MANCHESTER UNITED are preparing for David Moyes' Old Trafford return as they face West Ham in the FA Cup.
Meanwhile a potential new contract for Paul Pogba has been thrown into doubt by his brother Matias.
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Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
- William Pugh
OLE TRAFFORD – EXCLUSIVE
Manchester United will wait until the end of the season before opening contract talks with boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Red Devils are second in the Premier League, five points behind leaders Manchester City.
But club chiefs want to keep fighting for the title and qualify for the Champions League before Solskjaer is offered a new deal.
The Norwegian has just 16 months left and SunSport understands United could hand him another two-year deal.
They are willing to give Solskjaer, 47, an increase in wages, taking his annual salary to around £6million before bonuses.
But his team have been inconsistent, including a shock recent home loss to Sheffield United. And on top of their Champions League group stage exit, concerns have been raised.
- William Pugh
PELL FIRE
Facundo Pellistri has been unveiled by Alaves after completing his loan move from Manchester United.
And the Uruguayan winger says that Barcelona ace Lionel Messi is his icon as he eyes a debut against the Catalans this Saturday.
United kid Pellistri, 19, was sent to the Spanish LaLiga outfit last month following the arrival of Amad Diallo from Atalanta.
Pellistri is yet to make his senior bow for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
But a good spell with Alaves would boost his chances of staking a regular spot at Old Trafford next term.
Indeed, Pellistri hopes he gets his chance when Alaves taken on Barcelona this weekend.
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REDS READY
Manchester United released plenty of training pictures of their stars getting ready for West Ham's visit to Old Trafford in the FA Cup tomorrow.
It was a chilly day at Carrington but United's star were put through their paces as they try to get through to the Cup quarter-final.
- William Pugh
IN A HARRY
Harry Redknapp is ready to miss part of his Soccer Saturday debut this weekend – so he can watch his horse run in a £125,000 race.
Redknapp's first appearance on the Sky Sports show clashes with Shakem Up'Arry's contest at Newbury.
Matches will be just past the half-hour mark when Redknapp, 73, says he will nip off to cheer on his horse in the Betfair Hurdle at 3.35.
Racing fanatic Redknapp said: "They asked me about six weeks ago with Jeff Stelling and Paul Merson and the gang, and I said I'd do it.
"But I didn't know the horse was running.
"I'll have to find a way [to get out] for five minutes and make sure they're showing a film of something else so I can watch the race, because I'm not missing it."
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“But United have stuttered, we’ve got the choke going, haven’t got it quite working properly.
"We have choked, it’s simple as that. I’d put us out of the title challenge unless we go on a run and we change our habits and our lack of consistency.
“But I haven’t seen enough to suggest we can go on a ten, 15-game winning streak. We’re tripping ourselves up all the time. It’s top four, we’ll finish second or third.”
Ferdinand also slammed United’s defending for Everton’s equaliser, which came from a late free-kick scramble, adding: “I see Harry Maguire, you’ve got to lead that team from the back and make sure (mistakes) don’t happen.
“I was fuming before the free-kick. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has to understand his game management at this time of the game.
"Passing the ball inside, loose like that, to be cut out, is criminal. I would have been going nuts in that changing room, screaming.”
- William Pugh
RED MIST
Rio Ferdinand claims Manchester United are out of the title race after ‘choking’ against Everton.
The Red Devils blew their chance to keep the pressure on Man City when the Toffees scored a last-gasp equaliser on Saturday.
The former England centre-back said on his podcast Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE: “You can’t defend it. At the end of the day Man Utd were sitting pretty at the top of the league.
“We didn’t come into this season expecting to be title challengers. We were too far behind Liverpool (last season). You can’t expect to have a turnaround that big to win the league, it’s impossible.
“But I’m like all the other fans. You see the league table, you look at the results, you get excited. When you put yourself in that position, Man Utd have to strike. You’re there now and there’s an opportunity.
“When there’s an opportunity you’ve got to go. The problem is we’ve let this opportunity slip through our hands. You can see Man City with their experience, they’ve smelt blood, they’ve put their heads down, they’ve gone…
- William Pugh
MARC-ED MAN
Marcus Rashford had a big grin on his face as he pulled some fancy tricks in training.
The United star was pictured doing kick-ups as his team prepared for West Ham's visit in the FA Cup on Tuesday.
- William Pugh
SKIP THE GAME
Harry Maguire could be left out of Manchester United’s FA Cup fifth round clash against West Ham tomorrow.
The Red Devils skipper played Everton onside in the build-up to Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s last-gasp equaliser in the 3-3 draw at Old Trafford.
And boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “Of course, I’ll think about if he needs a rest, if he physically can’t keep going and going.
“Then, the nature of a centre-back position is a different position compared to full-backs or widemen or even centre midfielders, or any other position on the pitch.
“The centre-backs are the ones that you’re protecting mostly from the real fatigue because you’re working less. Then again, he’s never injured, Harry. He’s never been really badly hurt – touch wood – and hopefully he’ll be able to carry on.
“But, yeah, I’m not sure if he’ll play on Tuesday or not. I’ve not decided yet.”
- William Pugh
RED-DY AND RARING
Manchester United's players trained in the cold at Carrington today ahead of West Ham's visit to Old Trafford in the FA Cup fifth round on Tuesday.
Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Co donned hats and snoods as they prepared for the Hammers game which kicks off at 7:30pm.
- William Pugh
LOWEST RETURN
The Premier League has announced the latest round of Covid-19 testing yielded just TWO positives results – despite nearly 3,000 tests administered.
A whopping 2,930 tests were administered to players and staff members from all 20 clubs in the week of Monday, February 1 to Sunday, February 7.
And stunningly, only two positive tests were returned.
An official statement read: “The Premier League can today confirm that between Monday 1 February and Sunday 7 February, across two rounds of testing, 2,970 players and club staff were tested for COVID-19.
“Of these, there were two new positive tests. Players or club staff who have tested positive will self-isolate for a period of 10 days.
“The Premier League is providing this aggregated information for the purposes of competition integrity and transparency. No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the League and results will be made public on a weekly basis.”
- William Pugh
ED SCREWED ON
Edinson Cavani scored his seventh Manchester United goal in their draw with Everton on Saturday.
And the Red Devils' Twitter admin wanted to remind fans ahead of United's FA Cup game at home to West Ham on Tuesday where the Uruguayan could start.
- William Pugh
SHORE THING
Manchester United have signed starlet Shola Shoretire up to his first professional contract.
The 17-year-old has starred for the Red Devils’ Under-23s side this season, most recently hitting a hat-trick past Blackburn.
On Monday, the club confirmed the agreement with the young winger. Shoretire is just the latest wonderkid to emerge from the United academy, which he joined when he was nine.
Reports before the signing was announced suggested Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will soon make Shoretire the latest youngster to reach the first-team.
But a United statement indicated that the spotlight will be kept off him for now.
It read: “Shoretire will be looking to hone his talents behind the scenes and maintain his development at the club in the coming months and years.”
undefinedCredit: Getty Images – Getty - William Pugh
RIP TONY
Tony Collins, English football’s first black manager and compiler of Don Revie’s infamous England 'dossiers' has died at the age of 94.
Former Sheffield Wednesday, Watford, Norwich and Crystal Palace winger took over at his final league club, Rochdale, in 1960.
Collins spent seven years in charge at Spotland, including taking his side to the first League Cup Final, against Norwich, in 1962.
After leaving Rochdale, Londoner Collins worked as chief scout at Bristol City before he joined Revie's backroom team at Leeds.
When Revie was appointed as the full-time successor to Sir Alf Ramsey, Collins went with him to England where he put together the lengthy briefing notes on opponents and Three Lions players.
Collins had subsequent spells as assistant and briefly caretaker manager back at Ashton Gate plus scouting roles for Manchester United, QPR, Newcastle, Millwall and Derby.
- Josh Graham
POORLY PAUL
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he won't take any risks with Paul Pogba's fitness after the Frenchman's thigh injury ruled him out for a few weeks.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer won't rush Paul Pogba back from injury too soonCredit: AP:Associated Press The Norwegian told MUTV: "It's an injury that will take a few weeks to heal.
"He's just started his recovery, working with the medical staff and we'll get him back as soon and as safely as we can.
"Of course, Paul has been very important for us and we're not going to take any risks. [So it is] A few weeks definitely.
"
You never want to be injured and, especially, now Paul was really finding his form and enjoying his football.
"
For us, we just have to take as many points and wins as possible, when you lose players.
“We've been very healthy and strong for a long period so we can't moan too much.”
- Josh Graham
GROUNDPOG DAY
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has been ruled out for 'a few weeks' with a thigh injury.
The 27-year-old limped off during the Red Devils' 3-3 draw with Everton at the weekend.
And now it has been confirmed that the injury means he will be sidelined for the next few fixtures.
The official club website released a statement which read: "Manchester United will be without Paul Pogba for a few weeks after the midfielder was injured in the 3-3 draw with Everton."
The report then added: "A scan was required to assess the extent of the damage and, unfortunately, Pogba now faces an enforced spell on the sidelines with key games at home and abroad coming up.
"Of course, he will miss Tuesday's Emirates FA Cup fifth-round encounter with West Ham United, in addition to the Europa League ties against Real Sociedad."
- Josh Graham
GREEN FOR GO
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised youngster Mason Greenwood's performance as 'different class' in the 3-3 draw against Everton.
Mason Greenwood impressed the boss against EvertonCredit: AP:Associated Press The Norwegian said: "Ah, Mason was different class. I thought he was the standout performer on the pitch [against Everton].
"He just didn't get the goal that his performance deserved.
"I think the last few games, if you look at him closely – yeah, I know we scored nine against Southampton – but if you look at his performance, I thought his performance was top.
"He's improved and matured immensely, and he's working with some of the top forwards in the country, of course.
"He’s learning off them, and it's exciting to see that he's come over his blip and is playing really well."
- Josh Graham
SHORE THING
Manchester United are set to call up rising stars Shola Shoretire and Hannibal Mejbri to first-team training.
The two teenagers have impressed manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer while playing for Neil Wood's Under-23 side.
Shoretire could join up with the senior squad at Carrington this week, according to The Athletic.
The promising winger proved his potential as he scored a hat-trick against Blackburn on Friday.
He has now scored five goals and made three assists during the Premier League 2 campaign.
Mejbri, 18, is also expected to be promoted to first-team training by Solskjaer soon.
But the midfielder will not be available this week as he injured his ankle against Blackburn.
- Josh Graham
HEN DO
Dean Henderson gets another opportunity in goal for Manchester United in the FA Cup tomorrow, WRITES NEIL CUSTIS.
If he takes it, in the fifth-round clash with West Ham, the clamour for him to keep his place for the league game against West Brom at the weekend will be deafening.
Dean Henderson is battling for David De Gea's No1 jerseyCredit: PA:Press Association You have to go down to Leeds United in 11th to find a team with a worst goals-against record than United in the Premier League.
Even Burnley’s is better and they are one place above the drop. David de Gea has started in all bar two of those league games.
Of course you can point at the fallibility in front of him but there is no doubt he is now costing United points not earning them, as used to be the case.
The 3-3 draw against Everton was the latest example as he palmed out Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s cross to the feet of Abdoulaye Doucoure for the first and failed to commit himself for the last-gasp equaliser.
Solskjaer is very loyal to De Gea but that loyalty is now starting to come at a cost. He clearly has trust in Henderson or he would not have insisted on him returning from his loan spell at Sheffield United.
- Josh Graham
BLUE-KAKU
Manchester City are reportedly interested in signing former Manchester United forward Romelu Lukaku.
Pep Guardiola's side have been shorn of Sergio Aguero for the majority of the campaign and The Athletic claims Inter Milan's Lukaku has been identified as a replacement.
Lukaku has been sensational for Inter since joining from the Red Devils for £74million in 2019, netting 54 times in 78 games for the Serie A giants.
Aguero is out of contract in the summer, which means he can talk to European clubs about a free transfer.
- Josh Graham
LING WHEN YOU'RE WINNING
Manchester United's on loan star Jesse Lingard was delighted that new West Ham team-mate Tomas Soucek had his red card rescinded.
Soucek will now be free to face the Red Devils in Tuesday's FA Cup fifth-round tie at Old Trafford.
- Josh Graham
WHEN IN ROME
Juventus are eyeing a shock free transfer for ex-Manchester United flop Henrikh Mkhitaryan, according to reports.
The Roma ace has regained the form that saw him earn a switch to Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund in 2016.
Mkhitaryan, 32, joined the Italian side in August last year from Arsenal and has been a key figure as Roma push for a Champions League spot.
He has scored nine and assisted eight in 20 Serie A appearances with his side sitting fourth in the league.
His contract expires at the end of the season and reports in Italy claim their rivals are ready to take advantage.
According to Calciomercato, Juventus are prepared to offer him a surprise deal if contract negotiations hit the rocks.
Roma and Mkhitaryan are locked in talks but Juve have close links with his agent, Mino Raiola.
- Josh Graham
TAKING THE MIC
Manchester United legend Roy Keane did not look amused as Micah Richards showed him THAT viral video.
A hilarious clip of Keane's FIFA 21 character wildly dancing recently did the rounds on social media and the Irishman finally saw it courtesy of his Sky Sports colleague.
- Josh Graham
ALLO ALLO
Check out the Manchester United's Under-23s 6-4 win over Blackburn on Friday night.
New boy Amad Diallo, 18, shone with a goal and THREE assists and could soon be doing the business for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's senior side.
- Josh Graham
LATE SERG
Manchester United have recalled goalkeeper Sergio Romero back into their Premier League squad to add further pressure on David De Gea.
The Argentina international, 33, was linked with a move away from Old Trafford during the January transfer window after falling down the pecking order.
The long-term deputy to De Gea was replaced by Dean Henderson as the club’s No2 and wanted to leave for first-team football.
His contract with the Red Devils expires in the summer but he did not plan on sitting around with no chance of a game.
A host of MLS clubs are keen on the ace, with the American transfer window still open, but so far a move has failed to materialise.
And after being allowed home to South America to spend time with his loved ones, he is now back at United training alongside both De Gea and Henderson.
- Josh Graham
OL DECIDE
David De Gea has been warned his place is not safe at Manchester United following his latest blunders.
The Spaniard was blamed for two of Everton's goals on Saturday as they twice came from behind to earn a 3-3 draw at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer is adamant past reputations count for little with him as he warned the stopper:“Every player has to earn his place. We’re a squad with competition and that applies to every single one in the team.”
Dean Henderson, 23, is chomping at the bit for regular starts following his two-year successful stint at Sheffield United.
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