MANCHESTER UNITED are having to battle off Real Madrid to try and land Sevilla's Jules Kounde.
Meanwhile, Jack Grealish's agent Jonathan Barnett has teased the Villa forward could leave this summer.
Stay up to date with our blog, below, for all the latest from Old Trafford…
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- William Pugh
KNEE BOTHER
France boss Didier Deschamps has handed Manchester United a boost over Anthony Martial's injury.
The forward missed the 1-0 win over Bosnia last night after picking up a knock on his knee in the previous outing. Martial, 25, started in the 2-0 victory over Kazakhstan but limped off in the 59th minute.
Deschamps revealed how he was hoping to have Martial back in his squad to face Bosnia but he failed a late fitness test. He will now be a doubt for United's clash against Brighton on Sunday.
But the French boss is adamant his injury isn't serious putting Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's fears at ease. He said: "Anthony has a small issue on his knee. Nothing is decided yet.
“He won’t be taking part in the training session a bit later. Anything serious has been dismissed. We’ve run some tests, but there’s still the pain, and having travelled as long as we have, that hasn’t helped.”
Martial will return to Manchester today and will be assessed by club physios.
- Richard Forrester
GOOD MORNING UNITED FANS,
Dan James has opened up on the heart-to-heart with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that revived his career.
He said: “I wasn’t playing much and I thought, ‘Do I accept this and just be in the background?’.
“I wanted to be at United — I didn’t want to be anywhere else.
“I spoke to the gaffer before the Istanbul Champions League game and told him I was ready to play.
“He said, ‘I can see the way you’re training — and you look back to being you again’.
“Sometimes it’s hard to go to the gaffer. I speak to him every day but going to see him one-to-one, being confident and saying I’m ready to play means you have to go out of your comfort zone.
“Coming out of that meeting, I think he loved I did that. He played me, I came on and scored.”
Meanwhile, on the transfer front, Real Madrid have joined United in the chase for Sevilla star Jules Kounde, according to reports.
Zinedine Zidane’s side are keen on signing a new defender this summer, given the possible exits of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane.
And, with David Alaba potentially moving elsewhere despite months of negotiations, Kounde, 22, would appear to fit the bill as an excellent alternative to the Austrian.
SunSport told you earlier this month that the Red Devils had been boosted by Sevilla’s decision to lower their asking price to around £50million.
And according to AS, Madrid now also fancy a bit of that.
And finally, Eduardo Camavinga isn’t ‘closing the door’ on moves to United – despite favouring a Real Madrid switch.
The Frenchman is set to be hot property during the next transfer window, with his contract at Rennes expiring in June 2022.
Camavinga, 18, is besotted with the idea of playing under compatriot Zinedine Zidane, and is determined to make the switch in the summer.
But according to AS, the move could fall down should Zidane not be at Real Madrid next season.
And if Zizou, 48, were to depart, Man United, Chelsea or even Paris Saint-Germain could re-enter the race for Camavinga.
- Joe Brophy
WING AND A PRAYER
Dan James has opened up on the heart-to-heart with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that revived his career.
He said: “I wasn’t playing much and I thought, ‘Do I accept this and just be in the background?’.
“I wanted to be at United — I didn’t want to be anywhere else.
“I spoke to the gaffer before the Istanbul Champions League game and told him I was ready to play.
“He said, ‘I can see the way you’re training — and you look back to being you again’.
“Sometimes it’s hard to go to the gaffer. I speak to him every day but going to see him one-to-one, being confident and saying I’m ready to play means you have to go out of your comfort zone.
“Coming out of that meeting, I think he loved I did that. He played me, I came on and scored.”
- Joe Brophy
SOUTHGATE SPEAKS
England boss Gareth Southgate gave his assessment to ITV: "We were very good in the first half and in control of the game.
"Obviously to concede a goal like we did can hit the team, but they stuck at it, recovered their composure, and it was an important set-play winner."
On Stones, he said: "John Stones has managed to compose himself for the rest of the game and had a part in the winning goal.
"You can fold in those moments and he didn’t. He’s been having a really good season.
"Everybody’s got a lot to play for, for the Euros. We did a lot of good things this week but there is still a step to go.
"Fatigue was starting to tell but the players stuck at it and they deserved the win.”
- Joe Brophy
MATCH WINNER MAGUIRE
Match winner Harry Maguire spoke to ITV after the game: "Of course it’s a big win.
"We’re playing to play at a World Cup. We started the game well but in the second half didn’t start well at all. The first 15-20 minutes they were the better team and put us under pressure.
"It’s nice to get the victory, nine points after a tough camp, three games in a short space of time, and we’ve got a lot of players injured as well. John Stones has been brilliant this year.
"We’re defenders and when we make mistakes we are scrutinised.
"He made up for it with a great header at the far post. Defenders make mistakes.
"We’re not perfect! John has made a little blip tonight but he’ll come back strong.”
- Joe Brophy
ENGLAND 2 POLAND 1
Magic Maguire spared John Stones' blushes to help the Three Lions secure all three points tonight…
- Joe Brophy
DRAGON HIDE
Dan James has backed Robert Page to lead Wales at Euro 2020 – if Ryan Giggs remains on special leave.
And when asked if Page is the right man for the Euros if Giggs remains absent, matchwinner James said: "Yes, definitely. He's been unbelievable as you have seen.
"Whether he's the manager or not, he's been such a big part of before when the gaffer has been here.
"But he's taken on the role so well. Nothing has changed really. He has just been doing the job that he was doing before. He gets the points across to us so well.
"Him, Albert (Stuivenburg) and all the staff behind him have been unbelievable."
- Joe Brophy
SWAYNE ROONEY
Exclusive by Joe Kasper: Sir Alex Ferguson claims former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney could not handle booze.
And the retired manager, 79, told pal Alastair Campbell he was powerless to stop the player from having affairs.
Sir Alex met former Labour spin-doctor Alastair in 2010 — days after it was revealed married Rooney slept with a £1,000-a-night prostitute.
Alastair wrote in newly released diaries: “We chatted about Rooney. He sounded a bit down about him. The papers had been full of Rooney and prostitutes. I said, ‘What are you going to do about him?’
He replied, ‘What can I do? He is also the last guy who should take a drink’.”
- Joe Brophy
‘POINT OF INTEREST’
Poland did not take the knee before their England clash after their FA president said the gesture was their ‘last topic of interest’.
And while Paulo Sousa’s side opted out, the Three Lions did take the knee ahead of the World Cup qualifier at Wembley.
As reported by Sport in Poland, the Polish FA president Zbigniew Boniek said on Monday: “I do not know if we will kneel with the English.
“So far, this topic has not appeared at the training camp.
“There were so many more important, more dangerous, that this is the last topic that interests us.”
- Joe Brophy
JULES IN THEIR CROWN
Real Madrid have joined Manchester United in the chase for Sevilla star Jules Kounde, according to reports.
Zinedine Zidane’s side are keen on signing a new defender this summer, given the possible exits of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane.
And, with David Alaba potentially moving elsewhere despite months of negotiations, Kounde, 22, would appear to fit the bill as an excellent alternative to the Austrian.
SunSport told you earlier this month that the Red Devils had been boosted by Sevilla’s decision to lower their asking price to around £50million.
And according to AS, Madrid now also fancy a bit of that.
- Joe Brophy
AGUE-ROO
Wayne Rooney believes outgoing Sergio Aguero will be sorely missed by Manchester City – and the Premier League too if he quits England.
He told Sky Sports: "An outstanding player. He's been an absolute revelation in the Premier League, one of the best strikers in the world.
"His goal ratio is incredible and I'm sure he will be missed at Manchester City and I'm sure the Premier League will miss a player of his quality.
"So from my point of view I'd just like to congratulate him on his career over here.
"Whether he stays in England or not obviously I don't know, but he's certainly had a fantastic career at Manchester City."
- Joe Brophy
KNEE BOTHER
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has sensationally revealed that Erling Haaland ‘struggled with bad knees’ during their time together at Molde.
He said in a fan Q&A via Sky Sports: “He came as a 16-year-old, of course, you never know with injuries.
“He struggled really badly with bad knees when he came, but I could see someone with a personality.
“I remember him brushing off and putting our centre-back and centre-midfielder, two big, massive lads, he put them on the floor and asked them to get up.
“He’s a born winner, he’s got a great personality. He’s proving to everyone how good a player he is.
“We played against Zenit in the Europa League play-off and the ref came to me after and said, ‘He’ll play in the Champions League soon’. We did know.
“He’s a top personality. I played with [his dad[ Alf, he’s a bit old school in that respect. He’s a winner.”
- Joe Brophy
HAWK EYE
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed he cut short a scouting trip because the player sported a mohican haircut.
While coaching in Norway, the Manchester United boss was deterred by one seemingly over-flamboyant transfer target.
He told Sky Sports: “I once went to see a player and as he walked out of the dressing room or through the tunnel onto the pitch, he had a mohican, this was when I was back in Norway.
“I just said to my scout, ‘Let’s go home, not interested’.
“That was a very short scouting trip.”
- Joe Brophy
SECRET SERVICE
Agents walked away with a staggering £272million from the 20 Premier League clubs this season – despite the pandemic.
While top-flight transfer fees were down by £201m in the summer and more than £150m in January, cash paid to agents and intermediaries over the season went UP by £9m.
Chelsea spent £250m in January on signings including Germans Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, neither of whom have pulled up many trees.
And the Blues were 'top' of the agent table too, splashing out £35,247,822 in fees.
They were followed by Manchester City, who paid out £30,147,615 and Manchester United, whose outlay was £29,801,555.
Another seven Premier League clubs paid out more than £10m in fees, led by Liverpool who paid £21,652,589.
- Joe Brophy
CAM ON THEN
Eduardo Camavinga isn’t ‘closing the door’ on moves to Manchester United or Chelsea – despite favouring a Real Madrid switch.
The Frenchman is set to be hot property during the next transfer window, with his contract at Rennes expiring in June 2022.
Camavinga, 18, is besotted with the idea of playing under compatriot Zinedine Zidane, and is determined to make the switch in the summer.
But according to AS, the move could fall down should Zidane not be at Real Madrid next season.
And if Zizou, 48, were to depart, Man United, Chelsea or even Paris Saint-Germain could re-enter the race for Camavinga.
- Joe Brophy
RAM RAID
Juventus are reportedly looking to sell Manchester United target Aaron Ramsey this summer in order to fund a move for Houssem Aouar.
Calcio Mercato claims Andrea Pirlo hopes to raise over £42million by offloading Ramsey and fellow midfielder Adrien Rabiot, with the pair arriving on free transfers less than two years ago.
Juve look set to lose their grip on the Serie A title to Inter Milan.
And it’s believed the club are ready to move on dead weight in order to sign some top-quality players who can help them dominate again.
Two of those up for sale are Ramsey and Rabiot, with neither impressing during their two seasons in Turin.
- Joe Brophy
MOR THE MERRIER
Barcelona are prioritising sealing a new deal for Manchester United target Ilaix Moriba over signing Georginio Wijnaldum, according to reports.
Boss Ronald Koeman is set to try and reshape his squad this summer, as Barca aim to rebuild following a tumultuous 18 months.
But according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona’s limited funds are more likely to be allocated elsewhere.
Club chiefs, with Koeman’s blessing, are desperate to renew wonderkid Moriba’s deal in the coming months.
At 18, the supremely gifted midfielder has already become a trusted member of Koeman’s squad, having made his LaLiga debut last month.
- Joe Brophy
GDANSK ALL NIGHT
UEFA chiefs are ready to let travelling fans into the Champions League and Europa League finals.
And that is potentially great news for supporters of the five English teams left in Europe.
A meeting of Uefa’s ruling executive committee formally lifted the 30 per cent capacity cap on fans that was put in place in October, allowing local authorities the right to set stadium limits for the rest of this season.
Away fans remain banned for the remaining games in the last eight and semi-final stages of both competitions, which resume next week.
But Uefa will review the measures ahead of the two finals, due to be played in Gdansk and Istanbul at the end of May.
- Joe Brophy
DAN THE MAN
Dan James revealed the best advice he's ever been given is to just "be himself" by Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs.
- Joe Brophy
BRAVE MANC
Manchester United have been sensationally linked with a stunning free transfer swoop for Sergio Aguero.
SunSport exclusively revealed that LaLiga giants Barcelona are set to go all-out to try and land the legendary City forward.
Inter Milan have also emerged as contenders to bring the veteran striker to Italy.
But should United somehow win the race – and Aguero risk his reputation on the blue half of the city – he would join a select group of players to represent both Manchester clubs.
We take a look at seven of those who have done so HERE.
- Dylan Terry
RETURN OF THE POG
A fresh report in Italy has claimed Paul Pogba is set to leave Manchester United as early as this summer with Juventus keen to re-sign him.
The French midfielder is still the Red Devils’ record signing after his £89.3million return from the Old Lady in 2016.
Pogba’s deal expires in June 2022 and Sky Sport Italia journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed Juventus remains the star’s ‘preferred destination’.
Despite the Serie A giants attempting to lower their wage bill, with Cristiano Ronaldo rumoured to be available, they hope to thrash out a deal for the 28-year-old.
Tuttosport has claimed Pogba is still in touch with his former team-mates at Juventus through a WhatsApp chat.
- Dylan Terry
DAN THE MAN
Lovely little interview with Man Utd winger and Wales' hero from last night Dan James on the Utd podcast today.
- Dylan Terry
MIL-ING IT OVER
Striker Arkadiusz Milik could be heading to the Premier League and Manchester United – but it won't happen just yet.
The 27-year-old hitman made a name for himself at Ajax between 2014 and 2016, scoring 47 goals in 76 appearances, before then signing for Napoli.
Milik – along with plenty of team-mates – has fallen out with the Italian club and is now on an 18-month loan at Marseille, who have an obligation to make the deal permanent in 2022 for £10.6million.
But Manchester United, Everton, West Ham and Tottenham have all showed interest and impressive form in 2021-22 could see Marseille sell up to an English club for an easy profit.
- Dylan Terry
PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE
As we approach the end of the international break, here's a reminder of what the Premier League table looks like. We're entering the business end.
- Dylan Terry
NANI INSPIRED RASHFORD'S FREE-KICK TAKING
Marcus Rashford has revealed ex-Man Utd man Luis Nani inspired him to 'knuckle-ball' free-kicks.
Speaking on Twitter, Rashford said: I used to love to watch @luisnani he was one of the only ones that could knuckle ball."
Nani then replied: "Thanks, mate we've got to do a shoot around together sometime."
To which Rashford added: "Bro, you know where I am x."
And Nani finished: "You can count on it!"
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