MANCHESTER UNITED are preparing for Europa League action NEXT WEEK as European competition restarts.
And off the field, the Red Devils are looking to bolster their squad with moves for Jadon Sancho and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic mooted, while we have the very latest on their pursuit of Jack Grealish.
Follow all the latest United transfer gossip and news below…
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The Man Utd legend said: “We played against Sporting in 2003, we get in at half-time and John O'Shea must've needed an oxygen tank next to him.
“He was in bits and he was sitting there panting. We were telling him to get closer to Ronaldo and he couldn't even answer us.
“To be fair, me, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt were standing there going 'this kid's unbelievable, we've got to sign him'.
“We got on the coach and we were delayed for about an hour and a half, and then they said they were doing a deal to sign Ronaldo now.”
O'SHATTERED
John O'Shea “needed an oxygen tank” after playing against Cristiano Ronaldo for 45 minutes, according to Rio Ferdinand.
Manchester United famously played Sporting Lisbon in a pre-season friendly in a 2003.
The game left Sir Alex Ferguson adamant he had to sign explosive young winger Ronaldo… but left O'Shea feeling dead on his feet.
Ferdinand told current England youngsters Mason Mount and Declan Rice the story during a live FIFA match as part of EA SPORTS and COPA90's “Stay Home. Play Together” campaign…
MARC MY WORDS
Manchester United's official Twitter account asked fans whether this wonderful Marcus Rashford strike should win goal-of-the-month for July.
FOWL PLAY
Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler has had his say on Manchester United's pursuit of Jadon Sancho.
He told the Mirror: “And if United pay £100m for Sancho – even if it’s in instalments – then that’s what he’s worth, too. I don’t get it personally, but I’m no accountant. Who am I to say they can’t afford such a fee if they are going to lose £200m due to the pandemic?
“I reckon it’s a simple calculation. What will the player cost compared to what he can earn for you in terms of trophies and income? So many times United have got that calculation wrong in recent years, but at least Sancho fits their new philosophy.
“He’s still only 20 and is among the best in the whole of Europe. He’s done it at a high level, too. Consistently.
“If he reproduces the stats he has for Dortmund over five years elsewhere, then what’s it worth? I honestly don’t know.”
SCOTT AND BOTHERED
Scott McTominay and captain Harry Maguire were spotted returning to Manchester United training at Carrington today.
Neither were seen reporting for training yesterday, when the majority of the squad returned following five days off.
But the pair were under the watchful eye of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this morning, as the Norwegian plots United's return to European action next week against LASK.
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“What I like about him is when he gets into them areas with the final ball, he doesn’t panic.
“A lot of quick wide players sometimes do but he picks out the right pass.
“He’s someone who can counter-attack if we’re going to play that but also if a team are going to sit back, he can beat players and make things happen.”
GO FOR SANCHO
Ryan Giggs is urging Manchester United to do what they can to bring Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils icon wants the club, who finished fourth in the league, to “go and get” the Borussia Dortmund and Aston Villa stars this summer.
And the 46-year-old club legend reckons adding the players to United’s squad, could boost competition for places in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s attack.
Speaking on YouTube channel Webby and O’Neil Giggs said: “Sancho is quick, direct but also an intelligent player…
CONDUCTING BUSINESS
Manchester United have posted a picture of star midfielder Paul Pogba appearing to pull the strings in midfield.
STAR MEN
After Mason Greenwood scooped Man Utd's player of the month award for July, here is a list of all the other winners this season.
August – Daniel James
September – Scott McTominay
October – Scott McTominay
November – Marcus Rashford
December – Marcus Rashford
January – Fred
February – Bruno Fernandes
March – Bruno Fernandes
June – Bruno Fernandes
July – Mason Greenwood
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“I think all the players knew, deep down, it was the wrong approach, that we were abandoning the way that had brought us success in that 2008 semi-final — and sure enough both times we got outplayed.”
“There is being true to the club, but then there’s sitting back afterwards and thinking ‘we lost’.
“For me, it doesn’t matter how you do it in these big Champions League games, as long as you win.
“Look at how Liverpool ground it out in last year’s final — and I think [Zinedine] Zidane has the same mindset.”
ROO CAN'T BE SERIOUS!
Red Devils all-time leading goalscorer Wayne Rooney has admitted Sir Alex Ferguson's tactics in the 2008 and 2011 Champions League finals against Barcelona were “suicidal”.
Wazza told The Times: “It’s always hard for a club like Real to go into a game saying ‘we’ll surrender the ball’. It is the same for United.
“But we lost two Champions League finals going toe-to-toe with Guardiola's Barcelona, by trying to press high and get round them, which was suicidal.
“I remember Alex Ferguson saying 'we're Man United and we're going to attack, it's in the culture of this football club' and thinking 'I'm not too sure about this'…
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But they hit a roadblock as United refused to budge on their £18million transfer demand.
Roma would only stump up £16m for the 31-cap England international, who had lost his place in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team.
The defender has turned his career around in Rome and was even dubbed “Smalldini” this season in reference to Italy and AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini.
HOME AWAY FROM ROME
Chris Smalling is set to return to Manchester United and will be denied the chance of Europa League silverware with Roma this season.
Sky Italia claim the two clubs have failed to agree a loan extension for the defender.
Smalling, 30, will now reportedly return to Old Trafford.
Roma face Sevilla in the Europa League last-16 on Thursday and Smalling's departure will be a huge blow for both him and the club.
United resume their European campaign against LASK on Wednesday.
Talks are thought to have been ongoing for months over making Smalling's Roma loan deal permanent…
BID FOR BEN
Manchester United are rumoured to be rivalling Real Madrid for the signature of 6ft 4in Monaco ace Benoit Badiashile.
The teen sensation, dubbed “the next Raphael Varane” is attracting interest from some of the biggest clubs in European football.
United officials are believed to have commenced talks with Monaco over the prospect of bringing Badiashile to Old Trafford, according to TFI.
TFIreckons United and Madrid are being rivalled by Bayern Leverkusen for Badiashile’s signature. The Bundesliga giants are said to be leading the race to buy the starlet.
The player’s agents are said to be locked in talks with the German club that began roughly four weeks ago.
Real Madrid have reportedly had some initial conversations with the France under-19 international’s representatives, after keeping tabs on the young centre-back this season.
GAB GRAB
Gabriel Magalhaes' representatives have met with Manchester United, according to reports.
The Lille defender is highly-coveted by the Red Devils, who are seeking another option at centre-back.
According to RMC Sport, no concrete offer has been placed – although talks are ongoing.
Everton are also keen – while another club has also entered the mix.
SMALL MERCY
AS Roma have “given up” on keeping Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling.
The clubs have been haggling over a deal for the on-loan central defender.
Smalling, 30, is believed to be happy in Rome.
But according to Sky Sports Italia, the Red Devils will not budge on their £18million asking price.
AL OR NOTHING
Manchester United are demanding £15million from Inter Milan for expensive flop Alexis Sanchez.
The Chilean has spent the 2019-20 season on loan at San Siro, and could make the move to Serie A permanent.
But the Express claim that as well as his enormous wages, Antonio Conte's men would have to foot a hefty transfer fee bill as well.
MAKING A RAKIT
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has made contact with rumoured former Manchester United target Ivan Rakitic, according to reports.
The Croatian is expected to leave Barca this summer, having seen his importance to the team wane in recent seasons.
And according to Le10 Sport, Arteta has called Rakitic to try and convince him to come to the Emirates.
BAD LUCK
Manchester United have entered the race to sign AS Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile, according to reports.
The 19-year-old defender impressed in Ligue 1, making 16 appearances in the 2019-20 campaign.
They will have to compete with Bayer Leverkusen, however, with TF1 reporting that the German side have had a £13.5m offer turned down already.
KICK DOR DOWN
Manchester United are determined not to be held to ransom in their pursuit of Jadon Sancho.
Borussia Dortmund are reportedly holding out for £108MILLION for the 20-year-old England international.
The German club have also set a deadline of August 10 for any deal to get done.
But according to the Manchester Evening News, United will NOT be working towards that deadline and hope to LOWER the transfer fee.
EVERGREEN
Teenage sensation Mason Greenwood has picked up Manchester United's Player of the Month award for July.
SUNSPORT EXCLUSIVE BY ALAN NIXON
Bournemouth have set their sights on Manchester United kid James Garner for their bid to return to the Premier League.
The South Coast side quickly turned their thoughts to the midfielder after losing their top-flight status.
United may send Garner, 19, out on loan to a Championship club to get some game time next season — and the Cherries still have a good footballing reputation.
Swansea and a handful of other clubs are also eyeing Garner but Bournemouth have a strong chance in the race.
MORNING, UNITED FANS
Manchester United are weighing up a shock move for Kasper Schmeichel to replace David De Gea as No 1 next season.
Leicester ace Schmeichel is seen as a ready-made option to come in, with De Gea suffering a huge slump in form and loan star Dean Henderson still at rookie level.
Schmeichel, son of Old Trafford legend Peter, still has three years left on his King Power deal.
But the 2016 title winner, 33, would be relatively cheap to buy compared to Atletico Madrid’s highly-rated Jan Oblak, 27, who has a release clause of around £109million.
SunSport understands United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has doubts over whether Henderson, 23, is ready for the top job, despite a stellar season on loan at Sheffield United.
And the Norwegian can no longer offer his blind support to error-prone De Gea, 29.
United could also be offered Juventus star Federico Bernardeschi with the Italian giants eager to land Chris Smalling in a summer swap deal.
Roma’s chances of signing the Red Devils centre-back appear to be disappearing with United refusing to drop their £18million price tag for the player.
Reports in Italy claim the Serie A side are still attempting to sign the 30-year-old, but are far from close to sealing a deal with the Old Trafford giants.
Elsewhere, Ryan Giggs has spoken highly of rumoured Red Devils target Jack Grealish.
He told the Webby and O'Neill YouTube channel: “I think the thing with Grealish is he’s obviously used to the Premier League and doesn’t need to adapt to it so that’s good.
“For me from the outside, it looks like he’s got the mentality to come to this place and not bother him. Certain players can get overawed.
“Also, the good thing this year is he’s got 10 goals and got into double figures so that would be one question mark I would have had with him: does he score enough goals? To get to double figures with no penalties for Villa is impressive.”
Manchester United are interested in a shock move for Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, according to reports.
The Manchester Evening News claim that boss Solskjaer is a big fan of the 19-year-old.
NEMANY HAPPY RETURNS
Manchester United posted several pictures of Nemanja Matic throughout the day to celebrate the Serbian midfielder's birthday.
KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY – EXCLUSIVE
Manchester United are weighing up a shock move for Kasper Schmeichel to replace David De Gea as No 1 next season.
Leicester ace Schmeichel is seen as a ready-made option to come in, with De Gea suffering a huge slump in form and loan star Dean Henderson still at rookie level.
Schmeichel, son of Old Trafford legend Peter, still has three years left on his King Power deal.
But the 2016 title winner, 33, would be relatively cheap to buy compared to Atletico Madrid’s highly-rated Jan Oblak, 27, who has a release clause of around £109million.
SunSport understands United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has doubts over whether Henderson, 23, is ready for the top job, despite a stellar season on loan at Sheffield United.
And the Norwegian can no longer offer his blind support to error-prone De Gea, 29.
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