Manchester United

John O'Shea has said Paul Pogba's imminent return to the Manchester United first-team squad could have a major impact on their Premier League ambitions.

The former United defender spoke on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast on TalkSport about how Pogba should be an important contributor for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the final weeks of the season during the race for UEFA Champions League qualification:

"There are definitely good signs. Obviously [Bruno] Fernandes has had that desired impact and [Odion] Ighalo seems to have found his feet.

"There are good signs but there's still a lot to do, a lot to improve on. You bring Pogba back into that mix and there are good signs ahead.

"He's had a couple of operations and he's back on the training pitch now, and he could hopefully play a big part in United closing the gap on Chelsea to get to the top four, and that would be a huge impact.

"I remember Paul in the youth team and coming into the first team, and he's a decent fella.

"Behind the scenes, he works brilliantly in the gym, he's a good character, he drives other players on."

Fernandes and Ighalo starred as United defeated Derby County 3-0 on Thursday in the FA Cup. Solskjaer's men now face Manchester City on Sunday in the Premier League.

The Old Trafford giants have closed the gap to three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, and United's two January captures have quickly made a difference.

ESPN's Julien Laurens reported Pogba is keen to link up with Fernandes in United's midfield once he's fit. They could be a dream central pairing for United, but with just 10 league games remaining, the duo will need to hit the ground running.

Fernandes has provided leadership and creativity in Solskjaer's starting XI. Pogba could be the team's anchoring point during the Premier League's conclusion.

United's involvement in the latter rounds of the UEFA Europa League and FA Cup will provide the club with trophy opportunities at the end of a difficult campaign.

According to Chris Hanlon of The Sun, United expect Pogba to depart the team in the summer, and Solskjaer is reportedly planning for life without the midfielder next term. Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are interested in signing Pogba, with United monitoring Aston Villa's Jack Grealish as a potential replacement.

Pogba remains one of the best midfielders in the world, and major clubs will desire his services if he comes on to the transfer market.

However, the 26-year-old's desire to win trophies should see him return from injury with renewed motivation, and if he can recapture his fitness quickly, Pogba could be United's most important player in the final matches.  

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is confident captain Harry Maguire will be fit for Sunday's home clash against Manchester City after sitting out Thursday's FA Cup fifth-round victory over Derby County.

The Norwegian explained that he had not intended to rest the centre-back for the 3-0 win at Pride Park, but Maguire injured his ankle, per the team's official site: "He rolled over on his ankle. I wasn't going to rest him today, but it's one of those things that happens in training, and we had a few out today, but I think he'll be all right. He'll be fine."

In Maguire's absence, Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof started in the middle of United's defence as the Red Devils kept their seventh clean sheet in their past nine games.

Luke Shaw opened the scoring against the Rams before January loan signing Odion Ighalo netted a double to seal United's spot in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, where they will face Norwich City.

United go into Sunday's derby in fine form. They are unbeaten in their past nine matches in all competitions since losing back-to-back fixtures against Liverpool and Burnley in January:

Manchester United have the current best unbeaten run of any Premier League side 👀 pic.twitter.com/0OymSWxHbq

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 5, 2020

City, meanwhile, are fresh from winning the EFL Cup final against Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. Pep Guardiola's side have little left to play for in the Premier League this term, as they are all but guaranteed already to finish second.

United need to scrap for every point they can get because the race to finish in the UEFA Champions League spots is tight:

#MondayMotivation? pic.twitter.com/TyFmLUVSQo

— Premier League (@premierleague) March 2, 2020

Finishing fifth could be enough this season to qualify for Europe's elite club tournament next season because of City's two-year ban from UEFA competitions.

But if United lose to City, they could find themselves as low as eighth in the table by the end of the weekend.

If Maguire is fit, Solskjaer's side will have a better chance of beating City for the third time this season because the England international is United's best defender.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said after Manchester United's FA Cup fifth round victory over Derby County on Thursday that his Red Devils side will fight to win all the silverware they can this season.

United will face Norwich City at Carrow Road in the FA Cup quarter-finals later in March after their UEFA Europa League last-16 tie against Austrian outfit LASK, and Solskjaer believes they are well equipped to go all the way in both competitions because of their improved fitness levels.

They are also still fighting to finish in the Premier League's top four:

#MondayMotivation? pic.twitter.com/TyFmLUVSQo

— Premier League (@premierleague) March 2, 2020

After beating Derby 3-0 at Pride Park, Solskjaer said his side will not prioritise one competition over the others between now and the end of the season:

"Today was the highest priority because we're not going to pick and choose games or competitions. We have to go for everything; that's what it is to be at Manchester United. It's another away draw, we're used to that now. Is it a seventh in a row? We'll have to do it the hard way if want to go all the way. We've got a chance now."

Luke Shaw opened the scoring against the Rams before January loan signing Odion Ighalo netted twice. Meanwhile, United's record goalscorer, Wayne Rooney, who is now a player-coach at Derby, was twice denied by goalkeeper Sergio Romero:

Sergio Romero this season:

• 13 appearances
• 10 clean sheets

Obviously hadn’t read the part of the script where Wayne Rooney scores. 🧤 pic.twitter.com/RRSHDgcFXV

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 5, 2020

Wayne Rooney vs. Manchester United

Memories 🔴 pic.twitter.com/KUuafKJAkI

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 5, 2020

The victory extended United's unbeaten run to nine games ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash against Manchester City at Old Trafford.

It is the Red Devils' best run since they went 11 games without losing in Solskjaer's first 11 in charge after he succeeded Jose Mourinho at the end of 2018.

United's form subsequently collapsed spectacularly at the end of 2018-19. They won just two of their last 12 games of the campaign in all competitions, crashing out of the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League and failing to finish in the Premier League's top four.

Solskjaer made assurances that his side are better equipped this season to maintain their good form to the end of the term, per Rob Dawson of ESPN FC:

"They're fitter with a better mentality [than last season]. They've had a winter break, we've added a few signings and we're getting players back. The whole squad is ready to go. I've got a big squad. [Last season] we had I don't know how many hamstring injuries because we weren't ready to do what we asked them to do."

Pep Guardiola's side pose a big threat to United's unbeaten run, but the Red Devils have already triumphed over their neighbours twice this term, once in the Premier League and once in the EFL Cup.

The Sky Blues have little to play for given they are 22 points behind leaders Liverpool in the league table but are in no danger of dropping out of the top four. They are also facing a two-year ban from European football.

They will, though, relish the prospect of disrupting United's bid to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo is eagerly anticipating facing Wayne Rooney in the FA Cup on Thursday.

The Red Devils play Derby County at Pride Park for a place in the quarter-final of the competition, and ahead of the game, Ighalo was full of praise for United's all-time record goalscorer:

"Wayne Rooney is always an idol, like many players at United.

"He's a good guy. He is a fighter on the pitch, he fights until the end, from the start until the finish. He's somebody I've seen that never gives up in the game, and he's a good goalscorer.

"A little chance, a little space, he's going to score. He can shoot from outside, he can score in the box, he can score from anywhere.

"He's a great player. Good techniques, he has a good shot, good runs."

The Nigeria international added that the forward's presence and experience in the side will give the Rams "confidence."

Rooney, who joined Derby as a player-coach earlier this season, spent the bulk of his career at Old Trafford, where he racked up 253 goals in 559 games.

His efforts helped the club to win five Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, three League/EFL Cups and the FA Cup, among other honours.

Ighalo isn't the only one at United looking forward to facing him on Thursday. Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played alongside Rooney at United before his retirement from playing 2007:

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking forward to taking on Wayne Rooney in the #FACup tomorrow night

More: https://t.co/adMIGK1Agcpic.twitter.com/KKrJ0OGdh5

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 4, 2020

The 34-year-old recently celebrated a significant milestone in English football with a goal, and he did so in style:

5⃣0⃣0⃣ games in English football...
1⃣ Panenka penalty!

Wayne Rooney marked a landmark appearance with an ice-cold finish but couldn't seal all 3 points for Derby in Friday night's clash with Fulham: https://t.co/y7JAL13T5C pic.twitter.com/SOyhAU5YcY

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 22, 2020

In 14 matches for the Rams, Rooney has found the net four times.

The former England captain has been a forward for much of his career, but he has increasingly been used as an attacking midfielder in his later years. He's often been deployed in the centre of midfield by Derby boss Phillip Cocu.

As The Athletic's Ryan Conway observed, Rooney has done well in the deeper role:

Just on a tactical note Bird has been pushed further forward and Rooney is now deep. Cocu has to find somebody else to go as a no10 because Rooney must be a deeper playmaker. Can control so much from there.

— Ryan Conway (@RJConway92) February 25, 2020

That position may be less conducive to getting on the scoresheet, but he'll be a threat to United on Thursday.

Rooney has scored 23 goals in 48 appearances in the FA Cup, and he's also provided seven assists.

The winner of Thursday's fifth-round match will be away at Norwich City in the quarter-finals on the weekend of March 21.  

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Wayne Rooney will return to Old Trafford as the club's head coach in the future. 

Rooney will play against the Red Devils on Thursday, when his side Derby County welcome United to Pride Park in the FA Cup fifth round. The winners of the tie will visit Norwich City in the quarter-finals.

Much of the focus is on Rooney ahead of the game, and Solskjaer said he expects the forward to have a successful coaching career that will ultimately bring him back to Old Trafford.

"Yeah [laughter]," Solskjaer responded when asked whether the 34-year-old could become the manager at United one day. "It depends how much you put into the job and how much you want it because it takes over your life.

"It's the second best [job] after playing. I am sure there are many ex-players and managers who would like to have my job."

Solskjaer also outlined what he expects to see from Rooney as a player in Thursday's encounter:

"He wants to prove there's still fight in an old dog!"

Will Rooney score against Manchester United tonight? 👀#bbcfacup #mufc #dcfc pic.twitter.com/LYqZ4X8VGZ

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 5, 2020

Although the forward will be on the opposition team on Thursday, he will receive a positive reception from the travelling United fans.

During his 13-year stay at United, the striker became the club's all-time record goalscorer with 253 goals. Rooney also won the UEFA Champions League, five Premier League titles, the FA Cup and three League Cups, among other honours.

Since leaving United in 2017, Rooney has had spells with Everton and Major League Soccer outfit D.C. United, and he joined Derby in January. It's clear Rooney is considering prolonging his career in football when he hangs up his boots, as his role with the Rams includes some coaching.

For now, Rooney will still be confident that he can make an impact on the pitch. The former England captain's arrival prompted an upturn in form for Derby:

🐏 Derby County 2019/20

Before the New Year:

✅ Wins 8⃣
🤝 Draws 9⃣
❌ Losses 🔟

In the New Year:

✅ Wins 6⃣
🤝 Draws 2⃣
❌ Losses 1⃣ pic.twitter.com/DDHVpotgct

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) February 10, 2020

In recent weeks, the team have slipped back into an inconsistent groove, with just one win in their past five. Rooney has chipped in with four goals in his 12 appearances, including this excellent free-kick against Stoke City:

VINTAGE WAYNE ROONEY

England's all-time top scorer stands over the free-kick and bends a sublime effort into the top right corner, well beyond the reach of Butland. Absolutely magnificent.

📺 Watch #DCFC vs #SCFC live on SS Football or follow live blog https://t.co/dOFFiTXVs8 pic.twitter.com/rRRK20iJYx

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 31, 2020

In the latter years of his career, Rooney has dropped into a deeper position, and it's anticipated he will line up in the same area against United. From there, Derby fans will hope his technical ability and in-game intelligence can help them over the line against the Red Devils.

Solskjaer will hope to be in the job for a while yet despite tipping Rooney to become boss in the future. While he remains under pressure, with United in fifth spot in the Premier League, winning some silverware would be a major help in solidifying his position.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said the club will consider signing Odion Ighalo on a permanent basis at the end of the campaign.

The forward arrived at Old Trafford in the January transfer window in a shock loan move, adding some important depth to the attacking positions following an injury to Marcus Rashford. The 30-year-old has made five appearances for the Red Devils, scoring one goal.

The Nigeria international is expected to be in the starting XI when United visit Derby County in the FA Cup fifth round on Thursday. Speaking about Ighalo ahead of the game, Solskjaer said he's been impressed by the on-loan Shanghai Greenland Shenhua striker:

"It doesn't hurt [living the dream], but he's here on merit; he's here because he is a goalscorer and a different type of striker for us. We might get to the summer and think we want to extend this, who knows?

"He's come in as a breath of fresh air as well. He had chances in his five minutes against Chelsea, he scored against Bruges, he had chances against Watford, he had a very good save [from a shot] against Everton—there have been good saves, he doesn't miss the target very often."

Solskjaer added that it's important for the likes of Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood "to learn that it is where the sharks are swimming," referencing Ighalo's goalscoring instincts.

The one goal Ighalo scored came in the UEFA Europa League, helping United to earn a comfortable victory over Club Brugge:

Ighalo has his goal 🙌

First United start, first United goal ✅

That ball from Fernandes 🤤 pic.twitter.com/ElJVo3A6lU

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 27, 2020

He tweeted that he's loving his time with the Manchester outfit:

This is what “living your dream” looks like 😊 God is the Greatest 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/WzJZqTjHvK

— Odion Jude Ighalo (@ighalojude) February 29, 2020

On Sunday, the striker had a brilliant chance to snatch a last-gasp win for the Red Devils in the 1-1 draw with Everton. Ighalo could only aim his close-range effort straight at Toffees goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, though.

Football writer Liam Canning suggested some of the criticism Ighalo received for that miss was unfair:

People need to get off Ighalo’s back. Has had limited game time and a period of isolated training for the first two weeks. The save was fantastic from Pickford.

— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) March 1, 2020

Given Ighalo left Premier League club Watford in 2017 to move to the Chinese Super League, the decision to sign him caught plenty by surprise.

However, Rashford's injury left the team desperately short of options in a position where United were already light on numbers. Both Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez moved from Old Trafford to Inter Milan last summer, with Solskjaer opting against signing a proven replacement for either.

Ighalo has impressed his manager, and with United involved in three competitions, he will have a big role to play in the coming months. Nevertheless, if they are to push on next season and become a serious challenger for major honours, they will surely need to look at higher-quality options to lead the line.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said Bruno Fernandes has given the side a lift since his arrival in January. 

United spent an initial €55 million (£47 million) to recruit him from Sporting CP.

Solskjaer said: "I'm not surprised [at his impact] because I saw what he can do on the pitch and his leadership qualities. ... He relishes it, loves being around the place, gives everyone a boost and has an aura."

Red Devils legend Ryan Giggs shares a similar view of the playmaker. He told Sky Sports News: "He's a fantastic player. He's lifted the place. He has lifted everyone around him, and it's still early days. I still think he can get even better."

The 25-year-old moved to Old Trafford after contributing 63 goals and 52 assists in 137 matches for Sporting. He has already shown what he can do at United, with two goals and three assists in his first five starts.

Fernandes netted the equaliser in their 1-1 draw at Everton on Sunday:

"Gareth Southgate is watching, you're not impressing him."

Jordan Pickford cannot keep out a long-range strike from Bruno Fernandes...

📺 Watch on Sky Sports Premier League
📱 Follow #EVEMUN here: https://t.co/esRnU3iluU
📲 Download the @SkySports app! pic.twitter.com/PheeflewFk

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 1, 2020

The midfielder has already become central to the way United play through his all-action showings, and the match with the Toffees was no different:

Bruno Fernandes’ game by numbers vs. Everton:

100% dribbles completed
72% pass accuracy
18 final third passes completed (most)
7 ball recoveries
5 tackles won (most)
6 shots (most)
1 goal

Everything goes through him. 🙌🎩 pic.twitter.com/PKbJqBaWqz

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 1, 2020

Dominic King of the Daily Mail is reminded of players from United's heyday when he watches Fernandes play:

Bruno Fernandes fits the description “Manchester United player” perfectly. When he has the ball, when he is out of possession, he looks and plays like a class act. There are not many others in this squad who deserve such a reference.

— Dominic King (@DominicKing_DM) March 1, 2020

The Red Devils won 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two UEFA Champions Leagues, among many other honours, under Sir Alex Ferguson, becoming the dominant force in English football for the majority of his 26-year reign.

Success has been harder to come by since he retired in 2013, though, in part due to issues with recruitment and high-profile signings such as Angel Di Maria and Alexis Sanchez failing to impress.

Even Paul Pogba—arguably United's best player—has struggled to showcase his talent on a consistent basis since he returned to Old Trafford from Juventus in 2016.

It's early in Fernandes' Red Devils career, but he's hit the ground running and looks to be a cut above most of his team-mates. If United can field Pogba alongside him—the Frenchman has been out since December with an ankle injury—their prospects will improve enormously.

In the meantime, the team will continue to rely on the Portugal international's incisive contributions to push them toward Champions League qualification.

United are fifth in the Premier League, which might earn them a place in the Champions League because of second-place Manchester City's two-year European ban. They are only three points off Chelsea in fourth, too, so they could yet make that gap up.

Winning the UEFA Europa League will also grant passage to Europe's elite club competition, and Solskjaer's men will face Austrian side LASK in the round of 16.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said matching Manchester United's 1998-99 achievement of winning the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League in the same season is "more or less impossible" in the modern game. 

Liverpool's 2-0 loss to Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round on Tuesday ended the Reds' treble chances for the 2019-20 campaign:

No room in the club.

Liverpool's dream of a treble is over. pic.twitter.com/RterLuSRY6

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 3, 2020

Jurgen Klopp's side are all but guaranteed to win the Premier League because they have a 22-point lead at the top of the table, and they are still in the Champions League, but they can no longer emulate Sir Alex Ferguson's treble-winning side.

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City also fell short of the mark last term. They won a domestic treble—the Premier League, FA Cup and EFL Cup—but were ousted from the Champions League at the quarter-final stage.

Solskjaer was a key part of United's treble-winning side in 1999, famously netting a late winner in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

Now in charge at Old Trafford, the Norwegian said after Liverpool's loss to Chelsea that he does not believe it is possible for the achievement to be equalled:

"We hope we are going do it again, but it's a difficult task. It's more or less impossible—there are so many good teams around. It has changed domestically. It was either us or Arsenal in '99 and now there's more of us."

United are a long way from being able to compete for the Premier League title again, let alone win another treble, but they are still in the running to win the FA Cup this term.

They play their fifth-round tie against Derby County on Thursday at Pride Park, where they will come up against former captain Wayne Rooney, who joined the Rams from DC United in January.

Rooney is United's all-time record goalscorer, and Solskjaer joked "any goal he scores against us will be chalked off his goals tally."

The stats behind Wayne Rooney​'s record breaking 250 goals for Manchester United​ #Rooney250 https://t.co/EM06QJCvPa

— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 21, 2017

If the Red Devils can get past Derby and reach the quarter-finals, they will be counted among the favourites to go all the way after Liverpool's exit. But the final stages of the FA Cup look set to be highly competitive this term.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Sheffield United and Newcastle United have already reached the last eight, and Manchester City, Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur could have joined them by the time United face Derby. 

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given an update on Paul Pogba's fitness as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

Pogba last featured for the Red Devils on Boxing Day and has made just eight appearances in all competitions this season.

Solskjaer said: "Paul's still working with the physios outside, and he won't be training with the first team until next week, and then let's see how long that will take. He will need some time to get his football fitness back."

The Norwegian was speaking to the press ahead of United's trip to face Derby County in the FA Cup fifth round on Thursday.

Per the Press Association's Simon Peach, the manager said Daniel James isn't likely to feature:

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told MUTV that Aaron Wan-Bissaka & Daniel James are likely to miss #MUFC's trip to Derby due to "little niggles"

— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) March 4, 2020

The winger missed United's 1-1 draw at Everton on Sunday. Aaron Wan-Bissaka played in that game, but Solskjaer said he "struggled" with a back problem.

The coach was also asked whether No. 2 goalkeeper Sergio Romero might start against Derby following David De Gea's calamitous error to let Dominic Calvert-Lewin score on Sunday.

De Gea gifted the Everton striker a goal, but he also made two important saves at Goodison Park:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF31yBrD1Mg

Solskjaer said: "It's not a given, of course, but Sergio has done well in the games he's played definitely, but I have no qualms about playing David in every game, to be fair. What he's done and his performances have been great, the saves."

The manager added that "he's making amends" with the saves he made following the mistake.

The FA Cup clash will see the Red Devils pitted against their record goalscorer, Wayne Rooney, and Solskjaer paid tribute to his former team-mate:

Solskjaer on Rooney: “Wazza gave absolutely everything for this club + we appreciate that. He was my Noah’s favourite player.”
But: “He wants to prove there’s still fight in the old dog. We can’t give him space. Any goal he scores against us will be chalked off his tally for us.”

— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) March 4, 2020

United are unbeaten in their past eight matches in all competitions, although they have been held to three draws in that time.

Derby ran out 3-1 winners over Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, but they had not won any of their previous four games before that.

If Manchester United's plan comes together, the lineup for their first match of the next Premier League season could look pretty special.

In midfield, Bruno Fernandes and Jack Grealish. In attack, Anthony Martial centrally, flanked by Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho. Suddenly, the side would look something like the force that once struck fear into every major club in Europe.

Rumours over the arrivals of Sancho and Grealish are rife—almost daily, there are new reports of how United are pursuing the pair. Sources have told Bleacher Report that their intent over the two players should be taken seriously: United mean business.

For all the mockery that has surrounded Old Trafford in recent seasons, senior figures are becoming genuinely optimistic about the future. There are signs of the team showing new life; recruitment has improved, and results are improving.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcjNkY3SJIY

Since an embarrassing 2-0 home defeat to Burnley in January, which left many wondering whether Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's time as manager was coming to an end, United have gone unbeaten.

In eight matches, they have kept six clean sheets, restored pride by beating Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, progressed in the FA Cup and are competing to qualifying for a UEFA Champions League position next season. 

The signings of Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Fernandes have made a clear difference to their identity, and word from those who work closely with the club is that more activity is on the way this summer.

Sancho and Grealish are on the radar—and both could end up at Old Trafford.

In a recent article on Sancho, we described how United are increasingly optimistic he could be the signing who turns around their fortunes.

Chelsea, Liverpool and even former club Manchester City are in the frame when it comes to discussing his next destination, but there are some interesting options United have at their disposal as they attempt to land him.

The basics of any financial details would see United make him the most expensive Premier League signing in history and pay him more in wages than any other club could offer, with Mike McGrath of the Telegraph reporting Sancho would land in advance of £200,000 per week.

The club might not have as much silverware in recent times, but they are leaning on three words they believe can help make a signing of this stature: History. Heritage. Pedigree. 

One source simply told B/R: "Everyone wants to play for us."

That's not quite true given Erling Haaland recently opted to join Borussia Dortmund instead, but in general it does tend to be the case. B/R understands Bruno Fernandes even told Sporting CP bosses he would not join any other club.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj2oUsZ8vf4

Qualifying for the Champions League is important in landing Sancho—City's European ban for falling foul of UEFA's financial fair play rules might help on that front, as fifth place could be good enough for a spot in the competition.

United then have the extra incentive of being able to offer Sancho the famous No. 7 shirt—worn by greats such as Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Eric Cantona and George Best.

It was most recently worn by Alexis Sanchez, but that is expected to change next season, with United trying to find a buyer for the Chile international.

In terms of Sancho himself, B/R has been told by multiple sources that he loves the idea of joining. Yes, Champions League football is a factor—but if they make it, Old Trafford will become his top landing spot. 

Aston Villa's Grealish has leapfrogged Leicester City's James Maddison as a midfield option for the summer transfer market, and the feeling is that the player will opt to move to a new club.

He's had a fantastic campaign, with seven goals and six assists in the Premier League despite Villa's precarious position. United even made initial inquiries about signing him in January. City are interested in Grealish, too, particularly as they look to boost their homegrown quota, but United are believed to be in the driving seat at this stage.

The trigger fee to make this deal happen is £60 million, and insiders indicate the player would be looking for a personal package of around £150,000 per week if he moves. 

He fits United's remit of bringing in hungry, young, British talent. As poster boys, he and Sancho would also fit the club's global marketing team.

There is a real chance Paul Pogba leaves in the summer—United have even been contemplating a drop in his valuation to finally cut ties—and with Sanchez also set to depart, space will open for Sancho and Grealish as replacements.

In terms of the overall financial situation, United feel safe. The Maguire and Wan-Bissaka deals were complicated as the club had to pay the fees up front rather than across a period of time, which they would have preferred, yet B/R has been assured it will not affect their ambitious plans to continue rebuilding the squad.

There is a good chance that Grealish and Sancho will both line up for England at UEFA Euro 2020 this summer. That could be a good introduction for two men who, by then, may both be preparing for the next step in their careers at Manchester United.

         

Listen to Dean every Wednesday on the B/R Football Ranks podcast. New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe here.

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