CARRICK EXTENDS
Michael Carrick has extended his Manchester United contract by another year. This new deal will see him complete 12 years at Old Trafford when it ends in 2018. Carrick’s testimonial will be held at Old Trafford next week with players from United’s Champions League triumph in 2008 coming together for one last time.
MOURINHO IN MONACO
Jose Mourinho was spotted taking in the views at the Monaco Grand Prix. Though the Portuguese claimed that he was here just as a fan, one cannot rule out the possibility of him trying to negotiate a move for one of Monaco’s starlets.
ALL IN ED’S HANDS
Jose Mourinho has urged Ed Woodward to complete the signing of Michael Keane at the earliest after Manchester City completed their first big signing by nabbing Bernardo Silva. Mourinho said: “As I promised after the final, I don’t care about football for a month. You have to ask Ed Woodward about signings. He’s known since March who I want. Now is for him to work because he will have holidays in August and in August I’ll be working.” United are favourites to sign Keane in a £25m move. There is the possibility of the move being completed in the next couple of weeks as Keane missed out on the England squad due to a calf injury.
On Griezmann, Mourinho said: “I have no idea if Antoine Griezmann will come to United.”
MORALE BOOSTER
Meanwhile, there is increasing confidence at Old Trafford that David de Gea will reject a move to Real Madrid should they make concrete attempts at signing him. This comes after Madrid reportedly cooled off their interest in De Gea because of United’s valuation and Keylor Navas’ form towards the end of the season. United’s qualification to the Champions League is said to have changed De Gea’s mind.
PERISIC TALKS CONTINUE
If rumours are to be believed, Manchester United are firmly lodged in negotiations with Inter Milan with regards to the transfer of Croat Ivan Perisic. Mourinho is a known admirer of the winger-come-striker and even watched him in one of Croatia’s World Cup qualifiers. A deal is believed to be close with Perisic reportedly giving PSG the snub. The move could see James Rodriguez’s transfer fall through. The teams are trying to negotiate a transfer fee with United ready to part with £36m while Inter want £44m.
PROTECTING RASHFORD
England boss Gareth Southgate has promised to protect Marcus Rashford by keeping him away from the European u-21 Championships. Southgate earlier was set to give the go-ahead to Aidy Boothroyd but now wants to protect him from burn-out. Rashford has been named to England’s squad for Internationals against Scotland and France in June.