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• Erling Haaland ‘not stressed’ about form heading into Champions League final

  Erling Haaland has brushed off concerns about his form ahead of the Champions League final on Saturday.

  Haaland has scored 52 goals in an astonishing first season for Manchester City but grabbed only one in his last seven appearances.

  Coming just prior to one of the biggest games in City’s history, as they take on Inter Milan in Istanbul for Europe’s top prize, it is a run that has raised eyebrows.

  Yet Haaland insists there is nothing to worry about and he is not feeling the effects of a long and arduous season.

  “You can think of it as one goal in seven games or 52 goals in 52 games and eight assists,” said the Norway striker. “You can think of it in both ways. I’m not stressed. I feel really good.”

  Haaland has had no trouble dismissing critics this season.

  Prior to his arrival at City last summer there were claims he would need time to settle, suggestions that only increased after he spurned a gilt-edged chance on debut against Liverpool in the Community Shield.

  Even after he bounced back in sensational style by scoring 27 goals before the end of December, it was reckoned his presence could be hampering City, as their results at that stage were inconsistent.

  “I think often it’s a good thing when people start criticising you,” he said. “I scored every single game and then people started criticising me. That’s what happened basically.

  “When people criticise you it’s normally a good thing. It’s just about trying to smile a bit and enjoy life.

  “In the Community Shield I missed a couple of big chances. It can happen, it will happen again.

  “What can you do? Nothing. We have to focus on the next thing, the next game and that’s what I did. I scored two goals in the next game, so it was still not a bad start.”

  Haaland feels he has exceeded his own expectations in his first season at City but still feels he could have done better.

  He said: “No, I didn’t expect to score this many goals but, again, I could have scored more.

  “I’ve been missing a lot of chances, so I could have scored more. That’s the truth.”

• Sheikh Jassim bid still on table as Manchester United takeover tests patience

  Sheikh Jassim’s fifth and final bid to buy Manchester United will remain on the table beyond Friday but the Qatari’s patience with the takeover process is wearing thin.

  The Sheikh and his Nine Two Foundation, which is seeking to buy 100 per cent of the club, are understood to feel that by Friday United’s owners, the Glazer family, and the Raine banking group which is conducting the sale process will have had ample time to seek or request clarification and revision of the bid, and will therefore no longer engage with them on it beyond this date.

  Some observers have interpreted the submission of two additional bids from Sheikh Jassim as an indication that the rival offer from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos is preferred by the Glazers.

  However, sources close to the Qatari say he is simply keen to bring the matter to a swift conclusion with a crucial summer transfer window for United coming up.

  The fifth and final bid was issued earlier this week, and Sheikh Jassim considers it an enormous premium on the current share price of the club, both now and at any stage of the club’s recent share price.

  Ratcliffe is understood to have made an improved offer on April 28. It has been reported that his offer enables Avram and Joel Glazer to retain a 20 per cent stake in the club, something the Ineos camp has not confirmed.

  The Glazers are reported to value the club at £6billion.

  This is a crunch period on and off the field for United, who won the Carabao Cup, finished third in the Premier League and lost Saturday’s FA Cup final in Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge.

  Co-owner Avram Glazer was at Wembley for Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City and ignored questions about the takeover as he left through the interview area.

  Asked about the potential takeover and summer improvements, United boss Ten Hag said: “I think in this moment I don’t want to discuss that.

  “It’s about finalising the season. We have to be quiet, analyse the season, go into the depth, then set the right conclusions and then take action.”

• Norwich sign defender Shane Duffy from Fulham

  Norwich have signed Republic of Ireland defender Shane Duffy from Fulham on a three-year contract.

  The 31-year-old, capped 55 times by his country, made five Premier League appearances for Fulham during the 2022-23 season.

  Norwich boss David Wagner told the club’s official website: “We’re delighted to welcome Shane to the club. He’s a player with a vast amount of experience, both domestically and on the international stage.

  “I’m confident that he’ll be a great fit for our squad and brings not only the on-field qualities that we have been looking for, but leadership and desire to help drive our club forward.

  “From my conversations with Shane, his vision was clear. You can feel that determination and hunger to play and win football games.”

  Duffy began his career in England at Everton and had spells at Blackburn and Brighton before a loan move to Fulham last summer was made permanent in the January transfer window.