HOW SANCHO AND VARANE REACTED TO UNITED V EVERTON

All eyes were on Old Trafford as Manchester United faced Everton in front of 55,000 fans and countless supporters watching on MUTV - including Jadon Sancho the prospective new signing Raphael Varane. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men produced a sparkling performance at Old Trafford in the final friendly of their pre-season campaign, brushing aside a Premier League opponent with ease.

Mason Greenwood opened the scoring with a neat finish following an error by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, before Harry Maguire executed a bullet header from Luke Shaw's corner to double the advantage. 

Bruno Fernandes was making his first appearance of the summer and Portuguese showed no signs of rust, particularly when unleashing a vicious free-kick that flew into the top corner.

Bruno's amazing set-piece sparked a huge ovation from the delighted Old Trafford crowd and, of course, sent ripples among fans reacting to the game on social media. 

Those included summer signing from Borussia Dortmund, Sancho, who is expected to join the squad after the weekend. 

The England international was watching the match on MUTV and showed his appreciation for his new team-mate Bruno, with the tweet:.

Bruno 😍

— Jadon Sancho (@Sanchooo10) August 7, 2021

The transfer of Varane from Real Madrid to United is still to be finalised following last month's announcement that a fee has been agreed between the two clubs.

As Solskjaer confirmed this week, completion is not too far away.

“[It’s] Paperwork now, you know, with Brexit and all that,” Solskjaer said. “I was going to say malarkey but I don’t want to go into politics!

“It’s cost us a few days, with the visa, but he’s been looking after himself.

“Of course, we’ve got his medical first and hopefully that’s going to be done soon.”

Friday Transfer News: Joe Hart Begs Reds, United told to splash the cash

Man City goalkeeper Joe Hart is willing to take a pay cut in order to join Liverpool while Man United are linked with a new defender, according the Friday’s papers.

England No.1 Joe Hart is reportedly open to lowering his salary so he can end his Man City exile and join Premier League rivals Liverpool, according to The Sun.

Following the arrival of Claudio Bravo from Barcelona, Hart is set to become Pep Guardiola’s third-choice option at the Etihad. A demotion that puts his long-term England future under serious threat.

Hart admitted after the Champions League qualifier against Steaua Bucharest that there is a ‘situation’ to resolve, and taking a pay cut is an option if it means regular first-team football.

There does not appear to a long queue of clubs interested in taking the 29-year-old, with Everton the latest team to confirm that they have no interest in signing him.

Hart has less than a week to resolve his future, but his apparent willingness to negotiate his salary could lead to a last-ditch transfer.

Manchester United are weighing up whether to make one, final major signing before the transfer window slams shut, with Monaco telling the Red Devils it will cost £25m to land full-back Fabinho.

Dubbed the ‘new Dani Alves’ by the French media, L’Equipe believe that Jose Mourinho has been tracking the Brazilian all summer and still caught in two minds whether to meet the hefty asking price.

After reaching the Champions League group stages Monaco are under no pressure to sell their full-back, who scored eight goals in all competitions last season. The 22-year-old is said to be ‘relaxed’ about his future and is not particularly looking to leave the Ligue 1 club, so United will have to dig deep if they want to sign him.

Other Tranfer News

Tottenham are considering a move for Manchester City and France defender Eliaquim Mangala, 25, before Wednesday’s transfer deadline (ESPN)

Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has told manager Alan Pardew he wants the leave the club, amid Tottenham’s interest in the 23-year-old (Daily Mail)

Bookmakers are convinced Zaha will become Spurs’ third summer signing (Daily Star)

West Ham have agreed a £24m fee with Juventus for Simone Zaza and the 25-year-old Italy forward is currently in talks with the Premier League club (Guardian)

Southampton defender Jose Fonte, 32, is set to stay at the club after holding one-on-one talks about his future with chairman Ralph Krueger (Metro)

Premier League champions Leicester City are weighing up a club record £25m bid for Sevilla midfielder Steven N’Zonzi, 27 (Daily Telegraph)

Hull City’s caretaker boss Mike Phelan, who was assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, says striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was on the Scot’s radar while he was in charge at Old Trafford (Manchester Evening News)

Napoli are relying on Everton to bid for their striker Manolo Gabbiadini, 24, so they can move for Serie A rivals Fiorentina’s Nikola Kalinic, 28 (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Valencia are considering a move for Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo, 26. (Deporte Valenciano)

Striker Gabriel Barbosa, 19, a target for Manchester United, is “mulling over” several offers, but could be heading to Juventus or Inter Milan. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Watford have agreed an £8.5m deal to sign Gent’s Sven Kums, 28, with the midfielder set to move to the Hornets’ Italian sister club Udinese on loan for the rest of the season. (Het Laatste Nieuws)

West Brom will improve their offer for Jay Rodriguez, 27, as they look to beat Hull City to the loan signing of the Southampton forward (Birmingham Mail)

Newcastle United are in talks to sign Palermo left-back Achraf Lazaar, 24. The Morocco international has also attracted interest from West Ham, Southampton and Crystal Palace this summer (Evening Chronicle)

Derby County want to sign Watford forward Matej Vydra, 24 (Derby Telegraph)

Aston Villa centre-back Joleon Lescott, 34, is the subject of interest from Greek clubs Olympiakos and AEK Athens (Sport24)

Crystal Palace are interested in signing attacking midfielder Lucas Lima, 26, from Brazilian club Santos (UOL Esporte)

Jose Mourinho has hired Brazilian former Arsenal scout Sandro Orlandelli for Manchester United (Lance, via Metro)

United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, 23, is wanted by Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City (Daily Mail)

Brighton & Hove Albion remain keen on signing Blackburn Rovers defender Shane Duffy, 24, before the transfer window closes (Lancashire Telegraph)

 

Everton sign Swansea captain Ashley Williams on three-year deal

As Ashley Williams replaces John Stones at Everton, take a look at how the pair got on last season.

Everton have signed Swansea and Wales captain Ashley Williams on a three-year contract.
Williams, 31, joined Swansea in 2008 and helped them win promotion to the Championship and Premier League as well as the 2013 League Cup.
But the defender said a new challenge and the opportunity to work under Ronald Koeman was too good to turn down.
"I've had eight great years at Swansea and, for me, the new challenge was something I felt I needed, so I'm delighted to have joined Everton," Williams said.
"Everton is a great club with an unbelievable manager -- a world legend in football -- and I believe the club is going in the right direction. This is something I wanted to be a part of.

#WelcomeAshley pic.twitter.com/abMo9ml1zS

- Everton (@Everton) August 10, 2016

"I look forward to seeing what the manager's plans are for me and the team. He's been one of the greatest centre halves to ever play the game, so I look forward to learning from him and seeing what he can teach me."