Man Utd transfer news: Sancho injured on England duty, Cristiano Ronaldo shirt number, on ‘great relationship’ with Ole

SLOWEST SUMMER SPENDING SINCE 2015

According to analysis by the Deloitte Sports Business Group, this summer represented the lowest gross spending between season window since 2015.

The analysis suggests top-flight clubs spent a combined £1.1billion before 11pm last night, 11% less than last summer’s window.

And Deloitte report that the gross spending is down 20% on 2019, largely due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Despite that the number of players signed by Premier League clubs actually increased.

Last summer 132 signings were made, while 148 new deals were announced before yesterday’s deadline.

‘£500m HAALAND DEAL’ SCARED OFF PREM CLUBS

Chelsea and Manchester City were scared off long-term Old Trafford target Erling Haaland in August by a staggering £500million bill over the next five years, reports say.

The Borussia Dortmund goal machine’s sky-high package of transfer fee and wages mean interest in the 21-year-old could even be delayed for TWO transfer windows – until NEXT summer.

RON: REJOINING UTD IS MY BEST DECISION

Cristiano Ronaldo says he is back at Manchester United to win trophies rather than for sentimental reasons.

But the Portugal superstar, whose 2003-6 Old Trafford spell was legendary, added: “I think it’s the best decision that I have made.

“I’m so happy and glad, and I want to carry on again, to make history, to try to help Manchester achieve great results, to win trophies and number one of them, to win great things.”

RED DEVILS WON’T RELAX

Those Manchester United players stuck at home during this month’s international break can expect no let-up in training.

That’s the message from United’s own media team!

Old Trafford chiefs had already refused to release Edinson Cavani for Uruguay’s world Cup qualifiers with Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador on September 3, 6 and 9 respectively due to Covid 19 red-zone concerns.

UTD ERLING BID ‘NEXT SUMMER’

Manchester United WILL try to sign Erling Haaland summer, despite the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo.

According to ESPN, the Red Devils are set to continue the pursuit of theit top target next summer.

And when the season does come to an end Haaland will be available for as little as £65million thanks to a release clause in his contract that becomes active.

Ole Gunnar Solskajer is desperate to bring fellow Norwegian Haaland to Old Trafford, and with the pair having previously worked together at Molde a deal could be on the cards.

ESPN even report that the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo will help United get the Haaland deal over the line, due to Haaland’s desire to play alongside the footballing great.

ROTATION POLICY

Fromer professional Trevor Sinclair doesn’t think Cristiano Ronaldo will start every game for Manchester United.

He believes the demands of a long season will be too much for the 36-year-old to be able to play 90 minutes every week.

And Sinclair told talkSPORT: “Ronaldo will get the start, but when his legs start tiring that is when Edinson Cavani will get a chance.

“The intensity is unbelievable in the Premier League. They will dovetail throughout the season.

“Manchester United will play 60 games, he won’t be able to play every game and be top drawer in every single one.

“It will be down to Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] to plan his games when he wants him to make his impact and when he wants him to play.

RED CARD

Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka has today admitted driving his £160,000 Lamborghini Urus while disqualified.

The 23-year-old right-back got behind the wheel of his 4×4 supercar on the A34 in Stockport, Greater Manchester, on June 23.

He stood in the dock at Manchester Magistrates’ Court and spoke only to confirm his name and address and enter his guilty pleas during the brief hearing.

District Judge Bernard Begley agreed that sentencing should be adjourned until a later date.

Wan-Bissaka’s earlier conviction for speeding – leading to his ban and disqualification – is subject to a further hearing where the conviction may be set aside.

He was stopped while behind the wheel of his £160,000 Lamborghini Urus on June 23 this year and roadside police checks revealed he was already banned from driving.

Sentencing for the latest offences will depend on the outcome of the speeding hearing, the court heard.

SKIPPER SPEAKS

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has called Cristiano Ronaldo the ‘greatest player to play the game’ after reacting to Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford.

In his pre match press conference for England’s game against Hungary, Maguire said: “For me [he’s] the greatest player to play the game.

“It’s amazing to have him at the club and I’m sure he’s going to have a huge impact on and off the field.

“And many players can look and learn and improve [from him] and then obviously he’s going to improve our team as well with his goalscoring record.

“So it’s amazing to have him at the club and I’m looking forward to meeting him in a few days.”

RON NUMBERS

Here are the numbers regarding Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United in case you missed them.

The Red Devils will pay Juventus a €15million (£12.9m) transfer fee for Cristiano Ronaldo over the course of five years with an additional €8m (£6.9m) payable upon activating a number of performance related add-ons.

For a player who has scored 674 goals in 895 career games that is not bad at all.

He’s expected to make his second United debut on September 11 against Newcastle.

‘WIN-WIN’

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville believes there are no downsides to Dan James initial £24million move to Leeds United.

The 23-year-old signed for the Whites on deadline day, with game time set to be scarce at Old Trafford following Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival.

And Neville said on Sky Sports: “It’s really good for Dan James. It’s one of those where this is a win-win.

“He came to United and always did his very best, he was a massive threat on the counter-attack, but United have a lot of players in those areas.

“It’s really important for young players to go and play, and Leeds have always wanted him. They wanted him the first time round when United got him instead.

“He’ll suit the way they play, the way they play with such pace on the counter-attack. He’ll love it there – the crowd’s a big crowd, a club that demands a lot.”

‘COUNT ON ME’

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed he is planning to have face-to-face talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer about his role in his team.

And with Solskjaer yet to win silverware as the Red Devils boss, Ronaldo has vowed that his former team-mate can count on him to deliver.

Speaking to United’s website about whether he has spoken to the Norwegian gaffer, he said: “Well, we had a chat.

“But of course I’m going to have time to speak with him face to face, to know what he expects.

“As you know, I played with him for two or three years at Manchester United so I have a good relationship with him but now with a different role, I’m a player and he’s a coach.

“But it doesn’t matter, my relationship with him is great and as I say before, I’m there in Manchester to help the team achieve his results and the coach can count on me for whatever he wants. So I’m available for everything.”

SANCHO WORRY

England manager Gareth Southgate has revealed Jadon Sancho has picked up an injury while on international duty.

In his press conference ahead of thr Three Lions’ clash against Hungary, Southgate said: “We’ve got a small knock with Jadon this morning so we’re going to assess him.”

The news comes as a worry to Manchester United fans with Sancho starting just one Premier League game before picking up the injury.

It’s not yet clear how long Sancho will be out, but with it being a ‘small knock’ it’s not expected to be too long.

HAALAND BOOST

Manchester United have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Erling Haaland.

Former Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge believes the 22-year-old sensation will leave Germany when he leaves Borussia Dortmund.

Bayern are notorious for signing Dortmund’s best stars, but when it comes to Haaland Rummenigge doesn’t think the Munich club have a chance.

He told Sport Bild: “He [Haaland] has become an absolute figurehead in the league.

“But I’m afraid he won’t be staying in the Bundesliga. The numbers that are circulating show that it’s difficult to keep him in Germany.

“I assume that his future lies abroad.”

WINDOW WONDERS

SunSport reckons this team could certainly challenge for the title if they played together – especially with the devastating attack.

Manchester United have three representatives in the side, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho on the wings between former Red Devil Romelu Lukaku.

And Raphel Varane lines up at the back, meaning three out of United’s four summer signings are selected in the side.

Meanwhile, the likes of Kurt Zouma, Martin Odegaard, Emi Buendia, Joe Willock, Dan James, Odsonne Edouard and Patson Daka were among the best signings to make the fantasy bench.

The total transfer cost of the starting XI, three of whom signed on deadline day, adds up to a whopping £457.5m.

EYES ON ERLING

Manchester United WILL try to sign Erling Haaland summer, despite the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo.

According to ESPN, the Red Devils are set to continue the pursuit of theit top target next summer.

And when the season does come to an end Haaland will be available for as little as £65million thanks to a release clause in his contract that becomes active.

Ole Gunnar Solskajer is desperate to bring fellow Norwegian Haaland to Old Trafford, and with the pair having previously worked together at Molde a deal could be on the cards.

ESPN even report that the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo will help United get the Haaland deal over the line, due to Haaland’s desire to play alongside the footballing great.

OUTGOINGS

We all know who Manchester United have signed this summer, but who has left the club in the past few weeks?

• Dan James – Leeds, £25m
• Tahith Chong – Birmingham, loan
• Joel Pereira – contract expired
• Sergio Romero – contract expired
• Nathan Bishop – Mansfield, loan
• Reece Devine – St Johnstone, loan
• Max Taylor – Rochdale, free
• Axel Tuanzebe – Aston Villa, loan
• Ethan Laird – Swansea, loan
• Dylan Levitt – Dundee United, loan
• Brandon Williams – Norwich, loan

ON THE MOVE

Cristiano Ronaldo has also spoken on his decision to return to Manchester in his first interview since re-signing for United.

He told manutd.com: “I think it’s the best decision that I have made it. It’s right on point in my opinion.

“I moved from Juve now to Manchester, it’s a new chapter, I’m so happy and glad, and I want to carry on again, to make history, to try to help Manchester achieve great results, to win trophies and number one of them, to win great things.”

FATHER FIGURE

Cristiano Ronaldo has been speaking to Manchester United’s official website on the role Sir Alex Ferguson had in bringing him back to the club, and the special relationship he has with his former boss.

He said: “As everybody knows, since I signed for Manchester [United] at 18, Sir Alex Ferguson was the key.”

“I remember when we played against Manchester when I was at Sporting Lisbon.

“For me, Sir Alex Ferguson is like a father in football for me. He helped me a lot, he taught me many things, and in my opinion of course he had a big role because the relationship that we had, we keep in touch all the time, and he’s an unbelievable person.

“I really like him a lot and he was the main key for me to be in the position that I am, that I signed for Manchester United.”

NO THANK YOU

Ligue 1 side Lyon made a late effort to sign Anthony Martial.

According to L’Equipe the club tried and failed to bring the 25-year-old to France on deadline day.

He’s said to have turned down a move to the side where he made his professional debut in 2012.

Instead Martial will stay at United, where he has been the subject of criticism in recent weeks.

And he’s set to have his playing time significantly reduced after Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival from Juventus, and Marcus Rashford set to make a return from a shoulder injury in the coming weeks.

DAN DEAL

Daniel James leapfrogged David Beckham to become Manchester United’s fourth most expensive sale.

The Welsh winger, 23, completed his transfer to Leeds on deadline day, penning a five-year contract.

And the £25million switch to Elland Road – which could rise to £30m – is among the biggest fees received by the Red Devils.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Manchester United reportedly blocked Donny van de Beek from joining Everton on loan on deadline day.

That is despite the £35million midfielder ‘wanting to leave’ Old Trafford.

And according to AD in his homeland, the Dutch international was hoping to secure a transfer away this summer to get playing regularly again.

Everton was the most likely destination with the Toffees willing and able to meet the demands of the £125,000-a-week flop.

But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer put the brakes on a move and prevented the centre-mid from leaving, labelling a deal as ‘non-negotiable’ and promising the midfielder he will ‘get his chances’.

ATTACKING THREAT

Manchester United legend Gary Neville doesn’t think it will take Cristiano Ronaldo long to settle back into life at Old Trafford, but he isn’t sure on what United’s best options are going forward.

Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “I don’t think he will have to adapt too much.

“Manchester United have got fantastic forward players, they’ve got good creative players in [Paul] Pogba and [Bruno] Fernandes and [Donny] Van de Beek.

“So with [Jadon] Sancho out wide, [Marcus] Rashford, [Anthony] Martial and [Mason] Greenwood, they should create plenty of chances for him.

“Obviously the question would be – I love Cavani – so it will be a question as to whether they play either or, or whether they can both play together somehow.

“Including myself, everyone is thinking that Cristiano is going to play No9, but could he play just to the left of Cavani?

“And then Greenwood or Sancho to the right, which I just think would be a guarantee of goals.”

BIGGEST DEALS

This has been a transfer window to remember and here is the Premier League’s top five biggest blockbuster moves.

Manchester United are responsible for two out of the five biggest deals, with former Red Devil Romelu Lukaku also on the list.

1. Jack Grealish (Manchester City from Aston Villa, £100m)
2. Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea from Inter Milan, £97.5m)
3. Jadon Sancho (Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund, £73m)
4. Ben White (Arsenal from Brighton, £50m)
5. Raphael Varane (Manchester United from Real Madrid, £41m)

RON REJECTION

Cristiano Ronaldo sensationally offered Barcelona his services before he rejoined Manchester United.

That’s according to Diario Sport, who claim Barcelona immediately rejected the chance to sign the 36-year-old.

Instead CR7 returned to Old Trafford in an initial £13million deal.

He’s expected to make his second debut for the club on September 11 against Newcastle.

NOT ENOUGH

Sky Sports pundit and Manchester United legend Gary Neville doesn’t think the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo will be enough to lead them to a first Premier League title since 2013.

Neville said: “The big question every Manchester United fan, probably every fan in the Premier League will be asking is is it enough for them to challenge for the title and win the the title?

“I don’t quite feel it is. I still think there are a couple of teams that are better.

“I think the Premier League is the strongest since the mid-2000s. 

“I think it’s an unbelievably strong Premier League at this moment in time with great coaches, great teams and great players and that’s been strengthened by this transfer window.”