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    ‘We’re not sight-seeing!’ – Boro boss Wilder BANS players from swapping shirts with Cristiano Ronaldo in FA Cup clash

    CHRIS WILDER has banned his Middlesbrough players from swapping shirts with Cristiano Ronaldo or any other Manchester United stars.The Boro boss and his side head to Old Trafford on Friday in the FA Cup and will be backed by over 9,000 away supporters.
    Boro boss Chris Wilder has banned his players from swapping shirts with Cristiano Ronaldo and Man Utd’s starsCredit: Rex
    He also warned them not to be star-struck by the POrtuguese legend or anyone else they faceCredit: Rex
    Wilder admits victory for the Championship club ‘wouldn’t be the biggest shock, but it would be a shock’ and promised that they would not get ‘fuzzy eyed’ when the teams are confirmed.
    And after claiming he wants to make it ‘dangerous’ for Ralf Rangnick’s United, he warned his underdogs it would not be a ‘sight-seeing’ tour.
    He said: “Their team sheet will come in the dressing room and it’ll be De Gea, Varane, Harry Maguire… let’s not crumble in that process!
    “They have some fabulous individuals that can hurt you, and hurt teams around Europe and the Premier League. A huge array of talent to choose from.
    “But it is not sight-seeing for our players. It is not a shirt-swapping situation. I don’t want people going to Old Trafford to enjoy the visit.
    “If they want a shirt, do it in the changing rooms after. We don’t want to be looking at them all fuzzy-eyed. They are up against a competitor.
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    “I want them to play well. To give a good account of themselves and make it a competitive dangerous night for Manchester United.
    “If we play well we can do. If not it will be a comfortable night for Manchester United. No one wants that, me included.”
    Wilder, who has led Boro to eight wins from his 12 games in charge since replacing Neil Warnock, added: “This is an obligation to play well for our 9,000 fans at the game and those watching on TV. “There is a glint in the eye from the boys. Motivation levels are big. Playing in front of 75,000 is something they want. We want to go to Old Trafford on a regular basis in the seasons to come.
    “We need a structure and a shape so we are not picked off by world-class players but we will have an opportunity to play and we won’t be sitting on the crossbar for 95 minutes.
    “We have to be ambitious and aggressive when we have a chance to cause them problems.”
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Cristiano Ronaldo ‘could QUIT Man Utd with Portuguese star, 37 this week, to wait until manager situation is resolved’

    CRISTIANO RONALDO could QUIT Manchester United this summer as he waits to see who will be the club’s next manager.ESPN claims Ronaldo will consider jumping ship just one year after returning to Old Trafford.
    Cristiano Ronaldo could quit Man Utd this summer as he waits to see who the new boss isCredit: EPA
    United face a tough battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
    And the club is also yet to make a decision on their next boss, with interim gaffer Ralf Rangnick set to take up a consultancy role this summer.
    Ronaldo, who turns 37 on Saturday, is now going to consider his options ahead of the next transfer window.
    But he will hold off from making a definitive decision until United confirm their next permanent manager.
    Ronaldo will have just one year left on his contract this summer.
    And it’s reckoned he will have lucrative offers from numerous MLS and Middle Eastern sides.
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    While his mum has consistently hinted Ronaldo could one day return to boyhood club Sporting Lisbon.
    Ronaldo appears to be taking a similar approach to home life after revealing he will not be forcing son Cristiano Jr, 11, into a decision on his own football career.
    Ronaldo said: “Only time will tell. I will never pressure him. He will do what he wants. 
    “Also what I want the most for Cristianito and everyone else is that they’re happy and that they choose what they want. 
    “I will support in any way.”
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Man Utd transfer blow after Declan Rice reveals plan to ‘stay close to home’ as West Ham star hints at Chelsea move

    MANCHESTER UNITED target Declan Rice has hinted he wants to stay in London as he gushed about his childhood love for Chelsea.West Ham midfielder plans to ‘stay close to home’ amid speculation over a summer move.
    West Ham hero Declan Rice appears to have suggested Chelsea would have a better chance of signing him than Man Utd should he be soldCredit: Getty

    Rice also revealed his bromance with boyhood idol and Chelsea legend John Terry is as strong as ever.
    The 27-cap Londoner, 23, has been regarded as a potential dream signing for United in their search for a stylish anchorman.
    But on Gary Neville’s Overlap podcast Rice underlined how settled he is – living just seven miles from Stamford Bridge.
    Strolling together in Kingston, South West London, he told ex-United defender Nev: “Yeah, I’m here all the time.
    “I’ve always wanted to stay close to this place, I feel like I don’t want to lose my roots.”
    And he was equally frank about his upbringing as a Blues’ fan.
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    Rice said: “Yeah, growing up the whole family was Chelsea.
    “I feel like it’s out there – everyone knows, it’s well documented. 
    “But I feel like when you play for a club like West Ham you become really affiliated to it, and there’s part of me now – and my family as well – that is a massive West Ham fan.”
    But Rice continues to look up to former England centre-back Terry.
    That bond grew after JT called him to offer support when the Blues released Rice aged 14 after seven years at their academy.
    Asked who his idol had been, he replied: “‘John Terry. I speak to him a lot. I speak to him all the time really. 
    “For me growing up being a Chelsea fan, having a season ticket there, going to all the games, being in the academy. 
    Old Trafford legend Gary Neville was told by Declan Rice that the Hammer wants to stay close to his London rootsCredit: Getty
    “Just him, looking at him, everything was JT as a kid. JT26 on the back.
    “Even when I was younger I said if I make it I want to be No 26, but I feel like as I’ve got older now I’ve grown out of that – it would look a bit creepy! 
    ‘He was amazing for me when I got released as well, he picked up the phone – he didn’t have to, I was only 14 at the time and I was speaking to my idol – so yeah, we’ve got a good relationship.”
    Terry quickly responded to Rice’s comments, posting a link to the chat with Neville on social media and adding: “Love ya mate.”
    Now many will expect Rice to return to Stamford Bridge and approach the heights there JT reached.
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    Jesse Lingard deserves better treatment at Man Utd… look how many chances Paul Pogba gets to impress

    THE ONLY question surrounding the Jesse Lingard affair is which statement appears to more damning.Rio Ferdinand has piled into the debate which followed Manchester United’s decision to ask Newcastle United for a potential total of £15.5M to take him on loan.
    Jesse Lingard looks like he will have an uneventful end to his Man Utd career
    The former Old Trafford defensive king pin says it is “crazy” that Lingard is now in limbo until his contract expires this summer – and that the situation is his own fault.
    Rio pulled punches on the subject, declaring : “I wouldn’t be happy if I was a player.
    “It’s almost like he’s wasted a whole year of his career, a whole season of his career has been wasted
    “He hasn’t played hardly any games, hasn’t been involved.
    “Jesse Lingard went to West Ham and done fantastically well.
    “Everyone would have wanted to take him outside of probably the top four… and then he goes back to Man United and doesn’t play.
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    United legend Rio Ferdinand has been left stunned at Lingard’s predicament
    “I was just baffled that he went back in the first place after having that taste of success, that taste of playing every week.
    “Either he was promised by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that he’d get more game time. I don’t know what it was.”
    Speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel one of the great defenders of his generation who made 455 United adds : “He’s never going to play games. It’s just crazy.”
    Solskjaer’s successor Ralf Rangnick, meanwhile, did not mention Lingard by name when it came to explaining why he might continue to use a player even if he is in the last months of his contract.
    For the German it all comes down to attitude – which is why he will still utilise the talents of Paul Pogba.
    The Frenchman, of course, could be far more influential as he runs down the clock and the talents of he and Lingard do not compare.
    But there is a reason why Pogba is still welcome while Lingard is not, as indicated by Rangnick who declares: “For me, it’s not a question if a player has an expiring contract.
    “The question is how much does he still want to be a part of this group?
    Paul Pogba seems like he will be the pick for boss Ralf Rangnick when back fit
    “How much does he still feel emotionally and physically on board?”
    Rangnick points out that these final months of the season, if nothing else, allow Pogba to showcase his talents to interested parties.
    The same reasoning should therefore apply to Lingard.
    Except the attacker knows he is not really wanted and so why would he feel physically and emotionally on board?.
    Before he left for West Ham he had been given only two starts by Solskjaer last season – in a 3-0 EFL Cup win over Luton and a 1-0 FA Cup third round victory over Watford.
    During this campaign he has played a total of 89 Prem minutes, all as sub over nine games , and only one of those minutes was under Rangnick after the Baby-Faced Assasin got the bullet.
    Yet at the start of it Gareth Southgate saw fit to give him three more caps – against Andorra twice and Hungary
    United, it is said, are making an example of him – showing other disaffected players that they won’t be messed around by those running down the days on their contracts while awaiting big signing – on fees for joining new clubs when they become free agents.
    Yet Lingard has been at the club since he was seven years of age and deserves better treatment than being held out to dry.
    Lingard was a revelation at West Ham and they were keen to bring him back
    It so happens that his breakthrough season came two years after Sir Alex Ferguson retired – cue the entrances of Moyes, Louis Van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Solskjaer and now Rangnick in the line of those trying to fill the void left by the great Scot.
    Cue United’s often scattergun approach to bringing in new signings with home-grown players like Lingard becoming the collateral damage of an approach that barely hit a barn door.
    Little wonder that he became disillusioned and even bitter.
    True enough, he could have asked for a transfer outright and Ferdinand suggests he should have done exactly that.
    Yet he began the season in hope, with those three caps, having been told by Solskjaer that his loan move had put him back in the frame.
    Instead, thanks to the £73M arrival of Jadon Sancho and the grand return of Cristiano Ronaldo, he found himself marginalised again.
    Some of this is his fault, for sure. He could and should have done more to become a big player.
    Lingard enjoyed some good times at Old Trafford – but it is ending in the worst way
    Questions were asked privately about his focus and indeed attitude.
    But if that was the case and there were doubts about him he should have been sold.
    And he should also have been loaned out last month but the Old Trafford hierarchy tried the cynical approach with Newcastle’s fabulously wealthy new owners.
    But even the Saudis, with all the football money in the world, were not going to be taken as fools.
    And so Lingard sits and waits while his club feels good about itself for trying to get value for him.
    Had they not been so greedy in their asking price of £30M to West Ham last summer they would have got a decent wedge.
    Meanwhile Pogba will play on.
    But then again, they want the Frenchman to stay for the World Cup winner is a means to an end.
    He could help United into the top four, aid Champions League process and – forgive the cynicism – have a huge say in the German being made manager on a permanent basis.
    Ferdinand may point the finger at his former team mate but his former club are just as culpable.
    And if Lingard is not thinking that he is the victim of double standards then he should be.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Man Utd ‘growing increasingly confident’ of appointing Mauricio Pochettino as new boss with Argentine set to leave PSG

    MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly ‘growing increasingly confident’ that they can appoint Mauricio Pochettino as their new boss.The PSG chief is coming under yet more pressure in France following their penalty shoot-out defeat to Nice in the Coupe de France.
    Mauricio Pochettino could leave PSG at the end of the season
    French newspaper Le Parisien is now reporting that the Argentine’s last hope is landing the Champions League this season.
    But his future will hinge on whether they progress past 13-time winners Real Madrid in the last-16.
    PSG host the Spanish side on February 15 before travelling to the Bernabeu on March 9.
    The Mirror reports that Pochettino is the ‘number one candidate’ to take over from interim manager Ralf Rangnick at Old Trafford.
    And Old Trafford chiefs are now ‘growing increasingly confident’ that they will get their man.
    The German is expected to move into a consultancy role at the end of the season.
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    Pochettino has 18 months left on his PSG deal after extending his contract until 2023 in the summer.
    The 49-year-old was heavily linked with the United hot seat before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer got the job permanently after Jose Mourinho was sacked in 2019.
    Rangnick then took the reins at United on an interim basis after Solskjaer was axed in November.

    In the event of Pochettino being sacked or leaving, PSG could turn to three-time Champions League-winning manager Zinedine Zidane.
    The French icon was being touted as a potential replacement for Pochettino when United tried to prize him away from PSG in November.
    But a move failed to materialise and Pochettino stayed put.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Man Utd ‘turned down Boubacar Kamara transfer opportunity to fix midfield woes due to uncertainty over Rangnick future’

    MANCHESTER UNITED rejected Boubacar Kamara, Denis Zakaria and Julian Alvarez in January due to uncertainty over Ralf Rangnick’s future.That’s transfer guru Fabrizio Romano’s claim as it’s thought United want to delay splashing out until naming a permanent boss in the summer.
    France U-21 star Boubacar Kamara seemed to be the type of midfielder Man Utd need but they reportedly snubbed the chance to sign himCredit: Getty
    Another midfielder, Denis Zakaria, ended up at Juventus after being linked with Manchester United and ArsenalCredit: Getty
    Instead French midfielder Kamara stayed with Marseille, Juventus signed Arsenal target Zakaria from Borussia Monchengladbach and Argentina striker Alvarez joined Manchester City.
    Turning down the chance to recruit Kamara might stun Old Trafford fans as it’s understood interim chief Rangnick’s priority is to find such an anchorman.
    The departures of Donny van de Beek to Everton and Anthony Martial to Sevilla were United’s only real activity in January.
    And the Red Devils reportedly blocked temporary moves for England midfielder Jesse Lingard and second-choice keeper Dean Henderson.
    Rangnick will play a key role at the end of the season when United make a permanent appointment following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking in November.
    And the German is said to be compiling a breakdown of United’s individual and tactical issues, as well as a list of potential targets.
    Romano also believes United said no to Alvarez ‘many times’.
    The 22-year-old went on to join neighbours City for £17m on a five-and-a-half-year deal before rejoining River Plate on loan.
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    Meanwhile, Swiss midfielder Zakaria had been linked to Premier League giants, especially Arsenal and United, for several months.
    But Juve nipped in as they were reportedly the only club willing to pay a fee for the 25-year-old six months before his contract expires.
    Rangnick will now look to Paul Pogba to regain full fitness in the second half of the campaign.
    But the German has admitted the French World Cup winner could still end up leaving, with Real Madrid and Juventus in the running.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Man Utd boost over Endrick transfer as wonderkid reveals Cristiano Ronaldo is his idol despite pals worshipping Neymar

    MANCHESTER UNITED have been handed in a boost in their pursuit of Endrick Felipe – after the wonderkid’s dad revealed Cristiano Ronaldo is his idol. That is despite his mates worshipping compatriot Neymar or fellow South American Lionel Messi.
    Endrick Felipe’s dad revealed his idol is Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Rex
    The teenager is hoping to rewrite the history books as Ronaldo has doneCredit: EPA
    The 15-year-old Brazilian is one of the hottest young prospects in world football.
    He attracted plenty of attention as he helped Palmeiras win their first Sao Paulo Junior Cup in January.
    But with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City tracking his situation, it is United who may have gained an advantage.
    Endrick’s dad Douglas told Marca: “His idol is Cristiano Ronaldo.
    “At the age of 15, children usually fall in love with Neymar or [Lionel] Messi.
    “His friends at Palmeiras said that his idol is a robot, that he’s a focused professional obsessed with breaking records.
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    “But Cristiano is his reference and he wants to make history like him.
    “On the field he’s completely focused, he doesn’t give up the ball and gives himself 110 per cent.
    “He’s a machine. When he scores a goal he wants two. When he scores two he wants three.
    “That’s his thing, he’s a boy who wants to be challenged.”
    Endrick plays up front and is blessed with serious pace, a wand of a left foot and bags of tactical intelligence – as well as the outrageous ability to score with an overhead kick from outside the penalty box.
    The prodigy joined Palmeiras aged ten and scored 165 goals in 169 games for their youth teams across five years.
    But it looks as though any interested clubs will have to stump up big cash to lure him from his boyhood club amid reports of an £83million release clause going in his first pro contract when he turns 16 this July.
    And Endrick would not be allowed to make the likely switch until he turns 18 in 2024 – like Brazilian compatriots Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.
    Real Madrid are the current frontrunners for his signature amid suggestion talks have already taken place.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Paul Pogba set for first Man Utd game in three months after injury on FRIDAY in FA Cup clash against Middlesbrough

    PAUL POGBA is making a late bid to be in the squad for Friday’s FA Cup fourth-round match against Middlesbrough.The Manchester United midfielder has not played since the 2-2 Champions League draw away to Atalanta on November 2.
    Paul Pogba could return from injury in Man Utd’s FA Cup game against MiddlesbroughCredit: PA
    He picked up a thigh injury the following week while training with the French squad.
    The initial prognosis was that he would be out for eight weeks but it has been three months now.
    But he has been back in full training at Carrington, and manager Ralf Rangnick will decide Friday morning whether to include him in the squad for that evening fixture against the Championship side.
    Should Pogba feature, it would be his first appearance under interim gaffer Rangnick.
    SunSport revealed last week that the French World Cup winner has had a number of positive talks with the United boss.
    He has been impressed with his ideas to get the best out of the player during the remainder of the season.
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    It was something former manager Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were unable to do for any period of time but Pogba believes things could click with Rangnick.
    It could even lead to him making a U-turn and deciding to stay in the summer if Rangnick’s tenure as boss is extended for two years.
    Pogba is out of contract at the end of the season when he can leave on a free and all talks between the player and club about a new deal have been shelved.
    But a positive end to the season and Rangnick continuing in the hot seat could bring both sides back to the negotiating table and the 28-year-old commit himself to another four years at Old Trafford.
    Victor Lindelof and Jadon Sancho both missed United’s last game, a dramatic last gasp victory over West Ham, for personal reasons but are expected to return.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
    Full-backs Luke Shaw who had a hamstring problem and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who was ill, are also likely to return.
    Meanwhile, David De Gea has won the club’s Player of the Month award for the third successive time.
    It is the first time that a Red Devils player has done that since the fans’ monthly online vote began back in 2016. More