Man Utd transfer news

FIRST there was a bear hug from Cristiano Ronaldo seconds before kick–off.Around 14 minutes later one of the greatest players the game has ever seen was applauding Alejandro Garnacho with gusto.
18-year-old Alejandro Garnacho impressed on his full debut against SheriffCredit: Getty
For a budding new star had just announced himself at Old Trafford, the 18-year-old making his first start for Manchester United.
And if he carries on as he did against Sheriff, he’ll become a household name one day too.
Before Erik ten Hag took over as manager in the summer the club’s coaches had been talking up the kid over the two years since he was bought from Atletico Madrid for £420,000.
There will be plenty talking about him now.
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That applause from Ronaldo came after the Spanish-born attacker with no fear in either foot cut in from his left wing starting spot and went past right back Renan Guedes like he didn’t exist.
His low cross to the near post would easily have been turned home by CR7 had it not been for a desperate clearing lunge a yard out.
Still, the supporters, most of whom had heard of this feisty youngster with a look of Ryan Giggs but never watched him in action, were off their seats.
For they knew a good thing when they saw it.
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Garnacho, while capped at U18 level by Spain, switched to Argentina, the country of his mother’s birth.
And the Argies know a good thing when they see it, too.
For while he has so far been capped only at U20 level, he has already been training alongside Lionel Messi and the rest of those who next month start their World Cup bid.
He made his first team debut in the Prem last season, playing the last minute of a 1- 1 draw with Chelsea before getting 11 minutes against Crystal Palace.
Ten Hag put him on for a few more minutes against Sheriff in Moldova as United won 2–0 and before that he played the last 19 minutes of the 1–0 home defeat to Real Sociedad.
Slowly, but very surely, the Dutchman is introducing the teenager who last season won his club’s coveted Jimmy Murphy Trophy and grabbed two goals as United beat Nottingham Forest to lift the FA Youth Cup for the first time since 2011.
In the moments leading up to this Europa League clash ten Hag was asked if the occasion was not a great opportunity for Garnacho to continue his education.
But he replied : “This is not a pitch for learning.
Ronaldo supported the starlet on a wholesome Europa League night at Old TraffordCredit: Reuters
“When you are picked for this team you have to show that you are ready and that you can play in this environment.”
Garnacho very much showed he is ready, feisty and ever willing to show the trickery that even has an ice man like ten Hag warming to him.
Early in the second half he waltzed around defenders having killed dead with the outside of his right foot a ball that looked to be going out of play.
It was he who started the move from which Ronaldo thought he had killed the game before his 62nd minute volley as ruled out.
At the start of this season he swapped his No75 shirt for No49.
The No7 currently worn by Ronaldo will surely become vacant before long, given that while he was brought back into the fold last night after walking out on his team.
Ten Hag will be happy to see the back of him – next summer or maybe even in January.
That will leave United’s iconic shirt up for grabs – the one worn by George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and David Beckham.
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Don’t be surprised is Garnacho is wearing it next.
Certainly few of those who gave him a standing ovation when he was replaced 12 minutes from the end will be More

MANCHESTER UNITED eased past Sheriff at Old Trafford as Ronaldo finally got his comeback goal.They now need to win by two goals or more at Real Sociedad next week to top the group.
Christian Eriksen was sublime as United controlled proceedings in the 3-0 winCredit: Getty
Erik ten Hag’s team had the lion’s share of possession as they dominated the Europa League clash and walked away 3-0 victors.
United left it late in the first half but they finally managed to find a breakthrough thanks to a Diogo Dalot header.
They had been overwhelming in control – thanks mainly to a fine Christian Eriksen – but a number of shots were speculative and gilt-edged chances few and far between.
The second half was a similar story – but Marcus Rashford made it two with a guided nod.
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Then Ronaldo got his redemption as he reacted first to a save and finally found the back of the net.
Here is how Alex Cole saw the performances of the Man Utd players against Sheriff…
David de Gea – 7/10
May as well have been reading the paper for most of the game. A professional as usual.
Tyrell Malacia – 7
Flew forward at times to join the attack.
The Dutchman wasn’t required to do too much defending but played well.
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Lisandro Martinez – 6
Not much can be said for the Argentine. Had a knock about before coming off for Maguire just after half time.
Victor Lindelof – 7
Tidied up well. Did what he needed to.
Diogo Dalot – 7
Got the breakthrough goal a couple of minutes before half-time – headed in from close distance from a corner.
Came off for Shaw in the second period.
Christian Eriksen – 8
The Dane played quarterback from the pocket of the midfield. Found Dalot’s head from a whipped corner to put United one up.
Seemed to have the ball with every alternate touch the Red Devils took. Controlled proceedings.
Casemiro – 8
Played deep to allow Eriksen and Fernandes to go forward. Was smashed in the mouth with an elbow 20 minutes in.
Switched for McTominay in the second-half.
Antony – 6
The winger’s performance was as electric as his platinum blond hair.
But a dazzling piece of skill in the 36th minute was too much of a showboat for 0-0, especially after he put the ball straight out.
He was hauled off at half-time after his ridiculous spin move with Ten Hag furious.
Bruno Fernandes – 6
Tried to curl one in from distance with half an hour gone but just flashed wide.
A reasonable day at the office.
Veteran Ronaldo celebrated a full 90 minutes and a goal in his return to the teamCredit: Getty
Cristiano Ronaldo – 8
Huge wave of anticipation in Old Trafford when he first got the ball.
Headed just over the crossbar in the 13th minute. Missed a sitter in the 27th from point-blank range.
Was desperate for a goal and came close a few times, including a strike given offside. The 37-year-old booted the ball away in anger afterwards.
The veteran eventually found the back of the net late on when he reacted quickly to a save.
Alejandro Garnacho – 8
Good run by the Spanish-born youngster – tipped to make Argentina’s World Cup squad – within the opening minutes.
The 18-year-old looked lively. The crowd loved him. A fun performance from Garnacho.
Showed Ten Hag what he’s about.
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SUBSTITUTES
Marcus Rashford (for Antony 46) – 7
Glorious header for United’s second goal. Lively.
Harry Maguire (for Martinez 46) – 6
Fans cheered his first touch after coming on for the second half and looked solid. Booked harshly in the 84th minute.
Luke Shaw (for Dalot 62) – 7
Assist on Rashford’s header in a decent run-out.
Scott McTominay (for Casemiro 62) – 6
Came on for Casemiro and looked solid if unspectacular.
Donny van de Beek (for Garnacho 78) – 7
A rare showing for the forgotten man, albeit from the bench. Did his chances of another game no harm. More

CRISTIAN0 RONALDO shot the Sheriff, now he’s back to being the deputy.His goal in the 81st minute came after a night of personal toil that looked like ending in another blank.
Ronaldo grabbed his third goal of the season in his first start after clear-the-air talks with Ten HagCredit: Getty
Dalot opened the scoring for Man Utd before half-timeCredit: EPA
Rashford doubled United’s lead as a second half substituteCredit: Getty
Ronaldo’s persistence paid off as he finally got the goal his performance deservedCredit: Getty
His persistence would pay off.
But he knows that come Sunday and the home Premier League game against West Ham he will be back on the bench.
That’s just how it is nowadays.
Which could explain his frustration last midweek that lead to his shameful actions when he refused to come on as a substitute late in the 2-0 win over Tottenham.
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Banished to train on his own, he was axed from the game against Chelsea at the weekend, but manager Erik Ten Hag was ready to forgive if the player showed some contrition.
So he was back in last night grabbing the third goal in a comfortable win that ensures United’s progress into the next stage of the Europa League.
They travel to San Sebastian next week for a duel with Real Sociedad to decide who will top the group and avoid having to play in the first knockout stage.
It had looked like being a frustrating occasion for Ronaldo as he missed chances he used to tuck away in his sleep.
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In the first period, Victor Lindelof fired a ball to Bruno Fernandes who nodded down for Ronaldo to get the close-range touch needed to score.
He didn’t get any touch, completely missing the ball with Sheriff captain Stjepan Radeljic diverting it towards his own goalkeeper.
In the second-half with the ball at his feet on the edge of the area Ronaldo sent his marker the wrong way to get a yard of space but curled the shot high and wide with the top corner beckoning.
The sighs that greeted it were more of sadness than anything. The player stood there hands on hips, the Streford End chanting “Viva Ronaldo” to try and lift him.
Whatever he does now the faithful will never forget what he did before.
Which is why when he did find the net there was jubilation.
Bruno Fernandes provided the cross, Ronaldo powered a header goalwards – which the keeper saved – but he was alert to convert the rebound.
United had opened the scoring just before the break.
Christian Eriksen’s delivery of a ball really is exceptional.
He said on the eve of this game that he had not joined United just as a squad player and he is proving as central to Ten Hag’s plans as any other player in Red.
The inswinging corner he fired over on 44 minutes was Beckhamesque and it just needed a touch which Diogo Dalot provided with his head sending the ball flashing past visiting goalkeeper Maxym Koval.
Rashford came on at the break to partner Ronaldo and was on the scoresheet on 65 minutes thanks to a superb header from 18 yards out as he met fellow sub Luke Shaw’s clipped cross.
Elsewhere on the night there was fine performance from 18-year Alejandro Garnacho on the left flank on his full debut. He is definitely one for the future.
Ronaldo’s best days maybe in the past, but as Thursday night showed he still has that eye for goal.
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Even if come Sunday it will have to be from the bench.
Presuming he wants to come on.
Sheriff failed to register a shot More