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    Ex-Man Utd star Ander Herrera RIPS UP PSG contract and set for emotional transfer return to Athletic Bilbao

    FORMER Manchester United star Ander Herrera is nearing an emotional return to La Liga club Athletic BilbaoThe Spanish midfielder is set to be released by Paris-Saint Germain two years early with the Ligue 1 giants desperate to trim their squad.
    Ander Herrera will be returning to Athletic Bilbao after he terminated his contract with PSG two years earlyCredit: Getty
    Herrera joined PSG from United in 2019 but has seen his playing time severely limited since last season.
    The 33-year-old was determined to fulfil his contract at the Parc de Princes, but has now accepted it is time to move on.
    And the former Spain international only has eyes for his boyhood club.
    Marca report that Herrera has even accepted a 40 per cent reduction on his severance package from PSG so Bilbao won’t have to pay a transfer fee.
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    It is understood he will sign a two-year deal with the LaLiga side.
    Herrera will be immediately available for Ernesto Valverde’s side who have so far managed a draw against Mallorca and a 1-0 win over Valencia in the La Liga season.
    This will be Herrera’s return to the club he played for for three years between 2011 and 2014.
    During that period, he was also under the wing of Valverde – who now finds himself once again managing Bilbao – who gave him 128 appearances in which he scored 11 goals.
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    At that time he joined the club from Real Zaragoza.
    From Bilbao he went on to sign for United before he joined PSG on a free transfer in 2019.
    During his time in Paris, he managed 95 appearance across all competitions in which he netted in six goals and registered six assists.
    He added two Ligue 1 titles to his trophy case but unfortunately did not manage to make European success like he had done when he won the Europa League with the Red Devils in the 2016/17 season. More

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    James Garner wanted by FOUR Premier League clubs including Everton as Man Utd hold out for £14m transfer

    MANCHESTER UNITED could be willing to sell promising midfielder James Garner for £14million, with the chase hotting up for his signature.The club are already in talks with Everton over a switch for the England Under-21 star.
    James Garner of Manchester United in action during a first team training sessionCredit: Getty
    But The Athletic report that Southampton, Leeds and Tottenham are also keeping tabs on the situation after his superb loan spell with promoted Nottingham Forest last season.
    Talk of a move accelerated after Garner was left out of the squad for Monday’s win over Liverpool.
    Especially because he had been an unused subs for United’s previous two Premier League defeats.
    With Everton looking set to lose Anthony Gordon to Chelsea, the Toffees need cover.
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    Midfielder Dele Alli could also be making a switch to Besiktas.
    And with United eyeing big-money moves for Antony and Cody Gakpo, they need to get some money back in the door.
    United could even make a move for Barcelona’s Dutch ace Memphis Depay, despite him flopping at Old Trafford in his last spell at the club.
    And they may well need reinforcements up front, with Cristiano Ronaldo agitating for a move.

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    Ronaldo’s mood will not have been helped by being left out of the starting line-up for the win over Liverpool.
    And with all the changes in the pipeline at Everton, Frank Lampard’s side could end up looking a drastically different prospect this season. More

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    Ex-Man Utd star Juan Mata stuck in limbo over Real Betis transfer as club face Barcelona-style salary sanctions

    JUAN MATA’S hopes of joining Real Betis have hit the skids due to the LaLiga club’s salary sanctions.Mata, 34, has been a free agent since leaving Manchester United this summer.
    Real Betis may be unable to complete the signing of Juan Mata as they need to balance the books before bringing in new facesCredit: Reuters
    The midfielder has been swamped with interest from teams in the MLS since his United exit.
    But he’s not interested in a move Stateside, and a switch to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal doesn’t excite Mata either.
    However, Mata’s agreed terms with Betis, but the club have had to pause their pursuit of the Spaniard due to economic restrictions implemented by La Liga chiefs, according to Ondacero.
    The Spanish outfit still need to register five players compiled of Luiz Henrique, Joaquín, William Jose, Guardado and Claudio Bravo, before bringing in Mata.
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    But they’ll need to offload a few stars in order to register the aforementioned bunch, the report adds.
    Betis’ economic woes are the reason why they also cooled their interest in Arsenal ace Hector Bellerin.
    And their dire situation is set to cost them Mata also, as the report claims his agents are beginning to look elsewhere.
    It’s the same plight that Betis’ La Liga counterparts Barca are going through at the moment.
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    The Blaugrana are yet to register new recruit Jules Kounde due to strict LaLiga financial rules.
    And they’ve reportedly got ten days to balance the books before the defender can leave for free before kicking a ball in a Barca shirt. More

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    How Man Utd could line up after transfer window with Memphis Depay in shock XI and Kevin Trapp replacing David de Gea

    MANCHESTER UNITED have made four signings this summer but there could still be more to come.Casemiro was unveiled as the club’s latest signing against Liverpool on Monday but Erik ten Hag still sees weakness in his squad.
    Manchester United could line up with five new players
    Memphis Depay has been linked with a shock return to Old TraffordCredit: Getty
    Kevin Trapp could also arrive to provide competition for David de GeaCredit: AP
    One area the Dutchman is keen to strengthen is attack – and the Red Devils have their eye on former player Memphis Depay.
    The Netherlands international struggled in his previous spell at the club as he scored just seven goals in 53 games.
    But with Barca keen to get rid United are plotting to snatch Depay away for a cut-price deal worth £8million.
    Tottenham and Newcastle have shown interest in the forward this summer, who could lead the line or play out wide at Old Trafford.
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    It would be a shock move for United to capture Depay having been heavily linked with a move for his team-mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is also wanted by Chelsea.
    The Red Devils could also complete another surprise transfer by signing Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.
    The two clubs are yet to agree a fee but United are reportedly planning to offer the German £180,000 a week to join.
    The club are also preparing another offer for Trapp after seeing their first bid for the shot-stopper rejected on Monday.
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    If Trapp does arrive in Manchester he is likely to bring fiancee Izabel Goulart with him – and she could challenge Cristiano Ronaldo’s girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez as the top wag in the city.
    Izabel is a fashion model and boasts 4.6million followers on Instagram, and has been engaged to Trapp since 2018. More

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    West Ham’s Coufal laughs as he recalls telling Cristiano Ronaldo to ‘f*** off’ during West Ham clash vs Man Utd

    WEST HAM fan favourite Vladimir Coufal says it makes him “laugh” when he recalls telling Cristiano Ronaldo to “f**k off” in a heated game against Manchester United.Ronaldo completed a fairy tale return to Old Trafford last summer.
    Ronaldo’s second game back in the Premier League was against West Ham and he came up against CoufalCredit: PA
    Ronaldo could be seen screaming in frustrationCredit: Marc Aspland – The Sunday Times
    Ronaldo’s outburst was amusing to CoufalCredit: Marc Aspland – The Sunday Times
    On his Premier League return, the legendary 37-year-old hit a brace in a 4-1 win over Newcastle.
    Up next was a tricky trip to West Ham, where Ronaldo would come up against hardworking Czech Coufal – who wasn’t fazed by the big name in front of him.
    Coufal has revealed what he said to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner when they met at the London Stadium last term.
    Ronaldo went down in the penalty area under pressure from the Hammers right-back and wanted a penalty – but the referee let play continue, leaving CR7 in fits of rage.
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    Writing on Bez Frazi, Coufal said: “What, did I hear that right?
    “‘Fuck off!!’
    “I have to laugh watching myself. I feel like laughing right there on the pitch when I say something like that to Cristiano Ronaldo.
    “Just like some time ago against United, when he shouted at me something about tripping him in the penalty area, and that I know that should’ve been a penalty.
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    “I guess he thought I’d go to a ref and confess.
    “’The referee didn’t whistle, no penalty. Play on, we can talk after the game.’
    “I waved at him. He was punching the ground angrily and people were booing at him.
    “Telling you this, I laugh again.”
    Coufal is a Hammers fan favouriteCredit: AFP
    Coufal went on to describe the Man Utd ace as “possibly the greatest football player in history.”
    Coufal continued: “I feared nobody on the field. I was the only one able to defeat myself.
    “But it wasn’t until now that I had found a player in me who takes no s**t from others.
    “Just a few years back it was enough for Matejovsky, Skoda or Dockal to yell at me and I backed off. I left the fight and let it be.
    The Czech says he takes ‘no s**t from others’Credit: Getty
    “Now I’m a player who is able to send Ronaldo to hell and with one gesture show that not even Pogba can take me on.
    “I don’t care what name the player has on his back, or what crest he wears on his chest.
    “I don’t tell you this to show off or for my self-confidence. Perhaps it’s a bit arrogant at first glance, but you need a great deal of humility.”
    Coufal believes fear has an impact both on the mind of the person and those surrounded by him.
    Coufal says you need to be fearless to succeed in professional sportsCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    Being fearless is a key quality to being a leader.
    He said: “I believe being fearful has an impact on the mind of a person and the mood of his surroundings.
    “And it doesn’t matter whether you try to stay hidden in the crowd in your personal life, a job or as a pro athlete.
    “In all fields, it should be the case that no one can be higher than a leader. Today, I feel like a leader.”
    The right-back says he feels like a leaderCredit: Rex
    The Hammer also says opponents felt they “could do whatever they wanted” around him due to his unknown status when he rocked up in East London.
    But he made sure they’d remember him by full-time.
    Ex-Slavia Prague ace Coufal said: “If you want to succeed in sports, you must make your opponent nervous.
    “During the first few weeks in England, no one knew my name.
    Coufal joined West Ham from Slavia Prague in 2020 for £5.4millionCredit: Rex
    “That’s why my opponents felt like they could do whatever they wanted around me.
    “But I didn’t want to allow that.
    “And there is only one way to face them: Make them nervous.
    “Do you want to zigzag in front of me? Sure, go ahead. Just know it’s going to hurt.
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    “Are you trying to be cheeky? Alright, come here.
    “Remember who I am. Vladimir Coufal is my name. And I wear number 5.” More

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    Brian Brobbey reveals text from Erik ten Hag after snubbing Man Utd transfer to join Ajax from RB Leipzig

    Ajax star Brian Brobbey has revealed how he snubbed former boss Erik ten Hag’s bid to lure him to Manchester United.The Dutch striker helped Ten Hag’s side win the Eredivisie title in May after rejoining them on loan from RB Leipzig.
    Ajax ace Brian Brobbey has revealed he snubbed Erik ten Hag’s plea to join Man UnitedCredit: Getty
    Ten Hag and Brobbey lifted the Eredivisie together with Ajax last seasonCredit: Getty
    Ajax re-signed Amsterdam-born Brobbey in a £13million deal last month.
    The 20-year-old previously came through his hometown club’s academy.
    Brobbey has now said he refused the chance to become part of Ten Hag’s Old Trafford rebuilding plans during the summer.
    The frontman said: “I wanted to return to Ajax at all costs. Erik wanted to work with me at Manchester United.
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    “He messaged me to ask if I was open to the idea.
    “But I politely replied to say ‘thanks, but no thanks.’ I wanted to go back to Ajax.
    “I have friends at the club, and their style of play suits me, so it’s not yet the end of the story for me with them.
    “I still have to fully make my name as a striker for Ajax’s first team.
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    “That is how I felt in the second half of last season, when I was here on loan.
    “After it ended I truly felt I absolutely had to come back.”
    Ten Hag is still looking to sign a striker before the deadline, with a lack of options forcing him to play midfielder Christian Eriksen as a false nine in the opening game of the season. More

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    PSV admit that Cody Gakpo’s ‘departure cannot be prevented’ as Man United hold ‘serious plans for him’

    MANCHESTER UNITED remain determined to sign Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven, who prepare to face Rangers in the Champions League clash tonight.The Red Devils have been targeting the winger and as well as Ajax star Antony throughout the summer.
    The Champions League fixture against Rangers might be Cody Gakpo’s last appearance for PSV as he edges closer to Man UtdCredit: Getty
    And De Telegraaf report that the Champions League tie might be the last time fans see Gakpo wearing the PSV colours as United have “serious plans” for him.
    United aim to “cement their interest” in the youngster who is keen to play under the wing of fellow Dutch manager Erik Ten Hag.
    PSV have been holding the ropes in the transfer, demanding a fee of £42million with United reluctant to go over £34m.
    But the Dutch side have now realised that Gakpo’s “departure cannot be prevented.”
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    Especially if they fail to beat Rangers and miss out on the Champions League group stages.
    Gakpo has been on United’s radar all summer after an incredible 2021/22 season with PSV in which he scored 12 goals and registered 13 assists in 27 Eredivisie appearances.
    And he has shot up Ten Hag’s wishlist amid frustrations over the pursuit of Brazilian star Antony.
    United had a £67.5m bid rejected for the attacker last week as Ajax insist their prized asset it for sale.
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    He is now on strike as he tries to force the Dutch champions to do business.
    It is unclear whether United will still seek to bring in Gakpo if Antony become available.
    Ten Hag admitted at the start of the transfer window that United are walking a “financial tightrope” after failing to qualify for the Champions League.
    They splashed £70m on Real Madrid star Casemiro last week and unveiled him before the statement 2-1 win over Liverpool.
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    And Ten Hag has also brought in Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez this summer.
    While they club remain keen to finally complete a deal for Frenkie de Jong. More

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    Lionel Messi can break Cristiano Ronaldo Champions League record this season and Man Utd ace can’t do anything about it

    CRISTIANO RONALDO won’t be able to stop rival Lionel Messi breaking his phenomenal Champions League record this season.Ronaldo tops the all-time goal scorer chart in the competition with 141 goals in 185 games.
    Messi can overtake Ronaldo as the Champions League all-time top scorer as the Man United ace won’t feature in the competition unless he leaves Old TraffordCredit: AFP
    The 37-year-old has racked up the sensational tally across two spells at Man United, plus stints at Porto, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
    But Messi is hot on Ronaldo’s heels with 125 goals in 156 appearances in the competition.
    Just 15 goals stand between the football gods – and Messi has the perfect opportunity to close the gap this season as Ronaldo won’t be participating in the Champions League as it stands.
    Ron’s current team United failed to qualify for the tournament last season – leaving Messi to run riot with Paris Saint-Germain.
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    The Argentine will have 13 games to usurp Ronaldo’s record if PSG reach the final.
    Although the Parisians only managed to reach the last 16 in the previous campaign with Messi contributing five goals along the way.

    But Ronaldo can throw a spanner in the works if he gets to leave United this summer.
    The Portugal legend has made it clear that he wants to leave Old Trafford to play in the Champions League.
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    However, finding a new club has proved difficult for Ronaldo as no club seem to be interested in taking him on.
    Borussia Dortmund were the latest club linked with the attacker – but they’ve since denied the rumours.
    On top of that, United boss Erik ten Hag insists that Ron is still a key part of his squad despite dropping him for the club’s win over Liverpool. More