Alejandro Garnacho could depart Man Utd this summer.
Alejandro Garnacho could depart Man Utd this summer. (Image: Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
Manchester United will be looking forward to ending a miserable season on Sunday afternoon when they meet Aston Villa at Old Trafford (4pm).
Ruben Amorim's side lost 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur in Wednesday night's Europa League final - with the fall-out from that match still being felt. The defeat in Bilbao means that United will have no European football next term, with their lowest ever Premier League finish already sealed ahead of this weekend's clash against Villa.
Attention will swiftly turn towards a vital summer transfer window at Old Trafford, where new signings are badly needed. One potential exit could very well be academy graduate Alejandro Garnacho. The Manchester Evening News understands Garnacho's representatives have held discussions with United about his future in the wake of Wednesday night's loss in Spain, while the club have been approached for comment.
With all that said, below are some of the latest headlines surrounding the club as well as a view on each one;
Double swoop
Atletico Madrid are reportedly interested in signing United duo Garnacho and Antony.
Football Espana report that Atletico manager Diego Simeone is a big fan of Garnacho. It is claimed that the La Liga club could potentially match United's valuation of £70million for the 20-year-old.
Meanwhile, The Independent say that Atletico are ready to rival Real Betis in the race for Antony with his current price set at £32.5million. It is said that a bidding war could nudge that price up, too, and allow United to bring in a fee closer to £40million.
Isaac Seelochan of The Manchester Evening News says: "It feels best for both parties that Garnacho leaves, particularly if he secures a move abroad. As for Antony, there is surely no way back for him at Old Trafford, and United will be hoping that his performances in Spain lead to a tidy fee for the Brazilian."
Neto claim made
Chelsea winger Pedro Neto reportedly once came close to joining United. Jose Carvalho Araujo, the former Braga youth coach who first discovered Neto, has revealed all in an interview with our colleagues at The Mirror, claiming that scouts from Old Trafford were sent to watch the player.
It is claimed that the forward was even invited to Carrington to participate in an academy match. There was also said to be interest from Manchester City, but a deal never materialised.
Araujo said: "We always felt that Pedro was different, he shows the same fire and passion that he did back then.
"There was always one Manchester United scout, Vasco Noronha, hanging around Braga and at the time, we never really knew who he was watching but it was probably Pedro. His rise was so fast and everybody was always talking about him. He was a very humble kid, very funny, he was always having fun."
Isaac Seelochan of The Manchester Evening News says: "Neto has been surprisingly ineffective since signing for Chelsea, despite previously impressing at Wolves. This may be a transfer United will have been glad to have missed out on."
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