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    Five midfielders Man Utd could sign to replace ‘dummies’ and appease Cristiano Ronaldo including three England stars

    MANCHESTER UNITED’S search for a midfielder will resume in the summer with Paul Pogba out of contract and question marks surrounding both Fred and Scott McTominay.A presence in the middle of the park is a priority after Wales striker Dean Saunders claimed Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘playing with dummies’ at United.
    Declan Rice is a £100m rated target for Man UtdCredit: Reuters
    Youri Tielemans is a £40m alternativeCredit: Alamy
    Tuesday night’s disappointing 1-1 draw against Burnley again highlighted the need for reinforcements.
    Manchester United were linked with RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara in January, but a move failed to ever materialise.
    And more of the world’s hottest talents in the middle of the park continue to attract interest from the red side of Manchester.
    Here SunSport take a look at just who the Red Devils could decide to make a move for come the summer.
    Declan Rice
    The West Ham and England star is rated at over £100m by Hammers boss David Moyes, but that hasn’t put off Man Utd and Chelsea.
    Rice has been earmarked as a summer target to spearhead United’s midfield overhaul.
    Although Rice admitting he was a boyhood Chelsea fan to United legend Gary Neville has dented hopes of luring him to Old Trafford.
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    Youri Tielemans
    Tielemans is a £40m alternative to Rice and has just entered the final 18 months of his Leicester contract.
    It could force the Foxes into a sale sooner rather than later, in order to avoid losing the 24-year-old for nothing.
    But there is competition for Tielemans too, with Arsenal also rumoured to be keen on his services.

    Kalvin Phillips
    Leeds midfielder Phillips has been continuously linked with Manchester United in recent months.
    He was the subject of a failed £55m bid from West Ham in January, and in order to avoid missing out on the 26-year-old England star United may be tempted to table an offer come the summer.
    However in another blow to United Phillips is reportedly happy to sign a new deal with Leeds off the back of West Ham’s approaches.
    Phillips is a long-term target for UnitedCredit: Reuters
    Jude Bellingham
    Bellingham is one of the brightest talents in world football having impressed since joining Borussia Dortmund at just 17-years-old.
    His performances have been equally impressive on the international stage too.
    And after Mike Phelan urged United to sign Bellingham before he joined Dortmund, the club might not want to make the same mistake again.
    Bellingham has also been linked with LiverpoolCredit: Getty
    Amadou Haidara
    Ralf Rangnick is a fan of Haidara, 24, and is claimed to have immediately identified him as a target upon arriving at Old Trafford.
    His £32m release clause at RB Leipzig becomes active in the summer.
    Leipzig had been willing to let him leave for more in January, but United reportedly held off in order to land him for cheaper at the end of the season.
    Haidara’s £32m release clause becomes active in the summerCredit: Getty
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Luis Enrique moves alongside Mauricio Pochettino as Man Utd’s next manager candidate but neither are favourite

    LUIS ENRIQUE has reportedly emerged as another contender for the Manchester United job this summer.ESPN claims the Spain boss, 51, has joined Paris Saint-Germain’s Mauricio Pochettino on United’s shortlist.
    Spain boss Luis Enrique has emerged as a contender for the Man Utd job this summerCredit: AP
    However, neither are favourite to replace Ralf Rangnick.
    The Red Devils are on the hunt for a new permanent boss to take charge at the end of the season.
    And club chiefs are hopeful of lining up a deal quickly in order to identify suitable transfer targets.
    United players are desperate for ex-Spurs boss Pochettino to take charge due to his Premier League experience.
    However, reports claim the tactician is also a target for Real Madrid.
    And it is now reckoned that Enrique is emerging as a viable candidate following his brilliant work at Barcelona.
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    Enrique won the Treble in 2015 and followed it up with the Double a year later.
    Now in a second spell with the Spanish national side, Enrique could be tempted by a return to club management.
    And he reportedly received the backing of Cristiano Ronaldo after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s exit in November.
    However, neither Enrique or Pochettino are the bookies’ favourite to enter the United dugout.
    That honour falls to Ajax boss Erik ten Hag, who is interim gaffer Rangnick’s first choice for the role.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
    Rangnick will take up a consultancy position at the end of the season, and his opinion could carry great weight in United’s decision.
    The Red Devils already have a strong relationship with Ajax, who are run by Old Trafford favourite Edwin van der Sar.
    And they would not stand in Ten Hag’s way should he declare his interest in the role. More

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    How Man Utd could line up with new spine of Manuel Akanji, Youri Tielemans and Darwin Nunez after transfer splurge

    MANCHESTER UNITED could be set for another summer of big spending as they look to improve in all areas of the pitch. The Red Devils are looking to improve in defence, midfield and attack.
    United could add players in positions all across the pitch
    Youri Tielemans is being linked with a move to Old TraffordCredit: GETTY
    Should United sign Manuel Akanji, he’ll play alongside former Dortmund team-mate Jadon SanchoCredit: GETTY
    Darwin Nunez was subject to deadline day bids from West HamCredit: ALAMY
    And they’re looking abroad as well as domestically to fire them back into title contention.
    According to A Bola, United are looking at striker Darwin Nunez, also linked with West Ham.
    The impressive Uruguayan has 21 goals this term for Benfica and could be an ideal long-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.
    Ronaldo’s future at Old Trafford could depend on whether they secure Champions League football for next season.
    And to help bolster Man Utd’s defensive options, Borussia Dortmund man Manuel Akanji is being looked at.
    SPORT1’s chief reporter Patrick Berger claims that the centre-back’s future at Dortmund is uncertain.
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    A move to United could see the quick defender play alongside Raphael Varane and link up with former team-mate Jadon Sancho.
    And in midfield United are looking domestically.
    The Red Devils have been linked with moves for Declan Rice, Ruben Neves and Kalvin Phillips in recent weeks.
    But it now appears they have turned their attention to Leicester ace Youri Tielemans.
    According to The Star, Tielemans is emerging as a popular target if United can’t land Rice or Phillips.
    The Belgian international could cost United upwards of £40million though, and would be a good partner for academy graduate Scott McTominay.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Man Utd scouts watch Darwin Nunez score landmark Benfica goal as they join West Ham and Newcastle in transfer race

    MANCHESTER UNITED scouts were reportedly in attendance to witness Benfica striker Darwin Nunez score a landmark goal last night.The 22-year-old found the net in his side’s 3-1 victory over Tondela.
    Manchester United scouts were watching Benfica star Darwin Nunez last nightCredit: EPA
    That was his 21st strike of the campaign in just his 26th appearance and has now made him the top goalscorer in the Portuguese top-flight.
    And with two assists to his name also, Benfica are banking on Nunez becoming one of their biggest ever sales.
    There are no shortage of admirers for the Uruguayan forward either.
    A Bola claims that Manchester United scouts joined a host of other talent spotters at the game to watch him in action.
    The Red Devils were also allegedly joined by the likes of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Milan.
    And the presence of their scouts were ‘certainly directed’ to Darwin’s appearance.
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    The report states his performance was ‘certainly worth a lot of notes’ for the scouts in attendance.
    Both Premier League West Ham and Newcastle have also been linked with an interest in the star.
    And that would only leave him behind Joao Felix, who left to join Atletico Madrid for £113m, and Manchester City’s £64m Ruben Dias as the club’s highest ever transfer exit.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Man Utd rejected by Martin Dubravka over January transfer ‘as Newcastle keeper didn’t want to be backup to David De Gea’

    NEWCASTLE goalkeeper Martin Dubravka reportedly rejected a sensational transfer deadline day move to Manchester United.The Red Devils allowed several stars to leave Old Trafford last month including Anthony Martial to Sevilla and Donny van de Beek to Everton on loan deals.
    The reason behind Dean Henderson’s loan move to Newcastle collapsing has been revealedCredit: Reuters
    Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka rejected a transfer deadline day switch to Man UtdCredit: Getty
    However, frustrated duo Jesse Lingard and Dean Henderson were blocked from departing despite their desire for first-team action.
    Newcastle were linked with swoops for both the midfielder and the goalkeeper but ultimately failed to get either move over the line.
    Now a report from the Manchester Evening News has claimed that Henderson’s collapsed loan transfer to the Magpies was down to Dubravka.
    United were allegedly willing to allow the England international to go to St. James’ Park on the condition that the current Toon No.1 came the other way in exchange.
    But the Slovakian international, 33, turned down Ralf Rangnick as he did not want to play second fiddle to David de Gea.
    That left Henderson stuck at United and his hopes of winning a place back in Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of the World Cup up in smoke.
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    The 24-year-old shared first-team responsibilities with De Gea last season but, after being struck by Covid, he has barely featured this term.
    The ex-Sheffield United loanee has made just three appearances all season.
    None of those have come in in the Premier League and his cameos have been restricted to the cup competitions.
    Meanwhile Dubravka started in Newcastle’s 3-1 win over Everton on Tuesday night to help boost their survival hopes.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Cristiano Ronaldo throws another strop as Man Utd superstar fires blank vs Burnley in worst goal drought in a DECADE

    CRISTIANO RONALDO threw ANOTHER strop as he failed to score for a fifth game in a row – his longest goal drought in more than a DECADE.The Manchester United superstar – who also had a tantrum against Brentford last month – stormed down the tunnel at full-time as his side were held to a 1-1 draw by Burnley.
    Cristiano Ronaldo is enduring his longest goal drought in a decadeCredit: Reuters
    He ran off down the Turf Moor tunnel at full-timeCredit: Getty
    He threw down some white strapping from his wrists as his team-mates stayed behind to applaud the travelling fans.
    The Portugal international is now on a run of five matches without a goal – a dry spell that dates back to United’s 3-1 victory over the Clarets on December 30.
    He started on the bench at Turf Moor before being introduced with 20 minutes to go.
    And he was left goalless and fuming as the final whistle blew on yet another disappointing Red Devils display.
    Rangnick picked Edinson Cavani instead but his side lost ground in the Champions League race just days after the interim boss had slammed United for wasting their chances during Friday night’s FA Cup defeat to Middlesbrough.
    Rangnick found fault with his team before the introduction of Ronaldo – by which time a draw seemed almost inevitable.
    He told BT Sport: “It was 1-0 at half time, we knew they would come out in the second half in a more aggressive way and the only thing I can complain the team about was we were not aggressive enough in the first 20 minutes of the second half.
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    The striker missed from the spot against Middlesbrough last weekCredit: Alamy
    “If you look into the whole game we dominated for most of it. Winning one point is not enough and another frustrating again.”
    Ronaldo has now drawn blanks against Wolves, Brentford, West Ham, Middlesbrough and Burnley twice.
    He shocked fans by missing the target from the penalty spot during last Friday’s FA Cup defeat by Boro.
    And CR7 is now on his worst club goalscoring run since 2010.
    Back then he failed to score in the final pair of games of the 2009-10 season for Real Madrid – before drawing blanks in their first three matches of 2010-11.
    Ronaldo has only scored in six of his 18 Prem appearances for United this season, although he bagged doubles against Newcastle and Arsenal.
    He has had more success in the Champions League, grabbing six goals in five group stage games.
    When international football is included, Ronaldo went five games without a goal as recently as 2018.
    He didn’t register in Portugal’s final two clashes of that year’s World Cup in Russia, or in his first three games for Juventus.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Man Utd boss Ralf Rangnick tells players to stop moaning about him on social media after Lingard and Martial rows

    RALF RANGNICK has told his players to stop moaning at him on social media.Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial have both caused a storm at Manchester United after contradicting their manager’s comments.
    Ralf Rangnick has told his Man Utd stars to stop moaning about him on social mediaCredit: Getty
    Jesse Lingard took to Twitter to deny his manager’s claims that he had asked for time offCredit: Getty
    Asked if it would be better sorted behind closed doors, Rangnick said: “It’s always better. I never ever read or communicate by those social media accounts.
    “I don’t exist there and wouldn’t have time to do that so therefore it’s always better and I always communicate with the players directly.
    “I did that with Anthony Martial and Jesse but maybe I’m a different kind of generation. My generation didn’t grow up with those kind of things.
    “I can even remember a time when there were no mobile phones or internet so for me it’s always better to communicate directly.
    “I know in both cases what I said to the players and what happened so for me there’s no reason to discuss this anymore.”
    Rangnick claimed Martial had refused to be part of the squad for United’s 2-2 draw at Aston Villa in the league last month. He has since gone on loan to Sevilla.
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    Last week the boss said Lingard had asked for time off after his loan move to Newcastle collapsed on the back of Mason Greenwood being suspended.
    Lingard took to social media to deny this, claiming the club had advised him to take the time off.
    He is back in the squad for tonight’s trip to Burnley in the league as is Edinson Cavani who was controversially granted an extra two days off to stay in Uruguay after international duty last week.
    Initially Rangnick said jet lag would have ruled him out the starting line-up for Friday’s FA Cup match with Boro.
    But on Monday he admitted Cavani could have come off the bench in extra-time had he been there.
    He said: “With the original travelling schedule he couldn’t have been available for that game. Maybe he could have been on the bench and come on in extra time, maybe.
    “But even with him, if you miss that many chances, and we had enough top quality players not to miss those chances, in hindsight it doesn’t make sense to speak about it.
    Both Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial have gone against Ralf Rangnick’s comments on social mediaCredit: Getty
    “Edinson asked me two days after the West Ham game if he could stay for one or two days longer in Uruguay.
    “We didn’t know anything about Mason Greenwood, this only came up a week later, and this is why we allowed him to spend one or two days longer in Uruguay and come back for the game against Burnley.
    “With regards to Jesse, I have a very good relationship with him. He knows I would have been willing to let him go at least until the issue with Mason came up.
    “He mentioned some personal issues. We have to look forward now, there are no problems whatsoever between myself and Jesse and vice versa. I’m very happy to have him in the squad.”
    United will be without Fred and Alex Telles after the Brazil pair tested positive for Covid.
    Rangnick said: “We have two players missing. Alex already missed the cup game because he tested COVID positive last week and, unfortunately, the same thing happened today with Fred. That’s why he will be missing from tomorrow’s game and possibly even the game against Southampton.”
    The Red Devils are preparing to play Burnley on Tuesday after being dumped out of the FA CupCredit: Getty
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