ALEJANDRO GARNACHO suggested this week that he will stay at Manchester United this summer.
But that is unlikely to deter the growing number of clubs who are interested in signing the Argentinian winger this summer.
Alejandro Garnacho is not short of suitors[/caption]
Napoli and Chelsea were leading the chase in January – but the Italian club did not want to rip up their wage structure in mid-season.
They are still monitoring his situation while his former club Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen are also admirers.
United would find it hard to resist a big offer for the 20-year-old as he classes as home grown.
And that would make a sale particularly valuable when it comes to falling into line with the Prem’s profit and sustainability rules.
With Ruben Amorim eyeing moves for Matheus Cunha and Liam Delap this summer, they may need to raise some funds, particularly if they miss out on the Champions League.
Despite Garnacho‘s words, you might not have heard the end of that one yet.
RASH TO JUDGEMENT
MARCUS RASHFORD took to Instagram on New Year’s Day to deny SunSport’s story that he was in talks with top agency Stellar to help get a move out of Manchester United.
He wrote: “Been a lot of false stories written over past few weeks but guys this is getting ridiculous. Never met with any other agency and don’t have any plans to.”
Rashford has always been represented by his two brothers and the implication was he trusted them to manage the first big move of his career.
Imagine our surprise then to see reports from Spain this week that the England ace is looking for help from another agent to secure a dream move to Barcelona.
Can’t be true, surely – or can it?
Marcus Rashford could be set for a change of agent[/caption]
LOST HIS TRAIN OF THOUGHT
NOT all of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting exercises since taking over at Old Trafford have worked.
The club has reduced the number of security guards who manage the flow of cars and people outside Old Trafford on a daily basis as fans visit the ground for a stadium tour and to buy replica shirts at the superstore.
But some cheeky commuters are taking the chance to park up for free and then jump on a nearby Metrolink to Manchester city centre to save on parking costs.
Not all of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting measures have had the desired effect[/caption]
LIND AHOY
VICTOR LINDELOF is coming to the end of his eight year stay at Old Trafford and it is widely accepted he will leave this summer.
But don’t be surprised to see the Swede lining up against the Red Devils next season – as several Prem clubs are showing an interest in the free agent.
One of those is understood to be West Ham who weighed up a move in January.
He has offers from abroad too – with his former club Benfica making a strong push.
Victor Lindelof could be playing against Man Utd next season[/caption]
TIME FOR CHANGE
CONFIRMATION that this Sunday’s home game against West Ham would be moved to Sunday was met with an eye roll from many United fans.
Because it meant the Red Devils will have had just ONE Saturday 3pm kick off in the Prem this season.
And that one came when Brentford visited the Theatre of Dreams way back in mid-October.
United’s run to the latter stages of the Europa League has meant many of their games have been moved back to Sunday.
Indeed the Old Trafford faithful have had to find other things to do with their Saturdays during the current campaign.
Their team have had only six Saturday games in 2024/5 – three at lunchtime and two in the evening along with the one against the Bees in the autumn.
At least they won’t be in the Europa League next season so there might be a few more traditional kick-off times for them.
Old Trafford has seen just one 3pm kick-off this season[/caption]
FINAL COUNTDOWN
UNITED are only likely to get around 14,000 for the Europa League final in Bilbao on May 21 – although thousands more are expected to travel in hope of getting into the San Mames.
However those who decide to stay at home and save thousands of pounds on flights and accommodation are still likely to be catered for.
Plans are in place for a giant fan zone – for around 50,000 Red Devils at the BEC Arena in Stretford, which is just a 10 minute drive from Old Trafford.
Organisers ‘4 the Fans’ have already put tickets for the event on sale with a promise they will give a full refund if Ruben Amorim’s men blow it on Thursday night.
Plans are in place for a fan zone for Man Utd fans who can’t make it to the final[/caption]
QUICK GETAWAY
IT’S been clear for a while that United are prioritising the Europa League over the Prem in the final weeks of the season.
And they proved it by losing at Brentford on Sunday – their 16th league defeat of the season – and then clearing the Gtech Stadium within 45 minutes of the final whistle.
Ruben Amorim clearly felt every minute could be crucial in preparing his team for the second leg against Athletic Bilbao and wanted to get his players back home as quickly as possible.
Man Utd had left the Gtech Stadium just 45 minutes after their defeat at Brentford[/caption]
DEVILS IN THE DETAIL
UNITED have not had much interest in the Champions League this season.
But fans were heartened to see two of their former stars – Inter’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Matteo Darmian – celebrating reaching the final with Wayne Rooney on Tuesday night.
The former England ace was at the San Siro as a pundit and took time to congratulate his two old team-mates following their epic win over Barcelona.
Ex-Man Utd star Henrikh Mkhitaryan helped Inter Milan to the Champions League final[/caption]
CANINE ABLE
DIOGO DALOT has had a woof time of it recently – and is battling to recover from a calf problem before the end of the season.
Sources close to the Portuguese say he has not given up hope of being ready in time for a potential Europa League final on May 21.
But he took to Instagram to thank Phoenix Dogs for looking after his pets, posting: ‘Thank you for treating well my boys’.
The company describes itself as ‘Expert Canine Behaviourists’ – and says they are trusted by Premier League and VIP clients.
Diogo Dalot gave a ringing endorsement to a VIP dog home[/caption]
KING BANISHED
YOUNG defender Jack Kingdon was told this week he was being released by United – but he could still get a Hollywood ending.
The academy graduate is being pursued by several Championship clubs.
And at the front of the queue are newly-promoted Wrexham – owned by Tinseltown pair Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Jack Kingdon is being released by Man Utd and could end up at Wrexham[/caption]