Football chief must solve as soon as possible

THE SANCHO TRANSFER SAGA

SINCE Jadon Sancho’s move to Borussia Dortmund four years ago, the youngster has established himself as one of Europe’s most exciting young attacking forwards.

His trickery, composure and finishing ability have turned heads, and it’s not surprising United have long been interested in securing his services.

However, the Sancho transfer saga needs a conclusion this summer. He has six goals and 11 assists for Dortmund this season, and while his contribution continues to impress, the Reds have a dilemma that needs solving.

Signing a centre-forward is one of United’s summer priorities and, considering Edinson Cavani’s future at the club has been thrown into uncertainty, this needs addressing. Do United sign a traditional striker, as opposed to a modern-day forward?

Of course, Sancho would fill the mould of the latter, and Murtough and Fletcher would have to decide if he could provide enough goals to fire United towards the Premier League title.

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YOU need two world-class central defenders to mount a serious title charge in the Premier League and

MAGUIRE REQUIRES HELP

this is an area in which United fall short. Harry Maguire is an excellent centre-back, but form and fitness problems continue to plague Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly.

There’s no doubt over their ability as sufficient squad players, but if Murtough wants to take the club to the next level, this will be another problem that needs addressing.

United’s captain simply needs an elite partner.

CITY will head to Budapest to play the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Borussia Monchengladbach next week.

UEFA has announced the switch as Germany’s Covid-19 regulations mean the visitors are unable to travel to the UK to play at the Etihad as originally planned.

The tie will now take place at the

Puskas Arena in Budapest, the same venue where City won the opening leg 2-0 two weeks ago, and remains scheduled for Tuesday, March 16 with an 8pm GMT kick-off.

“UEFA would like to thank Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach for their support and close cooperation, as well as the Hungarian Football Federation for their assistance and agreeing to stage the match,” a statement from the European governing body said.

Current restrictions would require Monchengladbach players to quarantine for 10 days on their return to Germany if they travelled to the UK.

Hungary’s 67,000-capacity national stadium, opened in 2019, has been used for several European ties in recent weeks as travel restrictions across Europe cause havoc with Champions League and Europa

League fixtures. Liverpool played their first leg of their Champions League tie against RB Leipzig at the stadium, winning 2-0, and were back there last night for the second ‘home’ leg, switched from Anfield.

Last month, Tottenham also travelled to Budapest to play the first leg of their Europa League tie against Austrian side Wolfsberger, though the return leg was played in London.