Here are your Manchester United evening headlines for Friday, May 15.
Update on Matondo’s future amid United transfer links
MEN Sport understands Wales and Schalke winger Rabbi Matondo, once of Manchester City, would be interested in a switch to Old Trafford.
The 19-year-old, who scored his first Bundesliga goal in September, could be a cut-price option for United if they fail to bring in Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund.
Matondo, who cost the German club £11.3m from City in January 2019, has played 13 times for Schalke this season and is a team-mate of Daniel James in the Welsh national set-up, replacing James during November’s victory over Azerbaijan.
And MEN Sport understands Matondo’s friendship with James could be a factor in the teenager considering United as an option.
The youngster will return to action this weekend as Schalke take on Borussia Dortmund in their first game back in the Bundesliga following the league’s hiatus.
Premier League captains cause of frustration in ‘disaster’ meeting
A number of captains of Premier League clubs have contributed to a disastrous Project Restart meeting as the English top-flight discusses its future, the MEN understands.
"The meeting was a disaster. Everyone has an agenda and the Premier League has to make decisions and stop listening to everyone," a source said.
It has been suggested Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta, Watford’s Troy Deeney and West Ham United’s Mark Noble were the most vocal in their objections during the meeting, which could ultimately play a part in determining the final position of the Premier League’s 20 clubs.
West Ham and Watford are separated by goal difference just above the relegation spots, and the teams are still due to play each other before the end of the season.
Chelsea currently sit fourth, one place and three points above Manchester United in the final Champions League spot, though the team finishing fifth could yet make it into the Champions League if Manchester City are unsuccessful in their appeal against a European ban.
First professional contract for United teenager
Charlie Wellens, the son of former Manchester United academy product Richie, has signed his first professional contract with the club.
The 17-year-old midfielder has scored five goals for United’s U18s this season, and started in all four of this season’s FA Youth Cup victories against Lincoln, Norwich, Leeds and Wigan.
He also featured once for the U23s, in a Premier League 2 meeting with Middlesbrough in which he came off the bench to replace Arnau Puigmal.
Richie Wellens played once for United’s first team after coming through the academy, a League Cup defeat at Aston Villa in the 1999/2000 season, and played for clubs including Leicester and Blackpool during a long Football League career.
"Twenty-three years ago I signed my first professional contract at the biggest club in the world. To say I’m proud to see Charlie sign his is an understatement,” tweeted Richie Wellens, who is now manager of Swindon Town in League Two.
