Man Utd join Lewandowski race EXCLUSIVE, Frenkie de Jong gives ‘private assurances’, Marco Asensio transfer latest

Ten Hag’s mammoth task

Erik ten Hag has got a huge task on his hands with Man United, according to Teddy Sheringham.

He told Team Talk: “This new manager has got a massive job on his hands.

"Ten Hag has not worked in the Premier League before and doesn't have any experience of working at elite level in a top league.

"I know he has done well at Ajax, but the task he has been given at Manchester United is on a different scale to that.

"This is a massive football club that was at the top for a long time under Sir Alex (Ferguson) and it has been sliding for a decade now.”

Ten Hag uses persuasion tactics

Erik ten Hag has reportedly used his powers of persuasion to convince Frenkie de Jong to join Manchester United.

De Jong , 25, had initially been sceptical about joining United when he emerged as a top target for new boss Ten Hag .

The pair worked together at Ajax before De Jong joined Barcelona in 2019, and the midfielder has now come around to the idea of reuniting with his former boss.

According to the Mirror , Ten Hag has successfully convinced De Jong to join his project at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils gaffer wants to build his team around classy midfielder De Jong.

And in talks between the pair, Ten Hag is said to have informed De Jong of his plans to restore United to their former glory.

Georgina Rodriguez stuns

Georgina Rodriguez stunned as she took a selfie with partner Cristiano Ronaldo this weekend.

The loved up couple enjoyed a night out together as Manchester United star Cristiano returned home from international duty.

Georgina , 28, stunned in a figure-hugging brown dress and heels.

While Cristiano, 37, went for a daring blue blazer with no shirt look.

In a selfie posted to her Instagram story, Georgina smiled and added a love heart to the image.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, went for a more serious pose.

Matic to Roma edges closer

Nemanja Matic is on the cusp of becoming a Roma player.

The Serbian international will undergo a medical tomorrow in Italy before being unveiled by the Serie A club.

He will join them on a one-year deal with the option to extend, according to Fabrizio Romano.

PSG chase Lewandowksi transfer

Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly entered the transfer chase to sign Robert Lewandowski.

Lewandowski has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona ever since .

However, L'Equipe now claims that PSG have identified him as a top target.

And they are allegedly determined to win the race to secure his signature.

Man United are also said to be tracking the striker.

Martial slammed by Spanish media

Anthony Martial’s loan spell to Sevilla has been described as a fiasco by Spanish media.

Spanish publication AS wrote: “Martial's stint as a Sevilla player can only be described as a fiasco.

"For the investment made, for the expectations created and for the worse than poor performance offered.

"And the fact is that he scored the same two goals and gave an assist [when he was 18], but he did so playing 15 games in a team [Monaco] in which he had to compete for the position with players of the stature of Falcao and Berbatov."

Asensio transfer race heats up

Arsenal have reportedly joined rivals Tottenham in the transfer chase for Real Madrid's Marco Asensio.

Tottenham and AC Milan have allegedly already been offered the player.

Now Arsenal are also in the mix to sign him, according to the Daily Mirror .

This latest report claims that the Gunners have "contacted Asensio's representatives to seek answers" about his and Real's demands.

De Jong has awkward exchange

Frenkie de Jong was involved in an awkward exchange after being asked whether he was joining Manchester United this summer.

De Jong was asked: "Are you going from the beaches of Catalonia to the cold of Manchester?"

And the 25-year-old star replied: "No… I think… I can’t say anything."

Dybala edges closer to Inter move

Paolo Dybala is on the verge of joining Inter Milan, according to reports.

The ex-Juventus striker has nearly agreed terms with Inter, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

And he will meet with representatives from the club imminently to discuss terms, the report adds.

Concerns over wonderkid’s strength

Pafundi is only 5ft 5ins tall.

And the main concern of Premier League scouts is whether he could stand up to the physicality of English football.

But they will continue to follow the progress of one of Europe's most exciting prospects.

The ace made his debut for Udinese last month.

Man United monitor wonderkid

Man United Liverpool, Leicester and Everton are among the Premier League clubs monitoring Udinese wonderkid Simone Pafundi, DAN KING WRITES .

The diminutive attacking midfielder became the first player born in 2006 to play in Serie A when he made his senior debut last month.

Pafundi, 16, was also called up by Italy boss Roberto Mancini to join the country's best young talent at a training camp with the senior team.

Brexit means British clubs cannot swoop for Pafundi – or other top youngsters from Europe – until they are 18.

Good morning Man Utd fans

Man Utd will join the race for Robert Lewandowski – if his dream move to Barcelona falls flat.

Diallo set for another loan

Promising youngster Amad Diallo is set for another loan away from Old Trafford.

The £37.2million signing spent from January onwards in Scotland at Rangers, where he managed three goals in 13 games.

And it appears, if reports are to be believed, he will be sent out again.

The United Journal claims he has been in talks with Erik ten Hag about his playing time, with nothing yet to be decided.

Heaton targeted by Boro

Man Utd forgotten keeper Tom Heaton is a shock target for Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder.

Wilder wants a new No 1 and is keen to take Heaton, 36, on loan if United will let him go rather than make him stay at Old Trafford as cover.

The former Aston Villa and Burnley stopper would welcome game time and a challenge after falling to third choice.

Wilder had been dreaming of a reunion with United's Dean Henderson after they spent two successful seasons together at Sheffield United between 2018-2020.

But Hendo is still holding out for a Premier League move — either as a loan or a buy.

Championship side Boro were prepared to pay £40,000 a week towards Henderson's salary but United wanted more.

Dumfries battle on

Man Utd and Chelsea are locked in a battle for Denzel Dumfries.

Inter Milan are reportedly willing to listen to offers for the Dutch right-back this summer.

United are in the market for a new full-back, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka reportedly listed for transfer.

While Chelsea have lost defenders including Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, and are swearing on the futures of Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso.

Utd need four signings

Man Utd legend Gary Neville has identified FOUR key positions manager Erik ten Hag can improve this summer.

Neville says United need to first their midfield before turning their attention towards bolstering their attacking ranks and then defence.

Neville told United’s website: “Central midfield is an absolute necessity. An absolute necessity.

“Manchester United need midfield players. They also need a centre-forward.

“I know Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to stay and he’s an absolutely brilliant performer, but they need a centre-forward. Centre-forward is a must.”

Neville continued: “I think there’ll need to be a wide player, just to beef up the squad, and I think full-backs are absolutely critical in the modern game.

“[There are] four full-backs there, it’ll be interesting to see which two, three or four of those are liked.”

Antony move on

Man Utd are desperately trying to sign Ajax winger Antony.

Erik ten Hag coached the Brazilian when he was coach of the Amsterdam giants.

He scored 12 goals and 10 assists during the campaign.

And Goal claim that United are going to firm up their interest with a bid for the wideman in the region of £51million.

Lewandowski chase

Man Utd will join the race for Robert Lewandowski – if his dream move to Barcelona falls flat.

Lewandowski has his heart set on a move to the Nou Camp, and the striker wants to leave Bayern Munich this summer despite still having a year on his contract.

Yet unless Barca can shift some of their high earners, the Polish skipper’s chances of signing look doomed, even though the fee would be a maximum of £20million.

United are keeping a close eye on the situation, and there is growing talk of a similar deal to the one which took Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford last year.

Lewandowski, 33, is four years younger and is still at the peak of his goalscoring powers, with a staggering 57 in 55 games last season.

Ronaldo cleared

Cristiano Ronaldo’s rape lawsuit has been dismissed.

The Manchester United striker, 37, had been harmed by accuser Kathryn Mayorga’s lawyer, a US judge ruled.

The footballer had been accused of raping the woman in Las Vegas, US, in 2009.

He paid her $375,000 (£304,500) in hush money but the lawsuit sought a further payout, which could have been millions.

US District Judge Jennifer Dorsey kicked the case out of court with no option to file it again over the way the documents were obtained.

Judge Dorsey said the “harsh sanctions are merited”.

Phelan leaving

Mike Phelan is set to depart Manchester United’s coaching staff this summer, according to reports.

The 59-year-old has had numerous spells in various capacities at Old Trafford, most recently re-joining as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s assistant in 2019.

Following the Norwegian’s sacking last year, Phelan remained on Ralf Rangnick’s staff, albeit in a less hands on capacity.

But according to The Athletic, he will not remain under Erik ten Hag.

The Dutchman will be assisted by Mitchell van der Gaag, while another of Sir Alex Ferguson’s former No2s Steve McClaren will return as first team coach.

De Jong move ‘close’

Man Utd are closing in on Barcelona ace Frenkie de Jong, according to reports.

The Red Devils are determined to reunite the former Ajax ace with his old boss Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

United have already had a £60million bid turned down for the Dutch midfielder.

But Barcelona could opt to sell to raise money for other targets.

According to Spanish paper Sport, Barca want around £70m for the 25-year-old’s services.

The midfielder was previously thought to be determined to stay and fight for his place at Barca.

But United writer Tom McDermott also claims that he has agreed terms after talks with Ten Hag and United old boy Daley Blind.

Man United handed transfer boost

Man United have recieved a huge boost in their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has admitted that the club are willing to sell big stars if needed to help their transfer situation.

He said: “If our economic situation requires the sale of an important player, we are ready for that.”

Man United plot Inter swoop

Man United are reportedly plotting a raid for Inter Milan defensive pair Stefan De Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni.

United have asked Inter Sporting Director Piero Ausilio about the availability of the two stars, according to Gazzetta dello sport.

But the Red Devils’ interest hasn’t materialised into a solid transfer bid for either of them yet, the report adds.

Nunez Liverpool transfer nears completion

Liverpool target Darwin Nunez is reportedly set to miss Uruguay's fixture tonight in order to get his move over the line.

The striker has been on Liverpool's radar for a number of weeks, with them stepping up their interest in recent days over a deal that could be worth as much as £80million.

Now Uruguayan publication El Pais have reported the national team are aware of the situation, confirming Nunez will not be present for the match on Saturday.

Uruguay are getting ready to host Panama in an international friendly.

However the Benfica striker will not be present, as the Reds look to get the big-money move completed.

Pogba stalls on future

Paul Pogba is waiting to see if Zinedine Zidane becomes PSG’s manager before deciding on his future.

Pogba is reportedly on the brink of joining Juventus after leaving Man United on a free transfer.

But the Frenchman is said to be stalling as reports claim Zidane is set to replace Mauricio Pochettino as the Ligue 1 side’s boss, according to RMC sport.