MANCHESTER UNITED continued their excellent recent form with a 5-2 hammering of Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
And Jadon Sancho has reportedly agreed a five-year deal with the Red Devils and could hand in a transfer request to push the move from Dortmund through.
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HE'S OUR MAN
Nemanja Matic has signed a new United contract until 2023, according to reports.
Gianluca Di Marzio claims the midfielder, 31, has put pen to paper on a deal that keeps him at the club until he is 34.
Former Chelsea and Benfica ace Matic has been in fine form this season, being consistently reliable for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
He also looks to be the one player who will continue in the sitting midfielder role, giving license for Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes to push forward and be more creative.
TRAORE DE FORCE
United are considering a move for Wolves' Adama Traore instead of Jadon Sancho.
But Ed Woodward is likely to run into the same problem with the Spaniard as with Dortmund… that Wolves will ask for a fortune to sell him.
Duncan Castles claims they're looking at doing a deal for Sancho, but do not think the market will be valued at the £100million+ that Dortmund could demand.
Traore is a viable option, but the Midlands club are likely to set an eyewateringly high price for him too.
Castles also confirmed United are looking at Jack Grealish.
HOW ABOUT THESE TWO?
United just look irresistible with both Pogba and Bruno on the pitch.
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NEARLY THERE
Paul Scholes reckons United are only a few players away from becoming a huge force again – but should focus on a centre-back.
The Old Trafford legend said: “I really don’t think they are a million miles away.
”I know we spoke about four or five players but I think it’s two or three now.
“Look, I think Lindelof has done alright but I just think Maguire with his lack of pace at times (can get caught).
“If he’s got a really dominant centre-half next to him like a Rio Ferdinand or Jaap Stam who bullies centre forwards I think that would be a big help to the team.”
GOOD MORNING MAN UTD FANS
Rio Ferdinand claims Bruno Fernandes has freed Paul Pogba from the burden of his £89million price tag.
Ferdinand told BT Sport: “Pogba has been a totally different player since the restart.
“The energy levels in his game, it’s the Pogba United paid £89m for four years ago.
“A big factor is undoubtedly the man he is playing with in the centre of midfield – Bruno Fernandes.
“Pogba will not want to be shown up out there and that’s perhaps the motivation he needed.
United could reportedly turn to Wolves star Adama Traore as an alternative to Jadon Sancho.
Duncan Castles claims the Spanish winger could be on his way to Old Trafford if United fail to strike terms with Borussia Dortmund star Sancho.
NEW LION
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says hotshot Mason Greenwood is ready for England NOW.
The Manchester United ace, 18, has had an unforgettable week, scoring three goals in the wins over Brighton and Bournemouth.
Greenwood could be part of Gareth Southgate’s squad for the rearranged Euros next year.
Solskjaer would have no worries about the teen taking his form to the international stage.
He said: “If you can handle playing for United, then you can handle playing for any team and Mason’s got the qualities that not many others have.
“So he could play for England’s full team or Under-21s, I don’t really mind. I know he’s doing well for us and it’s great to have him.”
OD CHOICE
Leeds are ready to beat Manchester United and Arsenal to the punch and snap up Odsonne Edouard.
Marcelo Bielsa is set to pounce on the Celtic striker if his side seal promotion to the Premier League.
The 22-year-old Frenchman hit 28 goals in Scotland last season, prior to the campaign being cancelled due to the coronavirus.
The Whites want the Bhoys frontman to replace misfiring striker Patrick Bamford.
Edouard has hit 62 goals in all competitions since joining from Paris Saint-Germain in 2018.
GREAL DEAL
Graeme Souness has slammed Jack Grealish and claims he would loved to have played against the Manchester United target.
Sky Sports pundit Souness believes that is actually a negative statistic as it shows Grealish doesn’t read the game well enough.
Souness said: “When I was playing, I would not want to be the most fouled player in the Premier League.
“That means I’m holding on to the ball for far too long. It means I’m not seeing the picture early enough.
“Taking an extra touch when I don’t need to, it means you’re not seeing the picture quick enough.
“There’s no doubt about it, he’s ability, he’s silky on the eye, but I’m yet to be convinced by him.”
THIA-GOING
Manchester United may swoop for Bayern Munich star Thiago Alcantara, according to reports.
The talented midfielder looks set to leave the German after failing to agree a new contract and Liverpool have been heavily linked.
But the Red Devils may move to land him ahead of their bitter rivals, according to the Express.
STAT ATTACK
Courtesy of Opta, here are some interesting stats from the win over Bournemouth.
- This was the first time United have scored five goals at Old Trafford in the Prem since 2011.
- Junior Stanislas's 15-th minute goal was the first goal United have conceded at Old Trafford in 500 minutes of play in all comps.
- Mason Greenwood is only one goal behind Wayne Rooney's Prem record for anybody 18 years old or younger.
- Rashford and Martial now have 20 goals each in all competitions.
FRESH START
Rio Ferdinand claims Bruno Fernandes has freed Paul Pogba from the burden of his £89million price tag.
He told BT Sport: “Pogba has been a totally different player since the restart.
“The energy levels in his game, it’s the Pogba United paid £89m for four years ago.
“A big factor is undoubtedly the man he is playing with in the centre of midfield – Bruno Fernandes.
“Pogba will not want to be shown up out there and that’s perhaps the motivation he needed.
“Solskjaer will be absolutely loving what he’s seeing from those two.
“Fernandes is just doing what comes naturally to him and it’s been a huge boost to Pogba’s form – it’s freed him up to play as well.”
IN THE RED
Jamie Redknapp has made a top-four prediction following wins for Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal this weekend.
He told Sky Sports: “If you could have anyone's fixtures there you'd probably choose Manchester United's right now.
“I think Manchester United [are in pole position] looking at those fixtures and with the form they're in.”
Before he concluded: “I think it will be Manchester United, Chelsea and then Leicester.”
NO DEFENCE
Paul Scholes believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs to sign a new central defender to cover for Harry Maguire's lack of pace.
The £75million centre-back showed his limitations against Bournemouth when Junior Stanislas fired the visitors into a shock lead.
Speaking about his former side, he told the BBC: “I really don’t think they are a million miles away. I know we spoke about four or five players but I think it’s two or three now.
“Look, I think Lindelof has done alright but I just think Maguire with his lack of pace at times (can get caught).
“If he’s got a really dominant centre-half next to him like a Rio Ferdinand or Jaap Stam who bullies centre forwards I think that would be a big help to the team.”
TRAORE BLIMEY
United could reportedly turn to Wolves star Adama Traore as an alternative to Jadon Sancho.
Duncan Castles claims the Spanish winger could be on his way to Old Trafford if United fail to strike terms with Borussia Dortmund star Sancho.
He told the Transfer Window podcast: “When you have Man Utd briefing that they are not prepared to pay anything like the fee that Dortmund have made clear they want, that would suggest actually it’s going to get thrown out rather than resolved.
“It’s definitely the priority position for United, Sancho is their preferred target for that role.
“But they are discussing other individuals. Jack Grealish is a possibility to come in.
“There is an interest in Adama Traore but I do not see them going to the levels that Wolves are asking, for that player, it’s a similar level to what Dortmund are asking.”
RELIVE IT
Manchester United posted extended highlights of their emphatic 5-2 win over Bournemouth yesterday.
COUGH UP
Borussia Dortmund have told Manchester United they can have Jadon Sancho only if they cough up £108million, according to reports.
The Bundesliga club are adamant they will not entertain any offers that fall below their asking price.
It is reported in German publication Ruhr Nachrichten that the England superstar has already agreed personal terms and a fee between the two clubs remains the only stumbling block.
Sancho is expected to sign a five-year deal in the red half of Manchester worth a lucrative £140,000-a-week.
That is then likely to increase to £200,000-a-week over the course of his deal.
Despite United’s keenness to complete the transfer, it is believed they are stumbling over his fee for numerous reasons.
MONEY UTD
Manchester United have one of the biggest wage bills in world football with David De Gea their highest paid star.
RAM-PAGE
Bournemouth keeper Aaron Ramsdale launched an x-rated rant at his defenders after Mason Greenwood scored against him at Old Trafford yesterday.
BT Sport cameras picked up everything the furious stopper was saying.
As the ball hit the net he let out a loud “F***!”
Before he was heard screaming “Who you f****** talking to?” at his defence.
NOT GUNNAR STOP
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to keep pushing for a top four spot after his side thrashed Bournemouth 5-2 at Old Trafford yesterday.
WAN OF A KIND
Man Utd ace Aaron Wan-Bissaka has become a viral sensation after displaying some unorthodox new moves in what fans described as the “worst skill ever”.
The English right-back was spotted attempting what many believed to be a potential Ronaldo chop in the 5-2 win over Bournemouth, but ultimately ended up being an extravagant dummy.
MOUR OF THAT PLEASE
Wesley Sneijder says Jose Mourinho's man management skill made him a delight to play for at Inter Milan.
Writing in his new autobiography, the Dutchman said: ““He knew how to handle us so well. He said, ‘I give you guys more freedom than you are used to and, in return, I get a better team’.
“During games he demanded everything from us. But away from the pitch he gave us a lot of space. Drinking wine, fags… I am sure he knew that we were doing this stuff.
“We were even free in our choice of what to wear. We had a sponsor for all our suits, but Mourinho said we did not have to wear the suits if we didn’t want to.
“He said, ‘You are football players, not fashion puppets’. Only three things were important: train hard, keep focus and have fun.
“So we all wore our tracksuits or jeans. Everyone was wearing different coloured polo shirts. It was so funny – but no one at Inter had the guts to tackle Mourinho about this.”
WOOD YOU BELIEVE IT
CHASING AFTER ROO
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer likened his “specialist finisher” Mason Greenwood to Wayne Rooney after his double against Bournemouth.
Teenager Greenwood smashed two powerful strikes past Aaron Ramsdale as the Red Devils came from behind to win 5-2 at Old Trafford.
“I have seen Wayne Rooney at the same age and Mason is a specialist finisher and specialist goalscorer he knows exactly what to do with the ball when he’s on the pitch.
“If he shoots he will score, he is going to get better and his general play has improved. I don’t want to compare him to Rooney or Ronaldo as that’s not fair and he’ll create his own career.
He’s doing it his own way. Both of those have had fantastic careers and I’m sure if Mason keeps on doing the right things and making good decisions he’ll have a fantastic career too.
“It’s Mason’s first season but we’ve always known there’s a special kid there.”
HAAL PASS
Paul Scholes reckons Manchester United missed a trick by not snapping up striker Erling Haaland in January.
Scholes said: “Once the German football came back and I watched him properly, I thought, 'Why did Manchester United not just pay whatever anybody wanted for him?'
“He looks that good, he’s still young, and he’s an out-and-out goalscorer.
“He’s quick as well, he’s got real pace. He’s a big lad, he’s a presence, and he scores goals – and that’s priceless.
“Looking back – and do you know what, he still might be available, who knows, in time – but United are going to have to pay big, big money for him. But so what? He looks the real deal.”
VARCICAL
Ex-ref Mark Halsey reckons VAR is damaging the integrity and worldwide brand of the Premier League.
He said: “The Premier League is the best in the world but the integrity of it is now being brought into question because of VAR.
“It has been poorly implemented by the PGMOL and VAR is now damaging the integrity and brand of the Premier League around the world.
“Everyone is talking about VAR and asking, 'What on earth is going on?'
“People are sick of the way we have used the technology and rather than talk about the great players, managers, matches and goals, we are always talking about VAR issues. It is undermining the league.
“I'm a big supporter of VAR, the pace of the game is much faster than ten years ago so the officials needed help but we haven't got the implementation right. We need a total rethink to look after football.”
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