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    Cristiano Ronaldo looks close to tears as Man Utd star struggles against Southampton amid goal drought aged 37

    CRISTIANO RONALDO looked on the verge of tears during Saturday’s draw with Southampton.The Manchester United forward, 37, failed to find the net once again in the disappointing result.
    Cristiano Ronaldo was on the verge of tears during the Southampton drawCredit: AFP
    He has not scored in 2022 and could quit Manchester United this summerCredit: EPA

    For the third game running, the Red Devils took the lead but were pegged back as the game finished 1-1.
    And footage of Ronaldo appears to show the Portuguese superstar struggling to contain his emotions.
    In the clip posted by beIN Sports, he cuts a forlorn figure, looking up to the sky helplessly and then closing his eyes to compose himself.
    Ronaldo is on his longest goal drought for 13 years, with his last strike coming way back on December 30.
    He did have a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock with an open goal at Old Trafford but Saints defender Romain Perraud rushed back to clear off the line.
    And fans took to social media to sympathise with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
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    One said: “He looks like a broken soul.”
    Another asked: “What have they done to him?”
    And a third wrote: “This is so heartbreaking bruh I’ve never seen him like this. Disease of a club!”
    Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford in dramatic fashion last summer, signing a two-year deal.
    However, things have not quite gone to plan with just eight Premier League goals this season.
    As revealed by SunSport, he is sensationally considering quitting the club.
    The iconic forward has told pals he is finally starting to feel his age and his relationship with Ralf Rangnick is reportedly ‘totally fractured’.
    He has not helped himself by storming down tunnels and publicly moaning on and off the pitch.

    Paul Ince told SunSport Ronaldo’s sulking is setting a bad example to his team-mates.
    The ex-United and England ace said: “People were saying he would be great for the club, the players and the youngsters.
    “We thought that would be the case but the example he is setting, by throwing his toys out of the pram, is a bad one.
    “Why would you listen to someone who is prepared to act the way he is?
    “As we’ve seen on numerous occasions – running down the tunnel, not clapping fans, sulking – it’s not a good example to set.
    “He is a selfish player – Ronaldo is about Ronaldo. If he isn’t scoring, he won’t be happy.
    “It should be about Manchester United and the team but it’s become all about Ronaldo, and now we are seeing the full frustration.”
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Man Utd ace Paul Pogba wanted by PSG and three others on free transfer with French side ‘preparing lucrative package’

    PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN are ‘preparing a lucrative package’ to sign Paul Pogba, according to reports.But three other European giants also hope to land the Manchester United midfielder on a free transfer.
    Paul Pogba’s future is still unclear with his contract expiring this summerCredit: Getty
    Pogba, 28, is out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of this season.
    And free to negotiate with clubs abroad, PSG want to waste no time in landing the Frenchman.
    According to the Daily Mail, the Ligue 1 giants hope to secure a Bosman deal.
    And with no transfer fee to pay the Red Devils, Pogba will be confident of securing mega weekly wages.
    Born and raised in the eastern Paris suburb of Lagny-sur-Marne, there is a feeling within PSG that he would be a popular and successful commercial signing – as well as on the pitch.
    The report adds Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid are also monitoring the £89million man’s situation, six years after his Old Trafford return from Italy.
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    However, as revealed by SunSport, there is still a chance Pogba could make a dramatic U-turn and stay at United and would be willing to make a final decision on his future in the summer.
    He returned from three months out against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup at the beginning of February.
    The World Cup winner scored his first club goal since April in the 1-1 draw at Burnley.
    And Ralf Rangnick will be desperate to have the midfielder firing on all cylinders as the Red Devils try and secure a top-four finish.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    ‘Has to get better’ – Struggling Harry Maguire warned by Man Utd boss Ralf Rangnick after recent poor performances

    HARRY MAGUIRE has been told his form must improve – by his own manager Ralf Rangnick.But the interim Manchester United boss refused to bow to demands he drops the defender or strips him of the captaincy.
    Harry Maguire has been told his form must improve as Manchester United captainCredit: Getty
    Maguire, 28, has had a particularly difficult season this term with plenty of poor performances, including another one against Southampton on Saturday.
    And that led to many supporters wanting the world’s most expensive defender of all time to have a spell on the sidelines.
    Rangnick claimed £85million Maguire is simply getting used to playing in a back four – despite doing so regularly for United, England and Leicester.
    The German, who also admitted his players are scared of pressing, said: “I think after he came back after his injury he did extremely well, with a very good performance against West Ham.
    “He is our captain and I don’t see any reason to change that.
    “But he is a player who has to develop and get better, like all the other players.
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    “The way we play is new. In the English national team, he is used to playing in a back three.
    “Here he’s in a back four but not as proactive. It will take some time for him to get used to it.”
    A section of Red Devils fans want to see Raphael Varane partnered with Victor Lindelof at the back, starting against Brighton tonight.
    That comes off the back of two flop displays by Maguire at Burnley and then against Saints, where he was mocked for his ‘no-look defending’ and fortunate not to give a penalty away.
    Former United and Three Lions striker Michael Owen hit out at the bungling centre-back.
    Owen said: “I did fear for him and that was quite embarrassing.
    “He’s got no pace at the best of times but he was outwitted there.
    “His lack of pace is a real problem. We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again.
    Manchester United need to replace Harry MaguireKleberson
    “The goal, he could have been squeezing up but he’s petrified of that space in behind.”
    Legendary United centre-back Rio Ferdinand slammed Maguire after his nightmare at Turf Moor.
    Ask about his below-par performances this season, Ferdinand said: “This season, you’ve seen that [below-par performances].
    “I’m not sure if that’s a hangover from the Euros physically and mentally, I’m not sure. There hasn’t been the consistency of a player you’d expect of that stature.”
    And ex-United midfielder Kleberson added: “Manchester United need to make some signings at the centre-back position to replace Harry Maguire.
    “He’s a great player and leader, but there are too many moments that he just doesn’t perform, particularly when he’s one-on-one, or up against pacey players. He needs help defending.
    “They need someone faster, stronger in the air, that can anticipate what will happen and that will be able to stop counter-attacks.”
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
    Ralf Rangnick is struggling to get the best out of his under-firing squadCredit: AFP More

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    Man Utd stars are too SCARED to commit to pressing game admits Ralf Rangnick after Paul Scholes’ Southampton blast

    RALF RANGNICK admits Manchester United’s struggling players are crippled by anxiety trying to play the pressing game.Club legend Paul Scholes let rip at the Red Devils’ work-rate after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Southampton, blasting: “They don’t want to put a shift in.”
    Ralf Rangick has revealed his players are too scared to press their oppositionCredit: Getty
    The Red Devils put in another below-par performance against SouthamptonCredit: Getty
    Interim boss Rangnick, whose side host Brighton on Tuesday night, said: “It’s important we pick the right moments to be proactive to press.
    “Even if it’s not possible, stay compact and don’t be too easy to be out-played.
    “Too easily, some of them in transitional moments were almost over anxious.
    “We were not ready at the right moment and then were saying ‘oh I should have pressed’, and then coming back one or two steps too late, giving the other team space on the counter attack.
    “This is not only tactical discipline but also to be clever and smart enough to realise now it’s not possible so just stay in position.
    “Keep your shape, keep your formation and make it difficult for the other team to play through our lines.”
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    Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl had a dig at United’s work off the ball, saying: “It isn’t a big secret that when United lose the ball, their reverse gear is not very good.”
    When asked about Hasenhuttl’s comments,  Rangnick added: “What he said, that we are not a naturally born pressing team, with a lot of players in their DNA to press, is normal.
    “They haven’t been doing that in the last couple of years and to change that into a pressing all the time is difficult during the season.”
    United can move into the top four with victory over the Seagulls at Old Trafford but Saturday’s draw was the third game in a row they have thrown away a lead.
    That has damaged confidence and belief among the players with Rangnick asking club psychologist Sascha Lense to help solve the problem.
    Rangnick added: “When you concede an equaliser it affects the minds of the players. We should be 3-0 or 4-0 up and all of a sudden it’s 1-1.
    “It affects the mind-set of the players. They are human beings, not robots. I spoke with Sascha about that and we speak to the players one by one about why.”
    Rangnick also believes under-fire defender Harry Maguire is finding the new system hard.
    Skipper Harry Maguire copped more flack for his performance against SouthamptonCredit: AFP
    He said: “The way we are playing is new to him because in the English national team he is used to playing in a back three.
    “And here at Manchester United, (he was) in a back four but still not being as proactive and always on the front foot when trying to defend.
    “This is something new to him and it will take time for him to get used to that and adjust.”
    United are fifth following consecutive draws, and Rangnick conceded that fourth is the best they can aim for.
    Sat seven points behind third-placed Chelsea, he said: “Right now, fourth is exactly what Manchester United needs and wants. This is the highest achievement we can get.”
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    ‘Sulking Cristiano Ronaldo setting bad example’ – Man Utd legend Paul Ince slams moaning striker with club in turmoil

    SULKING Cristiano Ronaldo is setting a bad example for Manchester United’s young stars, according to club legend Paul Ince.The Portuguese superstar’s latest tantrum came after the 1-1 draw with Burnley as he snubbed fans and stormed straight down the tunnel.
    Cristiano Ronaldo sulked down the tunnel after the draw at Turf MoorCredit: Getty
    The striker made a beeline for the dressing room and failed to acknowledge the travelling Man Utd supportCredit: Reuters
    Ronaldo, 37, had previously blasted some of the Manchester United youngsters last month for not taking his advice.
    And Ince reckons Ronaldo should sort out his own conduct before criticising his team-mates.
    He told SunSport: “People were saying he would be great for the club, the players and the youngsters.
    “We thought that would be the case but the example he is setting, by throwing his toys out of the pram, is a bad one.
    “Why would you listen to someone who is prepared to act the way he is?
    “As we’ve seen on numerous occasions – running down the tunnel, not clapping fans, sulking – it’s not a good example to set.
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    “I get the frustration but you’ve got to take that out behind closed doors, not in full view of the fans and cameras.”
    Ronaldo bagged 14 goals before the new year but has not scored in his last six games, his longest drought since going seven matches without a goal for United in 2008-09.
    He was back in the team after being dropped by Ralf Rangnick for Burnley but missed two good chances against Southampton – coming after his missed penalty in the FA Cup versus Middlesbrough.
    And Ince, speaking on behalf of Genting Casino, added: “He was flying when he started but then he stopped getting the service, started dropping deeper to where he wasn’t a danger to anybody, and then the frustration came.
    “He is a selfish player – Ronaldo is about Ronaldo. If he isn’t scoring, he won’t be happy.
    “We saw it at Juventus when, after he left, Giorgio Chiellini said they can be a family again.
    Ronaldo has cut a frustrated figure on multiple occasions this campaignCredit: AP
    “It should be about Manchester United and the team but it’s become all about Ronaldo, and now we are seeing the full frustration.”
    Ronaldo’s contract at Old Trafford runs until the end of next season, but with no manager in place beyond the summer, confusion reigns.
    And former midfielder Ince said: “Whether he stays next year, I don’t know.
    “It depends on who comes in at the end of the season. If Rangnick stays, I think you’ll see Ronaldo going.
    “If Mauricio Pochettino comes in, he might stay. But Ronaldo has to play – you can’t be paying someone half a million pounds a week to sit on the bench against Burnley when you need three points.
    “If he’s not playing, I can’t see him being here next season.”
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Man Utd slammed for choosing ‘selfish’ Cristiano Ronaldo over Erling Haaland transfer by club legend Paul Ince

    PAUL INCE has questioned why Manchester United signed Cristiano Ronaldo instead of going for Erling Haaland.Red Devils icon Ronaldo, 37, returned to Old Trafford to much fanfare in a £12.85m move from Juventus in August.
    Cristiano Ronaldo has endured a frustrating second coming at Man UtdCredit: EPA
    How Ronaldo and Erling Haaland compare this season
    But the Portuguese superstar’s comeback has failed to inspire improvement at Manchester United as Ralf Rangnick’s side continue to endure a nightmare season.
    Dortmund sensation Haaland has been a long-term target and United could have landed him last summer if they had broken the bank under now axed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
    And with the club now looking to be out of the race to capture the in-demand Norwegian this off-season, Ince is adamant his former club made the wrong decision
    Ince said: “When Ole first took the helm the project was about going young but all of a sudden they were bringing in 37-year-olds.
    “You think, ‘why didn’t you just go and get Haaland?’ You didn’t need Ronaldo, but it’s just the fact that everyone thought he was going to Man City.
    “Everyone thought it was great when he first came and if it wasn’t for Ronaldo, they wouldn’t still be in the Champions League.
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    “People were saying he would be great for the club, the players and the youngsters.
    “We thought that would be the case but the example he is setting, by throwing his toys out of the pram, is a bad one.
    “Why would you listen to someone who is prepared to act the way he is?
    “As we’ve seen on numerous occasions – running down the tunnel, not clapping fans, sulking – it’s not a good example to set.
    “I get the frustration but you’ve got to take that out behind closed doors, not in full view of the fans and cameras.”
    Paul Ince reckons United should have gone all out to sign Haaland in the summerCredit: AP
    Ronaldo bagged 14 goals before the new year but has not scored in his last six games, his longest drought since going seven matches without a goal for United in 2008-09.
    He was back in the team after being dropped by Rangnick for Burnley but missed two good chances against Southampton – coming after his missed penalty in the FA Cup versus Middlesbrough.
    And Ince added: “He was flying when he started but then he stopped getting the service, started dropping deeper to where he wasn’t a danger to anybody, and then the frustration came.
    “He is a selfish player – Ronaldo is about Ronaldo. If he isn’t scoring, he won’t be happy.
    “We saw it at Juventus when, after he left, Giorgio Chiellini said they can be a family again.
    “It should be about Manchester United and the team but it’s become all about Ronaldo, and now we are seeing the full frustration.”
    Ronaldo’s contract at Old Trafford runs until the end of next season, but with no manager in place beyond the summer, confusion reigns.
    And former midfielder Ince said: “Whether he stays next year, I don’t know.
    Ince has blasted Ronaldo as a ‘selfish’ playerCredit: Getty
    “It depends on who comes in at the end of the season. If Rangnick stays, I think you’ll see Ronaldo going.
    “If Mauricio Pochettino comes in, he might stay. But Ronaldo has to play – you can’t be paying someone half a million pounds a week to sit on the bench against Burnley when you need three points.
    “If he’s not playing, I can’t see him being here next season.”
    Comparing them to a ‘Dog and Duck’ pub side, Ince has no confidence in United getting the manager’s decision right.
    Rangnick, who is set to stay as a consultant, will have his say alongside chief executive Richard Arnold, football director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher.
    PSG boss Pochettino is favourite, with Ajax manager Erik ten Hag also in the running.
    And Ince, speaking on behalf of Genting Casino, blasted: “This is one of the biggest clubs in the world but it’s being run like the Dog and Duck, it really is.
    Mauricio Pochettino is one of the candidates to be next permanent Man Utd bossCredit: Reuters
    “They need to get a grip. Who’s making the decision over the next manager? I really haven’t got a clue.
    “This is the problem with the way the club is being run – there is no leadership and it’s all very blasé with nobody sure who is doing what.”
    Ince also criticised the club for appointing Rangnick as a caretaker boss to replace Solskjaer in November.
    He added: “The last thing they needed was an interim manager because it just says to the players that he isn’t going to be here at the end of the season.
    “Ralf said he wasn’t looking at his consultancy role but possibly instead another two years in management, to make the players think he could be staying.
    “But the club messed it up again by making him an interim, so as a player you just think ‘he’s not my real manager’.
    “And that doesn’t bode well for discipline or togetherness.
    “There is clearly some sort of fragmentation in the changing room with little pockets of people with different opinions.
    “It’s hurting them week in, week out.”
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    Cristiano Ronaldo spends five hours at Man Utd’s training ground on Sunday and was first player in and last to leave

    CRISTIANO RONALDO is on his longest goal drought since 2009 – but it isn’t for the want of trying.The Manchester United striker was the first one in and the last one out of training on Sunday after firing another blank in the 1-1 draw with Southampton.
    Cristiano Ronaldo was the first one in and last to leave United training on SundayCredit: Splash
    Ronaldo is on a six-game barren runCredit: Splash
    The 37-year-old arrived at Carrington at 9.20am and did not leave until 2.20pm.
    It is now six games since Ronaldo last scored for United – that came in a 3-1 home win against Burnley on December 30.
    The last time he went six games without a goal was in 2009 in the final months at Old Trafford before he joined Real Madrid.
    Ronny has still netted 14 times in all competitions this season after rejoining United from Juventus in summer.
    The Portugal star continued his barren scoring run by failing to finish into an OPEN GOAL against Southampton.
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    After Jadon Sancho neatly slid in Ronaldo, he cleverly rounded Saints goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
    Just when it looked like he was about to end the longest barren run in front of goal of his career… Ronaldo missed.
    Usually such a lethal finisher, his shot towards an empty net lacked any conviction at all.
    And heroic defending from Romain Perraud saw him get back in time to intercept the ball as it trickled its way towards the goal-line.
    He turned his back in disgust and threw his hands up in the air after failing to bag such a simple chance.
    Sancho did score soon after to spare Ronaldo’s blushes, but Southampton hit back in the second half through Che Adams.
    The game finished 1-1, making it back-to-back draws for Ralf Rangick’s side.
    Ronaldo penned a two-year deal in the summer after making an emotional return to Manchester United.
    But there are suggestions he could cut his stay short and leave the club in the summer after starting to feel his age.
    United face Brighton at home on Tuesday night, giving Ronaldo another chance to finally find the net.
    Ronaldo could not believe he missed an open goal against Southampton

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    ‘We were like two bulls’ – Wayne Rooney names his favourite Man Utd team-mate ever – and it’s not Cristiano Ronaldo

    MANCHESTER UNITED legend Wayne Rooney has revealed his favourite Old Trafford strike partner. Rooney developed frightening relationships with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistlerooy and Robin van Persie – but none were a match for one certain forward in his eyes.
    Wayne Rooney has revealed his favourite Man Utd strike partnerCredit: PA:Empics Sport
    Instead the honour of Roo’s favourite team-mate goes to Man City legend Carlos Tevez.
    The pair spent two years playing together, winning a whopping SIX trophies in that time.
    That included back-to-back Premier League titles in 2008 and 2009, as well as Champions League glory in 2008.
    And Rooney revealed the pair of them were ‘like bulls’ when trying to win the ball back from opponents, and ‘complimented’ each other perfectly.
    He told SportBible: “I just loved our connection. The two of us up front, we complimented each other really well.
    “Normally if I played with Louis Saha, Ruud van Nistelrooy or Robin van Persie – these strikers were always the No9 and I’d play as a No10.
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    Rooney and Carlos Tevez won the Premier League in both of the latter’s two seasons at Man Utd, as well as the 2008 Champions LeagueCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    “With Tevez we could rotate, I’d be the No9, he’d take the No9 spot and I’d be No10. When we lost the ball we’d be like two bulls trying to get it back.
    “As a strike partner, he was the one I enjoyed playing with the most.”
    The deadly duo separated when Tevez controversially moved to bitter local rivals Manchester City in the summer of 2009.
    It was a transfer that left Rooney ‘devastated’.
    The now Derby County boss continued: “I enjoyed playing with him that much and I knew something was going on because there was the issue with his ownership in terms of whether it was the club or an agent.
    “It was actually very cheap to buy him and for whatever reason we didn’t buy him. I think Man City got him for about £20million, which is incredible really.
    “You saw what a great player he was when he went there. I was devastated.”
    Now 38, Tevez is yet to announce his official retirement as a player after taking some time off following the sad passing of his father.
    He left hometown club Boca Juniors in the summer and is currently a free agent.
    But the Rooney connection continues, with Tevez reportedly closing in on a move to MLS side DC United, the same team Rooney played for in the States.
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