MANCHESTER UNITED are stepping up their pursuit of Antony with the Ajax winger's agent reportedly flying to Manchester today.
Elsewhere, Frenkie De Jong's transfer saga to United rumbles on, with a dispute over unpaid wages holding up the move.
United icon Cristiano Ronaldo is planning a summer exit from Old Trafford, and Piers Morgan has revealed that he is trying to convince the Portuguese idol to make the switch to the Emirates.
And Anthony Martial is set to remain at the club, after Erik ten Hag reportedly decided he is not for sale.
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Stay up to date with all the latest from Old Trafford…
- Alex Cole
Sancho on Ten Hag’s impact
Jadon Sancho has revealed that Erik ten Hag is keen on team bonding.
Sancho said: “This pre-season, we have the same players but it just looks like a whole different team and I do think that’s something we’re working on and I feel like we’re getting better.
“The manager is big on team-bonding and having fun together and doing things like team dinners and things like that.
“So, yeah, it’s helping.”
- Alex Cole
Ronaldo 'tore us apart', says Silvestre
In his autobiography, Ferguson wrote that John O'Shea "ended up with a migraine" when the Irishman was trying to mark Cristiano Ronaldo at left-back.
And the Scot boss told his kit man to go up to the directors' box and get Peter Kenyon down at half-time.
Fergie recalls adding: "We're not leaving this ground until we've got that boy signed".
Ferdinand's central defensive partner that evening, former French international Mikael Silvestre claimed: "It was an incredible performance that night.
"This kid nobody knew tore us apart for the whole game.
"No one could get near him, he was amazing.
"At the start, no one had even heard of Ronaldo, but by the end, everyone knew about him."
- Alex Cole
United defenders begged club to sign teenage Ronaldo
Manchester United were 'torn apart' as an 18-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo ran the show for Sporting Lisbon.
Six days later, Ronaldo officially became a United player.
It was supposed to be a routine pre-season friendly in August 2003 to celebrate the opening of the new Jose Alvalade Stadium.
But centre-back Rio Ferdinand told SunSport years later that Ron pulled them apart so much in the 3-1 defeat, the squad begged Alex Ferguson to sign him.
Ferdinand said: "We were on the bus for ages afterwards waiting for the boss [Ferguson] and chief executive [Peter Kenyon].
"We were just willing them to sign Ronaldo. Within a week he was our player."
- Alex Cole
Ronaldo wants to share responsibilty
Cristiano Ronaldo wants to join a club where the burden doesn't rest solely on his shoulders.
Ronaldo had to pluck Man United out of trouble on several occasions last season.
And he doesn’t want a recurrence when he moves away from Old Trafford.
That’s according to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs, who tweeted: “Sources close to Ronaldo say he’s keen to not only play #UCL but join a club where he feels [the] burden of output isn’t solely on him.”
- Alex Cole
Man Utd shouldn't be bothered whether Ronaldo stays, says Sharpe
Lee Sharpe reckons it's a "win-win situation" for Manchester United regarding Cristiano Ronaldo future.
Sharpe, speaking on behalf of 888sport said: "Obviously he brings goals which is the main thing in a football match and he’s been proving over the years that he’s one of the best in the business at doing that.
"Other than goals, the way the manager seems to want to play I’m not sure whether a 37-year-old can play the high tempo, high pressing game that the manager wants to play.
"Also does he scupper young lads’ chances of playing and the lads that are in the team is he holding them back a little bit?
"Is he a little bit too good if you like for people that they sort of step back and don’t allow their full potential to come through because he’s at the club?
"I think it’s a win-win situation. I think if he stays then United have got goals. I don’t think he’ll play every week like he wants to."
- Alex Cole
United target signs for Ajax
Ajax have re-signed striker Brian Brobbey from RB Leipzig for an initial £13.9million.
Manchester United were linked with Brobbey earlier in the transfer window, with boss Erik ten Hag interested in linking up with the 20-year-old for a third time.
The Red Devils have missed out, however, with the Dutchman opting to make his return to his hometown team a permanent one.
Brobbey joined Ajax's academy as an eight-year-old, rising through the ranks before making his first team bow.
Ten Hag spotted the forward's talent, giving him his debut in October 2020.
- Alex Cole
Ronaldo absence doesn’t bother boss
Erik ten Hag isn’t worried by Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from Man United training.
He’s focusing on the players who are present until Ronaldo decides to show up.
Ten Hag explained when asked about Ronaldo’s absence: “Of course. But concerning is maybe not the right word.
“I focus on the players who are there and they are doing really well. They are in good shape and I will further focus on that and develop that.
“I cannot wait for him coming in, then we will integrate him.”
- Alex Cole
United favourites to sign Pavard
Manchester United are the favourites to sign Bayern Munich's World Cup winning defender Benjamin Pavard.
New United boss Erik ten Hag is hoping to add to the three summer signings that he has made already.
The 26-year-old is a defender that has spent most of his career as a right back but is believed to want to spend more time playing centre back in the future.
United have already signed a centre-back this window in Lisandro Martinez, and their two current right backs, Aaron Wan Bissaka and Diogo Dalot haven't been very convincing of late.
The France international is priced at 11/4 with Betfair to make the move to Old Trafford this summer.
- Manchester United – 11/4
- Chelsea – 5/1
- Juventus – 8/1
- Atletico Madrid – 10/1
Fernandes relishes Eriksen opportunity
Bruno Fernandes can’t wait to play alongside Christian Eriksen next season.
He told the Times: “I always learn from players who play similar positions as me. I think Christian has been an amazing player in the past and even last season when he played for Brentford, he was amazing for them.
“He’s such a good quality player for us and I’m looking forward to playing alongside him because I think the best players make you play better.”
- Justin Lawrence
De Gea reflects on embarrassing form
David De Gea has revealed that Man United's form last season was embarrassing at times.
He told Mail Plus when reflecting on the previous campaign: "Yeah, for me and for everyone, it was a very tough season, embarrassing sometimes.
"Some games were a mess, a disaster. So we should learn from last season that it cannot happen again because it was tough. I hope everyone reflects.
"It was painful to be there and we are not capable of winning games. Losing 4-0 or 5-0, it was unacceptable. Sometimes you have to feel pain to go up and keep going."
- Justin Lawrence
Sancho on Ten Hag's impact
Jadon Sancho has revealed that Erik ten Hag is keen on team bonding.
Sancho said: "This pre-season, we have the same players but it just looks like a whole different team and I do think that’s something we’re working on and I feel like we’re getting better.
"The manager is big on team-bonding and having fun together and doing things like team dinners and things like that.
"So, yeah, it’s helping."
- Justin Lawrence
Man United miss out on Brobbey
Ajax have re-signed striker Brian Brobbey from RB Leipzig for an initial £13.9million.
Manchester United were linked with Brobbey earlier in the transfer window, with boss Erik ten Hag interested in linking up with the 20-year-old for a third time.
The Red Devils have missed out, however, with the Dutchman opting to make his return to his hometown team a permanent one.
Brobbey joined Ajax's academy as an eight-year-old, rising through the ranks before making his first team bow.
- Justin Lawrence
Martinez welcomed by Maguire
Raphael Varane is relishing the competition new Man United signing Lisandro Martinez will provide to him and Harry Maguire in defence.
He said: "Competition is good for the team. Harry [Maguire] is a very important player for us.
"He's the captain and obviously he has a lot of good qualities. The team will always be better with this competition. This is normal. Every great club is like this.
"If everyone wants to fight for the team, that's a good thing."
- Justin Lawrence
Ronaldo wants to share responsibilty
Cristiano Ronaldo wants to join a club where the burden rests solely on his shoulders.
Ronaldo had to pluck Man United out of trouble on several occasions last season.
And he doesn't want a recurrence when he moves away from Old Trafford.
That's according to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs, who tweeted: "Sources close to Ronaldo say he’s keen to not only play #UCL but join a club where he feels [the] burden of output isn’t solely on him."
- Justin Lawrence
Ronaldo's retirement plans revealed
Cristiano Ronaldo will play until he's 40 – but will retire as soon as his body slows down, according to Portugal boss Fernando Santos.
Santos has revealed Ronaldo will keep on playing until his physical level finally drops.
In 2020, Santos told TVI24: “Cristiano is ready to play until he’s 40, but he doesn’t know if it will happen.
“At some point he may feel that he no longer has the same conditions.
“He’s not a player who will lower his level, when he feels like he can’t be Ronaldo, he won’t.”
- Justin Lawrence
More signings to follow Lingard
Nottingham Forest are set for more signings after landing former Manchester United ace Jesse Lingard on a one-year deal.
SunSport understand that Lingard, 29, has put pen to paper on a contract that will see him bag £115,000 per week, plus add-ons.
Exclusive sources suggest that the versatile midfielder is the "first of more" as there is still the possibility of "another big name" moving to the City Ground.
- Justin Lawrence
United consider Torres swoop
Man United are reportedly considering a swoop for Villarreal star Pau Torres.
But they could face competition from Barcelona if Chelsea sign Sevilla’s Jules Kounde.
Marca claims Torres is on Erik ten Hag’s shortlist despite the £57million arrival of Lisandro Martinez from Ajax.
United have so far failed to land a new No6 after struggling to convince Frenkie de Jong to leave Barcelona.
And one solution could be to play versatile defender Martinez as a holding midfielder.
That would open the door for a new left-footed centre-back at Old Trafford.
And United are now thought to be weighing up a bid for Spain international Torres.
- Justin Lawrence
Versatile De Beek speaks
Donny van de Beek has revealed the different positions he can play in for Man United next season.
He said: "I can play as a 10, but also an 8.
"One of my strengths is to come in the box, make a goal or give an assist, but I like to be on the ball as well.
"I have to play where the team needs me."
- Justin Lawrence
Fernandes relishes Eriksen opportunity
Bruno Fernandes can't wait to play alongside Christian Eriksen next season.
He told the Times: "I always learn from players who play similar positions as me. I think Christian has been an amazing player in the past and even last season when he played for Brentford, he was amazing for them.
“He’s such a good quality player for us and I’m looking forward to playing alongside him because I think the best players make you play better.”
- Justin Lawrence
Ronaldo absence doesn't bother boss
Erik ten Hag isn't worried by Cristiano Ronaldo's absence from Man United training.
He's focusing on the players who are present until Ronaldo decides to show up.
Ten Hag explained when asked about Ronaldo's absence: "Of course. But concerning is maybe not the right word.
“I focus on the players who are there and they are doing really well. They are in good shape and I will further focus on that and develop that.
“I cannot wait for him coming in, then we will integrate him.”
- Justin Lawrence
Why Lingard's suited to Forest
Jesse Lingard will enjoy playing at Nottingham Forest as it's not too far from Manchester.
Plus he'll be playing regular football, according to Forest legend Nigel Jemson, who listed the reasons Lingard will thrive at his new club.
Jemson said: "He's not played much at Manchester United in the last couple of years so he’s going to love it. It is within distance of Manchester, with a fantastic group of lads that (Steve) Cooper has got together.
“I'm sure he's gonna come out and thrive on that. I bet he cannot wait to get started and once that whistle goes at the City Ground, it will be a great experience for him.”
- Justin Lawrence
Jesse Lingard joins Forest
Jesse Lingard has found a new club after leaving Man United.
The winger left United this summer after 22 years of service.
And he's now been unveiled as Nottingham Forest's latest signing.
Forest snagged the English attacker on a free transfer, but his contract length is still under wraps, the Daily Mail reported.
- Justin Lawrence
Anthony representative in Manchester
A representative for Ajax winger Antony is reportedly in Manchester to discuss a potential move to Manchester United.
The Red Devils have been linked with the Brazilian winger throughout the summer window.
And now one of his agents is in the North West to hold discussions with United, according to The Times.
Dutch champions Ajax are claimed to be holding out for £68million for the 22-year-old attacker.
United are thought to have had a £51m bid for Antony rejected earlier this month.
But boss Erik ten Hag remains keen to get a deal over the line.
- Justin Lawrence
Neville makes De Jong jibe
Gary Neville could not resist a sarcastic response after a report emerged that Barcelona were “prioritising the sale” of Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong.
He was responding to a tweet from Sky Sports, where he now works as a pundit, which read: “Frenkie de Jong has NO interest in joining #MUFC because he 'dislikes' the city and believes the club is run erratically.”
And he replied: “But apart from that he’s desperate to come.”
- Justin Lawrence
Neville defends Inter Miami decision
Inter Miami boss Phil Neville has defended his decision to play his son Harvey and David Beckham's second oldest Romeo in the 6-0 loss to Barcelona.
He told the Daily Mail: "Well I think we put the two boys on at wing-back and the first thing you measure is temperament.
"Have they got the temperament to play in this game? I think both of them did.
"I was super proud of them both.
"Romeo only got on for the last five or six minutes, which is difficult, but they'd earned the right to get on.
"They both showed really good temperament and I think tonight we learned an awful lot."
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