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    Man Utd stars laughed at Scholes for ‘snide’ £50 boots when he returned as he couldn’t ask Nike due to secret comeback

    PAUL SCHOLES was laughed at for wearing £50 boots when he returned to Manchester United – as he couldn’t ask Nike for a brand new pair in order to keep his comeback a secret.The ex-England star, 46, revealed he was forced to buy a cheap pair of boots from JJB Sports for his 2012 comeback because he couldn’t let Nike know he was back.
    Paul Scholes was mocked for his £50 plastic boots when making his surprise 2012 comeback
    And Scholes revealed he got plenty of stick from old team-mate Jonny Evans for his choice of footwear ahead of his comeback game against rivals Manchester City.
    Scholes told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I bought a pair of boots, I think they were about £50.
    “They were all the ones the lads were wearing, obviously. Same colours and stuff, same patterns.
    “But I believe I bought the cheap ones. It wasn’t until I was actually warming up on the pitch [that I realised]. I couldn’t get a pair of boots off Nike, they couldn’t send me a pair because we couldn’t tell them.
    “Nobody knew, it was a big secret and it didn’t get announced until the teams were announced at City in the FA Cup.
    “So I pulled these boots out and I thought they were good’uns. I paid £50 for these boots, they must be belters, these.
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    “I started warming up and Jonny Evans looks around and says, ‘Are they the snide ones you’ve bought of these?’
    “[Scholes replied], ‘What do you mean snide, what’s wrong with them?’ Apparently I had plastic ones. They were alright.”
    But Scholes admitted his comeback game was a ‘disaster’ after Man Utd nearly threw away a 3-0 lead against rivals City.
    He continued: “Actually that game was a bit of a disaster for me. I came on in the game, I think we were 3-0 up against City.
    “They had a man sent off, Vincent Kompany got sent off, I come on and after five minutes it was 3-2.
    ‘BRICKING IT’
    “I was absolutely bricking it. I thought, ‘What am I doing, why have I come back here, what am I thinking of?’
    “The rest of the season ended up OK. We didn’t win the league but we managed to win it the year after.”
    In 2018, Scholes revealed even more details about his comeback – including the real reason he retired for good.
    Scholes said: “I remember the game itself. We were 3-0 up when I came on and we were against ten men, and then it went back to 3-2.
    “I was taking my gear off ready to come on and [City coach] David Platt said to me, ‘What the hell are you doing?’ and I went, ‘No idea’.
    “At that time I wished I hadn’t done it. I think I gave a bad pass for a throw-in, and Sergio Aguero nipped on to it and scored.
    Paul Scholes has won the most trophies of any English players
    “The manager gave me another year, but I was gone. I remember playing Tottenham at home, we got beat 3-2.
    “I played alright in possession, but I remember [Mousa] Dembele and Gareth Bale cruising past me.
    “I wanted to retire early again that season, but I thought it’d be embarrassing so I stayed on.”
    Fuming Man Utd fans block stars from entering training ground in Glazers Out protest More

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    Man Utd urged to seal Yves Bissouma and Leandro Trossard transfers from Brighton in January window by Paul Parker

    FORMER Manchester United star Paul Parker has urged the club to sign Brighton duo Yves Bissouma and Leandro Trossard.The Red Devils head into tonight’s FA Cup Third Round match with Aston Villa under something of a cloud after a poor festive period.
    Man Utd have been urged to to sign Yves BissoumaCredit: Rex
    And former star Paul Parker also wants Leandro Trossard to arrive at Old TraffordCredit: Rex
    United did produce a win over Burnley, but that was sandwiched between a disappointing draw at Newcastle and a home defeat to Wolves.
    That has led to speculation of players being unhappy under interim boss Ralf Rangnick – including superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
    However, ex-England defender Parker believes he knows two men that are right under Rangnick’s nose in the Premier League that could instantly make United better.
    Mali international midfielder Bissouma, 25, has been catching the eye at Brighton ever since his arrival from Lille in 2018.
    And his 27-year-old Belgium team-mate Trossard has been equally impressive on the South Coast – with Parker wanting United to sign both the winger and his pal.
    Parker told bettors.ng: “If there is someone playing in England who I’d go and take to make Manchester United better at the moment and add something, I’d say (Yves) Bissouma from Brighton.
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    “He’s a high energy player, in good shape, and a good athlete. He runs with the ball and drags people out. His decision making, his passing all are good.
    “He’s got everything that all the top sides in Europe have got. Everyone’s got a player like that except Manchester United.
    “Manchester United are shopping at Poundland at this moment. I don’t know what they are thinking, he’s (Bissouma) sitting right there!
    “Bissouma and Leandro Trossard, another great signing for Brighton by Graham Potter. What a player.
    “These are two players who would automatically get in the Man Utd midfield and wouldn’t cost you a fortune.”
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Rashford says he has ‘endless respect’ for Man Utd boss Rangnick and insists he is not ‘sulking’ under German

    MARCUS RASHFORD has insisted he has ‘endless respect’ for Manchester United’s interim boss Ralf Rangnick.A number of reports have emerged over the past few days claiming that there is unrest inside the dressing-room at Old Trafford as the squad struggle to adapt to the German’s methods.
    Marcus Rashford has insisted he has ‘endless respect’ for Ralf Rangnick
    The star is adamant that he is ‘not sulking’ under the German coach
    Rangnick, whose side face Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Monday, suffered his first defeat at United last time out against Wolves.
    But Rashford, who has struggled for form himself this campaign due to injury and only has three goals to his name, has now hit back at claims he and his team-mates have a problem with the manager.
    The 24-year-old wrote on Twitter: “We’ve all been disappointed with recent performances and we’ve been disappointed with the news coverage questioning our commitment to not only the manager and the coaching staff but the club.
    “I have endless respect for both and I’m looking forward to bettering my game under the staff at Manchester United.
    “I’m not sulking, I’m not unhappy, am I disappointed in some of my recent performances? Of course I am. I’m my own biggest critic.
    “It’s been a tough start but I’m determined to prove my worth. My dedication and my desire to be here should never be in question. I love this club.”
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    Rangnick insisted on Friday that the United players are ‘at least trying’ to take his ideas on board as he admitted a number of stars were unhappy.
    He said: “They are at least trying, I am sure that they are listening.
    “I mean this is not only an issue with a club like Manchester United.
    “If you have that many players and 10 outfield players can play and three being substituted, then of course you have quite a number of players – in our case 12, 13, 14 players who don’t even play, or not even being in the squad.
    “Then those players are not happy about that situation. It’s obvious, it’s clear.
    “I tend to explain to players every two or three weeks why they are not playing but obviously I cannot do that every game and that is an issue in our team as well as in other clubs.”
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Paul Pogba will return to Man Utd training next week after getting green light from club doctors in huge injury boost

    PAUL POGBA will return to full training in the coming week after getting the green light from the Manchester United doctors.Pogba has not pulled on a red shirt for two months after damaging a thigh on international duty with France.
    Paul Pogba is set to provide Man Utd with a huge boost in the coming weekCredit: PA
    The French star is set to return to training after getting the green light from medicsCredit: Getty
    It has been a difficult rehab for the Frenchman, who spent some time in Dubai in a bid to get back to action before the end of January. 
    Now there is light at the end of the tunnel after he did some light running with his conditioners at Carrington last week.
    The news is a huge injury boost to boss Ralf Rangnick who feared he would be without the midfielder for another few weeks.
    United’s medical staff are poised to let him rejoin the main group later this week. 
    Pogba, 28, has impressed Rangnick with his attitude and it is understood the midfielder has targeted a first team return by the end of January.
    He is in the final six months of his deal at United and can speak to interested clubs on the continent about a free transfer in the summer. 
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    Yet insiders insist that has not stopped Pogba from getting his head down and focusing on returning to help United’s push for a top four finish. 
    Rangnick was still insisting that it will be a while before the World Cup winner is fully back in the swing of things ahead of Monday’s FA Cup tie with Villa.
    He said: “I was told a week ago, it would be a minimum of at least another four or five weeks before he is fit for training again.
    “I saw him this morning before the training session, he was in the locker room, and I hope he will be back as soon as possible.
    “It’s one thing to be training fit but, on the other hand, he needs to be fit for the match and competition in either the Premier League or the Champions League and this will still take some time.”
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    Wantaway Man Ud striker Anthony Martial ‘snubs £30m Newcastle transfer’ as French ace holds out for Barcelona move

    ANTHONY MARTIAL has reportedly rejected the opportunity to join Newcastle from Manchester United.The French forward became world football’s most-expensive teenager when the Red Devils forked out an initial £36million to Monaco for him in 2015 in a deal that could rise to £58m.
    Newcastle have suffered a blow in the chase to sign Anthony MartialCredit: AP
    The French star has allegedly rejected a transfer to the MagpiesCredit: Alamy
    The 26-year-old made a memorable start to life at Old Trafford and has gone on to score 79 goals in 268 appearances for the club.
    But he has found himself on the fringes at United over the past year and he has started just two Premier League games this term and only two more in the cups.
    That has led to rumours surrounding Martial’s future with Spanish side Sevilla linked with a loan bid while Barcelona were also said to be keen.
    However, speculation has also been mounting that Eddie Howe’s Newcastle wanted to bring him to the North East.
    The relegation strugglers strengthened their survival bid with the £12m signing of full-back Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid on Friday.
    Defence remains Howe’s main objective in the transfer market but Callum Wilson’s injury has now led to him searching for attacking reinforcements.
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    But it seems that Newcastle will now have to look elsewhere, despite them willing to splash the cash to secure his services.
    Spanish publication Sport have claimed that Martial has ‘no interest’ in signing for the Magpies.
    And it even states that the star already ‘refused to sign’ for the Magpies after they tabled a £30m bid for him.
    Now it seems that a move to Spain is Martial’s preferred option, with United boss Ralf Rangnick already admitting the ace wants out of Old Trafford.
    He said recently: “He explained to me he’s been at Manchester United now for the last seven years and he feels it’s the right time for a change, to go somewhere else.
    “I think in a way this is understandable, I could follow his thoughts but on the other hand, it’s also important to see the situation of the club.
    “We have Covid times, we have three competitions in which we still have high ambitions and want to be as successful as we can be.”
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Cristiano Ronaldo transfer return to Man Utd from Real Madrid rejected by Jose Mourinho in 2018 in huge snub

    JOSE MOURINHO rejected the chance to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Manchester United in 2018.The Portuguese legend, 36, made a romantic return to Old Trafford in August after 12 years away from the club when he signed from Juventus.
    Jose Mourinho stopped Cristiano Ronaldo from returning to Man Utd in 2018Credit: Getty
    The Portuguese legend did finally rejoin the Red Devils last summerCredit: Getty
    However, the forward could have been back at the Theatre of Dreams much earlier had his former Real Madrid manager not turned down the opportunity.
    The claim was made by talkSPORT presenter Jim White as he revealed exclusive details from inside Ed Woodward’s 16-year tenure as executive vice-chairman.
    And during that discussion Mourinho’s two-and-a-half-year reign in charge was debated.
    The Special One led United to the Community Shield, EFL Cup and the Europa League during that period but he was still sacked in 2018 after a run of poor results and several dressing-room fallouts.
    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced him before he was axed and then replaced by Ralf Rangnick as interim coach until the end of this season.
    The German is enduring a difficult start to life at United as their season threatens to blow up – but it was a different story when the club were celebrating Ronaldo’s comeback a few months ago.
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    Now White says that CR7 could have been back much sooner had Mourinho not intervened.
    The Portuguese coach was in charge of Ronaldo for three years at the Bernabeu from 2010 as the icon hit 120 goals in 106 LaLiga matches under his countryman.
    But as Ronaldo’s time at Madrid was coming to an end, his old boss declined the chance to work with him again, with the forward instead going to Juventus.
    White said: “Over the years there have been many discussions over Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United.
    “It might have happened when he finished at Real Madrid, when he was still in his pomp.
    “But it wasn’t possible because Jose Mourinho made it clear he at that time had other priorities.”
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    Everton ‘plot shock transfer bid for Man Utd star James Garner’ after youngster shines on loan at Nottingham Forest

    EVERTON are allegedly plotting a shock transfer swoop for Manchester United starlet James Garner.The 20-year-old is currently enjoying a loan spell at Championship promotion hopefuls Nottingham Forest.
    James Garner is wanted by Everton after impressing at Nottingham Forest on loanCredit: �MI News & Sport Ltd
    The central midfielder initially joined the Tricky Trees last January before extending his deal last summer for another 12 months.
    However, Garner’s time at the City Ground could be ending early if Rafa Benitez gets his way.
    That’s according to Football Insider, who claim Everton are ‘weighing up a move to sign him’ this month.
    The Toffees have already been active in the January transfer window with the captures of Nathan Patterson from Rangers and Vitaliy Mykolenko from Dynamo Kiev.
    Now it seems Benitez is looking to strengthen the middle of his side by launching a move for the anchorman.
    Garner is highly-rated at Old Trafford and was even name dropped by Bruno Fernandes as a future star.
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    He has graduated through United’s academy and appeared seven times for the senior team.
    The England youth international was firstly sent to Watford 18 months ago to further his development on loan.
    He featured 20 times for the Hornets before heading to Forest.
    The ace has made 41 appearances in all competitions for them since his arrival in January 2020.
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    Ed Woodward TRIPLED Man Utd’s value to £2.4bn… the Glazers will miss him and his ‘official noodle partners’

    MANCHESTER UNITED fans might be happy to wave goodbye to Ed Woodward.But the people who count at Old Trafford will not be celebrating his departure.
    Ed Woodward will leave his role as executive vice-chairman of Man Utd at the end of the monthCredit: Reuters
    Woodward leaves Old Trafford after helping TRIPLE United’s valueCredit: PA
    For club owners the Glazers, what really matters is the bottom line.
    Cold, hard cash. And Woodward has delivered for them, all the way back to his part as a banker with JP Morgan, who engineered their leveraged buy-out in 2005.
    That valued the club at £800million. Now it is worth TRIPLE that, a mighty £2.4BILLION.
    Forget the scorn that was directed at the Red Devils for their “noodle partner”, social media obsession and fascination with the Far East.
    As far as the Glazers were concerned, Essex boy Woodward, 50, absolutely delivered.
    Yes, the club has piled up debt, although that now stands at £419m, down £50m in a year.
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    And the regular dividend payments — with the latest one to shareholders totalling £11m due today — have helped keep the Glazers sweet.
    Appointed to head the club’s commercial and media unit in 2007, Woodward scoured the globe for sponsors, more than doubling commercial revenue by 2012, when he was executive vice-chairman.
    When chief exec David Gill stepped down — at the same time as Sir Alex Ferguson retired — the following year, it was Woodward who became the top dog.
    Commercially, if not on the pitch, the last eight seasons have been a triumph. Sponsorship, retail, merchandising and licensing earned United £130m in 2013.
    By 2020, the last commercial year pre-pandemic, that figure was £279m.
    Last year it was still £232m despite a season behind closed doors.
    And remember that £800m valuation in 2005? Well, United have a market capitalisation — the number of shares multiplied by their price — of just under £2.4bn. Job done.
    Well worth the £21m in salary Woodward has bagged since taking over from Gill in 2013? That’s for others to decide.
    Ed Woodward has pocketed a cool £21million during his time at Manchester UnitedCredit: GETTY
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