Man Utd transfer news

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      Man Utd seal two more transfers of wonderkids after FA sign off on deals… with former Arsenal star still to come

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have completed transfers for two new stars despite the transfer window being closed, reports suggest.The Red Devils have placed great emphasis on recruiting the best talent for their youth teams in recent seasons.Man Utd have signed James Overy following FA approvalCredit: GettySlovakia youth international Samuel Lusale has also joined the club after turning 17Credit: GettyEx-Arsenal wonderkid Chido Obi-Martin is still waiting on FA confirmation before a deal is completedCredit: GettyThis has led to a steady stream of stars who have come through the academy to star in the first team, including the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Toby Collyer in recent seasons.But United have now completed deals for teenager starlets James Overy and Samuel Lusale, according to the Manchester Evening News. Deals for the pair were delayed as they waited for FA approval, and they will now link up with the Man Utd Under-18s this season.Meanwhile, a deal for ex-Arsenal wonderkid Chido Obi-Martin is also in the works.READ MORE ON MAN UTDOvery, born in 2007, is an attacking right-back who began his career with A-League side Perth Glory.He started attracting interest from the likes of West Ham aged just 15 before departing and relocating to the south of England last year.Described as a “wonderfully polite and humble young man” by former coach Marc Revell in the Mid Devon Advertiser, Overy continued to impress with Newton Abbot Spurs before United came calling.He is eligible to play for both England and Australia at international level.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSunSport revealed in July how the Premier League and Fifa were both looking at his transfer. In the case of Lusale, he is a winger or attacking midfielder who has already represented Slovakia at Under-17 and Under-18 international level.Man Utd’s best XI of academy graduatesHe was born in Guildford in 2007, and has finally been ratified to join United after turning 17 earlier this month.Once the FA sign off on 16-year-old Obi-Martin joining the Red Devils, it will complete a hat-trick of highly-rated signings for the club’s youth team.Fans are eagerly awaiting the signing of Obi-Martin, with training videos showing his remarkable finishing skills and teasing a bright career ahead.He also scored 10 goals in a single match for the Gunners against Liverpool Under-16s last season.United’s Under-18 side won an impressive treble last season, having lost just twice in the northern U18 division, before beating southern victors Chelsea to be crowned English champions.Another teen acquisition this summer, Sekou Kone, has been included in Man Utd’s Premier League squad list for the upcoming season following the end of the transfer window.Under-21 goalkeeper Dermot Mee was also registered as a fourth-choice goalkeeper as one of the 22 stars registered in the over 21 bracket of the squad registration.The quality from the academy has been laid bare this week after Mainoo and Garnacho were nominated for the Kopa Trophy and ex-United star Angel Gomes made his England debut.READ MORE SUN STORIESErik ten Hag’s senior team won 3-0 at Southampton in today’s early kick-off, with goals from Matthijs de Ligt, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.They were in desperate need of a win following back-to-back defeats against Brighton and Liverpool before the international break. More

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      Enzo Maresca phoned Jadon Sancho BEFORE Chelsea transfer to lay down law with major warning to Man Utd flop

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      ENZO MARESCA loves Jadon Sancho — but it is tough love.Chelsea’s boss revealed he called his final and most high-profile signing of the summer transfer window to lay down a few ground rules even before the deal was done.Enzo Maresca has revealed he called Jadon Sancho before his loan transfer to ChelseaCredit: InstagramMaresca said he wanted to lay down some ground rules before the deal was doneCredit: GettySancho joined the Blues on loan from Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyWinger Sancho is set to feature at Bournemouth tonight having joined on loan from Manchester United.It was there where the one-time England international, 24, fell out with coach Erik ten Hag amid criticism of the player’s attitude and effort.Maresca, 44, feels signing Sancho is zero risk but also warned him and fellow new man Joao Felix the hard work starts now — and will not stop.The Italian said: “Listen, we have Jadon, Joao, these kinds of players.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“Before they joined I had a chat with them and one of my messages was if you come here and don’t work properly you are not going to play.“Before they arrived the message was clear. For Jadon. For Joao.“But I said, ‘the reason I’m speaking to you is that I really like you. If you come here in the way that we want, we are happy. “But if you come there and don’t work hard, it’s better if you don’t come’.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSancho has not played a Premier League game since August last year. He was banished to train alone by fuming Ten Hag for the first half of last season thanks to their fallout.Sancho thrived on loan at his old club Borussia Dortmund from January as they finished runners-up in the Champions League. How much every Premier League club earns in shirt sponsorsMaresca will pick up the baton as he strives to make Chelsea a force once again.He added: “I don’t consider Jadon a risk because I consider Jadon as a player who can help us.“I don’t have any idea about what happened with Erik. I can just judge the player in the weeks he has been with us and he has been perfect.“If the players perform during the week then they have a chance. “This is for everybody, if they don’t work properly they are not going to play.“Jadon has been working well with us since he arrived. I love Jadon, I love the players we have. “I knew him in terms of a player and what I have seen in two weeks is exactly what I expected.“With the way we play he is that kind of player who can help us a lot, especially in the last third  — when we arrive there so many times and need more quality, more patience, more accuracy.”READ MORE SUN STORIESForward Cole Palmer is fit again after missing England’s Nations League games with a minor hamstring problem. Midfielder Romeo Lavia has also recovered from a knock. More

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      Premier League’s best paid players of all-time revealed with five Man Utd stars in the top 10 including Anthony Martial

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      MANCHESTER UNITED boast five of the top 10 earners in Premier League history, according to a study.Former Red Devils star Anthony Martial is among the shock names on the list of star-studded players.Anthony Martial is among the top 10 earners in Prem historyCredit: GettyRaheem Sterling is one of the few current Prem stars to feature in the top 10Credit: GettyTop class stars provide the thrills, skills and moments that get you out of your seat. For that, they are incredibly well-paid.Research from Sportrac via Spanish news outlet Marca has revealed the top combined earnings of every Prem star – past and present.Manchester City ace Kevin De Bruyne, 33, is top of the list collecting an eye-watering £164.9m since signing putting pen-to-paper on his first City deal in 2015.The top earner on our shores, who has won six Prem titles, nets a staggering £400k-per-week from a contract extension he signed in 2021.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSDe Bruyne’s former City team-mate Raheem Sterling is second on the list after taking home £160.7m in wages since his Prem debut in 2012.Despite joining Arsenal on a season-long loan, Chelsea will still pay the majority of his 325,000-per-week salary.David de Gea, who is third in the rankings, is the first of many former and current United stars to feature.The 33-year-old Spaniard, who now plays for Serie A side Fiorentina, signed a record £375,000 bumper pay rise deal in 2019.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAt first glimpse Wayne Rooney’s £124m doesn’t seem like enough.But United’s record goalscorer played in a different era, where players weren’t often paid north of £100,000.Meet the new Wags of the Premier League season, from a Belgian interior designer to a Portuguese modelComing in fifth is Mohamed Salah, who earns roughly £18.2m a year from Liverpool after signing a new three-year-deal last year.Last year, Salah’s lawyer claimed the winger was earning more than £1m every week through wages and sponsors.The next two United stars are Romelu Lukaku’s £95.4m and Paul Pogba’s £90.9m, albeit the Belgium forward only made 66 appearances for the Red Devils between 2017 and 2019.To the surprise of everybody – or maybe nobody – United flop Martial took £87m off the Red Devils throughout his nine-year stint.Martial joined in 2015 in a £44.5million transfer from Monaco – the world’s most expensive teenager at the time.He only managed 90 goals in 317 appearances despite being predicted to win the Ballon d’Or at some point during his career.United were glad to get his £250,000-per-week wages off the bill after releasing him this summer.Leicester and Chelsea’s humble hero N’Golo Kante bagged the same as Martial during his time in the Prem.Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk came 10th on the list of stars, earning a combined £84m through his £220,000 weekly salary signed in 2021.READ MORE SUN STORIESBefore that, the Liverpool captain took home £180,000 every week since his arrival at Anfield in 2017, and spent three seasons at Southampton before that.There are 20 Prem titles shared among seven of the top 10, with Lukaku, Pogba and Martial all missing out. More

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      Steve Bruce reveals text from Sir Alex Ferguson with cheeky eight-word command after getting Blackpool job

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      STEVE BRUCE is on Fergie time once more as he starts back as a boss – by order of the great man himself.The former Manchester United skipper takes charge of his first game tomorrow with Blackpool after almost two years out of the game.Steve Bruce’s Blackpool tenure kicks off on SaturdayCredit: PABruce exclusively revealed details of what former boss Fergie text him this weekCredit: Getty – ContributorSince his appointment 11 days ago, the 63-year-old has been deluged with messages – some, he laughs, asking : “Are you bonkers?”But the one that meant the most to him came from Sir Alex Ferguson.He reveals: “Thursday morning the phone rang at half past six.“I didn’t know who it was, didn’t have a clue, because the screen came up showing a no-caller ID, so I thought I’d leave it.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“Then all of a sudden a text message comes through from Sir Alex: ‘Congratulations, delighted for you’ etc, etc,etc.“’And by the way. You should be on the way to work’. And that’s at 6.40 am.“Typical him, some things never change. He is what he is.“At Old Trafford he was always in first for training, no matter how successful he was, just ready for another day and another challenge.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“He was incredible and still is. His work ethic was unbelievable and he’s always been such an inspiration.Sir Alex changed my life. He gave me an opportunity which I cherished.Steve BruceMan Utd’s best XI of academy graduates“He made me captain of Manchester United for five years. I’ll always be glad he had such a major influence on my life and career.”Yet Bruce admits that having been sacked by West Brom, the 11th club he had managed before those two years away, he was pining for to get that career going again.The fact that he has now picked up the reigns again, even in the EFL’s third tier at a club that hasn’t won any of its first four games has rejuvenated him.Bruce has never managed below the Championship and twice took Birmingham City as well as Hull City into the Premier League.Amongst other club he took charge of was boyhood club Newcastle United over two years which is why, he knows, some of his pals questioned his decision to step down the ladder.Fergie and Bruce share the same birthday in DecemberCredit: GettyBut he explains: “After West Brom I did a lot of travelling with my missus Janet.“We’ve been all around the world, everything that we wanted to do, seen what we wanted to see.“And yeah, I’ll miss that part. I’ll miss Barbados in January that’s for sure when the wind’s blowing hard around here.“And I’m just as sure Janet will too.“In the first year I just wanted to have a look at it from the outside although there were five or six opportunities then but I forced myself to stay away.“But the last six months the lack of that routine of managing a team, the buzz of Saturday match day, was getting to me.“Whatever it is – a bug or a drug – you need it. Retirement wasn’t for me just yet.“I need a purpose to get out of bed in the morning and all I’ve had in my life is this, really. Football.”What we know about the ‘new’ Old TraffordMANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.A capacity of 100,000 is expected.It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.They plan to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a second venue. They will scale it down to a 30,000-seater that can then be used for the women’s team and academy matches.That would mean the history remains with statues and the Munich clock and memorial plaque all most likely staying in their current positions.The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.The target is for completion by 2030. That text from Ferguson a couple of days ago certainly found him out of bed early – even if he wasn’t quite on his way to work – and a little long in the tooth or not that buzz is back.A home clash with Exeter City marks his return and he adds : “Most of the messages I got were positive, saying : ‘Good for you. Why not? “Yes, Blackpool are League One but after speaking to the owner it was like, ‘Why not?’ too.“I haven’t got any more ego left in me and so many of my close mates understood that in the last six months I really wanted this life again.“I didn’t know I would be working back at the coal face again but we’ve got a squad that I believe can compete with anybody in the division.READ MORE SUN STORIES“The plan is to get this club back in the Championship.“If I didn’t think we could do that – then what WOULD be the point?”Steve Bruce left Newcastle in November 2021Credit: Getty More

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      Man Utd could have got £500m for Cristiano Ronaldo and that would have been CHEAP, says man who took his number

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      MANCHESTER UNITED could have sold Cristiano Ronaldo for more than £500million when he left the club, Michael Owen has claimed.The Portuguese legend, 39, departed Old Trafford for £80m in 2009 when he joined Real Madrid.Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United for £80million in 2009Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdMichael Owen became Man Utd’s new No7 following Ronaldo’s departureCredit: PA:Empics SportHe had scored 118 goals in 292 games for the Red Devils, winning a host of trophies including three Premier League titles and the Champions League.Ronaldo also moved to Spain as a Ballon d’Or winner having collected the 2008 award ahead of Lionel Messi and Fernando Torres.England striker Owen, 44, took the No7 shirt at Man Utd following Ronaldo’s exit having joined in the same summer transfer window.He would go on to score 17 goals in 52 games, struggling to fill the huge shoes of his predecessor.READ MORE ON MAN UTDMeanwhile, Ronaldo scored 450 goals in 438 matches for Real Madrid across a nine-year spell that solidified him as one of the all-time greats.Now Owen has spoken about the price Ronaldo left Man Utd for and how it should have far exceeded the £200m mark set by Neymar – despite the Portuguese superstar’s move happening 15 years ago.Speaking to Genting Casino, he said: “If you look at the transfer record now of over £200million, you’d have to say that Cristiano Ronaldo was worth more than that at Manchester United.”In hindsight, for what he gives you, look at the amount of Champions League medals he’s going to pretty much win you single-handedly, for the amount of shirts and the publicity and the merchandise around the world that he’s going to sell.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe continued: “In hindsight, I think £500m would be cheap. You could even double that if you look at the goals, the trophies, the shirts, and how much the clubs have benefited from having him there.”Since he played for Real Madrid they’ve thrown hundreds and hundreds of millions on the new stadium, they are in a great financial position.Cristiano Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand in hysterics as they remember Man Utd nicknames from ‘Shrek’ and ‘SatNav’ to ‘J-Lo'”They’re paying all this money to Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham – a lot of this will have been off the back of the success of Cristiano Ronaldo.”How he’s grown their brand, how he’s won them trophies and made them all this money.”So I guess if you’d said to them at that point how much he would give you for nine seasons, they might say yes to a billion pounds, forget about £80m. £500m would be cheap.”Owen also opened up about how he felt replacing Ronaldo – who returned for a second spell at the club in 2021.He added: “I think because I was at that stage of my career I didn’t feel any pressure in taking Cristiano Ronaldo’s shirt number and that’s what Sir Alex Ferguson said to me.”He said to me when he handed me the number because I had pretty much been there, seen it, done it and played for great teams under the biggest of pressures and won the biggest of trophies. “It was probably in safe hands. I wasn’t going to go into a nightclub and do anything stupid or be disrespectful to the shirt in any way.”I was a pro and people knew my character and knew that it was in safe hands. There also wasn’t the expectation of matching his 40 goals because I was coming to the end of my career.”But I think from the manager’s point of view, he wanted it represented really well. When you look at the players that have worn it in the past, then he wanted it in safe hands and I would like to think I treated it with a lot of respect and that was probably the reason. “I’ve had a bad back since wearing that with the weight of it! But no, on a serious note, it was a huge honour at the time to be offered. And I was definitely not going to say no.”READ MORE SUN STORIESRonaldo recently criticised Man Utd’s ambitions under Erik ten Hag, insisting they need to “rebuild everything”.Ten Hag responded by saying the Al-Nassr forward is “far away in Saudi”. More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand in hysterics as they remember Man Utd nicknames from ‘Shrek’ and ‘SatNav’ to ‘J-Lo’

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO and Rio Ferdinand were beside themselves as they recalled their Manchester United team-mates nicknames.It was Ronaldo who first called Wayne Rooney “Shrek” when the Portgual ace and Ferdinand starred in Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in the 2000s.Cristiano Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand were in hysterics as they recalled Man Utd nicknamesCredit: XThe two were reunited on Ferdinand’s podcastCredit: XRonaldo and Ferdinand won three Premier League titles and a Champions League together among other major honours.But away from all the trophy triumphs on the pitch, United’s team had a humorous side off it.The pair spoke on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast a week after the former defender featured on Ronaldo’s first YouTube show.Ferdinand asked: “Can you remember any of the players nicknames at United?”Most read in FootballA smiling Ronaldo replied: “A few. Wazza. Rat. Shrek”, before the two burst out in hysterics. Ferdinand then responded: “I forgot about that, Wazza won’t be happy.”The former England centre-back hilariously revealed that Anderson was called ‘J-Lo’ or ‘Beyonce’ after his team-mates thought he had a “bum”.Nani was called ‘Naanbread’ by Ferdinand, while everybody called Scholesy ‘Ginger’ or ‘SatNav’ for his outrageous passing ability and Gary Neville ‘Busy’.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSJohn O’Shea didn’t have a nickname per se, but Ronaldo used to “kill him in the dressing room”.Ferdinand hilariously coached Ronaldo on: “What did you used to say about O’Shea?”Piers Morgan slams ‘complete idiot’ Erik ten Hag in astonishing rant against Man Utd boss about Cristiano RonaldoThe five-time Ballon d’Or winner cracked up and smiled, before saying: “No bum!”Ronaldo, who also revealed he still “loves United”, also explained how his early years at United changed his perspective and priorities as he developed from a tricky, showboating winger to an out-and-out No9.The Portugal star said: “My mindset changed. Goals became more important than f****** step-overs. “I closed that chapter because I realised goals and helping the team was more important.”Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney formed a lethal partnership during the 2000sThe 39-year-old, who recently notched his 900 career goal, also slammed Erik ten Hag for saying United cannot win the Prem or Champions League.He said: “As Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the League or Champions League. “You have to be, to mentally say, listen, maybe we don’t have that potential, but I cannot say that. We’re going to try. You have to try. But they need to rebuild everything.”Ten Hag since responded to the dig stating: “Ronaldo said that United can’t win the Premier League. He said this if you read the article.”He’s far away in Saudi, far away from Manchester. Everyone can have an opinion. It’s okay.”READ MORE SUN STORIESElsewhere, Anderson has been hit with a string of controversies and a former team-mate claimed the retired midfielder was obsessed with McDonalds.The Brazilian is also reportedly facing jail time over his reported failure to pay child maintenance. More

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      Former Man Utd star hints Ten Hag will be SACKED if he loses to Southampton tomorrow with position ‘untenable’

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      ERIK TEN HAG’S job could become “untenable” if Manchester United lose to Southampton on Saturday, according to Louis Saha.Former Red Devils striker Saha, 46, was reflecting on Ten Hag’s latest 3-0 humiliation at the hands of rivals Liverpool.Erik ten Hag could face the sack if United lose to SouthamptonRed Devils cult hero Louis Saha believes his position could become “untenable”United fans are waiting to see a consistent style of play from the Dutchman.Ten Hag’s side have brought last season’s troubles into the new campaign, losing two of their first three games.They were dominated by most opponents, big or small, last term as they faced more than 200 shots on goal – a figure only surpassed by bottom club Sheffield United.And now if Ten Hag does not get his act together against the newly-promoted Saints he could face the sack this weekend, says the former United and Fulham forward.Read more football newsSaha, who was on the United books for four years between 2004 and 2008, was asked if he believes Ten Hag’s job is vulnerable.He told Betfred: “I think so. Against Liverpool, the issue was the performance rather than just the result.”So Erik’s under pressure because the team isn’t playing well. There were no signs during the game that things were going to be fixed.”On Saturday, if Southampton are able to dominate United in the same way that Liverpool dominated last week, then the situation would be untenable for Erik ten Hag.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSTen Hag looked set to be sacked prior to last season’s FA Cup final.But United then claimed a 2-1 win over Manchester City at Wembley to save their campaign after placing a record low of eighth in the Premier League table.Erik ten Hag warns Manuel Ugarte could take MONTHS to get fit in further blow to Man Utd fans after Liverpool hammeringSaha also explained that Ten Hag, who was offered a one-year extension, needs to be more tactically versatile.The former Prem striker added: “There’s a lot of people in punditry and the media, as well as the fans, who are seeing things that they can’t understand when they watch United at the moment.”We saw Arne Slot destroy Ten Hag’s tactics in their last game. At this moment, it’s not about personalities, it’s about seeing a plan that the players can identify with and cause damage with.”Saha also revealed that fans need to be more supportive of Marcus Rashford, who needs to do “better”.United travel to Southampton, who have also lost two and won one, on Saturday lunchtime, before hosting Barnsley in the EFL cup on Tuesday.Ten Hag’s last visit to the South coast resulted in a last gasp 2-1 defeat to Brighton last month, courtesy of on-fire Joao Pedro.Nine managers Man Utd considered before keeping Erik ten HagERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.Gareth SouthgateEnjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn’t talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.Kieran McKennaTalks were opened with McKenna’s representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag’s Wembley win.Roberto De ZerbiAllegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.Thomas FrankBrentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.Marco SilvaFulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.Mauricio PochettinoFell out of Man Utd’s thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.Thomas TuchelMade a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.Ruben AmorimSporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.Roberto MartinezPortugal manager was considered in the early stages. More

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      Man Utd paid full price for just ONE summer transfer thanks to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ‘Avengers’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S transfer stance helped them pay below asking price for all but one of their summer acquisitions. The Red Devils secured the services of five senior stars this summer, spending north of £180million to bolster Erik ten Hag’s options.Sir Jim Ratcliffe has built a transfer tag team who helped them pay below asking price for almost all of their summer acquisitionsCredit: GettyCEO Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox have helped Manchester United have a successful transfer windowCredit: GettyMatthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui were bought for under asking priceCredit: GettyIt was the first summer window for United under the ownership of Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and the billionaire Brit put together a group of “Avengers” to make sure their business went smoothly.Ratcliffe worked alongside CEO Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox to bring in their new signings.And their resolute stance on asking prices meant they only paid full whack for Leny Yoro, according to ESPN.That means that Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte were all snapped up for a relative steal in United’s books. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAccording to ESPN’s report, their stance in their negotiations to sign Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite ultimately helped them negotiate their other deals.United had been quoted £75m for Branthwaite, a player they valued at around £60m, and after unfruitful negotiations decided to walk away from the inflated price tag.It’s claimed that United’s stance on Branthwaite was used directly in negotiations with PSG over the move for Manuel Ugarte. PSG were hoping for a fee of nearly £10m more than what United ultimately paid, with the Old Trafford club referencing their decision to walk away from the Branthwaite deal as an example of what could happen if PSG were firm on their price.Most read in FootballLeny Yoro was the only summer signing that Man Utd paid the asking price forCredit: RexMan Utd used their stance on Jarrad Branthwaite to sign Manuel Ugarte for cheapCredit: GettyBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSUltimately the Parisians were reluctant to keep hold of a player that they didn’t want, and dropped their asking price to meet United’s valuation.Yoro, 18, represented a different kind of signing as one of the most highly rated young defenders in world football and Man Utd allowed themselves to fork out for the Frenchman.Erik ten Hag breaks silence on Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest fierce criticism of Man Utd with spiky response to club legendIt’s reported that Omar Berrada was the man who set the price tags with Ashworth and director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves handling the bulk of the discussions with clubs and players.Berrarda, via ESPN, said: “We were quite disciplined about the valuations we were giving to the players who were going to come in.”We stuck to those valuations. The reason I mention that is if you make a mistake and overspend, or get a player who can cost you too much, it can set you back.”United know plenty about overpaying for their stars after forking out £86m on flop Antony, and a further £60m on an ageing Casemiro in recent seasons.Joshua Zirkzee was also signed for below askingCredit: AlamyMan Utd entered negotiations for Ajax winger Antony expecting to pay a £40m fee, but as talks dragged on the Dutch side were successful in more than doubling the price.The Red Devils’ team of execs had to shift on some players this summer to allow for their incomings too – Mason Greenwood, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Scott McTominay being the three high profile exits.Jadon Sancho also left to join Chelsea in a loan-to-buy deal.And sporting director Ashworth explained that, as frustrating as it is to lose homegrown talent, it can ultimately be beneficial for the club as a whole.He said: “Sometimes you have to be quite brave and make decisions that maybe you don’t want to make”But you can’t have a bloated squad, and you’re also dealing with players that ultimately want to play football.”So you want to make sure that the squad is lean, but you have enough depth.”The financial rules have, unintentionally, made it slightly more attractive to sell players with a ‘zero-book’ value.”which is consequently either players you sign on a free or players that come through your system.”Now United want to build on what they have done this summer with more additions – but not on the pitch.READ MORE SUN STORIESESPN claim that the club are looking to add “further expertise and knowledge” in the form of appointments around Ashworth and Wilcox.United hope that those arrivals will ultimately lead to more consistent success in the transfer market. More