MANCHESTER UNITED have had a breakthrough in ownership talks.
It was reported Uefa will NOT block investors from Qatar buying the club.
Despite interest from tiny Middle East nation, there were fears any ownership bid would be blocked due to Qatar Sports Investment already being owners of French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
The Glazer family are looking to sell the Premier League giants in the coming months after nearly 18 years of ownership.
And we've got the very latest on United's interest in Barcelona star Ansu Fati, with the two sides meeting in a huge Europa League clash this week.
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- Kiro Evans
EU Better Watch Out
Manchester United have been issued a warning about a “surprising” new tactic being used by Barcelona.
The Red Devils travel to the Nou Camp for the first of a two-legged Europa League play-off on Thursday.
Both sides are enjoying great form with Barca's 1-0 win over Villarreal on Saturday putting them 11 points clear at the top of La Liga.
The Yellow Submarine are managed by Quique Setien, who was in charge of the Blaugrana in 2020, and he highlighted a new tactic being deployed by his old club.
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, he said: “There is something that this Barcelona team has changed a lot, which is without the ball. The data is there, Barcelona are the team that runs the most without the ball.
“Seems surprising, doesn't it?”
- Kiro Evans
Fat Fight
A TRIO of Premier League clubs “have been in contact” with Ansu Fati over a potential summer transfer.
The Spanish international forward, 20, has a contract at Barcelona until 2027.
The LaLiga giants are not keen to let their starlet depart but the club’s current financial situation could force them to cash in.
The trio of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool are all circling for Fati, whose current deal contains a world record €1billion (£898million) release clause.
And according to a fresh update, all three have already been in contact with the attacker as they plot a potential club-record bid.
- Kiro Evans
European Absences
Thursday's mouth-water clash with Barcelona grows ever closer but United will have to go into the tie missing some big names.
Both Lisandro Martinez and Januay loanee Marcel Sabitzer are suspended for the tie.
Sabitzer's absence will be most keenly-felt with fellow midfielders Christian Eriksen, Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek out with injuries.
But since Casemiro's suspension only applies for European competitions, he will almost certainly be back marshalling United's midfield.
- Gary Stonehouse
Good morning Man Utd fans
Manchester United are set to receive a formal bid for the club from Qatar at some point this week.
The Glazers are looking to sell United in the coming months after nearly 18 years of their unpopular ownership.
Several parties are interested in taking charge of the Red Devils, including Britain's richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
A group of Qatari investors are also among those keen on purchasing the Manchester giants.
And it's reported they'll table their official offer for the club in a matter of days.
That's according to the Telegraph, who claim the Qatar Investment Authority – which is worth a jaw-dropping £370billion – will bid for the club in its entirety by Friday.
Meanwhile, United are keeping tabs on Napoli's £107million-rated star Victor Osimhen.
But United will face competition from Premier League rivals Liverpool as manager Jurgen Klopp will have a huge summer kitty to rebuild his squad.
According to Fichajes, the Merseysiders are now battling the Red Devils for Osimhen.
The Times report that Liverpool will have “significant funds” available this summer to bring in new additions, like the Nigeria international.
And United have received a major transfer boost in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund superstar Jude Bellingham.
Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl has confirmed the Bundesliga giants want to keep Bellingham but admits it could be nothing more than “wishful thinking”.
Kehl said: “There has been no new development. We’ll have to be patient for a little longer.
“But of course we try to keep Jude Bellingham at Borussia Dortmund as long as possible because he is an incredibly important player who has shown once again this season how he identifies with this club and makes the team better.
“Things develop due to market mechanisms. So of course I have my thoughts and also have my wishful thinking. I can’t say whether that will happen in the end.
“From Borussia Dortmund’s point of view, the wishful thinking would be to keep a player of this quality at this club for as long as possible.
“I would also like to have kept Erling Haaland or Jadon Sancho at Borussia Dortmund, because you can only imagine if we had managed to keep all three players in one team, what opportunities would then arise.”
Finally, United manager Erik ten Hag has been dealt a triple injury blow ahead of tonight’s crunch Europa League clash with Barcelona.
United will have to make the trip without Antony, Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay.
The trio sat out of Sunday's victory at Leeds and remain unavailable to face Barca.
They join Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek in the treatment room with the two midfielders set to be long-term absentees.
- Kostas Lianos
Maguire 'accepting' Man Utd exit
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire is "growing to accept" he will leave this summer with a Champions League giant already on his trail.
But it means United manager Erik ten Hag taking a hit of around half of the £80million the club paid Leicester for the centre-back four years ago.
According to the Mail, both the Red Devils and the England international are moving towards agreement on a departure in the next transfer window.
The 29-year-old is under contract until 2025 and earning around £180,000 a week.
But West Ham were interested in a January loan move and Inter Milan are said to be serious admirers
- Kostas Lianos
Man Utd's Nou problems
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been dealt a triple injury blow ahead of this week's crunch Europa League clash with Barcelona.
United will have make the trip for the Round of 32 clash without Antony, Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay.
The trio sat out of Sunday's victory at Leeds and remain unavailable to take on Barca.
They join Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek in the treatment room with the two midfielders both long-term absentees
- Kostas Lianos
Jude Bellingham boost
Manchester United have received a major transfer boost in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund superstar Jude Bellingham.
Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl has confirmed the Bundesliga giants want to keep Bellingham but admits it could be “wishful thinking”.
Kehl said: “There has been no new development. We’ll have to be patient for a little longer.
“But of course we try to keep Jude Bellingham at Borussia Dortmund as long as possible because he is an incredibly important player who has shown once again this season how he identifies with this club and makes the team better.
“Things develop due to market mechanisms. So of course I have my thoughts and also have my wishful thinking. I can’t say whether that will happen in the end.
“From Borussia Dortmund’s point of view, the wishful thinking would be to keep a player of this quality at this club for as long as possible.
“I would also like to have kept Erling Haaland or Jadon Sancho at Borussia Dortmund, because you can only imagine if we had managed to keep all three players in one team, what opportunities would then arise”
Credit: Getty - Kostas Lianos
You should Nou
Manchester United have been issued a warning about a “surprising” new tactic being used by Barcelona by Villarreal manager Quique Setien.
Setien told Mundo Deportivo: “There is something that this Barcelona team has changed a lot, which is without the ball.
“The data is there, Barcelona are the team that runs the most without the ball.
“Seems surprising, doesn't it?”
- Kostas Lianos
Man Utd' Ken-undrum
Manchester United are battling it out to sign Independiente del Valle's 15-year-old sensation Kendry Paez.
Paez is also wanted by Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen in the three-way transfer tussle.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano argues the midfielder is yet to make a decision on his future.
The Ecuadorian wonderkid has been dubbed "better than Endrick", the Brazilian teenager who has signed for Real Madrid despite interest from England
- Kostas Lianos
Ole's Liverpool response
Ex-Manchester United manager and club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted he grew up as a Liverpool fan.
Solskjaer told James Richardson's Kings of Europe podcast: "I must have been environmentally damaged because when you follow football, we had Match of the Day on every Saturday in Norway and of course, Liverpool were the better team in the 80s.
"They had Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush and all of those, so yes I followed Liverpool. I was one of the supporters who followed because they won everything.
"Hard enough to say as a Man United player but they were the better team in the 80s"
Credit: Getty - Kostas Lianos
Denzel Dumfries reminder
Manchester United have received a transfer boost in their pursuit of Inter Milan star Denzel Dumfries.
Accoring to Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter have lined up a replacement as they prepare to sell Dumfries for around £44million.
The Nerazzurri are understood to be keen on Bayern Munich star Noussair Mazraoui.
Joao Cancelo's arrival on loan from Manchester City has pushed Mazraoui further down the pecking order at the Allianz Arena as he struggles for game time.
Thus, Inter are considering the Morocco international as a possible replacement at right-back with Dumfries linked with an imminent exit from the San Siro
- Kostas Lianos
Victor Osimhen reminder
Manchester United are keeping tabs on Napoli's £107million-rated star Victor Osimhen.
But United will face competition from Premier League rivals Liverpool.
And the Reds' manager Jurgen Klopp will have a huge summer kitty to rebuild his squad.
According to Fichajes, the Merseysiders are now battling the Red Devils for Osimhen.
And The Times report that Liverpool will have “significant funds” available this summer to bring in new additions, like the Nigeria international
- Kostas Lianos
Qatar bid reminder
Manchester United are set to receive a formal bid for the club from Qatar this week.
The Glazer family are looking to sell United in the coming months after nearly 18 years of their unpopular ownership.
A number of parties are interested in taking charge of the Red Devils, including Britain's richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
A group of Qatari investors are also among those keen on buying the Manchester giants.
And it's claimed they'll table their official offer for the club in a matter of days.
That's according to The Telegraph, who report the Qatar Investment Authority – which is worth a jaw-dropping £370BILLION – will bid for the club in its entirety by Friday
Credit: Getty - Etienne Fermie
Saha: 'Garnacho very exciting'
Louis Saha is a big fan of teenage sensation Alejandro Garnacho… but doesn't think he should start yet.
Chatting to Paddy Power, the former striker said: "Alejandro Garnacho is a very exciting player.
"He has shown this season that he can be an impact player but at the same time, he can improve and be a starter. He has to learn a bit of tactical awareness and how to get the goals and assists.
"He will have to wait a bit because the team is full of quality. Going forward, there are a lot of players who can create and score goals.
"It’s not like United of a few years ago where there was a young Rashford and others where the quality wasn’t of the highest level. That’s not the case anymore and he [Garnacho] will need to learn and not expect to play every weekend.
"At the moment, I don’t see him getting into the starting lineup. When Christian Eriksen and Casemiro are back fit, there are some quality international players on the bench and he’s only 18-years-old. So, he can’t have guarantees – it's not a small club here.
"If he thinks he deserves to play because of his talent, he’s wrong. Talent is not enough. Enough means that every time you play, you score or assist.
"He can't expect anything right now. He’s only scored a few goals – which is good – but that’s nowhere near enough asking to be involved every week."
- Etienne Fermie
Saha: 'Rashford best in Prem'
Marcus Rashford is the Prem's best player, claims former Man United striker Louis Saha.
Speaking to Paddy Power, the Frenchman said: "For me, there is absolutely no question that Marcus Rashford is the best player in the Premier League right now.
"A lot of players played well and scored loads of goals like Erling Haaland, but in terms of quality and the full package, from December he’s been unplayable.
"He’s got the confidence and he’s playing unbelievably well. He’s also not really been helped by Wout Weghorst.
"The system reminds me a little bit of Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud for France.
"When you have a player in full confidence, it’s going to be hard for any defender to cope with Rashford. He’s very smart and won’t get into situations where he’ll get bullied.
"There is no better player in the Premier League than Rashford right now."
- Etienne Fermie
Saha: 'Weghorst not good enough'
Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha has blasted forward Wout Weghorst.
Chatting with Paddy Power, the Frenchman said: "I don’t want to be someone who gets on Wout Weghorst’s back, but he’s struggling to link up with other players. He’s finding it difficult to find the technical aspect that a Manchester United striker needs.
“He made eight appearances, and it was an unbelievable offer for Weghorst from Manchester United but it’s a difficult one because a player in this position needs goals, assists and to impact the game and it’s not
just enough to have good energy.“It shows that anyone who wants to be Manchester United’s number nine, must have great energy and prove that he’s capable of playing. I would be asking so much more from Wout Weghorst, especially winning headers
given his size. He should get the ball under control more often because he shouldn’t struggle for composure.“It’s a bit harsh but I want to see way more from him. He’s way off what we expect at Manchester United. Being the number nine, with very fast players around you is a big task and he must be efficient in front of the goal.
“There’s a balance to be had between running around, pressing hard and then being effective in the box. You can’t do it all, especially when you’re a big guy, like Weghorst is. He wants to please the team and please
the manager, but he needs to have the right instinct to be in the right place at the right time.“He’s not there to defend, we don’t judge him on his energy levels and commitment. It’s not enough. He knows he can do better, and I hope a few goals will help him.
“He’s been given a massive opportunity by Manchester United and Erik ten Hag. I don’t remember another striker being given this many chances to hit the ground running.”
- Etienne Fermie
Rashford thriving in Ronaldo absence
Marcus Rashford and Manchester United's upturn in form is thanks to the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, according to Garth Crooks.
Speaking to BBC Sport Crooks said: " I think it's very telling that Manchester United's results have continually improved since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and so has Rashford's presence in the team."
He added: "Rashford no longer has to play second fiddle to a player desperate to hang on to former glories, who has far more interest in himself than the team. The problem has been removed."
Credit: PA - Etienne Fermie
Man United Bellingham boost
Borussia Dortmund have confirmed that they want to keep Jude Bellingham – although they admit it could be “wishful thinking”.
The Bundesliga club’s sporting director Sebastian Kehl has now confirmed that there is no guarantee they will look to sell him and says they are desperate to hang on to him – but he also admitted that there have been no advanced talks over an extension and that a new deal seems unlikely.
Kehl said: “There has been no new development. We’ll have to be patient for a little longer.
“But of course we try to keep Jude Bellingham at Borussia Dortmund as long as possible because he is an incredibly important player who has shown once again this season how he identifies with this club and makes the team better.
“Things develop due to market mechanisms. So of course I have my thoughts and also have my wishful thinking. I can’t say whether that will happen in the end.
“From Borussia Dortmund’s point of view, the wishful thinking would be to keep a player of this quality at this club for as long as possible.
“I would also like to have kept Erling Haaland or Jadon Sancho at Borussia Dortmund, because you can only imagine if we had managed to keep all three players in one team, what opportunities would then arise.”
- Etienne Fermie
Ten Hag on fixture pile-up
Amid news that Man United will have to face Barcelona without Antony, Anthony Martial or Scott McTominay, Man United boss Erik ten Hag talked about the impact of the gruelling schedule.
He said last week: "I can’t say 100 per cent but I don’t expect it [the three players to be back against Barcelona].
"Definitely, it's a tough season.
"With the World Cup in between there’s a lot of load – overload – on the players, that's quite clear."
- Etienne Fermie
Mason Greenwood latest update
Mason Greenwood is expected to miss the rest of the season.
The striker had attempted rape charges against him dropped but the club is carrying out its own investigation.
Greenwood, 21, hasn't played for his team since his arrest in January 2022.
He will remain suspended until the end of the 2022/23 Premier League season, the Daily Star reports.
All charges against the footballer, including attempted rape, actual bodily harm and coercive or controlling behaviour, were withdrawn by the Crown Prosecution Service earlier this month.
It came after 12 witnesses, including the woman at the centre of the allegations, refused to co-operate.
- Etienne Fermie
Man United record since Ronaldo departure
Manchester United have been better off WITHOUT Cristiano Ronaldo.
The legendary 38-year-old departed from Old Trafford ahead of last November-December's World Cup after his explosive sit-down interview with Piers Morgan.
But since Ronaldo's departure, the Red Devils have picked up the most points in the division.
Erik ten Hag's men have played ten games, winning seven, drawing two and losing one, picking up 23 points.
They've also scored 20 goals, while conceding just nine.
- Etienne Fermie
More on Qatari bid
As reported by the Guardian, the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will table the gulf state's bid.
However, the Qatari ruler does not believe the value of the Old Trafford club exceeds £4.5bn – let alone the £6bn the Glazers initially demanded.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk is also understood to be considering a shock bid for United.
The Tesla and Twitter owner is believed to be a big fan of the club.
Musk, 51, who's worth a reported £157bn, is one of a select few who could afford to buy the Red Devils.
- Etienne Fermie
United takeover hots up
The Manchester United takeover race is hotting up with the Qataris set to make a bid of £4billion-plus.
The Red Devils' owners, the Glazer family, have set this Friday as the deadline to have offers submitted.
- Etienne Fermie
Man Utd triple injury blows
Erik ten Hag has been dealt a triple injury blow ahead of this week's crunch clash with Barcelona.
And the Manchester United manager cited an "overload" on his stars for the woes.
United head to the Nou Camp on Thursday night for the first leg of their Europa League play-off.
But they will make the trip to Spain without Antony, Anthony Martial or Scott McTominay.
The trio sat out of Sunday's win at Leeds and remain unavailable to take on the LaLiga leaders.
They join Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek in the United treatment room with the two midfielders both long-term absentees.
- Etienne Fermie
'Sending a huge message'
Man United legend Mark Irwin reckons his old side could lay down a marker by beating Barcelona this week.
He told the club's official media: "You’re coming up against one of the big boys who are doing very well in the local league, La Liga.
"[A win] sends a huge message to our fans and to everybody out there because we’ve had a couple of difficult seasons.
“There’s been huge progress this season and that would rubber stamp the direction we are going in.
"I think for the confidence of the playing staff, the manager, the fans, it will be a huge plus for us, it really would."
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