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    Man Utd fans all say the same thing as transfer targets Frenkie de Jong and Cody Gakpo combine to score in World Cup

    MANCHESTER UNITED fans were all left saying the same thing during Holland’s 2-0 win over Senegal.That’s after transfer targets Frenkie de Jong and Cody Gakpo combined for a late goal in Monday’s World Cup clash.
    Man Utd fans gushed over Cody Gakpo and Frenkie de Jong’s link-up vs SenegalCredit: Getty
    Louis van Gaal’s men scored twice late on to seal victory in their group stage opener.
    Former Everton man Davy Klaassen fired home Holland’s second goal deep into injury time.
    But it was Gakpo’s 84th minute opener that set tongues wagging at Old Trafford.
    The PSV Eindhoven star headed past Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy to finally break the deadlock.
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    And Gakpo’s assist was provided by none other than Barcelona midfielder De Jong.
    The pair were both strongly linked with moves to Manchester United over the summer.
    Gakpo was also wanted by Arsenal, while De Jong was a target for Chelsea too.
    However, United boss Erik ten Hag is believed to still be keen on the Dutch duo.
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    And Red Devils fans were left drooling at the prospect of seeing them link up at the Theatre of Dreams next summer.
    One supporter said: “Gakpo’s goal was assisted by Frenkie de Jong. The future of Manchester United is in safe hands.”
    Another declared: “From De Jong to Gakpo, two boys Ten Hag really wants at United.”
    One laughed: “De Jong to Gakpo… will we see them at United?”
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    Another added: “De Jong what a pass, Gakpo perfect run and header, bring them both to United!”
    While De Jong has remained tight-lipped over his United links, Gakpo has made it clear he would jump at the chance to sign for them.
    He said earlier this month: “I think at the end of this season I will be ready to take that step.
    “I feel like I was already that way at the start of this season, but after this season I’m even more ready to take that next step.
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    “Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool.
    “It would be an honour to play there, but I also have to see what kind of team would suit me best.” More

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    Senegal 0 Holland 2: Man Utd transfer target Cody Gakpo heads late goal as Dutch win World Cup opener

    HOLLAND left it late but got Louis van Gaal’s final World Cup off to a winning start.Goals from Cody Gapko six minutes from the end and substitute Davy Klaassen in injury time rescued a drab game and gave Van Gaal’s men all the points.
    Holland forward Gakpo rose above Mendy to head home the crucial goalCredit: Reuters
    Gakpo celebrated winning the game for his countryCredit: AP
    Klaassen doubled Holland’s tally in stoppage-timeCredit: Getty
    Netherlands midfielder De Jong was thwarted by Mendy in the first halfCredit: EPA
    Van Dijk had a good chance for Holland but couldn’t keep his header downCredit: Reuters
    Gakpo just nipped ahead of Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to meet Frenkie De Jong’s inswinging cross and head the ball home to break the deadlock.
    What a moment for the PSV striker voted player of the year in Holland last season.
    A big reason why both Manchester United and Leeds United were looking at taking him last summer.
    He has learned his trade under Red Devils great Ruud van Nistelrooy at PSV as his former youth and now first team coach.
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    He used all Van Nistelrooy’s instincts to sniff out this chance and get the winner.
    Then injury time the Dutch broke and when Memphis Depay’s shot was parried Klaassen pounced.
    Up until that point it had been the Senegal fans band that had provided most of the entertainment in the Al Thumama Stadium with neither goalkeeper being tested.
    After a first minute scare for the Dutch the best of the chances fell their way in a goalless first half.
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    But when Ismaila Sarr nicked the ball off Matthijs de Ligt it looked like there could be a dramatic start.
    Sarr moved the ball on to Boulaye Dia whose first time shot was goalbound but deflected over by Frenkie de Jong.
    Shaken but not stirred the Oranje replied and with De Ligt now helping rather than hindering his team as he began the move that finished with a dangerous Gakpo cross that Steven Bergwijn stretched for but just failed to connect with.
    Next up it was former Manchester United player Daley Blind, watched by Dad and Dutch assistant boss Danny, sneaking in at the far post for a chance at goal but his header from Gakpo’s cross was the wrong side of the upright.
    Then came the real big chance on 19 minutes.
    Bergwijn did a turn that brought gasps to get away from two opponents and find Steven Berghuis to pinpoint De Jong in acres of space on the far side of the goal.
    But with Senegal players retreating quickly, De Jong delayed his shot, instead deciding to turn inside one man, then another before the opportunity was gone as Cheikhou Kouyate whacked the ball out of play.
    Virgil van Dijk was hailed by his manager on the eve of the game as an ‘excellent captain’.
    While he negates threats at one end of the pitch, he can instigate them at the other just as he did when he rose to meet a Gakpo corner in the 53rd minute, heading narrowly over.
    Frustrated with the lack of goals, Van Gaal sprung a surprise when he turned to Memphis Depay in the 53rd minute.
    Van Gaal had ruled him out of this game believing he had still not fully recovered from a hamstring injury that has kept him out of action since mid-September.
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    Here he was called from the bench to rescue this stalemate.
    But it would be Gakpo whose named was in lights, while Memphis did at least assist the second.
    Van Gaal’s side eventually found the breakthrough late onCredit: EPA
    Senegal midfielder Kouyate was stretchered off in the second halfCredit: Reuters More

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    Fresh transfer blow for Cristiano Ronaldo as Jose Mourinho’s Roma say they’ve NEVER been interested in Man Utd star

    CRISTIANO RONALDO has faced another transfer blow after football chiefs at Roma claim they never wanted to star.The Manchester United wantaway could soon be back on the market following reports that club officials are prepared to rip up his contract.
    Ronaldo is preparing for Portugal’s World Cup campaign only days after setting fire to his Manchester United careerCredit: Getty
    This comes after Ronaldo’s explosive interview where he launched a stinging attack against his employers and hit out at his manager Erik ten Hag.
    But not many clubs in Europe appear able or willing to pick up Ronaldo, with the 37-year-old’s big wages and outspoken personality potential issues.
    But he likely has options further abroad in America or the Middle East.
    Roma have now distanced themselves from the forward with the Italian side managed by Jose Mourinho, who has an intense and complicated history with Ronaldo.
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    Well-connected football journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that the club claim they were “never” in for him, despite speculation.
    Roma director Tiago Pinto said: “Cristiano Ronaldo has never been an option for Roma – nothing serious or concrete despite the rumours. We’ve never opened talks to sign him.
    “Maybe they linked CR7 to us as I’m Portuguese and Mourinho too, but that was not the case.”
    Mourinho has previously managed Ronaldo at Real Madrid where the two won trophies but repeatedly clashed – and their relationship appears to have grown frostier in recent years.
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    Despite a few clubs like Napoli and Atletico Madrid showing opposition to the ex-Real Madrid, he insists he remains hot property.
    Ronaldo told Piers Morgan in the now infamous interview that several clubs bugged his agent Jorge Mendes about the Portuguese star’s availability.
    He said: “They say many, many garbage things [about] that. If you are agent, what you’re going to do? You go [to] the clubs. But Jorge Mendes for example, has more than 100 players and they go Chelsea, they go Arsenal, they always mention Cristiano Ronaldo, they offer Cristiano.”
    Ronaldo also claimed he had been offered a £3m-a-week offer to play in Saudi Arabia, but turned it down. More

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    Chelsea transfer blow with PSG the ONLY team to open negotiations with Palmeiras about wonderkid Endrick, says dad

    CHELSEA have suffered a blow in their pursuit of wonderkid Endrick after falling behind their rivals in negotiations. Paris Saint-Germain are the only team to have put forward an official proposal to sign him from Palmeiras.
    Endrick celebrates after helping Palmeiras win the Brazilian Serie ACredit: Getty
    Endrick contributed to four goals in seven senior matches this seasonCredit: Getty
    Speaking to Canal do Nicola, Endrick’s father Douglas revealed: “Paris Saint-Germain are the only club that opened negotiations with Palmeiras with an official proposal, as things stand.
    “There are many club from different countries keen on signing him. PSG have already moved.”
    The other clubs he refers to include the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United.
    Both have been linked with a move for the 16-year-old alongside Chelsea and PSG.
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    United’s hopes may have somewhat rested on the forwar’ds admiration of Cristiano Ronaldo after he copied the Portugal legend’s celebration.
    However, given the way Ronaldo spoke about the club in his recent tell-all interview with Piers Morgan, that factor may have been rendered mute.
    Endrick cannot leave his current club until he turns 18, but he is already gearing up for a move to a Champions League side.
    He said: “I’m not gonna answer about my future club. Of course, I’d like to play Champions League in 2, 3 or 4 years.
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    “I’m open to all the clubs, waiting for the best proposal for me and my family.”
    Clubs could sign the Brazilian, who scored 165 goals in 169 games at youth level, for £51million due to a release clause inserted into his contract. More

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    Millwall keen on Dylan Levitt transfer as Wales World Cup star shines after leaving Man Utd for Dundee United

    MILLWALL boss Gary Rowett is keen to sign Dundee United’s Welsh midfielder Dylan Levitt.The former Manchester United prospect, 22, has gone to Scotland for regular games.
    Tangerines’ midfielder Dylan Levitt is on the radar of Championship side MillwallCredit: Kenny Ramsay
    Levitt could be sold in the window if the offer is right.
    He would be interested in a crack at the Championship — but for now is focused on the World Cup in Qatar.
    Levitt was outstanding on loan for his Scottish Premiership club last season.
    And his total of six goals plus one assist in 29 games persuaded the Tangerines to make the deal permanent in the summer.
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    He was also the fans’ player of the year.
    And his displays this season have caught the eye of more scouts south of the border – although his team are bottom of the top flight.
    He was at Old Trafford from the age of eight.
    But although he made his senior debut in a Europa League clash with Astana in 2019/20 he never came close to a consistent breakthrough.
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    Finally he moved to Scotland’s elite division.
    And when the Tangerines bought him for an undisclosed fee they hailed it as a substantial coup. More

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    ‘I see myself at Barcelona for a long time… hopefully 10 YEARS’ – Frenkie de Jong deals Man Utd huge transfer blow

    BARCELONA star Frenkie de Jong has dealt Manchester United a major transfer blow after expressing how happy he is at the club. Man Utd were desperate to bring De Jong to Old Trafford in the summer but a move did not materialise.
    Frenkie De Jong has again tried to put to bed specualtion he will join Man UtdCredit: Getty
    The Dutchman was supposedly being forced out the club but he decided to stay at Barca and he has now said he sees his long-term future there.
    De Jong told De Telegraaf: “I am very happy in Barcelona. When I play it’s great and in terms of living here life is perfect.
    “I see myself at Barcelona for as long as possible. I personally hope for another eight or ten years.”
    The 25-year-old has fallen out of favour at Barcelona this season starting just two of their six Champions League group games but despite previous reports, he is not unhappy at manager Xavi.
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    De Jong said: “I never got the feeling that Xavi was against me. To the media he said that he was happy with me but that there’s also the financial part of the club.
    “I really don’t put the blame on Xavi.”
    This is not the first time De Jong has tried to shut down rumours about him leaving the Nou Camp.
    He had previously said: “I always wanted to stay at Barcelona and this is why I always remained calm in the summer.”
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    Reports suggest that Man Utd were hoping to go back in for De Jong in January and battle Chelsea for his signature but the player is maintaining his stance from the summer of not wanting to go.
    However, Barca could be forced into selling him due to their ongoing financial difficulties that even led to De Jong accepting a wage cut.
    If he does stay at the Catalan giants he could feature against Man Utd in the Europa League next year. More

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    Chelsea ‘ready to sign Cristiano Ronaldo’ in transfer U-turn if Man Utd go through with plans to rip up star’s contract

    CHELSEA have reignited their interest in Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo, according to reports.The Blues were linked to the striker over the summer before cooling their interest.
    Chelsea have reignited their interest in Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Reuters
    It was claimed owner Todd Boehly was keen on landing Ronaldo but the deal was not given the green light by then manager Thomas Tuchel.
    But with Chelsea struggling for goals they could turn to Ronaldo, report The Mirror.
    However, the Blues will only make an approach for the superstar if he is sacked by United.
    Red Devils chiefs are ready to rip up Ronaldo’s contract and have vowed to take action against the 37-year-old.
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    But first they need a guarantee from lawyers that they can terminate Ronaldo’s contract without having to pay him a penny.
    Reports claim United could even file a lawsuit against Ronaldo over allegations his recent comments have damaged the club’s reputation and caused financial loss.
    Ronaldo slammed the way the club has been run over the last decade in a bombshell interview with SunSport columnist Piers Morgan.
    The Portuguese claimed the club has not progressed since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013.
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    He also criticised the club’s appointment of interim boss Ralf Rangnick last season and said he does not respect Erik ten Hag.
    United responded by releasing a statement saying: “Manchester United notes the media coverage regarding an interview by Cristiano Ronaldo.
    “The club will consider its response after the full facts have been established.
    “Our focus remains on preparing for the second half of the season and continuing the momentum, belief and togetherness being built among the players, manager, staff, and fans.” More

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    Man Utd transfer blow as Bayern Munich ready to give striker Choupo-Moting new contract with ‘significant pay rise’

    MANCHESTER UNITED have been dealt a blow in their transfer pursuit of Eric Chupo-Moting.The striker has hit form this season with 11 goals in 16 games for Bayern Munich.
    Eric Choupo-Moting is set to hold contract talks with Bayern MunichCredit: Getty
    That has led United to take an interest in Choupo-Moting as a potential replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.
    The Red Devils reportedly inquired about the striker’s availability ahead of a possible January bid but it appears he is set to stay at Bayern.
    That’s because the German champions are plotting a contract extension, according to Bild.
    The two parties are set to hold talks in February with Choupo-Moting’s current deal expiring in 2023.
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    But it is believed he will only put pen to paper if he is offered improved terms – something Bayern are happy to give the 33-year-old.
    Choupo-Moting earns a reported £60,000-a-week but he could earn a considerable rise with his new contract.
    Bayern have also been linked to Ronaldo since his groundbreaking interview with SunSport’s Piers Morgan.
    United are considering tearing up the striker’s contract which would allow him to find a new club in January.
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    Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes reportedly met Bayern chiefs for talks before his tell-all interview.
    David Beckham’s Inter Miami are also interested in the Portuguese and their chances of signing him have been boosted by MLS’ £210million windfall from agreeing a TV rights deal with Apple. More