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      ‘We briefly discussed it’ – Bayern Munich chief Kahn admits club considered rescuing Cristiano Ronaldo from Man Utd hell

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      BAYERN MUNICH “briefly discussed” signing Cristiano Ronaldo over the summer, claims club chief Oliver Kahn.The Portuguese forward made his desire to leave Old Trafford clear and missed the Red Devils’ pre-season tour due to “personal reasons”.
      Cristiano Ronaldo prepares for tonight’s clash with OmoniaCredit: Reuters
      Oliver Kahn discussed his side’s brief interest in RonaldoCredit: Rex
      Ronaldo, 37, ended up staying at United after a viable transfer failed to materialise – although the Bundesliga could have been a possibility.
      Speaking to Bild, Bayern CEO Kahn said: “We briefly discussed Ronaldo at Bayern and Dortmund probably did too.
      “We also see the big picture of the Bundesliga.
      “Of course, superstars like Ronaldo are an important factor in attracting attention to the league.
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      “He is one of the greatest of the last decade. But we quickly dismissed that.”
      Ronaldo has started just one Premier League game this season, the 4-0 hammering at Brentford in August.
      He will be hoping to be selected tonight as United face Cypriot side Omonia in the Europa League.
      The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was left on the bench for the duration of his team’s 6-3 defeat at Manchester City last time out – with boss Erik ten Hag claiming it was out of “respect for his big career”.
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      Ahead of tonight’s match, Ten Hag admitted that Ronaldo was “p***ed off” about not playing last weekend.
      The 52-year-old said: “He’s not happy that he wasn’t playing Sunday, don’t get me wrong.
      “Of course, he wants to play and he’s p***ed off when he’s not playing. Clear.
      “When you’re here and you’re happy, or satisfied, to be on the bench, this is not a club where you have to be, especially Cristiano.
      “He’s really competitive, as we all know. He’s not happy when he’s not playing.”
      Bayern could have been in the market for a striker after losing Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona.
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      But they would prefer to sign Tottenham star Harry Kane, having publicly flirted with the England skipper.
      Bayern are claimed to have tentatively made contact with the 29-year-old’s representatives, with Kane’s Spurs contract set to expire in 2024. More

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      Ex-Man City academy kid Brandon Barker was secretly a Man Utd fan – but now hopes to beat them in Europa with Nicosia

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      LIFELONG fan Brandon Barker has more than one reason to want to do well against Manchester United.The Omonia Nicosia winger faces his boyhood idols tomorrow night in the Europa League.
      Omonia Nicosia winger Brandon Barker faces his boyhood idols on ThursdayCredit: Chara Savvidou
      The star came through the ranks at Man City but grew up supporting UnitedCredit: Getty
      But after growing up in Manchester City’s academy, Barker has extra motivation to pull off an upset with the Cypriot side.
      The 26-year-old told SunSport: “I spent 16 years at City — but I was always a Red growing up.
      “When I was seven I was at United. However, it was quite far from my house so we opted to go with the City route and that’s how the change happened.
      “After spending so much time there, I fell in love with Man City as well. When they play each other I try not to support anyone.
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      “It would be special to beat them as half of my friends are City, half are United.
      “Nobody is expecting anything from us and rightly so — it’s Man United. But we will relish that.”
      Barker, who helps run a Manchester-based pressure washer business in his spare time, was once regarded as one of City’s top home-grown prospects as a teenager after being named their academy player of the year in 2014.
      He was hoisted up to first-team training under Manuel Pellegrini — and was regularly named among the substitutes before finally making his debut in an FA Cup fifth-round defeat to Chelsea in 2016.
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      But his dreams of making it at the Etihad ended when new boss Pep Guardiola deemed him surplus to requirements and loaned him out to Dutch side Breda, Rotherham, Preston and then Hibernian in the space of three years.
      Barker added: “It became a bit of a whirlwind. I did every age group at Man City and I was fairly confident I would make the step up — and when Pellegrini was there I was with the first team every day and coped with it really well.
      “I was on the bench about 25 times so I must have been doing well. But with the change of manager I was out the door.
      “You can’t get angry about that but then I was caught in the loan trap instead of forcing your way out.”
      Barker signed a two-year deal with Omonia in June to link up with his former Hibs boss Neil Lennon, following an injury-plagued short-term deal at Reading last season.
      And after scoring against Genk to secure their group-stage spot, the winger believes he is starting to recapture the form which raised a lot of eyebrows as a kid back in Manchester.
      He said: “I’m here on a fresh slate. It has taken a lot of adjustment.
      The former starlet was tipped for big things but was shifted out of the Etihad by Pep GuardiolaCredit: Action Images
      Now he is hoping to down United in the Europa LeagueCredit: AFP
      “I have found it tough on my body because I barely played last season. So it has just been getting back in the swing of things.
      “I am still at a good age to crack on. I had a taste of European football in Holland but I was only 18 and not ready for it. Now I am at an age where I am in a ‘f*** it’ kind of moment.”
      Barker admits lining up against childhood idol Cristiano Ronaldo will be a dream come true.
      But he believes he and his team-mates will not be starstruck by United’s players, as he aims to give himself the perfect present after celebrating his 26th birthday today.
      He added: “Any opportunity you get to grace a pitch with those sorts of players is always going to be special.
      “Ronaldo is my greatest player of all time so it will be special for me as a United fan. But it is just a game and the boys will have their blinkers on and will do what we have been doing.
      “It is a chance to put this club on the European map. We got the opportunity to play in the Europa League from a cup run. We have done the hard work to get here so we may as well go for it.” More

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      Man Utd ‘warn Ten Hag he will have have very limited transfer funds in January EVEN if Cristiano Ronaldo is sold’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED boss Erik ten Hag has reportedly been told he will have a limited budget next summer – even if they do sell Cristiano Ronaldo in January. And that will make the Dutchman reluctant to let his unsettled Portugal superstar go, according to ESPN.
      Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo has lost his starting place in the side under new manager Erik ten HagCredit: Rex
      It looks increasingly likely Red Devils legend Ronaldo will leave the club again after losing his starting spot under Ten Hag this season.
      The star, who has 142 goals for the Prem giants, looked a forlorn figure as an unused sub in Sunday’s 6-3 defeat at Manchester City.
      He has not started a Prem game since the 4-0 defeat to Brentford in early August.
      The five-time Ballon d’Or winner appears to have fallen behind Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial in United’s pecking order.
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      And sources have told ESPN he will be itching to find a new club in January if he cannot force his way back into the side.
      Ronaldo was reportedly keen to leave Old Trafford in the summer and linked with clubs including Serie A side Napoli.
      Uefa rules would allow Ronaldo to sign for a team in the Champions League in January as he has only played in the Europa League this season.
      His attitude to training and games is said to have remained “exemplary” since it became clear he would not be leaving in the summer.
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      But ESPN says he is still “desperate to make the most of his last years at the top.”
      Ten Hag is said to be “understanding of Ronaldo’s situation but would still be reluctant to let him leave in January.”
      Ronaldo’s Old Trafford deal runs until until the end of the season, with an option to extend until summer 2024.
      And ESPN have learnt Ten Hag might be reluctant to let him go at the start of the new year because it is “highly unlikely there will be money to spend until next summer” for a suitable replacement. More

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      Man Utd outcast Donny van de Beek ‘targeted by Leicester as £13m transfer replacement for Youri Tielemans’

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      LEICESTER CITY are plotting a January move for Manchester United outcast Donny van de Beek, according to reports.The midfielder returned to Old Trafford over the summer having spent the second half of last season on loan at Everton.
      Donny van de Beek has made just three substitute for Manchester United this seasonCredit: PA
      Van de Beek’s arrival back in Manchester saw him reunite with old Ajax boss Erik ten Hag and looked like giving him a new lease of life at the Theatre of Dreams.
      But the Netherland international’s struggles have continued during the early months of the season.
      He’s yet to start a game and has played just 19 minutes in United’s first eight competitive fixtures,
      Van de Beek did come off the bench in each of Ten Hag’s first three matches in charge, but he’s not featured since the win over Liverpool.
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      The 25-year-old is back in training after suffering an injury, but Casemiro’s summer arrival plus the resurgence of Bruno Fernandes Scott McTominay isn’t likely to help his need for minutes.
      And according to reports, Van de Beek is wanted by Leicester.
      The report claims that he could come in as a replacement for Youri Tielemans, who could leave in January, with his contract expiring at the end of the season.
      The Foxes are being linked with a loan deal with a £13m option to buy the Dutchman.
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      Dutch giants PSV and his former club Ajax are also keen on Van de Beek’s services.
      United are expected to allow him to leave in some capacity in the winter to improve his game-time. More

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      Bruno Fernandes reveals he deliberately targeted ‘big’ centre-back in Man Utd training to ‘get used to being bullied’

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      BRUNO FERNANDES says he used to go looking for challenges with Manchester United’s giant defenders in training in order to toughen up for life in the Premier League. The 5ft 10in Portugal star arrived at Old Trafford two years ago after making his name in the Italian and Portuguese top flights.
      Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes says he used to enjoy tussles with Eric Bailly in trainingCredit: PA
      And fearing he might be out-muscled in the English game, the skillful playmaker has revealed that he used to target “big” players in training to ensure he would not be bullied in matches.
      Fernandes told Soccer AM: “I like to mess with the big ones so you get used to being bullied in the games.
      “One of the ones I would always mess about with was Eric Bailly.
      “Always in training, I would play as a No 10 and he would play as a centre-back and he has to jump on me.
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      “I was always playing one-touch and he kicked me so many times.
      “And every time that I pass the ball to do a one-two he would always put me on the ground.”
      Ivory Coast’s 6ft 2in centre-half Bailly joined the Red Devils from Villarreal in 2016.
      The 28-year-old was sent on a season-long loan to Marseille in the summer at the start of Erik ten Hag’s reign as new United boss.
      Bailly made the switch after featuring just seven times in all competitions for United last term.
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      Recalling their training ground tussles, Fernandes added: “He used to say, ‘Every time you get the ball – the first touch – I have to put you on the ground or you will run away from me’.
      “Even on the training ground, I would know he is coming and instead of moving backwards, I would run forward so he can’t kick me.” More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo wants transfer from Man Utd in January and Ten Hag ‘will not stand in his way’ after benching legend

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO reportedly wants to leave Manchester United in January and Erik ten Hag “will not stand in his way”.The Portuguese legend was left on the bench for Sunday’s dismal 6-3 thrashing at Manchester City – something the boss says he did “out of respect for his big career”.
      Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly wants to leave Man Utd in JanuaryCredit: Rex
      Boss Erik ten Hag will allegedly not stand in his way once the window opensCredit: Rex
      Ronaldo looked a frustrated figure as he watched from the dug-out and The Telegraph now claims that he is “hoping to get a move in January” after his failed attempt to leave over the summer.
      Ten Hag wanted to keep the 37-year-old Portuguese forward at Old Trafford upon his arrival.
      However, this report now states that he is “open to letting” him go if an acceptable offer comes in.
      The veteran has been largely consigned to the substitutes bench this season following his controversial summer.

      After failing to secure his exit, Ronaldo returned late to pre-season training.
      That led to him being benched for the opening day defeat to Brighton.
      He was back in the starting XI the following week, but he and his team-mates were left humiliated as they were thrashed 4-0 at Brentford.
      Ronaldo was then pushed back to the bench, and that coincided with United going on a four-game winning run in the top-flight.
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      He did, however, get another opportunity in the Europa League but he drew a blank as the Red Devils were beaten at home by Real Sociedad.
      But a week later the superstar was celebrating as he finally got off the mark for the season by scoring a penalty in the 2-0 win at Sheriff in the same competition on September 15 – which was his last outing for the club.
      Now his chances of getting more regular action appear to be even more slim after Anthony Martial, who came on instead of him, returned from injury to score twice against City. More

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      Man Utd receive Raphael Varane boost with injury ‘not bad’ despite French ace being substituted at Man City

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have received a Raphael Varane injury boost with his early exit in the Manchester Derby not as bad as originally feared.The Frenchman, 29, sustained an ankle injury at 1-0 in Sunday’s 6-3 away defeat to Manchester City.
      Varane was subbed off before half-time in the Manchester DerbyCredit: Getty
      United went on to lose 6-3 to Man CityCredit: Rex
      Varane was then off the pitch for Erling Haaland’s first of the afternoon from a corner as he was receiving treatment.
      He then limped off in the 40th minute with the Red Devils 3-0 down – but he did not go straight down the tunnel.
      And according to the Manchester Evening News, sources say the injury is “not bad”.
      The player drove himself to Man Utd’s training ground on Monday ahead of Thursday’s Europa League group stage game against Omonia Nicosia.
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      Boss Erik ten Hag will clarify nearer to the fixture whether Varane will be available to travel to Cyprus.
      However, Varane may not be risked with a big league game against Everton coming up at the weekend.
      After conceding six to City, Ten Hag said on Varane: “I don’t think he would’ve carried on but, I must say, I had to get him off because when you are 4-0 down you don’t want to take a risk to get a bigger injury. He couldn’t carry on.”
      Swede Victor Lindelof replaced Varane at the Etihad and was unable to stop Haaland and Phil Foden from completing their hat-tricks.
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      Harry Maguire missed United’s last game through injury.
      The club captain suffered a thigh injury on international duty.
      And Axel Tuanzebe’s absence has been described as “long-term” by Ten Hag. More

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      Gary Neville makes brutal David de Gea prediction as he suggests goalkeeper’s time at Man Utd is coming to an end

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      DAVID DE GEA’S days at Manchester United are numbered because he is not good enough at playing out from the back, claims Gary Neville.The former Manchester United star discussed Erik ten Hag’s philosophy following the 6-3 derby defeat to Manchester City.
      Gary Neville claims David de Gea’s ability on the ball means he is unsuitable for Erik ten Hag’s sideCredit: AP
      Neville believes Ten Hag will want his United side to start dominating possession – just as they did in his first two games in charge against Brighton and Brentford, which both ended in defeat.
      And to do that Neville claims Ten Hag will want a goalkeeper capable of playing risky passes out from the back – much like Ederson or Alisson – something De Gea cannot provide.
      He said on the Gary Neville podcast: “We all know where Ten Hag wants to get this United team, he wants 75 per cent possession, players that can handle the ball, defenders can handle the ball and the goalkeeper needs to be brilliant on the ball.
      “I suspect with David de Gea, his United career is going to be shortlived under Ten Hag.
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      “He’s [Ten Hag] going to be adamant that his philosophy of playing out from the back, playing those risky passes to the midfield that we see with Ederson all the time, that we no longer see as risky because they do it so well, is something that he’s striving for and that he wants to get to.”
      De Gea is out of contract at the end of the season and United could allow him to leave on a free despite his deal including a one-year extension clause.
      Ten Hag attempted to find an upgrade on the Spaniard in the summer with Kevin Trapp and Yann Sommer linked.
      There is also talk United could move for Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who is in the final 12 months of his contract.
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      But if Neville is correct Ten Hag could have a lengthy list of suitable replacements for De Gea – keepers who are as good with their feet as they are with their hands.
      The Red Devils are also believed to be scouting Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa who could cost around £30million. More