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      Man Utd star Paul Pogba ‘offered to Barcelona on free transfer’ as Solskjaer targets Aurelien Tchouameni as replacement

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      PAUL POGBA’S agent Mino Raiola is reportedly drumming up interest for his man with Barcelona a potential destination.The 28-year-old midfielder – who is out of contract at the end of the season – has been ‘offered’ to the Catalan giants by the super-agent.
      Paul Pogba could be on his way out of Man Utd this summerCredit: Getty
      Paul Pogba with Aurelien Tchouameni after winning the Nations LeagueCredit: Getty
      According to ESPN there is still the possibility of Pogba signing a new deal at United, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reportedly already sounded out a replacement.
      That being Aurelien Tchouameni – Pogba’s international teammate.
      The 21-year-old midfielder has a reported asking price of around £42-50million.
      Monaco man Tchouameni has made an impressive start to the Ligue 1 season and helped France to Nations League glory last week.
      But Tchouameni is likely to be at the centre of a bidding war, with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea AND Juventus all said to be in the hunt for the youngster.
      While Pogba has been ‘offered’ to Barca, a move to Camp Nou would prove to be difficult.
      The cash-strapped Catalans are still paying out more on wages than La Liga allow, and despite being a free transfer initially Pogba would demand a significant salary.

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      They are also still over £1.1BILLION in debt.
      And Raiola would likely charge a hefty agent fee for any potential deal regarding Pogba.
      However the United midfielder is not short of potential suitors come next summer.
      The Red Devils want to tie him down to a new deal amid interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
      Pogba is said to be willing to put pen-to-paper on a mind-boggling £400,000-a-week contract at Old Trafford.
      But a return to Juventus has also been rumoured, as has a move to Barca’s La Liga rivals Real Madrid, and French giants PSG are never far away from being linked with big names.
      The France international is free to begin negotiations with foreign clubs regarding a pre-contract agreement from January 1.
      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer comments on defence void without Maguire as Lindelof and Bailly try to fill void More

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      Man Utd 2008 Champions League winners have WhatsApp group chat as Patrice Evra reveals stars miss dressing room banter

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S 2008 Champions League winners banter ‘every two minutes’ in a WhatsApp group set up to keep their good times alive.Old Trafford legend Patrice Evra hailed the all-time great team, that included Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, as a ‘family’ full of laughter.
      Man Utd completed a Premier League and European double by beating Chelsea in a Champions League final penalty shootoutCredit: AFP – Getty
      Patrice Evra, seen playing for the Soccer Aid XI, reveals Man Utd’s class of 2008 swap regular messages in their chat groupCredit: Getty
      The ex-France left-back revealed Rio Ferdinand put the group together, containing most of the players who won the Premier League three times in a row from 2006 to 2009.
      Nemaja Vidic, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Carlos Tevez were amongst its world-class stars, possibly the closest United have come to a Galacticos XI.
      Evra told Amazon Prime Video’s winter sports schedule launch: “For many players, when they retire, what we miss the most is the dressing room. 
      “All the banter, all the stories. Everything happens inside.
      “I spoke with [Edwin] van der Sar when he retired and I said, ‘how are you doing?’ And he said, ‘Patrice, I just miss you guys’.
      “We are lucky, the United group – we still have a WhatsApp group. 

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      “We are everyone, so every morning we just laugh off each other. We have still got that.
      “It is most of the players from 2008 when we won the Champions League. It is really active. Every two minutes. 
      “Rio created it. We just keep connected and have a laugh. It was not just a team, it was like a family.”
      Fellow team member Gary Neville believes the 2008 side was United’s – and Alex Ferguson’s – best ever, eclipsing the 1998–99 Treble winners. 
      Ex-England defender Neville said: “Edwin van der Sar, Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez – you could put them in any team in the world.
      “I don’t think Manchester United have ever had a team that had so many world-class players, and I look back at all the teams in history.
      “Of course, there has been world-class players at Manchester United but to have eight, almost nine best in position in the world at that time, it was an unbelievable team.”
      Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer comments on defence void without Maguire as Lindelof and Bailly try to fill void More

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      Man Utd boss Solskjaer defends decision to rest Cristiano Ronaldo as he vows to prevent another late-season burnout

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER believes his team ran out of gas at the end of last season and is determined not to let it happen again.While finishing second, Manchester United took only seven points from their last 15 available in the league.
      Solskjaer’s side have won just one out of their last four in all competitionsCredit: EPA
      CR7 stormed down the Old Trafford tunnel at full time after starting on the bench against Everton last time outCredit: EPA
      They were also disappointing in the season ending Europa League final which they lost on penalties to Villarreal.
      Now Solskjaer has come under fire for resting Cristiano Ronaldo in the last match before the international break – a disappointing 1-1 draw with Everton.
      But the Red Devils boss says he has to manage all his players better than last season to ensure they have a strong finish this time.
      Solskjaer said: “If you can go and play six games in six days and play the same XI every time, it’s great.
      “But it is about rotation. We need to get to April and May with everyone firing. We got to May in the final stretch of last season and we were too tired. I manage the players for the club.”
      On Ronaldo specifically, he said:  “It’s nice to have him on the pitch, he’ll always come up with the goods. The more we have him on the pitch, the better.

      “He’s an exceptional player, exceptional finisher, goalscorer, exceptional pro, it’s hard to leave him out.”
      Right now it is difficult to fit everyone into his attacking department on the pitch with Jesse Lingard’s form now demanding a starting place and Marcus Rashford back fit after a shoulder operation.
      Lingard’s current contract is up at the end of this season and he is refusing to sign a new one.
      He wants more assurances over how much game time he will get but Solskjaer insists he has a future at Old Trafford following his impressive loan spell at West Ham in the second half of last season.
      Lingard came on to score in the 4-1 win over Newcastle and grabbed the winner away to West Ham as well as scoring two against Andorra at Wembley in September having forced his way back into Gareth Southgate’s England team.
      Solskjaer said: “Jesse’s had a good start to the season, of course, he’s come on and scored a few goals for us and that’s been very important for us.
      “We want to prolong his contract, we see him as an important player for us.
      “It’s up to him and maybe up to me to give him more playing time because he deserves to. Hopefully, we can get a deal sorted for Jesse because we really rate him.”
      Rashford made a scoring return in a behind closed doors friendly against Blackburn last week and has impressed everyone in training.
      The 23-year-old will be in the squad for the game away to Leicester.
      Solskjaer said: “He’s worked really hard throughout the lay-off. Been really bright this week and had a 60-min involvement behind closed doors last week, so he’s raring to go.”
      United will however be without four players with Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane injured and Edinson Cavani and Fred unavailable having played in a World Cup qualifier against each other in the early hours of Friday morning.
      Brazil beat Uruguay 4-1, with Liverpool also hit ahead of their Saturday lunch-time kick-off against Watford, with Alisson and Fabinho flying straight to Spain for the Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid.
      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer comments on defence void without Maguire as Lindelof and Bailly try to fill void More

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      How Man Utd could line up against Leicester with Rashford named in squad but Maguire, Varane, Cavani and Fred OUT

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      OLE Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad for the trip to Leicester has a somewhat depleted look to it – with a host of stars set to miss Saturday’s clash. But there is a welcome boost with Marcus Rashford set to be included in the squad for the first time this season after undergoing shoulder surgery in the summer.
      This is how Man Utd could start the game at the King Power
      Rashford will return to United’s squad, but is likely to start from the benchCredit: Getty
      With first choice centre-backs Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane out injured SunSport takes a look at who could feature for Solskjaer on Saturday.
      Victor Lindelof is likely to keep his place from the draw against Everton, with Eric Bailly or Phil Jones set to come in for the stricken Varane.
      Paul Pogba may also be promoted to the starting line-up and play a holding role in the absence of Fred who will not return from international duty with Brazil in time.
      Anthony Martial could keep his place in the front four after scoring against Everton last time out, with Ronaldo expected to lead the line after being dropped against Everton.
      CR7 scored a hat-trick in Portugal’s 5-0 win over Luxembourg on Tuesday and stormed down the tunnel after starting the 1-1 draw against Everton from the bench – so a recall is likely.
      Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to Leicester, Solskjaer said: “[During the] internationals sometimes, it’s a time to cross your fingers.

      “Raphael is out for a few weeks. Victor [Lindelof] and Eric [Bailly] played and got good game time.
      “Fred and Edinson [Cavani] played a full game but we’re not counting on them and giving them time to recover. Harry [Maguire] also had his first time on the grass, so we look quite strong.
      “[Marcus] Rashford is in the squad. I can’t tell you if he will start but has worked really hard. Has been bright this week. Fit and raring to go.”
      Alternatively Solskjaer could opt to change things up with a 4-3-3 formation.
      Bruno could play a slightly deeper role than usual in the absence of Fred, with Rashford chucked straight back into the starting line-up.
      Jesse Lingard’s decent run of form from the bench could possibly be rewarded with a starting berth, with Matic deployed in the anchor role.
      An alternative Man Utd starting side with Rashford and Sancho on the wings
      And Jadon Sancho’s impressive performance against Andorra for England may have done enough for him to be recalled to Solskajer’s starting side after starting the last three Prem games on the bench.
      Jones could also be selected ahead of Bailly in the absence of Varane.
      And Alex Telles could play at left-back after Luke Shaw played 90 minutes in England’s drab 1-1 against Hungary on Tuesday.
      Edinson Cavani will not be in the squad after travelling back from international duty with Uruguay.
      Solskjaer will be hoping his side can return to winning ways after two Prem games without a win.
      They have a busy few weeks await before the next international break in November.
      After the trip to Leicester, United take on Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City in their next three Premier League games.
      And also sandwiched between those games are home and away ties against Atalanta in the Champions League.
      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Man Utd legend Gary Neville names Cristiano Ronaldo as one of two ‘problems’ Solskjaer must resolve in Prem title hunt More

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      Ex-Man Utd wonderkid John Cofie cost the Red Devils £1m aged 14, retired at 27, and now mentors kids at school

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      IN 2007, promising striker John Cofie seemingly had the world at his feet.Then 14, the teenager had the world at his feet and was rated as one of the top talents in England playing for Burnley.
      Sean McGinty, Paul Pogba, Sam Johnstone, John Cofie and Jesse Lingard celebrate winning the FA Youth Cup for Man Utd in 2011Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United soon swooped for the wonderkid in an astonishing £1million deal – making him the youngest ever million pound footballer.
      However, he failed to make a single appearance for the Red Devils and left the club in 2013.
      Spells at clubs including Barnsley, Crawley Town and Wrexham failed to reignite his career.
      At 27, the former England U17 star hung up his boots – having played just 77 times for 13 different clubs.
      Today, Ghanaian-born Cofie works at a school in Lancashire, where he mentors kids in their football programme he was once a part of.
      WANTED BOY
      Cofie was brought over to the UK by Burnley after impressing at a football camp in Germany, where his father served in the army.
      He enrolled at Moorland School and was taken under the wing by their Head of Football Development, Charlie Jackson.
      Cofie starred at youth level for The Clarets and was soon called the best player of his generation.
      Astonishingly, managers from the country’s top clubs would try to visit Cofie at school to convince him to sign for them.
      Cofie was one of the leading players of his generation when he signed for United in 2007Credit: PA:Empics Sport
      While Cofie was an aspiring star at United, he was mentored by Moorland School coach Charlie JacksonCredit: Instagram
       “It was ridiculous. To name Chelsea and Liverpool doesn’t even begin to tell the story,” Jackson told the Burnley Express.
      “There were so many clubs and we had to turn certain managers from big clubs back down the drive.
      “They all wanted to speak to him face to face. He was a Liverpool fan as a kid so we thought he was going to go there and then United came in.”
      £1MILLION AT 14
      In 2007, it was Fergie who won the race to sign the prodigy.
      The £1million deal made him the youngest ever million pound footballer and world news.
      He continued his development in their youth team, where he would team up with a French boy wonder by the name of Paul Pogba, who he is still pals with today.
      And Cofie was an integral part of the club’s FA Youth Cup winning side in 2011.
      Jackson believes he was a better player as a kid than World Cup winner Pogba.
      Cofie was a member of United’s 2011 FA Youth Cup winning sideCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard are still pals with CofieCredit: Instagram
      “I think at 14 he was the best player,” Jackson said.
      “He was better than Pogba. The only player that ran him close was Ravel Morrison, who was an unbelievable talent, but the ups and downs in his world have changed him.”
      WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN
      But it was the pressure of the price tag that would take its toll on young Cofie.
      His prolific streak in front of goal in his formative years began to desert him with the burden of expectation weighing upon him.
      Jackson said: “The price tag was the scary thing and that’s something that I wanted to protect him from.
      “The £1.25m price tag at the time was ridiculous for such a young boy and the press got hold of that pretty quickly. I wouldn’t have released that if I was Burnley or Manchester United.
      “I think that was probably the beginning of the downfall of how that was going to go in my opinion. That’s the sad thing about football when you’re putting price tags on academy players.
      In 2013, Manchester United released CofieCredit: Pacemaker Press
      Jackson believes the price tag put too much pressure on CofieCredit: Instagram
      “It’s just madness. He went there, he was doing well but that price tag, later on, played its part. It’s a lot of pressure.”
      END OF THE ROAD
      By 2013, Cofie ended up on football’s scrapheap.
      He was released by United after several loans away at Royal Antwerp, Sheffield United and Notts County.
      During that period, he admittedly “fell out of love” with the game.
      “It was no shock to me because as I was growing up I was picking up what happened behind the scenes, going on loan I was getting an idea of what the industry was like,” Cofie told the Manchester Evening News.
      After he left United, Cofie became a journeyman footballerCredit: Bradley Ormesher – The Sun
      Southport FC was one of the many clubs who Cofie tried to resurrect his career atCredit: Bradley Ormesher – The Sun
      “Nothing in football surprises me, if you’re good enough they will keep you, if not then it’s bye.
      “It wasn’t an issue for me when it came. I sat down with Fergie, he was holding meetings with players anyway but I wanted to see him a few weeks earlier, he said what he had to say, I said what I had to say and that was that.
      “I left with my head held high.”
      THE AFTER LIFE
      Once he left United, Cofie became somewhat of a journeyman.
      Uninspired spells in Norway, Wales and even Northern Ireland failed to inspire him and game-time and injuries didn’t help his cause.
      So, in 2020 – at the age of just 27 – it was no surprise that he decided to hang up his boots.
      Now, he has joined his old mentor Jackson again at Moorland School, where he helps coach young kids who aspire to be the next football superstar.
      “Because John has played at a good level and played with some of the best players in the world, there’s ready-made advice for the kids,” Jackson explained.
      In 2020, at the age of just 27, Cofie hung up his bootsCredit: Bradley Ormesher – The Times
      Cofie is now back at Moorland School alongside Jackson as a mentor and coach for the kidsCredit: Instagram

      “It’s great to have him back, his enthusiasm hasn’t changed, he’s still got the same attitude to life, which is good. He’s not allowed football to define him, which is a big thing. Football can do that, good, bad or indifferent.
      “It’s been good to bring him back because he’s been able to speak to the kids about his past, present and what could potentially be their future.”
      Man Utd show off ‘Dr Rashford MBE’ jersey after hero forward awarded honorary doctorate from University of Manchester More

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      ‘I’d be livid, he’s been LIED to’ – Paul Ince claims Man Utd boss Solskjaer hasn’t been truthful to Donny van de Beek

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      FORMER Manchester United hardman Paul Ince has urged Donny van de Beek to leave Old Trafford in January for the ‘good of his career’. The 24-year-old has played SIX minutes of Premier League action this season – and Ince believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer deceived the Dutchman when signing him from Ajax.
      Van de Beek has been warming the United bench this seasonCredit: Getty
      Sixteen of his 20 Prem appearances have been from the benchCredit: Getty
      Van de Beek has been frozen out of the first team picture at Old Trafford and has just 141 minutes under his belt in all competitions this season.
      Ince, 53, told The Kelly and Wrighty Show: “If I’m going to buy a player, a top player from Ajax, the first thing I’m going to say is, ‘Am I going to play? Where do you see me fitting in, within the system, within the team?’
      “As a manager you have two choices – you can either tell the truth or not tell the truth.
      “From what I’m seeing for the last year and a half, he’s not told Donny [van de Beek] the truth, he hasn’t had any game time. He’s got £35million sitting on the bench.
      “I can hold my hands up if I’m on the bench and the team are winning and playing well.
      “You can’t tell me that Fred and [Scott] McTominay are playing well week in and week out, and even [Paul] Pogba because they’re not.

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      “But he seems to play them all the time, and I’m sitting there watching them play, I would be livid.
      “He’s been professional, he’s done everything by the book. Ole’s come out saying he’s in my plans, obviously he’s just blatantly lying, he has to move in January for the good of his career.”
      And Van de Beek himself is clearly frustrated with his situation at Old Trafford.
      He was spotted furiously hurling his chewing gum in the dugout after being an unused substitute in the 2-1 win against Villarreal.
      The Dutch international has been linked with a January transfer to finally end his Old Trafford hell.
      Rafa Benitez’s Everton are reportedly lining up another move for the midfielder after failing to sign him in August.

      Struggling Barcelona are also said to be considering a January swoop for Van de Beek.
      A move to Camp Nou would see him link up with fellow Dutchman and former Ajax team-mate Frenkie de Jong in Ronald Koeman’s midfield.
      Italian sides Juventus and Inter Milan are two other possible destinations – as is a return to Ajax.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Man Utd’s Donny van de Beek caught throwing chewing gum in dugout after Solskjaer snubs him in favour of Fred More

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      Man Utd star Marcus Rashford reveals he played with shoulder injury for ELEVEN months but ‘much better’ after surgery

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      MARCUS RASHFORD has sensationally revealed that he played almost ALL of last season with a shoulder injury.The forward has been out of action since going under the knife after Euro 2020, but has revealed he is in a ‘much better place’ now as he nears a return.
      Rashford is edging closer to a Manchester United returnCredit: Getty
      Having not yet featured for the Red Devils so far this campaignCredit: PA
      Incredibly Rashford played 64 TIMES in all competitions during the 2020/21 campaign – the majority of which were while he was injured.
      But he is now back in training and told BBC Breakfast: “My recovery is – I wouldn’t say coming to an end because obviously I have to keep looking after it – but I’m in a much better place physically and mentally.
      “Last year was a very long season for me, I got this injury at the end of September and gradually it got that little bit worse, but now I’m fully free of that, I feel much better physically and mentally.”
      He could even be included in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s matchday squad for Saturday’s trip to Leicester.
      Rashford played for United in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Blackburn last week – scoring twice.
      And his return comes at a welcome time for Solskjaer, whose side are on a poor run of form.

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      The Red Devils have won just one out of their last four games in all competitions.
      That spell includes the defeat by Aston Villa and a disappointing draw against Everton in their last two Premier League games at Old Trafford.
      Rashford’s comeback also coincides with a tough run of fixtures for Solskjaer’s men.
      After the trip to Leicester, United take on Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City in their next three Premier League games.
      Also sandwiched between those are home and away ties against Atalanta in the Champions League.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Man Utd show off ‘Dr Rashford MBE’ jersey after hero forward awarded honorary doctorate from University of Manchester More

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      ‘Best thing is to play’ – Man Utd teen loanee Facu Pellistri hints Jadon Sancho transfer pushed him into Alaves switch

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      MANCHESTER United winger Facundo Pellistri has suggested that Jadon Sancho’s arrival at Old Trafford made him decide to head out on loan. Sancho signed from Dortmund for £73million in July, with Pellistri heading to Spanish side Alaves in August.
      Pellistri in action for United in pre-seasonCredit: Getty
      Sancho has played nine times in all competitions for the Red Devils this seasonCredit: EPA
      The 19-year-old had originally confessed that he wanted to stay at United back in July.
      But seeing Sancho arrive seemingly changed his mind, with the Uruguayan conscious that first-team appearances would be limited.
      He did feature for Ole Gunnar Solskajer in pre-season, but left on loan before the Premier League campaign began in a bid to play regular football.
      Speaking to The Athletic about his pre-season with United, Pellestri said: “I felt stronger in the first team, I scored in a game at Derby for the first team.
      “It was a very hard pre-season, the hardest I’ve ever had. Physically, you are really pushed, the training is such a high level.
      “New players came in, including in my position [Sancho] so I thought it was a good idea to go on loan again.

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      “The best thing for a player is to play, and for a young player, to get experience.”
      Pellistri also revealed the club treated him to a new house after signing from Penarol.
      He said: “The club gave me a house filled with enough food for two months.
      “The difference between United and a club in Uruguay was incredible. There were so many people to help look after us. If we had any problem, I just had to call.
      “If I wanted a new phone — no problem. They would get one for me.”
      And the club could now be pressed into recalling Pellistri from his loan spell in Spain.
      He has started just one of Alaves’ seven games this season, making six appearances off the bench.
      According to Goal, United are ‘frustrated’ with the situation – particularly given that they received other offers for Pellistri in the summer.
      Should Pellistri fail to log 1,000 minutes of action by the start of December, the Red Devils will have the option to recall him in January.
      Man Utd show off ‘Dr Rashford MBE’ jersey after hero forward awarded honorary doctorate from University of Manchester More