Manchester United news today, Europa League team news and champions league update breaking news ahead of tonight’s game.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Paul Pogba is making up for last time as he bids to win his third trophy with Manchester United.
Paul Pogba a French professional footballer who plays for Premier League club Manchester United and the France national team celebrated the fourth anniversary of his £89million transfer to United by posting a haircut identical to the one he sported upon his re-signing ahead of United’s trip to Germany for the latter stages of the Europa League.
The 27-year-old midfielder helped United to Europa League glory in 2017, scoring in the final against Ajax, and Solskjaer is optimistic about Pogba’s future at the club amid United’s attempts to tie him down on a new contract.
“I’ve answered numerous questions on Paul and we’re delighted he’s back playing. He’s fit, he’s enjoying his football, he’s got to make up for lost time and he’s doing that,” he said during his pre-match press conference.
On the transfer front, United remain in pursuit of Jadon Sancho, although Borussia Dortmund’s sporting director Michael Zorc delivered a disappointing update today, claiming Sancho will remain with the German club next season. “The decision is final,” he said.
Jadon Sancho to Man United off? Dortmund say he will not leave
Jadon Sancho to Manchester United may not happen after all, as Borussia Dortmund are holding firm over the talented winger.
According to reports Dortmund still want $140 million for Sancho, 20, but were said to be willing to simply accept a smaller initial payment and bigger installments for England international and wanted a deal done before Aug. 10 once they build up preseason.
Aug. 10 is today and Sporting Director Michael Zorc has spoken because the team flew to Switzerland for preseason training and Sancho was with them.
“We plan on having Jadon Sancho in our team this season, the choice is final. i feel that answers all our questions,” Zorc said. “Last summer we adjusted Jadon’s salary to match the event of his performances. So in context, we had already extended his contract until 2023 some time past .”
Reports had stated that Sancho had about agreed personal terms on a five-year contract at Man United and was just waiting on the 2 clubs to agree a transfer fee. But Dortmund and Man United have both distanced themselves from that in recent days because the German giants haven’t received any bids for Sancho from Man United.
The England international is needed by numerous top clubs around Europe but Jadon Sancho to Manchester United appeared like the simplest fit.
Now it’s going to not happen in the least and Man United can play hardball here. They don’t actually need Sancho. He would be a luxury signing.
Sancho are going to be a menace out wide with Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood as United’s other forward options and Paul Pogba and therefore the brilliant Bruno Fernandes creating just behind them. But he would be an additional sprinkle of stardust to an already star-studded attack instead of the cherry on top.
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Manchester United needed an extra-time penalty from Bruno Fernandes to finally see off a spirited FC Copenhagen and set up a potential Europa League semi-final against Wolves
Man United were poor for much of the first half in the heat of Cologne but still had a penalty overturned and a goal ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side improved and dominated the second half but could find no well past inspired goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson, with Fernandes and Mason Greenwood also each hitting the post and Marcus Rashford having another effort disallowed.
Fernandes finally broke through in familiar style, keeping cool to drive in United’s 21st spot-kick of the season at the beginning of the additional period to increase their marathon season by another week.
Johnsson was magnificent between the posts for Copenhagen – ending the night with 13 saves as United rained down 26 efforts on goal altogether – while the Danish runners-up failed to have a single shot on target.
United – who won this competition four seasons ago – will now face either Premier League rivals Wolves or Europa League specialists Sevilla within the last four in Dusseldorf on Sunday night.
THE BEST STATS FROM THE REDS’ EUROPA LEAGUE RUN
Manchester United face FC Copenhagen in Cologne this evening (Monday), as the Europa League enters its ‘final-eight’ stage.
The Reds have made serene progress in the tournament so far, topping Group L by four points before seeing off Club Brugge and LASK, 6-1 and 7-1 on aggregate respectively, to make it to the quarter-finals.
United’s impressive run has helped generate an equally remarkable set of stats, which could be further improved upon with victory at Stadion Koln.
TOP-GUN BRUNO?
Never before has a United player topped the Europa League goalscoring charts at the end of a campaign, but that could soon change as Bruno Fernandes is among six men currently leading the tournament’s scoring stakes with six goals, although five of these came for former club Sporting Lisbon. The Portuguese is tied with former team-mate Andraz Sporar, as well as Daicha Kamada (Eintracht Frankfurt), Alfredo Morelos (Rangers), Edin Visca (Istanbul Basaksehir) and Diogo Jota (Wolves). With countryman Jota the only member of that quintet still in the competition, Bruno could be in pole position to pull clear – although we’re sure Mason Greenwood, on five goals, and Anthony Martial, with four, may have something to say about that!
Read Also : Manchester United : Karl-Johan Johnsson produces incredible goalkeeping display
What Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thinks about Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial roles
Manchester United are determined to sign Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund this transfer window and field him alongside Anthony Martial next season.
Manchester United are so content with Anthony Martial that’s why they’ve made Jadon Sancho a priority rather than a striker, reports say. The France international has scored 23 goals across all competitions this season. And they’re happy for Odion Ighalo to continue to deputise for the forward when called upon, rather than invest in a big name.
Manchester United have seen Martial struggled for consistency ever since his arrival from Monaco back in 2015, when Louis van Gaal was manager.
But, this season, the France international has come good by finding the net 23 times across all competitions.
United had been hoping to sign Erling Haaland in January but, since the striker turned down a move, Martial has delivered.
