Man Utd transfer news

RAPHAEL VARANE reckons “everything is possible” for Manchester United as they roared into title contention with their derby victory.The Red Devils’ incredible 2-1 comeback win at Old Trafford on Saturday made it five league wins on the bounce to move just a point behind second-placed Manchester City.
Raphael Varane insists Man Utd’s title charge is not just a dreamCredit: Getty
Now talk of a tilt at top spot in the second half of the season is no longer just a dream — even though the gap to leaders Arsenal is nine points.
Defender Varane insisted: “Everything is possible. We’ll just take it game by game. It’s a long way to go and it’s very difficult.
“The intensity of every game is incredible, the physical effort. It’s like the same intensity of a big Champions League game. The rhythm is very high.
“But the players are very well prepared physically. We know how difficult it is. But we’re solid, we’re strong. We just need to use the quality players with the ball.”
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United celebrated wildly at the final whistle after late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford saw off the champions.
And Varane was in the thick of it, leading the fist-pumping cheers in front of the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand.
The France World Cup winner, 29, said: “It was special. It’s a stadium with a magnificent atmosphere. At the end, I felt a connection with the fans.
“To do that against a big rival, in our home . . . we live stronger with this. It was beautiful.”
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Varane hailed the tactical approach of boss Erik ten Hag as City were allowed 71 per cent possession but only one effort on target — Jack Grealish’s opener — their lowest in the Premier League this season.
Centre-back Varane said: “We prepared so well tactically for this game with the Mister (the manager). We spoke a lot with him, we knew exactly what we wanted to do.
“We know City press, they have a lot of the ball. So we chose when to press and where to close the spaces.
“We knew where to hurt them and we have players up front who are very fast. We had to use our fast players.
“After the first goal, we didn’t let our heads drop, even though we conceded a goal in our home. But we also knew that we had the energy of the fans.
“We continued to follow our plan. Then we scored and that changed the whole game.”
United looked a different team to the one trounced 6-3 at the Etihad on October 2 — and Varane puts that down to more time working with the manager, who only joined this summer.
He said: “We know better now what the Mister wants and how he wants to do it.
“We’ve seen the evolution in this team. It was a complete game at a high level.” More

WOUT WEGHORST’S new Manchester United shirt number has reportedly been “leaked”.The Dutch striker joined the Red Devils on Friday and was in the stands to watch the 2-1 win over Manchester City yesterday.
Wout Weghorst has joined Man Utd on loan for the rest of the seasonCredit: Getty
Weghorst had been on loan at Besiktas for the season, but United forked out £2.5million in compensation to the Turkish club to cut the move short.
United will also pay Burnley around £2.6m to take him on loan.
The 30-year-old could make his United debut in Wednesday’s trip to Crystal Palace.
And now the shirt number he could be wearing may have been revealed early.
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Dutch commentator Robert Claus was also at the Manchester derby.
While he was at Old Trafford, he spotted Weghorst on the pitch and snapped a photograph of him wearing a United shirt.
And on the back was the No.27.
That jersey was allocated to full-back Alex Telles at the start of the season.
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However, he has now joined Sevilla on loan, vacating the number.
Meanwhile, boss Erik ten Hag has explained why he wanted to get Weghorst to United.
He said: “He is adding a type of striker we don’t have in this moment and I’ve known him for a long time and I’ve followed him through the leagues.
“He’s a goalscorer definitely but also a type who will work for the team, who is a really good pressing player in defending, so he can contribute [there] as well.”
The United boss went on to say that Weghorst will surprise fans with his counter-attacking speed – despite his 6ft 6in frame.
Ten Hag continued: “He’s a box player who can also play counter-attack, you won’t expect it always when you see his profile but he’s a really good counter player. 
“I’ve seen many goals, especially in the Bundesliga where they play a lot of counter there, and he was really effective.” More

RIO FERDINAND took a cheeky swipe at Joleon Lescott after Manchester United’s controversial comeback win over Manchester City.City took the lead through Jack Grealish before Marcus Rashford scored a late winner after his involvement in Bruno Fernandes’ debatable equaliser.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand trolled Manchester City hero Joleon Lescott
United legend Ferdinand provided punditry for BT Sport alongside former rival Lescott, who won two Premier League titles during his time at the Etihad.
The two former England internationals met before kick-off and had a conversation which was recorded by the ex-Red Devils captain.
And the City hero seemed quite cocky, something his fellow legendary defender didn’t appreciate.
Ferdinand said: “Look at this guy, he loves it.
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“I don’t like the way you’re walking about swaggering. Your swagger is too much.”
Lescott cheekily responded: “Feels like home this, feels like home.”
But the former centre-back’s words aged poorly as United delivered a hammer blow to City’s title chances at Old Trafford.
Ferdinand didn’t forget Lescott’s cockiness and posted their chat on Instagram in a compilation video after Erik ten Hag’s men completed their triumphant comeback.
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And the 44-year-old joked that his former rival needed a “stretcher” after his favourite team’s heartbreaking loss.
Ferdinand issued the following caption: “Came bouncing into Old Trafford… left on a stretcher 😂😂😂 @joleonlescott 🔴🔴🔴.”
Ferdinand also included clips of him celebrating alongside former team-mate Paul Scholes while backstage .
Lescott was also present but was fuming with United turning the game on its head within just four minutes.
An ecstatic Ferdinand yelled: “It’s a goal, we scored United yeah.”
He then panned the camera to Lescott, adding: “Go on Jole, go on Joleon.”
The City hero then argued the equaliser should not have stood due to the interference from Rashford.
Joleon Lescott was quite cocky before kick-off against Manchester UnitedCredit: Instagram / @rioferdy5 More

MANCHESTER UNITED supporters appear to have two new favourites after witnessing Casemiro and Fred’s incredible celebrations to the derby matchwinner.Jack Grealish had headed Man City into the lead at Old Trafford before a thrilling climax saw United bounce back late on to claim bragging rights with a 2-1 victory.
Casemiro celebrated wildly with supporters after Man Utd’s winner against CityCredit: Twitter
His fellow Brazilian was also dishing out the hugs to supportersCredit: Twitter
A through ball from Brazilian Casemiro was controversially left by the offside Marcus Rashford for Bruno Fernandes to rifle home an equaliser.
Then Rashford slid home to win it after meeting Alejandro Garnacho’s cross.
Wild scenes ensued as both players and supporters alike erupted with joy.
However, Casemiro seemed to particularly enjoy it more than most – and fan footage caught on a mobile phone captured the incredible scenes.
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It shows the former Real Madrid midfielder, 30, screaming in with pure euphoria before he grabs and dishes out hugs to several delirious young supporters sitting in the front row.
One fan commented on Twitter: “It’s unbelievable, dude has won everything in club football yet shows this amount of Passion never seen before at his previous club, Nas man, he must be questioned then again he said Roy Keane was his Idol.”
Another wrote: “When Casemiro hugs you, you stay hugged. How special for the 3 boys? They will be Reds forever.”
While a fellow Red Devil said: “The passion! Brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful stuff!”
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But he was not the only one dishing out the hugs, his fellow Brazilian Fred was at it as well.
“Man I’m in tears.. tears of happiness,” declared another fan.
As another added: “What you see here is pure passion! Why won’t you love Man United!”
The stunning victory moved United to within a point of their neighbours. More

WAYNE ROONEY’s son Kai was snapped sitting inside the Man United dressing room before their derby day victory. The 13-year-old is looking to follow in his dad’s footsteps and enjoy a long, decorated career in football.
Kai Rooney is flanked by the twin sons of Darren Fletcher as he enjoys the view from United’s dressing roomCredit: Instagram / @kairooney.10
He’s on the right tracks as well with the young star in United youth sides as he looks to make it in the big time.
But as he waits for his moment to follow in his father’s footsteps, Kai is still soaking in all that Old Trafford has to offer.
He took to Instagram to reveal he was sat in the United home dressing room before their lunchtime clash with Manchester City.
Wearing a big blue jacket, the teen has a grin as he sits in United’s elegant changing room.
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In another picture he is joined by 16-year-old twins Tyler and Jack Fletcher, the sons of former Man United midfielder Darren Fletcher, who is now a technical director at the club.
Tyler and Jack were set to sign for City before Christmas despite their dad’s United links, but any potential deal has not yet been confirmed.
Kai captions the post: “Dad’s old dressing room. Come on @manchesterunited”
There is much excitement around Kai, the eldest of the Rooney kids and born in 2009.
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He plays alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo’s son in the youth team and has so far shown a sharp eye for goal like his father Wayne.
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He reportedly struck 56 goals and notched up 28 assists in the U12 team last season.
Kai’s firepower could one day be a useful tool for United but for now Erik ten Hag’s team appear to have all they need.
The Red Devils made it nine consecutive wins yesterday as they came from behind to beat rivals Man City – and deal a heavy blow to Pep Guardiola’s title ambitions.
United move only a point behind City and may now count themselves in the Premier League hunt after their astonishing run of form.
The win yesterday saw Marcus Rashford notch up yet another goal in his hot vein of form as he netted the winner.
But Rashford’s contribution to the 189th Manchester derby will likely be better remembered for his role in the controversial equaliser.
The England striker was offside when the ball was played through to him but did not touch it, instead staying near the ball before it reached Bruno Fernandes.
The midfielder then smashed home to make it 1-1 with City left incensed when the referee and the VAR failed to overturn the goal. More