MANCHESTER UNITED forward Marcus Rashford claimed the Sir Matt Busby award for best player of the season last night.
Meanwhile, top target Harry Kane insists he is focused on representing England and then enjoying a summer break amid links to the Red Devils.
Elsewhere, Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag has opened the door for Harry Maguire to leave the club in the summer.
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Keep up to date with all the latest news from Old Trafford…
- By Alex Smith
Shiels apologies to Russo
Manchester United Foundation boss John Shiels has apologised to Alessia Russo after allegations of sexism.
He warned the England striker of the weight of the trophy and suggested it could be too heavy for her.
Shiels said: "Last night I had the honour of presenting Alessia Russo with the Women’s Goal of the Season award at the Manchester United end-of-season awards ceremony.
"I made a comment about the weight of the trophy which I know has caused offence. I am mortified by this and want to apologise to Alessia, her team-mates, and anyone else offended.
"I alerted Alessia to the weight of the trophy because I was shocked by how heavy it felt, and would have done the same if presenting to a male player.
"I simply did not want her to drop it. However, on reflection, I can see why the comment has been misconstrued.
"Female empowerment is at the heart of Manchester United Foundation’s work in our local community, with almost 10,000 girls and young women taking part in our programmes annually."
- By Alex Smith
Sexism row
Man Utd's charity chief executive is embroiled in a sexism storm – with fans claiming he suggested Alessia Russo was not strong enough to lift her award.
Russo was crowned Women's Player of the Year at the end-of-season gala on Monday.
Manchester United Foundation boss John Shiels suggested Russo – who he appeared to call "Alexa" – would be unable to hold the "heavy" trophy.
In a video circulated online, Shiels says: "I'm not going to give this trophy to Alessia because it's so heavy.
"I've just been in a weight-training session."
But Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves, hosting the night, quickly interjected.
Shreeves cut in: "I think you (Russo) can take it quite happily can't you?"
A polite Russio then confirms: "It's fine. Yep."
- By Alex Smith
Ten Hag's Rashford plan
Erik ten Hag devised a four-point plan to reignite Marcus Rashford's career this season.
Cristiano Ronaldo's exit in November left Manchester United severely lacking a reliable goalscorer.
But the Red Devils boss turned to Rashford and called on the forward to step up – and step up he did.
Speaking to The Times, the Dutchman said: "What I have done? He’s a good football player, incredibly good and his finishing attributes are high.
"So, first of all, I make a culture where he can perform. Then I get him motivated and then construct a way of play where he can do it.
"And fitness, as well, don’t forget that part. When those four aspects are there Marcus Rashford will score.
"He can play as a centre forward, can play from the left, can play from the right.
"When you see his stats, he is scoring everywhere but he feels more comfortable as a centre forward or from the left."
- By Alex Smith
Bru what?
Bruno Fernandes registered eight assists in the Premier League this season, but he should have had many more.
Stats show the Man Utd star created the most expected goals in the division with 16.8, but only eight turned into goals.
Top creators:
- 16.8 – Bruno Fernandes
- 13.9 – Kevin De Bruyne
- 12.4 – Kieran Trippier
- 11.5 – Trent Alexander-Arnold
- 10.5 – Pascal Gross
Van der Sar quits Ajax
Man Utd legend Edwin van der Sar has left his position at Ajax.
The shock news has prompted calls from Man Utd fans to install him at Old Trafford.
The former goalkeeper, who won the Champions League in 2008 as well as four Premier League titles with United, quit as Ajax's chief executive officer and will hand over his responsibilities from June 1.
His resignation comes after he was booed by fans following an awful season for Ajax which saw them finish third in the Eredivisie and without a trophy.
The 52-year-old has been in charge of Ajax since November 2016 having been promoted from marketing director – a position he took in 2012.
Since joining Ajax, the club have won five league titles, two Dutch Cups and two Dutch Super Cups.
Van der Sar also won three titles in a row working with Erik ten Hag.
Following the news, Man Utd fans have begged the club icon to make his return.
Taking to Twitter, one fan said: "See you at Old Trafford soon VDS."
Now or never for Kane
Emmanuel Petit believes it's now or never for Harry Kane to leave Spurs with Man Utd his best option.
The ex-Arsenal star told Betway: "Does he want to go somewhere else because I think year after year, someday it's going to be too late for him to leave Tottenham. He will be loved for a long time by the Spurs fans.
"The other option is to go to Man Utd because Weghorst has not been doing well.
"So maybe Manchester United, for me this is the only option.
"But if he wants to go abroad, there are two perfect clubs for him. PSG and the other one is Bayern Munich.
"When I look at Bayern Munich, I have big respect for Choupo-Moting but he's the only striker.
"There are only two clubs abroad who can afford and can buy Harry Kane. It's PSG and Bayern Munich and in the Premier League, there's only one club for me and it's Manchester United."
Treble deniers
Man Utd are desperate to stop bitter rivals Man City from winning the treble to protect the legacy of the 1999 United side.
Marcus Rashford rallied fans and his team-mates at the club's player awards ahead of Saturday's FA Cup final.
He said: "Make sure United remain the only club to have done the treble? That's the most important thing."
Rashford on winning award
Marcus Rashford is delighted to have won the Sir Matt Busby award.
He said: "It is a proud feeling. It’s been a long time since an academy player has won this award.
"I feel a huge sense of pride and hope more academy players can go onto win this award and feel what I’m feeling.
"I want to say a big thanks to the staff and team-mates because without them pushing me everyday in training, you don’t see the best version of me. So I appreciate you all and thank you very much.”
Made his Marc
Marcus Rashford netted 30 goals in all competitions this season and has his eyes on getting another one at the weekend versus Man City in the FA Cup final.
Rashford said: "First player since Robin van Persie to score 30 goals?
"It's a proud moment. I think I should have scored more but there is always room for improvement and I hope to do better in the season next.
"Amazing season. It will be better if we win this weekend."
- By Alex Smith
Jimmy Murphy Award winners
Kobbie Mainoo picked up the young player of the year award at Man Utd's award ceremony.
And he joins an illustrious list of names to get hands on the trophy.
Ryan Giggs won it twice, Paul Scholes and Phil Neville have their name on it once.
In more recent years, Danny Welbeck, Angel Gomes, Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Anthony Elanga all won it.
It doesn't always mean success though with James Wilson now unemployed after being released from Port Vale a matter of weeks ago.
- By Alex Smith
Matt Busby Award winners
Marcus Rashford won the Sir Matt Busby award for best player of the season last night.
It was the first time he had won the award and has some way to go to catch up with David De Gea and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Both have won the award four times, with the keeper picking it up four out of five years from 2013/14 to 2017/18.
The trophy began being handed out in 1987/88 when Brian McClair won.
- By Alex Smith
Mainoo scoops award
Youngster Kobbie Mainoo won the Jimmy Murphy Award.
The accolade is given to the club's best young player of the season.
Mainoo, 18, has impressed for United, even making three senior appearances for the club.
- By Alex Smith
Goal of the season
Antony's season has come to a bad end after suffering an injury that will keep him out the FA Cup final.
But he was able to win the goal of the season trophy at the player awards.
Antony picked up the accolade for his winning goal in the second leg versus Barcelona.
The Brazilian composed himself and bent his first-time effort into the far corner in the Europa League play-off round.
- By Alex Smith
Rashford wins player of the season
Marcus Rashford was named Man Utd's player of the season at the club's award ceremony.
He also won the player's player trophy – voted for by his team-mates.
The attacker is the first academy graduate to win the Sir Matt Busby Award since Ryan Giggs in 1998.
- By Alex Smith
Greenwood hint
Erik ten Hag has dropped his biggest hint yet that Mason Greenwood could end up staying at Manchester United.
The striker saw attempted rape and assault charges dropped in February.
And he has not played in 16 months after the Red Devils launched their own investigation earlier this year.
SunSport exclusively revealed last month that Greenwood has told pals he will never play for United again.
But Ten Hag has now hinted that Greenwood could yet have a future at Old Trafford, stating "he is capable of doing that" when referring to goal scoring.
- By James Orr
Maguire sale latest
Erik ten Hag has opened the door for Harry Maguire to leave Manchester United.
Following his fall down the pecking order, Ten Hag believes Maguire has a "decision" to make on his future.
When asked whether the former Leicester star would stay at Old Trafford beyond the summer, the Dutchman replied: "Let’s say I’m happy he’s here and when we needed him he did his job.
"But it's also a decision he has to make."
- By Tony Robertson
Good morning Man Utd fans
Manchester United may miss out on Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as Liverpool could attempt to sign him this summer.
According to CalcioMercato, the Reds could land Milinkovic-Savic for as little as £22.5million in the upcoming transfer window.
The midfielder will enter the final year of his contract in June and he is not expected to extend.
The Serie A giants are willing to let the Serbia international go this summer to avoid losing him for free in 2024.
And the Merseysiders believe the 28-year-old can play an integral role in the squad next season.
Meanwhile, United are very keen to land Chelsea star Mason Mount in the summer.
According to The Telegraph, the Red Devils will push for Mount's signature in the upcoming transfer window.
The playmaker is widely expected to leave Stamford Bridge with the Red Devils' boss Erik ten Hag in need of bolstering his frontline.
The same report claims Ten Hag is confident he can beat Liverpool and Arsenal to the England international's signature this summer.
And United star David de Gea has reportedly agreed on a new contract with reduced terms.
However, club officials have yet to sign off with De Gea, whose current deal runs out in June.
The Daily Mail reports the Red Devils' chiefs are refraining from finalising the deal for the time being.
But once the agreement is completed, the Manchester giants are to allow Dean Henderson to go to Nottingham Forest for £20m.
Finally, Ten Hag refused to guarantee De Gea will be his No1 next season.
The Dutch tactician told The Times when asked if the goalkeeper will be at United next season: “Yes, but I will not say he’ll always be my No1 because in a club like Man United there must be competition in all positions.
"You can’t do it with 11 players. It is impossible. You need double positions.”
Ten Hag added: "It’s not what I want, it’s more what top football demands nowadays.
"If you observe the biggest teams, you have to be capable of playing from the back, and use your keeper as a plus one in your back, otherwise it’s very simple for opponents to put you under pressure.
"He [De Gea] had to step up. In a number of games, he showed progression.”
- By Kostas Lianos
Antony injury update
Manchester United star Antony will "probably" recover from an ankle injury in time for Saturday's FA Cup Final, according to manager Erik ten Hag.
The winger was taken off on a stretcher in tears during the Premier League clash against Chelsea.
Ten Hag said: "We think it is not too bad and probably he will be available."
The Dutch tactician will need all the firepower he can get against Treble chasers Manchester City.
- By Kostas Lianos
Ten Hag warning
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag refused to guarantee David de Gea will be his No1 next season.
Ten Hag told The Times when asked if De Gea will be at United next season: “Yes, but I will not say he’ll always be my No1 because in a club like Man United there must be competition in all positions.
"You can’t do it with 11 players. It is impossible. You need double positions.”
Ten Hag added: "It’s not what I want, it’s more what top football demands nowadays.
"If you observe the biggest teams, you have to be capable of playing from the back, and use your keeper as a plus one in your back, otherwise it’s very simple for opponents to put you under pressure.
"He [De Gea] had to step up. In a number of games, he showed progression.”
- By Kostas Lianos
United push for Mount
Manchester United are very keen to land Chelsea star Mason Mount in the summer.
According to Thee Telegraph, United will push for Mount's signature in the upcoming transfer window.
The playmaker is widely expected to leave Stamford Bridge with the Red Devils' boss Erik ten Hag needing to bolster his frontline.
The same report claims Ten Hag is confident he can beat Liverpool and Arsenal to the England international's signature.
- By Kostas Lianos
De Gea deal agreed
Manchester United star David de Gea has reportedly agreed a new deal with reduced terms.
However, United officials have yet to sign off the contract with De Gea, whose current deal runs out in June.
According to The Daily Mail, the Red Devils' chiefs are refraining from finalising the deal for the time being.
But once the deal is completed, the Manchester giants are to allow Dean Henderson to go to Nottingham Forest for £20m.
United manager Erik ten Hag would prefer to spend £15m on a No2 than a replacement for the Spain international.
Credit: AFP
- By Kostas Lianos
Mil deal ready
Manchester United could miss out on Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as Liverpool could attempt to sign him this summer.
According to CalcioMercato, the Reds could sign Milinkovic-Savic for as little as £22.5million this summer.
The midfielder will enter the final year of his contract in June and he is not expected to renew.
The Serie A giants are willing to let the Serbia international go this summer in order to avoid losing him for free in 2024.
And the Merseysiders believe the 28-year-old could play an integral role in the squad next season.
- By Kostas Lianos
Fans red rage
Manchester United made an historic change to their badge with fuming fans labelling the club "a disgrace".
The third kit will feature just a devil rather than the club crest with designers Adidas opting for a minimalist look.
The jersey won't feature the words Manchester United, the club's badge layout or the ship which have been a permanent feature since the 1970s.
Instead, only a devil will appear on the shirt, which is off white in colour, and will be used when it is not possible to wear the club's dark green away kit with white stripes.
- By Kostas Lianos
De Gea to stay?
Manchester United star David de Gea is set to stay at Old Trafford despite his contract expiring next month, claims manager Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag said after the win over Fulham: "I already said it last time so I'm repeating myself.
"We want David de Gea to stay and he wants to stay.
"We will find a way of understanding."
- By Kostas Lianos
New Man Utd kit
The new Manchester United home kit has reportedly been leaked on social media.
An advertising poster seems to have been spotted at an Adidas store in New York and is now circulating online.
But fans are divided on what could be the new design – with some blasting it as having "newly-promoted vibes".
Check it out:
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