MANCHESTER UNITED fans have been given a major boost as top scorer Marcus Rashford has returned to training ahead of their Europa League quarter-final second leg clash against Sevilla.
Elsewhere, the Red Devils have been boosted in their pursuit of Premier League star Harry Kane with Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus branding him "too old and expensive" for the Germans.
Meanwhile, Dimitar Berbatov believes Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong can be Man United's very own Trent Alexander-Arnold.
And we have all the latest on the takeover saga at Old Trafford.
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- Anthony Chapman
Europa warning for Red Devils
Ivan Rakitic has warned Man Utd they won't know what hit them on Thursday.
The Sevilla star said: "These people don't know what awaits them on Thursday.
"It is a team with a lot of experience and many millions, but United does not know what Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan is like packed.
"It's unique. What our fans have created is very impressive."
- Anthony Chapman
Timber 'snubbing United for rivals'
Man Utd have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Ajax star Jurrien Timber.
That's because the ace is closing in on a move to Liverpool.
Presenter Wilfred Genee of Dutch TV show Veronica Offside said: "It appears that Timber's girlfriend is looking for a house in Liverpool.
"He is also very preoccupied with it, so he will probably make a quick departure."
- Anthony Chapman
Man Utd's final position predicted
A supercomputer has predicted the final Premier League table.
And Man Utd are tipped to finish in third place.
It means fans can start dreaming of hearing the famous Champions League theme again.
And it will cap off a successful first season for Dutch boss Erik ten Hag.
- Anthony Chapman
Frimpong 'can be United's TAA'
Dimitar Berbatov believes Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong can be Man Utd's very own Trent Alexander-Arnold.
He told Betfred: “I believe he’s a good player with a great future because he’s very young, he loves to attack from the right-hand side and he’s capable of chipping in with goals as well. However, he needs to improve from a defensive standpoint.
“He reminds me a bit of Trent Alexander-Arnold. They both like to attack, they both have great vision in the final third, they can provide assists for their teammates and they both need to work on the defensive side of their games.
“Frimpong has a great future and Manchester United should be scouting him even more. If Diogo Dalot or Aaron Wan-Bissaka decide to leave, then Frimpong will be the guy to watch and they could even sign him in the future.”
- Anthony Chapman
United get Kane transfer boost
Man Utd have been boosted in their pursuit of Harry Kane with Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus branding him "too old and expensive" for the Germans.
He said: "Everyone is talking about Victor Osimhen for his sensational performance at Napoli.
"Randal Kolo Muani may need a little more room and space than a Bayern striker usually has, but he's also good in the box and could work in Munich. Harry Kane would be too old and too expensive for me.
"The price-performance ratio could speak for [Werder Bremen striker] Niclas Fullkrug.
"He would probably be available for €20-25 million [£17.6m-£22m] and score 25 goals in Munich."
- Anthony Chapman
Case in point for Owen
Owen Hargreaves believes Casemiro is Man Utd's player of the year after reviving an old Fergie tactic.
He said: "Sir Alex always said: 'When you win the ball back, play forward.' He wins it and he passes forward, he gets it to Bruno or he gets it to Eriksen, who play in Marcus or any of the attacking players.
"My player of the year? Marcus made headlines, but the team is really different when Casemiro isn't playing.
"It affects David de Gea, the four defenders and the midfield balance ground. It is the basic element."
- Anthony Chapman
Kane tipped to snub United
Dimitar Berbatov reckons Harry Kane will reject a move to Man Utd and stay at Spurs instead.
Berbatov told Betfred: “His situation is so delicate and he doesn’t have a lot of room to manoeuvre. Everybody connected to the club wants him to stay because he’s the guy that’s wearing the badge with pride and scoring goals.
"If Harry decides that he wants to try and force a move to another club, then his legacy is going to be tarnished to a degree, which is not going to be good for him because he wants, and already has, a great legacy with Spurs. This is why the situation is so delicate.
“If I was Harry Kane, then I wouldn’t know what to do. Ultimately, I believe he will remain at Tottenham.”
- Kealan Hughes
Good morning United fans
Fans fear the Glazers are staying – and Erik Ten Hag promised that Anthony Martial definitely will.
American group Carlyle are ready to invest enough for a minority share in United – leaving the Glazers still in charge.
Main suitors Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani, have bid below the £6billion asking price for a full takeover.
Meanwhile, manager Ten Hag shut down talk of injury-hit striker Martial departing in the summer.
The Dutchman said: “He’s a great player – and when he is fit our team plays better.”
But Ten Hag still wants a new world-class frontman for next season.
On the game front, Marcus Rashford could yet make a surprise return for tomorrow's Europa League cracker at Sevilla.
However, Scott McTominay and Marcel Sabitzer remain injury doubts, with fellow midfielder Bruno Fernandes suspended.
Finally, World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister is rated “100 per cent” certain to leave Brighton this summer.
United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have all been linked with the £60million-rated Argentinian.
- Ian Tuckey
Tyrell will make it tough for Shaw
Utd and England defender Paul Parker reckons Tyrell Malacia will bounce back to be a real threat to Luke Shaw at left-back.
Former England star Parker belies boss Erik ten Hag was right to recall Shaw early in the season but believes Malacia's time will come again.
He told Bonuscodebets:“Tyrell started off really well at Man United and had a bit of a downfall, maybe because he has been lacking a bit of confidence.”
“I have previously criticised Luke Shaw, which was deserved because he is acting wrong when things aren't going his way but we can't take away from him that he has performed really well for Man United this season.”
“Malacia couldn't argue over being on the bench because Luke Shaw was doing exceptionally well so he needed to accept it and not knock on the manager's door to ask questions, but he has been bothered by it, of course.”
But Parker said of the Dutchman: “I do believe that he will be a key player for Man United in the future.
“I think that he is looking forward to having a pre-season for Man United, where he isn't the new kid on the block and maybe he can gain a bit of confidence there.”
“He will improve, but will he take over Luke Shaw's position already by the beginning of next season? Not unless Shaw is going to commit football suicide. He has to accept that but with time and when he starts feeling like a true Manchester United player, I believe he can do a good job.”
- Ian Tuckey
Fred Devil becomes Road Devil with drum-playing
Fred couldn't kerb his enthusiasm for a touch of life back home as the Brazilian sat carefree on the roadside playing a drum to a salsa beat.
The Manchester United midfielder's wife Monique Salum shared a clip of his antics as he revelled in a glimpse of April sun.
Monique, a chemical engineer, might have spotted something in the air as Fred showed another side of his character by becoming a Road Devil.
With a tablet blaring out music on top of his car, the 30-year-old was happy to pound away on an atabaque – a tall Afro-Brazilian hand drum.
Man Utd star Fred’s wife reveals his secret hobby as she shares video of bizarre way he enjoyed the sunshine
Sometimes gleefully stretching his arms above his head, Fred didn't look like a man preparing for a huge tie on Thursday night.
United go to Sevilla level at 2-2 for the Europa League quarter-final second leg.
Fellow midfielders Scott McTominay and Marcel Sabitzer are injury doubts.
Marcus Rashford is rated an outside bet to recover in time to play up front.
But crocked centre-backs Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane miss out.
- Ian Tuckey
Raphael's delight
Raphael Varane has announced the birth of his third child with a sweet picture on Instagram.
The Manchester United star posted the snap of himself and the newest member of his family along with his two other children, Ruben, 4, and Anais, 2.
The picture was posted after Varane’s wife Camille Tytgat had given birth.
The couple’s new daughter was born yesterday and has been named Elena.
Varane, 29, posted the update on Instagram along with the caption “Welcome Elena !!”
The post included two pictures in which Elena is being admired by her father and two siblings.
The family have received a lot of support online as the post was ‘liked’ more than 460,000 times.
And Varane’s team-mates have been quick to their congratulatory messages to the former Real Madrid star.
Bruno Fernandes commented: “😍❤️”
David de Gea wrote: “❤️”
- Ian Tuckey
TV could show 60 MORE live games a season
Premier League coverage is set to undergo a major shake-up with a further SIXTY games to be aired a season, according to reports.
The lion's share of Prem matches have, for the last few years, been shared between Sky Sports and BT Sports – with the former having aired them close to three decades.
But Prem chiefs plan to make more matches available in order to "squeeze more money out of broadcasters" at the next domestic auction.
That's according to The Telegraph, who claim 260 of the season-total 380 matches will available for broadcasters to pick up.
That's an increase on the 200-a-season currently aired.
The Prem's current TV rights deal with broadcasters ends in 2025.
It's said that "meatier" game packages will be available to Sky and their rivals.
But some TV execs expect the number of packages to be reduced from the seven currently available.
Sky currently dominate the current package split with four – the equivalent of 128 matches per season – to their name.
BT Sport own the coveted 12.30pm kick-offs and midweek packages.
- Ian Tuckey
Utd legend tips Harry to stay at Spurs
Dimitar Berbatov reckons Harry Kane will reject a move to Man Utd and stay at Spurs instead.
Berbatov told Betfred: “His situation is so delicate and he doesn’t have a lot of room to manoeuvre. Everybody connected to the club wants him to stay because he’s the guy that’s wearing the badge with pride and scoring goals.
“If Harry decides that he wants to try and force a move to another club, then his legacy is going to be tarnished to a degree, which is not going to be good for him because he wants, and already has, a great legacy with Spurs. This is why the situation is so delicate.
“If I was Harry Kane, then I wouldn’t know what to do. Ultimately, I believe he will remain at Tottenham.”
- Ian Tuckey
Antony will only get better
Louis Saha reckons Antony has shown enough to prove he will become a key player for United in future seasons.
Saha told DAZN Bet: “Antony is already a very good player, people forget the Premier League is the toughest to adapt to.
“People think physically, technically and because of the price tag, he could do better. I think he’s showed he’s capable of playing a lot of games.
“I think he’s done well but he can show more, he can improve his diversity in the game. He can improve the way he surprises people, and work on his finishes in game. I think he’s a great player.”
- Ian Tuckey
Neville speechless over 'no takeover' fear
Frustrated Gary Neville has been reduced to crying with laughter amid claims the Glazers will stay Manchester United owners another DECADE.
The Red Devils and England legend shares the "biggest fear" of United fans that the US family will not now sell up.
The two biggest suitors, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani, have bid below the Glazers’ £6billion asking price for a full buy-out.
And American group Carlyle are ready to pump in cash for just a minority share of the club.
Neville was speechless over a Sky Sports report saying the Glazers are "increasingly confident of securing the outside investment" needed to remain as owners, having taken over in 2005.
The defender-turned-pundit could only post two crying-with-laughter emojis.
Before that, however, Neville has spoken out as worries mount over the lack of firm developments towards a takeover.
It's been suggested a third round of bidding could soon be held.
But Nev told Sky Sports last month: "The biggest fear of Manchester United fans at this moment in time is that the Glazers are using this process to stay or bring some sort of minority investment in."
He added: "They have not communicated with United fans for 20 years, so they are not going to do it when they are selling the club. So, there is that element of unknown."
- Ian Tuckey
Rio points out Bruno's Messi-like stat
Rio Ferdinand has unearthed an incredible stat that shows only Lionel Messi has been involved in more goals than Bruno Fernandes since he joined Manchester United in 2020.
The Portuguese star arrived at Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon as part of a £55million transfer.
The attacking midfielder has gone on to become one of the key players of the squad with his regular goals and assists.
Since becoming a Red Devil, Fernandes has scored 60 goals and assisted 52.
And Ferdinand has pointed out that statistically, he is remarkably in an elite pair with Lionel Messi for picking up 50 goals and 50 assists since arriving at Old Trafford.
The duo are the only ones to have done this in Europe's top five leagues, according to Opta.
During the same period of time, Messi has notched 81 goals and 59 assists.
Speaking on his Vibe with Five YouTube show, he said: "His passing, he's creating chances. His stats, only Messi rivals him in terms of goal involvements since he signed for United.
"I'm not saying he is on Messi's level, no one is saying that Bruno is on Messi's level, he's not, that’s obvious. But only Messi is above him in those stats."
- Ian Tuckey
Utd target Kane 'too old' for Bayern
Harry Kane is "too old and expensive", according to Bayern Munich club legend Lothar Matthaus.
The England striker's future is already the talk of the next transfer window with just over a year left on his contract.
Bayern and Manchester United are believed to be the frontrunners for the Tottenham star.
But Matthaus believes Kane is not worth the cost at the age of 29 and prefers 24-year-old Victor Osimhen of Napoli.
He also believes that Spurs' record top scorer, who will likely command a fee north of £100m, is too expensive.
Writing for Sky Deutschland, the 62-year-old said: "I'm excited to see if a new striker comes along. Everyone is talking about Victor Osimhen for his sensational performance at Napoli. You never know if he can do that in Munich, but I think he would be a good fit.
"Randal Kolo Muani may need a little more room and space than a Bayern striker usually has, but he's also good in the box and could work in Munich. Harry Kane would be too old and too expensive for me.
"The price-performance ratio could speak for [Werder Bremen striker] Niclas Füllkrug. He would probably be available for €20-25 million [£17.6m-£22m] and score 25 goals in Munich."
- Ian Tuckey
Varane shares baby joy
Raphael Varane has announced the birth of his third child with a sweet picture on Instagram.
The Manchester United star posted the snap of himself and the newest member of his family along with his two other children, Ruben, 4, and Anais, 2.
The picture was posted after Varane's wife Camille Tytgat had given birth.
The couple's new daughter was born yesterday and has been named Elena.
Varane, 29, posted the update on Instagram along with the caption "Welcome Elena !!"
The post included two pictures in which Elena is being admired by her father and two siblings.
The family have received a lot of support online as the post was 'liked' more than 460,000 times.
And Varane's team-mates have been quick to their congratulatory messages to the former Real Madrid star.
Bruno Fernandes commented: "😍❤️"
David de Gea wrote: "❤️"
- Ian Tuckey
Man Utd and Arsenal on red alert for Alexis
Alexis Mac Allister is “100 per cent” leaving Brighton this summer.
Fabrizio Romano claims the Argentina star will give his all for the rest of the season before looking to quickly secure a move to a top side.
Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have all been linked with the World Cup winner.
And it’s reckoned Brighton will let Mac Allister leave for £60million.
- Anthony Chapman
Kane tipped to snub United
Dimitar Berbatov reckons Harry Kane will reject a move to Man Utd and stay at Spurs instead.
Berbatov told Betfred: “His situation is so delicate and he doesn’t have a lot of room to manoeuvre. Everybody connected to the club wants him to stay because he’s the guy that’s wearing the badge with pride and scoring goals.
"If Harry decides that he wants to try and force a move to another club, then his legacy is going to be tarnished to a degree, which is not going to be good for him because he wants, and already has, a great legacy with Spurs. This is why the situation is so delicate.
“If I was Harry Kane, then I wouldn’t know what to do. Ultimately, I believe he will remain at Tottenham.”
- Anthony Chapman
United target 'heading to Anfield'
Man Utd have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Ajax star Jurrien Timber.
That's because the ace is closing in on a move to Liverpool.
Presenter Wilfred Genee of Dutch TV show Veronica Offside said: "It appears that Timber's girlfriend is looking for a house in Liverpool.
"He is also very preoccupied with it, so he will probably make a quick departure."
- Anthony Chapman
Antony tipped to eventually shine
Louis Saha reckons Antony has shown enough to prove he will become a key player for United in future seasons.
Saha told DAZN Bet: "Antony is already a very good player, people forget the Premier League is the toughest to adapt to.
"People think physically, technically and because of the price tag, he could do better. I think he’s showed he’s capable of playing a lot of games.
"I think he’s done well but he can show more, he can improve his diversity in the game. He can improve the way he surprises people, and work on his finishes in game. I think he’s a great player."
- Anthony Chapman
Glazers ready to stay put
The Glazers reportedly plan on staying in charge at Man United for another DECADE.
In a fresh takeover blow, the Red Devils have received a minority investment offer from American group Carlyle.
ESPN claims the Glazers are now warming strongly to the idea of staying put.
They reckon they can eventually double United’s valuation with fresh outside investment, and plan on sticking around for at least 10 more years.
- Anthony Chapman
Erik abiding by Martial law
Erik ten Hag insists Anthony Martial will be a Man Utd player next season.
The Frenchman has missed a large chunk of the season through injury, with United now hunting for a new striker.
But Ten Hag said: "From my point of view, yes [he will stay].
"He’s a great player – he definitely has the qualities to play in top football – and when he is fit our team plays better."
- Anthony Chapman
United urged to sign Kane
Former Man Utd star Louis Saha has urged his old club to everything in their power to sign Harry Kane from Tottenham.
Saha told DAZN Bet: "I think Kane and Man Utd is a perfect match. I don’t see how, with the way they play, without Martial fit, they can challenge for the league.
"The projection we all see is Harry Kane providing guarantees, goals and assists. He has that charisma, I see it.
"The impact Robin van Persie had was obvious. I think it would be the same, give the ball to Harry and there is something special at the end of the season."
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