Manchester United supporters will be desperate for this season to end. But the wait goes on.
The Red Devils are not in action this weekend due to the FA Cup final, meaning fans will at least get a break from seeing this toiling team in action. Nevertheless, they will be kicking their heels ahead of next Sunday's season finale.
The two-week break will at least offer even more time for introspection, with the feeling still raw among the fanbase after a heavy 4-0 loss to Brighton. And for new manager Erik ten Hag, there's now no doubt whatsoever as to the size of the task at hand.
Mirror Sport has all of the latest Red Devils news, as the club gears up to a welcome conclusion to the campaign and a critical summer.
What academy players at United are capable of playing a part under Ten Hag next season? Let us know in the comments section below!
Ten Hag makes pre-season demand
New manager Ten Hag has told his United players that they will need to make an earlier-than-usual return to pre-season training this summer. The current Ajax boss is said to have been left unimpressed by the fitness of the players and will call them back two weeks earlier than expected. United were apparently pondering a July 4 return, although now a June 20 restart to training has been pencilled in.
"Ten Hag, like so many modern managers, plays a pressing style, which requires players to be at peak fitness to sustain the running and energy levels required for 90 minutes," writes David McDonnell in his report on the decision.
"That is why the 52-year-old feels United's players need a two-week head start in pre-season, to ensure they hit the ground running when the new campaign starts on August 6."
Read the story in full HERE.
Nunez wants Premier League move
Benfica's goalscoring sensation Darwin Nunez is keen to move to the Premier League this summer, putting Manchester United on alert.
The Uruguayan has been one of the standout players in Portuguese football this season and has also shone in the Champions League. Across both competitions, the 22-year-old has found the net 32 times in 38 outings.
According to the Daily Mirror's John Cross, while Nunez has a release clause of £130 million in his current contract, a fee of £70 million may be enough to convince Benfica to cash in.
That sum may be enough to dissuade the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton following up tentative interest, leaving clubs like United and newly-monied Newcastle United to fight it out for his signature.
Read the story in full HERE.
Garner tipped to play a role
Former United coach Warren Joyce believes James Garner can offer something to the first-team setup next season.
The midfielder has impressed on loan at Nottingham Forest again this term, helping the team reach the Championship playoffs. If Forest were to prevail in those matches, they would return to the top flight for the first time since 1999.
Garner looks to be a player capable of excelling at that level in years to come and Boyce has compared his skill set to ex-United favourite Michael Carrick.
"He has a great future," he said. "He's in the same mould as Michael Carrick. It puts pressure on him to be compared to Carrick, but that is what it’s like to be at Man United."
Read the story in full HERE.
