MANCHESTER UNITED have been handed another blow in their pursuit of Fiorentina star Sofyan Amrabat.
Elsewhere, Raphael Varane has become the latest big-name player to be linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
In other news, the Red Devils could sign top target Benjamin Pavard on a FREE transfer next summer.
Pavard reportedly wants to leave Bayern Munich amid interest from the Red Devils, Inter Milan and possibly even Arsenal.
Meanwhile, an explosive update in Mason Greenwood's future can be revealed as Manchester United are set to DUMP the star out of the squad.
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Henderson bidding war
Crystal Palace are making a shock move for Manchester United keeper Dean Henderson.
Eagles have been told that the Old Trafford No 2 is available on a loan-to-buy basis and he is high on their list as Vicente Guaita looks set to leave Selhurst Park.
Palace would take Henderson if the deal is right — and they have a chance as Nottingham Forest back away from targeting the stopper who had last season’s loan at the City Ground cut short by injury.
United wanted cash or a guarantee that Henderson, 26, would move to Forest permanently if he played enough games this season. But that became a hard deal to broker.
Palace will also find it tough to sign Henderson but are trying to find a solution and have two loan spaces free.
- By Ian Tuckey
Red Devils nip in for Nypan
Manchester United have reportedly sent scouts to watch a 16-year-old wonderkid who is hot property in Scandinavian football.
Sverre Nypan plays his football for Norwegian first division side Rosenberg and became their youngest ever player when he made his debut at just 15-years-old.
Man United have been monitoring the youngster for around a year and according to Norwegian outlet TV2, have sent scout out to watch him.
Nypan has already made 19 senior appearances despite his age and has made a name for himself with two goals and four assists.
The Red Devils will face competition for his signature though with top clubs from Germany, Belgium and Holland also said to be interested.
However Erik ten Hag‘s team may have the advantage with TV2 reporting that Nypan is a huge Man United fan who idolises Cristiano Ronaldo.
And the central-midfielder’s playstyle has been likened to that of Frenkie De Jong, who has long been a target for United and worked under ten Hag at Ajax.
United are looking for midfield reinforcements this summer with the Manchester giants pushing to complete a deal for Fiorentina man Sofyan Amrabat.
- By Ian Tuckey
Fiorentina 'want to satisfy' Amrabat with top move
Fiorentina’s president has provided an update on United target Sofyan Amrabat and said he is yet to receive an official bid for the player.
Amrabat has been a name at the top of United’s list as they look to sign a new defensive midfielder.
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC â JUNE 7: Sofyan Amrabat of Fiorentina in action during the UEFA Europa Conference League 2022/23 final match between ACF Fiorentina and West Ham United FC at Eden Arena on June 7, 2023 in Prague, Czech Republic. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)Credit: Getty It is believed a deal would cost around £26million and Amrabat even missed out some of Fiorentina’s pre-season to secure a deal.
However Fiorentina director Daniele Prade has now cast doubt on the notion of his key man going anywhere.
Prade said: “The situation is clear.
“He wants to join a top club and we want to satisfy him, but if we receive no offers, he will stay with us. We don’t have a player like him in the team.”
- By Ian Tuckey
Al-Ittihad 'keen on Raphael'
Raphael Varane has become the latest big-name player to be linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
Al-Ittihad have reportedly made contact with Varane’s agents and also hold an interest in PSG centre-back Marquinhos.
Varane is understood to favour staying at United as he still has what it takes to play with Europe.
But he has held calls with compatriots Karim Benzema and Ngolo Kante who play for Al-Ittihad as he looks to scope out a deal.
Credit: Getty - By Mark Irwin
Red Devils fail to read the Matar
Spurs 2 Man Utd 0: The last time Pape Matar Sarr started a game for Spurs he was hauled off after 23 minutes of the horrific 6-1 defeat at Newcastle.
He had been so far off the pace on that occasion that his team were already five down when stand-in boss Cristian Stellini decided to put him out of his misery.
So it was no surprise that the 20-year-old Senegalese international was so keen to show the fans what he is truly capable of.
And when he settled this barnstorming match with the first goal of his Tottenham career he was more than entitled to believe that he had achieved that aim.
The standing ovation he received when he was replaced 15 minutes from the end would have been music to the ears of the rookie midfielder who hasn’t exactly set the Premier League alight since his £14.6million arrival from Metz two years ago.
But handed his chance to shine by new boss Ange Postecoglou, he brought an energy to the Tottenham engine room which flagging United simply could not match.
And alongside a revitalised Yves Bissouma in the middle of the park, it’s just possible that Spurs have stumbled upon a combination to steady the ship following Harry Kane’s £104million departure.
United, though, clearly have major issues to address and Lisandro Martinez’s late own-goal only added to their problems.
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- By Jon Boon
Lineker raises a laugh with X-rated Bruno tweet
Gary Lineker left fans in disbelief with his X-rated tweet about Bruno Fernandes.
The Match of the Day host was tuned in as his former club Tottenham took on Manchester United in North London.
During a frantic first half, United midfielder Fernandes produced a sumptuous rabona cross.
Marcus Rashford missed the subsequent header, but that didn't stop Lineker gushing over the piece of skill.
He tweeted: "That rabona from Bruno was so good it gave me a boner….which is quite something at my age."
KSI was among the first to react, replying: "You gotta be hacked."
Lineker then joked in response: "Nah, I just wish it was true."
Another fan responded to Lineker: "Relax fella." A further Twitter user joked: "Calm down gazza." And another added: "Well done Gary. Keep it up."
- By Jon Boon
Maguire & VDB speculation grows
Manchester United made changes to their squad ahead of the 2-0 loss at Tottenham.
And two players who have been subject of scrutiny regarding their futures were left out.
Wantaway Harry Maguire, who saw a move to West Ham collapse last week, was missing from Ten Hag's line-up.
While flop Donny van de Beek is expected to move on – with former club Ajax linked with a loan move.
But, according to Fabrizio Romano, the England centre back missed the visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium "due to minor injury".
However, intriguingly the Italian transfer expert added the Dutch midfielder's absence was down to "negotiations ongoing for his exit."
Maguire was all set for a move when West Ham had a £30million bid accepted by United and the transfer was all sorted.
However, as revealed by SunSport, the England international told the Red Devils he wanted £15m as he would surrender his £190,000-a-week contract for reduced £120,000 weekly wages in East London.
- By Etienne Fermie
Rashford 'like a child'
Old Trafford legend Roy Kane reckoned Marcus Rashford was "like a child" up front as he laid into Manchester United strikers Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford after today's 2-0 loss at Spurs
Keane said: "I said before the game they were poor against Wolves but they got the result and will be better today. They weren't.
"They were fine in the first half an hour but the game is over 90 minutes. You're not going to dominate that long but you've got to show some belief, desire, fight.
"They're bringing on Martial – you might as well bring on Frank Stapleton and Norman Whiteside. Martial is not going to get you out of trouble.
"Rashford played through the middle again. Usual stuff. He's like a child up there. He's obviously not happy playing there. His body language and his first few touches suggest he doesn't want to play through the middle.
"But you have to. You've got to do a job for the team. You're looking at the captain, the senior players, established international players – easy to play against. That's the biggest insult I can give to these Man United players."
- By Etienne Fermie
United are the new Spurs – Keane
Roy Keane claimed Manchester United "are the new Spurs" after their 2-0 defeat to Tottenham.
Ange Postecoglou deservedly grabbed his first Premier League win courtesy of Pape Matar Sarr's strike and Lisandro Martinez's own goal.
Keane, 52, said Spurs were "lovely" – but only after slamming the Red Devils.
Appearing on Sky Sports after the match, the Irishman fumed: "Man United are the new Spurs. Desperate. Absolutely desperate.
"The biggest insult I always think about is teams who can't do it away from home, players who aren't up for it away from home.
"They're a good team, they fancy it when their home fans are in front of them, they've got that support and energy. United go away today.
"Second half, weak, no leadership, gave bad goals away. Spurs were lovely. All credit to them. It's easy to play against Man United also."
- By Tom Barclay
Sub ratings
Diogo Dalot (for Wan-Bissaka) – 6
Christian Eriksen (for Antony) – 6
Jadon Sancho (for Garnacho) – 6
Facundo Pellistri (for Mount) – 6
Antony Martial (for Rashford) – 6
- By Tom Barclay
United ratings – front three
Antony – 6
So unlucky not to score when he cracked the post within seconds of Sarr’s opener. The Brazilian had some decent moments before he was subbed off but still not enough to justify his astronomical fee.
Alejandro Garnacho – 5
Was the beneficiary of Spurs’ high line a few times in the first half but could not capitalise on it. Was hooked on 66 minutes for Jadon Sancho.
Marcus Rashford – 6
It has been a quiet start to the season for the England man.
He showed glimpses of his quality with a snapshot and a brilliant bit of skill to nutmeg Micky van de Ven in the first half, but overall was nullified.
Threw his shinpad down in frustration after being subbed.
- By Tom Barclay
Red Devils' ratings – midfield
Casemiro – 5
In a week where Jamie Carragher questioned the sense of United signing the Brazilian on a long contract at his age, Casemiro was not at his best here. Although he would have had a goal were it not for Guglielmo Vicario’s stunning stop from his header.
Bruno Fernandes – 6
Missed a sitter at 0-0 when Shaw found him in the box scot-free as the United skipper headed high and wide. Became the latest player this season to go into the book for dissent as officials crack down on talking back.
Mason Mount – 4
It is obviously early days for the ex-Chelsea man who is trying to settle into Erik ten Hag’s side. But he was virtually anonymous for most of the game.
- By Tom Barclay
United ratings – defence
Andre Onana – 7
The former Inter Milan keeper was brought in, in part, for his footwork and he did fire some gorgeous passes that exposed Spurs’ high line.
Made a good stop from Pape Sarr in the first half.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6
Had his hands full with a revived Son Heung-min running at him, particularly as Spurs took control in the second half. Offered little going forward.
Raphael Varane – 5
Could not keep up with Son’s pace during one attack in the first half but marshalled Richarlison well.
Lisandro Martinez – 5
It was the Argentine’s deflection from Dejan Kulusevski’s cross which saw the ball drop to Sarr for the opener. Then it all went wrong for Martinez as he deflected Davies’ flick into his own net to end the contest.
Luke Shaw – 7
Son would have doubled the lead after the break were it not for the England man’s last-gasp block. But Shaw was lucky not to score an own goal when Sarr’s first-half cross deflected off him against the post.
- By Ian Tuckey
RESULT: Tottenham 2-0 Man Utd
Sarr's fine half-volley and Martinez's late own goal rewarded Spurs' inspired second-half display in United's first defeat of the season.
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- By Ian Tuckey
GOAL! Tottenham 2-0 Man Utd
Dreadful defending leads to unmarked Ivan Perisic crossing – and Lisandro Martinez deflecting in Ben Davies' touch.
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- By Ian Tuckey
GOAL! Tottenham 1-0 Man Utd
Sarr's superb half-volley put Spurs in front on 49 minutes.
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- By Ian Tuckey
Stat's promising
United had 14 goal-attempts to Tottenham's seven in a goalless first period.
But each side had three on target.
Don't forget United's Bruno Fernandes missed a sitter of a header and Spurs then hit the woodwork twice.
S/H – 48 mins: Tottenham 0-0 Man Utd
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- By Ian Tuckey
H/T: Tottenham 0-0 Man Utd
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- By Ian Tuckey
Spurs hit bar TWICE
Tottenham 0-0 Man Utd: Pedro Porro cracked a shot off the bar then Pape Matar Sarr's cross deflected off United defender Luke Shaw and onto the post.
And we're now deep in first-half stoppage time.
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- By Ian Tuckey
Bru-NO!!
Tottenham 0-0 Man Utd: Red Devils' midfielder Bruno Fernandes somehow heads over from just two yards
United should probably be in front by now – with Spurs sitting back surely too deep.
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- By Ian Tuckey
Tottenham 0-0 Man Utd
Spurs have had slightly more of the play but far less of the chances.
But the was a huge scare for United when James Maddison skipped away formachallenge and surged clear.
It all ended with Andre Onana saving well from Pape Matar Sarr, with Mason Mount then tidying up well.
- By Ian Tuckey
Tottenham 0-0 Man Utd
The Red Devils have had eight shots to Spurs' one after the first quarter of the contest.
And sole out-and-out striker Marcus Rashford appears to have shaken off his slow start to the game.
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- By Ian Tuckey
Tottenham 0-0 Man Utd
Erik ten Hag's men are looking to build, with Antony firing a third-minute left-footer high.
FOR ALL THE ACTION & REACTION
GO TO OUR MATCH BLOG - By Joshua Hall
Red Devils nip in for Nypan
Manchester United have reportedly sent scouts to watch a 16-year-old wonderkid who is hot property in Scandinavian football.
Sverre Nypan plays his football for Norwegian first division side Rosenberg and became their youngest ever player when he made his debut at just 15-years-old.
Man United have been monitoring the youngster for around a year and according to Norwegian outlet TV2, have sent scout out to watch him.
Nypan has already made 19 senior appearances despite his age and has made a name for himself with two goals and four assists.
The Red Devils will face competition for his signature though with top clubs from Germany, Belgium and Holland also said to be interested.
However Erik ten Hag's team may have the advantage with TV2 reporting that Nypan is a huge Man United fan who idolises Cristiano Ronaldo.
And the central-midfielder's playstyle has been likened to that of Frenkie De Jong, who has long been a target for United and worked under ten Hag at Ajax.
United are looking for midfield reinforcements this summer with the Manchester giants pushing to complete a deal for Fiorentina man Sofyan Amrabat.
- By Ian Tuckey
Today's line-ups
Here's how Manchester United line up at Tottenham this afternoon (ko 5.30pm).
SPURS (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, van de Ven, Romero, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Richarlison
SUBS: Forster, Skipp, Hojbjerg, Sanchez, Royal, Perisic, Lo Celso, Solomon, Davies.
MAN UTD (4-1-4-1): Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro; Antony, Mount, Fernandes, Garnacho; Rashford.
SUBS: Henderson, Vitek, Lindelof, Martial, Eriksen, Dalot, Sancho, Pellistri, McTominay.
REF: Michael Oliver
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