ALL OVER
Manchester United’s chase of Antoine Griezmann is all over after the player rejected an ultimatum from United over a transfer this summer. Reports in Spain suggest that the player will now sign a new contract at Atletico with the club doubling his wages and earning himself a cool £3.5m in loyalty bonus. United will now prioritize the signing of Romelu Lukaku or Andrea Belotti and want to finish their summer business as soon as possible.
HERRERA HINT
Ander Herrera suggested that he will reject advances from Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde and stay at United. Herrera worked with Valverde during his time at Athletic Bilbao. Herrera said: “The only thing I have in my mind every time I’m on the pitch is that I want to give all the affection back. I want to keep playing, keep working hard, keep improving, not only personally but also with the club and the team, I want to keep improving to continue winning things. Of course, I’m happy with my development and I am happy with my time at the club so far but I’m not going to stop here.”
MAKING MORE SENSE THAN EVER
Real Madrid will try and offload Gareth Bale this summer to fund a move for Kylian Mbappe or Eden Hazard. Either move will cost Madrid top dollar and they could sell Bale for as little as £60m and free up funds for their transfer targets. United are long-standing admirers of Bale and could offer him an exit route from the Bernabeu after growing frustrated because of injuries and booing from his own fans.
A BETTER PLAYER
Former Manchester United Gary Pallister reckons that Michael Keane will return to Old Trafford a better player after selling him a couple of years back. Pallister said: “It’s easy to say is it an expensive mistake to have let them go. When you’re told you are going to leave United it can be hard to bounce back. But he’s gone away and improved himself, becoming an England international. If the next step is to come back, he already knows the place and will return a better player.
BACK AT OLD TRAFFORD
Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has invited former United manager Louis van Gaal to his testimonial tomorrow just a year after the Dutchman was relieved of his duties at Old Trafford. Carrick was vice-captain under van Gaal. The testimonial will see Sir Alex return to the bench to oversee United’s 2008 squad take on a team of All-Stars.