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    Man Utd ‘lead Arsenal in Joshua Zirkzee transfer race’ with Red Devils ‘only club to have held talks’ with ex-Bayern ace

    MANCHESTER United lead the race to sign Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee despite interest from rivals Arsenal.The Red Devils are the only club to have held transfer talks with the former Bayern Munich star.
    Manchester United lead the race to sign Bologna forward Joshua ZirkzeeCredit: Rex
    Zirkzee, 22, rose through the youth system at Bayern Munich but struggled to make the breakthrough at senior level before joining Bologna in 2022.
    After a slow debut year in Italy, the forward has impressed this term after scoring seven goals and creating two assists in 19 Serie A appearances this year.
    Erik ten Hag is desperate to bolster his frontline and is eyeing up to sign the ex-Netherlands U21 star in the summer.
    Reports have claimed that Zirkzee’s contract with Bologna includes a £34m release clause.
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    But club director Marco Di Vaio has confirmed that option exists only for his former employers Bayern.
    However, a deal to return to the Bundesliga is unlikely as Man Utd are the only club to begin formative talks to recruit the Dutchman.
    Zirkzee, who remains under contract with Bologna until 2026, has been integral in the club’s push for Champions League qualification.
    Thiago Motta’s side are seventh in the standings but sit just two points behind Fiorentina in fourth.
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    Arsenal are also keen on the 2019-20 Champions League winner alongside Tottenham and Ajax.
    Zirkzee caught Europe’s attention after his successful debut season with Bayern.
    He assisted the German giants to a continental treble – the Bundesliga, Champions League and DFL Super Cup.
    And his goal-scoring prowess could come in hand at Old Trafford as Ten Hag has not seen the best in Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund. More

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    Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr plot shock double transfer raid on Man Utd and could save ten Hag £500k-a-week in wages

    CRISTIANO RONALDO’S Al-Nassr are in line to make a double transfer raid on Manchester United stars Casemiro and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.The Red Devils are preparing to offload some of their highest-earning stars and a deal with the Saudi side could reduce United’s weekly salary by £500,000.
    Al-Nassr has expressed their interest in signing Casemiro this summerCredit: Getty
    The Saudi Arabian side are also keen to recruit Aaron Wan-BissakaCredit: Getty
    United’s football director John Murtough flew to Riyadh last month to open talks on potential transfer deals for a number of Red Devil players.
    Old Trafford are open to selling their highest-earner Casemiro this summer.
    The Brazillian is on £375,000 -a-week and has not played since the start of November due to a hamstring injury,
    Ten Hag’s side hopes to recoup as much of the £70million fee paid to Spanish giants Real Madrid last year.
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    And the nearly 32-year-old could be en route to reuniting with his former Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.
    The Saudi Pro League side are not only eyeing up the midfielder but also defender Wan-Bissaka.
    The 26-year-old is currently on £90,000 a week meaning if United sell both stars to the Gulf State they could save nearly half a million a week on their salaries.
    After Al-Nassr saw a £20m bid rejected for Tottenham’s right-back Emerson Royal last week they are keen to retry their efforts on Wan-Bissaka.
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    The Englishman’s future in Manchester is uncertain as the club triggered a 12-month contract extension in December but did not offer the defender a long-term deal.
    His agents held contract talks with United chiefs earlier this month but the outcome was unsuccessful.
    Even though Wan-Bissaka’s former side Crystal Palace and West Ham have expressed their interest they will find it difficult to match the oil-rich state-owned Saudi side’s offer.
    Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane – who earn £250,000 and £340,000 respectively – have also not received a contract extension and are set to leave as free agents in the summer. More

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    Man Utd told to sign Karim Benzema ‘even if only for a training session’ as Erik ten Hag plots Martial replacement

    MANCHESTER UNITED have been urged to sign Karim Benzema on loan this month.Erik ten Hag has been linked with a move to bolster his attacking options before the January transfer window closes.
    Karim Benzema could leave Al-Ittihad before the end of the January transfer windowCredit: Getty
    Andy Cole has urged Manchester United to sign Benzema on loanCredit: Getty
    Benzema could provide the solution, with former Red Devils striker Andy Cole telling his old club to snap up the Frenchman.
    The 36-year-old is currently training alone at Al-Ittihad after returning to the club 17 days late from a recent holiday.
    Asked whether United should pursue the loan signing of Benzema, Cole told Betfred: “150 per cent. I would sign him if it was only for a training session.
    “I was very surprised when he left Real Madrid in the summer, but I understand why it happened. That money he’s earning in Saudi Arabia is generational wealth. It’s for his kids and his kids’ kids.
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    “When you’re at that age in your career and you’ve already won four La Liga titles, five Champions League trophies and the Ballon d’Or, I can understand why he went to Saudi. 
    “Could he do it in the Premier League at his age? 100 per cent considering the way he looks after himself.
    “If Manchester United have the opportunity to sign him, then they should definitely try and make that happen.”
    Benzema is reportedly unhappy at Al-Ittihad and wants a temporary move away from the Saudi champions.
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    AFP claim he feels “under pressure” and has rejected the club’s offer of a loan move to another Saudi Pro League side.
    Chelsea have been tipped as a potential destination for the former Real Madrid forward if he returns to Europe.
    Benzema joined Al-Ittihad on a three-year deal in the summer and has since scored 12 goals in 20 appearances.
    He won the Ballon d’Or in 2022 after winning both La Liga and the Champions League with Real Madrid, finishing as top scorer in both.
    Erik ten Hag has been linked with signing a new striker this monthCredit: Getty More

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    Arsenal and Man Utd blow as Premier League rivals ‘enter race for in-demand Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite’

    TOTTENHAM are interested in signing Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, according to reports.The Toffees star, 21, has emerged as a key player under Sean Dyche this season.
    Jarrad Branthwaite has impressed for Everton this seasonCredit: Rex
    His impressive form has seen him linked with the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal.
    According to the Mail, Spurs are also keen on Branthwaite, despite already improving their defence this month.
    Ange Postecoglou’s side beat off competition from Bayern Munich to sign Radu Dragusin from Genoa in a deal worth £21.5million plus add-ons.
    Djed Spence also moved in the opposite direction on loan as part of the deal, with Tottenham covering his wages.
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    Despite Dragusin’s arrival, Spurs remain interested in strengthening their back line.
    Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero have both missed numerous games due to injury and, in the latter’s case, suspensions.
    Postecoglou had to make do with a makeshift centre-back partnership comprised of Emerson Royal and Ben Davies earlier in the campaign.
    Branthwaite joined Everton from hometown club Carlisle in 2019.
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    He went on to impress in loan spells at Blackburn Rovers and PSV Eindhoven, before breaking into Dyche’s starting XI this season.
    The strapping 6ft 5in defender is an England Under-21s regular and skippered Lee Carsley’s side in their last match.
    Gareth Southgate has kept an eye on his form this term, watching him in person at Goodison Park last month.
    Tottenham are trying to get a deal over the line for highly-rated Club Brugge winger Antonio Nusa this month.
    The Lilywhites remain in talks with the Belgian side, who are said to be demanding £25m for the 18-year-old’s signature.
    A deal this month would likely see Nusa remain at Brugge on loan until the end of the season.
    As for outgoings, SunSport revealed earlier this week that Tottenham had rejected a £20m bid from Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr for defender Emerson Royal.
    Royal, 25, is happy at Spurs, but the Saudi Pro League side could launch a new bid.
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    Tottenham may consider offers for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg before the end of the month.
    But they will only let him leave on a permanent deal or on a loan with an obligation to buy.
    Emerson Royal has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia this monthCredit: Rex More

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    Premier League’s hottest Wag Maja Nilsson goes braless as Man Utd ace’s partner called ‘so fine’

    MAJA NILSSON dazzled fans by going offline and onto stripes.The wife of Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof posted snazzy snaps – one bra-less in a stripey outfit, another in a long dress – as she returned to England after a week on holiday and away from social media.
    Maja Nilsson Lindelof wowed fans with this lookCredit: Instagram @majanilssonlindelof
    Maja goes with the flowing dress as she shared picsCredit: Instagram @majanilssonlindelof
    The Swede hoped to see snowballs back in EnglandCredit: Instagram @majanilssonlindelof
    Unfortunately for Victor Lindelof, Man Utd’s form hasn’t been as bright as his top in this snap from an earlier get-away with MajaCredit: Instagram @victorlindelof
    And while her army of followers went all slushy with their comments, Maja admitted she was dreaming of solid snow.
    Instead of course the Swedish fashion entrepreneur, 30, was welcomed back by Storm Isha.
    But at least the Unicef ambassador was also greeted with a whirlwind of praise from fans, who called her “the world’s prettiest” and “just so beautiful”.
    It’s 11 months since Maja was “officially” named as the most attractive Wag in the Premier League.
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    But sadly for Lindelof and Co, her formal rating of 9.7 out of 10 far outweighs any individual marks given to United’s players amid another mediocre season.
    And unfortunately for her husband, the Red Devils’ leaky defence means the only Nil he usually sees in the first half these days is in his wife’s surname. 
    Maja announced her comeback to these shores by posting glamorous pictures along with the words: “A week offline with my little family and friends.. time for England and hoping the SNOW IS STILL THERE!!”
    Warm responses included: “Always so good looking” and “so fine”.
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    But there were a few chilly replies from spoilsports, who warned the influencer “nope, just rain” and “gale force winds”.
    Luckily for Maja, her following is a force of nature itself – as her total number of fans on Instagram has now swelled to the brink of 250,000.
    A glimpse into Maja’s glam life…
    Maja and Victor married six years agoCredit: Instagram @majanilssonlindelof
    The two began dating in 2013Credit: Instagram @majanilssonlindelof
    And had their first child together in 2019Credit: Instagram @majanilssonlindelof
    They had their second child in 2021Credit: instagram @majanilssonlindelof
    Maja with her husband VictorCredit: Getty
    Maja is a fan of a selfieCredit: instagram
    She recently switched up her haircutCredit: Instagram / @majanilssonlindelof
    Maja showing her support for SwedenCredit: Instagram @majanilssonlindelof
    A golden hour selfieCredit: Instagram/@majanilssonlindelof
    Maja Lindelof stunned in a sparkly dressCredit: Instagram More

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    Why Mason Greenwood ‘will be top priority’ for new Man Utd boss as huge decision on star striker looms

    MASON Greenwood will be at the top of Manchester United’s questions to answer this transfer window.With new ownership and a new CEO, United has tightened the purse strings this January.
    Greenwood is unlikely to play again for United, despite performing in SpainCredit: Getty
    Greenwood has reportedly attracted attention from BarcelonaCredit: Rex
    Manager Erik Ten Hag has been restricted to “cheap buys” as the club also has to abide by Financial Fair Play regulations.
    One way around this could be to sell some players, as they are doing with Jadon Sancho. 
    Another of those on the chopping block could be Mason Greenwood.
    The striker is currently playing in Spain for Getafe FC and is unlikely to ever play for the Red Devils again.
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    Since the move, the 22-year-old has scored five goals and provided four assists in 10 games since moving to Getafe in September.
    New CEO Omar Berrada is known as a capable businessman and could see Greenwood as an easy way to make some dosh.
    Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and AC Milan are all keeping tabs on Greenwood’s form.
    SunSport revealed last week that Berrada’s former club Barcelona are eyeing a £40million move and are prepared to offer the winger Lionel Messi’s old number 10 shirt to secure his services.
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    Selling him could free up cash for the striker United desperately needs.
    United are reportedly interested in Brentford’s Ivan Toney or Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy.
    Greenwood was recently interviewed on his time at Getafe.
    He said: “Everything’s fine, I adapted pretty quickly. My team-mates took me under their wing and I’ve just been happy ever since coming here, training and playing the games.
    “The fans mean a lot to me. The best feeling so far is when I scored my first goal here at the stadium and it meant a lot to me, I heard the fans quite a lot.”
    United turned to the loan market over the summer as spending continued to be tight and its ownership drama ongoing.
    Contract extensions are another thing that will impact United’s ability to spend with several players seeing their contracts run down.
    The club are considering extensions for Casemiro, Raphael Varane and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
    But, with the ownership dramas over and Sir Jim Ratcliffe pledging to invest into the club, the summer window could see some big signings.
    Greenwood had reportedly been set to be welcomed back into the fold by Erik ten Hag before SunSport exclusively reported United had made a U-turn due to the volatile reaction.
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    He had not played prior to joining Getafe since January 2022 after being arrested on suspicion of attempted rape, assault and coercive control.
    All charges against Greenwood were dropped this February.
    Manchester United could see Greenwood to free up some cash for a new strikerCredit: Rex More

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    Man Utd fans joke Sir Jim Ratcliffe has given Scott McTominay ‘new role’ with ‘cringiest advert ever seen’

    MANCHESTER UNITED ace Scott McTominay appeared in the “cringiest advertisement” for Adidas and left fans baffled.McTominay acted like a cashier working at United’s official store and checked out a pair of football boots for a customer.
    Manchester United ace Scott McTominay took part in a bizarre adCredit: X formerly Twitter / @ManUtd
    McTominay tried out his acting chops as a a cashier working at Man Utd’s storeCredit: X formerly Twitter / @ManUtd
    The customer watched McTominay yelling Goal in confusionCredit: X formerly Twitter / @ManUtd
    Man Utd fans joked Sir Jim Ratcliffe found a new role for McTominayCredit: Rex
    The Red Devils issued the bizarre 14-second-long clip on Twitter with the following caption: “Checking out with these beauties.”
    And in it McTominay is heard telling the customer: “That will be a GOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLL!”
    The camera then turned to the cash register, which also reads: “GOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLL!”
    And the customer was then recorded looking absolutely perplexed, just like many United fans who watched the strange ad.
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    Some supporters even suggested Ineos owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is expecting confirmation of his 25 per cent takeover of the club from the Premier League, has found a “new role” for McTominay.
    One fan tweeted: “The cringiest advertisement I’ve ever seen in my life.”
    Another commented: “INEOS giving Scott McTominay a new role.”
    A third posted: “What is this?”
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    This fan said: “This is so cringe.”
    And that one stated: “What a silly advert.”
    McTominay has amassed a total of six goals and one assist in 24 appearances so far this season.
    McTominay in Dubai
    McTominay has been enjoying some winter sun in Dubai during United’s winter break.
    And the Scotland international has been joined by his girlfriend Cam Reading.
    The couple were special guests at the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament.
    However, the pair got more than they bargained for when a stray ball went in their direction and landed in an “awkward” spot.
    McTominay has been joined by his girlfriend Cam Reading at DubaiCredit: @camreading_
    McTominay and Cam were special guests during a golf tournament
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    Anthony Martial’s agent denies ‘completely false’ rumours of first-team exile and reveals when striker will quit Man Utd

    ANTHONY MARTIAL’S agent has shut down rumours the striker has been exiled from Manchester United’s first-team training.The Daily Mail claimed earlier this week that the forward has not been involved in sessions since his last appearance on December 9.
    Rumours claiming Anthony Martial has been banned from training has been rubbishedCredit: Getty
    They report that Erik ten Hag is desperate to sell him this month with his contract expiring at the end of the season.
    And the Mail stated that Martial will not be selected again until his fitness improves.
    But the Frenchman’s agent Philippe Lamboley has rubbished the speculation.
    He said: “Anthony will not leave Manchester United and will stay until his contract ends in June.
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    “What is said about him is completely false.
    “He was not excluded from the group and he has no problem with the coach.
    “Anthony has been in Manchester for nine seasons and if he was not a great professional then he would not have been at the club for so long.
    “He is simply going to undergo a small operation on his adductors, which he should have done for a while and which did not allow him to be 100 per cent, so he will do it now.”
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    SunSport understands Martial has been put on an individual training program in a bid to get him back to match fitness, as is standard practise for injured or absent stars.
    The 28-year-old has been linked with moves to the likes of Inter Milan and Fenerbahce. More