DEFENDERS TO BE MOVED?
The board at Manchester United reportedly approved the decision by Jose Mourinho to move three defenders this summer. The defenders in question are Matteo Darmian, Luke Shaw and Daley Blind. All three have largely been second choice or even third choice at United with playing time hard to come by for the three. All three have been linked with moves away from United for a long time during the course of this season. Darmian has been linked with a move back to Italy with Juventus frontrunners. Ajax has been mentioned as a potential destination for Daley Blind while Shaw has been linked with Tottenham and now Barcelona.
SHAW TRADE ON THE CARDS?
Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw’s situation is reportedly being monitored by Barcelona. The defender is expected to leave the club after injuries and largely fitness issues have contributed to a stop-start career at Old Trafford. With French centre-back Samuel Umtiti being targeted by United, Barcelona are expected to ask for Luke Shaw in return as part of a cash-plus-player deal. Shaw could also be on the move to Juventus should Juventus want a left-back to replace Alex Sandro who is tipped to join United this summer. Shaw is valued at around 25m by United with a year left on his contract.
LAWYER SPEAKS
Gregory Loannidis, the renowned sports lawyer known for drawing up contracts for players at United suggested that a move for a defensive midfielder was close to completion on social media site Twitter. United fans were quick to suggest that the player in question could be Napoli’s Jorginho whose agent reportedly met with club officials in Manchester earlier this week. United are expected to sign at least two central midfielders this summer with Marouane Fellaini in the final couple of months of his United contract and Michael Carrick retiring come May.
INTERNATIONAL REDS
With the latest set of International friendlies coming up, a number of United players are in action today. French United duo Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial are in action for France against Russia. This match can be watched live on United’s in-house broadcasting channel MUTV. Alexis Sanchez and Eric Bailly are also in action for their respective countries tonight.
DALLAS CUP ACTION
Manchester United under-19s completed a 1-0 win over their Toronto FC counterparts in the latest edition of the Dallas Cup in the States. The United colts were reduced to 10 men half an hour into the match when D’Mani Mellor was sent off for a high boot. Substitute Mason Greenwood scored late on to secure victory for the Reds and the Reds move level on points with group leaders Tigres. Only the top team go through and the best second-placed team, so the margin of victory against Higashi Fukuoka could be pivotal.