ERIK TEN HAG wants James Ward-Prowse to boss Manchester United's midfield next season, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
But that could spark a £75million summer tug-of-war, as City chief Pep Guardiola is a big fan of the Southampton captain.
Erik ten Hag is also set to give Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard a second chance to prove themselves at old Trafford.
Meanwhile United are targeting a deal for Feyenoord left-back Tyrell Malacia, according to reports.
That comes after transfer chief Matt Judge, who has been in charge of negotiating contracts, has resigned from the club.
The head of corporate development spent ten years at Old Trafford but he has decided to step down from handling United's transfer negotiations.
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- Justin Lawrence
Wan-Bissaka doubt
Aaron Wan-Bissaka doesn't fit into Man United's squad.
That's the opinion of football legend Kevin Phillips who said: “It’s a shame because I like him.
“However, he hasn’t really progressed at Man United – although the club have been in a massive decline themselves.
“Some players just don’t suit football clubs. That seems to be the case for Wan-Bissaka – he just doesn’t suit Man United. It happens."
- Justin Lawrence
Ten Hag's transfer request
James Ward-Prowse is the man Erik ten Hag wants to boss Manchester United’s new midfield.
And that could spark a £75million summer tug-of-war, as City chief Pep Guardiola is a big fan of the Southampton skipper.
Ten Hag faces a huge rebuilding job at Old Trafford and has already started drawing up a hit-list.
And he has got the OK to go for Ward-Prowse, 27, with West Ham intent on keeping Declan Rice for one more season.
The Hammers want £150million for Rice, too much for the Red Devils, who will almost certainly miss out on the Champions League next term.
Yet JWP, who would cost half the price of Rice, is rated highly by Ten Hag.
- Justin Lawrence
No Rash decisions
Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard have been given lifelines by new Manchester United chief Erik ten Hag.
Struggling Rashford, 24, is being assured he will get a chance to perform under Ten Hag next season — and that will boost his England World Cup hopes.
While United team-mate Lingard could perform a U-turn and stay at the club if the new Old Trafford boss convinces him he is part of his plans under the Dutchman’s fresh regime.
- Justin Lawrence
Phil Jones' team selection reasons
On his decisions, 30-year-old Jones told Goal in 2019: "I'll go David [De Gea] No brainer.
"Five-a-side so, do you know what? I'm going to be stupid here. I'm going to put Berba there. Berbatov.
"Berba used to annoy me in training, every single training session. He used to play at centre-half and when I said to him 'no, the manager asked me to play there', he was like 'no, go somewhere else'.
"He was unbelievable. I'll put Berba there.
"And I'll put… I'll put Vida [Vidic] in there as well just because he throws himself at everything.
"Then I'm going to go with Scholesy. And I've got to go Wazza [Rooney]."
- Justin Lawrence
Phil Jones' surprise team selection
Phil Jones has named his dream Manchester United five-a-side team – and there is one major surprise.
Few would argue that cool-as-you-like Dimitar Berbatov would be the perfect man for a smaller pitch.
But not many would stick him at the back alongside Nemanja Vidic, especially when the Serb formed a rock-solid combo with Rio Ferdinand.
David De Gea is, of course, picked in goal after years of being United's last line of defence.
Paul Scholes ties everything together as the creative spark in the middle, while Wayne Rooney stars up front.
- Etienne Fermie
Morning Man Utd fans
Man Utd bigwigs will discuss a £12MILLION pay-off with Anthony Martial to help grease the wheels of a summer move.
The French forward has been on loan at Sevilla in LaLiga since January.
Despite a dip in form and currently being injured, the Spanish side have not ruled out a permanent deal for the 26-year-old.
Martial’s £240,000-a-week wages are beyond them and other interested clubs and United know they must reach a compromise if they want him off the books.
New Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has already identified his first summer transfer target.
Ten Hag plans on going after a player he was banned from signing at Ajax, left-back Tyrell Malacia.
According to reports Ten Hag wants to sign Malacia for United after not being allowed to pursue him while at Ajax due to the rivalry between Ajax and Malacia’s current club Feyenoord.
Man Utd interim manager Ralf Rangnick has ruled Edinson Cavani out of Monday’s clash with Brentford.
Rangnick confirmed Cavani was “supposed” to return to training but that didn’t happen and he won’t be part of the upcoming Premier League match at Old Trafford.
- Jon Boon
Rashford and Lingard lifeline
Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard have been given lifelines by new Manchester United chief Erik ten Hag.
Struggling Rashford, 24, is being assured he will get a chance to perform under Ten Hag next season — and that will boost his England World Cup hopes.
While United team-mate Lingard could perform a U-turn and stay at the club if the new Old Trafford boss convinces him he is part of his plans under the Dutchman’s fresh regime.
Rashford lost his Three Lions place this season, having endured a difficult campaign — so far scoring just five goals in 32 appearances.
And with interim manager Ralf Rangnick favouring Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga, Rashford became concerned his hopes of playing at the 2022 Qatar World Cup were fading.
But it has been made clear to Rashford that he will be given every chance to show off his skills once Ten Hag takes up the reigns following his arrival from Ajax this summer.
- Jon Boon
Ward-Prowse wanted
James Ward-Prowse is the man Erik ten Hag wants to boss Manchester United’s new midfield.
And that could spark a £75million summer tug-of-war, as City chief Pep Guardiola is a big fan of the Southampton skipper.
Old Trafford sources reckon he can play in the midfield holding role.
Ward-Prowse earns around £100,000-a-week with Saints, meaning his salary — even with a hefty hike — is no stumbling block either.
His five-year contract runs until June 2026, and he is not pressing for a move although the lure of joining one of football’s big guns would be hard to resist.
- Jon Boon
Martial potential pay off
Man Utd bigwigs will discuss a £12MILLION pay-off with Anthony Martial to help grease the wheels of a summer move.
The French forward has been on loan at Sevilla in LaLiga since January.
Despite a dip in form and currently being injured, the Spanish side have not ruled out a permanent deal for the 26-year-old.
Martial’s £240,000-a-week wages are beyond them and other interested clubs and United know they must reach a compromise if they want him off the books.
The Red Devils have been paying 60 per cent of his wages during his stay in southern Spain and the remaining two years on his contract would cost them the thick end of £25m.
Martial is as keen to leave Old Trafford as they are to get him off the wage bill and knows he holds all the aces.
- Jon Boon
Pogba's Elland Road admission
Paul Pogba was apparently bowled over by Elland when he visited with Man Utd last season, according Jack Harrison.
“Against Man United at home this year, Paul Pogba looked at me," the Leeds midfielder told The Times.
"He was looking around, going, ‘wow, this is incredible! Is it like this for every game?!’ I said, ‘No, it’s a special occasion, just for you!’
"Every week they are amazing. They’re super loud at home and travelling as well, we always have so many fans travelling, it’s incredible to have that fanbase."
- Jon Boon
Agbonlahor's sympathy for Maguire
Gabriel Agbonlahor has revealed he has sympathy for Harry Maguire, who appears to be having a crisis of confidence at Old Trafford.
"I do feel sorry for Harry Maguire," he revealed to Football Insider.
"I’ve been there as a player where you’re going through a rough spell and everyone’s on your back. You don’t know where to turn. For him, I bet he can’t wait for the season to finish. Get on a nice break with his family, forget about football.
"Come back in pre-season, put in the hard yards and start off a new season under a new manager. He’ll be looking forward to getting away in the summer, getting away from football. You can go through that. Everyone’s got mental health and you can’t look at footballers as robots.
"People like to jump on the bandwagon with Maguire. I feel sorry for him because there’s been so many poor performers for Man United. But he gets singled out all the time. He didn’t play against Arsenal and look how poor they were defensively. Raphael Varane wasn’t any better and neither was Victor Lindelof."
- Jon Boon
Ten Hag's first transfer target
New Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has already identified his first summer transfer target.
Ten Hag plans on going after a player he was banned from signing at Ajax, left-back Tyrell Malacia.
According to the Mirror, Ten Hag wants to sign Malacia for United after not being allowed to pursue him while at Ajax due to the rivalry between Ajax and Malacia's current club Feyenoord.
Scouts from both United and Lyon watched his performance against Marseille in the Europa Conference League semi-final.
The report indicates a bid of just £20m would be enough to convince the Dutch side to sell up.
- Jon Boon
Xavi warns Utd off de Jong
Barcelona boss Xavi has warned Manchester United off transfer target Frenkie de Jong.
Reports have suggested incoming manager Erik ten Hag is interested in bringing his fellow countryman to the club.
But the Spanish tactician was full of praise for the midfielder, insisting he's the future of the club.
"He has to be a player that makes the difference and he does. There aren't many players with his quality in the world," Xavi said in a press conference on Saturday.
"He's the present and the future here. He is a very important player for me. He's capable, strong, he gets into the box… He has had some excellent games, but he has to be consistent."
- Emillia Hawkins
Cavani OUT of Brentford clash
Man Utd interim manager Ralf Rangnick has ruled Edinson Cavani out of Monday's clash with Brentford.
Rangnick confirmed Cavani was "supposed" to return to training but that didn't happen and he won't be part of the upcoming Premier League match at Old Trafford.
The striker has been plagued with injury issues this season, which have severely limited his time on the pitch.
Rangnick said: "Edinson Cavani is supposed to come back to training [today] but, then again, the question is he has been missing for the last four or five weeks.
"Is he really a player who could then play against Brentford?' Answer: no."
- Emillia Hawkins
Dybala at the centre of four-way Prem transfer battle
Man Utd and Arsenal are two of four Premier League clubs chasing soon-to-be out of contract Juventus forward Paulo Dybala, reports say.
The Argentine is set to let his contract run out in Turin and will embark on a new adventure.
And according to ESPN, Man Utd and Arsenal are two of four Prem teams interested in signing Dybala.
The report has also revealed that Newcastle and Tottenham are the two other English teams keeping tabs on his situation.
Credit: Reuters
- Emillia Hawkins
Lazio line up potential replacement for Man Utd target
Lazio are lining up a transfer for Chelsea ace Ruben Loftus-Cheek, according to reports.
The Italian side are expecting star man Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to leave the club this summer, meaning they'll be in the market for a replacement.
Milinkovic-Savic, 27, has been linked with the likes of Manchester United and is enjoying arguably his best season.
Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri will be sorry to see him go, but could replace him with an old favourite.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Loftus-Cheek is Sarri's dream signing.
- Emillia Hawkins
Mino Raiola's family release statement
Super-agent Mino Raiola has died aged 54, his family have confirmed.
In a statement posted on Twitter, it was announced the Italian sadly lost his health battle.
It read: "In infinite sorrow we share the passing of the most caring and amazing Football Agent that ever was.
"Mino fought until the end with the same strength he put on negotiation tables to defend out players.
"As usual, Mino made us proud and never realized it.
"Mino touched so many lives through his work and wrote a new chapter in the history of modern football.
"His presence will forever be missed. Mino's mission of making football a batter place for players will continue with the same passion.
"We thank everybody fo the huge amount of support received during these difficult times and ask for respect and privacy of family and friends in this moment of grief.
"The Raiola Family."
- Emillia Hawkins
Red Devils miss out on Haaland due to clause
Man Utd missed out on signing Erling Haaland in January 2020 because they would not insert a release clause, claims Borussia Dortmund chief Hans-Joachim Watzke.
The Red Devils had appeared to be in the driving seat to sign the Norwegian from Red Bull Salzburg.
Haaland's compatriot Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believed the deal would be done, only for United to be pipped.
Lifting the lid on how he pulled off the £18million deal, Watzke told 19:09 Talk: "We gave Erling Haaland a release clause… otherwise he would have gone to Manchester United."
- Emillia Hawkins
Man Utd players arrive for training ahead of Brentford clash
- Justin Lawrence
Man United captain debate
Man United legend Tomasz Kuszczak reckons David De Gea or Cristiano Ronaldo should be the club's captain.
He told Manchester Evening News: "Usually, the club captain is someone who has a lot of if not the most experience within the team.
"There are so many good names who could be captain: Ronaldo, De Gea, I don't see why either of them aren't already."
- Justin Lawrence
Super agent Mino Raiola dead
Mino Raiola has died aged 54, his family confirmed.
In a statement posted on Twitter, it was announced the Italian sadly lost his health battle.
- Justin Lawrence
Man United's transfer plans
Man United are likely to open talks with Barcelona over the signing of Frenkie de Jong, according to reports.
With the imminent departures of Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba, club chiefs have prioritised signing a new midfielder.
And De Jong is one of the names on the shortlist.
According to football journalist Gerard Romero, new boss Erik ten Hag is a huge fan of the 24-year-old and is eager to reunite with him at Old Trafford.
- Justin Lawrence
Declan Rice speaks on progress
Manchester United target Declan Rice has insisted that there's still so much to come from him.
The Hammer star said: "I feel like I’ve taken another step in the right direction in my career but I’m still only 23 and trust me, I know myself, I’ve got so much more that I can let out of the bag.
"I know that, my coaches tell me that.
“I think it just comes with time and as I get older, it will keep coming and coming but I feel like you’re only starting to see the start of me. I feel like I’m going to keep pushing and getting better.”
- Justin Lawrence
Lewandowski wants Ballon d'Or
Man United transfer target Robert Lewandowski wants to leave the club in order to pursue his dream of winning the Ballon d'Or.
According to former teammate Javi Martinez, Lewandowski wants to end his eight-year stay in Munich by making the switch to Barcelona.
Speaking to El Larguero, Martinez said: "I think there’s a possibility he goes to Barça.
"Lewy believes he would have won a Ballon d’Or or two if he played in Spain, that’s why he wants to try."
- Justin Lawrence
Ibrahimovic 'hates' Edinson Cavani
Zlatan Ibrahimovic hates Manchester United star Edinson Cavani, according to a former team-mate.
Retired football Michael Ciani, who played with Ibrahimovic at LA Galaxy, revealed the animosity between the Swede and Cavani.
Ciani says Ibrahimovic told him about his time at Paris Saint-Germain, explaining he enjoyed everything about his time there – except for Cavani.
Ciani told RMC Sport: "He told me that everything was fine with [then-manager] Laurent Blanc at PSG. The only person he did not get along with was Cavani.
"He told me that he only hated three or four people in his career… and one of them was Cavani.
"If you are close to Cavani, Ibra does not like it. Either you are with Ibra, or you are against him."
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