MANCHESTER UNITED will reportedly make an early decision on whether to sign Erling Haaland or pull out of the race.
The Norwegian would bust the wage structure of virtually all of Europe's top clubs and the Red Devils hierarchy are said to be keen to avoid a protracted Jadon Sancho-style transfer saga.
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Stay up to date with our blog, below, for all the latest from Old Trafford…
- sstreet
'THE GAME HAS GONE'
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer declared himself furious with VAR's decision to overturn Edinson Cavani's goal at Tottenham.
He said: "The game has gone. Game has absolutely gone.
"If that’s a clear and obvious error, it’s an obvious error he had to look at it. It was a perfectly good goal.
"We shouldn’t be conned. I have to say, if my son stays down for three minutes and he needs his 10 mates to help him up, he won’t get any food.
"We weren’t conned, the referee was."
- Jack Figg
GOOD MORNING MAN UTD FANS
Man Utd came from 1-0 down to beat Tottenham 3-1 at the new White Hart Lane yesterday.
Edinson Cavani had a first-half goal controversially ruled out after Scott McTominay’s hand brushed Son Heung-min’s face in the build up.
Ref Chris Kavanagh was told to check the screen by VAR before striking the goal off.
And just minutes later the South Korean had put Spurs 1-0 up.
United’s players looked on the brink of losing their heads but re-grouped at half-time and came out fighting after the break.
The Red Devils were as unstoppable as Tottenham were pathetic in the second-half and goals from Fred, Cavani and Mason Greenwood saw United walk away with all three points.
Despite the positive result for his team, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer blasted VAR for the decision to disallow Cavani’s strike and hit out at ‘con artist’ Son.
Solskjaer told Sky Sports: “The game has gone, absolutely gone. If that’s a clear and obvious error, it’s one he [the ref] had to look at. It was a perfectly good goal, we shouldn’t be conned. I have to say, if my son stays down for three minutes and needs ten mates to help him, he won’t get any food because that’s embarrassing.
“We weren’t conned, the ref was. That kick-started us. [Before] we played like a team who had played in Europe on Thursday.
“Top reaction, we played great stuff second half. We felt the injustice and showed good character to come back. We can’t let those decisions ruin this good season for us. The goals we scored were excellent.
“Cavani showed why he’s a No9. Fred even scores, that shows just how good we were. It was an excellent [disallowed] goal. Unfortunately the ref decided we are not playing football or VAR decided. I’m absolutely shocked if that is a foul.”
Ex-United boss Jose Mourinho also lamented VAR – which made a convenient distraction from his team’s shambolic collapse.
The Portuguese tactician told Sky Sports after the final whistle: “My opinion it was a good game but we didn’t deserve this result at all. We were unlucky because maybe Pogba should get a red card for an elbow on Serge Aurier.
“I don’t know anything anymore [about VAR]. I watched Fulham vs Wolves, I don’t understand anything anymore. Sometimes you get, sometimes you don’t get, I don’t know how to comment. You don’t celebrate a goal because you are afraid.
“It is difficult for everybody. For us, the players, the referees. Lots of contradictions and decision you don’t understand very well. That’s not my problem, I cannot fix this.”
- William Pugh
MOUR WAR
Jose Mourinho launched a scathing attack on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the pair clashed in the tunnel after the final whistle.
The Tottenham chief was furious after Solskjaer accused Son Heung-min of conning officials to get Edinson Cavani’s strike chalked off by going down too easily under a flailing arm from Scott McTominay.
Seething Solskjaer said: “If my son stayed down for three minutes and he needed ten mates to help him up, he wouldn’t get any food. The game has gone — absolutely gone.”
But former United boss Mourinho hit back as the row escalated when he told reporters: “I just want to say Sonny’s very lucky that his father is a better person than Ole.”
Cavani thought he had given United the lead when he slotted home in the 33rd minute. But referee Chris Kavanagh ruled it out after VAR advised him to check the pitchside monitor.
It looked a harsh decision and the Red Devils were further incensed when the South Korean fired Spurs ahead seven minutes later. Old Trafford manager Solskjaer — despite his side’s sterling second-half comeback — was still angry about the incident afterwards.
The Norwegian said in a television interview moments after the final whistle: “It was a perfectly good goal. We weren’t conned, the referee was.”
- William Pugh
SUN BACK PAGE
Here is the back page of Monday's Sun newspaper after a thrilling weekend of Premier League action at both ends of the table.
- William Pugh
WE STAND WITH YOU
Tottenham have released a statement slamming 'abhorrent' racial abuse of Son Heung-Min following Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Manchester United.
The South Korean star came under attack from sick trolls online in the wake of the crunch clash in London. Son was involved in a controversial first-half VAR decision that saw a United goal questionably chalked off.
And the ace has since received vile racist messages on the internet from cowardly trolls. Spurs put out an official club statement on Sunday night taking aim at the people behind the messages.
And they proudly told Son: We stand with you. The statement read: “Another matchday and more abhorrent racial abuse suffered by one of our players.
“This has again been reported to the platforms and we shall now undertake a full review alongside the Premier League to determine the most effective action moving forward.
“We stand with you, Sonny.”
- William Pugh
'CON ARTIST'
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has blasted Son Heung-Min for ‘conning’ the ref during Manchester United’s 3-1 win at Tottenham.
And the Red Devils boss believes ‘the game has gone’ after his side had a goal ruled out by VAR after an incident involving Spurs ace Son and Scott McTominay.
Solskjaer told Sky Sports: “The game has gone, absolutely gone. If that’s a clear and obvious error, it’s one he [the ref] had to look at. It was a perfectly good goal, we shouldn’t be conned. I have to say, if my son stays down for three minutes and needs ten mates to help him, he won’t get any food because that’s embarrassing.
“We weren’t conned, the ref was. That kick-started us. [Before] we played like a team who had played in Europe on Thursday.
“Top reaction, we played great stuff second half. We felt the injustice and showed good character to come back. We can’t let those decisions ruin this good season for us. The goals we scored were excellent.
“Cavani showed why he’s a No9. Fred even scores, that shows just how good we were. It was an excellent [disallowed] goal. Unfortunately the ref decided we are not playing football or VAR decided. I’m absolutely shocked if that is a foul.”
- William Pugh
MOUR PAIN
Jose Mourinho lashed out at VAR after Tottenham’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester United.
Some feel Tottenham were also fortunate to get away with having a United goal in the first half disallowed by VAR. Scott McTominay was judged to have raised his hand into Son’s face in the build-up for an Edinson Cavani goal.
VAR controversially ruled the strike out moments before Son then put Spurs ahead. But despite appearing to benefit from the video system, Mourinho lashed out at it for, in his eyes, failing to spot an apparent elbow by Paul Pogba on Serge Aurier.
The Portuguese tactician told Sky Sports after the final whistle: “My opinion it was a good game but we didn’t deserve this result at all. We were unlucky because maybe Pogba should get a red card for an elbow on Serge Aurier.
“I don’t know anything anymore [about VAR]. I watched Fulham vs Wolves, I don’t understand anything anymore. Sometimes you get, sometimes you don’t get, I don’t know how to comment. You don’t celebrate a goal because you are afraid.
“It is difficult for everybody. For us, the players, the referees. Lots of contradictions and decision you don’t understand very well. That’s not my problem, I cannot fix this."
- William Pugh
Subs
MASON GREENWOOD (FOR RASHFORD 72) – 8
Nearly made an instant impact, cutting in from the left and firing in a shot just wide.
Then brilliantly set up the second for Cavani with a superb in-swinging cross from the right-hand side.
And finished off a great cameo with a third for United in added time.
NEMANJA MATIC (FOR FERNANDES 90) – N/A
Did not have enough time to make any sort of impact.
- William Pugh
MARCUS RASHFORD – 6
No major contributions in the match but did make runs which drew defenders away from Cavani and Pogba.
Looked gun shy when he went through in the second half, failing to pull the trigger in front of goal.
EDINSON CAVANI – 8
Was given very, very little to feed off in the first half an hour as those behind him failed to link the play.
The first time he was given a sniff of goal he dispatched the chance with supreme class, only for it to be controversially ruled out.
Got booked for a challenge on Joe Rodon as tempers flared, but took his winner sensationally with a textbook diving header.
- William Pugh
BRUNO FERNANDES – 5
Was one of the worst players on the pitch in the first half – you could have been forgiven for not realising he was playing.
His frustration boiled over just before the break when he took a swipe at Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg and was lucky to avoid a caution.
Fernandes' only moment came in the second half when he was denied by Lloris, but he did have options either side of him which may have been clearer sights of goal.
PAUL POGBA – 7
Looked lethargic in the early stages of the game as he was snuffed out a when caught dithering on the ball.
Swapped wings with Rashford after a quiet first 25 minutes and made an instant impact to set up Cavani, only for the goal to be ruled out.
Showed flashes of class in the second half, growing into the game particularly when coming off the right-hand side but missed a guilt-edge chance as he tried a fancy flick.
Set up Greenwood for United's third.
- William Pugh
SCOTT McTOMINAY – 6
Was forced to walk a tightrope after picking up a yellow card after just 18 minutes for chopping down Tanguy Ndombele.
Struggled to pick up the runs Kane and Giovani Lo Celso made in between the lines and gave the ball away regularly when he did retrieve it.
But he does appear to be developing a decent understanding with Fred, venturing into a more attacking area in the second half and stinging the fingertips of Hugo Lloris with a vicious effort.
FRED – 7
Was solid in defensive midfield, making fewer errors than McTominay alongside him.
Scored the goal to bring Man Utd back into the game with a tidy finish.
Also crucially allows the United attacking players to get forward by becoming Solskjaer's trusted handbrake in front of the back four.
Booked for a naughty challenge on Aurier.
- William Pugh
HARRY MAGUIRE – 6
Was drawn in a couple of times by Harry Kane as he allowed Spurs to re-group from their defensive block by craftily winning free-kicks.
Went into the referee's book 20 minutes from time for a reckless foul on Kane, but all in all marshalled his defence well.
VICTOR LINDELOF – 7
Cut out Kane a couple of times with great positional play early on in the game.
Then got his legs in a complete tangle for the Spurs goal as he failed to intercept Kane's pass to Lucas.
LUKE SHAW – 7
Unlike his fellow full-back Wan-Bissaka, Shaw quickly got to grips with his defensive duties on the left-hand side.
Lucas Moura and Serge Aurier had very little joy down that flank as Spurs turned their attention to attacking down the Manchester United right.
Added to the argument that he should start for England in the summer.
Only blotch on his record in the game was a booking midway through the second half which he received for a foul on Moura.
- William Pugh
DEAN HENDERSON – 6/10
Had to keep his concentration throughout the game as there was very little to do in the first half.
Could do nothing about the goal but proceeded to save well with his legs from Son and Kane in the second period.
Did enough to keep David de Gea out of the team.
AARON WAN-BISSAKA – 6
A rare below-par defensive display as he really did not get to grips with Son and Reguilon on the Spurs left, although was not helped out by Pogba or Rashford in the first 45.
Got involved going forward in the second half and made a positive impact in United's comeback.
Credit: AP - William Pugh
MAN UTD RATINGS
Manchester United came from behind once again to beat Spurs 3-1 in North London.
The Red Devils looked to have taken the lead in the first half when Paul Pogba slipped Edinson Cavani through and the Uruguayan dispatched the chance ruthlessly through the legs of Hugo Lloris.
But the goal was subsequently ruled out when Scott McTominay was controversially judged to have fouled Son Heung-min in the build-up, flicking the Tottenham forward in the face.
Picking himself up off the floor, Son then broke the deadlock before the break.
Fred levelled or United after the break before the sensational Cavani finally got his goal, with sub Mason Greenwood putting the seal on it at the death.
And here's what SunSport's Dylan Terry thought of United's individual performances…
- William Pugh
NOT SO KEANE
Roy Keane heaped praise on in-form Jesse Lingard but could still afford a funny dig at his celebration.
The West Ham superstar showed Manchester United what they're missing with two goals in a brilliant 3-2 win over Leicester. Lingard now has eight goals in nine appearances in East London to lift West Ham into the top four.
His first was brilliant as he volleyed home Tomas Soucek's pass on the edge of the box. But Lingard's celebration left a lot to be desired as Keane left viewers in stitches with a quick-witted quip.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the United legend said: "Credit to West Ham and Jesse Lingard, he's been outstanding. What I give Jesse credit for is he's turned up without much football at United.
"He obviously kept himself in good shape which is the sign of a good pro. He maybe took his eye off the ball off the field, but he always had that talent and it's great to see it.
"It's 1/10 (for the Lingard celebration). I used to do this dance before, usually after a load of Bacardi and Coke!"
- William Pugh
FULL-TIME!
Tottenham 1 – 3 Man Utd
Tottenham do what Tottenham do in North London.
Heung Son-min put Spurs 1-0 up in the first half after Edinson Cavani had a goal harshly disallowed.
But United demolished Jose Mourinho's side in the second-half and goals from Fred, Cavani and Mason Greenwood saw the Red Devils take all three points.
- William Pugh
GOOOOOOOAAAAALLL – GREENWOOD!
Tottenham 1 – 3 Man Utd
90+5. Game, set and match.
Pogba twists and turns on the edge of the box and plays it out to Greenwood on the right corner of the penalty area.
And the youngster works it on to his right and smashes it past Lloris at the near post.
- William Pugh
GOOOOOAAAAALLL – CAVANI!
Tottenham 1 – 2 Man Utd
79. United have completed the comeback.
Greenwood whips a ball in from the right and Cavani is there to head home.
- William Pugh
VAR-CICIAL
Manchester United were left fuming after controversially having a goal against Spurs ruled out by VAR… only to concede moments later.
But ref chiefs have now revealed why the strike was disallowed. Edinson Cavani fired the Red Devils into the lead in London on Sunday when he latched on to a fine pass from Paul Pogba.
However, Tottenham passionately protested the strike as star winger Son Heung-Min lay on the ground following a collision with McTominay in the build-up.
VAR decided to intervene and replays showed McTominay had made slight contact with Son’s face as he darted away from the Spurs man with the ball at his feet.
A statement from the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Board) at half-time revealed United's goal was ruled out due to the Scot's 'unnatural movement'.
It read: "It wasn't part of Scott McTominay's natural running movement. It was careless."
- William Pugh
GOOOOOOOAAALLLL – FRED!
Tottenham 1 – 1 Man Utd
57. Wonderfully worked goal from Man Utd.
Cavani plays a neat one-two with Fred on the edge of the box, the Uruguayan breaks through but sees his close range effort saved by Lloris.
But Fred is there to pounce and slams it into the roof of the net from eight yards out.
- William Pugh
HALF TIME!
Tottenham 1 – 0 Man Utd
Controversy rules the day again as football is the real loser.
Edinson Cavani's fantastic goal was ruled out for a 'foul' by Scott McTominay on Heung Son-min.
And just moments later the South Korean scored to put Spurs one up.
Prepare for attack vs defence in the second-half.
- Kostas Lianos
HAALAND BOOST
Borussia Dortmund may have to sell one or two stars in the summer transfer window.
That is according to Marca, who claim that Dortmund may have to cash in on players like Erling Haaland or Jadon Sancho in order to cover a net loss of roughly €80-90million (£69-78m).
The club’s sporting director Michael Zorc confirmed those numbers, which come as a result of a financial impact that occurred from the fans not attending the Signal Iduna Park during the coronavirus pandemic.
Zorc said during a press conference: “If we have to play the rest of the season without fans, as seems to be the case, we will have losses of between €80 and 90 million, based on that we will have to act.”
Haaland can be signed for only £75m next season due to a condition in his contract and that means Dortmund may have to sell him in the summer in order to avoid missing out on some major sums.
The star striker has been linked with a move to Manchester United, who have been embroiled into an intense bidding war with other Premier League rivals as well as clubs from Spain and France
- Kostas Lianos
REAL CHELSEA STRATEGY
Real Madrid have been operating a crafty plan to sign Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe, who has previously linked with Manchester United.
In fact, Real have been implementing the same strategy they used to sign Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard from Chelsea.
That is according to Football Espana, who claim that Los Blancos have been working on dissuading Mbappe from signing a new contract with PSG.
That would allow them to either pressure the reigning Ligue 1 champions to sell in the summer with a significant price reduction or wait until next year when the star striker’s contract expires
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
TOTTENHAM VS MAN UTD XI
Tottenham and Manchester United are set to clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Spurs manager Jose Mourinho starts with Lloris, Aurier, Dier, Rodon, Reguilon, Lo Celso, Ndombele, Hojbjerg, Moura, Son and Kane.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has picked Henderson, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Pogba, Fred, McTominay, Fernandes, Rashford and Cavani.
David de Gea sits on the bench
- Kostas Lianos
HOPES MARRED
Leicester have overtaken Tottenham and Manchester United in the battle to sign Lille star Boubakary Soumare.
Soumare is rated at £30million and his displays have been so impressive at Ligue 1 that he has been described as the next Paul Pogba.
According to the Daily Star, United and Spurs have been keeping tabs on the star midfielder but the Foxes feel more confident in landing him.
So much so, that Brendan Rodgers appears to be in pole position to sign the France under-21 international
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