Updated 17.28
MANCHESTER UNITED HAVE made an official bid for Everton left-back Leighton Baines, according to widespread reports.
The bid, which would reunite incoming United boss David Moyes with the player whom he first signed from Wigan while manager of Everton, is understood to be between £10million and £12million.
This news comes despite Baines only yesterday rejecting speculation linking him with a move to Old Trafford.
United have also been strongly linked with Thiago Alcantara of late, though Baines would be Moyes’ first major signing as manager.
Meanwhile, the club confirmed on Wednesday that first team coach Rene Meulensteen was leaving the English champions.
The Dutchman’s exit had been widely forecast following the departures of both Mike Phelan and Eric Steele, two other members of the backroom staff, since David Moyes replaced Alex Ferguson as manager following the veteran Scottish boss’s retirement at the end of last season.
“I would like to thank Sir Alex Ferguson, the owners, all colleagues, players and fans who made my time at Manchester United very special and one I will never forget,” said Meulensteen in a United statement.“I wish everyone at this great football club all the best.”
United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward added: “I’d like to thank Rene for his contribution to the club, particularly since he returned to Old Trafford in 2007.
“He has been first-team coach for five years and in that time he has given great assistance to Alex and Mike Phelan in keeping the team at the top of the game, not only in this country but in Europe as well.
“On behalf of everyone at United, I wish him well for the future.”
Additional reporting by Paul Fennessy
First published 16.35
Should definitely be picked over Skrtel.
He can score goals just as well, and he can actual do the job he’s primarily meant to do – defend.
Well, prove himself and show he deserves his place, the way it used to be….
Think he has proved himself,a far far better defender than Skrtel or Sahko,
Skittles was the shunned man at the start of last season, until injuries gave him his chance & he took it.
If Dagger would just hit the weights & get string as fook, I’d have him over the lumbering Sakho.
I think he is gone. Always struggles with the physical players and is not great in the air. Its a pity as he is easily the most comfortable player with the ball at his feet and is well able to pop up with vital goals. Glen Johnson can start packing his bags as well!
Ah if it isn’t James ‘sing when your winning Quinn , how have you been , meltdown over ..
Twenty, in fairness, you stuck around all season, but like christmas, once a year… 95% of ‘man u’ fans here, showed up after the Palace game only…… Liverpools failure was Man U’s success this year… Like tables turned…….meltdown on an apocalyptic scale….
U are a sad case, hardly worth responding to. I have better things to be doing on my holidays than chattin with a kn#b like u.
First time I ever heard losing one game to Chelsea as a meltdown. Went all out to hammer Palace, only chance they had of winning the title was on goal difference, City were always going to beat Villa and West Ham at home.
The only team in meltdown is down the road at Old Toilet!
Well said
I love these comments. A fan’s worth is ostensibly gauged by the volume of his/her’s contributions on The Score – the benchmark of so many things in life. Some people have fat too much time on their hands.
Chatting ??? Who said anything about chatting !!! How about just supporting your team win , lose or draw like a real pool fan (graham kavanagh is a good example) you should take a leaf out if his book .
Graham Utd fans took stick all season on every thread from yourself and other fans. Now the shoe is on the other foot you need to take it and grow a pair !
Paulie, you have seen me here all season, never shied away either. I am not disputing what you say either, but many man u fans did hide all season. Also, man u fans have been dishing it out for donkey years now, and one really bad season and you expect compassion? Not in footie world….
Who said anything about compassion Graham , if your going to give it you have to be able to take it..and that apply’s to all
Supporting my team?? I went over to see pool play 5 times this season. I think that’s more than what u do, talking sh!te here.
You will be calling yourself ‘Twenty’ for a long time, living in the past! Will I start calling myself ’5 times’?? Sad case.
I read this story 3 days ago on goal, get with d times man!
So, Paulie, are you saying, when you get stick I should not respond back? Are you moving the posts on how to act here? I give as good as I get, you know that by now, and I am also here when we lose, as you may know from the terrible year we had the previous season….. If you do not like what I say, that is you not being able to take it….. contradicting your own comments…..