
Luke Shaw carried on his form from Euro 2020 with countless darting runs in the final third.
He popped up in promising areas but his final ball was slightly off the mark.
- Joshua Jones
GOOD MORNING RED DEVILS FANS
Man United got their Premier League campaign off to a flyer by demolishing Leeds 5-1.
Bruno Fernandes scored an incredible hat-trick in the Old Trafford thrashing.
And there were also goals from Fred and Mason Greenwood as United laid down a marker to the rest of the competition.
Meanwhile, Paul Pogba is going nowhere next summer, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
The 28-year-old Frenchman provided four assists in United's 5-1 demolition of Leeds, and Red Devils fans will be pleased to hear that talks are ongoing between Pogba's agent Mino Raiola and Old Trafford bosses for a contract renewal.
Romano reports that no deal has been agreed yet but talks have been ongoing for a number of weeks.
It was rumoured that Pogba was a target for PSG until Messi's move to Paris, but according to Romano the Messi deal is irrelevant to Pogba's situation at United.
The Red Devils always believed that he was staying and will work hard to get a deal over the line in the coming weeks.
Finally, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appears to have ruled out any further new signings at Man United this summer.
The Red Devils announced the capture of Raphael Varane before their win over Leeds.
And having also splashed out on Jadon Sancho, Solskjaer admits any other arrivals would be a ‘bonus’.
He explained: “I think anything from now is a bonus. I can’t say we’re going to do more.
“You never know in football, but that would be a bonus.”
- Anthony Chapman
PHIL-ING SELFISH
Man Utd signing Raphael Varane has taken the No.19 after Phil Jones allegedly REFUSED to give up his No.4 jersey.
The No.4 is traditionally given to a first-choice centre-back, with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof possessing No.5 and No.2 respectively.
MEN claim Jones has refused to depart with No.4 despite not playing for United since January 2020.
He is currently fifth choice at United with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer favouring Eric Bailly over him as well as Maguire, Lindelof and new star Varane.
- Anthony Chapman
FROM SUNSPORT’S PHIL THOMAS
Paul Pogba’s contract saga is a no-lose situation for Man United.
The Frenchman’s deal expires in 2022.
But the pressure is on if he wants to become a PSG Galactico.
READ THE REST HERE
- Anthony Chapman
VA VA VOOM
Raphael Varane is Manchester United's tenth most expensive signing after completing his move from Real Madrid on Saturday.
The Frenchman – who cost the Red Devils £42million – was presented to the Old Trafford crowd before United smashed bitter rivals Leeds 5-1 on their opening game of the new Premier League season.
His arrival means he joins the top ten most expensive arrivals in the club's history.
Paul Pogba remains the costliest of all, while Varane's fellow summer arrival Jadon Sancho was the fourth most expensive at £73m.
- Anthony Chapman
SOL DESIGN
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appears to have ruled out any further new signings at Man United this summer.
The Red Devils announced the capture of Raphael Varane before Saturday's 5-1 thumping of Leeds.
And having also splashed out on Jadon Sancho, Solskjaer admits any other arrivals would be a 'bonus'.
He explained: "I think anything from now is a bonus. I can’t say we’re going to do more.
"You never know in football, but that would be a bonus."
- Anthony Chapman
DIALL TONE
Amad Diallo is set to leave Man United on loan this summer.
And Crystal Palace lead the race to sign the exciting winger.
Diallo is set for limited game time at Old Trafford this term following Jadon Sancho's arrival.
Fabrizio Romano claims Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will now let the Ivorian play elsewhere to gain experience.
And Palace are favourites despite interest from Swiss side Basel.
- Giacomo Pisa
PAUL STAYING PUT
Paul Pogba is going NOWHERE next summer, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
The 28-year-old Frenchman provided FOUR assists in United's 5-1 demolition of Leeds today, and Red Devils fans will be pleased to hear that talks are ongoing between Pogba's agent Mino Raiola and Old Trafford bosses for a contract renewal.
Romano reports that no deal has been agreed yet but talks have been ongoing for a number of weeks.
It was rumoured that Pogba was a target for PSG until Messi's move to Paris, but according to Romano the Messi deal is irrelevant to Pogba's situation at United.
The Red Devils always believed that he was staying and will work hard to get a deal over the line in the coming weeks.
- Giacomo Pisa
WARM WELCOME
Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo has reacted to Raphael Varane's move to Manchester for the first time.
Ronaldo and Varane spent SEVEN years together at Real Madrid, winning the Champions League FOUR times in that spell.
And on Rio Ferdinand's post welcoming Varane to Manchester, Ronaldo commented the word "Grande" which simply translates from Portuguese as "Great."
- Giacomo Pisa
WATCHING FROM A-VAR
Manchester United star Raphael Varane was at Old Trafford for his new team's win against Leeds – but watched the game on the TELLY, THOMAS BLOW reports.
The 28-year-old defender was pictured bizarrely viewing the 5-1 rout inside, despite being at the famous Manchester ground.
Varane was unveiled at Old Trafford on Saturday morning before United hammered rivals Leeds in their Premier League opener.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side romped to victory, with star man Bruno Fernandes scoring a hat-trick against the West Yorkshire club.
Varane stayed at the ground for the match but appeared to watch it on the TV rather than in the stands.
- Giacomo Pisa
FANS BACK
Today was the first time Old Trafford was at full capacity for a Premier League game since a 2-0 Manchester Derby win against City on March 8, 2020.
And the Red Devils made it worth the wait.
Five goals against bitter rivals Leeds fired United was a perfect way to kick off a new campaign in which Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are expected to challenge for silverware.
- Giacomo Pisa
PERFECT PAUL
Here’s a look at Paul Pogba’s league stats from last season compared to some of the midfield names United have been linked with last season.
The Frenchman holds the edge when it comes to chances created per game, and that stat has rocketed after FOUR assists today.
It's the first time ever a Manchester United player has registered four assists in one Premier League.
The 28-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, but surely United’s top priority is to tie him down to a long-term contract after today’s display.
- Giacomo Pisa
DOUBLE SWOOP
Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba are both out of contract at the end of the season.
And Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol has backed PSG to offer contracts to both of them come the end of the season.
That’s following the Parisians signing the likes of Gini Wijnaldum, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sergio Ramos AND Lionel Messi without paying a fee this summer.
And Solhekol predicts the French giants to do it again, saying on Sky Sports: “We’ve seen PSG have now got this policy of hoovering up the world’s best players who are available on a free transfer and giving them massive wages.
“I can see them picking up Cristiano Ronaldo next summer from Juventus and also Paul Pogba from Manchester United, both on free transfers.
“If they carry on with this policy, why wouldn’t they make those moves?”
- Giacomo Pisa
STICKING WITH SOCIALS
Bruno Fernandes has also taken to Instagram to celebrate United's 5-1 demolition of Leeds United.
Fernandes scored a sensational hat-trick which meant he took home the match ball, and he kept it safe on his journey back from the ground.
He tagged his wife Anna and said: "I’m bringing something new for our living room decor 😂⚽️"
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Bruno Fernandes (@brunofernandes.10)
- Giacomo Pisa
SANCHO'S SUPPORT
Jadon Sancho has also taken to social media to show his support for his former club, Borussia Dortmund.
He's watching them in Bundesliga action against Eintracht, a game they're winning 5-1 with ten minutes left to play.
The 21-year-old played 137 times for Dortmund during his spell in Germany, netting 50 times and providing 67 assists during his time there.
- Giacomo Pisa
PAUL ON PAUL
Paul Scholes has spoken on Paul Pogba's contract situation after the Frenchman's superb display today, which included FOUR assists.
And the Manchester United legend predicts Paul Pogba will renew his contract at Old Trafford, as he goes into the final year of his current deal.
Scholes told Premier League productions: "I think he’ll stay, I think he will.
"When he was playing a couple of years ago in a team that wasn’t quite functioning as well as this one looks like it might do, and with the amount of attacking players he’s got, the ability he’s got, I think he’ll add a lot to this team.
"I think he’ll end up signing a new contract. If this team carries on in this manner, progressing like it is – I don’t want to get too excited – but it’s a team that can go on and win trophies and that’s what he wants to do."
- Giacomo Pisa
SANCHO ON SOCIALS
Jadon Sancho has taken to Instagram to celebrate Manchester United's 5-1 win against Leeds as well as his Red Devils debut.
The 21-year-old was introduced with 15 minutes to play, replacing Dan James.
And after the game he said:
"First minutes as a Red,
what a start to the season!
PP [Paul Pogba] x BF [Bruno Fernandes] link up 🥶"View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Jadon Sancho (@sanchooo10)
- Giacomo Pisa
NEXT FIVE
After a perfect start to the season here's a look at Manchester United's next five Premier League fixtures.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side don't face any of the 'Big Six' sides in that run, and will be confident of maximum points from all of those games.
That would hypothetically make it six wins from six and surely put the Red Devils into an early lead in the Premier League title race.
- Giacomo Pisa
DAMNING ON DAN
Some United supporters were left less than impressed with Daniel James' performance in today's 5-1 thrashing of Leeds.
The Welshman was handed a start by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial on the bench.
But some fans online were less than impressed the winger, who nearly signed for Leeds United from Swansea City in January 2019.
And some supporters clearly wish he had.
One wrote: "Please don't forget to take Dan James back with you."
While another fumed: "Dan James should just follow Leeds back home."
A third added: "Hope Bielsa still wants Dan James… I'll drive him there myself in exchange for training cones… They don't need to pay."
- Giacomo Pisa
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Manchester United signing Raphael Varane has taken the No.19 after Phil Jones allegedly REFUSED to give up his No.4 jersey, KEALAN HUGHES reports.
The No.4 is traditionally given to a first-choice centre-back, with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof possessing No.5 and No.2 respectively.
MEN claim Jones has refused to depart with No.4 despite not playing for United since January 2020.
He is currently fifth choice at United with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer favouring Eric Bailly over him as well as Maguire, Lindelof and new star Varane.
- Giacomo Pisa
MATTER OF TIME?
Could Jesse Lingard be on his way back to West Ham United?
This message by the 28-year-olds agent and brother Louie Scott seems to suggest so.
He sent a clock emoji to a West Ham account named WestHamLatest (via claretandhugh) that posted a mock picture of Lingard in a Hammers top, fuelling speculation of a return to the London Stadium.
Lingard enjoyed a successful loan spell in East London last season, scoring nine goals in 16 games, and has been linked with a return all summer.
The midfielder is currently self-isolating following a positive Covid-19 test, but a move could be on the cards when his isolation period comes to an end.
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