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      Man Utd face £10m bill if they axe Cristiano Ronaldo in January but Chelsea could make shock transfer for wantaway star

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      MANCHESTER UNITED could have to fork out almost £10 million if they want to get Cristiano Ronaldo off the books in January.Ronaldo was axed for yesterday’s trip to Chelsea, amid claims he refused to come off the bench in last week’s win over Spurs and looks sure to have played his last game for the club.
      United would face almost £10m in owed wages if they wanted to get rid of Ronaldo in JanuaryCredit: Reuters
      Chelsea owner Boehly is reportedly still keen on bringing the unsettled 37-year-old to Stamford BridgeCredit: Alamy
      Yet if United hope to get rid before his contract expires at the end of the season, they are staring at pay-off touching eight figures.
      Ronaldo would earn around £9.6m in basic wages until June, regardless of any bonus payments for league placings or trophies.
      But United do have some wriggle room – not least the option of tearing up his deal if he did indeed refuse to come on as substitute and was deemed to be in breach of contract.
      There is also the bargaining chip of letting him join another club for a knockdown fee or even a free – something they stood firm on last summer.
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      Old Trafford’s money men insisted Ronaldo, who wanted Champions League football, would only be allowed to go on their terms…and that meant a fee of up to £20m.
      Now, though, they have the option of his leaving for nothing, if a vastly reduced severance package was also part of the deal.
      It would almost certainly be the case if Ronaldo, who will be 38 in February, decided on America as his next destination.
      David Beckham’s Inter Miami are keen on signing him, but although they are confident of meeting his personal terms, a transfer fee on top would make it difficult.
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      Yet with Ronaldo clearly having reached the end of the road at Old Trafford, there is growing belief a deal can be done after all.
      Sunday World report that Chelsea are also looking to pounce on the opportunity and join the race for the unsettled veteran.
      As revealed by SunSport in the summer, Blues owner Boehly is a huge fan of Ronaldo.
      At the time, boss Thomas Tuchel still needed convincing to press ahead with a move but now Graeme Potter is in charge at Stamford Bridge.
      A £14m bid was being touted back then however Old Trafford bosses may take whatever they can to ship him off. More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo breaks silence just hours before Man Utd clash at Chelsea following exile by Erik ten Hag

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has thrown his support behind his Manchester United team-mates ahead of their trip to Chelsea.The Red Devils are taking on Premier league rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in a 5.30pm kick-off.
      Ronaldo has posted a supportive message to team-mates despite being banishedCredit: PA
      But Erik ten Hag and his United squad will be without Ronaldo, 37, who was banished by the Dutch boss for defying his orders.
      Ronaldo refused to come on as a late substitute in Man Utd’s 2-0 win over Tottenham on Wednesday.
      The 700 career club-goal man stormed down the tunnel before full-time, stealing the headlines away from United’s fine performance.
      Ronaldo could also be fined two weeks wages for the incident.
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      Despite not being in the matchday squad, Ronaldo said on Instagram ahead of United vs Chelsea: “Lets go Manchester United.”
      Ronaldo said storming off against Tottenham was in “the heat of the moment”.
      He also called for unity and vowed to not give in to the pressure.
      Ronaldo said: “As I’ve always done throughout my career, I try to live and play respectfully towards my colleagues, my adversaries and my coaches. That hasn’t changed.
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      “I haven’t changed. I’m the same person and the same professional that I’ve been for the last 20 years playing elite football, and respect has always played a very important role in my decision making process.
      “I started very young, the older and most experienced players examples were always very important to me.
      “Therefore, later on, I’ve always tried to set the example myself for the youngsters that grew in all the teams that I’ve represented.
      “Unfortunately that’s not always possible and sometimes the heat of the moment get’s the best of us.
      “Right now, I just feel that I have to keep working hard in Carrington, support my team-mates and be ready for everything in any given game.
      “Giving in to the pressure is not an option. It never was.
      “This is Manchester United, and united we must stand. Soon we’ll be together again.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Ronaldo could have played his last game for Man Utd.
      Boss Ten Hag wants Ronaldo GONE, SunSport reported. More

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      Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool set for Frenkie de Jong transfer battle in January with Barcelona star’s future unclear

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      MANCHESTER UNITED, Chelsea and Liverpool are reportedly set to battle it out for Frenkie de Jong’s signature in the January transfer window.The Barcelona midfielder, 25, was linked with a move to both United and Chelsea in the summer.
      De Jong has been heavily linked with a move away from Barcelona for some timeCredit: Getty
      The Red Devils agreed a fee of £72million including add-ons for the Dutchman back in July.
      But backdated wage payments that Barcelona owed the player stalled the deal and ended up forcing it to collapse.
      New Blues owner Todd Boehly then tried to hijack United’s target late on in the window, but that too was unsuccessful.
      However, De Jong has been out of favour with Barca boss Xavi so far this season, starting just five games in all competitions.
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      And the Catalan giants are set to be eliminated from the Champions League before the knockout rounds after only one win from their opening four matches.
      According to ESPN, the lack of game time and need to recoup some of the money lost by their imminent European exit could make De Jong an easier acquisition in January.
      Chelsea remain light in midfield after N’Golo Kante underwent hamstring surgery this week, with the Frenchman expected to be out for four months.
      Jorginho’s future is also up in the air as he is out of contract at the end of the campaign.
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      It is understood Chelsea now have a good relationship with HCM Sports Management – who list De Jong as their client.
      Meanwhile, United also remain interested in the former Ajax man – with Erik ten Hag having previously coached him at the Eredivisie side.
      However, the Red Devils will struggle to do a deal in January given they spent more than £200m in the summer window.
      And Liverpool could yet beat both of them to De Jong, with Jurgen Klopp thought to be still in the market for a midfielder.
      The Reds brought Arthur Melo in on loan after injury problems, but he has barely featured due to struggles with injury.
      De Jong recently spoke about the pressure he received from Barcelona chiefs during the summer as they tried to force him out of the Nou Camp.
      Earlier this month, he told Ziggo Sport: “I was calm. I decided in May that I wanted to stay. My opinion has never changed during this entire period.
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      “I stayed calm. But then you know the pressure would start to come.
      “Yes, from the newspapers, from the president, exactly. From everywhere actually. But I wanted to stay at Barca so it never baffled me.” More

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      How Man Utd could line up at Chelsea with Rashford set to lead line amid striker crisis as Ronaldo axed and Martial out

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      MARCUS RASHFORD is set to spearhead Manchester United’s attack in the trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.The Red Devils play the Blues in the capital on Sunday.
      Ten Hag will have to do without Ronaldo
      The 37-year-old has been banished for refusing to come on as a sub in the 2-0 win over TottenhamCredit: PA
      Rashford will lead the line for the Red DevilsCredit: Reuters
      And boss Erik ten Hag will be without Cristiano Ronaldo AND Anthony Martial, as well as a number of other first-team stars.
      Ronaldo, 37, was banished from the first-team after refusing to come on in the 2-0 win over Tottenham midweek.
      The 700 club-goal man stormed down the tunnel with minutes to go, stealing the headlines on what was a fantastic team win.
      It is the second time he has crossed the manager after he walked out of the ground before the end of a pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano.
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      Ten Hag said: “After Vallecano, I told him it was unacceptable. This is the second time, there are consequences.
      “I sent a warning at the start of the season, next time there have to be consequences otherwise when you are living together when you are playing together, football is a team sport and you have to fulfil certain standards. And I have to control it.
      “I am the manager, I am responsible for top sport culture here and I have to set standards and values and I have to control them.
      “In the team, we have values and standards and I have to control that.”
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      Anthony Martial will also miss out as his injury-plagued start to the season continues.
      David de Gea is expected to keep his place in goal and be protected by a back four of Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw.
      Casemiro will keep his place and international team-mate Fred could play alongside him.
      Bruno Fernandes is in goal-scoring form and will play with Jadon Sancho to his left and Antony to his right.
      And Rashford will lead the line for the Red Devils.
      Read More on The Sun
      Alternatively, Christian Eriksen could return and start in the midfield alongside Casemiro.
      Anthony Elanga, who was a second half substitute against Tottenham, may be called upon to start out wide.
      Alternatively, Elanga and Eriksen could play More

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      How Chelsea could line up against Man Utd with Thiago Silva expected to return to XI but Conor Gallagher a doubt

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      THIAGO SILVA is expected to start for Chelsea in the battle at the Bridge against Manchester United on Saturday.The Brazil star, 38, was rested for the Blues’ midweek draw against Brentford with boss Graham Potter keen to manage his minutes.
      Potter is expected to field a strong side against Man Utd
      Thiago Silva may return in defence after being restedCredit: Getty
      But the standout defender will return to the heart of Chelsea’s defence, with boss Potter hailing him as an “important player”.
      Conor Gallagher, meanwhile, could be fit enough to return to the matchday squad.
      The England international, 22, was withdrawn after 15 minutes against Brentford and replaced by Mateo Kovacic.
      However, Potter has since confirmed Gallagher’s substitution was due to illness.

      Potter said: “Conor felt ill like he was going to be sick.
      “You could probably see that in the first 15 mins, he wasn’t quite himself. Hopefully, it’s just a 24-hour thing.”
      Silva could play in a back three alongside club captain Cesar Azpilicueta and academy product Trevoh Chalobah.
      They’ll be tasked with protecting in-form Kepa Arrizabalaga between the sticks.
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      However, they won’t have Cristiano Ronaldo to deal with after the 37-year-old was banished from Erik ten Hag’s squad for refusing to come on in the 2-0 win over Tottenham.
      Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ben Chillwell may provide the width in the wing-back positions.
      Jorginho and Kovacic could be the two to start in the middle of the park.
      And in attack, Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will provide the goal threat.
      Read More on The Sun
      Alternatively, Azpilicueta could be dropped with Kalidou Koulibaly keeping his place in the team.
      The Senegal star would provide some pace to go alongside the ageing Silva.
      Koulibaly could keep his place in the XI at the expense of Azpilicueta More

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      Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech’s representative ‘holds talks with AC Milan’ as winger targets January transfer exit

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      CHELSEA winger Hakim Ziyech’s representatives have reportedly held talks with AC Milan over a January switch.The Morrocan star has been on the outskirts of the Blues squad this season and his playing time has not improved since the arrival of manager Graham Potter.
      Hakim Ziyech could be on the way to AC Milan in JanuaryCredit: Getty
      Having only played five times in all competitions this season it would not be a surprise to see Ziyech look for a move away from London.
      AC Milan have now had contact with Sebastien Ledure – one of Ziyech’s representatives – over a move, according to Football Italia.
      The 29-year-old is a long-term target of the Serie A side and it appears they may finally get their man as it is believed that the winger is keen on a January move.
      The report insists that Ledure is on “good terms” with the Chelsea hierarchy and close with Roc Nations – an agency helping Ziyech with negotiations.
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      Ledure also helped cross-city rivals Inter Milan re-sign Romelu Lukaku in the summer from Chelsea.
      Ziyech signed a five-year deal with Chelsea when he moved there from Ajax in 2020 for £37million.
      He has never really found his best form at Stamford Bridge as he has only managed to score 14 and assist 10 goals in his 88 appearances in all competitions.
      AC Milan are not the only club rumored to be interested in signing the winger as former club Ajax have also believed to be in the running.

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      Ziyech made his name at Ajax and his form there helped the Dutch club to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.
      He contributed 127 goals and assists in his 165 appearances in all competitions for Ajax.
      It is believed that his former side failed with a bid to sign him in August, so they could come back in for the Morrocan if he becomes available.
      If Milan are able to get the 29-year-old and get him playing at his best then he could be a crucial player for them in the second half of the season. More

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      Chelsea make Jude Bellingham top transfer target with Todd Boehly wanting Dortmund midfielder as part of huge shake-up

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      CHELSEA owner Todd Boehly has made Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham his top transfer target as part of a major club revamp.Bellingham, 19, has attracted interest from several suitors, such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool after some impressive performances at Dortmund.
      Chelsea have made Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham as their top targetCredit: EPA
      The Reds recently emerged as favourites to land the ex-Birmingham star as Jurgen Klopp is desperate to strengthen in midfield.
      According to the Evening Standard, however, Boehly is planning to steal a march on the Merseysiders as he has identified the England international as a priority signing.
      The American supremo is implementing a new recruitment structure at the club with Bellingham topping the transfer list.
      This comes after a chaotic summer that saw the Blues splashing over a whopping £250million on 11 players, with the new owner working as interim sporting director.
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      That led to former manager Thomas Tuchel getting sacked, shortly after other key figures left Stamford Bridge.
      Those were ex-Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia, technical advisor Petr Cech and head of international scouting Scott McLachlan.
      Boehly’s changes are now starting to take shape with Joe Shields set to arrive from Southampton as co-director of the scouting department.
      Christopher Vivell is also expected to follow as technical director after leaving RB Leipzig.
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      This comes after Kyle Macaulay was appointed as recruitment analyst following his arrival alongside new manager Graham Potter.
      Meanwhile, Chelsea continue their search for a sporting director and head of football.
      Boehly has stepped back from his role as interim sporting director but enjoyed working on summer deals and is expected to continue taking part in future transfer negotiations. More

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      Chelsea cannot keep relying on Kepa and MUST solve their wing-back issue as Loftus-Cheek’s discomfort will get exposed

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      GRAHAM POTTER remains unbeaten at Chelsea – but he’ll still have a few nagging headaches ahead of the clash with Manchester United.Reece James’ injury has left Potter with a major problem when it comes to playing his favoured wing-back system.
      Graham Potter still has lots to ponder despite a fifth-straight clean sheetCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Ruben Loftus-Cheek at wing-back is just waiting to be exposed by better oppositionCredit: PA
      The England international, who now faces a race against time to be fit for the World Cup, was replaced by Raheem Sterling in that position against Aston Villa.
      It didn’t work – leading to Ruben Loftus-Cheek then shifting over before the break to play there – before Cesar Azpilicueta was introduced off the bench.
      Doubts remain over whether the 33-year-old’s ageing legs, which led to him being part of the back three and RLC lining up down the right here.
      Villa exposed the weakness well down Chelsea’s right on Sunday but unfortunately found Kepa Arrizabalaga in incredible form.
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      It took Brentford less than two minutes of tonight’s goalless draw to get down Chelsea’s right and that was the start of what would prove to be an uncomfortable night for Loftus-Cheek defensively.
      He showed glimpses of an attacking threat in the second period, but Potter must find a solution and fast before they take on the Red Devils.
      They may be going into the game on a run of five successive clean sheets – but they cannot keep relying on Kepa to save them.
      The space between Loftus-Cheek and Azpilicueta was exposed on numerous occasions throughout here.
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      And, with the greatest respect to Brentford, it may well get exposed to deadlier effect against better quality opposition.
      It remains to be seen what formation Potter conjures up to face United.
      But until he gets James back, you can bet your bottom dollar that he has everything crossed that Kepa’s redemption story continues so he can shut-out Erik ten Hag’s boys. More