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      Cristiano Ronaldo wanted Man Utd transfer before Sir Alex Ferguson’s shock retirement that ended Bale deal

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO agreed a remarkable transfer back to Manchester United in 2013 before Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement halted those plans.United legend Patrice Evra revealed Sir Alex wanted to re-sign Ronaldo, who had moved to Real Madrid in 2009 in a then-record £80million deal.
      Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to sign Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale in 2013
      Part of Ferguson’s plans to win the Champions League also involved the transfer of Gareth Bale, who at the time was at Tottenham.
      But then Ferguson – who had just won the Premier League title – was forced to confirm to his players that he would in fact be retiring.
      And according to Evra, Ronaldo had told him he wanted to return to United before Sir Alex walked away from management.
      He said on the UTD Podcast: “I remember there was a lot of media saying Ferguson will maybe retire next year, and he said, ‘Patrice, I will never retire. I will be here another 10 years’.
      “He then said: ‘My target is I’m 99 per cent sure we will have Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. I just need these two players to win the Champions League again. Ninety-nine per cent.’

      “And to be fair, when I speak with Cristiano, I ask him and he said yes to the boss, and was coming to join United. He told me this.”
      But as Sir Alex retired, Ronaldo would stay at Madrid with Bale joining him in the Spanish capital, breaking the transfer record in an £85m move.
      Evra said Ferguson’s retirement was the hardest moment in his career, and revealed the Scot had to apologise to Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa for leaving just a season after signing the pair.
      He said: “When we arrived at Carrington, I see all those cameras and I was like: ‘Wow, someone has done something wrong. Maybe a player is the story again! Someone has done something wrong, we are in trouble.’

      “But we arrived and people said, ‘Guys, you have to stay in the dressing room because the boss wants to have a chat’. And when the boss came into the dressing room to talk to everyone, it’s never good news.
      “He came, and he said, ‘I’m really sorry. Some people have said that I’m going to retire even before I say it myself. That’s why you saw all those cameras. But I will retire because my wife needs me’.
      “He apologised to Van Persie, he apologised to Shinji, because he just brought them. He apologised to them especially.”
      Patrice Evra played for Sir Alex between 2006 and 2014Credit: EPA
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      Man Utd confirm playmaker Andreas Pereira has joined Brazilian side Flamengo in year-long loan transfer

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have confirmed Andreas Pereira has joined Brazilian side Flamengo in year-long loan. The playmaker spent last season at Lazio having continued to struggle for games at Old Trafford.
      Andreas Pereira has joined Brazilian side Flamengo in year-long loanCredit: Getty
      But despite scoring a wonder goal in pre-season, Pereira’s future in Manchester remained uncertain.
      Several clubs, including Everton, were looking to take the Belgian-born, Brazil international on loan.
      But it is Flamengo who have won the race to sign him, United announced on Twitter.
      Flamengo’s vice-president of football Marcos Braz had confirmed their interest in the versatile midfielder earlier this week.
      Braz told TNT Sports: “We have until the 28th.
      “He’s a player from a big club, one of the biggest in Europe, and we’re trying to see if we can achieve success with this deal.
      Man Utd’s biggest transfers ever, both in and out, including Ronaldo

      “The negotiations are going on, there’s always some problem, there’s always some point where there’s a bigger jam, especially with a player of this level.
      “We are happy to be in the hunt to get this player.”
      Pereira, 25, moved to Old Trafford in 2015, but has struggled to cement a place in the first team.
      During his time at the club, he has been loaned out to Granada, Valencia and most recently Lazio.
      At the end of the last campaign, the Serie A giants enquired about signing Pereira on a permanent deal – but were told to stump up around £21million.
      Instead, Lazio turned their attentions to Felipe Anderson, who they snapped up from West Ham in a £3m deal.
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      Man Utd star Jesse Lingard transfer hint as West Ham keeper Darren Randolph says he will ‘see him soon for training’

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      WEST HAM’s Darren Randolph has cast doubt over Jesse Lingard’s Manchester United future after telling the star ‘I’ll be seeing you soon’. The West Ham goalkeeper spent six months with Lingard last season, after the midfielder joined on loan in January.
      Man Utd star Jesse Lingard is wanted by West HamCredit: Alamy
      West Ham goalkeeper Darren RandolphCredit: Rex
      The move saw Lingard rejuvenate his career, scoring nine times for the Hammers in 16 games and leading to strong interest in a potential permanent transfer.
      But it is believed Lingard, 28, wanted to stay at United while West Ham were unwilling to meet United’s valuation.
      The England international, who narrowly missed out on a place in England’s Euro 2020 squad this summer, has since missed the start of the season with coronavirus.
      United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer welcomed Lingard back this summer to help bolster his midfield options.
      But still the playmaker has attracted attention away from Old Trafford, including at West Ham and Leicester.
      Hammers keeper Randolph appeared to do his best publicly to tempt Lingard back to the London Stadium.

      He posted on Instagram: “@JesseLingard I’ll be seeing you soon at Rush Green for training! You know you want to!”
      Lingard was forced to watch from home as United opened their Premier League account by thumping Leeds 5-1 at home.
      And afterwards, Solskjaer all-but confirmed the player would be returning to United’s side after recovering from Covid-19.
      He said: “Don’t forget Jesse Lingard who has re-invented himself and has come back the man that we know he is with the quality.
      “He is going to play a big part as well.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford

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      Solskjaer reacts to Man Utd’s huge victory over Leeds More

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      Man Utd’s worst transfers XI post-Sir Alex Ferguson, including Fred, Di Maria and Depay that cost a staggering £325m

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      SIR ALEX FERGUSON left Manchester United with the Premier League trophy – but a raft of bad signings has seen it taken away with little sign of returning.A massive £323.7million has been splashed on 11 particularly dodgy deals.

      The worst XI of bad signings predominantly features attackers as the Red Devils failed to replace the likes of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.
      Romelu Lukaku cost an initial £75m and United struggled to find takers when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer decided to offload the Belgian to Inter where he thrived, before re-joining Chelsea.
      A promising first season was lost with a drop-off in 2018-19, scoring at an average of one every three games before leaving for Italy.
      At the very least, Lukaku provided some memorable moments but the same cannot be said for Angel Di Maria.
      The winger arrived with much fanfare in 2014 and quickly dropped off the pace, shepherded out to Paris Saint-Germain where he painfully found the form he lacked in England.
      The next expensive error was Fred who joined for £52m, but he still has time to prove himself at Old Trafford.
      In the slightly more affordable but nonetheless useless category are Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Morgan Schneiderlin, who came in for £30m and £27m respectively.
      Depay inherited the hallowed No7 shirt but failed to do it justiceCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Still, United recouped most of the fee they spent on French anchor man Schneiderlin when he joined Everton but Mkhitaryan’s exit saw Alexis Sanchez arrive – making the Chilean’s initial fee cheap and yet still a huge disappointment.
      Among those who arrived with potential and waited until after leaving to go on to great things is Memphis Depay.
      Now a star at Barcelona and with the Dutch national team, his baffling form in the 2015/16 season showed that United had lost their touch when turning young gems into superstars.
      Many United fans point to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward as the chief architect of these abysmal deals.
      While replacing the peerless David Gill was a tough assignment, and finding a man capable of replacing Fergie nigh-on impossible, there are serious questions over his approach.
      Not only are these players examples of bad deals, managers such as Jose Mourinho were dismayed that not enough players were bought.
      Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind were picked up in 2014 off the back of good World Cup campaigns – a strategy that rarely pays off and cost the club over £30m.
      And although Matteo Darmian was an Italian international when plucked from Torino, Louis van Gaal’s exit cast him to the fringes.
      Rounding off this worst XI are two short-term signings that never got to grips with the Premier League.
      Few have flopped in the Prem like Di MariaCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Falcao struggled both at United and ChelseaCredit: PA:Empics Sport

      Perhaps the Red Devils thought they were pulling off a cunning piece of Andrea Pirlo-esque business when bringing in Bastian Schweinsteiger but, at 31, the German was far past his best during an 18-month spell.
      Radamel Falcao was still in his late-20s when arriving on loan in 2014 on a £6m fee and massive wage combination yet hit just four goals in 29 games.
      Of course, not all of Fergie’s signings hit the right note – just ask Kleberson, Eric Djemba Djemba or Juan-Sebastian Veron.

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      Man Utd legend Roy Keane writes off club’s chances of winning Premier League and is ‘worried’ about midfield

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      ROY KEANE has written off ex-club Manchester United’s Premier League title chances.The Red Devils finished second last season to neighbours City but have signed £73million winger Jadon Sancho and Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane.
      Roy Keane has written off ex-club Manchester United’s Premier League title chancesCredit: GettyDREAM TEAM 2021/22PLAY DREAM TEAM FOR THE 2021/22 SEASON

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      But Old Trafford legend Keane reckons Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still has major problems in goal and right-back, as well as his old position of midfield if United want to mount a first title challenge since 2013.
      Ex-United skipper does not rate David de Gea, who is set to start today’s league opener against Leeds with keeper rival Dean Henderson affected by long-Covid.
      The Irishman, 50, also believes defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brazil midfielder Fred are not good enough while Solskjaer needs to move the returning Jesse Lingard on.
      Keane said: “I will sit here and say I don’t think Man United will win the league title.
      “The couple of signings they have made are obviously fantastic, there’s no doubting the quality they’ve got in. But I still have my doubts.
      “United have a huge problem with the goalkeeper. De Gea, the last two or three years…the goalkeeper is not up to it.

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      “People say he was good six, seven years ago. I was good 20 years ago! You can’t keep looking back.
      “Henderson, you might give him more of a chance. There’s question marks over him.
      “It’s OK playing for Sheffield United but when he played for United it’s a different animal.
      “We talk about Liverpool and Man City but we never talk about their goalkeepers because it’s taken care of.”
      It is not just the goalkeeping position that demanding serial winner Keane has major concerns over.
      Wan-Bissaka cost £50million from Crystal Palace two years ago but has not got the seal of approval from the former Red Devils star.
      Keane, speaking on The Overlap Live Fan debate with ex-United team-mate Gary Neville, added: “The right-back probably isn’t good enough for Man United.”
      Neville said: “The right-back isOK. I know we disagree on that.”
      “Man United need someone in midfield but it would take huge money and they need to shift a few players on.Roy Keane
      Keane quickly responded: “Gary, I’m going to butt in here. OK is not good enough. You are talking about Man United and winning league titles.”
      Premier League great Keane knows a thing or two about those, winning seven league titles in a golden 12-year period at the club between 1993 and 2005.
      Keane fears Solskjaer will also come up short in central midfield to compete against the best at home and abroad.
      And, despite Lingard’s promising loan spell at West Ham last season, Keane reckons the England midfielder should be heading out of the Old Trafford exit door before the end of the window on August 31.
      He added: “Ole will have to move players on. People talk about recruitment but it’s also about shifting people on. Sometimes you are waiting for a couple of players to go out.
      “Jesse and players like that in the background, you are going to have to shift them on. They are not the answer.
      “Football is all about opinions but I don’t think Jesse is going to get Man United back challenging for titles.
      “You are going back with Jesse, he was already at United, he did well at West Ham and maybe that type of club is a good fit for him.
      Man Utd’s biggest transfers ever, both in and out, including Ronaldo
      “But if you are asking me if Jesse Lingard will get United back winning league titles then the answer is no.
      “And I’ll say the same about Fred and maybe McTominay. He is a good, young player who is improving and I would persevere with him.
      “The proof is in the pudding. I see Fred every week and I can’t see it. Ole likes him and he’s the manager but I can’t see it.
      “These are good players but if you are talking about winning league titles then they have come up short over the last few years.
      “It’s not as if they have been close to winning, they have not.
      “They have had some good cup runs but we’re talking about the league here and they have come up short in the big games.
      “I still have a feeling United will pull something out of the bag over the next few weeks.
      “I still think they need someone in the middle of the park. I’m definitely worried.
      ‘IT’S A HUGE PROBLEM’
      “There is talk of United changing the system to a 4-3-3 (with one holding midfielder rather than two).
      “Man United need someone in midfield but it would take huge money and they need to shift a few players on.
      “But players are on huge money so they aren’t going anywhere unless they get a proper deal elsewhere.
      “Or United are giving them a lot to leave. People think that surely players would want to play somewhere?
      “A lot of players are sitting on contracts – not just the United lads – and they are in no rush to go anywhere.
      “It’s a huge problem in football. It’s not just getting lads in, it’s getting them out.”
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      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says his Man Utd squad have been ‘sick all summer’ after Europa League final shootout defeat

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER says his players have had a sick feeling in their stomachs all summer.And that will give Manchester United the appetite for the sweet taste of success in the coming campaign.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says his players have had a sick feeling in their stomachs all summerCredit: Rex
      Man Utd were beaten by Villarreal in the Europa League finalCredit: Reuters
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      The club’s last competitive game was that Europa League final penalty shootout defeat by Villarreal.
      Now, they prepare to open their new Premier League campaign against Leeds at lunchtime.
      Boss Solskjaer said: “They   had a horrible feeling in their stomach — as I have had this summer — because the last game ended the way it did with one penalty.
      “It hurts and it takes time to get over. It was two-and-a-half months ago but it’s horrible.
      “That feeling came back when I watched the penalty shootout with Chelsea and Villarreal the other day.”
      He wants his players to fear that feeling of failure  — to  finally get some  silverware under his reign.

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      Solskjaer said: “We need that to  challenge, we can’t be too nice.
      “We can’t have, ‘Oh, it’s another game next week,’   every game and  training session matters.
      “If you want success that’s the discipline you need — that hunger and  fear of losing. Fear of failure is a good feeling to have.”
      Solskjaer will  unleash £73million winger Jadon Sancho from the start.
      But centre-back Raphael Varane’s transfer from Real Madrid has still to go through and  Edinson Cavani was given extra time off for personal reasons.
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      Man Utd outcast Andreas Pereira ‘wanted by Everton’ on loan transfer but Red Devils only interested in permanent deal

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      EVERTON have approached Manchester United about a move for Andreas Pereira, reports say. Pereira spent last season on loan at Lazio having continued to struggle for games at Old Trafford.
      Everton have approached Manchester United for Andreas Pereira, reports sayCredit: Getty
      The midfielder scored a wonder goal against Brentford in pre-season, reminding clubs of his talent a sUnoted look to move him on.
      And according to Fabrizio Romano, Everton are among several looking to take the Belgian-born, Brazil international on loan.
      But United are understood to be prioritising a permanent deal for the unsettled playmaker.
      Pereira, 25, moved to Old Trafford in 2015, but has struggled to cement a place in the first team.
      During his time at the club, he has been loaned out to Granada, Valencia and most recently Lazio.
      At the end of the last campaign, the Serie A giants enquired about signing Pereira on a permanent deal – but were told to stump up around £21million.
      Instead, Lazio turned their attentions to Felipe Anderson, who they snapped up from West Ham in a £3m deal.
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      Fenerbahce are also a side reported to have thrown their hat in the ring for Pereira’s services.
      The Turkish giants have enquired about his transfer valuation, but are said to be reluctant to pay his £21m fee.
      According to the report by TNT Sports, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer kept in regular contact with Pereira when he was on loan in Italy.
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      Romelu Lukaku will become most expensive player in history in accumulated transfer fees after Chelsea move

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      ROMELU LUKAKU is set to become the most expensive player in history in accumulated transfer fees as he nears his Chelsea return. The Belgium striker is close to re-joining Chelsea – ten years after first doing so – with Inter Milan accepting a £97.5million bid.
      Romelu Lukaku signed for Chelsea in 2011Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Inter Milan signed Romelu Lukaku in 2019Credit: Getty – Contributor

      It means he will have cost the most in joint transfers ever, surpassing Neymar’s prior record of £246.6m.
      The Brazilian moved from Santos, to Barcelona and then PSG in a world-record £198m deal in 2017.
      But with Lukaku now heading back to Stamford Bridge, it will see his total transfer fees rocket to £293.5m.
      The forward started his career with Anderlecht in his homeland before signing for Chelsea for £10m in 2011.
      But after three years, and just 15 games with no goals, Lukaku was sold to Everton for £28m in 2014.

      There, he cemented himself as a prolific scorer, with 87 goals in 166 games before securing himself a mega move to Manchester United in 2017.
      Lukaku snubbed interest from Chelsea to move to Old Trafford, where he enjoyed mixed success as their No9.
      He scored 42 goals in 96 matches but failed to fit in United’s style as he was again moved on.
      Inter signed the Belgian for £74m in 2019 in a move which rejuvenated Lukaku.
      He scored 34 goals in his first season as Inter narrowly missed out on the Serie A by just a point.
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      But last season Lukaku helped the Italian giants end their 11 year wait for a league title as he hit 24 goals in 36 matches.
      It has convinced Chelsea to go back in for their old striker, as they looked to bolster their threat in front of goal.
      And having seen their £97.5m offer accepted it is the latest in a long line of lucrative moves for the star forward.
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