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      Feud between Sir Alex Ferguson and Roy Keane at Man Utd erupted over Portugal training camp and ‘nuclear’ MUTV interview

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      SIR ALEX FERGUSON and Roy Keane.
      Two of the biggest and most dominant personalities in British football.

      Roy Keane and Sir Alex Ferguson have not seen eye to eye for 14 years after a major fall out in 2005Credit: Getty – Contributor

      The pair once enjoyed a hugely successful relationship, winning 12 major trophies together at Manchester UnitedCredit: AFP – Getty

      Working together led to major success.
      Seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups and a Champions League, including all three in the Treble-winning 1998/99 season.
      But when they fell out, things got nasty.
      The result was Keane leaving Old Trafford, having his contract terminated in November 2005.

      And they are no closer to patching up their differences.
      So why do Sir Alex and Keano not see eye to eye?
      VILLA-FIED IN PORTUGAL
      It all started during a pre-season summer camp in Portugal.
      Fergie’s loyal assistant Carlos Queiroz had arranged the villas – but Keane felt the one he was in was too small for him and his family, with five kids.

      So when Ferguson arrived from his summer holiday, he had to deal with Keane wanting to move, rejecting three different villas.
      Here’s how Fergie recalls it in his autobiography: “All the staff and players were nicely ensconced in their villas.
      “But bad news awaited me. Carlos was having a nightmare with Roy.
      “According to Carlos, Roy had rejected the first house because one of the rooms lacked air conditioning.
      “The second threw up a similar problem. The third, which I saw, was a fantastic house. Roy wouldn’t take it.
      “He wanted to stay in the next village, Quinta do Lago, with his family.”
      Unsurprisingly, Keane saw things differently.
      He said: “I knew I was there for pre-season training, but it was my wife and children’s holiday.
      “But I think Carlos might have felt a bit put out; he wasn’t happy.

      Ferguson made a big fuss about what had happened, started ranting and raving in the dressing room after the first training session. ‘What is the big deal?’ I said. I just thought it was an overreaction.
      Roy Keane

      “I looked around the place and I told her, ‘I’ve got five kids. This is too small.’
      “There were three bedrooms, and there was a plunge pool, which I thought was dangerous; we had five children, and the oldest was ten. I just wasn’t comfortable with it.
      “The woman brought me to look at a second villa; my wife was waiting down at the first place with the kids.
      “The second place was nicer but, in the meantime, I’d rung the people we’d just hired the previous villa from, where we’d been staying the week before, and I asked if we could stay there for another week.
      “I knew that this would be going back to the manager.”
      It did indeed get back to Ferguson, who pulled Keane aside after training.
      According to the boss, he told Keane the houses were fine but “Roy erupted, issuing a long list of complaints, which included the air conditioning” before turning it on Queiroz.
      Ferguson concluded: “It placed a strain on his relationship with us.”
      Again, Keane did not quite have the same version of events.
      He described the fall-out: “He made a big fuss about what had happened, started ranting and raving in the dressing room after the first training session.
      “‘What is the big deal?’ I said. I just thought it was an overreaction.”
      The pair then stopped talking – Keane blames Fergie for the silent treatment, Fergie blames Keane for becoming reclusive.
      And the fuse was lit…
      THAT MUTV INTERVIEW
      The general practice at Manchester United sees a player give their reaction to in-house TV channel MUTV once or twice a year.
      Due to an injury, Keane missed the game he was supposed to do and therefore spoke to the channel after the infamous 4-1 defeat away at Middlesbrough in October 2005.
      And Keane – who did not play in the match – then had his say and was rather scathing about his team-mates. It was so bad, the club pulled the interview from airing.
      The midfielder said: “I was disappointed with the players. But it was MUTV; it’s the in-house channel, propaganda for the club. All the top clubs have channels like it.
      “I was annoyed, I remember, but I wasn’t edgy about it. The idea that I was in the studio, ranting and raving – no, it was quite calculated.
      “The message was, we weren’t good enough and we could do better.
      “At the back of my mind part of me was thinking, ‘What did I say in the video? I might have said something pretty bad, for them to pull it.’
      “And even now – today – people still say, ‘This video had to be destroyed.’ Like it was a nuclear weapon or something.
      “Did someone drive out to the countryside and bury it in the f***ing ground? Or did a bomb-disposal unit come and explode it? It had to be destroyed!”
      Keane labelled Kieran Richardson a “lazy defender”, couldn’t understand “why people in Scotland rave about Darren Fletcher”, called out Edwin van der Sar and speaking of Rio Ferdinand, said: “Just because you’re paid £120,000-a-week and play well for 20 minutes against Tottenham, you think you’re a superstar.”

      Between them, the pair decided the players should be shown the interview – with captain Keane present – to see if anyone had a problem.
      Van der Sar did, saying Keane was out of order – it all descended into a major row.
      At the launch of his autobiography, Sir Alex had his say on the interview.
      He said: “Roy overstepped his mark, absolutely overstepped his mark.
      “That’s the sort of personality he has. For some reason he decided to criticise his team-mates. He did it in a MUTV show but we couldn’t release that video.
      “A few days later a few of the younger players were booed as a result of what he’d said. So we decided we had to do something.
      “The meeting we had in that room was horrendous. But I just couldn’t lose the control of that situation.
      “If I had let it pass, the players would have looked at me differently, much differently.
      “I think it’s clear that I had to show I was strong enough to deal with issues like that.
      “Roy absolutely overstepped the line. There was nothing else we could do.”
      He added on the ensuing argument with the Irishman: “What I noticed about him that day as I was arguing with him was that his eyes started to narrow, almost to wee black beads. It was frightening to watch. And I’m from Glasgow.”
      SACKED & SORRY
      With Ferguson feeling he had to take action, the club fined Keane £5,000, something the player disagreed with.
      But as well as the fine, Sir Alex knew he had to get rid of his midfielder.
      He explained: “I think Roy realised he was coming to the end of his playing career and was starting to think he was the manager. He was assuming managerial responsibilities, and, of course, it’s not a managerial responsibility to go on Manchester United television and slaughter your team-mates.
      “The one thing I could never allow was loss of control, because control was my only saviour. As with David Beckham, I knew the minute a football player started trying to run the club, we would all be finished.”

      The Red Devils’ 4-1 defeat at Middlesbrough led to a scathing Roy Keane interview with MUTVCredit: PA:Press Association

      Keane admitted after receiving the “hand grenade” that he was being axed, he could not hold it all in.
      He revealed: “I got into my car and drove out of the training ground. I pulled over just outside and cried for a couple of minutes. I just thought, ‘It’s over.'”
      Cash-flow problems at United during that time meant the club couldn’t pay Keane the full money owed immediately.
      And relations remarkably took an upward turn.
      Keane said: “When the paperwork had finally been sorted and I’d given back the car – this was three months after the last meeting, so I got an extra three months out of it.
      “I drove some miles in that car; every little victory is vital – I went to see the manager and Carlos, and I apologised. But now I kind of wish I hadn’t.
      “I just wanted to do the right thing. I was apologising for what had happened – that it had happened. But I wasn’t apologising for my behaviour or stance. There’s a difference. I had nothing to apologise for.”
      STILL NOT SORTED
      An agreement was made on the day Keane was axed that no one would talk about the incident publicly.
      But according to Fergie, Keane broke that pact.
      Sir Alex said: “I would have honoured that agreement, but for the fact that Roy breached it first. When Roy was at Sunderland he accused United of insulting him and lying to him in the build-up to his departure.
      “The club considered legal action against him. Roy said he would not retract the accusation. My feeling was that he was looking for a day in court to impress the fans.
      “He was still a hero to them, after all. So my advice to David Gill was to pull the legal action. I feel we preserved our dignity.”
      PETER PAN FRIED
      In his autobiography, Ferguson had another pop at Keane – both as a player and a manager.
      He said he “failed” as Sunderland boss and “came up short” at Ipswich – the Irishman won 70 out of 181 games in charge across the two spells at a win rate of just 38 per cent.
      And with the combative midfielder coming towards the end of his career in that doomed 2005/06 season, the gaffer was keen to get every last drop out of his man.
      Ferguson wanted him to continue to influence matches and play a deep-lying midfielder role.
      But it wasn’t going to work. Keane refused to grow up and adapt.
      Fergie brutally wrote: “He thought he was Peter Pan. No one is.”
      REIGNITED
      With both men going into detail in their autobiographies, Keane then reignited the fuse when he appeared on Off The Ball with former team-mate Gary Neville this week.
      The Ireland international hit out again at Ferguson, arguing against Sir Alex’s claim he always did what was best for the club in his 26 years at Old Trafford.
      Keane also questioned why Fergie’s son Darren and brother Martin were involved at the club before joking he was surprised Ferguson didn’t give his wife a job.
      He said: “Ferguson came out afterwards and said he always did what was best by Manchester United. Nonsense.
      “His son Darren played for the club and won a league medal, very lucky. His brother was the chief scout for Manchester United for a long time.

      I wouldn’t forgive Ferguson… People talk about Ferguson’s man-management, don’t be kidded on by all of it.
      Roy Keane

      “I’m surprised his wife wasn’t involved in the staff somewhere.
      “Darren was [the manager] at Preston North End and lost his job. He had a couple of young players on loan from Manchester United. Guess what happens the next day? They’re pulled out of Preston. Is that doing the best for Manchester United? Do me a favour.”
      Keane then brought into question the legitimacy of Sir Alex’s man-management reputation.
      He added: “I wouldn’t forgive Ferguson. The media spin, how I apparently upset everybody, it was all nonsense.
      “People talk about Ferguson’s man-management, don’t be kidded on by all of it.
      “I was at the club when Bryan Robson left, when Steve Bruce left, two brilliant servants for Manchester United. And I didn’t like the way they were treated.”

      Ferguson decided to fine Keane £5,000 before sacking him – there was an agreement not to discuss the incident publicly that Keane breachedCredit: PA:Press Association

      WHAT NEXT?
      Whether Ferguson allows himself to get dragged back into the feud seems unlikely, though. After all, he said what he wanted to say in his book and left it at that.
      But no doubt that will not be the last time Roy Keane criticises Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson.
      The former captain may well still have some things to say – and he won’t be afraid to do so.

      Roy Keane reflects if he would ever forgive former Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson More

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      Man Utd legend Roy Keane cracks rare smile as he watches Salford’s game against Walsall with Ryan Giggs

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      ROY KEANE has been snapped in a festive mood as he cracked a rare smile during Salford City’s 2-0 win against Walsall at Moor Lane.
      The 49-year-old was joined by his former Manchester United team-mate Ryan Giggs in the stands during the League Two side’s victory.

      Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs were in attendance to watch Salford beat Walsall at Moor LaneCredit: PA:Press Association

      Giggs – a co-owner of the club alongside David Beckham, Gary and Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes – looked stony-faced during the encounter.
      But it proved to be smooth sailing for Salford as they found the back of the net in either half to extend their unbeaten run to five games.
      And it was former Red Devils striker James Wilson – who was handed his United debut under the tutelage of Giggs – who opened the scoring.
      The 25-year-old has been in fine form this term having scored six goals including two in his last two outings.

      Luke Burgess secured the three points for Salford in the 87th minute to lift his side up to sixth in the table.
      Keane has been spotted at Moor Lane on a number of occasions this season, though he was left with a face of anger during the 1-1 draw against Crawley.
      And he was left equally as unimpressed when Salford threw away a two-goal lead against Tranmere.
      The ex-Sunderland gaffer recently tipped United to challenge for the Premier League title this campaign.

      Speaking after United’s 6-2 win against Leeds, he told Sky Sports: “I don’t believe McTominay there when he said they don’t look at league tables.
      “Everybody looks at league tables. Players and staff. That’s what you’re playing the game for.
      “You want to know where you are obviously and where you’re heading to.
      “It’s been a nice few days for United. They had to beat Sheffield United and Leeds just to put another marker down.
      “I still think Liverpool are the strongest but United I think could be the best of the rest.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Micah Richards teases Roy Keane as punditry odd couple produce another hilarious moment prior to Manchester derby More

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      Man Utd have attacking tools to win the title… but not before Solskjaer copies Klopp and makes huge change at the back

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      MANCHESTER UNITED provided further evidence as to why they could win the Premier League title.
      But equally, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s attractive but slightly dysfunctional team proved why exactly they will not be replacing Liverpool as champions this season.

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is getting things right at Old TraffordCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Here was the latest proof that Solskjaer must follow Jurgen Klopp’s blueprint to winning trophies.
      Even when Klopp knew he possessed an irresistible front three of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Bobby Firmino, the Liverpool manager knew goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius had to be jettisoned out of Anfield.
      The same applied to Dejan Lovren in defence.
      Privately, Solskjaer – although overseeing an improvement at Old Trafford despite the stick he has been getting – must still make a couple of big calls.

      Offensively, United’s strength in depth was illustrated beautifully in the 2-2 draw at Leicester.
      Not just because Marcus Rashford made amends for a shocking early miss to score his 50th Premier League goal.
      Despite arguably being lucky to stay on the pitch, Bruno Fernandes sprinkled more stardust over this team.
      While the talented Mason Greenwood remained on the bench, Solskjaer was able to call on Edinson Cavani who, in relative terms considering his large wages, will still provide to be something of a bargain.

      Bruno Fernandes is proving to be United’s jewel in the crownCredit: Reuters

      He will play an increasing part for United this season and they need to tie him down for next season as well.
      Within seconds of being introduced in the 75th minute, the fit-again Cavani chased down Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel, blocked a poor pass out from the goalkeeper and then held off a challenge from Wesley Fofana before bringing Luke Shaw into play.
      And no sooner had Cavani put himself about, he then made space for himself before to create the perfect pass for Fernandes to score what should have been the winner.
      But to finish top of the table, you have to make sure you win at Leicester when leading 2-1 with 11 minutes left. And United failed to do so.
      There are not many teams in the Premier League who have conceded more than United’s 23 goals this season. And none of them in the top half.
      United’s defensive stats last season were pretty decent and they should have been a lot more credit for those.

      Manchester United look to be in the title hunt this seasonCredit: Getty – Pool
      But despite Solskjaer’s claim yesterday that the team are paying the price for their attacking tactics, it is possible to make improvements.
      Harry Maguire still needs a top defender with pace alongside him and then we get to the old chestnut of David de Gea.
      He is still capable of moments of pure class but still needs to be replaced. He is still at a better level than either Mignolet or Karius when they were given the boot by Klopp.
      Equally, United’s problem is that Dean Henderson is nowhere near as experienced as Alisson when he arrived on Merseyside from Roma. Equally, Henderson needs to start each week.
      De Gea avoided an early disaster after he failed to clear a pass from Dan James and instead lost possession and was thankful for a stunning tackle from Fred.
      After Rashford’s opener, United were made to pay for a catalogue of errors before Harvey Barnes scored.

      Marcus Rashford scored the opener but could have had a few moreCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Maguire slipped as he cleared, Fernandes was too ponderous on the ball and Scott McTominay failed to move quick enough to try and block Barnes.
      And while the shot was decent enough, De Gea – not for the first time this season – was guilty of some poor footwork and was one step away from getting a hand near the effort.
      With Fernandes looking to have secured a win, United were undone again by some good movement from Vardy although it took a wicked deflection off Axel Tuanzebe and De Gea was nowhere near.
      Compared to last year, United are in a better place. After the same number of games, United were ninth with just 18 points, They had scored 21 times and conceded 17.
      Now, United have scored 30 goals and conceded 23. United’s strengths – but also their weaknesses – have never been more obvious.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

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      Man Utd player ratings: Fernandes sparkles, Martial has an off day and James shouldn’t be starting

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      MANCHESTER UNITED were forced to settle for a point against Leicester despite taking the lead twice.
      But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will feel his side were worth the win after missing a host of chances.

      Bruno Fernandes thought he had sealed the three pointsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Goals from Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes cancelled out by a brilliant Harvey Barnes goal and Jamie Vardy’s late equaliser.
      Here, SunSport’s John Hutchinson rates how United’s stars fared in the draw.
      David De Gea – 6
      Might feel he should have done better for Harvey Barnes’ goal, but he was clearly unsighted.
      Keeping Dean Henderson out of the team – for now.

      Victor Lindelof – 6
      Shunted out to right-back to accomodate Bailly coming in at centre-half.
      Didn’t do too badly before he was forced off with a back injury.
      Eric Bailly – 7
      The Ivory Coast centre-half has a big season ahead of him to prove he can finally become a first-team regular.
      Still some positioning skills to work on, but could be the one to partner Maguire.

      Scott McTominay had a battle on in the middle of the parkCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Harry Maguire – 7
      United captain appeared calmer with Bailly alongside him.
      Might feel he should have scored from a couple of corners, but was solid at the back.
      Luke Shaw – 7
      Left-back has raised his game following Alex Telles’ arrival and is keeping the Brazilian on the bench.
      Industrious going forward and pinged in a few tasty free-kicks.
      Scott McTominay – 6
      Needed to get close to Leicester’s middle two in the first 45, but did up his game after half-time.
      Not as good as he was against Leeds but didn’t make many errors.
      Fred – 6
      Did his usual no-nonsene screening of the centre-halves with minimum of fuss.
      Dan James – 4
      The Welsh youngster was anonymous in the first 45 minutes.
      He had a chance to play in Fernandes in the early stages of the second half who would have been through on goal.
      But James fluffed his pass, and was soon hooked off for Pogba.

      Dan James struggled before he was subbed offCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Bruno Fernandes – 8
      Portuguese playmaker bagged another assist for Rashford’s goal.
      He then kept his cool with a delightful finish to put United 2-1 up. Undroppable.
      Marcus Rashford – 7
      Should have opened the scoring in the first ten minutes, but made up for that miss with a cool finish for the opener.
      Subdued in the second half but was always a willing runner.
      Anthony Martial – 5
      You’d have been forgiven for forgetting Martial was playing in the first half.
      Things didn’t much better after the break before he was subbed off for Cavani
      Substitutes
      Paul Pogba (replaced James, 53) – 6
      Was busy and always wanted the ball.
      But you have to wonder whether he will be happy with cameos from the bench.
      Axel Tuanzebe (replaced Lindelof, 65) – 6
      Outfoxed by Jamie Vardy for Leicester’s equaliser.
      Edinson Cavani (replaced Martial) – 7
      Managed an assist less than ten minutes after replacing Martial.
      Not used: Mason Greenwood, Jesse Lingard, Dean Henderson, Alex Telles, Nemanja Matic, Donny van de Beek.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford More

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      Man Utd boss Solskjaer expects big 2021 from Martial and predicts sky’s the limit as star finally rediscovers form

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER expects great things from Anthony Martial, after he showed he was ‘bruised’ but not battered by his slow start to the season.
      Solskjaer feels the sky’s the limit for the French striker, now that he has proved he can combine a high workrate with his undoubted skills. 

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is expecting big things from Anthony Martial in 2021Credit: Getty

      The Manchester United boss said Martial ran himself into the ground in the 6-2 win against Leeds, but still had plenty in the tank when he was sent on as a sub to score the second goal in the Carabao Cup win at Everton.
      And he believes now Martial has finally shown he has a powerful engine to go with his high level of performance, he is going to prove an even more valuable asset.
      Solskjaer explained: “Anthony has made some important contributions lately – assists, he’s scored goals, and he’s getting fitter, as he showed against Leeds.
      “And he knows that I’m going to be on to him about it now .His running stats from that game sets a new standard for him, which I want to see more often from him.

      “He’s always going to have the quality. Maybe his confidence was bruised a little by what happened early on in the season with the red card, and he’s had some criticism.
      “But he’s going to get better and better from now on.  When we get Marcus Rashord, Mason Greenwood and Anthony firing on all cylinders together, we’ll be an even bigger threat to other teams.”
      Solskjaer’s team head to Leicester today with the United boss keen to maintain an incredible run that has seen them remain unbeaten on their travels in all domestic competitions since the middle of January.
      But he is not so keen on stretching another remarkable sequence – United have won all six away games in the Premier League this year despite conceding the first goal every time.

      Asked if he was surprised at how effective his team have been outside Old Trafford, Solskjaer replied: “Why should I be?. We go into every single game thinking we can win it, so if it’s home or away it doesn’t really matter at the moment.
      “It’s not like it used to be a year ago – you only get a few fans at certain games, so it doesn’t feel so different..
      “But we know it is going to catch up with you if you keep giving teams the lead. And Leicester are one of those teams you definitely don’t want to give a one or two goal lead.
      “They have got so many players who are really good on the transition. They can play on the break, and if you are chasing the game you can easily end up conceding two, three four.
      “The first goal in any game is a very important one. So we have to start as well as we did against Leeds and against Everton. We started off excellent in both those games..
      “We have had some very good games against Leicester, some very tight games. They are a very good side with a really astute coach, and I’ve enjoyed watching them under Brendan.

      “It was a good test to go down to their stadium at the end of the summer and we passed that one with flying colours. We really played a controlled game
      “It’s a different time of the season now, but we have to be just as aware that they have some threats that we have to look out for.”
      Another good away day will push United right into the title reckoning, and Solskjaer is pleased his team are being seen as contenders again after a scratchy start to the campaign.
      “It’s not something we talk about, but there’s always noise around Man United anyway.” he said.
      “For us, it’s just about improving as a team, taking one game at a time. We have to. That’s the only way you will challenge for anything.
      “The only thing we talk about and focus on is improving day by day, how to deal with certain situations, and maybe now, at the moment, we’re getting praised. And that’s nice.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

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      Man Utd player of the year for 2020 named as Bruno Fernandes with huge doubts still over Solskjaer’s long-term future

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      MANCHESTER UNITED will end 2020 in a decent league position and well set up for the second half of the campaign.
      After a slow start to the season, the Red Devils sit third in the table – four points behind leaders Liverpool with a game in hand.

      Manchester United have impressed in the Premier League of lateCredit: EPA

      Though they suffered disappointment in the Champions League as they finished third in their group to drop into the Europa League.
      But who has excelled this calendar year, and what does 2021 hold for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer?
      Tom McDermott gives his thoughts…
      Player of the Year for 2020 – Bruno Fernandes
      There’s only one! Bruno Fernandes has been nothing short of sensational since he joined the club last January.

      His combination of creativity, passion, skill, leadership and will to win, means that he’d slot into any United side from any era.
      His most recent league showing against Leeds highlighted some of his strengths.
      After firing in United’s third goal, and when he’d finished celebrating, he’s seen on camera advising Dan James on his movement as they head back to halfway.
      What a man, what a player.

      Bruno Fernandes has scored 25 goals in 43 games since joining in JanuaryCredit: EPA
      Young Player of the Year for 2020 – Mason Greenwood
      Not quite as obvious as it might have been two or three months ago because of one or two off field issues – but Mason Greenwood takes the award.
      The youngster has been played wide right and pretty much kept James out of the starting XI.
      But the Bradford-born forward is destined to be a number nine for club and country and Edinson Cavani’s arrival can only help his development.
      At the end of his career, Greenwood may reflect on the last 12 months and in a strange way realise that they’ve helped him refocus on what he’s great at, and that’s scoring goals and winning football matches for his club.
      He’ll only get better.

      Mason Greenwood has become a key player under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2020Credit: Getty – Pool
      Hopes, expectations and what would be a successful league finish?
      United finished in a Champions League position last season so anything less than that isn’t good enough.
      A third place finish and a trophy would be progress and give many of the squad who haven’t won anything the belief that they can go on and win trophies consistently at the club.
      And that’s the issue for United – consistency. Every amazing run is usually followed by a string of disappointing results.
      In recent weeks there’s been talk of a title push but at the moment that simply isn’t possible.

      Solskjaer knows he must guide the Red Devils to a top four finish this seasonCredit: Reuters

      Will Ole Gunnar Solskjaer be at Man Utd at the end of 2021?
      Solskjaer’s future is debated daily yet he possesses the remarkable ability to go on insane winning runs when it looks like he’s about to lose his job.
      I still have huge doubts about whether or not he’s the right man to lead Manchester United.
      But he’s played his way back into Champions League contention and he must be allowed to show that he can lead United back into Europe’s biggest and best tournament.
      Other than Liverpool, there’s little to split the chasing pack, so if Solskjaer can find another winning run, then it’s quite possible that he will once again lead United back into the Champions League.
      Will he be there in 12 months? It’s quite simple really! Qualify for the Champions League and the owners will be satisfied.
      Fail to do that and the pressure from supporters might become too much.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

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      Man Utd set to be beaten by Liverpool in Stefan Bajcetic transfer battle but must seal deal for Celta Vigo ace, 16, soon

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      LIVERPOOL are reportedly in pole position to land Manchester United target Stefan Bajcetic from Celta Vigo.
      SunSport reported last week how the Red Devils were in negotiations with the Spanish side about bringing the 16-year-old defender to Old Trafford.

      Celta Vigo defender Stefan Bajcetic is attracting interest from Liverpool and Manchester United

      But according to the Liverpool Echo, it is now the Reds that are winning the race to secure the centre-back’s services.
      They claim that the Merseyside outfit are in talks to bring the player to Anfield.
      Liverpool scouts have been impressed by Bajcetic, who has featured twice for Celta’s B team this season after being promoted to the squad.
      Jurgen Klopp’s side are however in a race against time to sign the teenager as they need to wrap up a deal before the UK leaves the EU on January 1.

      Clubs will be unable to sign overseas players under the age of 18 under the new post-Brexit transfer rules.
      Spanish news outlet Faro de Vigo have also stated that United appear to have lost out on Bajcetic to their Premier League rivals.
      They have revealed that someone from Liverpool travelled to Vigo earlier this week in an attempt to accelerate negotiations.
      Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig were also monitoring his situation, but all signs now point towards a move to Liverpool.

      The Reds are continuing to look to strengthen their academy after nabbing Calum Scanlon from Birmingham for £500,000.
      Taking to Instagram, the versatile 15-year-old posted a picture of himself signing his contract.
      He said: “Happy to sign with @liverpoolfc.
      “A big thank you to @bcfc and everyone who has helped me progress to this point, but as of today I start a new chapter.
      “The hard work continues, let’s go!”

      Marcus Rashford says Man Utd can go toe-to-toe with any of the big teams and give them a good game More

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      Man Utd join Liverpool in Ozan Kabak transfer race as Schalke lower asking price to £25m and Reds eye Origi swap deal

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly joined the chase for Schalke defender Ozan Kabak.
      The 20-year-old has a host of clubs from across the continent interested in signing him.

      Manchester United have joined the chase for Schalke’s Ozan KabakCredit: Getty

      Now the Daily Mail states Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are battling with Liverpool for his signature.
      Schalke were wanting £40m for the star but have now lowered their asking price to just £25m.
      Liverpool have been linked with a potential swap deal for the ace that could involve £20m-rated striker Divock Origi heading to the Bundesliga as part of the package for Kabak.
      RB Leipzig are also looking at Turkish international Kabak as they brace themselves to receive offers for their duo Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate. 

      Both have buyout clauses and also interesting both Liverpool and United.
      But while Jurgen Klopp decides on his top defensive target, Solskjaer is desperate to add a dominant centre-half to his ranks to partner Harry Maguire.
      Leipzig’s Upamecano was top choice for Solskjaer and has a release fee of £36.5m.
      However, Kabak could prove to be a cheaper alternative with his physical style of play making him a great match for the Premier League.

      Meanwhile, United are also believed to be watching Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo from Independiente del Valle.
      The 19-year-old has been scouted for months by the Red Devils.
      But reports of a £4.5m deal being agreed are unfounded with no offer yet to be tables.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Man Utd legend Paul Scholes’ son Arron scores a screamer just like his old man for ninth-tier Chadderton More