Manchester United have endured a disappointing season so far but they could rescue their campaign if they can win the Europa League and qualify for the Champions League
Manchester United are gearing up for the business end of their season during the international break. The Red Devils only have nine Premier League games left to play, but Ruben Amorim’s primary focus will be the Europa League.
If United can win the tournament then they will qualify for next season’s Champions League and they are set to take on Ligue 1 side Lyon in the quarter-finals next month, with a semi-final clash against either Rangers or Athletic Bilbao potentially awaiting them.
And United have also started planning for the summer transfer window, with Amorim hoping to bring in more players who fit his system following the additions of Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven in the January transfer window.
Here, Mirror Football rounds up all the latest news from in and around Old Trafford…
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Man Utd target Branthwaite
According to a report from the Sun, United have made Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite their top summer target.
The report states that United are ready to fork out more than £50million for the 22-year-old, who has impressed during his time at Goodison Park. United’s attempts to sign Branthwaite last summer fell short, with Everton holding out for £70m.
While the defender is said to be open to a move to Old Trafford, it is claimed he wants to move to a team in the Champions League so he can further his international ambitions. And United could still qualify for the tournament if they win the Europa League.
Ronaldo sends Hojlund message
Cristiano Ronaldo sent a warning to Rasmus Hojlund and Denmark after the United striker copied his celebration when he scored a late winner against Portugal.
The two sides met in the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final clash on Thursday and Hojlund mimicked Ronaldo’s trademark “Siuu” celebration after netting the winning goal. Ronaldo, though, remains fully focused on the second leg which takes place in Lisbon.
“We have 90 minutes to turn around,” Ronaldo wrote in Portuguese in a post on Instagram. He then sent a warning to Denmark, adding: “Roll on Portugal!”
Sancho “can’t stay” at Chelsea
Chelsea have been warned against making Jadon Sancho’s loan move permanent by former star William Gallas.
Sancho joined Chelsea on loan from United last summer and while the Blues do have an obligation to sign the winger for up to £25m, they are understood to be able to pay the Red Devils a fee to get out of it.
And Gallas believes Chelsea should do just that, telling Stadium Astro : “He’s a talented player, everybody knows this, but we don’t know why he can’t perform and can’t show what he can do. I don’t know what the problem is, but at the moment he can’t stay at Chelsea because he has to do more.”
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