man u travelling squad

Manchester United confirm 22-man squad for trip to Galatasaray

Erik ten Hag has named a 22-man squad for Manchester United’s Champions League match against Galatasaray.

The first team are on their way to Turkey after leaving Manchester this afternoon.

Wednesday’s game will kick off at 17:45 GMT at RAMS Stadium in Istanbul.

The squad has been boosted with the return of Antony and Rasmus Hojlund , with both players training at Carrington before their flight to Turkey.

Both players missed Sunday’s 3-0 win over Everton but they’re expected to feature against Galatasaray tomorrow night.

Manchester United travelling squad

Full list via ManUtd.com

Goalkeepers:  Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Andre Onana.

Defenders: Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Sergio Reguilon, Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane, Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat, Bruno Fernandes, Dan Gore, Hannibal, Kobbie Mainoo, Scott McTominay.

Forwards: Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, Joe Hugill, Anthony Martial, Facundo Pellistri.

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Manchester United announce 23-man travelling squad for Champions League clash v FC Copenhagen, Kobbie Mainoo misses out

Manchester United have announced their travelling squad for their crucial clash against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League.

A win, by any means necessary, is crucial for the Red Devils and they could jump into the top two places in the group if they can pick up a victory in Denmark.

Erik ten Hag is firmly under pressure to get Manchester United out of the group which was certainly a challenging but very doable task, if the Red Devils fail to win in Denmark though it will be a tough ask to get out of the group.

With Galatasaray travelling to the Allianz Arena to face Bayern Munich, this is a chance for the Red Devils to overtake the Turkish side in the race for second place.

United’s squad announced

The squad for the game in Denmark has been announced and here are the list of the players who have made the list for the massive encounter:

Goalkeepers: Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton.

Defenders: Diogo Dalot, Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Sergio Reguilon, Raphael Varane, Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

MORE UNITED STORIES

Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Hannibal, Scott McTominay, Mason Mount.

Forwards:  Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Omari Forson, Rasmus Hojlund, Anthony Martial, Facundo Pellistri, Marcus Rashford.

Mainoo’s absence explained

Another exciting youngster, who may well feel he deserves a chance in the first team, is Kobbie Mainoo . The teenage midfielder is back from injury and started last week for the under-21s against Salford City in the EFL Trophy .

The midfielder, however, will not feature against the Danish side in Copenhagen as he has not been selected for the travelling squad.

There may well be a few concerns from the United fanbase about a recurrence of an injury but according to Rich Fay, of the Manchester Evening News , he will play for the club’s under 19’s side like he did a fortnight ago.

According to the report, Mainoo trained with the under-19s and is likely to feature in the UEFA Youth League against the Danish side as the club tries to ease him back to full fitness and build up his minutes.

Pellistri could be given chance

Facundo Pellistri looked sharp when he came on against Fulham and it was his determination to win the ball back that eventually led to Bruno Fernandes’ brilliant winner.

With Antony continuing to struggle , a start for the Uruguayan is surely not too unrealistic and the 21-year-old certainly deserves a chance to nail down a spot in the team.

From that right-hand side, the winger could provide the pace an guile that they have been looking for, which has been so absent when Antony has featured.

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UEFA Champions League

Manchester United name travelling squad for UCL opener against Bayern Munich

Aditya Chauhan

21 players will travel to Germany for the Champions League opener

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has named the squad for the upcoming UEFA Champions League 2023-24 opening match against Bayern Munich .

21 players were selected by the manager and they will travel for this important fixture. Both teams will face each other at the Allianz Arena.

Four summer signings Altay Bayindir, Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana and Sergio Reguilon will travel to Germany. Of these four players, three are in contention to make their European debut for Manchester United.

Erik ten Hag is also taking some youngsters with him. Hannibal Mejbri, the goal scorer from Manchester United's last game is also in the team. Dan Gore and Omari Forson are also there in the squad.

The Red Devils have defensive problems and the Dutch manager only has five players to select from. Harry Maguire will also miss this trip due to an injury.

Both clubs met for the first time in the 1998-99 season and have faced each other 11 times.

Manchester United have suffered three losses in the current season. Their recent one came at home against Brighton. The manager and the team are under a lot of pressure heading into the home of the German champions.

There are also reports that Raphael Varane and Mason Mount are back in training. Both players will look to make a return in the next league match.

Here are the 21 players who are travelling to Germany.

Manchester United squad vs Bayern Munich

Goalkeepers: Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Andre Onana, Radek Vitek

Defenders: Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez, Sergio Reguilon, Diogo Dalot, Jonny Evans

Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, Facundo Pellistri, Scott McTominay, Dan Gore, Hannibal

Forwards: Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho, Omari Forson

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Rashford named in Man Utd's travelling squad for Sevilla clash but three key players missing

United face sevilla in their europa league quarter-final second leg on thursday..

Rory O'Callaghan

Marcus Rashford has been named in Manchester United's travelling squad for their Europa League clash with Sevilla.

United travel to face the La Liga side in Andalusia on Thursday night with the quarter-final tie finely poised at 2-2 after the first leg at Old Trafford.

Rashford has been passed fit for the match after returning to training on Wednesday.

The England international, who has scored six goals in eight games in the Europa League this season, missed the first leg against Sevilla and the weekend win over Nottingham Forest with a groin injury.

Luke Shaw has also been named in the squad after missing United's last three matches with a hamstring problem.

Tyrell Malacia has also been included after missing the Forest win with a knee problem, while Marcel Sabitzer has also made the cut after being pulled from the starting line-up at the City Ground following an issue in the warm-up.

Their availability is a major boost for manager Erik ten Hag, who is without a number of first-team players for the trip to Spain.

Bruno Fernandes is suspended after picking up a booking in the first leg against Sevilla, while Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez both picked up serious injuries in that match.

Martinez has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a fractured metatarsal, while Varane is expected to be out for 'a few weeks' with an unspecified injury sustained which forced him off at half-time.

Scott McTominay has also not been included after failing to recover from a knock, while Donny van de Beek and Alejandro Garnacho are long-term absentees.

Should they beat Sevilla, United will face either Juventus or Sporting Lisbon in the semi-finals of the Europa League, with the Italian side leading 1-0 from the first leg.

Manchester United's squad to face Sevilla

Goalkeepers : David De Gea, Jack Butland, Radek Vitek

Defenders : Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Midfielders : Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Fred, Zidane Iqbal, Marcel Sabitzer

Forwards : Antony, Anthony Elanga, Anthony Martial, Facundo Pellistri, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Wout Weghorst

Topics:  Manchester United , Football , Erik Ten Hag , Europa League , Sevilla

Rory O'Callaghan is Editorial Lead at SPORTbible. He has previously worked for Sky Sports News, MailOnline and Reach covering football, cricket, boxing and MMA. Tested daily as a Liverpool fan in a Manchester office.

@ rory_ocallaghan

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Twenty confirmed players in Manchester United squad vs Tottenham

Lisandro Martinez came off at half-time against Wolves but is available for Man United this weekend.

• 16:31, 18 AUG 2023
• Updated 17:24, 18 AUG 2023

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Lisandro Martinez has travelled with the Manchester United squad for their Premier League match at Tottenham but Harry Maguire could be missing.

Martinez came off at half-time in the 1-0 defeat of Wolves on Monday night with an ankle problem but manager Erik ten Hag confirmed on Thursday he had trained.

Former United captain Maguire was absent when United arrived at Stockport Station on Friday afternoon. Ten Hag could name two goalies on the bench, despite the availability of a number of fringe players.

United won eight Premier League away games last season but prevailed over only one of the teams that finished in the top 12.

Also read: Sheikh Jassim concerned the Glazers won't sell United

Spurs recovered from 2-0 down at half-time to draw 2-2 with United in April and Saturday's fixture marks their first home match under new manager Ange Postecoglou.

"It is one of the aims we have for this season," Ten Hag said of United's away form, "that we have to step up in away games to get more points to bring higher levels because that is the foundation of course, for more points.

"So it is often to do with personality. So that is the demand from me for the players that we have to show more personality on the pitch to win such games and to gather more points in away games."

United took the train from Stockport Station to Euston, having been among the Premier League clubs criticised for taking internal flights for games.

A Green Football Weekend was held in February to raise awareness of the issue of climate change.

Confirmed squad members: Onana, Henderson, Vitek, Dalot, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, McTominay, Mount, Eriksen, Fernandes, Pellistri, Antony, Rashford, Garnacho, Sancho, Martial

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How to watch and follow United's FA Cup semi-final

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Manchester United head to Wembley for the fourth time in Erik ten Hag's tenure this weekend, with the objective of reaching the Emirates FA Cup final for a second successive season.

It's FA Cup semi-final week

View these images from Carrington as the Reds prepare for Sunday's Wembley bout with Coventry.

FA Cup semi-final: Early team news

Get the lowdown on both squads ahead of our Wembley meeting with Coventry City.

THE OPPOSITION Currently occupying eighth place in the Championship, eight points short of the play-off spots, Coventry have defied the odds to join three of the Premier League's top nine clubs at the penultimate stage of the FA Cup. However, after beating Oxford United (6-2), Sheffield Wednesday via a replay (4-1) and Maidstone United (5-0), the Sky Blues' only giant-killing of a top-flight side came in that incredible last round when they made the short trip across the Midlands to Molineux . After a goalless first half, Ellis Simms put City ahead early in the second period and they remained in front for a full half-hour until Rayan Ait-Nouri and Hugo Bueno's quickfire double, in the 83rd and 88th minutes, appeared to have broken the visitors' hearts and set the expected ascendancy. Then came the late, late drama, as if it was setting the template for United's 4-3 thriller with Liverpool the following day. Simms equalised in the 97th minute and the away end erupted once again, in the 100th, as Haji Wright sent Coventry into the semi-finals as the unlikely 3-2 victors. Cue the flashbacks to 1987 when the club supported by Red Bull Formula 1 team principal Christian Horner and former Sky Sports TV presenter Richard Keys, among other celebrity fans, pulled off one of the biggest FA Cup final shocks by beating Tottenham Hotspur 3-2. Just a shame, for them at least, that Wimbledon produced an even bigger upset 12 months later by dashing Liverpool's hopes of a Double in 1988. That was the year Coventry boss Mark Robins made his debut in professional football, by coming on as a substitute for United in a comprehensive 5-0 win over Rotherham United in the League Cup. Brian McClair bagged a hat-trick and two of our FA Cup-winning captains, Bryan Robson and Steve Bruce, also netted. An Academy graduate, Robins went on to make 70 first-team appearances for the Reds across four seasons, scoring 17 goals with his most famous one - the aforementioned third-round winner at Forest - being mythologised as the saviour of Sir Alex Ferguson's job in 1990. It kept the legendary manager on an FA Cup run at least, leading to his historic first trophy at United.

Why Robins sparks FA Cup memories

United have only beaten Forest once in the competition - and it started the successful run in 1990.

United 4 Coventry 2

14 April 2001: A United win and favourable results elsewhere could secure a third straight league title.

FA CUP HIGHLIGHTS 2023/24

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Manchester United players now expect Erik ten Hag to be sacked

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Several Manchester United players are delaying decisions on their futures as the squad now expects Erik ten Hag to be sacked this summer .

The Dutchman saw his side’s slim hopes of qualifying for the Champions League disappear on Saturday with a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.

United have now won just one of their last seven Premier League matches, and thrown away leads against Brentford, Chelsea and Liverpool.

The Red Devils finished bottom of their Champions League group and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Newcastle.

United’s hopes of finishing the season with a trophy are still alive given they’re in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, where they’ll face Coventry.

But the results don’t lie, and United’s season has been poor in the main.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has refused to publicly back Ten Hag and the Manchester Evening News say the squad now expect him to leave.

Several United players are out of contract in the summer, including Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans.

Jadon Sancho is set to return from Dortmund, while Mason Greenwood could also return from Getafe.

Christian Eriksen is also unhappy with his lack of playing time.

The MEN say there are several players that are waiting until a decision is made over Ten Hag’s future before they decide on their own.

For more stories like this,  check our sport page .

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook ,  Twitter  and  Instagram .

MORE : Manchester United in talks to sign Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong

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Manchester United news: 3 high-profile players who could leave this summer

A s the curtain falls on another season at Old Trafford, Manchester United remains at a crossroads. With the appointment of Sir Jim Ratcliffe to oversee all football operations, a significant shift in the club’s approach to transfers and squad management is on the horizon. This summer promises to be busy for the Red Devils as they look to rebuild and restructure under new leadership.

Raphael Varane

One of the glaring issues that Manchester United faces is the uncertainty surrounding their defensive line, particularly the future of Raphael Varane. Since he arrived from Real Madrid in 2021, Varane has shown glimpses of his quality but has also been plagued by injuries, leaving the club in search of a reliable replacement. The rumors linking Varane to the Saudi Pro League only fuel speculation about his potential departure. While his tenure at United saw a Carabao Cup triumph, the gap between expectations and reality has widened, prompting questions about his long-term suitability for the club.

Varane’s struggles with injuries have been a cause for concern, with his partnership with Lisandro Martinez failing to provide the solidity that United craves at the back. The transition from the heights of success at Real Madrid to the more modest achievements at Old Trafford has been challenging for the Frenchman, with whispers of discontent surfacing during United’s disappointing Champions League campaign. As Ratcliffe and his team ponder the future of United’s defense, the specter of Varane’s potential departure looms large, leaving fans anxious for a resolution in the summer transfer window.

In midfield, another player facing scrutiny is Casemiro. Despite his hefty price tag and initial promise following his €70.7 million move in 2022, the Brazilian has consistently failed to deliver performances befitting a Manchester United player. With whispers of a possible move to the Saudi Pro League gathering momentum, Casemiro’s future at Old Trafford hangs in the balance. While his contributions were instrumental in securing silverware last season, his form this term has left much to be desired, casting doubt over his place in the squad moving forward.

Casemiro’s struggles to replicate his past successes have raised questions about his adaptability to the rigors of English football, with pundits and fans alike questioning his suitability for the United midfield. As Ratcliffe and his team assess their options, the prospect of offloading Casemiro to fund a move for a more dynamic midfielder looms, signaling a potential shift in United’s approach to recruitment in the summer transfer window.

Marcus Rashford

The most poignant narrative of Manchester United’s season has been the decline of Marcus Rashford. Once hailed as one of the brightest talents in English football, Rashford has endured a stark reversal in fortunes, with his on-field performances failing to match the heights of previous campaigns. Reports of interest from Paris Saint-Germain only add to the uncertainty surrounding his future at the club, with the prospect of a lucrative transfer looming large. Despite penning a long-term deal at the start of the season, Rashford’s potential departure could signal the end of an era at Old Trafford, with financial considerations playing a pivotal role in the decision-making process.

Rashford’s struggles this season have been emblematic of United’s broader issues on the pitch, with the team failing to mount a sustained challenge for major honors. While his talent remains undeniable, questions have been raised about his consistency and ability to thrive under the pressure of expectation at United. As Ratcliffe and his team weigh up their options, the prospect of Rashford’s departure represents both a challenge and an opportunity for the club, with the potential to reshape the squad and reinvest in new talent.

As Manchester United braces itself for a summer of upheaval, the club finds itself at a pivotal juncture in its storied history. With the specter of departures looming large and the promise of new arrivals on the horizon, the Red Devils must navigate these turbulent waters with purpose and clarity. Under the watchful eye of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the winds of change blow through Old Trafford once more, heralding the dawn of a new era for one of football’s most iconic institutions.

The post Manchester United news: 3 high-profile players who could leave this summer appeared first on ClutchPoints .

Manchester United appoint Jason Wilcox as new technical director

Manchester United have announced the appointment of Jason Wilcox as the club’s new technical director.

The Athletic  reported earlier in April that United had made an approach to Southampton for Wilcox.

United confirmed in a statement that Wilcox will begin work “with immediate effect”, adding that “he will work with all technical areas of the football department to achieve the highest standards of performance”.

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Wilcox will report to the sporting director, who will have overall responsibility for football performance, recruitment and operations. United have said that an appointment will be confirmed in due course. Dan Ashworth is expected to assume this role.

United have also confirmed that current technical director Darren Fletcher “will continue to play a key role in the football leadership team working across the men’s first team and academy”.

Southampton said they “reached an agreement with the Premier League side on an acceptable compensation fee”, having initially rejected United’s proposal after they offered to pay the equivalent of a full year of Wilcox’s salary.

Jason Wilcox: What Manchester United can expect from the former Man City academy chief

The Athletic  reported in February that United were in talks to bring Wilcox on board as a crucial member of the club’s revamped sporting structure.

His position would be under the supervision of a sporting director. Ashworth, who is United’s top target, was put on gardening leave by Newcastle United after expressing his desire to leave the club following interest from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.

In January 2023, Wilcox resigned from his position as Manchester City’s academy director, marking the beginning of his transition to Southampton, where he has held his role for nine months.

Despite City’s efforts to retain him by offering a new deal, Wilcox opted to conclude his nine-year tenure with the Etihad club.

Phil Foden, Rico Lewis, and Oscar Bobb, along with Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, flourished under Wilcox’s guidance at the City academy, where he served as director in 2017, following his stint as the under-18s head coach.

In his playing days, Wilcox achieved Premier League success with Blackburn Rovers, and also represented Leeds United and Blackpool before retiring in 2006.

Wilcox’s appointment would mark another significant addition to their backroom team, complementing the recent hiring of Omar Berrada as their new chief executive, who is joining from Manchester City at the end of the season.

What would missing next season's Champions League mean for United financially?

(Robin Jones/Getty Images)

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Dan Sheldon is a football news reporter for The Athletic, covering Manchester City and Manchester United. He spent four years writing about Southampton FC, two of which were at the Southern Daily Echo. Follow Dan on Twitter @ dansheldonsport

Middle East latest: Worshippers in Tehran chant 'death to Israel' after strike; man 'carrying explosives' arrested at Iranian consulate in Paris

Worshippers in Tehran gather at a demonstration just hours after an apparent Israeli strike in Iran. Elsewhere, a man is arrested at the Iranian consulate in Paris after claiming to be carrying explosives.

Friday 19 April 2024 22:30, UK

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• What we know so far about Israel's apparent attack on Iran
• Iran has 'no plan for immediate retaliation'
• Blinken refuses to talk about Israel's reported attack
• Man arrested at Iranian consulate in Paris
• Worshippers in Tehran chant 'death to Israel'
• Analysis:  This strike has escalation written all over it
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• Live reporting by  Emily Mee

An Israeli retired major general has said he doesn't believe Israel's overnight attack on Iran is a "very significant event". 

Major General Giora Eiland, the former head of the Israeli National Security Council, said the strike showed Israel can reach "even sensitive places" but it had tried to "do it way that both sides can be satisfied". 

He told Sky's World with Yalda Hakim programme that he doesn't "predict real escalation after this". 

Asked whether Israel's message had been received in Iran, he said countries will try to emphasise their success and minimise the success of the other side. 

He added that in attacking Israel, Iran had created an international coalition against itself - "something they certainly don't want to see". 

We've been hearing from our military analyst Professor Michael Clarke , who says the overnight attacks on Iran appear to be the Israelis "going after certain targets directly linked to n[Tehran's] attack last weekend". 

It's not been confirmed yet, but he says Israel almost certainly used ballistic missiles - rather than the drones than Iran says were used. 

"The Iranians have an interest in saying it was almost certainly a one-off attack, it was drones, it didn't matter," Professor Clarke says. 

This "relieves them of the responsibility of being so outraged they have to do something even more decisive", he says. 

Both sides are now "trying to save face". 

Professor Clarke says Israel wanted to carry out an attack, but not one that would upset its allies too much. 

Meanwhile Iran is being "careful not to overplay" Israel's attack. 

We reported earlier today on a tweet from Israel's national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir, calling the attack on Iran overnight "lame". 

Channel 12 is now reporting a confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached out to the far-right politician to tell him he was harming Israel's national security. 

However, the network added he is unlikely to face further repercussions as Mr Netanyahu is reliant on him to remain in power. 

Mr Ben Gvir is among the Israeli hardliners calling for a harsher response to Iran and more brutal measures in Gaza. 

The Israeli prime minister remains in a tough spot as he is facing calls for de-escalation from Western allies, but he also needs to appease hardliners within his government to stay in power. 

The Met Police has retracted its previous statement about two of its officers, who were heavily criticised for threatening to arrest a Jewish man near a pro-Palestinian march. 

The officers said the antisemitism campaigner, who was wearing a kippah skull cap, was "quite openly Jewish" so they were concerned about the reaction to his presence near the march. 

The Met said it had "reflected on the strength of the response to our previous statement" and wished to make a new apology. 

In its earlier statement, the force had said the use of the term "openly Jewish" was a "poor choice of words and while not intended, we know it will have caused offence to many". 

It continued: "In recent weeks we've seen a new trend emerge, with those opposed to the main protests appearing along the route to express their views.

"The fact that those who do this often film themselves while doing so suggests they must know that their presence is provocative, that they're inviting a response and that they're increasing the likelihood of an altercation."

But this statement was criticised by the antisemitism campaigner in the video, Gideon Falter, who accused the force of "appalling victim blaming". 

"What has dented Jewish Londoners' confidence in the Met is not us making this video public, but the actions of the Met's officers telling me that I cannot be in the area whilst openly Jewish," he said. 

"The assistant commissioner appears to be saying that we should have taken this on the chin and kept the video under wraps."

Here is the new statement in full: 

"The use of the term 'openly Jewish' by one of our officers is hugely regrettable. We know it will have caused offence to many. We reiterate our apology.

"We have reflected on the strength of the response to our previous statement. In an effort to make a point about the policing of protest we caused further offence. This was never our intention. We have removed that statement and we apologise.

"Being Jewish is not a provocation. Jewish Londoners must be able to feel safe in this city.

"Our commitment to protecting the public extends to all communities across London. It's important that our public statements reflect that more clearly than they did today."

US officials are continuing their silence on the apparent Israeli attack on Iran overnight. 

In a news conference just now, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked whether this is part of a strategy to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East. 

She said she has "nothing to share" and was "not going to speculate on reportings". 

Ms Jean-Pierre said the US does not want to see the conflict escalate and will continue to consult with partners. 

Israeli fighter jets launched three missiles at an air defence radar site near the Iranian city of Isfahan in last night's overnight strike, according to a report. 

ABC News, citing an unnamed US official, said the radar site was part of the protection of Iran's Natanz nuclear facility. 

The official reportedly said the missiles were fired from outside Iran and the strike was "very limited". 

They also said an initial assessment showed the radar site was taken out, but the assessment has not yet been completed. 

Iran earlier said three drones were involved in the attack on Isfahan, and made no mention of any missiles or damage. 

The US has publicly said very little about the attack, apart from confirming it was not involved. 

By Alex Rossi , international correspondent on the Israel-Lebanon border

The roads through northern Israel along the border with Lebanon are empty of cars.

It is unnervingly quiet.

Since 7 October the area has been under bombardment from Hezbollah militants and tens of thousands of people have left following the government's evacuation rules.

Ariel Frish, the deputy head of security, in Kiryat Shmona, a frontline city, shows me the damage in a residential area.

A house is gutted from fire caused by the explosion from the strike.

"We got attacked by a great wave of missiles, one of the missiles hit this house," he said. 

"Nobody was here because we evacuated the city one week before. And if we had not evacuated there would be no survivors.”

The Israel Defence Forces and Hezbollah have been exchanging fire on a daily basis in the north for more than six months - and it feels like a full scale war may not be far away.

Walking through the communities in the north is eerie. 

You can hear the sound of birdsong and the constant noise of drones and warplanes circling overhead.

A short distance from the Lebanese border and former IDF commander, Gideon Harari, who lives in one of the communities in the line of fire, says a major confrontation is looking more likely every day.

The situation with Iran and the standoff with Hezbollah, as well as the war in Gaza, make this an incredibly dangerous time for the region.

"The shooting is daily. Rockets, drones every day," he said. 

"Now is the most dangerous point in the Middle East for the last forty years. If Israel will take military measures against Iran it might drive us into a Middle East war, a big war."

The internally displaced have moved to hotels and guesthouses in safer parts of Israel.

In Tiberias the evacuees can only wonder when it will be safe to return.

"The mood of the people in Israel is very frustrated. And it is very dangerous to live here," says Daniel Boker, who left his hometown of Metula on the border, months ago.

Tensions are now the highest they've been for decades and that's reflected in the preparations Israel is making.

The national ambulance service, Magen David Adom, has been stockpiling equipment in an underground facility. Chief of staff Uri Shacham, tells me 7 October has changed everything.

"We are preparing for a long-term campaign or long-term war," he said.

"If you had talked to me in September 2023, I would have said we have a supply for one month. 

"Nowadays, because of what we are expecting, [we are] preparing... many more month's [worth] of equipment."

Israel now faces crisis on multiple fronts but it is clear the current situation in the north is increasingly untenable. 

It will not take much for a broader war to break out.

By Sam Doak, OSINT reporter

A video showing explosions in the sky above Isfahan provides further information on last night's attack in Iran. 

Sky News determined the video was filmed next to Laleh Park in the northeast of the city by matching features including a road, park, flagpole and three cylindrical structures.  

This made it possible to determine the video shows explosions in the sky to the east of the city.  

While this video does not contain enough information to tell with certainty what site was targeted, explosions in this general area fit with accounts in Iranian media that a base adjoining Isfahan International Airport was attacked. 

This base is located to the northeast of Isfahan. Fars News Agency, a regime-aligned Iranian outlet, has claimed that three explosions occurred near this site as a result of last night's attack. No substantial damage has been reported.  

The apparent Israeli attack on Iran has prompted airlines to change flight paths, cancel flights and divert others to alternate airports over security concerns. 

Iran closed its airports in Tehran, Shiraz and Isfahan in the aftermath and cleared flights from the western portion of its airspace for a few hours after the attack, according to flight tracking website FlightRadar24.

Both the airports and airspace had reopened by 4.45am UK time. 

Flydubai said it had cancelled its flights to Iran and an earlier flight had turned back to Dubai. 

Tracking data also showed an Iran Air flight from Rome to Tehran was diverted to Ankara, Turkey. 

As we reported earlier, Germany's Lufthansa cancelled all flights to Tel Aviv and Erbil until tomorrow, and would avoid Iraqi airspace during this time period. 

United Airlines said it would cancel its daily flight from Newark to Tel Aviv until 2 May, while Air Canadasaid it was pausing operations to and from Tel Aviv until the end of June. 

Emirates, Flydubai, Turkish Air, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and Belavia were among the carriers continuing to fly over the part of Iran's airspace that remained open in the initial hours after the attack early today.

Activists and aid workers are preparing another attempt to break through the Israeli blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. 

A coalition of organisations, including the IHH and the Mavi Marmara Association from Turkey, are planning to set sail soon onboard the ship Akdeniz. 

The exact launch date is unclear but activists are currently sorting aid inside the cargo hold. 

The same organisations were previously in charge of a flotilla that attempted to deliver aid in 2010. 

Israeli commandos stormed the Mavi Marmara in international waters, leading to an altercation that left nine people dead and dozens of activists wounded.

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