Henderson admirers
Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea have joined the race to sign Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
According to The Telegraph, Henderson’s impressive form on loan at Sheffield United this season, where he has kept a league-high nine clean sheets, has enchanted both European heavyweights.
Henderson is contracted to United until June 2022 and does ostensibly not want to return to the club unless he is installed as the No 1 ahead of David de Gea.
The 22-year-old could extend his loan at the Blades for another season while United contemplate their shot-stopper options.
Glazers’ £200m problem
The Glazers would consider an offer in excess of £1bn to sell Manchester United but potential investors are currently put off by the state of Old Trafford.
According to the Daily Mail, corporate financiers with knowledge of the club claim that the 110-year-old stadium needs more than £200m in refurbishments to thrust it into the 21st century.
The club’s plans to expand the South Stand to create a 90,000-capacity venue is not possible under the current regime of the Glazers, who rarely dip into their own pockets to invest in the club.
Unless the American family receive a mammoth offer they are set to keep hold of United for the foreseeable future, as Ed Woodward told United We Stand earlier this season.
“Based on what I see, they’re in it for the long-term,” the executive vice-chairman said.
“My understanding is that there have been no discussions for a price for the club or anything like that. Every conversation we have is based on the long term.”
Grealish update
Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has knocked back continued speculation over his talisman Jack Grealish, who is a top summer target for Manchester United.
The English playmaker has scored seven goals and provided five assists in the Premier League this season, catching the eye of several European clubs.
But Smith played down the effect that speculation is having on the 24-year-old. Asked whether he has spoken to Grealish about the constant reports, Smith said: “No, not at all. One week it’s Man United, the other week it’s Barca or Real Madrid.
“There’s always going to be speculation about top players. He is a top player but, thankfully, the window is shut and we don’t have to talk about it anymore.
“It’s obviously speculation. I can’t keep commenting on speculation about people.”
Solskjaer worry
Former Manchester United player Lee Sharpe believes reported interest in Mauricio Pochettino is damaging for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Ex-Spurs boss Pochettino said this week he wants to manage in England again and he was intensely linked with the Old Trafford job last season.
“The Pochettino situation does not help matters but I also think Ole knows the pressure that he is under, he knows the pressure that the club brings and he will have his own goals and his own standards that he has to meet,” Sharpe told Sky Sports News.
“He doesn’t need outside influences putting extra pressure on him, I think he will be feeling it as it is.”
