Tuesday’s briefing: Man Utd sting Bees to close in on Champions League return
Manchester United beat Brentford to close in on a return to the Champions League and Bayern Munich seem confident England captain Harry Kane will sign a new contract.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have suffered a major blow with Xavi Simons’ season ended by injury.
Manchester United moved within touching distance of a Champions League return and captain Bruno Fernandes edged closer to the Premier League assist record as Brentford were beaten 2-1 on Monday.
Michael Carrick’s Red Devils increased their stranglehold on a qualifying position with a hard-fought Old Trafford triumph against Keith Andrews’ Bees, giving them an 11-point lead over sixth-placed Brighton with four matches to play.
Fernandes set up a 19th goal of the campaign as Benjamin Sesko scored after Casemiro continued his memorable farewell season with a headed opener.
Bayern Munich will open contract talks with Harry Kane at the end of the season, according to supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
The England captain has scored 138 goals in 141 appearances and won two Bundesliga titles since joining the German giants from Tottenham in 2023.
Kane, 32, has one more year remaining on his contract and has frequently emphasised his happiness at the Allianz Arena.
“Bringing Harry Kane to Bayern Munich was a major coup,” Rummenigge told T-Online. “The relevant management will hold talks with him after the season, with the clear aim of extending his contract.”
Xavi Simons will miss the rest of relegation-threatened Tottenham’s season and the World Cup after suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage.
Spurs said the Netherlands midfielder will undergo surgery after suffering the injury in Saturday’s 1-0 Premier League win at Wolves.
The news is a major blow to the club’s survival hopes as they sit two points from safety with four games remaining.
Simons said: “They say life can be cruel and today it feels that way. My season has come to an abrupt end and I’m just trying to process it. Honestly, I’m heartbroken.”
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk believes Mohamed Salah will still get the send-off he deserves, even if he has played his final match for the club.
The Egypt forward was forced off with a hamstring injury in Saturday’s win over Crystal Palace and, with only four games of the season remaining, the 33-year-old may not get the chance to don the red shirt again before his summer departure.
Van Dijk said: “Hopefully he won’t be long. Maybe he’s back next week, maybe not. I have no idea. He will get the send-off regardless.”
What’s on today?
The first leg of the first Champions League semi-final takes place as holders Paris St Germain host Kane’s Bayern in an eagerly anticipated encounter.
There is also a big clash in the Sky Bet Championship promotion race as Southampton host Ipswich. Victory for the visitors would all but secure a top-two spot but a Saints success would keep their hopes of automatic promotion alive.