Live Blog
- 16 Apr 2020, 23:25
- Updated: 16 Apr 2020, 23:26
MANCHESTER UNITED are eagerly preparing for the return of club football once the coronavirus outbreak begins to subside.
On the transfer front, a move for Jadon Sancho remains firmly on the agenda while there could be exciting news regarding Jack Grealish.
Get all the latest news and gossip from Old Trafford here…
Ian Tuckey2 hours ago16th April 2020
NEV IS EFL PEACEMAKER
Gary Neville is acting as a peacemaker in the wage row between EFL clubs and players.
The Manchester United legend has been involved in talks between PFA chiefs, clubs and players during the coronavirus cash crisis.
TV pundit Neville is a co-owner of League Two club Salford, but his appearance in video conferences and general talks has been a surprise for other club executives.
The EFL are happy for ex-defender Neville, 45, to be taking an active role.
While he had already been contacted by a number of managers and players for advice.
One EFL owner said: “He has spoken really well and has a lot of respect — which is useful in these difficult times.”
EFL chiefs said on Tuesday they had come to an agreement with the PFA to propose 25 per cent wage deferrals to League One and League Two players.
On social media, Neville wrote: “This is how to do it. Collaborate and work together. Well done @EFL and @PFA”
Neville is also supporting the NHS with his co-owned Hotel Football in Manchester being offered for use by doctors and nurses.
Ian Tuckey3 hours ago16th April 2020
FIRST AID FROM THE RED BOS
Mark Bosnich is swapping the microphone for the telephone as he helps out during the coronavirus crisis.
The former Aston Villa, Manchester United and Chelsea keeper is part of a collaboration between the Red Cross and Australia’s Football Federation to help the most vulnerable during the lockdown.
Bosnich is going to help pack food parcels and deliver them to homes in his native country.
But he will also be on the end of the line to chat to those stuck on their own and lonely during this time.
Bosnich, 48, said: “I just want to be available for anyone in need, 24/7, to talk to them and make them know that there is someone there for you.
“It’s not just to chat about football but just to chat. I hope it can help in some way because a lot of people will feel lonely and isolated at this time.
“I will also be helping to pack up food parcels and deliver them to the elderly and vulnerable and we are aiming to do this with prominent footballers throughout the country.”
Ian Tuckey3 hours ago16th April 2020
BLOCKED FOR SIX
The Premier League’s Big Six will join forces and dismiss calls to set a cut-off date for the season.
SunSport reported how a number of top clubs want a June 30 guillotine on the table at a meeting today.
But the Big Six have put up a united front in their determination to play out the season in full.
That would mean they are just one club short of being able to block the rest of the Prem’s push for a definitive closing date.
And with league chiefs also firmly opposed to any idea of an early finish, the rebel alliance will be under pressure to back down.
One of clubs’ biggest concerns is player contracts ending on June 30, potentially making a nonsense of the rest of the season.
But one well-known club executive said: “This is simply not the time to be having these conversations. It is far, far too early.”
League chiefs have modelled a number of return scenarios, looking at resuming in June, July or August. Even the latter would allow next season to start in September and finish by mid-May although top clubs may have to sacrifice the Carabao Cup.
With the Big Six staring at total losses of £580m if the season is cut off — more than the other 14 clubs put together — there is no sign of resolve being loosened.
Ian Tuckey4 hours ago16th April 2020
UEFA PLAN AUGUST 29 FINISH
Uefa is plotting a return to the football season that would end with a delayed Champions League final on August 29.
And when Europe’s football chiefs meet on April 23 they are tipped to agree individual leagues CAN finish early if they get Uefa permission.
But Uefa still hope to play all remaining fixtures, finishing with the Europa League final in Gdansk on August 26 and a showpiece climax in Istanbul three days later.
It is thought they will assess two main ways of achieving this.
The quarter-finals and semi-finals could be over two legs as normal, but in July and August.
Or the ties might be turned into one-off KO games, which could mean the season ending with a dramatic “super week” for all matches rom the last eight to the finals.
Ian Tuckey4 hours ago16th April 2020
TETE’S UTD DREAM
Shakhtar Donetsk’s Brazilian starlet Tete dreams of lifting trophies for Manchester United, Barcelona or Liverpool.
The 20-year-old faced Manchester City in this season’s Champions League group stages on the way to four goals and four assists this season for the Ukrainian giants.
And just 14 months after leaving Brazilain club Gremio for Shakhtar, the Under-20 international is already hungry for top honours.
He told Esporte Interativo: “Three clubs are part of my dream in Europe: Barcelona, Manchester United and Liverpool.
“Gigantic clubs with fantastic managers and an incredible number of trophies.
“As a player, I dream of winning important titles and those clubs are incredible options to achieve that.”
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