Manchester United have been given a date for their first Premier League game back after the lockdown.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have not been in action since all football was suspended in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic, but will now get ready to face Tottenham Hotspur on June 19th - a Friday night clash. United will also be resuming their FA Cup campaign, with their quarter-final against Norwich City also now rearranged, for June 27th.
As well as the fixture news, the Premier League announced that teams will be able to make five substitutes for the remainder of the season, to reduce strain on players in such unprecedented cirucmstances.
On the transfer front, United continue to pursue interest in Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho, though another Bundesliga sensation in Bayer Leverkusen's Kai Havertz is open to an Old Trafford move, MEN Sport understands.
Recap the latest United news from our daily blog below.
Key Events
Manchester United 'negotiating deal' for Thiago Almada
Manchester United are already negotiating a deal for Argentinean starlet Thiago Almada - according to reports.
MEN Sport understand the 19-year-old has been identified as a target for the Reds if they fail to sign Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund.
However, Fichajes claim United have accelerated their plans to sign the youngster as his release clause is set to expire in the summer.
Almada could be available for just £20million.
Manchester United transfer target Jadon Sancho deletes tweet after criticising DFL
Manchester United transfer target Jadon Sancho hit out at the DFL after he was issued with a fine for breaking lockdown regulations to have his hair cut at home.
Sancho and teammate Manuel Akanji were charged after they were pictured getting haircuts without personal protective equipment in their respective homes.
Manchester United make tactical changes ahead of Tottenham fixture
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been making some tactical tweaks and trialling fresh ideas in Manchester United's training sessions as they prepare for the resumption of the 2019-20 campaign.
United haven't played in the Premier League since the 2-0 win over Manchester City on March 8.
The players have been back in full training since last Thursday, with a date of June 19 set for their return to action away to Tottenham on June 19.
Jadon Sancho may have 'Cristiano Ronaldo-type' agreement which sees him join United
Manchester United may have agreed to sign Jadon Sancho last summer, according to Bundesliga expert Jan Age Fjortoft.
He told ESPN:
"Well in Dortmund they're always praying to keep their players and at the end of the day they will lose them, won't they.
"I've got a feeling that last summer there was a Cristiano Ronaldo-kind of Manchester United deal, where Sir Alex Ferguson said to him 'listen, I can't let you go to Real Madrid now, stay for another year, do as good as you can, and they will let him go'.
"I would be very surprised if he's not going this summer and sometimes I feel that Dortmund just say 'hopefully we'll have him here next season' when they kind of know that Sancho is a lost case for them."
Jadon Sancho responds to German FA fine
Jadon Sancho has branded the DFL an "absolute joke" after he was fined for getting a haircut during lockdown.
Sancho has since deleted his tweet.
United 'must increase' Jude Bellingham offer
Manchester United will need to increase their offer in order to sign Jude Bellingham - according to reports.
ESPN believe United need to offer Birmingham more money up front, rather than use a structured payment plan in order to sign the 16-year-old.
Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal are seen as viable competition if United fail to improve their offer.
Leicester 'to resume' contract talks with James Maddison
Leicester City are planning to resume contract talks with James Maddison - according to reports.
MEN Sport understand United were interested in the England international but expect him to stay with the Foxes for at least another season.
The Daily Mail claim Leicester are keen to tie their star player down to a new contract and will resume negotiations in the coming weeks.
Jadon Sancho 'made aware' of Liverpool interest
Manchester United target Jadon Sancho has been made aware that Liverpool have joined the race to sign him - according to reports.
The Independent claim the winger has been told that Jurgen Klopp's side are monitoring his situation.
However, finances could be an issue for United's rivals who pulled out of a deal for Timo Werner this week.
United 'to battle' City for Ismael Bennacer
Manchester United have joined Manchester City in the race to sign Ismael Bennacer from AC Milan - according to reports.
Pep Guardiola is believed to have called the Algerian over a switch to the Etihad.
However, RMC Sport claim United have joined the race to sign the former Arsenal star.
Manchester United win battle over neutral venue for Premier League fixture
Manchester United will play Sheffield United at Old Trafford later this month after plans to move the game to a neutral venue were shelved.
The fixture was included on a list of six games that were set to be played on neutral territory released last week by Deputy Chief Constable Mark Roberts of South Yorkshire Police, the UK's football policing lead.
But United officials were surprised at seeing the game against the Blades included on the list and hadn't been informed it would need to be moved.
United 'open' to extending Alexis Sanchez loan
Reports in Italy claim Manchester United are open to the idea of allowing Alexis Sanchez to stay with Inter Milan for another season.
Sanchez joined the Serie A side last summer but his season has been plagued with injuries.
Sport Mediaset believe United will allow him to stay in Italy for a further season but Inter could decide to target Pedro from Chelsea instead.
Manchester United 'target' Florentino Luis
Manchester United are one of the many clubs interested in Benfica starlet Florentino Luis - according to reports.
ESPN claim United face competition from AC Milan and Leeds to sign the 21-year-old.
They believe his agent, Bruno Carvalho Santos, met with United officials in January.
United will offer Williams 'a major new contract'
Brandon Williams is set to be offered a new bumper deal at United, according to The Athletic.
They say the teenager say is due ‘a major new contract to reflect his status’ with a significantly improved deal.
Ferran Torres dismisses transfer speculation amid United links
Manchester United have been linked with Valencia starlet Ferran Torres in recent weeks.
However, the winger has no intention of leaving.
He said:
"For young people, La Liga is the best league there is. It is helping me a lot and I am learning all the time.
“I think I have settled in Valencia and in the division.
"Things are going well for me even though the team is on a bad streak, although we think we are going to turn it around.”
United 'end striker hunt' following Ighalo loan extension
United have ended their hunt for a new striker after extending Odion Ighalo's loan, according to ESPN.
United FA Cup quarter-final fixture confirmed
United will travel to face Norwich City at 5:30pm on Saturday 27 June with the fixture live on BBC One.
Birmingham 'confident' Jude Bellingham will finish season with them
Birmingham are confident United target Jude Bellingham will finish the season with them.
The 16-year-old is currently on a scholar’s deal at the club though he is able to sign professional terms on his 17th birthday on June 29 – nine days after the Championship campaign is scheduled to restart.
However, The Mail suggest the teenager will continue to play for Birmingham before moving on in the summer.
Three ways United could line up with Kai Havertz summer transfer
Manchester United are looking to bolster their attacking options this summer and Kai Havertz is one player of interest to them.
United have identified Jadon Sancho as their primary target for the end of the season but Havertz is another name who has mass appeal.
MEN Sport revealed earlier this week that Havertz would be open to a move in the coming months.
Havertz is capable of playing either out wide or through the middle. Here are three ways he could be deployed by United if they were to sign him.
You can read the full story here.
United handed triple fixture confirmation
June 19: Spurs v Man Utd; 8:15pm; Sky Sports
June 24: Man United v Sheffield United; 6pm; Sky Sports/Pick
June30: Brighton v Man United; 8:15pm; Sky Sports/Pick
Michael Ballack issues Kai Havertz transfer warning
Michael Ballack has warnd any potential suitor that Kai Havertz is not the finished product.
"One thing is clear - Havertz is not yet a finished player," Ballack told Sport 1. "That is not meant negatively, but I still see potential for improvement in his personality development and body language.
"But that is completely normal at his age. As a captain, he first has to learn to deal with this responsibility.
"His style of play has always been very carefree. If he ever lost the ball, he was allowed to stop. With a top club, everything will be more difficult and will no longer be accepted.
"He must and will be aware that he has an exceptional position in Leverkusen. He should ask himself now, 'How long do I want to have this? How long do I enjoy it? Or will I take on the next challenge with even greater demands on my game this summer?'."
Agent confirms interest in United linked Benfica star
Florentino’s representative, Bruno Carvalho Santos, told ESPN FC : "Florentino is one of the highest rated young defensive midfielders in Europe, so there is a lot of interest in him at the moment.
"There has been a lot of talk about Milan, but I can tell you that there is a lot of competition for his services, with clubs in England, Germany and Spain also following him closely."
Bayern 'confident' of securing Havertz transfer
Bayern Munich remain the favourites to sign Kai Havertz this summer, and The Independent report that they are still confident of doing so.
The German international is open to a move abroad in the summer window but Bayern are keen for him to stay in the Bundesliga.
United 'confidence growing' over Sancho transfer
United are reportedly growing in confidence they will sign Jadon Sancho.
Bruno Fernandes apologises to United signing Nathan Bishop
Bruno Fernandes has taken to social media to apologise to team-mate Nathan Bishop after lobbing him in training.
On an Instagram upload of the clip Fernandes simply posted the caption: "Sorry @nathanbishop30".
We think he'll be forgiven.
Real Madrid 'increase efforts' to sign Paul Pogba alternative
This could be a boost for United in their hopes of keeping Paul Pogba.
That is because RMC Sport suggest Real Madrid have intensified their pursuit of Eduardo Camavinga, who they view as a direct alternative to Pogba.
United 'still considering' James Maddison transfer
No surprise here, but United are still considering a summer transfer target.
A report from Sports Mole says United are still keen on the Leicester attacking midfielder although The Foxes have no need to sell him.
United 'missed out on Werner because of Pogba'
Is there anything Paul Pogba won't be blamed for? Apparently not.
Following on from the previous entry The Athletic suggest United weren’t able to table a bid for RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner because they needed to find a buyer for Pogba first.
Solskjaer 'held talks' with Werner over summer transfer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer held talks with Timo Werner over a summer transfer, according to The Atheltic.
United handed Kai Havertz transfer update by Leverkusen director
Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes insists Kai Havertz's future is 'still not decided' amid growing interest for his signature this summer.
Havertz has been heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich at the end of the season but is also open to a move to England with Manchester United impressed by the youngster.
MEN Sport revealed earlier this week Havertz is open to the idea of joining United this summer and the 20-year-old views a move to the Premier League as a very realistic option at the end of the season.
You can read the full story here.
United great makes exciting Pogba prediction
Andy Cole is expecting big things from Paul Pogba when football returns.
“Before this season came to a halt, United were doing extremely well,” former United frontman Cole told The Mirror.
“They started to play some really nice football, win some games, and were cracking on in their bid to try to get fourth spot.
“I'm really happy to see Paul back, I think he's a top, top player.
“Regardless of all the shenanigans around him, when he gets his head down, he constantly proves how good he is.
“Fernandes, what he's done since joining in January is absolutely phenomenal. I'm looking forward to seeing him and Paul play together in midfield.
“This has been Marcus's best season, playing in his preferred position, and hopefully he can come back fit and well and have no more problems with his back.
“So I'm looking forward to seeing all three of them play together.”
