Reported Manchester United target Jeremie Frimpong is similar to Trent Alexander-Arnold in the way he "bravely" attacks but "forgets that he needs to defend".

That is according to Dimitar Berbatov, who played for both United and Frimpong's current club Bayer Leverkusen.

Reports this week have suggested United manager Erik ten Hag is particularly keen on the right-back, having this season rotated between using Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in that role.

Frimpong has scored eight goals in the Bundesliga this season, the most of any defender across Europe's top five leagues, while only Raphael Guerreiro can match his 14 goal involvements.

Dalot has a goal and two assists in the Premier League, while Wan-Bissaka has not contributed to a single goal.

Frimpong also ranks first among defenders for touches in the opposition box (118) and second for chances created from open play (41).

In the latter category, he is joined in the top 10 by Liverpool's Alexander Arnold (35), and Berbatov sees similarities between the two – at both ends of the pitch.

"He is someone who reminds me of Trent Alexander Arnold, because he is primarily an attacking full-back and sometimes he forgets that he needs to defend as well," Berbatov, speaking on behalf of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, told Stats Perform.

"But the way he's playing, bravely going up the pitch, attacking, running, assisting and scoring goals, it's a joy for me to watch, to be honest.

"Yes, I say it in the form of a joke, but he needs to work a bit more on his defensive part of the game.

"But he's very young, he has a bright future in my mind, and I think some of the big clubs will come up to him, for sure."

Alexander-Arnold has been widely criticised for his defensive work, with that scrutiny increasing in a difficult season for Liverpool.

However, he played a hybrid midfield role on Monday against Leeds United and provided two assists in a 6-1 win.

Meanwhile, Frimpong has played every game for a Leverkusen side who have conceded 41 goals in the Bundesliga, the joint-most in the top half of the table.

Dimitar Berbatov and Ben Foster featured in Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s 2022/23 UEFA Europa League campaign content, Mission Masterclass’. You can view episode one in full https://youtu.be/XTCqaMGIvyI

Marcus Rashford and three other Manchester United first-team players returned to training on Wednesday in a major boost for their Europa League quarter-final second-leg trip to Sevilla.

Rashford suffered a groin injury in United's 2-0 win over Everton on April 8 and was subsequently ruled out for "a few games".

Although not deemed a serious injury, Rashford's form this season has seen his importance to United increase exponentially, with his 28 goals across all competitions already comfortably his best season.

Therefore his absence was a frustrating blow to United and manager Erik ten Hag, but there appears to be a chance he could feature at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Thursday.

In the first of two games Rashford missed, United remarkably surrendered a 2-0 lead at home to Sevilla, with a couple of freak own goals late on allowing Jose Luis Mendilibar's side to rescue a 2-2 draw that never looked plausible such was the hosts' dominance.

Luke Shaw, Marcel Sabitzer and Tyrell Malacia – the scorer of one of those own goals against Sevilla – were also back on the training pitch on Wednesday.

Shaw has not played since sustaining an unspecified injury during the 1-0 win over Brentford on April 5.

His return would be particularly welcome following the news of Lisandro Martinez being ruled out for the rest of the season with a metatarsal injury, as Shaw has regularly filled in at centre-back this season.

Sabitzer's issue was also not made known to the media after his late withdrawal from the starting XI to face Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

The Austrian scored both of United's goals in the first leg against Sevilla, though he may find it difficult to get back into the side on Thursday given the high standard exhibited by his replacement Christian Eriksen in the 2-0 victory at the City Ground.

Manchester United need to win the Europa League for this season to be considered a real success, former striker Dimitar Berbatov has told Stats Perform.

Erik ten Hag's side are locked at 2-2 in their quarter-final with Sevilla heading into Thursday's second leg in Spain after throwing away a two-goal lead last week.

United ended a six-year trophy drought by lifting the EFL Cup in February and also have an FA Cup semi-final against Brighton and Hove Albion next weekend.

With a top-four finish in the Premier League now looking a formality, Berbatov is eager to see United go all the way on the continent to make this a truly memorable season.

"Winning the trophy is always a good thing," said Berbatov, speaking on behalf of Enterprise Rent-A-Car. 

"But to be successful, in my opinion, really, really successful, I think they should qualify for the Champions League and win the Europa League. That'll be an amazing season.

"If they qualify for the Champions League and don't win Europa League, then in my mind will be an okay season because of [the EFL Cup] they won. 

"But I think with Ten Hag now in charge, seeing the team can perform really well, everybody knows what they need to do on the pitch, the appetite for big things should grow.

"I always connect United with [being] the top one. But this is something that is left in my mind from my time there. Obviously, my time is different to now. 

"Man City are top in the Premier League, and everybody's challenging for their spot. United know they have a way to go to catch them. But they're on the right track."

United led Sevilla 2-0 at Old Trafford in the first leg thanks to Marcel Sabitzer's first-half double, only for late own goals from Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire to level up the tie.

It marked the first time United had failed to win a European match in which they led by two goals since a 3-3 draw with Basel in September 2011.

The Red Devils now have their work cut out, as Sevilla have won 23 of their past 26 home matches in the Europa League, a competition they have won four times in nine years.

Berbatov, who twice finished a Champions League runner-up with United, urged his former side to learn from last week and stay focused right until the final whistle.

"I think now it's 50-50. If you are two goals up going into the second leg, then it's a different game," he said. 

"Now it's 2-2, purely because of the lack of concentration in the first game and two own goals. Now they have made their life difficult and they know that.

"That's why I say it's 50-50 – Sevilla are a dangerous team. They have a lot of history in the competition and they know how to get out of difficult situations.

"Again, the only thing I can say is United need to be fully concentrated for 90, 95 minutes, 100 minutes, it doesn't matter. Stay concentrated until the end. They have the quality. 

"They've been struck with some injuries, but Ten Hag knows how to manage and get the best out of players. The only thing I want to see is concentration for the whole game."

United have faced Sevilla four times without winning in European competition – their joint-most against a side without winning in Europe, alongside Atletico Madrid.

Dimitar Berbatov and Ben Foster featured in Enterprise Rent-A-Car's 2022/23 UEFA Europa League campaign content, Mission Masterclass. You can view episode one in full at: https://youtu.be/XTCqaMGIvyI

Harry Kane's future at Tottenham is uncertain, with his contract due to expire in 2024.

As a result, speculation is developing about a move for the England international striker during the next transfer window.

Manchester United are known to be interested in the 29-year-old, while Bayern Munich were previously linked too.

TOP STORY – PSG TO CONTEND WITH UTD FOR KANE SIGNATURE

Paris Saint-Germain will battle it out with Manchester United to land Tottenham forward Harry Kane, reports Le Parisien.

PSG sporting director Luis Campos wants to bolster the side's attack and has identified Kane as their top target.

The French champions' president Nasser Al Khelaifi has a good relationship with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, which may help negotiations.

ROUND-UP

- Lionel Messi has decided to remain in Europe for another two seasons, amid speculation about a move to Saudi Arabia or MLS, namely Inter Miami, claims SPORT. Messi has been linked with former club Barcelona, having yet to re-sign with Paris Saint-Germain.

- Fichajes reports Barcelona are circling to make a move for Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold in the upcoming transfer window. Barca are hoping to sign him on a reduced fee, with the Reds to miss out on Champions League football next term.

- Liverpool will commence talks with Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Alexis Mac Allister's camp soon, according to Fabrizio Romano, who said an off-season exit is a certainty.

- Newcastle United, West Ham United and Tottenham are all circling for James Ward-Prowse who has been told he can leave Southampton if they get relegated, claims Daily Mail.

- Inter have turned their attention to signing Borussia Monchengladbach's Marcus Thuram or Liverpool's Roberto Firmino, rather than making Romelu Lukaku's loan spell from Chelsea permanent, claims Gazzetta dello Sport.

- Fabrizio Romano reports Borussia Dortmund have agreed personal terms with Borussia Monchengladbach defender Ramy Bensebaini to join as a free agent in the off-season.

Liverpool are set for a busy off-season with suggestions that Jurgen Klopp and the club's management want a squad overhaul.

Among the key areas to address is their midfield options, leading to links to numerous players.

It was reported last week Liverpool have pulled out of the race for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham.

TOP STORY – REDS TO RAMP UP MOUNT INTEREST

Liverpool will ramp up their efforts to sign Mason Mount, amid a lack of a breakthrough in negotiations between the midfielder and Chelsea, reports The Guardian.

The Reds have now moved on from Bellingham given Dortmund's asking price, with Mount in their sights given he is out of contract at the end of this season.

Mount has offered no signs that he will extend his Chelsea deal, with Liverpool eager to capitalise and lure the 24-year-old England international to Anfield.

ROUND-UP

- Chelsea could look to join the race alongside Real Madrid for Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez, according to Fichajes. Alvarez is reportedly unhappy with his lack of game-time on the pitch at City.

- Manchester City are interested in an off-season move for Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies along with Real Madrid, reports Sky Sports Germany's Florian Plettenberg. Davies' contract runs until 2024 and he has held talks with Bayern on a new deal.

- Man City are also willing to let defender Aymeric Laporte exit in the off-season if he pushes for a move, claims the Daily Mail. Laporte, who is contracted until 2025, has fallen out of favour at City.

- 90min reports Arsenal are tracking Borussia Monchengladbach's Florian Neuhaus, who is contracted until 2024.

- Sport Witness claims Inter's Joaquin Correa has interest from Premier League trio Aston Villa, Everton and West Ham.

- Ex-Tottenham boss Antonio Conte will take over at Roma next season, with Jose Mourinho tipped to move to Paris Saint-Germain, per Calciomercato.

Christian Eriksen expects Manchester United can battle all the way through the rest of a busy season following his full return from injury.

The Denmark international made his first start since January during Sunday's 2-0 win in the Premier League over Nottingham Forest.

After minutes off the bench against Everton and Sevilla, Eriksen is back to help United contend for further silverware in the FA Cup and Europa League.

But he says it is imperative Erik ten Hag's side do not neglect the league, as they aim to secure Champions League football for next season.

"Every game now until the end is going to be very important," he told MUTV. "Someone is going to drop down, [and] someone's going to go in front.

"So if we stay on the front foot like we are now, we're going to be in a very good position and be safe for the Champions League before the season is done."

A post-EFL Cup wobble looks to be behind United, though they conceded twice late on against Sevilla in Thursday's Europa League quarter-final first leg.

Victory over Forest, particularly with several key stars on the sidelines, emphasised what Eriksen feels to be a strong squad ethos over recent months.

"They've impressed me," he added. "They've kept the intensity, they've kept the level for how they play. The games, everything, even from the outside, has been looking good.

"If you take into account how we started [the season], it's a completely different feeling around the club and also on the pitch. The feeling around the boys is really good."

Manchester United legend Gary Neville declared Manchester City are "far too close for comfort" to matching their rivals' famous treble.

Alex Ferguson's side made history in the 1998-99 season by winning the FA Cup, Premier League and Champions League, a feat not achieved by any other English side.

However, City remain in the hunt on all three fronts this season and, while manager Pep Guardiola has played down talk of a potential treble, the fight is on.

City hold a 3-0 advantage over Bayern Munich ahead of Wednesday's second leg of their Champions League quarter-final, and face second-tier Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley on Saturday.

In the Premier League, City sit four points behind Arsenal with a game in hand and take on Mikel Arteta's side a week on Wednesday at the Etihad Stadium.

As a result, Neville has admitted his concern that United's arch-rivals could match his club's historic achievement.

"I thought their Bayern Munich game was sensational. Bayern Munich were fantastic in the game in the first half and when Pep Guardiola said after the game he was worried, I could feel that as Bayern looked dangerous and sharp," he said on the Gary Neville podcast.

"He was resting players against Leicester because he knows he has to go to the Allianz Arena and it will be tough and he knows that. If Bayern get a goal, it is a bit like Anfield where they can go and get two or three.

"They've had a brilliant week, City. To win that game 3-0 and beat Liverpool 4-1, they're purring, they're playing well. They're serious now about it and they're in great form now.

"Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan in midfield, the best midfield you can get. Up front, Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez are really settled now. They're hitting the home straight.

"The treble was mentioned last week, it's definitely on. They can win the European Cup, FA Cup and the Premier League.

"There's a long way to go, they can come up against a team that does them on the way: Real Madrid in the Champions League, Manchester United or Brighton in the FA Cup or they could lose to Arsenal at the Etihad, but they're very close to it. Far too close for comfort."

Real Madrid are eager to rejuvenate their squad for coming seasons with investment set to come in the off season.

Los Blancos are set to finish second in the LaLiga title race to Barcelona who hold an 11-point lead with nine games to play.

The depth of the reigning European champions, who are in this season's quarter-finals, has been tested at times this term.

TOP STORY – MADRID BOSS TO SWOOP ON CHELSEA TALENT

Fichajes claims Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has identified Chelsea quartet Reece James, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic as potential targets.

The latter three are all out of contract in 2024, meaning Los Blancos could sign them for free if they do not re-sign.

Perez is plotting to capitalise on Chelsea's downfall this term, with the club to miss next season's Champions League.

Kovacic previously spent three seasons at Santiago Bernabeu, while Mount has attracted interest from several top clubs given his quality and contract status.

ROUND-UP

– Lionel Messi wants to return to Barcelona when his Paris Saint-Germain contract expire at the end of this season, reports Fichajes. Messi will overlook offers from Saudi Arabia and MLS club Inter Miami to return to his former club.

– Manchester United are in pole position to sign French defender Axel Disasi from Monaco in the off season, claims Football Insider. Disasi is out of contract in 2025, with Chelsea and Manchester City also said to be interested.

– Liverpool have turned to Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch as an alternative to Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham, claims The Times.

– Calciomercatoweb claims Arsenal are still in the race to sign Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic, despite stiff competition from Madrid and PSG .

– Toni Kroos is set to accept a contract extension offer from Madrid and re-commit to the club for another 12 months, reports Marca.

– Chelsea have met with ex-Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann as they look for their next permanent manager, according to The Times.

Sevilla boss Jose Luis Mendilibar wants his team "to remove the ropes that bind us" and rise to the occasion of the Europa League rematch with Manchester United on Thursday.

A 2-0 win at Valencia in LaLiga on Sunday came despite Mendilibar feeling something was missing from the performance.

He considers it a huge boon that his team can still win while not at their best, and hopes they hit their peak at the right moment.

A fightback in Manchester by Sevilla means the quarter-final tie is locked at 2-2 heading into the second leg.

Speaking after his team's victory at Mestalla, Mendilibar said: "We have to gain confidence. Sometimes you don't play well and the result is with you. That makes you think that when you play well, you're going to do even better.

"It's going to give us peace of mind to be able to compete against Manchester on Thursday."

Messy defending from a corner allowed Loic Bade to sneak in to poach Sevilla's opener against Valencia in the 55th minute, before Suso's clean hit into the left corner in the 75th minute sealed the win.

Valencia had Ilaix Moriba sent off late on as the game ran away from them.

"We're having success in front of goal," said Mendilibar. "We've scored two goals in each game, It's what's giving us life."

It is true that Sevilla have scored twice in each of their last four matches, winning twice and being held to draws in the other two games.

These games have all followed Mendilibar's appointment on March 21 as successor to Jorge Sampaoli, with Sevilla improving step by step.

"We hope to be able to remove the ropes that bind us," Mendilibar said.

United also won 2-0 on their travels on Sunday, beating Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Mendilibar knows the threat Erik ten Hag's team will pose, but likes Sevilla's future prospects and said: "We hope to be able to bring quality into play from now on, not just with goals."

Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper described the decision not to award his team a penalty against Manchester United as a "really poor error".

United went on to win 2-0 at the City Ground on Sunday thanks to goals from Antony and Diogo Dalot, but not before they had escaped a handball shout with the game still goalless.

A Forest corner in the 19th minute struck the outstretched arm of Harry Maguire – who had already been booked – at the far post, with the hosts immediately appealing to referee Simon Hooper for a penalty.

After consultation with the VAR, Hooper waved away the claims.

"I personally think it's a penalty," Cooper told Sky Sports after the game. "It's a really, really poor error.

"The referee should see it, but I understand why he hasn't because of the angle and the amount of players. But why the VAR hasn't is not right, in my opinion.

"It's another moment that will put big scrutiny on VAR. There's been a lot of negative decisions over the last few weeks, and that's another one.

"I'm not going to stand here and say it's the reason we didn't win the game, although it could be a second yellow and a red for Maguire, and we could have scored the penalty and gone 1-0 up.

"It has a big impact, I'm really biting my tongue because I don't want to use it as an excuse for why we lost the game or why we're in the league position we are in; it's not.

"But it's a bad error. How [VAR] Andy Madley hasn't seen it needs looking at."

The incident came just a week after a number of questionable decisions from officials in Tottenham's 2-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion, after which refereeing body PGMOL issued an apology to the Seagulls.

Forest remain in the Premier League relegation zone on goal difference behind 17th-placed Everton and have now gone 10 games without a win.

Erik ten Hag had hoped his Manchester United team would kill off Nottingham Forest earlier than they did as they ran out 2-0 victors at the City Ground on Sunday.

Antony put the Red Devils ahead in the first-half, but United struggled to find a way past Keylor Navas again until Diogo Dalot grabbed a second in the 76th minute.

United ended the game with an expected goals rate (xG) of 3.49, and ultimately secured three points to leapfrog Newcastle United into third place in the Premier League.

"A solid performance. A well deserved win. The only criticism I could say, it had to be higher, the score. It had to be 3-0 or 4-0. We missed a lot of chances there," Ten Hag told Sky Sports after the game.

"You want to score and finish and kill the game in the early moments. That's always important. In big games you don't create so many chances, so you have to score them.

"We need more goalscorers and I'm happy with Antony. He scored a goal, gave an assist. His start in the game wasn't that good... But after he came into the game and he was continually a threat for the opponent."

United were without top scorer Marcus Rashford through injury, as well as defensive pair Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez after both suffered knocks in Thursday's 2-2 Europa League quarter-final first leg draw with Sevilla.

To add to Ten Hag's issues, Marcel Sabitzer was forced to pull out of the game after being injured in the warm-up on Sunday, and was replaced by Christian Eriksen.

It may have even been a benefit for Ten Hag, with the midfield trio of Casemiro, Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes winning 15 of their 17 matches started together at the club, drawing the other two.

"Sabitzer came off in the warm-up, he felt something. We decided not to take the risk, we will find out tomorrow what it is," the Red Devils' manager explained to BBC Sport. "But when you have Eriksen on the bench, it is definitely not a disadvantage.

"Last week I had nine fit top defenders, now I have four. We need all our players, we are still in three competitions, we need all the players to form a top team."

Dalot celebrated with notable enthusiasm when he made it 2-0 after running onto a pass from Antony and finishing calmly, and he explained to the BBC: "It was a release of emotions, more than the goal it was the moment of the goal, we needed it to be more comfortable.

"One-nil up with 10 minutes to go, it's going to be a war, so it came at the right moment."

Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 on Sunday at the City Ground to strengthen their hold on a Champions League qualification spot.

Goals in either half from Antony and Diogo Dalot were enough to take Erik ten Hag's men up to third in the Premier League table, overtaking Newcastle United after their defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday.

Forest – without a win in 10 – remain in the relegation zone, behind Everton on goal difference.

United's injury issues lengthened further after Marcel Sabitzer pulled up with a groin problem in the warm-up, with Christian Eriksen replacing him in the starting line-up, but that did not appear to weaken the Red Devils.

Jadon Sancho had a glorious chance to give the visitors the lead inside the first minute after Keylor Navas palmed a Bruno Fernandes cross straight to him, but the former Borussia Dortmund man could only hit Felipe with his effort.

Harry Maguire was lucky not to concede a penalty when a Forest corner struck the England defender's outstretched arm at the far post, and United took full advantage of that moment of fortune.

Fernandes had been pulling the strings in midfield, and in the 32nd minute, found Anthony Martial with a throughball. The Frenchman's shot was saved by Navas, but Antony followed in for a simple tap in at the back post.

Navas tipped a Fernandes effort from an angle onto the bar early in the second half, while Martial missed a good headed chance with 20 minutes remaining as United looked for a second.

That arrived in the 76th minute as Antony played a neat ball into the path of Dalot, who raced into the penalty area and finished well past Navas as United secured just their second away league win of 2023.

Marcel Sabitzer feels at home in the Premier League and is keen to extend his Manchester United stay beyond the end of the season.

Sabitzer joined United on loan from Bayern Munich in January after the Red Devils lost fellow midfielder Christian Eriksen to an ankle injury.

While Eriksen returned last week after spending over two months on the sidelines, Sabitzer has played an important role for the Red Devils, making 13 appearances since his arrival and featuring in February's EFL Cup final win over Newcastle United.

Having scored his first goal for the club in last month's FA Cup quarter-final victory against Fulham, Sabitzer grabbed two more in Thursday's 2-2 Europa League draw with Sevilla.

Though Sabitzer's deal does not contain an option for United to make his move permanent, the Austria international would be open to extending his stay.

"I didn't have to think for 10 seconds after United called," Sabitzer said in an interview with German publication Bild. "I said straight away, if the time works, we'll do it!

"This is initially a project until the summer, then we'll see. Until then, I want to give everything here. It's a loan deal with no options. The situation will be assessed in the summer.

"But I can say for myself, I have found my place here. I know the Premier League now and I can say there is nothing better, more intense or tougher.

"Every game is a fight, everything goes faster. This is the best league in the world. Once you have played here, you know it's incomparable.

"Of course my thoughts on United – especially looking at how things are going and the confidence I get from Erik ten Hag – are very positive. But I don't have to decide it alone."

Lisandro Martinez aims to come back "stronger" after suffering a season-ending injury in Manchester United's Europa League clash with Sevilla on Thursday.

Martinez was carried from the field by Sevilla's Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel – his Argentina team-mates – after going down unchallenged in the closing stages of the 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils on Friday confirmed centre-back Martinez will not feature again in the 2022-23 campaign after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his foot.

They added that the former Ajax defender, who won the World Cup with Argentina in December, is expected to make a full recovery in time for the start of next season.

Writing on Instagram, Martinez said: "Not the way I imagined what's been a very special season would end, but sometimes we face obstacles along the way that we have to overcome to make us stronger and we learn from them.

"I know that I'll be back very soon to go for more. In the meantime, I'll continue to support all my team-mates to achieve our objectives.

"The number of messages and support I've received has been amazing, they're giving me strength and encouragement at this moment.

"Many, many thanks to you all from the bottom of my heart."

United are next in action on Sunday when they visit Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Gary Neville says only a full sale of Manchester United can satisfy supporters.

United announced in November that their much-maligned owners, the Glazer family, were exploring options including a potential sale of the club.

Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani are among those to go public with their offers for United, though Finnish entrepreneur Thomas Zilliacus described the sale process as a "farce" when announcing he would not participate in a third round of bidding this week.

Some United supporters have expressed concerns that the Glazers – who have been widely criticised since taking control via a leveraged buyout in 2005 – may yet remain at Old Trafford.

On Saturday, Sky News reported that American private equity firm Carlyle was engaged in talks regarding a significant minority investment in the club.

It has also been suggested that other US-based investment companies have expressed an interest in acquiring a minority stake. 

The reports of Carlyle's interest provoked the ire of former United and England defender Neville, who wrote on Twitter: "No thank you! This doesn't work for United! 

"The Glazer PR machine keeps leaking this type of minority partnership bi-weekly whilst stressing it is a confidential process! Full sale only."