Man Utd transfer news

MANCHESTER UNITED fans are convinced Sir Jim Ratcliffe is a man mountain after seeing snaps of the club’s new shareholder with Erik ten Hag.Britain’s richest man took a stroll around United’s Carrington training ground and Old Trafford this week following his December acquisition of shares in the club.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe visited Manchester United’s Carrington training ground with Sir Dave Brailsford this weekCredit: Getty
The duo inspected the club’s training facilitiesCredit: GETTY
Red Devils fans were blown away by the height of the club’s new shareholderCredit: GETTY
The INEOS chief was pictured deep in conversation with the under-pressure Ten Hag, whom he dwarfed in height.
Photos of the 71-year-old tycoon towering over Ten Hag started doing the rounds on social media on Thursday, sparking many a comment from Red Devils fans.
One wrote: “He’s massive.”
Another said: “Can he play CM though?”
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And another said: “Can he play up front?”
One remarked: “Eight feet tall and a great head of hair….. are we about to win the league?”
Another chimed in: “The man certainly has the height to take the club back to its lofty heights.”
Ten Hag is by no means a short man, with the Dutchman standing at just over 5’9.
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Erik ten Hag revealed he’s had lengthy talks with Sir Jim RatcliffeCredit: GETTY
The angle of the photos taken as Ratcliffe stood next to Ten Hag may well have accentuated the Brit’s height, making him look considerably taller than he actually is.
The businessman is understood to be north of 6ft.
Among the fans commenting on the new pics were some who thought Ratcliffe’s association with Manchester United was already beginning to age him.
One said: “Looks like he’s aged 10 years in the past week, welcome!”
‘POSITIVE TALKS’
Billionaire Ratcliffe completed his long and drawn-out acquisition of 25 per cent of the club on Christmas Eve.
Ratcliffe will have control of footballing matters at the club and recently had a long conversation with the under-pressure Ten Hag.
When asked how the talks had gone, Ten Hag said: “Very positive, I have to say.
“We had a long meeting, for many hours we sat together. On many issues we were on the same page, very positive from both sides,
“I can say that it was a very constructive meeting and we’re looking forward to working with each other.”
When pressed to elaborate on the common ground they share, he added: “I think it’s very early and also we have to let it settle down.
“They’re just coming in, introducing themselves, they have good ideas, we have to see what we can integrate.
“We will work in togetherness but after one day you can’t tell that.
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“They have given me a few ideas, we have had our debates about strategies and I think we will come together.”
Manchester United will be back in action on Monday night, travelling to the DW Stadium to take on Wigan Athletic in their FA Cup third-round tie. More

ERIK TEN HAG said he is ‘on the same page’ as new Manchester United shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe after several hours of talks this week.The Ineos billionaire has taken a 25 per cent share of the Red Devils and will have control of the football operations. 
Sir Jim Ratcliffe finally completed his acquisition of shares in Manchester United last monthCredit: AFP
SunSport understands Erik ten Hag’s head is on the chopping block following Ratcliffe’s arrivalCredit: REX
He visited the club’s Carrington training ground on Wednesday – while his sporting director Dave Brailsford has also been there.
Ten Hag felt the meeting was “very positive” and they have common ideas on many issues currently surrounding the club.
The Dutch boss has overseen a disappointing start to the season for the Red Devils – leading to speculation he could be facing the axe.
But he is confident he will be given the chance to turn things around now the boyhood United fan is in charge.
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Asked how the talks had gone, he said: “Very positive, I have to say.
“We had a long meeting, for many hours we sat together.
“On many issues, we were on the same page, very positive from both sides,
“I can say that it was a very constructive meeting and we’re looking forward to working with each other.”
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Ten Hag was asked to elaborate on what the ideas were, but said: “I think it’s very early and also we have to let it settle down.
“They’re just coming in, introducing themselves, they have good ideas, we have to see what we can integrate.
“We will work in togetherness but after one day you can’t tell that.
“They have given me a few ideas, we have had our debates about strategies and I think we will come together.”
Ten Hag, meanwhile, has confirmed the club have taken up the option to extend the contracts of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof and Hannibal Mejbri by a further 12 months.
However, he added they remain in talks with Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial over their futures.
BIG INVESTMENT
INEOS head honcho Ratcliffe is set to inject a whopping £238million into United and hopes to oversee a return to the club’s glory years.
He said: “As a local boy and a lifelong supporter of the club, I am very pleased that we have been able to agree a deal with the Manchester United Board that delegates us management responsibility of the football operations of the club.
“Whilst the commercial success of the club has ensured there have always been available funds to win trophies at the highest level, this potential has not been fully unlocked in recent times.
“We will bring the global knowledge, expertise and talent from the wider INEOS Sport group to help drive further improvement at the club, while also providing funds intended to enable future investment into Old Trafford.
“We are here for the long term and recognise that a lot of challenges and hard work lie ahead, which we will approach with rigour, professionalism and passion.
“We are committed to working with everyone at the club – the Board, staff, players and fans – to help drive the club forward.
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“Our shared ambition is clear: we all want to see Manchester United back where we belong, at the very top of English, European and world football.”
Manchester United will be back in action on Monday, travelling to the DW Stadium to take on Wigan Athletic in their FA Cup third-round clash.
Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane’s Manchester United futures are up in the airCredit: GETTY More

DAVID DE GEA still remains without a club after he left Manchester United in the summer.The Spanish shot-stopper spent 12 years between the sticks for the Red Devils, but now he’s turned his attention to a new sport.
David de Gea has turned to a new sport since leaving Manchester UnitedCredit: PA
According to The Athletic, De Gea has been spending much of his time since leaving Old Trafford playing padel.
Padel is a Mexican game similar to both tennis and squash and is played on a small court that has fencing all around it that the ball can be played off.
The ex-Spain number one, 33, isn’t the only footballer that has turned their attention to the growing sport either.
Former Newcastle and PSG star Hatem Ben Arfa, 36, is also a big padel player and has even earned himself a national ranking for the sport in France.
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Alongside his padel playing De Gea is reportedly maintaining his fitness should the right opportunity to return to the pitch pop up.
However that offer is yet to come despite rumours of a move to Newcastle United and offers from teams across Europe’s top leagues.
In fact it is said that De Gea is enjoying his time away from the spotlight and has even considered retirement since leaving United.
He has been able to spend more time with his family and friends as well as putting focus on his esports team – which he co-owns with former teammate Bruno Fernandes.
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De Gea’s next steps aren’t known yet, but he will have to make a decision on his future soon.
With the January transfer window now open there is a higher likelihood that movement amongst clubs could open up the door for a new opportunity.
However with reports suggesting he is yet to be enticed by any offer that has come his way, retirement could be a real option.
De Gea watched the Man Utd Women’s team take on PSG in OctoberCredit: Getty
He has also spent his time away from the pitch catching up with his teammatesCredit: Instagram @d_degeaofficial
De Gea has focused on his esports team with Bruno FernandesCredit: Instagram / @d_degeaofficial More