Live Blog
- 20 Jul 2020, 13:31
- Updated: 20 Jul 2020, 13:34
MAN UTD are out of the FA Cup after a calamitous performance from David De Gea in a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea.
Meanwhile Mason Greenwood will put pen to paper on a £40k-a-week new contract and Jadon Sancho’s switch to Old Trafford is edging closer.
Get all the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford here…
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9 minutes ago
PATH TO EUROPE
Manchester United will qualify for a Champions League place if they draw their remaining two games.
But if they win their first one and lose the last, despite that resulting in MORE points, they could miss out.
That’s because United face Leicester in their final game of the season – the other team aiming to bag fourth spot.
United face West Ham next, hoping to bounce back from their miserable 3-1 defeat to Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final.
Solskjaer’s side are level points and on goal difference with the Foxes heading in to the final stretch.
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43 minutes ago
CLEAN BAILL OF HEALTH
Eric Bailly is returning to Manchester today after being given the all-clear following his head injury scare at Wembley.
The Manchester United star, 26, first clashed heads with Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma with 39 minutes on the clock as they challenged for the ball in the FA Cup semi-final.
After recovering relatively unscathed, Bailly then worried medical staff with ANOTHER hit just four minutes later.
The defender smacked into his own team-mate, Harry Maguire, as both players went up for the same ball.
Captain Maguire was left with blood on his face and was eventually bandaged up but it was the Ivorian who came off much worse.
Bailly had concussion and also felt pain in his neck and was sent for a scan and moved from a private hospital to St Mary’s in nearby Paddington for thorough checks.
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Today, 11:44
TURNING THE AIR BLUE
Bruno Fernandes was criticised by Chelsea fans for more diving theatrics in Manchester United’s FA Cup defeat on Sunday.
The Portuguese midfielder netted a late consolation from the penalty spot as the Red Devils fell to a 3-1 loss to the Blues.
On the half hour mark, the former Sporting Lisbon skipper went down under Mateo Kovacic’s challenge.
Yet replays showed there very minimal contact – if any – and Chelsea fans furiously labelled Fernandes a diver.
One tweeted: “Bruno Fernandes is a dive merchant.”
Another said: “Bruno Fernandes will jump on the floor if a Chelsea player breathes on him.”
A third added: “I hate this guy already he’s a good player but this is definitely gonna affect his career.”
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Today, 11:08
BRUNO’S STILL DELIVERING
Since his debut for Man Utd in February, Bruno Fernandes has been directly involved in more goals in all competitions than any other Premier League player in this period (9 goals, 8 assists).
Incredible run of form by the Portuguese. What a signing.
We were not the best before and we are not the worst now!
We are really sad about the result and losing the chance to win the FA CUP, something we had hoped for!
Now it is time to gather forces and fight for our goal in the Premier League 🙏🏻 @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/In3lNfTo0J— Bruno Fernandes (@B_Fernandes8) July 20, 2020
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Today, 11:01
JI-VENTUS
Juventus have joined Manchester United in the race to sign Raul Jimenez from Wolves, according to reports.
Tuttosport claim the Italian side are set to make a move for striker Jimenez and are likely to offload Douglas Costa to fund a deal.
But if a move for United target Jimenez does not materialise the Old Lady have lined up a swoop for Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette as Plan B.
Jimenez has impressed since making his stay at Molineux permanent in July.
Wolves smashed their transfer record to land the player from Benfica for £32million and he has repaid their faith by bagging 26 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions this season.
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Today, 10:38
IT’S GREAT TO BVB HERE
Borussia Dortmund have unveiled English midfielder Jude Bellingham as their latest signing.
The 17-year-old – a big target for Manchester United – is seen as one of English football’s brightest prospects.
Birmingham will get upwards of £30million for Bellingham, who has signed a ‘long-term’ contract at the Westfalenstadion, thought to be five years.
He said: :I can’t thank Birmingham City enough for what the club did for me – not just this season, but since I came to the club when I was seven.
“Now I’m really excited to join one of the biggest clubs in Europe. BVB’s path, but especially how they help young players to improve, made the decision very easy for me personally and for my whole family.
“I can’t wait to play in one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world.”
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Today, 10:29
AVERAGE POSITIONS
Here are how the two formations during United’s 3-1 defeat to Chelsea in yesterday’s FA Cup semi-final.
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Today, 09:39
MOUR ON DE GEA
Mourinho added: “Paris Saint-Germain is closed too as they signed Keylor Navas who is a very good goalkeeper.
“I don’t see the pressure. Who is going to pay David these numbers?
“He gets a phenomenal contract in a moment where he’s a bit lucky to get it.”
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Today, 09:39
HE’S LUCKY
Jose Mourinho has slammed Manchester United for giving David De Gea a new £375,000-a-week deal while he had no other offers.
The Special One told Sky Sports: “I don’t think United needs to pay as much as that to have him.
“One or two years ago he had the world after him, in this moment, the majority of the big doors were closed.
“The Real Madrid door is closed, they don’t need a goalkeeper after [Thibaut] Courtois.
“Barcelona is closed with young and fantastic [Marc-Andre] ter Stegen.”
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Today, 09:15
OH HELS YES
While one United keeper was shooting his team in the foot yesterday, another was flying high.
Anders Lindegaard scored a fantastic last-minute equaliser for Helsinborg in their match at Falkenbergs.
The 36-year-old, who has also played for Preston, Burnley and West Brom, had already conceded two goals with his side 2-0 down on the hour mark.
But after scoring an 81st minute goal, the visitors pushed for an equaliser.
Little did they think their stopper would be the one with the all-important header off former Norwich and Blackburn man Martin Olsson’s corner.
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Today, 08:26
GET PUSHY
Jadon Sancho will have to push for a move to Manchester United in order to get the move over the line, according to reports.
United and Borussia Dortmund are locked in a standoff over the proposed transfer fee, with the German giants demanding £115million.
Now the Mirror claim Sancho may have to force the issue if he is to secure his move back to England.
But with coronavirus hitting clubs hard financially, Man Utd are thought to be one of the few clubs able to afford the monster fee.
United had been hoping to land a cut-price £50m deal for Sancho – but Dortmund recently demanded at least £100m for the man they signed for just £7m in 2017 from Man City.
The Bundesliga giants are also claimed to have told United to hurry up and make their move in just three weeks or miss out on Sancho altogether.
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Today, 08:23
KEEP MY COUNSEL
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has played down accusations that David De Gea was mentally shot ahead of his catastrophic performance against Chelsea.
The United boss said: “You always question your decisions.
“I can’t speak for his confidence but he is mentally very strong.
“He knows he should save that one 100 times out of 100 but that’s football for you.
“I made the decision to play him and mentally he was ready for it.”
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Today, 08:15
MAKE AMENDS
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told David De Gea to pick himself up from his Wembley horror show in the FA Cup semi-final.
Ole said: “Obviously, everyone has to perform.
“Everyone has a chance every time we perform to stake a claim in the team.
“David knows he should have saved the second goal, that’s done now and we have to look forward to Wednesday.
“It’s hard for a keeper to make amends, apart from David making two or three fantastic saves after.”
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Gary Stonehouse
GOOD MORNING UNITED FANS
The Red Devils will be keen to put Sunday’s disastrous 3-1 defeat to Chelsea behind them.
But furious fans have claimed David De Gea is “finished” after he made two howlers during the semi-final.
Deep in first-half stoppage time – following a long break because of Eric Bailly’s head injury – De Gea was caught unawares by Olivier Giroud.
The French striker turned in a Cesar Azpilicueta cross to the near post that wiggled right through the goalkeeper.
Then, just a minute after the second half started, De Gea produced an even worse howler when he failed to stop Mason Mount’s shot.
After the match, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claimed the Spaniard should save the shot “100 times out of 100”.
He said: “He knows he should save that one 100 times out of 100 but that’s football for you.
“I made the decision to play him and mentally he was ready for it.”
In other news, Eric Bailly was carried away in neck brace on a stretcher after he suffered two blows to the head against Chelsea.
The Manchester United star, 26, bumped heads with Kurt Zouma with 39 minutes on the clock after they challenged for the ball.
After recovering relatively unscathed, Bailly worried the medical staff with ANOTHER hit just four minutes later at Wembley.
With 43 minutes gone, Bailly smacked into his own team-mate, Harry Maguire, as both players challenged for the same ball.
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Joe Miles
DAVE DON’T SAVE
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has fired a warning shot at David De Gea after the goalie’s blunders cos Manchester United a place in the FA Cup final.
De Gea was at fault for two of Chelsea’s goals as United crumbled in a 3-1 semi-final defeat at Wembley on Sunday evening.
After the match, the United boss said: “I can’t speak for his confidence but he is mentally very strong.
“He knows he should save that one 100 times out of 100 but that’s football for you.
“I made the decision to play him and mentally he was ready for it.”
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IN THE RED
United threw away their chance to secure their spot in the FA Cup final.
SunSport have ranked all of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s players.
Obviously, David De Gea has been given a generous 1/10.
Click HERE to read the rest of the ratings!
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‘FINISHED’
Manchester United fans have ripped into David De Gea after his horror show against the Blues.
The Spaniard was at fault for two goals during the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
One United fan said: “De Gea is finished.”
Another added: “De Gea shouldn’t start another game for Manchester United unless it’s legends friendlies.”
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IT’S ALL OVER
Chelsea have booked their spot in the final with a 3-1 win over Manchester United.
Olivier Giroud and Mason Mount found the net before an own goal from Harry Maguire made it 3-0.
United pulled one back from the spot after Callum Hudson-Odoi gave away a penalty, but it was too little too late.
Click HERE to read the full match report.
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HORROR BLOW
Eric Bailly was carried away in neck brace on a stretcher after suffered two blows to the head against Chelsea.
The Manchester United star, 26, bumped heads with Kurt Zouma with 39 minutes on the clock after they challenged for the ball.
After recovering relatively unscathed, Bailly worried the medical staff with ANOTHER hit just four minutes later at Wembley.
With 43 minutes gone, Bailly smacked into his own team-mate, Harry Maguire, as both players challenged for the same ball.
Captain Maguire was left with blood on his face and was eventually bandaged up.
But the Ivorian came off much worse suffering a possible concussion.
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FEEL THE BERN
Bruno Fernandes is being fouled at every opportunity by the Chelsea squad.
But some fans on Twitter are convinced the Portuguese star really is making the most of it…
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HEN DO
Chelsea and Manchester United target Victor Osimhen has reportedly passed a Napoli medical.
RMC claims the Lille star, 21, underwent his tests in Rome ahead of a stunning £74million summer switch to his long-term suitors.
Chelsea and United were both keeping tabs on Osimhen, who has scored 13 goals and assisted five more in just 27 games this season.
But the Nigeria international will instead be heading to Serie A with Napol
