Bruno Fernandes apologizes to Jamie Carragher (Image: Pedro Pol/MB Media/Getty Images)
Manchester United are inching closer to securing a return to the Champions League, one of their main goals since the start of the Premier League. Michael Carrick’s side occupy third place in the table with five games remaining. This season, the top five clubs will automatically qualify for the competition, but if Aston Villa finish fifth and win the Europa League, they could qualify for the Champions League even if they finish sixth.
United will resume their Premier League duties when they welcome Brentford to Old Trafford on Monday, an opportunity to strengthen their position. Carrick’s side achieved an important 1-0 win against Chelsea in their latest match. Matheus Cunha will be keen to score the only goal of the night and lead his colleagues to another important victory in front of the home supporters.
It won’t be long before club leaders turn their full attention to the summer transfer window. Although this period does not officially open until June 15th, it is believed that many players have already committed to switching to the M16.
With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the latest developments at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes “apology”
The United captain recalled the joy of his youth when former goalkeeper Ricardo saved Jamie Carragher’s penalty at the 2006 World Cup.
Ricciardo also held off Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in the quarter-final shootout.
Speaking on the Wayne Rooney Show, Fernandes said: “Obviously everyone remembers 2006 because of the bit of heat between Cristiano and Wayne.[It ended]with Jamie Carragher missing a penalty.”
“I had to say this, but I’m sorry, Jamie. I had to piss you off a little. You piss me off all the time. I can piss you off with that penalty. When I miss a penalty, don’t say anything about it, please.”
Carragher said in his Telegraph column: “Sven-Goran Eriksson called me up and gave me one job, and that was to take as many spot kicks as convincingly as I did in every training session.
“I hadn’t missed a penalty in six weeks. ‘You’ll take the fourth one,’ Eriksson told me. There was no problem. England were 2-1 down when I walked 40 yards, but I was looking at Portugal’s number one Ricardo and feeling confident.”
“Knowing exactly where to put the ball, I hit it sweetly to the right and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way. That was my first touch of the game. There was a moment of relief.”
Arsenal are reportedly stepping up efforts to sign Maxi Araujo (Image: GETTY)
Portugal’s Record newspaper has reported that Arsenal have entered into negotiations to sign Sporting left-back Maxi Araujo, with United also said to be keen.
The Uruguayan is thought to have caught the attention of Mikel Arteta during a Champions League double-header in March and April.
The north London club have reportedly made an “initial approach” to Araujo to explore a potential summer move.
Sporting, meanwhile, are “open” to a deal for the 26-year-old, but will only accept bids in excess of 50 million euros (approximately 4.3 billion yen).
However, a deal for Araujo does not seem to be a simple one as Arsenal face stiff competition from United, Manchester City and Atletico Madrid.
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