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    Ralf Rangnick ‘taken aback by chaos’ at Man Utd after replacing Solskjaer & ‘b******ed’ stars who exploited ‘soft’ rule

    RALF RANGNICK has reportedly ‘b*****ed’ Manchester United players that have exploited Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s ‘soft’ rule.And the interim boss is said to be ‘taken aback by the chaos’ at the club.
    Ralf Rangnick reportedly ‘b*****ed’ Man Utd players for exploiting a ‘soft’ ruleCredit: Rex
    The German is believed to have been ‘taken aback by the chaos’ at the club on his arrivalCredit: EPA
    Solskjaer was sacked in November following a poor run of results and was subsequently replaced by Rangnick initially until the end of the season before he steps upstairs for a consultant role.
    Now a report from The Independent claims that the 63-year-old was ‘taken aback by the chaos’ at Old Trafford when he first arrived.
    And one of the things he was not happy about was the discovery of a soft rule that was put in place by Solskjaer which some players have allegedly been exploiting.
    The Norwegian’s predecessor Jose Mourinho would snub stars that would not ‘go to the limit’ due to physical issues.
    But Solskjaer was said to be the opposite, with it being alleged that it was an ‘open secret’ that United players with minor issues would miss away games ‘that they didn’t fancy’.
    Rangnick apparently ‘b******ed’ the squad and ‘delivered some home truths’ upon discovering this, according to this fresh report.
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    The German has been struggling to implement his style on the Red Devils and has not been helped by rumours circulating that the team are unhappy with his training methods. 
    But back-to-back wins over Brighton and Leeds have put United back in the hunt for a top four finish in the Premier League.
    Now they have switched their attention to the Champions League as they prepare to travel to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 clash tomorrow.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    How Man Utd could line up against Atletico Madrid with Spanish giants’ worst nightmare Cristiano Ronaldo set to start

    MANCHESTER UNITED travel to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening for a crunch Champions League last-sixteen first leg clash. Ralf Rangnick is expected to have near to a clean bill of health for the clash against the LaLiga champions, with just Edinson Cavani at risk of missing out.
    Man Utd’s likely starting XI to face Atletico Madrid
    Cristiano Ronaldo is set to lead the line against the team he has faced more times in his career than any other club.
    Diego Simeone and Co won’t be looking forward to a reunion with Ronaldo due to the fact he’s bagged a whopping 25 goals against them.
    Raphael Varane was a late substitute against Leeds at the weekend after missing the Brighton game through illness, but is likely to be restored to the starting side in Madrid.
    And the feisty 4-2 win at Elland Road could force Rangnick into further changes.
    Scott McTominay showed off scars on his legs after the grudge match and could be replaced by Fred, who will partner Paul Pogba in midfield.
    Bruno Fernandes is set to occupy his usual position in behind Ronaldo, while Jadon Sancho will be hoping to continue his good run of form on the left hand side.
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    Elsewhere Marcus Rashford may come in for Jesse Lingard on the right after the latter made his first Premier League start of the season at Leeds.
    Diogo Dalot could also be reinstilled to the side after Aaron Wan-Bissaka played at the weekend.
    In the other full-back position Luke Shaw is likely to keep his place after starting the last four games.
    David De Gea is guaranteed to play between the sticks, with skipper Harry Maguire set to line up alongside Varane in front of him.
    Alternatively youngster Anthony Elanga could be rewarded with a starting berth after coming off the bench to score against Leeds.
    An alternative Man Utd XI to play Atletico Madrid
    That would see Sancho shuffled out to the right and Rashford benched for a third consecutive game.
    Wan-Bissaka could also be rewarded with back-to-back starts if Rangnick was impressed by the full-back on Sunday.
    McTominay’s steely display may see him keep his place too, permitting he’s recovered from the war wounds suffered at Elland Road.
    Cavani has missed the last three games after picking up a knock in training following the 1-1 draw at Burnley.
    But even if passed fit for the trip to Madrid he’s only likely to make the bench.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Brave boy, 7, battling cancer ‘knocks out’ Ricky Hatton in heartwarming Instagram video

    RICKY HATTON has shared a heartwarming video to social media taking punches from a young child bravely battling cancer.Seven-year-old River Rhodes recently enjoyed some time with former two-weight boxing world champion Hatton.
    The inspirational River showed off his boxing skills to HattonCredit: Instagram @rickyhitmanhatton
    River caught Hatton with a right hook as the pair enjoyed some time togetherCredit: Instagram @rickyhitmanhatton
    Hatton was ‘knocked out’ by the brave youngster who is currently battling cancerCredit: Instagram @rickyhitmanhatton
    Hatton posted a clip of the pair together to Instagram, in which he’s ‘knocked out’ by the hero child wearing a Manchester United kit.
    River started by firing punches into Hatton’s hands, before dropping him to the floor with a blow to the face.
    And Hatton captioned his post: “Lovely few hours spent with this young man yesterday.
    “River who is 7 years old, constantly in chemotherapy, battles every day, & in spite of that love & positivity just oozes out of him.
    “Inspirational kid. Stay strong & safe river. Ricky. X”
    Hatton is on course to make a sensational return to the ring after hanging up his gloves way back in 2012.
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    Hatton and River posed for a pictureCredit: Instagram @rickyhitmanhatton
    The 43-year-old is set to lock horns with fellow great Marco Antonio Barrera in an exhibition bout later this year.
    United skipper Harry Maguire has also been left inspired by River, and dedicated his goal against Leeds at the weekend to the brave child.
    The defender wrote on Twitter: “That was for you River,” after helping the Red Devils to a 4-2 win at Elland Road at the weekend.
    Maguire recently met River and enjoyed a kickabout with the courageous young football fan, before gifting him with some Man Utd goodies.
    River comes from a Midlands family of Wolves supporters but was in Manchester receiving treatment.
    Cristiano Ronaldo and Jack Grealish are two others to have met him and sent their own heartwarming messages of encouragement to the youngster. More

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    Man Utd transfer blow as West Ham ‘hike up Declan Rice’s price tag with midfielder ready to listen to offers’

    WEST HAM have reportedly bumped up Declan Rice’s valuation to more than £120million amid interest from Manchester United.Hammers boss David Moyes previously claimed Rice was worth ‘humongous money’ – upwards of the £100m mark.
    Rice is now reportedly valued at upwards of £120mCredit: Getty
    But now according to The Times that price-tag has shot up to more than £120m.
    Although it’s also claimed 23-year-old Rice has put talks over his future at West Ham on hold until the summer.
    The England star is said to be keen to assess his options come the end of the campaign.
    A potential move at that figure would comfortably make him the most expensive Premier League signing of all time – ahead of Three Lions colleague Jack Grealish.
    Rice’s current deal runs out in the summer of 2024, but the Londoners have the option to extend for a further year.
    Both Manchester United and Manchester City have been linked with a move for Rice in the past.
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    United in fact have earmarked the midfielder as a priority target for the summer to help bolster their options in the middle of the park.
    Although his new sky-high valuation could be an attempt to scupper any interest.
    City have also been tracking Rice for some time, and are prepared to battle cross-town rivals United for his signature.
    Elsewhere rumours are swirling that boyhood club Chelsea are lining up a move for Rice.
    Rice was on the books at Chelsea as a child before being released aged 14.
    He recently admitted to Gary Neville he was too embarrassed to tell his friends he had been let go by the Blues.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Man Utd face battle for Mauricio Pochettino with Real Madrid as ex-Spurs manager prepares to leave PSG at end of season

    MANCHESTER UNITED face a battle to land Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino, according to reports.The Red Devils are yet to decide whether to stick with interim manager Ralf Rangnick or twist in another direction.
    Pochettino could be ‘obtainable’ this summerCredit: GETTY
    And one of the alternative options to Rangnick is Pochettino, who was linked with the job when Ole Gunnar Solskjer was sacked late last year.
    But according to the Daily Mail, United could face competition from Real Madrid for Pochettino, who could be ‘obtainable’ this summer.
    Despite sitting pretty at the top of LaLiga, there are doubts emerging over Carlo Ancelotti’s long-term future at the Bernabeu.
    Real’s players were jeered by they own supporters during a 3-1 win over Alaves on Saturday.
    And how Real fair in the Champions League could decide Ancelotti’s future at Real.
    At the moment, it isn’t looking good for the Italian as Real trail PSG 1-0 heading into the second leg of their Round of 16 clash.
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    Should Real ditch Ancelotti, Pochettino – who they tried to appoint in the summer – is an option for the Spanish giants.
    Real reigniting their interest in Pochettino would be an unwanted interference in the search for their next manager.
    United do have options though, with Ajax boss Erik ten Hag one of the top contenders for the job.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Paul Pogba video calls pal Antoine Griezmann on eve of Man Utd’s Champions League showdown with Atletico Madrid

    PAUL POGBA called friend Antoine Griezmann ahead of their Champions League showdown on Wednesday.The French World Cup-winning duo will be wearing different colours when Atletico Madrid welcome Manchester United to the Spanish capital.
    Pogba shared a grab of his call with pal Griezmann to his InstagramCredit: INSTAGRAM
    The pair won the World Cup with France in 2018Credit: REUTERS
    And ahead of the crucial Round of 16 clash, pals Pogba and Griezmann shared a call which the United ace shared a grab of on his Instagram.
    Both players were grinning from cheek to cheek ahead of their meeting.
    Pogba missed 14 games with a hamstring injury but made his highly anticipated return to the first-team at the start of this month against Middlesbrough.
    The Frenchman played 82 minutes in the FA Cup fixture, which saw United be defeat on penalties.
    Pogba also scored on his return to Premier League action, netting in the 1-1 draw with relegation strugglers Burnley.
    Interim manager Ralf Rangnick is enjoying the difficult decisions when it comes to picking his team, especially with the return of Pogba.
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    But the German insists he has other options in Fred and says ‘the players themselves’ decide who plays the next game through their performances in training and matches.
    He said: “To start with, it is good and important to have Paul back again and available.
    “But obviously we have a high level of competition still, we have Fred, so we have enough players, we have Jesse Lingard in good shape in training, so we still have a high level of competition in each area of the field, of the pitch – be it the backline, the midfield or up front.
    “So right now, it is not easy to decide and choose the right players, but it is better this way, than having only 15 or 16 outfield players available.
    “In the end, it’s the players themselves, who decide who is going to play on the next game [with their performances in training and matches].”
    Pogba could walk out of Old Trafford for FREE for the second time this summer.
    The midfielder is out of contract and is attracting interest from a host of top clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona.
    Man Utd’s next permanent managerial appointment could play a part on whether Pogba stays or goes.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    David de Gea hints he will NEVER quit Man Utd and feels at home in Manchester despite Wag Edurne once slating city

    DAVID DE GEA returns home this week claiming he feels more like a Manc than a Madrileno.Not surprising after over a decade at Old Trafford as he prepares to return to his birthplace and the club where it all began – Atletico Madrid.
    De Gea has expressed his love for Manchester ahead of his return to former club Atletico for United’s Champions League clashCredit: Getty
    But his girlfriend Edurne doesn’t feel the same as her partnerCredit: Getty – Contributor
    In a previous interview De Gea’s partner expressed her distaste for his adopted cityCredit: Alamy
    De Gea says: “I like the fact I was born in Madrid, but at the end of the day, it’s just a city.
    “Now I feel as if I’m from Manchester; I just feel like anyone else from Manchester.
    “Where you are loved and welcomed is your home.
    “I’ve been here for many years and, obviously, anything can happen in life, in the world of football, but honestly I don’t see myself away from Manchester United.”
    De Gea’s declaration of love for Manchester will be a huge blow for his Spanish girlfriend Edurne Garcia who once slated the city for its appearance.
    Pop star Edurne expressed her distaste for Manchester in an interview in 2015 where she agreed with a Spanish TV hosts’ assessment that the region is, “uglier than the back of a fridge.”
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    JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
    In the interview, the Wag also admitted that the only reason she liked De Gea’s adopted city was because she could be close to him.
    Still, it will be emotional for Manchester United’s No.1 on Wednesday night in this huge Champions League round of 16 first leg encounter.
    The 31-year-old told UEFA.com: “Of course, I’m going back home, I’m going back to the club that gave me the opportunity to be who I am today.
    “But this is just another match. Everyone wants to play well, we want to win, it is a Champions League match.
    “Obviously, I wish Atlético all the best, but I don’t know whether the fact we’re playing them is a good or bad omen. Everyone is going there to win, especially me.”
    FROM ONE CAULDRON TO ANOTHER
    It is fair to say he will get a warmer welcome at the Wanda Metropolitano than he did at Elland Road.
    Standing in front of the hostile home fans for that 90 minutes in the swirling rain on Sunday will be something even he will not have experienced in his career as the Red Devils ran out 4-2 winners.
    Goodness knows what barbs came his way after Rodrigo’s miss-hit cross sailed over his outstretched arm as Leeds got back in the game.
    It was back at the old Vicente Calderon, in Madrid, where it all began for De Gea.
    He remembers his quick rise to fame having made his debut as an 18-year-old and the success he enjoyed winning both the Europa League against Roy Hodgson’s Fulham in 2010 and the subsequent European Super Cup over Inter Milan.
    It was an injury to then number one Roberto and the arrival of Quique Sanchez Flores as coach that saw him get his chance and he did not let go of the gloves despite being a teenager.
    He said: “I have always believed in myself, I used to train a lot and just tried to prove: ‘I am here, I may be young but I’m good enough’.
    “I tried to do my best, and then, it was fortunate for me but unfortunate for Roberto that he got injured and I got the chance to prove that I was good enough.
    “When Quique arrived, the team changed. We won game after game, and there was a moment when Asenjo and I were both available and he chose me. I played nearly every game.
    “We made it to the final of the UEFA Europa League, and we won it. We also made it to the final of the Copa del Rey.
    “We lost, but at least we made it to the final. And then we won the UEFA Super Cup against that great Inter side.”
    THE FERGIE EFECT
    He was on Sir Alex Ferguson’s radar and in June 2011 he paid a then British transfer record for a goalkeeper of £18.9million.
    The early days were fraught, his gangly frame and inexperience in the Premier League saw him struggle to come to terms with the physical English game.
    But it was a masterly piece of man-management by Sir Alex Ferguson in De Gea’s second season in 2012-13, that gave him the belief that he would make it.
    He said: “We were playing at Real Madrid. Ferguson brought me into the press conference in the Bernabeu. He told everyone, the British media, the Spanish media, that I had a special talent.
    “I remember what he said exactly. He compared me to a toddler taking their first steps forward. You wobble, get up, wobble, get up again and then you walk.
    “Ferguson ended that press conference saying, ‘The boy is walking now’.
    “Ferguson sat next to me and told the world how much he believed in me. I felt emboldened.”
    He has now played 473 times for the club, 163 of them clean sheets, with only Alex Stepney having appeared more times between the sticks for United.
    As recently as last season he lost his place for a time to Dean Henderson.
    It was a season that ended with De Gea missing the decisive last penalty in the final shoot-out against Villarreal.
    He looked a distraught figure then.
    HENDERSON BATTLE
    Ole Solskjaer had planned to start with Henderson before the ‘keeper got Covid.
    De Gea was in and after working hard all last summer he has been at his brilliant best this season.
    He became the first player to win the club’s player of the month award three times running when he picked it up again last month.
    He said: “I feel maybe in one of the best shapes of my career. I feel very well. Maybe some people think I’m older because I’ve been in the game for many, many years but I am still young for a goalkeeper.
    “I’m still learning every day, giving 100 percent in training, so like I say, hopefully there are more years and more games to come.”
    He has plenty of individual honours. The problem is it is just one title medal, to go with an FA Cup gong from 2015-16 and League Cup winners medal from 2016-17.
    He has a Europa League medal from that season too but Jose Mourinho stuck with Sergio Romero for the final.

    It is not much of a haul for a player with such longevity at such a big club.
    De Gea knows that but for a glitch in a fax machine on transfer deadline day in 2015 he would have more honors to his name.
    His proposed move to Real Madrid collapsed when a system error meant the paperwork did not arrive in time.
    Since then Real have won three Champions Leagues and two LaLiga titles.
    De Gea has never dwelt on that, after all, he’s a Manc, isn’t he. More