MANCHESTER UNITED are leading the chase for Nikola Milenkovic, according to reports in Italy.
The Red Devils are said to have made the 'most impressive' offer Fiorentina have received so far – thought to be around £30m.
Stay up to date with our blog, below, for all the latest from Old Trafford…
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- Etienne Fermie
MORE DE BOER ON DONNY
In conversation with talkSPORT 2 regarding Donny van de Beek's future, Ronald de Boer added: "His agent also told me that of course he’s not happy that he’s not playing.
"He’s only had two starts under Solskjaer and that’s not what he hoped for when he joined Man United.
"He’s not worried, of course he wants to play every game. But he’s not worried that he can’t succeed.
"He has to have a review after this year, asking where do I stand? Do I have a possibility to succeed here or not? Otherwise, I have to make a move.
"We will see where he’s heading next year, maybe he stays at Man United or maybe another club is interesting for him.
"But he’s not panicking at all, he told his agent he’s so happy at Man United because the club is one of the best in terms of how they treat him, he feels loved."
Ronald de Boer opened up on Donny's futureCredit: Keith Campbell – The Sun Glasgow - Etienne Fermie
RON THE WAY UP
Donny van de Beek does NOT want to return to Ajax from Manchester United, according to Ronald de Boer.
The Dutch legend told talkSPORT 2: "I spoke to Ajax and they said there’s no truth in it at all.
"He’s just focusing on his recovery on his ankle, and it’s not true that he asked Man United to leave."
Donny van de Beek doesn't want to leave Man UnitedCredit: PA - supal
GOOD MORNING UNITED FANS
David de Gea and Paul Pogba have proved their return to fitness but not their right to starting spots for United's Europa League crunch night at AC Mian.
Dean Henderson has done little wrong as De Gea's deputy between the sticks while United's midfield is looking slick without Pogba.
But Edinson Cavani is out injured as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men visit Italy bidding for a quarter-final place after a 1-1 first-leg draw.
Cavani's fellow striker Marcus Rashford is determined to defy pain during games and delay an operation until after the Euros, despite hurting his shoulder back in November.
Rashford said: “What’s needed after, we will deal with that. My main focus is just being available for the games.”
Meanwhile, it's been a quiet past 24 hours day for speculation over United launching a summer bid for Europe's most wanted hitman, Borussia Dortmund sensation Erling Haaland.
Instead Eintracht Frankfurt ‘s Portugal striker Andre Silva is being tipped as a cut-price alternative.
Silva has matched Haaland’s 19-goal Bundesliga total this season.
- Ian Tuckey
NO MARC OF PAIN
Marcus Rashford is determined to play through the pain barrier and delay a shoulder operation until after the Euros.
The Manchester United forward has been managing the problem since injuring it last November.
He can feel discomfort during games and has to manage his recovery between matches but it clear he does not want surgery to hamper the end of the season or his place in the Three Lions squad for the summer.
Rashford said: “To be honest I just focus on the next game at hand and that’s just the way I deal with it. What’s needed after we will deal with that. My main focus is just being available for the games.”
Rashford has missed only one of United’s 45 games this season but the 23-year-old insists he is not at risk of burnout and that time for a rest will come when he is retired.
He said: “I know my body and I know what I can do physically and that’s it. I take one game at a time, it’s the life of a footballer, we can rest when we retire and for now I’m happy playing as many games as I can. I recover from games quite well and from injuries well, I have no doubts or fears.”
- Ian Tuckey
'REDS JOIN BERGE CHASE'
Liverpool have Tottenham and Arsenal in pursuing Sheffield united midfielder Sander Berge – who Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knows "more or less everything about".
Norwegian Burge is still battling a long-term hamstring problem but is tipped to depart in the summer, should bottom side Blades go down.
Aston Villa have also been linked with the 23-year-old, rated at around £22million.
And last December, before Burge's injury, Solskjaer hinted at his interest in his fellow countryman.
Tribal Football quoted Solskjaer as saying: “I know more or less everything about Sander from the time in Norway.
“I have talked a lot with Kjetil Rekdal about him."
Former Norway midfielder Rekdal is manager of Norwegian club Ham-Kam.
- Ian Tuckey
SILVA SERVICE CHEAPER OPTION TO HAALAND
Eintracht Frankfurt 's Portugal striker Andre Silva has been tipped as a cut-price alternative for Manchester United to dream summer signing Erling Haaland.
Silva has matched Haaland's 19-goal Bundesliga total this season.
The suggestion is super-agent Jorge Mendes could be keen on the 25-year-old making a huge summer move.
- Ian Tuckey
JESSE, STONES IN ENGLAND RUNNING
Jesse Lingard and John Stones are close to England recalls, according to The Guardian.
Manchester United midfielder Lingard, 28, has been in sensational loan form for West Ham.
And Man City centre-back Stones, 26, has revitalised his career this season just like Pep Guardiola’s squad have reinstated their Premier League dominance – after handing it to Liverpool last term.
- Ian Tuckey
UTD ARE EUROPE'S ‘MOST SUSTAINABLE' CLUB
Manchester United have the most sustainable squad in Europe.
That is the headline news from a study which suggests United should be challenging for glory both in the Champions League and the Premier League.
The CIES Football Observatory released its findings on sustainable squad management with United ruled the top dogs.
Clubs were ranked on three main areas with age structure, group stability and contractual policy assessed to determine the most sustainable teams.
The report claims the Red Devils are well placed to qualify for the Champions League ‘without too much difficulty’ in the coming seasons, and are also in a position to ‘eventually lift again the Premier League trophy’.
United are leading the way as the most sustainable European club with Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao next best.
Tottenham are ranked fourth highest for sustainability with Premier League leaders Manchester City below in fifth spot.
- Ian Tuckey
I’M SHAW GRATEFUL
Luke Shaw is tipped b many to be England’s first-choice left-back in time for this summer’s delayed Euros.
And not even the usual suspects like Bruno Fernandes matched his form for Manchester United over the past month.
After picking up their player award for February, the 25-year-old tweeted his thanks to those who backed him.
- Ian Tuckey
POGBA AND DE GEA BACK BUT CAVANI OUT
David de Gea and Paul Pogba are fit to return for United’s Europa League last-16 away tie with AC Milan following the 1-1 first leg draw.
But striker Edinson Cavani misses out after initial hopes he would make it.
And despite De Gea’s availability, Dean Henderson will hope to keep his place.
Credit: PA - Ian Tuckey
BEEK DOWN IN THE MOUTH
Ajax legend Ronald de Boer claims Donny van de Beek is ‘not happy’ at Manchester United.
The midfielder, 23, has started just two Premier League games after his £40million move from the Dutch giants last summer.
Donny van de Beek is unhappy with his lack of minutes at Man Utd However, De Boer insists there’s no truth to speculation that Van de Beek wants out of Old Trafford.
De Boer, now assistant manager of Ajax’s youth team, told TalkSport 2: “I spoke to Ajax and they said there’s no truth in it at all.
“He didn’t ask to speak to them. He’s just focusing on his recovery on his ankle. and it’s not true that he asked Man United to leave.
“His agent also told me that of course he’s not happy that he’s not playing.
“He’s only had two starts under Solskjaer and that’s not what he hoped for when he joined Man United.
“He’s not worried, of course he wants to play every game. But he’s not worried that he can’t succeed."
- Ian Tuckey
TED TALKS NEW DEAL
Man Utd starlet Teden Mengi has signed a new three-year deal at the club until June 2024.
The 18-year-old defender made his senior debut in the Europa League last season.
Mengi was promoted to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first-team squad at the start of this season.
He joined Wayne Rooney’s Derby in January to gain more experience after playing ten times for the Red Devils’ Under-23s in the first half of the season.
Mengi has already starred six times for Rooney’s Rams.
The young centre-back has been at Old Trafford since the age of seven, coming through the academy and captaining age group sides through the ranks.
- Ian Tuckey
RASH OF PAIN
Marcus Rashford is determined to play through the pain barrier and delay a shoulder operation until after the Euros.
The Manchester United forward has been managing the problem since injuring it last November.
He can feel discomfort during games and has to manage his recovery between matches but it clear he does not want surgery to hamper the end of the season or his place in the Three Lions squad for the summer.
Rashford said: “To be honest I just focus on the next game at hand and that’s just the way I deal with it. What’s needed after we will deal with that. My main focus is just being available for the games.”
Rashford has missed only one of United’s 45 games this season but the 23-year-old insists he is not at risk of burnout and that time for a rest will come when he is retired.
He said: “I know my body and I know what I can do physically and that’s it. I take one game at a time, it’s the life of a footballer, we can rest when we retire and for now I’m happy playing as many games as I can. I recover from games quite well and from injuries well, I have no doubts or fears.”
Rashford has hit 18 goals this season but has none in the last five and missed a great chance with a header in the 1-0 win over West Ham last weekend.
United take on AC Milan on Thursday at the San Siro in the second leg of their last-16 Europa League tie with the clash poised at 1-1 after their meeting at Old Trafford last week.
- Ian Tuckey
AMAD HOPE TO FACE MILAN
AMAD DIALLO is set for his first Manchester United start against AC Milan in the Europa League last-16 second leg on Thursday.
The Ivorian, 18, could be included in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's starting XI after Edinson Cavani was ruled out.
Cavani was initially named in the wider travelling group heading to the San Siro.
But the Uruguayan will now stay in Manchester after an adverse reaction to training.
Solskjaer told MUTV: "Unfortunately, it looks like Edinson has got a bit of a reaction to training today and didn’t feel ready to travel."
With Anthony Martial already ruled out, first-leg goalscorer Diallo could be set for a full senior debut.
The substitute's looping backwards header looked to have given United a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford last week but Simon Kjaer's 92nd-minute equaliser changed the whole complexion of the tie.
With United needing to score to progress, Marcus Rashford may be called upon to play down the middle with Mason Greenwood and Diallo out on the flanks. An alternative option could see Welsh speedster Dan James play out wide with Diallo again on the bench.
- Ian Tuckey
UTD 'MOST SUSTAINABLE SQUAD'
Manchester United have the most sustainable squad in Europe.
That is the headline news from a study which suggests United should be challenging for glory both in the Champions League and the Premier League.
The CIES Football Observatory released its findings on sustainable squad management with United ruled the top dogs.
Clubs were ranked on three main areas with age structure, group stability and contractual policy assessed to determine the most sustainable teams.
The report claims the Red Devils are well placed to qualify for the Champions League 'without too much difficulty' in the coming seasons, and are also in a position to 'eventually lift again the Premier League trophy'.
United are leading the way as the most sustainable European club with Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao next best.
Tottenham are ranked fourth highest for sustainability with Premier League leaders Manchester City below in fifth spot.
- Ian Tuckey
EDIN OUT OF AC TIE
Edinson Cavani has been ruled out of Manchester United's Europa League clash with AC Milan.
The Uruguayan was named in the squad for the second-leg at the San Siro but suffered 'a reaction to training.'
Cavani, 34, has missed the club's last three matches after picking up a knock in the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on March 3.
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was hoping Cavani would play a part in the contest after returning to training in the week.
But it appears the clash with AC Milan has come too soon for the striker after suffering a relapse.
Solskjaer told MUTV: "Unfortunately, it looks like Edinson has got a bit of a reaction to training today and didn’t feel ready to travel."
United head to Milan needing to score after Simon Kjaer salvaged a last-gasp 1-1 draw in the first-leg.
- Ian Tuckey
OLE TARGETS LEAGUE OVER TROPHIES
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says trophies are for egos and it is the league which shows real progress for a team.
Manchester United take on AC Milan in the second leg of their last 16 Europa League encounter on Thursday with the tie poised at 1-1 and have an FA Cup quarter-final with Leicester this weekend.
But the Red Devils boss says that even if they don’t win either that a second placed league finish will be real evidence they are on the right track.
Solskjaer said: “We are 12 points ahead of what we were at the same time in the league last season, of course we’re aiming to win trophies but as we’ve said sometimes a trophy can hide the other fact of what’s happening at the club.
“In the league position you see if you’re progressing really and sometimes in the cup tournaments you might be lucky or unlucky with draws, games decided on different factors.
“In the league position you see if there’s any progress for me, that’s always the bread and butter of the season, that you see how capable you are of coping with ups and downs.
“Any cup competition can give you a trophy but sometimes it’s more of an ego thing from other managers and clubs to finally win something.
“But we need to see progress and if we perform well enough the trophies will end up at the club again. It’s not like a trophy will say that we’re back, no."
- Ian Tuckey
UTD COMPILE TARGET LIST
United are reportedly already lining up summer targets as they plan for a long-term future under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Red Devils announced a new recruitment team of football director John Murtough and ex-midfielder Darren Fletcher as technical director last week.
Murtough and Fletcher are heading up Manchester United's recruitment The Telegraph reports the duo have begun work on an end-of-season shortlist with the club targeting a centre-back, right-winger and young central midfielder.
Solskjaer is set to pen a new £9million-a-year-deal at Old Trafford with just over a year left on his current contract.
The Norwegian, 48, was given the job on a permanent basis in March 2019, having replaced Jose Mourinho in the hot seat.
After Solskjaer orchestrated a 2-0 derby win over league leaders Manchester City, club chief Ed Woodward said: "The progress made by Ole and the players this season is clear. He is adding to the optimism we feel about the future on and off the pitch.”
And United are set to throw their weight behind the manager by giving the former super sub a £2m pay rise and final say on their transfer targets.
- Ian Tuckey
POGBA, DE GEA FIT TO RETURN
David de Gea and Paul Pogba are fit to return for United's Europa League last-16 away tie with AC Milan following the 1-1 first leg draw.
But striker Edinson Cavani misses out after initial hopes he would make it.
And despite De Gea's availability, Dean Henderson will hope to keep his place.
Midfielder Paul Pogba and keeper David de Gea are available for United against AC MilanCredit: PA - Ian Tuckey
RON HEADING BACK TO OLD TRAFFORD?
Cristiano Ronaldo returning to Manchester United is looking more likely than Real Madrid, reports in Italy suggest.
The Spanish side are claimed to have given up on bringing Ronaldo back and instead are focussing their attentions on landing Kylian Mbappe.
And Tuttosport claim Old Trafford is a more viable option than the Bernabeu
Ronaldo, 36, spent six years at United before nine seasons at Real.
He joined Serie A champions Juventus in 2018 but could be forced to leave this summer with the club facing a financial crisis.
- Ian Tuckey
UTD EYE PEDRO AS SANCHO ALTERNATIVE
Man Utd are reportedly targeting Sporting Lisbon’s Pedro Goncalves as a half-price alternative to signing Jadon Sancho.
Sporting signed Wolves flop Goncalves in August to fill the void left by Bruno Fernandes’ departure to Old Trafford in January 2020.
And the 22-year-old has bagged 15 goals in just 21 appearances to fire Sporting to the verge of their first league crown for 19 years.
The Telegraph reports United are looking at Goncalves as a cheaper right-sided forward than last year’s No1 target Sancho.
Goncalves’ super form has alerted a number of European giants to his availability for £51.7million, thanks to a buyout clause.
The latest reports from Germany suggest Borussia Dortmund would be willing to sell Sancho, 20, for around £104m this summer.
- Jake Lambourne
MARC MY WORDS
Marcus Rashford is determined to play through the pain barrier and delay a shoulder operation until after the Euros.
He said: “To be honest I just focus on the next game at hand and that’s just the way I deal with it. What’s needed after we will deal with that. My main focus is just being available for the games.”
Rashford has missed only one of United’s 45 games this season but the 23-year-old insists he is not at risk of burnout and that time for a rest will come when he is retired.
The striker added: “I know my body and I know what I can do physically and that’s it. I take one game at a time it’s the life of a footballer, we can rest when we retire and for now I’m happy playing as many games as I can.
"I recover from games quite well and from injuries well, I have no doubts or fears.”
- Jake Lambourne
OLE TRAFFORD
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says trophies are for egos and it is the league which shows real progress for a team.
He said: “We are 12 points ahead of what we were at the same time in the league last season, of course we’re aiming to win trophies but as we’ve said sometimes a trophy can hide the other fact of what’s happening at the club.
“In the league position you see if you’re progressing really and sometimes in the cup tournaments you might be lucky or unlucky with draws, games decided on different factors.
“In the league position you see if there’s any progress for me, that’s always the bread and butter of the season, that you see how capable you are of coping with ups and downs.
“Any cup competition can give you a trophy but sometimes it’s more of an ego thing from other managers and clubs to finally win something.
“But we need to see progress and if we perform well enough the trophies will end up at the club again. It’s not like a trophy will say that we’re back, no."
- Jake Lambourne
SCOT OF BOTHER
Former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan believes England's U21 team can beat Scotland's first XI and Mason Greenwood is better than any of their players.
The outspoken pundit was reacting to Che Adams being called up for Scotland.
Jordan told talkSPORT: "What are you thinking? Do you really want to be part of that debacle of Scotland at the Euros?!
“He’s thinking, ‘where am I guaranteed to play because the quality is so low that I’ll get in every time the squad is picked’?
“I’m not disrespectful about Scotland, I’m honest. I’ve said before that England Under-21s could beat Scotland’s first team, and I don’t climb down from that.
“Look at the quality of our U21s, I think that is genuinely true. Mason Greenwood is better than anything you’ve got in your first XI, better than anything in the Scotland team!”
England's U21 team have an embarrassment of riches - Jake Lambourne
EUR IN LUCK
Man Utd are looking to win their second Europa League in four years.
However they must score against AC Milan at the San Siro to stand any chance of qualifying for the quarter-final stages.
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