Manchester United beat Watford yesterday in the Premier League to move up to fifth in the table, just three points behind fourth placed Chelsea.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side produced a professional display against Watford, winning 3-0 on a satisfying afternoon at Old Trafford. Bruno Fernandes won and converted a first half penalty to score his first goal for the club, before he turned provider for Anthony Martial to score a wonderful chipped effort in the second half.
Mason Greenwood made it three with a brilliant finish of his own - again set up by Fernandes — as United earned a morale-boosting three points. There was also positive injury news as Scott McTominay came off the bench to to make his return from injury. Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford remain sidelined, however.
United now turn their attentions to the Europa League second leg against Brugge on Thursday, with the score 1-1 from the first leg.
Recap all the latest United news throughout the day.
Key Events
Dembele 'desperate' for Premier League move
Lyon forward Moussa Dembele is reportedly ‘desperate’ to return to the Premier League, though it’s claimed Manchester United will have to pay £83million to land him.
According to Sky Sports, Lyon are ready to cash in on the former Celtic and Fulham striker. Chelsea have also been linked.
It remains to be seen whether United reignite the interest they held in Dembele last summer.
Liverpool win and Neville isn't happy
Of course Liverpool staged a comeback to win 3-2.
Gary Neville is not pleased.
Liverpool equalise
What did we say... A Mo Salah shot squeezes through the legs of Lukas Fabianski and Liverpool are level.
Gary Neville isn’t laughing any more.
Neville is enjoying the Liverpool game
In a surprising turn of events, Liverpool are losing to West Ham tonight.
Naturally, United legend Gary Neville is taking the rare opportunity to mock Jamie Carragher.
He said on Instagram:
“This mob are losing. They’re throwing it away. They’re going to bottle it!”
Like the rest of us, though, Neville will know full well how this game will end.
Pogba posts injury update
As well as his comments on Liverpool, Paul Pogba has posted a new injury update to Instagram.
He’s posted a video of him working in the gym and swimming pool with the caption: “Soon.”
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Full story - Pogba makes Liverpool title admission
Paul Pogba has reluctantly praised Liverpool for their imminent Premier League title win, but the Manchester United midfielder says he still does not want to see the famous trophy at Anfield.
Speaking on Monday as he continues to recover from his latest injury setback, Pogba told ESPN how the United dressing room do not want to see the Premier League title head to Anfield for the first time, however good Liverpool have been this season.
“They are so way ahead of everyone else,” Pogba said.
Pogba admits he doesn't want Liverpool to win the league
Paul Pogba has spoken today, declaring that he doesn’t want to see Liverpool win the Premier League.
He told ESPN:
“They are so way ahead of everyone else. They have not lost a single game yet this season in the league. They already have one hand on the Premier League trophy.
“As a Manchester United player and with the rivalry between us, we don’t want them to win the title. We don’t want anyone else to win apart from us, but as a football lover and a respectful player to opposition team, I have to say that they deserve to be where they are today.
“They have been even better than last season when they won the Champions League and the season before when they [lost the final to Real Madrid].”
Ferdinand's transfer hint
Rio Ferdinand has suggested he turned down Real Madrid and Barcelona to remain at United during his playing career.
He tweeted this in response to a clip suggesting nobody rejects the two Spanish giants.
Living the dream
Odion Ighalo made another energetic appearance against Watford, and nearly capped it off with a goal but for some good defending on the line.
How much would Scholes be worth in today's market?
According to former United man Norman Whiteside, Scholes would be worth £189m today.
Milan clubs 'make Matic decisions'
Nemanja Matic’s agents are offering the Serbian’s services to a number of clubs, Calciomercato claim.
Matic is out of contract in the summer, but United have an option to extend the deal for another year in their favour.
However, as United continue to stall on deciding whether to extend his contract or not, the report says Matic has been offered to AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus.
AC Milan and Juve are said to have declined to sign him, but Inter are monitoring the situation, the report adds.
Martial's in fine form
Can Anthony Martial make it four goals in four games on Thursday against Club Brugge?
Smalling speaks about his United and Roma future
Chris Smalling tells Sky Sports News he has an ‘interesting decision to make’ over his future at the end of the season.
The comments come after Roma boss Paulo Fonseca confirmed they want Smalling to stay past his loan deal.
Smalling said:
“New country, new experience. But considering the way I’ve settled in, the love that I have felt, especially from the fans but everyone in Rome, it will be an interesting decision to make.
“It’s great to hear. Having that belief and trust from the manager, from the coach, from the other players too - it’s helping me thrive on the pitch.”
United loanee has a nightmare
Keiran O’Hara has been impressing on loan at Burton this season - but he won’t want to see this one again.
Top four odds
United are the most likely team to break into the top four, according to the bookmakers.
However, Leicester (3rd) and Chelsea (4th) are favourites to qualify for the Champions League.
Bruno Fernandes sets a United record
Amazingly, Bruno Fernandes became the first United player to score from the spot for his maiden Premier League goal.
And what a penalty it was.
Cavani on 'difficult' January
Paris Saint Germain forward Edinson Cavani has opened up on the ‘difficult’ month he had in January, amid transfer links to clubs including Manchester United.
He remained with PSG, despite links to Chelsea and Atletico as well, although MEN Sport understands United only wanted him on loan - and his club wanted a sale.
Here’s what Cavani told Canal+ after scoring versus his 200th PSG goal vs Bordeaux at the weekend:
“It’s a very special moment after a difficult month in January, but I’m here to give my best and try to have a great season with the team.
“I’m like that, a little emotional. I looked at my family who is there, always behind me, pushing me, giving me love.
“In the end, that’s what makes you move on. It gives me a lot of emotion and that’s why I’m a little like that.
“We have to push again and I hope to continue to make beautiful things here.”
Big week for Solskjaer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will celebrate his 47th birthday on Wednesday — and hold a press conference the same day, looking ahead to United’s second leg fixture against Club Brugge in the Europa League.
If United get through the tie at Old Trafford, the draw for the last 16 will be held in Switzerland on Friday. United’s next Premier League game is at Everton on Sunday.
Thomas Muller reveals how close he came to United transfer
Thomas Muller has revealed he came close to signing for Manchester United in 2015 and was keen on making the switch to Old Trafford.
United did do business with the Bundesliga giants that summer, signing Bastian Schweinsteiger, while Van Gaal signed Memphis Depay and Anthony Martial to fill attacking roles, but Muller had been a priority target, and the player himself has admitted to The Athletic that he was keen on the move
“Things were serious when Louis van Gaal came in [in 2015], for all sides involved.
“I could imagine going to Man Utd then. But the club said: “We want you to stay”. I wasn’t out of contract, that’s why I it was pretty clear-cut in the end. But it wasn’t just a poker game.”
'United could offer Pogba new deal'
Manchester United expect Paul Pogba to leave this summer but could yet offer him a new contract, according to reports.
It is claimed by Goal that there has been a breakdown in communications between the club and Pogba but there are a number of complications that could yet arise and force the Frenchman to compromise and extend his stay in Manchester.
United reportedly want £150million for Pogba but could accept £130million, although Real Madrid are said to value him at just £50million.
If United cannot get what they want for Pogba they might look to keep him and it is claimed they could offer Pogba a new contract as compensation for him not being granted a move away for two years.
Man United Supporters Trust open letter on Bruges trip
Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) have written an open letter to the Mayor of Bruges about their treatment during their recent trip to Belgium:
“It is therefore with regret and with grave concern that we write this open letter to you all, but as representatives of law abiding supporters and members we have no choice other than to highlight, in this way, the deplorable treatment we were subjected to during our visit to Brugge, by the local police and stewards. It is not an exaggeration to say that many fans were in genuine fear for their safety at times throughout the evening.
“As it always is on our travels, our only intention was to visit your City, enjoy ourselves, contribute to your local economy and, of course support our club and yet we returned home with an impression of Brugge that should shame all those responsible for our safety and security. Many of us who’ve travelled the world following MUFC are of the opinion that this was the worst experience of a European away game they’d had for many years - and our previous recent visit to Brugge was a low point at the time.
“The crowd management in close proximity to the stadium was appalling with many of our fans complaining they’d been deliberately sent in the wrong direction on long detours. Is there no coordinated plan from the club, stewards and Police for visiting supporters?”
The letter goes on to voice concerns about the lack of transport available, the “almost universal hostility” from police and the use of barbed wire barriers and a water cannon.
Woodward investors' call
Ed Woodward speaks to Manchester United’s investors in his quarterly conference call tomorrow.
And according to the Standard he will reiterate his promise to back Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the summer transfer market, amid interest in high profile players like Jadon Sancho, Jack Grealish and James Maddison.
He may also address the issue of United’s vacant technical director job.
United create new talent programme for their academy
Manchester United are implementing a new programme to increase their links with local schools and grassroots clubs around Greater Manchester.
The scheme, called the Emerging Talent Programme, is designed to be a bridge between the local community and the work already being done by the United Foundation and the club’s academy.
It’s hoped the club will be able to identify and unearth more talented young footballers — and then develop them at the Aon Training Centre in Carrington. United are known for their use of the academy to develop first team stars with Mason Greenwood, Brandon Williams and Marcus Rashford among the graduates currently in the first team squad.
The club said in a press release that they aim to engage with more than 20,000 children and young people “through a range of positive activities that will aim to increase their enjoyment of football and assist them with further opportunities to continue playing the game”.
Three United players in team of the week
Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes and Anthony Martial all got the nod from BBC pundit Garth Crooks in his fabled team of the Week.
Here’s what he said about each of them:
Maguire
“Earlier in the week against Chelsea, Maguire was the villain after getting away with an unacceptable challenge on striker Michy Batshuayi. Against Watford he wasn’t exactly the hero, but he played a pivotal role in securing a clean sheet for the Reds.
“Two matches, two wins, two clean sheets and six points suggest United are building from the back. I still think they need another top-class defender to play alongside Maguire if they intend to be taken seriously as a top-four team. With an in-form Martial - and Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford waiting to return - United have the firepower. What they need is a Virgil van Dijk-type figure alongside Maguire in defence.”
Fernandes
“This lad looked good on his Premier League debut, but to be taking Manchester United’s penalties so early in his career at Old Trafford is a statement in itself.
“Since the injury to striker Rashford and the prolonged absence of midfielder Paul Pogba, United have had problems with penalty-takers, but Fernandes could be the answer. There is also a developing relationship between Fernandes and the fans, which is hardly surprising. They know a top-class player when they see one.”
Martial
“I was tempted to put Greenwood into my TOTW, but Martial scored a brilliant headed goal against Chelsea in midweek and produced a sensational chip to beat goalkeeper Ben Foster when the chance appeared to have gone against Watford. Make no mistake, Martial seems to have taken over from former striker Romelu Lukaku as United’s whipping boy.
“The France forward may be slightly temperamental, but he can play. If United fans want to get the best out of him, their boo-boys need to treat him with care.”
Another player back from injury
It was good for United fans to see Scott McTominay back in action against Watford.
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