Here are your Manchester United evening headlines for Monday August 17.
Pereira defends Lindelof after Europa League exit
Manchester United midfielder Andrea Pereira has defended teammate Victor Lindelof after Sunday’s Europa League exit.
Lindelof was seen as culpable in Sevilla taking the lead late in the second half which subsequently saw United knocked out of the tournament at the semi-final stage.
However, Pereira commented on a social media post in defence of the Sweden international.
He wrote: “We win as a team, but we lose as a team as well, he didn't blame nobody, he would never do that."
Scholes tells United how they must strengthen to catch Liverpool
United legend Paul Scholes believes that the club need to back Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the transfer window if they want to catch Liverpool.
Solskjaer’s side finished some 33 points behind the Reds in last season’s Premier League and Scholes believes more strength in depth is needed throughout the squad.
Scholes told BT Sport: “It needs to bring more quality into the squad. You look at the 11 or 12 players they’ve got - (are they) good enough? Yep, probably.
"Is it good enough to close that 20-point gap with Liverpool? I think it probably is, to halfway, maybe, 10 points. But then can they get closer to Liverpool? I don’t see it with this squad, I think they need to strengthen.
"They’ve got 15/16 players who can really challenge for a full year and challenge the players in the team, but United at the minute, do not have that."
United youngster leaves on loan
United youngster Aliou Traore has joined Ligue 2 side SM Caen on a season-long loan deal as he eyes development in senior football.
The 19-year-old hopes to gain more experience at first team level after impressing for United’s under-23s side. Traore scored four goals in 14 appearances last season and he told RMC Sport about his desires to develop over the next 12 months.
Traore said: "I would like to start as a pro… like I said, I think I have the baggage to do it. I hope it will be in Manchester, otherwise why not go and find playing time elsewhere.
"I only have one year of contract left so yes, I'm not closing the door. But if I'm leaving, it's for a professional group. I need an evolution in my progression and that goes through a professional workforce."
