Man Utd transfer news

CRISTIANO RONALDO is a major doubt for Manchester United’s away day at Fulham on Sunday with the wantaway star missing training.The 37-year-old was absent for Man Utd’s 4-2 Carabao Cup win over Aston Villa during the week.
Ronaldo missed United’s last game against Villa through illnessCredit: PA
United are preparing for their trip to Fulham on SundayCredit: Getty
It is the last game United will play before the World CupCredit: Getty
Malacia was all smiles ahead of the trip to Craven CottageCredit: Getty
Ronaldo’s international team-mate Dalot limbering upCredit: Getty
Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag confirmed Ronaldo’s absence was due to illness.
And as a result, he missed training again, meaning he could be ruled out for United’s final Premier League game before the World Cup.
Ten Hag’s men will travel to Craven Cottage to play league high flyers Fulham and Anthony Martial could be the man to lead the line.
Ten Hag told club media: “I can’t guarantee that [Cristiano will be available] now, but today he was ill.
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“He can recover from that, it’s not really a serious illness that takes days or weeks, so I think it’s possible that he is available for Sunday and he will be in the squad.”
Ten Hag then added: “In one hour we have training, so we will do normal stuff but we have to see.
“I think no big issues from yesterday’s game, but we have to see how players recover from illness, like Cristiano, [and] from injury, like Antony.
“Yesterday, Anthony Martial plays his first minutes from the start after Everton, so we have to see how he recovers.
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“So we have some issues and some questions [to see] how we line up and what plan we take.”
Ronaldo sitting out the Red Devils’ final fixture before the winter tournament is a major boost for Portugal as it’ll rule out their star man suffering a potential late injury.
The Qatar World Cup is expected to be Ronaldo’s last, and it’s the one trophy that has managed to escape him. More

MANCHESTER UNITED wonderkid Alejandro Garnacho is working hard to make talk of his poor attitude a thing of the past.Team-mate Bruno Fernandes last week revealed that the youngster’s lack of discipline delayed his big break.
Garnacho has reportedly been displaying a better attitude at Old Trafford and his family is now staying with him in EnglandCredit: Rex
The Dail Mail claim that Garnacho, 18, is now knuckling down as he looks to break into the Red Devils first team for good.
It is said that the Argentinian’s parents and brother have moved over to England to support him.
He has a personalised gym program from the club’s fitness staff to bulk up and increase strength on the ball.
The exciting prospect has also developed his English to near-fluent to help bond with the squad.
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Garnacho announced himself at Old Trafford when he made his first start for Manchester United in the Europa League win against Sheriff.
The U20 international then grabbed his first goal in senior football with the winner at Real Sociedad and shone in midweek against Aston Villa.
Fernandes heaped praise on his teenage team-mate for turning his mentality around in recent months after issues over the summer.
Garnacho was supposedly late for two team meetings on the pre-season trip to Bangkok and Australia.
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The Portuguese playmaker explained: “He was good [against Sociedad] but he knows we expect at lot from him. He’s still really young. He’s doing really well.
“At the beginning of the season, not at his best, on the pre-season tour he didn’t have the best attitude that he should have and that’s why he didn’t get his chances until now.
“He didn’t get his chances before because he was not good enough in training and not good enough mentality-wise.
“Now he’s getting chances because he’s changed that, he’s training better, he’s having a better attitude and he deserves his chances.
“Everyone is really happy for him and pleased with his goal.”
Now the Argentine winger is seemingly focussed and earned his first-team opportunity.
And boss Erik ten Hag was asked if Garnacho will get more opportunities in the star-studded line up.
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The Dutchman said: “It depends on his approach, his attitude.
“When he keeps working then, yes, it is possible [for him to play more]. He wants to improve every day. He has to do the right things in his lifestyle. He has the capability.”
Garcnacho may get another chance to shine as Man Utd face Fulham in Sunday’s Premier League clash. More

MANCHESTER UNITED are looking to sell skipper Harry Maguire in the summer just three years after his world-record move to Old Trafford, according to reports.The centre-back has struggled to replicate the form that prompted the Red Devils to fork out £85million for his services in the summer of 2019.
Man Utd are looking to sell Harry Maguire in 2023, according to reportsCredit: REX
United boss Erik ten Hag has reportedly opted to cash in on the on the defenderCredit: GETTY
His displays early in the season prompted manager Erik ten Hag to drop him from the starting XI.
And the Dutchman is reportedly planning to bring an end to Maguire’s stay at Old Trafford at the end of the season.
That’s according to The Guardian, who claim Ten Hag is aiming to farm out the England international after being left unimpressed by his performances.
Former Ajax boss Ten Hag is said to view “Maguire’s sluggish pace as a problem.”
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Maguire’s shortcomings on the pitch have reportedly made the United gaffer view Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martínez as his first-choice centre-back pairing.
It’s also claimed that Victor Lindelof is ahead of the former Leicester man in the Old Trafford pecking order.
Maguire was dropped from the United starting XI following the club’s embarrassing defeats at the hands of Brighton and Brentford.
But he returned to the fray last month for the visit of West Ham.
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United are said to be resigned to the fact that they won’t recoup the £85m they paid to sign Maguire.
They are, however, likely to demand a reasonable fee from potential suitors as Maguire’s contract at the Theatre of Dreams expires in 2025.
Ten Hag is hoping to get a decent fee in order to sign a new centre-back who will provide “true competition for Varane and Martínez.”
Despite not being a regular for his club, Maguire was selected in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man England squad for this month’s World Cup.
England boss Gareth Southgate has kept the faith in Harry MaguireCredit: Reuters
But Red Devils legend Rio Ferdinand is adamant he shouldn’t start in the Three Lions’ Group B clash with Iran a week on Monday.
During an appearance on talkSPORT, he said: “I think you need to be playing week in, week out.
“But I think Gareth’s a very loyal man, he knows what Harry Maguire brings him.
“Listen, Harry Maguire has never ever let him down in an England shirt, let’s be blunt about that.
“So that will I think carry some weight. But I don’t know, going into the tournament as a player who hasn’t played any football, it’s difficult.
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“It’s different going in injured, he went into a tournament [Euro 2020] on the back of an injury remember and played well.
“But going in and not playing and having no rhythm as well, it’s hard work that.” More

FORMER Manchester United defender Paul Parker fears that Jadon Sancho could end up being Manchester United’s worst signing EVER.The winger arrived with huge fanfare in the summer of 2021 for a whopping £73million.
Jadon Sancho could go down as Man Utd’s worst-ever signing, says Paul ParkerCredit: Getty
Paul Parker has not been impressed with Jadon Sancho at Man UtdCredit: PA:Empics Sport
But Sancho, 22, has failed to convince many fans so far in failing to replicate his electric form for Borussia Dortmund.
His struggles have been so deep that no one was surprised when he failed to make Gareth Southgate’s England squad on Thursday.
And Parker is worried Sancho could make Red Devils history for all the wrong reasons.
The former United defender, who played at Old Trafford between 1991 and 1996, told Bettors: “To be honest I’ve never really understood why Man Utd paid so much money for Jadon Sancho.
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“He has a lot of issues because he is never attacking full-backs, he is passing backwards and is not really challenging his direct opponent.
“The way you play in Germany is completely different to the Premier League and it seems like he’ll never be able to adapt well enough to be a key player for United.
“If you look at the money the club paid for him, I would say he could end up being the worst buy in Manchester United’s history.”
Sancho’s start to the season has shown some encouraging signs – with the winger already scoring two goals, just one fewer than the entirety of last season.
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One of his strikes also came in United’s crucial early-season clash against Liverpool.
Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag played down Sancho’s absence from the England squad and blamed it on his illness.
He said of Sancho’s form: “It’s been up and down.
“He had some really good performances and I think he was heading in a good direction.
“But the last weeks he struggled with illness and then it’s normal that you don’t get selected because every manager will only take fit players to the World Cup.” More

FANS were all saying the same thing about Bruno Fernandes’ cringey attempt to win a free-kick for Manchester United against Aston Villa. The Portuguese international was one of the Red Devils shining lights as they won a ding-dong Carabao Cup tie 4-2 against Unai Emery’s side.
Fernandes clashes with Ezri Konsa during a free-kickCredit: Twitter

Fans were left unimpressed with the midfielder’s actions as he crashed to the groundCredit: Twitter
But he did not have his proudest moment as he fought with his opponents before they took a free-kick.
The away side were preparing to put a ball into the box from range when Fernandes ran at Ezri Konsa and theatrically collapsed on the ground.
The referee gave a free-kick United’s way, ending any chance for Villa to take advantage of the set-piece.
It’s fair to say the majority of fans were not impressed by the extent Fernandes went to to win a free-kick.
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One fan wrote on Twitter: “I’m a United fan and even I can’t stand the bloke. Always on the floor always moaning always acting like his been two footed. It’s actually embarrassing for a grown man to act that way.”
Another tweeter simply declared: “Bruno Fernandes. The biggest cheat in football.”
Another fan on Reddit pointed out: “His arm goes up and he starts falling before contact.”
And one fan joked: “[I] doubt Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes can play for Portugal in the FIFA World Cup after this horrific tackle.”
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But some United fans stuck their neck out for the under-fire star.
One said: “Players do it every single game but Bruno’s the cheat.”
And another added: “Bro I love Bruno even more for making all these people cry.”
Fernandes scored 12 minutes from time to put United 3-2 up and cap an otherwise brilliant performance.
He and United have one domestic game left against Fulham on Sunday before the World Cup begins. More

DONNY VAN DE BEEK is set for a permanent Manchester United exit if he can’t improve his performances, boss Erik Ten Hag has warned.The Dutchman has started the Red Devils’ last three matches in all competitions – failing to impress in any of them.
Donny van de Beek has started Man United’s last three gamesCredit: Getty
Van de Beek spent the second half of last season on loan at Everton in a bid to find form in the Premier League.
But Ten Hag, under whom Van de Beek played the best football of his career at Ajax, has ruled out another temporary switch.
He said: “I don’t think the loan makes sense.
“It’s either he fights and proves himself in this environment or he goes, but for me, there is still a way for him.
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“It it’s not going to be easy for him because the competition there is really strong.”
Van de Beek, 25, has found himself stuck behind Bruno Fernandes in the pecking order during his time at Old Trafford.
And the summer addition of Christian Eriksen didn’t do anything to boost his chances.
Addressing criticism of Van de Beek’s recent displays, Ten Hag added: “I see the opinion but when I watch back the performance in Sociedad and also Villa, he is there in the positions I expect a No10 has to do.
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“And nowadays, it is difficult for a No 10 to really show themselves.
“We have the romantic idea of the No 10 as a playmaker giving the final passes, that they have to play in the middle of the park.
“But it is difficult there because nowadays all the good teams close the middle of the park, so it is really difficult to get a lot of ball touches.
“So that is also not the player who Donny van de Beek is but what he is doing well is his positioning and his movement together with the strikers, especially with the No9, that combination.
“He is really good in positioning and anticipation in and out of possession, he did that to my satisfaction in the last games.
“But I have seen he is not on the scoring list, he is not on the assist list and he can do better. He is still not there on his limits, I have seen him better in the past, definitely.
“But I think positioning wise he is acting quite well. But he has to make that step with pace and intensity.”
Van de Beek has played 57 times for Man United, scoring two goals and laying on a pair of assists.
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Seven of his outings have come this term, with a muscular injury having ruled him out for much of the campaign.
He suffered World Cup heartache this week, with Dutch boss Louis van Gaal leaving him out of his 26-man squad for Qatar.
Erik ten Hag has challenged Van de Beek to step up his performancesCredit: Rex More

CRISTIANO RONALDO is in danger of becoming an “unwelcome distraction” at Manchester United, according to Wayne Rooney.The Portuguese star, currently suffering a bout of illness, raised eyebrows last week when he was named captain for the 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa.
Wayne Rooney has slammed Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘unacceptable’ behaviour
The legend refused to go on as sub against Tottenham after failing to seal a move awayCredit: Rex
That was despite his recent row with boss Erik ten Hag after his walkout against Tottenham and his much-publicised failure to secure a summer exit.
Now Ronaldo’s former United team-mate, the club’s all-time top scorer and currently manager of DC United, believes the 37-year-old’s behaviour has been unacceptable this term.
And Rooney, who has named what he believes should be England’s starting XI at the World Cup, insisted that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has to knuckle down and accept that he is no longer a certain starter under Ten Hag.
He told talkSPORT: “Him and Messi are arguably the two best players of all-time and you can go either way with that, whatever way you decide.
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“But I just think the things he has done from the start of season, it is not acceptable for Manchester United.
“I’ve seen Roy Keane defending him. Roy wouldn’t accept that. Roy wouldn’t accept that at all.
“It is a distraction which Manchester United don’t need at the minute, trying to rebuild. For Cristiano, just get your head down and work and be ready to play when the manager needs you.
“If he does that, he will be an asset. If he doesn’t, it will become an unwanted distraction.”
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Keane recently defended Ronaldo after he was axed by Ten Hag after refusing to go on as sub against Tottenham.
He said: “Well, obviously the manager has made a decision to leave him out.
“He’s disappointed at Ronaldo [for] not wanting to go on in the 87th [or] 88th minute and the fact he walked down the tunnel. He’s obviously being punished for it.
“But I try to see as well from the player’s point of view, he’s obviously had enough and I think it’s been brewing over the last few weeks with Ronaldo.
“But I will still try and defend him, I still think he’s a human being, he’s got flaws, he feels frustrated that he’s not been properly getting opportunities and he’s had enough.
Roy Keane has defended the actions of his former team-mate
“He’s walked down the tunnel, I think players have done a lot worse things at Man Utd. I think it happens, it’s human nature.
“Everyone was talking after the game that they beat Spurs, it was a big win – best performance in years. Absolute rubbish, Spurs were terrible. Man Utd managed to beat Spurs as well last year at home when I think Ronaldo got a hat-trick.
“So he’s more than capable of getting on that pitch and making a difference. But he has to take his punishment, is there a way back for him? I’m not sure.
“I’d be more worried if Ronaldo was sitting on the bench every week laughing his head off and not caring. I think the guy cares.
“I’ve said it before, this game is full of bluffers and he’s certainly not one of them. I think he cares about the club, I think he wants to play, he needs to play. World class player, people saying he’s not the player he was 10 years ago. Of course he’s not.
“But he was the leading goalscorer last year for Man Utd. He went to Man Utd last year, to a bad Man Utd team – really bad team – [and] he was still leading goalscorer.”
The Portuguese striker has spent the majority of the campaign on the benchCredit: Reuters More