Man Utd transfer news

ERIK TEN HAG says he will not ‘burn money’ in his pursuit of a new striker for Manchester United this month.So he has told Anthony Martial he expects more than the French forward showed in the narrow 1-0 win over Wolves on Saturday.
Manchester United fans want Erik ten Hag to bring in reinforcements this monthCredit: Getty
The Dutchman insists he won’t burn through cash just for the sake of itCredit: REX
Ten Hag wants Anthony Martial to step up in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo’s departureCredit: AP
The Red Devils are on the lookout for a new central forward after ripping up Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract during the World Cup break.
However, with the club up for sale and still watching the pennies following their £206.7million summer splurge, they are focussed on a loan or a short-term deal.
Those are not easy to come by at this time of year — meaning in-form Marcus Rashford and Martial may be asked to share duties for the remainder of the season.
Rashford got the crucial winner at Molineux after initially being left out for being late for a team meeting.
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But boss Ten Hag wants an improvement from Martial — who has started every game since the return of domestic football — when Bournemouth visit Old Trafford on Tuesday.
The Dutchman said: “Anthony is not used to coming on every third day because he hadn’t played for a long time before.
“So, maybe against Wolves it was not his game.
“I was more happy with his performances in the games before, you could see what kind of impact he could have.
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“But you can’t expect players always play their best.
“Next game I expect a better performance from him and I think we will get that.”
Now the transfer window has opened, United are pushing ahead with their hunt for a new forward.
They have been alerted to a possible short-term move for Joao Felix.
Atletico Madrid’s £13.25m loan demand for the Portuguese star, however, is more than twice what United are willing to pay.
It is understood Felix also wants £5.3m in wages over the remainder of the season, pushing the overall cost close to the £20m mark.
United have rejected those terms out of hand and are now looking at alternatives.
Ten Hag said: “I think we have a good team when all the players are available. We have many games coming up.
United are interested in the loan signing of Atletico Madrid’s Joao FeelixCredit: Rex
“There is a need to get a forward who can have an impact, otherwise you are just burning money because you don’t strengthen the squad and it doesn’t help.”
United have ruled out recalling Ivory Coast star Amad Diallo — despite six goals in his last 11 matches for Championship outfit Sunderland.
The 20-year-old, who cost United £37m when he signed from Italians Atalanta two years ago, has been earning rave reviews on Wearside.
But Ten Hag suggested it was something they had thought about, adding: “We’ve considered everything but it has to strengthen the squad.
“On pre-season tour, I did not see him as a starting XI player or a player who can have an immediate impact. He needs experience.”
While United’s hunt for new blood goes on, there is little chance of players being allowed to leave Old Trafford.
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Everton are keen on taking Anthony Elanga to Goodison for the rest of the season.
But Ten Hag said: “We need the depth and especially with the front line.” More

DUTCH legend Ronald de Boer says Cody Gakpo made the “right choice” in snubbing Manchester United for Liverpool.Jurgen Klopp’s Reds confirmed the signing of Holland international Gakpo, 23, for an initial £37million last month.
Cody Gakpo picked Liverpool over United after a successful World CupCredit: PA
De Boer says Gakpo made the ‘right choice’ in joining LiverpoolCredit: Getty
Gakpo opted to play alongside Holland captain Virgil van Dijk at Anfield instead of linking up with fellow Dutchman Erik ten Hag at United, who has been tracking him since the summer.
The up-and-coming attacker spent November and December with Van Dijk at the Qatar World Cup.
In that tournament, Gakpo found the net an impressive three times.
And Dutch legend De Boer says the versatile attacker made the “right choice” in moving to Liverpool.
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The ex-midfielder told talkSPORT: “I think it’s important for him, he’s better when he starts on the left and comes inside.
“I think Liverpool plays a little bit like that, I remember [Luis] Diaz playing there, who is also by the way an exceptional talent.
“So when he is fit he will have to fight for that spot.
“In the meanwhile, he [Gakpo] can grow in that role, I think Liverpool needs a player like that on that side at the moment. I think for me, this is the best choice he could have made at this moment.”
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Gakpo has, however, admitted the summer transfer window was “difficult” after a move to Man Utd didn’t work out.
He declared: “It was difficult this summer. It was a very intense period.
“I tried to find my peace but it was difficult. I thought I was going to Man Utd, but in the end it didn’t work out.
“Leeds came in. They are a good club but I asked myself should I really go there, and when you have a lot of doubts it is not good.”
Despite this, Gakpo is excited to get started at Anfield.
Gakpo, who will wear the No.18 shirt, said: “I’m really looking forward to playing at Anfield.
“I heard a lot of great stories about the stadium, about the atmosphere. I cannot wait.
“My aim is to win as many prizes as we can as a team.”
Klopp is also excited by the potential his new signing has.
The German said: “There is a lot to like about Cody. He is  still only 23 but already has a lot of experience.
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“He was the captain of PSV, player of the year in Holland last season and had a great World Cup.
“But he has the potential to be even better.” More

THOUSANDS of Al Nassr fans welcomed Cristiano Ronaldo to the club yesterday by chanting his name in the seventh minute of a Saudi Pro League clash with Al Khaleej.Ronaldo, 37, joined Al Nassr in a shock free transfer on Friday, just one month after leaving Manchester United.
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr earlier this weekCredit: Alamy

He signed a two-and-a-half-year deal worth a staggering £173MILLION-a-year, making him the highest-paid sportsperson of all time.
Al Nassr supporters have been thrilled with the arrival of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and they were in full voice during Saturday’s clash with Al Khaleej.
As the seventh minute of the match approached, thousands began to chant: “Ronaldo, Ronaldo,” followed by the superstar’s signature “Siu”.
Hundreds of fans also flocked to the Al Nassr club shop over the weekend in the hope of buying a new shirt with Ronaldo and the iconic No.7 on the back.
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The Saudi Super League club had been in talks to sign the forward since November.
Ronaldo had his Man Utd contract sensationally ripped up just before the World Cup kicked off following his tell-all interview with Piers Morgan.
During the 90-minute conversation with the SunSport columnist, Ronaldo said that he felt “betrayed” by the Red Devils.
He also criticised former United boss Ralf Rangnick as well as Erik ten Hag.
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The revelation threw the club into turmoil and eventually led to his bitter departure.
In the same interview, Ronaldo revealed that he had previously turned down the chance to play in Saudi Arabia.
He said: “It’s hard. It’s hard. But in the same way, I thought that I was very happy here; that I [am] still capable to score goals and make people happy.
“I still believe that I can score many many goals and help the team because I still believe that I’m still good and capable to help national team – even Manchester United.
“But if you don’t feel around you that the energy’s on your side, it’s difficult. Of course, the criticism is gonna exists all the time. Ah he’s 37, he’s not the same.
“But I want to see if some guy of my age maintain the level that I show. You’re not gonna teach me that. Nobody is gonna teach me that.”
However, after a disappointing World Cup campaign he quickly changed his mind.
Ronaldo is expected to make his Al Nassr debut next week against Al-Tai. More