Man Utd transfer news

RASMUS HOJLUND admits the pressure of being Manchester United’s main striker could drive him crazy if he let it.It was starting to build as well as he clocked up 14 appearances without a Premier League goal.
There was an outpouring of emotion when Hojlund finally scoredCredit: Getty
That red shirt coupled with a £64million price tag can weigh heavy and it is little wonder there was talk throughout all the media whether United had a dud.
Then on Boxing Day came the moment that he and all Red Devils fans will be hoping sets him off and running.
It was the 82nd minute when he hooked a volley in off the far post to complete an incredible comeback win for United from two goals down against Aston Villa.
The release of emotion showed just what it meant and was reward for staying positive despite the doubts building around him.
READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS
Hojlund said: “I try not to focus too much about the media. If I did that, I would get crazy in my head. I just try to focus on my game and try to be better at the training pitch every day. The hard work pays off.“Of course, there is a relief to score my first Premier League goal, but it isn’t like I haven’t scored goals; I’ve scored five in the Champions League. So, I was very happy and you can see the relief in my celebration.”
Relief and tears welling in his eyes and not just his either.
Up in the stand in a private box his father lent head down against a railing clearly emotional having witnessed his son score that winner.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
Fans celebrated with him and told him they had faith in his son.
Most read in Football
It was some moment on another one of those incredible Old Trafford nights that have punctuated a rollercoaster season.
Hojlund said: “It was nice. Of course, I was happy. You can see the relief in my celebration as well, but also the feeling of being the match winner and getting the three points at home against a good opponent. I’m a lucky and happy man.
“Like I said, I try to focus on my game every day. I don’t listen to the media. If I did, I would be crazy.
“I just focus on my game, focus on winning football matches for Manchester United, focus on becoming better in front of goal and all the other attributes as well.”
Manager Erik ten Hag has had meetings with Hojlund to convince him that his time would come and the league goals would flow.
He pointed to those five Champions League goals in an otherwise disappointing Group A campaign that saw the team finish bottom and go out.
There are also those seven goals in ten games for Denmark.
Ten Hag singled Hojlund out for praise after the gameCredit: EPA
He was bought from Atalanta where he had scored nine goals in 32 Serie A appearances.
Hardly prolific but Ten Hag saw something he knew he could work on and improve and has kept faith and now he has that Premier League goal.
Ten Hag said: “I know it will give him confidence from that point on. He will score more goals. I’m sure, when one is in, more will come. It’s about belief and you have to take that and deserve that yourself by your investment. Keep believing and it will come. I talked with him. He’s so happy.
“He is always so determined to score a goal and I think that’s the character a striker needs.”
To be fair to Hojlund the service has not been the best all season and that has to improve for more goals to come.
But in an incredible turnaround on Boxing Day night we saw what an attacking force United can be.
Marcus Rashford was looking back to his best and 19-year-old Alejandro Garnacho deservedly grabbed the man of the match award for his two goals.
Hojlund said: “Whether I am playing with Antony, Garnacho, Rashy, whoever is playing on the wings or in the No10 position, we have to find each other and create.
Hojlund’s stats point to a decent all round gameCredit: The Sun
“I love to play with all of them. I am just a lucky man.”
It was some way to kick off the new Sir Jim Ratcliffe era after the INEOS boss acquired 25 per cent of the club on Christmas Eve while taking charge of football operations.
His sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford was there to see it all unfold, to witness the sort of magic Old Trafford can still conjure up.
The question of course is whether United can build on what was only their second win in eight in all competitions.
They cannot keep relying on dramatic moments at Old Trafford like we have also seen against Nottingham Forest when they came from two down to win 3-2.
Then there was the two goals to beat Brentford in injury time.

A season cannot bounce along like that.
For now at least Hojlund, his dad, and all United fans, can be happy and hopeful that for a striker who could have “gone crazy” a corner might have been turned. More

MANACHESTER UNITED will have to consult Sir Jim Ratcliffe for any changes within the club while his minority investment is being ratified.And that includes if the club wanted to sack Erik ten Hag, according to the Daily Mail.
Ratcliffe will be consulted on all footballing decisions made during this interim periodCredit: AFP
The clause, requiring Ratcliffe’s permission for anything related to football matters was found as part of a 241 page document published on the New York Stock Exchange.
Ratcliffe faces a four to six week wait to have his stake in the club confirmed as the Premier League undertakes a fit and proper persons test on the British businessman.
He also faces a wait for the NYSE to oversee the sale of 25 per cent of the club’s Class A shares that Ratcliffe will acquire from investors in addition to the 25 per cent of Class B shares he is buying from the Glazer family.
During this period, Ratcliffe and INEOS will have to give their blessing for any new signing or football decision.
READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS
The document says that INEOS must be told if United consider “appointing, dismissing or accepting the resignation of any Director of Football or First Team Manager of the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries”.
The first major change at the club is expected to involve the sporting director, with John Murtough set to be replaced.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
While Ratcliffe is thought to be a fan of Erik ten Hag, many have speculated that the Dutchman will be in a vulnerable position following his takeover.
United’s form has been mixed, and a new manager would signal a new era.
Most read in Football
Despite this, the INEOS era at Manchester United got off to a good start as the Red Devils came back from 2-0 down at half-time last night to win 3-2.
Ten Hag welcomed the new investment after the game, saying: “I don’t think it has had an impact on the players. For me, I was kept informed in the whole process, so I knew what was going on.
“We’re looking forward. I think it is positive for the club that they are stepping in.
“They have a lot of experience in sport at the highest level: Formula One, a cycling team, football clubs. They can only help us and support us to get our targets. They want to work with us and we want to work with them.” More

JAMIE CARRAGHER was left red-faced after having a cheeky pop at Manchester United last night.Carragher made the comment on X with United 2-0 down at half-time to Aston Villa.
Carragher was made to eat his wordsCredit: Rex
Hojlund got the winner against VillaCredit: Getty
He posted: “Liverpool drawing at home to Man Utd is their worst result of the season.”
It referenced the goalless draw earlier this month where Liverpool failed to score despite taking 34 shots at Andre Onana’s goal.
United looked to be dead and buried at half time against Villa but were able to mount a stunning comeback.
A brace from Alejandro Garnacho brought them level before Rasmus Hojlund found the winner with his first ever Premier League goal.
READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
The turnaround victory brings United to sixth in the table, five points off the top four and 11 behind leaders Liverpool.
Carragher’s fellow Sky Sports pundit and United fan, Gary Neville, tweeted: “Brilliant second half Man United.”
After the game, fans tweeted Carragher to ask if he still stood by his tweet.
One fan wrote: “Where are you now Carra?”
Most read in Football
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
Another posted: “Spoke too soon mister!”
A third came back after the turnaround was complete and said: “You need to delete this tweet rn”.
The second half performance was much like the United of last season and Ten Hag will be hoping to continue that form against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
He has been coming under increased scrutiny following a string of inconsistent results and the incoming investment of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The club finally confirmed that the minority investment would go ahead on Christmas Eve. More

FANS can’t believe it was “sheer coincidence” two legends turned up at Old Trafford just days after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s takeover to take in Manchester United’s astonishing win over Aston Villa.Many Red Devils’ supporters were almost as delighted to see Edwin van der Sar and Robin van Persie as they were by the 3-2 comeback win.
Fans spotted Robin van Persie and wondered if he will return permanentlyCredit: Getty
Edwin van der Sar saw a humdinger as Man Utd beat Aston VillaCredit: Getty
And plenty of them reckon the duo are in line for roles under Ratcliffe – after seeing their fellow Dutchman Erik ten Hag possibly save his job.
Fans were especially thrilled to see ex-keeper Van der Sar following his health problems earlier this year. 
But excitement at noticing the two heroes from Sir Alex Ferguson’s golden era initially turned to dreaming that they were still good enough to play as United trailed 2-0 in Boxing Day’s Premier League match.
Typical comments at this stage included: “Any chance Van Persie and Van der Sar can come on now?” – followed by crying emojis.
READ MORE TOP STORIES
But in the second half, Alejandro Garnacho struck twice before Rasmus Hojlund broke his Prem duck by firing the Red Devils’ late clincher.
Fans responded with observations like: “A magnificent Manchester United comeback with legends Van Der Sar & Van Persie at Old Trafford, the script writers outdid themselves on this one.”
One wrote: “First United match after Ineos completed 25% United deal. Sir Dave Brailsford (Sir Jim’s right hand man) in attendance. Edwin Van Der Sar at Old Trafford for first time since his health scare. Robin Van Persie at Old Trafford. Good evening for United!”
Speculation spiralled over possible roles for the Holland icons under Ratcliffe – once the 25 per cent buy-in from Britain’s richest man is ratified by football chiefs.
Most read in Football
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

Van der Sar, 53, left his last position as Ajax CEO in May this year.
And Feyenoord promoted 40-year-old Van Persie to joint head coach of their Under-18s and U19s this season.
“Edwin and RVP attending the game, following Sir Jim is an interesting turn of events,” wrote one fan, who added: “I doubt it’s by sheer coincidence.”
Another posted: “Van der Sar and Van Persie in the stands, what could this mean?”
A third pondered: “INEOS giving Van Der Sar a role? This seems very coincidental?” More