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      Man Utd chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s bid to find the next Kylian Mbappe takes him to League One Port Vale

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are leading the chase for Port Vale’s highly rated England youth striker Baylee Dipepa.United’s new supremo Sir Jim Ratcliffe is looking to land young talent as he seeks to unveil the next Kylian Mbappe, rather than try to buy ready-made superstars.Dipepa has been in impressive form for Port Vale’s youth teamCredit: GettyDipepa, 17, scored in both his Euro qualifier appearances for England Under-17s this month — and Old Trafford are keen to do business soon.The athletic young target man came on to notch two goals in the first match against Northern Ireland and then grabbed the opener against Hungary as his reputation grows.Vale boss Darren Moore has already given Dipepa a run in the first team at League One level and he has netted at that standard too.United’s scouts have been told that they have to be at the front of the queue for domestic talent — and Dipepa could be the first of these.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThe Red Devils have brought through young forwards from their ranks before but the assembly line is currently not working so well.Only striker Joe Hugill, 20, has emerged in the past couple of years and he has been farmed out to Burton Albion for game time.Meanwhile, United will have to wait until after the next transfer window to bring back top scout Sam Williams from Ipswich.Williams has been on a six-month gardening leave spell after quitting his senior post with the Tractor Boys.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSUnless Old Trafford chiefs pay compensation, their new ‘emerging talent spotter’ will not be able to help until September.It is a further hold-up in the Ratcliffe revolution as he waits on an agreement to land overlord Dan Ashworth from Newcastle.Inside Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s amazing lifestyleAshworth does not have a specified fee or gardening leave period in his deal with the Toon and the clubs are far away from a deal. More

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      Brentford 1 Man Utd 1: Ajer equalises in 99th minute after Mount’s first Utd goal looked set to secure undeserved win

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      IF this Manchester United team make the Champions League, it will be as big a travesty as the result of this truly extraordinary gameMason Mount seemed to have committed the biggest robbery of this or any other Premier League season by scoring deep into stoppage time.Kristoffer Ajer earned Brentford a pointCredit: RexMason Mount thought he’d won it for Man UtdCredit: GettyAnd Kristoffer Ajer’s even later equaliser was hardly justice.Because United were totally outplayed by a brilliant Brentford side still not safe from relegation.It’s the time of year for miracles, and it is unbelievable that Erik Ten Hag’s side escaped without a defeat that would have put another nail in the coffin of their hopes of finishing in the top four or five.Before Ajer’s strike, the Bees had hit the woodwork three times, forced fine saves out of Andre Onana, had a goal disallowed for a tight offside, and wasted countless other opportunities.READ MORE ON MAN UTDTen Hag claims not to care about speculation that he will be sacked as part of the changes envisaged by new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team.The prospect of a fat pay-off no doubt lessens the jeopardy.But any United fan who cares about the club will wonder where it is heading under the Dutchman. United started the game unchanged from the side that beat Liverpool 4-3 in that thrilling FA Cup tie, the highlight of Ten Hag’s reign apart from the Carabao Cup win last season.Most read in FootballBrentford’s number of shots told a storyCredit: The SunBrentford dominated from beginning to end, but looked like they’d come away with a lossCredit: The SunCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut the big question is how much United have really changed since their last visit to this corner of West London.Before the game Brentford showed highlights of their incredible victory in August 2022, when Thomas Frank’s side scored four goals in the first 35 minutes and won 4-0.Shaun Custis and Martin Lipton discuss the possibility of Manchester United going for Gareth Southgate as their new boss It’s no exaggeration to say that, with better finishing, the scoreline would have been the same again at half-time.And it’s hardly unfair to state that United have gone backwards this season after spending big on Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana and Mason Mount.If wins earlier in the day for Champions League rivals Spurs and Aston Villa had not woken United up to the task in hand, then the ear-splitting volume at which the Brentford PA system blasted out Metallica’s Enter Sandman before kick off should have done the trick.United’s away contingent also started the match in good voice.Their team gave them very little to shout about, however, particularly in a poor first-half display.After captain Bruno Fernandes sent an early shot wide, Brentford created all the best chances and should have been at least two goals up by the break.Toney was made to rue several missed chancesCredit: ReutersDespite Toney’s missed chances, he managed to create the crucial assistCredit: The SunCross after cross and corner after corner rained into Andre Onana’s box. Shots and headers went everywhere except the back of the net.Toney, fresh from grabbing his first England goal from the penalty spot against Belgium, fluffed the best of the opportunities.Lively Yoane Wissa played a first-time pass through Raphael Varane’s legs and found his strike partner the wrong side of Victor Lindelof. But Toney slightly scuffed his shot, which struck Onana’s right-hand post and rebounded to safety.The home side were defending well but there was a real lack of penetration from United.Wingers Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho in particular were struggling to make an impact.Back at the other end, Zanka headed against the bar and Toney fired high and wide.While Brentford’s shot count hit double figures, United’s first effort on target arrived in the 42nd minute. Brentford ‘keeper Mark Flekken dealt with Rashford’s shot as comfortably as his team had dealt with their opponents as a whole.Despite taking the lead in the 96th minute, United deserved nothing from the gameCredit: AFPAnd questions will be asked over the direction of the clubCredit: AFPThere was still time for another last-ditch clearance from Lindelof and a Lewis-Potter header saved by Onana.Harry Maguire replaced the injured Varane at half time and United played with a little more purpose. Flekken saved easily from Fernandes but was grateful to see a Diogo Dalot effort go just wide.And after Wissa failed to make the best of a two on two break, Fernandes teed up Hojlund, only for Flekken to make a superb save.Not to be outdone, Onana did just as well to keep out Yehor Yarmoliuk’s effort and Lewis-Potter’s follow-up. But the United ‘keeper was helpless when Wissa sent a volley flashing wide.Before the hour, Ten Hag had seen enough and sent on Antony for Garnacho.Little changed, including Brentford’s inability to take their chances. Although if Toney’s volley from Jensen’s pass had gone in, it would have been a goal of the season contender.United’s defensive woes deepened as Lindelof became the second centre back forced off by injury. On came World Cup winner Lisandro Martinez for his first appearance since February and only his ninth in the Premier League all season.Lewis-Potter sent an acrobatic effort over the bar before Frank made his first changes.United were pinned back and uninspiring in the gameCredit: The SunMbeumo was impressive as he continues his return from injuryCredit: RexBrentford’s was of course the oppositeCredit: The SunAntony shot just wide and then finally Brentford had the ball in the net. Only for VAR to confirm that Toney was offside from substitute Bryan Mbeumo’s cross.Then it was Mbeumo’s turn to be denied, hitting the crossbar. Onana stopped Jensen’s header.Toney failed to capitalise on Martinez’s mistake. It was truly incredible.A minimum of nine minutes of stoppage time were decreed. Forgotten man Mount scored neatly in the sixth.But brave Brentford avoided the least deserved defeat you could imagine, when Ajer turned in Toney’s cutback in the ninth.If they had found a winner in a handful more, no-one in those hideous United shirts could have complained. More

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      Man Utd star covered in blood as clash with Brentford is delayed as fans joke ‘at least someone won’t remember this’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S dramatic clash at Brentford was delayed after Diogo Dalot was left splattered in blood following a “horrible” clash of heads.But the Red Devils’ defender returned for an astonishing two-goal climax to STOPPAGE TIME in Saturday’s 1-1 Premier League draw.Diogo Dalot shocked fans with this injuryThe Man Utd defender was fine to continue despite the nasty injuryThe match was held up just before stoppage timeThe Portuguese ace was treated on the ground in the final seconds of normal time.But Dalot was ruled OK to continue after a lengthy hold-up and once he had his head bandaged.One fan joked “At least someone won’t remember this s***show” while another called it a “horrible blow”.A third saw a red gash in the back of the 25-year-old’ skull and posted: “DALOT IS BLEEDING FROM HIS HEAD WTFFF.”READ MORE TOP STORIESBut once it was clear Dalot was fine to go on, viewers joked he would be lucky if he couldn’t recall United being outplayed in a dire display.However, that response also changed – because of what happened deep into time added on due to HIS injury.Red Devils’ sub Mason Mount fired a clinical opener in the 96th minute despite United barely threatening up to that point.But two minutes later Ivan Toney cut the ball back for Kristoffer Ajer to drill an equally-impressive equaliser. Most read in FootballDiogo Dalot’s game by numbers vs. Brentford:100% tackles won66 touches3 interceptions2 chances created2 clearances2 blocks2 shotsBattling performance. 🫡🫡🫡 pic.twitter.com/CpXyt6sftN— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 30, 2024

      And when the final whistle went after 14 minutes of stoppage time, United remained sixth and Brentford 15th.Fans promptly described Dalot’s outstanding overall performance as one of the few consolations for United.And after “Statman Dave” shared the full-back’s fantastic figures for the game – including “100% tackles won” – a United supporter replied: “Dalot has been awesome the whole season… Picked up well!”Luke Shaw shows off his football skills at Man Utd training Inside Ratcliffe’s Man Utd plansEverything you need to know as Sir Jim Ratcliffe takes charge at Manchester United… More

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      Man Utd make unusual change to travel plans for 8pm Brentford clash in desperate bid to have crocked stars available

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have made the rare decision to travel to an away match on the day of the game. United face Brentford at 8pm tonight and would usually fly into the capital a day before kick off.Rasmus Hojlund smiles as he makes his wayCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeHarry Maguire made the tripCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeAs did the returning Lisandro MartinezCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeBruno Fernandes grabbed a morning coffeeCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeBut the club decided to travel just hours before the match is due to start. Capitalising on the late kick off time, it allows United’s crocked stars extra time to recover from injury or illness.Newly-capped England international Kobbie Mainoo missed training on Thursday as he was unwell but returned to Carrington on Friday.United usually tell unwell players to stay away from the first team to reduce the risk of a virus spreading.READ MORE ON MAN UTDManager Erik ten Hag said on Friday: “Yesterday he skipped training because he was ill. I don’t know (if he will be fit for Brentford). “We hope. Today he is there (in training), not fully recovered but we still have many hours before tomorrow with kick-off at 8pm.”The Dutchman was givena huge boost by Lisandro Martinez, who is poised to return for the first time in eight weeks after being sidelined with a medial collateral ligament.Casemiro is back doing outdoor training after missing the FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool with a hamstring injury. Most read in FootballTen Hag suggested the Brazilian would return to the squad against Brentford.Alejandro Garnacho was snapped making his wayCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeMason Mount was all smiles in Man Utd gearCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeRaphael Varane made his wayCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSUnited are due to make a late assessment on Jonny Evans’ fitness after the centre-back picked up a knock in recent weeks.Harry Maguire also sustained injury on international duty with England and remains a doubt for the Brentford clash, even though he did travel0It was not clear though whether Mainoo was on the plane to London, with doubts remaining over his availability.Luke Shaw shows off his football skills at Man Utd training More

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      Man Utd ‘add Bayern star to three-man list as they hunt centre-back transfer’ with Maguire and Varane futures unknown

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have drawn-up a three-man shortlist of centre-backs ahead of the summer transfer window, according to reports.New partial owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will look to revolutionise the Red Devils’ squad ahead of next season.Sir Jim Ratcliffe will look to significantly strengthen United’s squadCredit: PAImproving their defence is set to be on the agenda, with a trio of targets having emerged.According to transfer expert Rudy Galetti, United are interested in Bayern Munich star Dayot Upamecano.He adds that the Frenchman is open to a new challenge outside of the Bundesliga, having played in Germany since 2017.Upamecano has featured in just seven minutes of Bayern’s last four Bundesliga games.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 25-year-old has tumbled down the pecking order of late, falling behind former Tottenham star Eric Dier.Come the summer, the 6ft 1in defender will have two years remaining on his Bayern contract.He initially joined the German giants from RB Leipzig in 2021, and has since played 107 times for them.Also on United’s list is Upamecano’s French compatriot Jean-Clair Todibo.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERDayot Upamecano tussles with Marcus RashfordCredit: PAJean-C;air Todibo battles Kylian MbappeCredit: RexTodibo, 24, plays for Nice, owned by Ratcliffe’s Ineos.He has impressed in Ligue 1, and was strongly linked with Tottenham earlier this season, before the Lilywhites signed Radu Dragusin.Manchester United’s fall from glory since Sir Alex Ferguson The third defender on United’s radar is Benfica’s Antonio Silva.The 20-year-old has attracted plenty of interest with his performances in his native Portugal.In addition to United, he has also been linked with Chelsea this season.Galetti adds that there remains uncertainty around the futures of Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane.Maguire, 31, was strongly linked with West Ham last summer after being stripped of the United captaincy.But after snubbing the Hammers, he managed to fight his way back into the first team picture at Old Trafford.Varane, meanwhile, has had a topsy-turvy season.Earlier in the campaign he found himself sidelined by Erik ten Hag, withJonny Evans preferred.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe later fought his way back into the team, and has been a regular in recent weeks.The former Real Madrid star will have just a year remaining on his contract at the end of the season.Antonio Silva has impressed for Benfica this termCredit: Getty More

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      I was the first player Sir Alex Ferguson signed for Man Utd – now I’m making my own way in totally new career

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      ALAN TONGE is making his own way in a brand new career after life at Manchester United.Tonge, 52, was the FIRST ever player signed by Sir Alex Ferguson, joining United as a 14-year-old in 1987.Alan Tonge was the first-ever player signed for Man Utd by Sir Alex FergusonCredit: GettyHe was brutally axed by the veteran boss in 1991 and retired from footy three years laterCredit: ReutersThe versatile defender and midfielder progressed his way through United’s youth system before getting a professional contract in 1990.But Tonge was heartbreakingly released by the Red Devils a year later after Fergie informed him his deal would not be renewed.He ended up signing for Exeter City and played 27 times in three years.However, a back injury forced Tonge to call time on his career aged just 22.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAfter quitting football, he earned a degree in sports science before landing a masters in philosophy and a PhD on critical times in footballers’ careers.And 30 years later, Tonge is now a lecturer at the University Campus of Football Business.He has even written a book detailing his journey at United, which is called From Red to Read.Tonge said: “Writing it was a cathartic experience. Football is not just about the Premier League.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER“It is an interesting and unique world – it can be lucrative and exhilarating, but when that is all over, the difficult void to fill can be immense.“I spoke to 212 ex-footballers for my PhD.Inside Sir Alex Ferguson’s Biggest Bust-UpsTonge now works as a university lecturer after getting his PhD“A high percentage, even if they had a mental health issue, preferred to keep it to themselves because they worried that it would count against them in regard to team selection.”Reflecting on his United exit, Tonge continued: “Fergie told me, ‘We’re not going to renew your contract, son’.“I was sick to the stomach and felt like I had taken a punch from a heavyweight boxer.“I didn’t know how to act — I just remember muttering, ‘Thank you for the opportunity’.“I felt like I’d let my family down. I’d avoid people in the village where I lived as I didn’t want to tell them I was no longer at United.“I was discarded like an empty crisp packet after four years there.” More

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      Wolves boss Gary O’Neil breaks silence over shock reports linking him to Man Utd job in Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s overhaul

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      GARY O’NEIL is “honoured” to be linked to an Old Trafford coaching role.But the Wolves boss, 40, insists there is “no truth” in such talk and claims he is “always going to be a head coach”.Gary O’Neil has suggested he wants to stay as a head coachCredit: GettyManchester United’s new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly wants a new set-up off the field.And even the future of manager Erik ten Hag is uncertain.United’s new regime are said to admire England chief Gareth Southgate, ex-Chelsea boss Graham Potter and Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi.And former Bournemouth boss O’Neil zoomed onto the radar this week amid suggestions Ratcliffe is keen on a whole new coaching structure.RREAD MORE TOP STORIESBut having guided Wolves to ninth in the Premier League in his first season, the ex-Middlesbrough midfielder appeared to rule out the switch.He said: “No, no truth. I don’t know where it came from. Obviously, I’ve heard about it.”Growing up, Liverpool and Manchester United always felt special, two real special clubs.“Firstly, an honour to be linked even though there is no truth in it.Most read in Football“Of course, when your name is mentioned with one of the biggest clubs in world football it’s an honour.”But, as I’ve said, I love it here [at Wolves].”Inside Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s amazing lifestyleO’Neil’s insistence that he wants to remain the main man would seem to be another obstacle for the Red Devils, should they pursue him.He added: “I’m a head coach. I’m always going to be a head coach and I’m really enjoying my time at Wolves.”Inside Ratcliffe’s Man Utd plansEverything you need to know as Sir Jim Ratcliffe takes charge at Manchester United… More

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      Sir Alex Ferguson told me I was brilliant at Man Utd – 3 days later he released me, I had tears in my eyes in training

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      SIR ALEX FERGUSON crushed one of his former players’ dreams when he axed him just a few days after singing his praises.Ferguson is one of the greatest managers of all time following his stunning 27-year stint at Manchester United.Alan Tonge suffered a heartbreaking end to his Manchester United careerCredit: RexMan Utd legend Sir Alex Ferguson told Tonge he was ‘brilliant’ in 1991Credit: Paul Edwards – The SunBut Ferguson told Tonge his contract wouldn’t be renewed only three days laterFergie won a staggering 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cup trophies and two Champions League honours before his retirement in 2013.And Sir Alex’s success goes down to his smart tactics, good eye for talent and ruthless character.The Scot showed the latter in full force when picking his team as he would drop anyone he didn’t deem good enough at a drop of a dime.A local lad — who was Ferguson’s first acquisition when he signed as a schoolboy in January 1987 — met that side of the legendary gaffer in 1991.Read More on FootballThe former midfielder worked hard to win over his strict manager and thought he succeeded when Sir Alex told him he was “brilliant”.However, everything changed only three days later when he was called up to Ferguson’s office and was told his contract wouldn’t be renewed.The then youngster was absolutely heartbroken but had to return to training.However, he was so devastated he started tearing up and thus couldn’t focus – and that led to a tongue lashing by Paul Ince.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThat was none other than Alan Tonge, who looked back at one of the biggest heartaches of his life at the age of 52.Tonge said: “At the end of the season we had pipped Manchester City to win the Lancashire League title and Fergie told me I’d done brilliantly.Man Utd’s top targets for the transfer window“That was on a Saturday and he called me in three days later to tell me my contract wasn’t being renewed.“I had to take part in an eight-a-side training session with some of the first team after. “But I had tears in my eyes and kept giving the ball away, which Paul Ince had a real go at me about.“I don’t think that was the correct way to treat a young player who just had his dreams shattered.” More