Manchester United are set to continue their preparations for Thursday’s game against Tottenham today but appear to have suffered another injury-related setback.
United will return to north London just four days after winning from the penalty spot at Wembley to face struggling Spurs, who axed caretaker manager Cristian Stellini on Monday after losing 6-1 to Newcastle.
A win for Erik ten Hag’s side will see them move nine points clear of fifth-placed Spurs and earn promotion in the hunt for a Champions League spot.
However, it is increasingly likely that they will be without Bruno Fernandes after picking up an ankle injury against Brighton.
Ana Pinho, Fernandes’ wife, posted a photo to her Instagram Story on Monday night showing Fernandes sitting on a couch with his right leg propped up on a pile of cushions. His foot was wrapped in a brace while he wore a larger moon boot and some crutches at his side, which doesn’t bode well for his playing chances on Thursday.
United will resume their Premier League season on Thursday night with an away match against Tottenham Hotspur.
United dropped to fourth in the table on Sunday without playing in the league, thanks to Newcastle United’s 6-1 defeat of Spurs. The battle to secure a top four finish will be to the death.
“Spurs are a sinking ship and it’s United transfer target Harry Kane you need to feel sorry for. He is the club’s all-time top scorer and hasn’t won any medals for it. A player of his talent deserves better. If he doesn’t escape Levy’s clutches this summer when another rebuild is on the cards, he never will. His contract expires in June 2024 and if he has any ambition to earn silverware, he will have to jump ship this summer. “
United could ‘fight’ three clubs for Kim Min-jae.
United are interested in signing a new centre-back this summer and could consider signing Kim Min-jae. The Sun report he is interested in the Napoli star but will face stiff competition if he is to secure his signature at the end of the season.
The report adds that Man City, Liverpool and Tottenham all want to sign the South Korean.
Alexis Mac Allister would like to stay in the Premier League when he leaves Brighton this summer.
90 Mins say Liverpool are leading the hunt for the 24-year-old’s signature, while United, Tottenham, Chelsea and Newcastle have also been linked with moves.
United goalkeeper Jack Butland is reportedly set to move to Rangers. Claim talks with the Scottish Sun are underway for him to become the Scottish club’s first signing this summer when his contract with Crystal Palace expires at the end of the season.
Butland, who was on the bench for United as they reached the FA Cup final at the weekend, joined the club on loan from Palace at the start of the season.
The FA Cup final is set to start earlier, with the Football Association and Met Police due to hold talks this week.
Athletic report kick-off talks are expected to begin this week as the game is seen as a high-risk game as well as a logistical headache.
The flagship game only started at 5:30 p.m. between 2015 and 2017, like in 2020 when the game was played behind closed doors. The 2021 edition kicked off at 5.15pm, but the FA would like the final to start by 4.45pm to help supporters travel.
Foot Mercato say United joined the race to sign Neymar this summer and have been keeping tabs on the Paris Saint-Germain star.
Neymar is arguably one of the best players in world football, but he doesn’t seem like a logical choice for a United side that is prioritizing an elite striker and creative midfielder this summer.
United are reportedly planning to offer Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane huge salaries to join their squad next season.
The Sun say United forward Rashford will be offered a £300,000-a-week contract to stay at the club, while Kane will receive the same salary if he decides to move from Tottenham Hotspur. The report suggests that these deals will be partly funded by David de Gea agreeing to a new contract at a much lower salary than he is currently earning.
Ten Hag may have inadvertently sent a statement to Glazers
“Ten Hag has exceeded expectations in his first year in charge, but there has been a worrying lack of goals outside Rashford this season and that will inevitably limit his progress, so signing a striker is non negotiable.
“Despite some solid Europa League wins, United have been unable to put teams to the sword in the Premier League and that shows exactly why bringing in a striker has become a priority.
“The Reds have won 18 league games this season and 10 of those wins have been decided by a single goal. A further five of those wins have been decided by two goals and the remaining three wins have been decided by three goals.”
Tottenham Hotspur have announced they have sacked interim head coach Cristian Stellini ahead of Thursday night’s Premier League clash with Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has taken the decision to relieve the Italian of his duties following Sunday’s embarrassing 6-1 defeat to Newcastle United at St James’ Park. Spurs were 5-0 down on Tyneside after just 21 minutes, leading many of their supporters to leave the stadium well before half-time.
Stellini was named the club’s interim head coach on an end-of-season deal last month following the departure of Antonio Conte. Stellini had previously been Conte’s assistant and worked with him for over a decade.
United manager Erik ten Hag gives Raphael Varane injury update
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is optimistic that defender Raphael Varane will play in the FA Cup Final against Manchester City on 3 June. The Frenchman has missed each of United’s last three games after being substituted at half-time through injury in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla at Old Trafford on April 13. The club announced the following evening that he would be out for “a few weeks”.
United, of course, also lost Lisandro Martinez to the Spanish side to a season-ending injury, meaning Ten Hag has few options as a centre-back at the moment. Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw started side by side at the heart of defense against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday as the Reds reached their first FA Cup final since 2018 with a 7-6 triumph on penalties.
Bruno Fernandes wears a protective boot on his right ankle following an injury on Sunday. Manchester United overtook Brighton in a sudden shootout at Wembley Stadium to stage the first-ever Manchester Derby FA Cup final against neighbors Manchester City. But that came at a price as they suffered another injury.
Fernandes returned to the starting XI after missing the disastrous 3-0 Europa League loss to Sevilla by suspension, but it looked like his day would end early as he landed awkwardly in the first half and twisted his ankle. The Portuguese playmaker, despite the pain, played the full 90 minutes but was eventually replaced in extra time by Erik ten Hag.
