MANCHESTER UNITED are kicking on with training ahead of the Premier League's likely restart in June.
But they could be without Odion Ighalo, who faces a nervous wait to find out whether he will be permitted to stay at Old Trafford or forced to return to Shanghai Shenhua.
Get all the Red Devils news and updates here…
GO AWAY
United fans are divided over the club's away kit for 2020/21 after it leaked online.
The black design, officially described as 'legacy green', was set to be launched this month but will come out later this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Supporters taking a look online via FootyHeadlines were torn between praising the kit's back-to-basics approach and being underwhelmed by the design.
It was pointed out that next year's offering has many similarities with the current season's third kit, leading to criticism for a lack of imagination.
Furthermore, the Chevrolet logo continues to be a bug bear for those who feel it clashes with the white club badge and Adidas logo.
WE'RE IN TUNE
Bruno Fernandes has claimed that – given the choice – he would isolate with Juan Mata, because the Spaniard sings his song!
The Portuguese said: “I would choose Juan, because if I isolate with Juan I can listen to my song all day, every day!
“He always sings it to me! It’s not the atmosphere of Old Trafford, but Juan is the kind of guy who puts all his heart in the song, so when he sings the music for me is really nice!
“Normally I arrive before him, and he comes at breakfast, gives me his hand and starts to sing the song — Bruno, Bruno, Bruno!”
BRING AND 'BI
United have joined Arsenal in the race to land wantaway Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot, according to reports.
Rabiot, 25, has only managed 11 Serie A starts after struggling to cement his role in Juve's congested midfield.
And now boss Maurizio Sarri will offload if he receives an offer in the region of £27million.
According to Gazzetto dello Sport, United are looking to make their move and have already held talks with his mother Veronique who acts as his agent.
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to bolster his squad when the transfer window opens and sees Rabiot as a bargain buy.
It is also suggested that United have sent scouts to watch him in action on several occasions over the campaign.
CURT REPLY
Paul Scholes' son Aaron is continuing the Twitter spat with former Birmingham, Sheffield United and Peterborough midfielder Curtis Woodhouse.
Woodhouse, 40, has also taken to boxing in recent years.
But he pulled no punches when describing Scholes and Red Devils pal Ryan Giggs as “overrated”.
The row seems to have gotten bitter when Woodhouse tweeted: “Paul made you famous, now run along and spend his trust fund.”
But Scholes Jr had a witty reply.
NO JESSING AROUND
Lingard added: “I couldn't wait to get back to football but since being back it's been great.
“At the moment we're currently training in groups with specific time slots.
“It's been good just to get my boots on and back on the grass with the balls and around my team-mates and coaches.”
IT'S BEEN A LING TIME
Jesse Lingard says Manchester United players have felt perfectly safe since returning to training last week.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad returned to Carrington on Wednesday after the two month shutdown due to the Coronavirus.
Lingard said: “If it wasn’t a safe environment then we wouldn’t be training.
“But we follow the right protocols, we get tested every two days and we keep our distance, obviously, group training as well.
“At the moment we're taking everything so steady and we're waiting on the government to give the green light for the next step.
“None of the players would be there if we didn’t feel it was safe.”
DAY OF THE TACKLE
Premier League stars were cleared to kick off close-contact training on Sunday in a boost for the return of top-flight football.
New Stage Two guidance lets elite athletes train in pairs and small groups and waives the two-metre social distancing rule.
The news put a smile on the face of Wilfried Zaha as he began Crystal Palace training on Sunday.
And the easing of restrictions came as just two new positive results returned from 996 Premier League tests last week. They were logged at different clubs and the figure is four fewer than the week before.
More testing is due today and tomorrow before league bosses decide on Wednesday whether full-contact training will resume.
TIMO TO THINK
Owen Hargreaves has told Timo Werner that he “could see him” at Manchester United after urging the RB Leipzig striker not to join Liverpool.
Werner hit a hat-trick in Leipzig's 5-0 thrashing of Mainz on Sunday, topping up his tally to 30 goals for the season.
And Hargreveas said: “Well, he's not going to get past Bobby Firmino, who is one of my favourite players to watch.
“I think that's the thing. Wherever he goes, he has to play. With the way United play right now, I could see him there. They need a number nine.
“Chelsea could be a good fit, I just think he's perfect for Liverpool in a way, but he's not guaranteed to start.
“If he's happy rotating in the front three then yes, he'd be a great fit for Jurgen Klopp.
“He works hard, he's a good goal-scorer, he's a good team-mate, all those things they need but he's not going to play ahead of Roberto Firmino, I just don't see that. He's too good in that team.”
MORNING UNITED FANS
United fear loan star Odion Ighalo could have to say his goodbyes next week.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would like to extend the Nigerian’s loan spell by a further three months to keep him until the end of the season.
His parent club Shanghai Shenhua have so far rejected that proposal – and want him back to start preparations for their new season.
With the initial deal due to expire at the end of the month, his last day with United will be Sunday.
Ighalo, 30, has made it clear he wants to finish the season at Old Trafford after scoring four goals in eight matches.
Meanwhile, Jesse Lingard says Manchester United players have felt perfectly safe since returning to training last week.
The Old Trafford star said: “If it wasn’t a safe environment then we wouldn’t be training.
“But we follow the right protocols, we get tested every two days and we keep our distance, obviously, group training as well.
“At the moment we're taking everything so steady and we're waiting on the government to give the green light for the next step.
“None of the players would be there if we didn’t feel it was safe.”
Finally, United could miss out on the signing of Edinson Cavani as Inter Milan are said to be leading the race for his signature.
The Red Devils, Chelsea, Atletico and even soon-to-be rich Newcastle have been linked to the 33-year-old.
But according to L'Equipe, the Italian giants are the firm favourites to sign him from Paris Saint-Germain.
TOBI, OR NOT TO BE…
Manchester United face competition from neighbours City for the signing of Vinicius Tobias..
The Red Devils have reportedly been keeping a close eye on the 16-year-old Internacional star.
But Tuttomercatoweb claim Pep Guardiola's side are hopeful of agreeing a deal for Vinicius.
City want him to make the move to the Premier League when he turns 18.
'IT'S BEEN GREAT'
Jesse Lingard says Manchester United players have felt perfectly safe since returning to training last week.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad returned to Carrington on Wednesday after the two month shutdown due to the Coronavirus.
The Old Trafford star said: “If it wasn’t a safe environment then we wouldn’t be training.
“But we follow the right protocols, we get tested every two days and we keep our distance, obviously, group training as well.
“At the moment we're taking everything so steady and we're waiting on the government to give the green light for the next step.
“None of the players would be there if we didn’t feel it was safe.”
OD DEAR
United fear they will have to wave goodbye to on loan forward Odion Ighalo next week.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would like to extend the Nigerian’s loan spell by a further three months to take in the end of the season.
But his parent club Shanghai Shenhua have so far rejected that proposal – and want him back to start preparations for their new season.
So with the initial deal due to expire at the end of the month, his last day with United will be Sunday – unless there is a late breakthrough.
Ighalo, 30, has made it clear he wants to finish the season at Old Trafford after scoring four goals in eight matches prior to the campaign being stopped due to the coronavirus pandemic.
GOT THE GIGG
Ryan Giggs has revealed he wanted to quit Wales BEFORE his first game because of the ‘horrible’ feeling of being a manager.
The Manchester United legend won 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues during a glittering 24-year playing career at Old Trafford.
But, after being appointed Wales boss in January 2018, Giggs admits he struggled with the transition of swapping playing to managing when he took charge for the first time against China two months later.
Giggs said: “I remember being on the coach before my first game for Wales in China. I was at the front of the coach and I’m thinking, ‘This is my last game’. I don’t want to feel like this again.
“I’d only had the team for a couple of days, I’d prepared the team as best as I could and then everything is out of your hands. It’s a horrible feeling.
“But the more you do it the more you get used to it. It gets easier but it’s still not easy. The highs are huge, better than when you are a player but the lows are much worse.”
MARCS, SET, GO!
Manchester United are hoping to receive £12million for out-of-favour defender Marcos Rojo this summer, according to reports.
The Argentine was shipped out on loan to Estudiantes in January having made only one Premier League start in the first half of the season.
According to the Mirror, the move could be made permanent this summer, although domestic giants Boca Juniors are also said to be interested.
Rojo managed just one appearance for Estudiantes following his loan move because of a nasty knee injury.
But now fit-again, the 30-year-old’s stock remains high in his home country.
MAT'S YOUR LOT
Rabbi Matondo insists he will not be distracted by reports of a possible move to Manchester United this summer.
Former Man City flyer Matondo has been linked with a switch to the Red Devils – as he would be a cheaper alternative to Jadon Sancho.
He has only been in Germany for just over a year and said: “I am concentrating on Schalke. I still have to achieve my goals for Schalke.
“I am just concentrating on that and we just see how things go, but for now I am just focused on Schalke.
“Hopefully I can get into the team and help them climb up the table.”
JACK OF ALL TRADES
Jack Grealish is worth every penny of his £80million price-tag, claimed former Aston Villa team-mate Alan Hutton.
The talented midfielder is braced for a huge money move this summer with Manchester United ready to open the cheque book.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “Obviously it's a massive price tag, but in my opinion, he's worth every penny, he's that good.
“He could be a team's game-changer, and that's no disrespect to anyone at Aston Villa, you know I love them to bits, but for him to be playing with a top-four team, I think he'd be outstanding.
“Everybody would be buzzing off him, they would see his quality, and I think he would only grow in stature, so I totally understand the price tag.
“Whether what's happened is going to affect it, I'm not too sure because it's going to happen to every club.”
CAV SOME OF THAT
Inter Milan have moved ahead of the chasing pack in the race to sign Edinson Cavani, according to reports.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward is in-demand this summer, with his contract at Parc des Princes set to expire.
The likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and even soon-to-be rich Newcastle United have all been linked with the 33-year-old.
But according to L'Equipe Inter Milan are now in the driving seat… because of their willingness to offer a three-year contract.
TOUGH LOVE
Jadon Sancho has risked the wrath of Bundesliga chiefs after hugging his team-mate in Borussia Dortmund's win over Wolfsburg.
The England winger was introduced in the 65th minute of the contest and made an instant impact by assisting Achraf Hakimi in the 2-0 victory.
But going against league guidelines to help limit the spread of the coronavirus, the pair embraced after the goal.
The Manchester United target is likely to get a dressing down and reminded of his responsibilities ahead of Dortmund's huge clash against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
FERGIE MY NO1
Robin Van Persie has risked the wrath of Arsenal fans by choosing “super” Sir Alex Ferguson over Arsene Wenger.
The Dutchman, 36, is hated at the Emirates after the former Gunners captain ditched North London for Old Trafford in 2012.
Writing in LVG – The Manager and The Total Person, RVP said: “Ferguson really was a super manager. It was so brilliant how he always kept the entire squad happy and focused.
“Wenger was a combination of Ferguson and Van Gaal. Arsene always emphasised all the positive things and he looked at what would work for the long term.
“Tactically he [Van Gaal] is a genius. You can’t deny that.
“I have had managers who had their own strengths. But Ferguson really was a super manager.”
UNITED WE STAND
Manchester United have been rebuffed by Inter Milan in an attempt to exchange Paul Pogba for centre-back Milan Skriniar.
Inter entered the race for Pogba at the start of this month, with boss Antonio Conte looking to strengthen his midfield further.
United were thought to have approached the Serie A outfit in the hopes of hashing out a swap deal for highly rated defender Skriniar with Pog going the other way.
But Italian journalist Paolo Paganini has claimed that the Nerazzurri have refused the terms as they have no desire to lose their talented centre back.
Red Devils target Jadon Sancho has risked the wrath of Bundesliga chiefs after hugging his team-mate in Borussia Dortmund's win over Wolfsburg.
The England winger was introduced in the 65th minute of the contest and made an instant impact by assisting Achraf Hakimi in the 2-0 victory.
But going against league guidelines to help limit the spread of the coronavirus, the pair embraced after the goal.
Sancho is likely to get a dressing down and reminded of his responsibilities ahead of Dortmund's huge clash against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
And the £70m signing of Atletico Madrid's Saul Niguez is virtually completed, according to Todo Fichajes.
Source: Read Full Article