MAN UTD have gone top of the Premier League after a spectacular debut from Cristiano Ronaldo.
CR7 netted twice in a 4-1 win over Newcastle, sending Old Trafford wild.
The Red Devils are also looking towards next summer’s transfer window, where they’re set to go back in for West Ham’s Declan Rice.
And one man who could sweeten the deal is former Hammers loanee Jesse Lingard, who has just rejected a new contract at Old Trafford.
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STILL GOT IT
Jose Mourinho celebrated Roma’s 90th minute winner against Sassuolo by running down the touchline from the manager dugouts to celebrate with his players.
Stephan El Shaarawy’s 91st minute made it 2-1 to Roma, giving Jose Mourinho a win in his 1000th game as a manager.
And the former Man United boss said: “I told everyone lies! I had been saying to the team for days that this 1000th game was not important to me… but I had an incredible fear of losing!
“Luckily we won and I was running like a child today because I was feeling 12 years old, not 58.”
Credit: AFP RON’S SUCCESSOR
Juventus skipper Giorgio Chiellini has named Paulo Dybala as the man to fill the shoes of Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus after CR7’s departure.
The Old Lady have lost two outof three games so far in Serie A, drawing the other, in what has been a poor start to the season.
But the experienced centre-back is expecting Dybala to step-up in the absence of Ronaldo.
He told DAZN: “This will be Paulo Dybala’s team.
“Over the last couple of years, he lowered his average goals because of Cristiano’s presence, but he is a key player for this team and that is recognized by everyone.”
LINGARING
Leicester City have emerged as a potential destination for Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard.
According to outlet Fichajes, the Foxes are interested in a deal for the 28-year-old.
Lingard was linked with a permanent move to West Ham in the summer after a hugely successful loan spell, but a move never materialised.
Instead he stayed at Old Trafford, where he has enjoyed a productive start to the season despite being used sparingly by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
He bagged for the Red Devils in Sunday’s 4-1 win against Manchester United, as well as netting for England against Andorra while on international duty.
Credit: Getty
TOUCH OF CLASS
Marcus Rashford has taken to social media to wish Harvey Elliott well after his horror injury.
The 18-year-old was stretchered off the pitch during Liverpool’s 3-0 win against Leeds at Elland Road.
Elliot has suffered a dislocated ankle, with the bone also suspected to be broken.
And Manchester United man Rashford sent out a tweet saying: “Ahhhh man rivalry aside that looks really nasty, no one wants to see that, thoughts are with you Harvey.”
AVERAGE POSITIONS
Here’s a look at the average positions of the Manchester United and Newcastle players yesterday, courtesy of Opta.
You can see just from this graphic how deep the Magpies were forced to defend by the Red Devils.
SPECIAL RON
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has spoken on Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford, admitting that ‘unfortunately’ he strengthens Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
Klopp told Sky Sport: “Am I happy that he’s at United? No I can’t say that”
And when asks if it strengthens United, Klopp said: “Yes unfortunately. I was surprised when I heard of the first rumours he wants to leave Juventus, I had no idea.
“I’m not in the Juventus circle that people inform me from time to time what’s going on there, so I was really surprised about that.
“Then I thought ‘oh that will be fun for United’ then United obviously stepped in for him and did it. All fine, free world, they can do what they want.”
STAT ATTACK
Paul Pogba is the first player in Premier League history to register SEVEN assists after four games.
How many can he get in total Red Devils fans?
And will he sign a new contract with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season?
ACTION AREAS
Here’s a look at the action areas from yesterday’s game at Old Trafford, courtesy of Opta.
Just 13 percent of the play came in the Red Devils’ third of the pitch, as Ole Gunnar Solskajer’s side enjoyed a dominant victory.
UTD TIPPED TO FIGHT CITY FOR RICE
United are ready to fight neighbours City for West Ham’s £100million-rated midfielder Declan Rice next summer.
Chelsea have also been linked with the 22-year-old.
But ti is thought Rice is content to at least see out the season with David Moyes’ much-improved Hammers side.
JESSE: KIDS CAN LEARN FROM RON
Jesse Lingard posted “dream big kids” alongside him celebrating with fellow United scorer Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo returned with a double to see off Newcastle 4-1, with Bruno Fernandes and sub Lingard producing spectacular finishes in the last ten minutes.
But while Ron has signed a two-year deal, Lingard is tipped to reject a new contract – in search of more regular starts.
ROCKET RONNIE REACHES 20.2MPH
Cristiano Ronaldo clocked an astonishing aged 36 during his second Manchester United debut.
The Portugal superstar returned to Old Trafford with two goals in yesterday’s 4-1 win over Newcastle.
And in the build-up to his second he put on the afterburners as Luke Shaw burst forward.
Ronaldo suddenly left Toon defenders for dead to latch on to the ball and fire home.
The 20.2mph speed makes him one of the Premier League’s fastest players this season.
Adam Armstrong remains the No1 king of speed so far.
The Southampton ace managed 22.15mph, just ahead of Wolves winger Adama Traore on 22.12mph.
Wilfired Zaha, Nathan Tella, Ismaila Sarr and new England frontman Patrick Bamford have all gone faster than 21.5mph.
UTD JOINT THIRD TITLE FAVOURITES
United are now 9/2 joint third favourites with Liverpool for the Prem title.
Champions Manchester City remain remain 6/5 top tips ahead of 13/5 Chelsea in Ladbrokes’ latest odds.
TITLE ODDS: Man City – 6/5, Chelsea – 13/5, Liverpool – 9/2, Man United 9/2, Tottenham 40/1.
CAN RON TEACH POG NEW TRICKS?
United’s assist king Paul Pogba posted “big three points” as United went top of the Prem with a 4-1 defeat of Newcastle.
And the midfielder’s tweet included snaps of him celebrating with Bruno Fernandes, who bagged the third goal after Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice.
THE OLD RON TWO IS BETTER THAN GUNNERS
Piers Morgan’s adoration of Cristiano Ronaldo is coming between his love for Arsenal…
The Gunners earned their first goal and points of the season in sinking Norwich 1-0, while Ronaldo netted twice on his second Manchester United debut as the new Prem leaders beat Newcastle 4-1.
And outspoken TV celebrity Morgan noted: “Ronaldo has now scored more goals in the Premier League this season than the entire Arsenal team.”
LUKE’S ROYAL FLUSH-ING
Manchester United star Luke Shaw watched Emma Raducanu’s historic win at Flushing Meadows from the poker room in his £2.8million mansion.
The England left-back shared a picture from his plush Cheshire pad and appeared to be waiting for ex-Red Devils defender Wes Brown and pro poker player Sam Trickett.
Shaw’s home is in the exclusive Hale Barns area of Cheshire.
And given his £190,000-a-week wages, the interior is as swanky as you might imagine.
The England left-back was sat at a six-seat poker table staring at one of two televisions in the room which both had the tennis on.
The luxurious marble floor and elaborate light over the table are stand out features.
And the area was complete with a leather sofa in front of the TV and fireplace.
Shaw shared the snap around 10pm – in the early stages of Raducanu’s match – and captioned it: “Tennis on, ready when you are @wes_brown24 @samtrickett7.” Brown, 41, swiftly replied: “K9 is ready, are you?”
TOON ACES ‘ASK FOR RON SHIRT’
Two Newcastle players asked for Cristiano Ronaldo’s shirt after their team’s 4-1 defeat to Manchester United, according to rumours.
Captain Jamaal Lascelles and Joelinton spoke to the returning icon after the game and some furious Toon fans believe they asked for his jersey.
Adam Crafton of The Athletic tweeted that he thought he saw ‘more than one’ Newcastle player ask Ronaldo for his jersey after the game.
The suspicion was reaffirmed by Rory Smith of the New York Times, who thought Lascelles asked before ‘someone else’ tried to nab it off the skipper.
Video footage suggests that player is Joelinton, with Ronaldo appearing to point at another player and telling him the shirt’s already been taken.
There’s every chance the players were just congratulating the Man Utd star after his stunning second Prem debut, scoring a brace against Newcastle.
But the rumours have left Newcastle supporters furious with their struggling team and questioning Lascelles’ leadership.
HARRY: ATMOSPHERE WON IT
Skipper Harry Maguire says United fans’ incredible welcome for Cristiano Ronaldo powered the returning legend’s two-goal show at Old Trafford and the 4-1 win over Newcastle.
Maguire tweeted: “He’s home and it felt good. Atmosphere deserved the victory… incredible.”
Ron’s left-footed double just before and after half-time peaked his energetic second debut as United went top on goal difference ahead of Chelsea.
MANC GIANTS FIGHT FOR DEC’S APPEAL
United are ready to fight neighbours City for West Ham’s £100million-rated midfielder Declan Rice next summer.
Chelsea have also been linked with the 22-year-old.
But ti is thought Rice is content to at least see out the season with David Moyes’ much-improved Hammers side.
POG FUN
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba enjoyed an evening at Parklife festival – and even joined rapper Burna Boy on stage.
The Frenchman helped United to a 4-1 win hours earlier, notching two assists to take his total to seven in just four games.
Pogba made the short and quick journey to Heaton Park, Manchester, where the festival was being held.
And he hopped up on stage and danced alongside mega music star Burna Boy to celebrate an impressive win in the perfect way.
One United fan said Pogba has traded assisting his Man Utd team-mates for assisting Burna Boy on stage.
They said on Twitter: “He’s now assisting Burna boy, there’s no stopping him.”
SOLSKJAER ON RONALDO
Speaking after Ronaldo’s two goals, Solskjaer said: “He does what he does.
“Cristiano lifts everyone, gets everyone so focused when he’s around the place, he puts demands on himself which puts demands on his teammates and demands on us, and that’s why he’s done so much in his career, he’s been so disciplined.
“He’s evolved, he’s a developed as a player, he’s a different type of player to when he left but he’s still a ruthless and clinical goalscorer, and he smells the big moments. He scents when there’s a goal.”
ROLL THE RICE
Manchester City are ready to fight Manchester United in the battle for Declan Rice next summer.
United have earmarked West Ham star Rice as a priority target in 2022 — even though he is valued at around £100million by the London club.
But though the Old Trafford club feel they are in a strong position to capture the England midfielder, neighbours City have other ideas.
They have been tracking the 22-year-old ever since he first made the breakthrough into the West Ham first team as a promising young central defender.
And the manner in which his game has developed in midfield, culminating in his impressive displays for the Three Lions in Euro 2022, have not gone unnoticed at the Etihad Stadium.
YOU SHAW
Manchester United’s Twitter account congratulated US Open winner Emma Raducanu on her amazing success.
The Brit tennis sensation overcame Leylah Fernandez at Flushing Meadows 6-4 6-3 to make history as the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam.
And United revealed they were right behind her, sharing a snap of Luka Shaw watching the final in what looks like a poker room in his home.
FERGIE TIME
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Manchester City’s interest in Cristiano Ronaldo forced the Red Devils to move for the Portugal legend.
CR7 appeared to be set for a move to Pep Guardiola’s side, before United stepped in at the eleventh hour to sign the former Real Madrid star.
But Fergie said that the club could not allow Ronaldo to join their noisy neighbours.
“I couldn’t imagine him playing for Manchester City – I don’t think anybody could,” Ferguson told Viaplay.
“That’s why we made steps to ensure that he came here.
“The club then followed him well, I spoke to the Glazers, and then it was done.”
NOISY NEIGHBOURS
Manchester United’s plans to sign Declan Rice may be scuppered by their fierce rivals Manchester City.
United have earmarked West Ham star Rice as a priority target in 2022 — even though he is valued at around £100million by the London club.
But though the Old Trafford club feel they are in a strong position to capture the England midfielder, neighbours City have other ideas.
They have been tracking the 22-year-old ever since he first made the breakthrough into the West Ham first team as a promising young central defender.
And the manner in which his game has developed in midfield, culminating in his impressive displays for the Three Lions in Euro 2022, have not gone unnoticed at the Etihad Stadium.
City have been able to delay making any moves for a new player at the base of their midfield while Fernandinho has been able to extend his playing career as understudy to Rodri.
But the Brazilian is unlikely to remain past the end of the season, by when he will have turned 37, and the defending champions know they will have to bring in a new face next summer.
INITIATION GAME
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has heaped praise on Cristiano Ronaldo, while revealing how he introduced himself to his team mates.
On the eve of the Newcastle United game, in which Ronaldo scored twice on his second debut for the Red Devils, he stood up to speak to Solskjaer’s players at the team dinner.
“When anyone comes into the team they have to introduce themselves,” the Norwegian revealed.
“Maybe not everyone knew Cristiano’s name – but they do now!
“He said his name was Cristiano and that’s as much as I can say.
“But the atmosphere around the club has been electric. The supporters have really enjoyed the last 10 days or so since he signed.
“There were loads of expectations on the team and him – and he’s delivered.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
