Man Utd and City rivals for Haaland, Lindelof leaves Sweden squad, tribute for Mata’s late mother – transfer LATEST

RON ROW ARMBAND AUCTIONED

Cristiano Ronaldo’s angrily-discarded captain’s armband is up for auction to raise money for a sick child in Serbia.

Little Gavril Djurdjevic, who is just six months old and from the city of Kragujevac, suffers from spinal muscular atrophy.

Humanitarian organisation Together for Life hopes to raise €2.5million (around £2.1m) needed for his treatment.

And they are now selling Ronaldo’s Portugal armband to the highest bidder over the next three days in an online auction to help reach that target.

It was taken from the pitch of Belgrade’s Rajko Mitic stadium by a worker, who donated it to Together for Life and baby Gavril, after Portugal’s 2-2 World Cup qualifier against Serbia on Saturday.

The charity auction marks an incredible twist to the tale.

Ronaldo marched over to the linesman to argue in vain that his shot had crossed the line, replays backing up his case.

The referee booked a raging Ronaldo, who walked off the field waving his arms in disbelief before ripping off his captain’s armband and launching it to the floor.

RAI’S BLAZE AT MANC RIVALS

Super-agent Mino Raiola has stirred it up with neighbours Manchester United and City.

He told the Athletic: “I don’t give a f**k if I never do another player with Man Utd. I’m not in their hands. I’m independent.

“Guardiola? I’ve closed the book a long time ago. Everybody knows what I think of him personally; he can say what he thinks for me personally.”

MANE UTD?

Manchester United are ‘in contact’ with Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele and ‘preparing a summer transfer bid’, according to reports.

The Frenchman is currently under contract at the Catalan club until 2022 and Barca boss Ronald Koeman is keen to keep the attacker.

But Sport have reported that Man Utd are ready to swoop in and claim Dembele by turning his head at the end of the season.

Barca are currently trying to lower their wage bill due to financial problems at the club.

Mundo Deportivo believe the club and player are in negotiations over a fresh deal to keep him at the Nou Camp.

MANE MAN GETS TOP MARC

Marcus Rashford picked Sadio Mane over Mo Salah as the best African talent in the Premier League.

England ace Rashford was asked who is the greatest African player he has faced since debuting in 2015.

And the 23-year-old plumped for Senegalese sensation Mane over Liverpool team-mate and ‘Egyptian King’ Salah.

Rashford said: “I think there’s some great African talent in [the] league at [the] moment. Mane particularly.”

LUK AND LEARN

Luke Shaw’s agent has revealed how the star was helped through his feud with Jose Mourinho and not forced out of Manchester United ‘just to make money’.

Jonathan Barnett, who also looks after the likes of Gareth Bale and Jack Grealish, has revealed the work put in behind the scenes to rescue the defender’s confidence.

He explained to The Athletic: “My job in that situation is to make sure the player’s spirits are kept up.

“We try behind the scenes to help them understand what’s gone wrong. A lot of it is personal.

“We had to rebuild his confidence, which we did. We took certain steps. But Luke is a very strong man. He never got too down.

“His family had to be there for him and we had to be there for him. We didn’t say, ‘You’ve got to leave Man United, we’ve got to go because we need to make money’.

“We didn’t force Luke Shaw out of Man United. He wanted to stay there. And that’s what he’s done. And today, he’s a great, great player.”

DAVE’S DISCO

David De Gea has been blasting Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison on his Spotify.

The Spanish keeper is facing a battle to reclaim his No1 spot at Old Trafford after Dean Henderson’s excellent run while he was away for the birth of his first child.

FIXTURE FRENZY

Check out Man Utd’s next five games after the international break.

NO REST FOR THE WICKED

Check out the Red Devils on international duty today.

FINDING JACK

A documentary portraying Jack Charlton’s remarkable life revealed the difficult relationship with his brother.

Finding Jack Charlton, which was aired on Monday, relived the Leeds United legend’s life both on and off the field. Jack died aged 85 in July after suffering from lymphoma and dementia.

During his illustrious career he won two league titles with Leeds, the FA Cup and League Cup and, of course, the historic World Cup in 1966.

Jack is also a hero in Ireland after helping them qualify for their first World Cup as a manager in 1990 in which 500,000 fans welcomed them back onto Irish soil in Dublin after their knockout.

But his relationship with Manchester United legend Sir Bobby, who was two years his junior, suffered after they fell out in 1996.

Jack accused Bobby of not visiting their mother Cissie before her death in the same year.

Bobby, who won the Ballon d’Or in 1966, would reveal his wife Norma and Cissie had a falling out and he opted to take the side of his other half.

FERGIE FEUD ROUND TWO

Controversial super-agent Mino Raiola has reignited his feud with Sir Alex Ferguson by firing fresh shots at the Manchester United legend.

The pair fell out back in 2012 when Paul Pogba’s representative convinced him to leave the Red Devils due to a lack of first-team football.

Now the Dutch-Italian Raiola has fired back at the 79-year-old, claiming he only liked ‘yes’ men and comparing him to disgraced ex-Fifa president Sepp Blatter.

And he also says that United’s owner the Glazers proved him right about his client when they signed him back for £89.3m after Ferguson’s retirement.

He told The Athletic: “When Ferguson criticised me, that was my biggest compliment anybody could give me.

“Ferguson is used to people coming in and, ‘Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Yes, sir’.

“All I have to say that when Ferguson left Manchester United the club’s owner [the Glazers], by buying back Paul Pogba, told me that I was right.

“Because I didn’t want to take Paul Pogba away. He [Ferguson] didn’t believe in Paul Pogba.”

PAULING THEIR LEG

Paul Pogba’s controversial agent Mino Raiola said his five-year-old nephew could find the French World Cup winner a new club.

Pogba has often been linked with a move away from Old Trafford.

And super agent Raiola told The Athletic: “I talk to a lot of sporting directors, managers, trainers and he [Pogba] is widely appreciated.

“But today, if somebody asks me ‘Can you find a club for Paul?’ I could take my nephew of five and find a club for Paul at a high level.”

CHEEKY JIBE

Nemanja Matic has teased team-mate Bruno Fernandes after the ghost goal that never was denied Portugal victory against Serbia.

Matic has retired from international football but was still delighted to see his countrymen hold Euro 2016 winners Portugal to a 2-2 draw.

But the ball appeared to be across the line late on only for a lack of goalline technology and the officials contriving to deny Cristiano Ronaldo who stormed of and threw down his captain’s armband.

Matic shamelessly shared an image of the ball on the line and tagged Fernandes and Ronaldo in his Instagram story.

He wrote: “Just on the line. Is it all clear now?”

BACK TO BACK

Luke Shaw is tearing up at Manchester United.

And he has been named player of the month for the last two months on the spin.

SHAWLY NOT

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claimed Luke Shaw is the second best finisher at the club behind Mason Greenwood.

The Norwegian overlooked the likes of Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial in favour of his resurgent left-back.

Even the talismanic Bruno Fernandes is behind Shaw in the finishing ranks.

Shaw said in February that the boss rates his finishing: “You should ask the manager he normally says me.

“I understand people will say I don’t score many goals but he’s actually said to me I was one of them [best finishers]. I don’t know if he was being nice or not.”

And Solskjaer backed up his player and said: “I’ve said that to Luke, yeah.

“He is behind Mason Greenwood, Luke has a very good finishing technique when he gets in that position so I encourage him to get up there.”

RASH DECISION

Marcus Rashford picked Sadio Mane over Mo Salah as the best African talent in the Premier League.

England ace Rashford was asked who is the greatest African player he has faced since debuting in 2015.

And the 23-year-old plumped for Senegalese sensation Mane over Liverpool team-mate and ‘Egyptian King’ Salah.

Rashford said: “I think there’s some great African talent in [the] league at [the] moment.

“Mane particularly.”

HAAL-OUT ATTACK

Manchester City plan to make Borussia Dortmund sensation and Man Utd target Erling Haaland their No1 replacement for Sergio Aguero as boss Pep Guardiola targets an era of domination.

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak paid tribute to legendary striker Aguero, who spent ten stunning years at the Etihad — but is not having his contract renewed.

He said: “Sergio’s contribution to Manchester City over the last ten years cannot be overstated.

“His legend will be indelibly etched into the memories of everyone who loves the club and maybe even in those who simply love football.

“This is not yet the moment for farewell words and speeches — there is still much to achieve in the remainder of the time we have with Sergio, and we look forward to his contributions to the challenges which lie ahead.”

Norwegian goal machine Haaland, 20, tops City’s list of replacements, while Tottenham’s Harry Kane is also a target.

DREAM DEBUT

Dan James opened up on his dream debut – scoring for Manchester United against Chelsea, the team he supported as a boy, at the Stretford End.

The Welsh speedster said it would likely always be the highlight of his career.

LEAVE STEVE

Manchester United are reportedly set to raid noisy neighbours Man City for top youth scout Stephen Ajewole.

And that has sparked fears at the Etihad of their transfer secrets being leaked to their rivals.

According to the Daily Mail, United want to bring Ajewole in as the new lead scout for the Under 15-18s.

The swoop is being headed up by United’s head of youth recruitment David Harrison.

Harrison left his role as head of European youth scouting at City to join United in 2017.

Ajewole has been described as an ’emerging recruitment specialist’.

He joined City as a UK southern football scout in August 2014 and has predominantly been based in London.

LINDEL-OFF

Victor Lindelof has left the Sweden squad and headed back to Manchester for “personal reasons”.

The Old Trafford defender will miss the Swedes’ friendly against Estonia after playing 180 minutes in their wins over Kosovo and Georgia.

Sweden assistant Peter Wettergren confirmed the United centre-back was heading back to the North West of England.

Wettergren said: “He will leave us tonight for private, personal reasons.”

GOOD MORNING UNITED FANS,

Luke Shaw knows he is drinking in the last chance saloon with England — but promises he will never betray Gareth Southgate’s trust again.

The Manchester United left-back made his long-awaited return during Sunday’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying win in Albania.

And Shaw confessed: “I have some massive regrets about my England career and I couldn’t stop thinking about the mistakes I had made in the past.

“I have pulled out of a lot of squads and I was letting the boss down because maybe I wasn’t in the best condition around that time.

“The last time I played before Sunday was against Spain in 2018 and I’ve given it so much thought over the past two years.

“I tried to keep in touch with the manager just to let him know that things have changed, but I had a few discussions with my family and they thought that maybe I wouldn’t get back into it.

“But deep down I always believed that if I worked hard I could earn a recall and Gareth has given me another chance so now I need to prove to him that I want to be a part of this squad.

“I remember watching the last World Cup and seeing how well the squad was doing and it really made me want to get involved.

“Maybe at that time I wasn’t mentally right. I had injury problems but maybe they were ones that could have been dealt with.”

Meanwhile,  United have dealt a new injury blow with Anthony Martial a doubt for France’s game against Bosnia.

The striker, 25, bagged an assist in Sunday’s 2-0 win against Kazakhstan.

But Martial was forced off the pitch after picking up a knock to his knee.

And RMC Sport now claims the forward is set to miss France’s third World Cup qualifier against Bosnia on Wednesday.

It’s said Martial took damage to the fibula on his left knee.

And it now remains to be seen if the ace will be fit for United’s Premier League clash against Brighton on Sunday.

And finally on the transfer front, United have joined Tottenham and Liverpool in the race for RB Leipzig captain Marcel Sabitzer.

The 27-year-old Austrian, who captains the high-flying Bundesliga side, is catching the eye of several Premier League teams with his performances this season.

And now Bild have reported that the Red Devils are keen to bring the midfielder to the club in the summer window.

Sabitzer has made it clear to Leipzig he would like to leave at the end of the season and he appears to be eyeing a move to England.

LUKE AT HIM NOW

Luke Shaw knows he is drinking in the last chance saloon with England — but promises he will never betray Gareth Southgate’s trust again.

The Manchester United left-back made his long-awaited return during Sunday’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying win in Albania.

And Shaw confessed: “I have some massive regrets about my England career and I couldn’t stop thinking about the mistakes I had made in the past.

“I have pulled out of a lot of squads and I was letting the boss down because maybe I wasn’t in the best condition around that time.

“The last time I played before Sunday was against Spain in 2018 and I’ve given it so much thought over the past two years.

“I tried to keep in touch with the manager just to let him know that things have changed, but I had a few discussions with my family and they thought that maybe I wouldn’t get back into it.

“But deep down I always believed that if I worked hard I could earn a recall and Gareth has given me another chance so now I need to prove to him that I want to be a part of this squad.

“I remember watching the last World Cup and seeing how well the squad was doing and it really made me want to get involved.

“Maybe at that time I wasn’t mentally right. I had injury problems but maybe they were ones that could have been dealt with.”

COMPUTER SAYS GO

Manchester United will qualify for the Champions League – but Newcastle are heading for the Championship next season, according to a supercomputer.

Thomas Tuchel is expected to get his Blues into the top four, joining champions Manchester City, second-place United and Leicester in third.

BELE TO BELLY

Manchester United are ‘in contact’ with Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele and ‘preparing a summer transfer bid’, according to reports.

The Frenchman is currently under contract at the Catalan club until 2022 and Barca boss Ronald Koeman is keen to keep the attacker.

But Sport have reported that Man Utd are ready to swoop in and claim Dembele by turning his head at the end of the season.

Barca are currently trying to lower their wage bill due to financial problems at the club.

Mundo Deportivo believe the club and player are in negotiations over a fresh deal to keep him at the Nou Camp.

MULL IT OVER

Former Manchester United target Thomas Muller has refused to rule out a move to the Premier League.

He told The Times: “I’m not fixed to this club.

“I have a special relationship, I love Bayern before I started playing for them, but when there is a situation where you have to decide maybe to play for a different club it would be no shame and no problem at all.

“Maybe like with Thiago [Alcantara, now at Liverpool].”

UNITED WE STAND

Manchester United have now paid their respects to Juan Mata following the loss of his mother.