Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Hojlund’s future in jeopardy, Branthwaite EXCLUSIVE, ‘£25.7m move for Ndoye’, Cunha race

Man United front

Manchester United legend Gary Neville has stepped in to raise money for former players after minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe pulled the plug.

In a big cost-cutting drive, billionaire Ratcliffe axed the ailing club’s annual £40,000 donation to an ex-stars fund.

The Association of Former Manchester United Players was set up in 1985 with its main objectives of promoting friendship, support as well as charitable work.

Neville has worked with the club to organise an event to honour ex-striker Andy Cole, with the proceeds going to AFMUP.

Guests at the £125 a ticket bash on April 24 will include legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Dan Ndoye boost

Manchester United have been linked with a transfer war against Napoli over Bologna star Dan Ndoye.

But United may have the edge as Ndoye has a past with minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS.

The versatile winger started out at Lausanne-Sport, which is one of the clubs owned by Ratcliffe's group.

The Switzerland international then moved to Nice – another Ineos club.

However, Napoli’s interest poses as a real threat as they are still searching for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia', but United’s Ineos ties may just play a key part in any deal.'s replacement.

Matheus Cunha interest

Manchester United are tipped to open talks over recruiting Wolves star Matheus Cunha.

According to Give Me Sport, United are close to launching negotiations with Cunha’s representatives.

Until now, the Gunners have been rated as the versatile forward's biggest admirers but Man Utd are also in contention.

Therefore, a transfer war looks very likely between the two Premier League giants.

Man Utd target Ndoye

Manchester United continue to monitor Bologna star Dan Ndoye ahead of the summer transfer window.

According to Tuttomercatoweb and Gazzetta dello Sport, United are still keen after last summer and could rival Napoli for Ndoye in the upcoming market.

Tuttomercato suggest the Serie A outfit want around €30million (£26m) for the versatile forward, which may fit into Man Utd's budget.

And the Switzerland international could fit into Ruben Amorim's desired 3-4-2-1 formation as he knows how to play on the back of the striker.

Europa League statement

Manchester United legend Roy Keane stated winning the Europa League wouldn’t be a success for his former club.

Keane was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet:

Not that trophy, no. Not for Manchester United, maybe for other teams winning that trophy.

There is a plus to it because it’ll get them into the Champions League, but the trophy and that competition shouldn’t be enough for United, absolutely not.

Roy KeaneStick to Football

Liam Delap details

Manchester United have made Ipswich Town star Liam Delap their top target for the summer transfer window.

United have identified Delap as their preferred option up top ahead of Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres, RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Napoli's Victor Osimhen, who's on loan at Galatasaray.

The striker has emerged as a favourite amongst the hierarchy at Old Trafford as manager Ruben Amorim prepares to be backed financially in the summer.

The England Under-21 international is thought to be available for £40million if the Tractor Boys get relegated, which is very likely.

Hojlund rejects 'rescue job' claim

Rasmus Højlund said he does not like the narrative that a Europa League triumph would "rescue" the club's torrid campaign.

When asked if lifting the trophy would rescue their season, Højlund told ESPN on Disney+ in Denmark: "Yeah, I guess, I guess so in some ways, but then again, I don't like the, the word 'rescue.'

"It's more of a learning curve and and trying to have a good fundamental to build on for next season."

"I guess we're still quite early in the phase, aren't we? Then again, we are going in the right direction, I think.

"We're starting to understand each other, but like the coach is saying … every time he goes in the media he says we have so much to improve and everybody needs to do better and we need to develop all of us, so that's the target."

Predicted line up vs Lyon

Amad spotted back at Carrington

Club cameras were in the men's gym at Carrington where Amad was pictured working hard under the supervision of medical staff.

The Ivorian hasn’t played since February after picking up an ankle injury in training, but is currently doing everything he can to return from the issue before the end of the season.

Prior to suffering the problem, Amad was enjoying the best season of his United career to date, proving himself as a consistently impactful performer from multiple positions.

The Ivorian has vowed to come back “stronger than ever” and, whenever that may be, we can’t wait to see him back on the pitch and doing his thing for the Reds again.

Amorim wants Kobbie Mainoo improvement

Ruben Amorim insists Kobbie Mainoo still has plenty to improve on - including his build-up play as the Manchester United youngster looks to build on his debut season.

He said: "When I see Kobbie, I see a lot of talent. But in the way I see it, I could be wrong. I see some things that Kobbie has to improve.

"His pace in the game. He needs to improve in the build-up. Near the box, he has a lot of talent and that is why I think he did a really good game in the Europa League in that position.

"But I don't see a full player at the moment; he is 19. If I say I have seen the final player, I don't think I am helping Kobbie."

Transfer target demanding big wages

Manchester United target Victor Osimhen is expected to leave Napoli in the summer, having been touted for a move to Old Trafford for many months - though his wage demands could put Ruben Amorim's side off despite his keenness to join the Red Devils.

The report by ESPN states that Osimhen is targeting a move to the Premier League once his loan spell at Turkish Super Lig giants Galatasaray comes to an end in the summer - and United are one of those who are looking a move for the striker ahead of next season.

But any move for Osimhen could falter, with the Nigerian expecting to demand a wage of €11m (£9.5million) after tax per year, according to the report - which works out at around a wage of £360,000 per week before tax.

Kobbie Mainoo fitness update

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has provided a fitness update on Kobbie Mainoo after the midfielder was named in our travelling squad to face Lyon.

The midfielder was spotted back in training ahead of the clash.

Amorim said: “In this moment, we have to be careful with Kobbie,” said Ruben.

“He had some weeks out, so we have to be careful with his fitness. We are really happy to have more options and an option like Kobbie Mainoo, with the quality that he has, he can play in different positions - he has already played as a six, as an eight, as a 10.

“So we are really pleased to have Kobbie Mainoo but we have to be careful, and we need Kobbie Mainoo fit and fresh.”

Amorim provides injury update

Ruben Amorim has provided an update on the injuries that will see Matthijs De Ligt and Toby Collyer miss Manchester United's Europa League quarter-final first leg against Lyon.

He said: "Matta has a problem in his foot, we are trying to assess. We still don't have the data that he can return.

"Toby has a small issue in his leg so we hope to have him in a few weeks."

Chelsea lead United for star

Chelsea are ‘leading the race’ to sign Jobe Bellingham from Sunderland this summer, despite the fact he is also wanted by Manchester United, as per a report.

According to CaughtOffside, Chelsea are in pole position to strike a deal for Bellingham and are showing the ‘strongest interest’ in him.

Enzo Maresca has identified central midfield as an area which needs bolstering this summer and Chelsea are set to act on that demand.

Man Utd are also monitoring Bellingham, while other interested clubs include Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund. The latter, of course, helped to develop Jude prior to his big-money switch to Real Madrid.

Mainoo shows off new look

Kobbie Mainoo trained with his Manchester United team-mates on Wednesday and sported a new look as he prepares to return from a two-month absence.

The 19-year-old debuted a new haircut and an earring as he trained at Carrington on Wednesday ahead of Thursday's Europa League quarter-final at Lyon.

He has been absent since picking up a muscular issue in training in February.

Liam Delap release clause revealed

Man Utd have made Liam Delap a key transfer target ahead of the transfer window.

So they will be delighted by reports claiming the striker has a release clause of just £30million if Ipswich get relegated, which looks likely.

His buyout clause was otherwise set at £40m.

Peter Schmeichel shares Ferguson doubt

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has opened up about the one moment in time where he DOUBTED Sir Alex Ferguson.

The 61-year-old told That Peter Crouch podcast: "The first time, where I really thought the guy was losing it and not understanding what he was doing, was in the summer of 1995.

"When three players, who would start every game if they were fit, Mark Hughes, Paul Ince and Andrei Kanchelskis, left the club and no-one came in.

"And he puts five kids in the first team squad - he puts Nicky, Gary, Phil, Scholesy and Becks.

"Ryan was already in the first team dressing room, so he would've been the sixth.

"But you're thinking what's going on here? And of course, we open up with a defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park.

"But the boys were great and I mainly thought it was strange that he didn't bring at least one player in during the summer."

Onana vs Matic

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana fired back after being savaged by ex-Red Devil Nemanja Matic ahead of Thursday's Europa League quarter-final with Lyon.

It all started when Onana said: "I think we are better than them, we just have to go there and show who we are. If we go there with a winning mentality and we are focused, stay compact and together and we follow the game plan we will be winning the game.

"We know some of them, but I don't think we have to focus on them. It's more about us, what we're going to do. Of course it’s not going to be easy, but I think we are way better than them."

Lyon star Matic responded: "To say that, you need to have cover. Onana? Pfft, I respect everyone but to say that then you need to get the answer.

"If you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United history, you need to take care what you are talking. If David de Gea or Peter Schmeichel or [Edwin] Van der Sar said that, I would question myself.

"But if you are one of the, statistically, worst goalkeepers in Man Utd's modern history then, you know, he needs to show that [he is much better] before he says [that]."

And Onana replied on Twitter: "I would never be disrespectful to another club. We know that tomorrow will be a difficult game against a strong opponent.

"We focus on preparing a performance to make our fans proud. At least I’ve lifted trophies with the greatest club in the world. Some can’t say the same."