MANCHESTER UNITED will begin their Premier League campaign on September 19 at home to Crystal Palace, with their September 12 trip to Burnley postponed due to their exploits in Europe.
Meanwhile Joel Glazer is said to be the only thing standing in the way of the signing of Jadon Sancho as he is unwilling to pay the £108m fee demanded by Dortmund.
Get all the latest transfer updates and gossip from Old Trafford here…
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THIS IS THE HEND
Dean Henderson has thanked Sheffield United in a heartfelt Instagram post after leaving the club, following his two-year spell on loan.
The Englishman said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at @sheffieldunited for the last two years.
“Winning promotion to the Premier League with my brothers and having the season we had this season is something I will never forget.
“I would like to thank the manager, my team-mates, the backroom staff and of course, the fans, who have been unbelievable towards to me.
“I will look back at the last two years as an important chapter in my career and more than anything, i’m grateful to have had the opportunity to learn and develop with such a class group of lads.
“I can’t wait for the next chapter! Once again, thank you for everything! Once a blade, always a blade!”
View this post on Instagram
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at @sheffieldunited for the last two years. Winning promotion to the Premier League with my brothers and having the season we had this season is something I will never forget. I would like to thank the manager, my teammates, the backroom staff and of course, the fans, who have been unbelievable towards to me. I will look back at the last two years as an important chapter in my career and more than anything, i’m grateful to have had the opportunity to learn and develop with such a class group of lads. I can’t wait for the next chapter! Once again, thank you for everything! Once a blade, always a blade! ❤️???
A post shared byDean Henderson (@deanhenderson) on
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HOW DIOGO HE RATE?
Diogo Dalot has been at United since June 2018.
Here are his stats and how he ranks compared to the five main full-backs who have been at Old Trafford in that time: Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Brandon Williams and Ashley Young.
It appears his passing accuracy lets him down!
- Games played 20 (4th)
- Games started 13 (4th)
- Games won 9 (4th)
- Minutes played 1,080 (4th)
- Goals 0 (=4th)
- Assists 2 (4th)
- Tackles 27 (4th)
- Tackle success 52% (5th)
- Passes 474 (5th)
- Pass accuracy 71% (5th)
- Crosses 50 (4th)
- Crossing accuracy 26% (1st)
- Clearanes (4th)
- Headed clearances (4th)
SHOULD HE STAY OR 'OGO
United fans are split over whether the club should sell Diogo Dalot to raise funds for other transfers.
What do we think – should United sell the 21-year-old full-back?
PRIME CUT
Amazon Prime Video have released the 20 fixtures fans can watch for free in the 2020/21 Premier League season – including Liverpool against Tottenham.
Just like last season, the online streaming platform won the rights to two complete match weeks.
An extra two additional individual fixtures will be confirmed at a later date.
But in the two rounds of Premier League matches already in the Prime diary, Spurs' trip to Anfield is the standout tie.
Amazon have the midweek games from December 15 to 17 as well as the round of fixtures between the Boxing Day games and New Year, from December 28 to 30.
All 20 matches will be shown live on Amazon Prime Video across the two three-day windows.
HANDS ARE TIED
Joel Glazer is the one brother of the family who own Manchester United who has allegedly told Ed Woodward he is NOT to bid £108million for Jadon Sancho.
Joel, 49, and Avram, 59, are the two co-chairmen of United, with executive vice chairman Woodward sitting under them.
But it appears the pair are using their power to yay or nay any transfer activity.
The problem is, when that player is your marquee signing, there is not much wiggle room for Woodward under pressure from the fans.
It also shows how much power the brothers have over the day-to-day running of United.
EAGLES SWOOP
Benfica are interested in signing out of favour Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira, according to reports.
The Brazilian was a regular in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s midfield in the first half of the 2019-20 campaign, but had a limited role by the end of the season.
The emergence of Fred and Scott McTominay, coupled with Nemanja Matic’s renaissance and Bruno Fernandes’ January arrival saw Pereira’s game time become limited.
And Paul Pogba’s return from injury post-lockdown made things even more difficult.
So much so, that ESPN claim that he could be on his way to Benfica, who are interested in bolstering their squad with the 24-year-old.
Solskjaer still likes Pereira and would like to keep him around at Old Trafford, but he will not give him any assurances over his playing time.
NEW KIT ON THE BLOCK
Youngster Arnau Puigmal is impressed with United's new jersey.
He posted on Instagram: “New kit looking?”
New kit looking? #mufc
A post shared byArnau Puigmal Martínez (@arnaupuigmal8) on
MARTIAL'S BIG SEASON
Here is how the Frenchman fared last term – his best season at United to date.
JUVE HAD A LOOK
Manchester United are reportedly upping their interest in Juventus stars Douglas Costa and Alex Sandro.
The Italian champions are sifting through their finances amid the coronavirus pandemic with the two players deemed good assets to cash in on.
According to CalcioMercato, United are becoming increasingly keen on winger Costa, 29.
Juve value the Brazilian at £36million as they seek to get rid of his £5.4m annual wages, post-tax.
There is talk of a £27m opening offer for a player who scored three goals and made three assists in an injury-hit campaign.
Costa still has two years left to run on his Bianconeri contract and reports outline his desire to stay in Turin.
UNITED'S RUN-IN
Here are the Red Devils' last five games.
Sat May 1 – Liverpool (H)
Sat May 8 – Aston Villa (A)
Tues May 11 – Leicester (H)
Sat May 15 – Fulham (H)
Sun May 23 – Wolves (A)
FIXTURES RELEASED
Here are United’s first five games of the Premier League season.
Burnley (A) Postponed due to Europa League participation
Sat Sept 19 – Crystal Palace (H)
Sat Sept 26 – Brighton (A)
Sat Oct 3 – Spurs (H)
Sat Oct 17 – Newcastle (A)
Sat Oct 24 – Chelsea (H)
DAY' OF RECKONING?
Dayot Upamecano is still being scouted by Manchester United, according to reports.
The RB Leipzig defender, 21, was on the end of a thumping from PSG in the Champions League semi-finals, as the French club took Julian Nagelsmann’s side to the cleaners in Portugal.
But Upamecano has attracted interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including United.
According to the Athletic, the Red Devils will keep scouting him, but may not want to drag their feet.
The Red Devils missed out on the player three years ago when they approached him and his family before being accused of not meeting his requirements for family visits at the academy.
Arsenal have been closely linked to the French defender.
BROUGHT TO BROOK
United have been told they must cough up a whopping £40million to land Bournemouth midfielder David Brooks.
They have identified Wales winger Brooks, 23, as a viable alternative to top target Jadon Sancho as talks with Borussia Dortmund continue to stall.
The Red Devils are long-term admirers of Brooks and are ready to press ahead with a move despite the former Sheffield United man missing most of last season through injury.
Bournemouth’s new manager Jason Tindall wants to keep Brooks and build his side’s bid for an instant return to the Premier League around him.
But the club’s Russian owner Maxim Demin would be willing to sell for the right price as he looks to reduce the financial impact of the Cherries’ relegation to the Championship.
Brooks cost Bournemouth £11.5m from Sheffield United in the summer of 2018 and enjoyed a stellar debut season in the Premier League, scoring seven goals in 30 games.
CLOSING THE DOR
Manchester United's move for Jadon Sancho is reportedly being held up by one man… Joel Glazer.
The Athletic claim that Man Utd representatives broadly agree that meeting Sancho's £108m asking price is worth it, due to the fact he is likely to remain at Old Trafford for the next decade.
However, Glazer is said to be reluctant to take the gamble and keen on reducing the fee through negotiations with Dortmund.
THANKS A MIL
Manchester United look to have missed out on signing Arkadiusz Milik after Napoli agreed to sell him to Roma.
Reports claim the Polish striker's move to the Italian capital is almost complete.
Under the proposed terms, Roma will pay just £14million for Milik.
They will also send Cengiz Under to Napoli in exchange for the hotshot striker, according to Corriere dello Sport.
Milik, 26, had been a £60m summer target of both Man Utd and Tottenham.
United fancied their chances, too – with Milik once admitting he was a fan of theirs growing up.
GOOD MORNING RED DEVILS FANS
Manchester United have been told they must cough up a whopping £40million to land Bournemouth midfielder David Brooks.
They have identified Wales winger Brooks, 23, as a viable alternative to top target Jadon Sancho as talks with Borussia Dortmund continue to stall.
The Red Devils are long-term admirers of Brooks and are ready to press ahead with a move despite the former Sheffield United man missing most of last season through injury.
Meanwhile, United will reportedly offer Sergio Romero as part of a swap deal for Jack Grealish.
The Red Devils have been heavily linked with the Aston Villa star and may use their sub goalie to try and sweeten the deal.
But the news will come as a blow to Chelsea who reportedly made Romero a top transfer target with Kepa set to leave imminently.
Leeds and Everton are also said to be eyeing 33-year-old Romero, says the Mail.
Finally, Louis Saha has tipped United to re-sign Memphis Depay following his return to form with Lyon.
He told the Football Index Podcast: “I wasn’t a fan of Memphis Depay when he was originally at the club because I don’t think he was mentally ready, but he has improved dramatically and proved to be a major force in Ligue 1.
“Depay has really matured and has become a leader in an exciting Lyon team.
“He has always had the quality to play at the top level and I think he would be very motivated to return to Old Trafford and prove he is good enough.”
GLASS OF CAVA
Louis Saha believes Edinson Cavani can solve Man Utd's woes in front of goal.
He told Football Index Podcast: “I think Manchester United are missing a trick by not signing Edinson Cavani this summer.
“I've followed him for many years and I’m gutted there doesn’t seem to be an interest there.
“For me, Cavani would be the best fit this summer. Cavani has a great eye for goal and his leadership would be a great asset. He has qualities that are very difficult to find on the transfer market.”
CHERRY PICKED
Man United have been told they must cough up a whopping £40million to land Bournemouth midfielder David Brooks.
They have identified Wales winger Brooks, 23, as a viable alternative to top target Jadon Sancho as talks with Borussia Dortmund continue to stall.
The Red Devils are long-term admirers of Brooks and are ready to press ahead with a move despite the former Sheffield United man missing most of last season through injury.
Bournemouth’s new manager Jason Tindall wants to keep Brooks and build his side’s bid for an instant return to the Premier League around him.
But the club’s Russian owner Maxim Demin would be willing to sell for the right price as he looks to reduce the financial impact of the Cherries’ relegation to the Championship.
MARC MY WORDS
Man Utd look set to confirm the signing of Barcelona youngster Marc Jurado after his comment on Bruno Fernandes' Instagram
Bruno wrote: “Unfortunately our journey in the Europa League ends here.
“It wasn't what we expected. We wanted to be in the final and fight for the trophy we so desired.
“Whilst we congratulate Sevilla for making it to the final, we still played well and we didn't deserve to stop here.”
And writing as if he were already a United player, Jurado replied: “We keep fighting.”
MOVING ON UP
Man United do not feature in a Euro final this weekend — but some of their old boys do.
Did they make the right choice by leaving the Red Devils?
SunSport explores the ones who got away from Old Trafford to make a name elsewhere.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FIVE ‘ZEROS TO HEROS’
EXCLUSIVE BY JUSTIN ALLEN
Southampton are among the clubs trying to sign ex-Arsenal and Man Utd star Danny Welbeck for a cut-price £5.5million.
The Watford striker wants to leave Vicarage Road after relegation to the Championship and it has emerged he has a release clause in his contract.
It has sparked a lot of Premier League interest.
Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl is a big fan and wants to land the former England striker, who has only been with the Hornets for a season.
He only has one more year left on his Watford contract.
The 29-year-old ace is seen as a bargain buy and a deal will almost certainly be struck before the new season.
DEAN GONE
Dean Henderson has sent an emotional goodbye to Sheffield United as he targets David De Gea’s No 1 jersey at Manchester United.
The Chelsea target said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Sheffield United for the last two years.
“Winning promotion to the Premier League with my brothers and having the season we had this season is something I’ll never forget.
“I would like to thank the manager, my team-mates, backroom staff and, of course, the fans, who have been unbelievable to me.
“I will look back at the last two years as an important chapter in my career.
“I’m grateful to have had a chance to learn with such a class group of lads. I can’t wait for the next chapter.”
SWAP GREAL
Man United will reportedly offer Sergio Romero as part of a swap deal for Jack Grealish.
The Red Devils have been heavily linked with the Aston Villa star and may use their sub-goalie to try and sweeten the deal.
But the news will come as a blow to Chelsea who reportedly made Romero a top transfer target with Kepa set to leave imminently.
Leeds and Everton are also said to be eyeing 33-year-old Romero.
But United want to use him as leverage in the Grealish deal, according to the Mail.
ZLAT’LL DO
Zlatan Ibrahimovic nearly made a Manchester United team-mate cry in training.
Goalkeeper Lee Grant revealed: “His period at the club had just come to an end but the lads would talk about him constantly.
“'Do you remember when Zlatan did this?'
“'Do you remember him getting on to such and such in training and he nearly made him cry?'
“'Do you remember that thing he does, the kung-fu kick over his head?'
“'Do you remember Zlatan scored that goal? Do you remember when he nutmegged that guy and absolutely took the p***?'
“I thought, 'Oh my god, who is this Zlatan character?' but that was what it was like all the time.”
HEN DO
Dean Henderson is set to receive a bumper new contract earning himself as much as Bruno Fernandes.
SunSport revealed Henderson, 23, is on the verge of signing a mega new four-year Old Trafford deal worth £100,000 a week.
Here’s how the rest of the squad lines up…
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