Here are your Manchester United headlines for Sunday, May 1.
Barcelona 'want Manchester United duo' in exchange for Frenkie de Jong
Manchester United must swap Anthony Elanga and Scott McTominay if they want to land Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, according to reports. The playmaker is rumoured to be a target for incoming boss Erik ten Hag, whom he worked under while at Ajax.
United are in the market for midfielders this summer with Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata all poised to leave. There had been speculation that Barcelona were considering Alex Telles, Marcus Rashford and even captain Harry Maguire as potential swap candidates.
READ MORE: Manchester United to make transfer window changes after Matt Judge resignation
But Spanish journalist Gerard Romero (via the Express) has claimed their interest in Elanga and McTominay is genuine. Talks over a potential De Jong deal could begin within the ‘coming days’, he says, which may involve both United players.
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Erik ten Hag has another youngster to consider at Manchester United
No matter how bad things get at Manchester United, the success of their youth academy will always provide a crumb of comfort and hope of a bright future ahead. While the first-team have failed miserably this campaign, there has been more success at youth level, most notably with the U18s journey to the FA Youth Cup final, which will culminate with a showpiece event against Nottingham Forest in less than two weeks' time.
United have not reached the final of the prestigious youth competition for 11 years. The last time they did, a starlet-studded side including Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard triumphed in a victory over Harry Maguire's Sheffield United side.
In a decade's time, United's first-team might well include some of those who have reached the FA Youth Cup final this season. Only time will tell if these latest hopefuls will ever be able to match the heroics of the Class of 2011. However, success at youth level does not guarantee stardom at senior level, and this summer, United might well look to bolster their side with a couple of youngsters who are already well accustomed to the pressures of regular first-team football.
Manchester United writer Rich Fay writes.
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