MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly held talks about the possibility of signing AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Meanwhile, SunSport can reveal that Bruno Fernandes is refusing to sign a new contract as he looks for assurances that United will continue being ambitious in the transfer market.
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Follow our LIVE blog below to get the latest from Old Trafford…
- Etienne Fermie
MORNING MAN UTD FANS
AC Milan scored a late equaliser at Old Trafford last night to leave United an uphill climb going into the second leg with the tie poised at 1-1.
Milan had two goals disallowed in the first-half – one for a blatant offside before Franck Kessie was harshly judged to have handballed it in the build up to his stunning volley.
But the main talking point of the first-half was Harry Maguire missing the easiest chance the world has ever seen from all of one yard in the latter stages.
The centre-half somehow hit the post from point blank range.
But that didn’t matter just five minutes into the second period when Amad Diallo got on the end of Bruno Fernandes’ impressive ball over the top and executed a brilliant back-header which looped over Gianluigi Donnarumma.
United dug in and looked like they would hold on for a precious clean sheet.
But in the second minute of stoppage time, Simon Kjaer got on the end of a standard looking in swinging corner.
His glanced header was straight at Dean Henderson but he failed to tip it over and it went in to give Milan a valuable away goal.
Maguire admitted there were no excuses for his miss after the game but did say ‘That’s why I’m not a forward’.
And Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “Very disappointed to conceded with one of the last kicks of the ball, or head.
“That makes it harder of course, but it was always going to be going down to the second game there, anyway.
“I’ve seen him [Henderson] save them, but it’s the structure that we lose. We dropped too deep and we get blocked off and they get the header on.
“We should have attacked the ball with the men we had there.
“We were a bit too slow with the possession. That’s the learning we have to get into ourselves, we have to perform every single week.
“We’re playing against good teams. Probably a draw is a fair result.”
Elsewhere, Premier League stars are being quizzed on how they can fix the VAR mess.
Surveys are being sent out to all 20 top-flight clubs in an unprecedented move by league chiefs.
Managers, captains and top brass from clubs will provide feedback on the system which has been ridiculed all season.
The shambles reached a new low on Wednesday after Manchester City’s Phil Foden was denied a stonewall penalty against Southampton.
It sparked outrage from City boss Pep Guardiola, with fellow Prem bosses rounding to blast VAR yesterday.
League chiefs will now finally listen to their frustrations and surveys are expected to be returned by next Friday ahead of being discussed at the next shareholder meeting on March 25.
- William Pugh
GLOVES ARE OFF
Paul Scholes has slammed Dean Henderson after the goalie’s costly error handed AC Milan a crucial away goal against Manchester United in the Europa League.
He told BT Sport: "He should save it. He's trying to make it a little bit more difficult than it should be.
“First and foremost, keep the ball out of the net. He should save that. There's no doubt about that and he will know that."
- William Pugh
KJAER FREE
SIMON KJAER broke hearts in Manchester after his last-gasp goal cancelled out super-sub Amad Diallo's header to give AC Milan the advantage in their Europa League tie.
The Ivorian, 18, showed Anthony Martial how to do it with the goal that should have downed AC Milan after replacing the lacklustre, misfiring Frenchman at the break.
Just five minutes later he had his first goal for Manchester United with his first effort on goal for the club in just his third appearance since coming here.
What a goal it was too anticipating Bruno Fernandes chipped ball forward to get between defender and goalkeeper and expertly execute a flick head back over Gianluigi Donnarumma and in.
Read More: Man Utd 1 AC Milan 1 Match Report
- William Pugh
SOLSKJAER'S THOUGHTS
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gave his post-match thoughts to BT Sport: "Very disappointed to conceded with one of the last kicks of the ball, or head.
"That makes it harder of course, but it was always going to be going down to the second game there, anyway.
"I've seen him [Henderson] save them, but it's the structure that we lose. We dropped too deep and we get blocked off and they get the header on.
"We should have attacked the ball with the men we had there.
"We were a bit too slow with the possesion. That's the learning we have to get into ourselves, we have to perform every single week.
"We're playing against good teams. Probably a draw is a fair result."
- William Pugh
'NO EXCUSES'
Harry Maguire says there is no excuse for him missing an absolute sitter from all of one yard out against AC Milan.
The United skipper admitted he should have scored but also said that's why he is not a striker.
- William Pugh
OLE TAKE THAT
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted a draw was probably a fair result after Simon Kjaer's stoppage time header earned AC Milan a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
But the Norwegian was disappointed with the nature of the late goal as his side conceded a precious away goal.
- William Pugh
FRENEMIES RE-UNITED
Luke Shaw has sent Manchester United team-mate Dan James to the naughty corner… for celebrating goals 'like a little kid'.
Left-back Shaw gleefully trolled the winger, saying: "He just doesn't know what to do, he just runs about!”
The Wales speedster, 23, has now hit five goals in 17 games across all competitions this season, one short of his personal best. But as Liverpool legend Alan Hansen almost told BBC'S Match of the Day in 1995: "You can't celebrate anything like kids."
At least, not according to Shaw. The eight-cap defender is urging James to upgrade his goal-salutes, just like he has the rest of his contribution on the pitch this campaign.
Shaw told Adidas: “I said to Jamo, 'we need to get you a new celebration because what you're doing isn’t good enough!’
“He's like a little kid isn't he? He just doesn't know what to do. He just runs about!”
- William Pugh
FULL-TIME!
Man Utd 1 – 1 AC Milan
Late drama at Old Trafford as Simon Kjaer's stoppage time header earns AC Milan a 1-1 draw to take into the second leg.
Amad Diallo put United ahead on 50 minutes with a skillful back header.
That came after a first-half which saw Milan have two goals disallowed and Harry Maguire missing the easiest chance the world has ever seen.
But ultimately United could not hold on and the Red Devils have it all to play for in the second-leg.
- William Pugh
GOOOOOOOOOAAAALLLL – KJAER!
90+1. And Milan have nicked an equaliser at the death!
And more importantly an all important away goal.
Simple in-swinging corner from the left, Kjaer meets it at the near post and glances a header straight at Henderson but the backup keeper fails to tip it over and it goes past him to make it 1-1!
Should have saved it.
- William Pugh
SIMPLY THE BEST
Bruno Fernandes has come to Cristiano Ronaldo’s defence following Juventus’ shock Champions League exit last night.
The Italians were stunned by 10-man Porto in Turin as the visitors progressed to the quarters on away goals after a 4-4 aggregate draw.
The defining moment came in extra time when Sergio Oliveira’s free-kick flew under Ronaldo’s outstretched leg and past Wojciech Szczesny’s outstretched hands.
Ronaldo has since come under fierce criticism for failing to stand his ground in an attempt to block the long-range strike – instead jumping and turning his back.
However, Manchester United star Fernandes insists his Portugal team-mate remains one of world football’s best players. And Juve’s defeat cannot be blamed on Ronaldo when there were ten other players on the field wearing the famous black-and-white strip.
Fernandes told Gazzetta: “Ronaldo? Cristiano is one of the greats in the history of football. His mentality inspires those who practice this sport. He has won a lot, but no one can win alone.”
- William Pugh
GOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLL – DIALLO!
Man Utd 1 – 0 AC Milan
50. What a goal!
Bruno Fernandes with a straight ball lobbed down the field, Amad Diallo ran behind the last defender and connected with a clever back header that looped over Donnarumma.
- William Pugh
HALF-TIME!
Man Utd 0 – 0 AC Milan
An action packed first-half has seen Milan have goals chalked off twice!
The first was a mile offside but Franck Kessie's impressive volley was disallowed for handball in much more controversial fashion.
However, the biggest talking point of the half was Maguire's miss from one yard out just before half-time.
I mean come on Harry!
- William Pugh
WHAT THE HELL HARRY?!
Man Utd captain Harry Maguire has just missed the biggest sitter you will ever see.
Bruno Fernandes flicked on a cross, it fell to Maguire ONE yard out and… DOH!
- William Pugh
FRANCK GOD FOR THAT!
Franck Kessie's disallowed goal for AC Milan against Man Utd was quite something even though VAR did chalk it off for handball.
- William Pugh
GOAL DISALLOWED!
Manchester United 0 – 0 AC Milan
10. AC Milan have their second goal of the night chalked off after just ten minutes.
The first was a mile offside and there was no dispute.
But then, Franck Kessie collected a throw in on the edge of the United box, appeared to control it with his knee on the turn before thumping a right foot volley past Henderson.
It looked absolutely fine and suddenly VAR decided he handballed it in the build up. But replays showed it was probably the right call… eventually!
- William Pugh
CAPTAIN MAG
Here's what captain Harry Maguire had to say before kick-off against AC Milan at Old Trafford tonight.
- William Pugh
KICK-OFF!
Manchester United 0 – 0 AC Milan
The game is underway at Old Trafford in the first leg of the last-16 Europa League tie.
You can follow our LIVE minute-by-minute match blog HERE.
GAME ON!
- William Pugh
BIG TIME CHARLIE
Manchester United starlet Charlie McNeill has apologised following comments he made in an interview about possibly facing Liverpool in the FA Youth Cup.
The striker – who scored in the Red Devils' 2-0 victory against Salford City in the third round on Wednesday – admitted he is relishing the prospect of coming up against the Reds.
Speaking of the potential derby clash, McNeill, 17, said: "We will look to go all the way in this competition. And next round we will play Liverpool if they win, which is obviously a derby and an amazing game to play in."
Before adding: "It's a derby like I said and it would be great to win that game and rub it in their faces as well."
Though his interview left United fans delighted, McNeill has since taken to his Instagram story to apologise for his 'disrespectful' comments.
He posted: "I just wanted to say my interview last night, I said a thing I probably shouldn't have said and I wasn't trying to be disrespectful to anyone! I have learnt from my mistake and I'll take this on into the future."
- William Pugh
TAP DANCE
Manchester United are reportedly targeting a move for Bayer Leverkusen star Edmond Tapsoba this summer.
Bild claims the centre-back has emerged as a prime target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he looks to bolster his defence.
But Leverkusen insist they will not sell their prized asset unless they receive a Kai Havertz-esque offer, having shipped off the playmaker to Chelsea last year for £70million.
Tapsoba, 22, has impressed in 35 appearances for Leverkusen since his £16m switch from Portuguese outfit Vitoria in January 2020.
The Burkina Faso international has formed a fine partnership at the back with Germany ace Jonathan Tah, helping Leverkusen sit fifth in the table while boasting the Bundesliga’s third-best defensive record.
But despite being handed a fresh contract extension until 2026 in December, Tapsoba has caught the eye of United.
Credit: AFP or licensors - William Pugh
TEAM TO FACE MAN UTD
And here is AC Milan’s starting XI… finally!
- William Pugh
TEAM NEWS IS IN!
Manchester United take on AC Milan at Old Trafford at 5:55pm tonight in the first-leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.
And here is how the Red Devils line up.
- William Pugh
PUL A FAST ONE
Chelsea have reportedly joined Manchester United in the race for Bayern Munich star Kingsley Coman.
The Mail claim the Blues are long-term admirers of the French star and are poised to revisit their interest if Christian Pulisic leaves the club.
The report claims that Chelsea considered Coman as a potential replacement for Callum Hudson-Odoi when the England international was linked with joining Bayern in 2019.
And the recruitment team at Stamford Bridge are said to have continued to keep tabs on the 24-year-old – who has yet to agree a new deal in Germany.
But Chelsea would likely face competition for Coman from United – who were heavily linked with a move last summer.
And reports stated that the Red Devils have since put together a package to tempt him away from the Bundesliga.
- William Pugh
JUVE HAD ENOUGH
Juventus should ‘free ex-Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo’ at the end of this season after the expensive mistake.
That is the view of former Juve president Giovanni Gigli on Ronnie’s costly move from Real Madrid.
Gigli told Radio Punto Nuovo: “I said that on his very first day at Juventus. He is a great champion but is too expensive.
“Now it’s up to Juventus. They’ve been paying him €1m per goal. [Juve president Andrea] Agnelli must be self-critical, but he doesn’t have great collaborators. The club should free Ronaldo at the end of the season.”
Ronaldo joined Juventus in 2018 for £88million in a bid to help the Italians win the Champions League.
But it has been a disappointment in Europe with Juve crashing out of the Champions League this week on away goals against Porto.
Credit: Reuters - William Pugh
WON, DRAWN AND QUARTERS
Former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will BOTH be forced to watch the Champions League quarter-finals on the telly for the first time since 2005.
Ronaldo's Juventus crashed out on away goals to Porto before Messi failed to inspire Barcelona to another memorable comeback against Paris Saint-Germain.
As Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe continue to send shockwaves around Europe with their goalscoring performances, there is certainly a feeling that the guard is starting to change.
But how do Messi and Ronaldo compare in the Champions League?
- Etienne Fermie
DAZ A JOB
Yesterday Manchester United hired Darren Fletcher as their technical reminder.
Here's a reminder of what the Scot can do, ahead of tonight's clash with AC Milan.
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