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      Liverpool missed out on Cristiano Ronaldo a week before Man Utd transfer after ‘fee trebled’ overnight

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      LIVERPOOL failed to sign Cristiano Ronaldo only a week before he joined Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson gazumped his rivals, according to Phil Thompson.The then-Reds assistant boss has revealed that his team were one of many English clubs interested in the Portuguese winger.
      Ronaldo went on to become a mega star at Old TraffordCredit: PA:Press Association
      Ronaldo had already declared that a move to Anfield was “a dream” with agents Paul Stretford, Jorge Mendes and Tony Henry negotiating his exit from Sporting CP.
      In recalling the 2003 transfer to The Athletic, Thompson states that a £4million fee was required.
      He noted: “I asked what kind of salary he would want and they said it was £1 million per year after tax. That was a lot for an 18-year-old kid but they said that was negotiable.
      “It was a Sunday and I explained to them that I needed to go back to Liverpool and speak to Gerard Houllier and see what we could do. I fed all the information back to Gerard, who said he would speak to [chief executive] Rick Parry.
      “Lo and behold, the following week I’m at Melwood when the yellow ticker on Sky Sports News says: Manchester United sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Sporting for £12.2m.
      “I couldn’t believe my eyes.”
      As Thompson says, United had not paid the £4m fee earlier touted and he was left shocked at how the figure changed overnight.

      The former defender continued: “Tony told me that when he’d got off the plane on the Monday he had got a call to say he was off the deal. It was down to Stretford and Mendes instead.
      “It was astonishing that the fee trebled.
      “He was clearly a big talent but no one could have predicted back then how great he was going to be.”
      Ronaldo went on to win a treble of Premier League titles in Manchester with 118 goals in almost 300 appearances.
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      Conor McGregor wants Man Utd takeover and says he could do ‘big things’ after revealing he held talks over buying Celtic

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      CONOR McGREGOR revealed he wants to buy a sports club – and has his eye on Manchester United and Celtic.The Irishman, who has Scottish heritage, recently tweeted that he was interested in taking over United.
      Conor McGregor revealed he wants to buy a sports club
      Conor McGregor wearing a Celtic jersey
      It followed furious fan protests where United supporters called for the Glazer family to sell the club – although potential buyers might need to cough up around £4billion.
      Former UFC champion McGregor has an estimated fortune of £180million, but that could be set to sky rocket.
      He has just sold a majority stake in his Proper Twelve whiskey company, worth around £423m.
      McGregor, who was a keen striker before focussing on martial arts, has already invested a ‘significant amount’ in his childhood football club Lourdes Celtic in Crumlin.
      But now the multimillionaire fancies a crack at owning a professional team and has previously spoken with Celtic’s largest individual shareholder Dermot Desmond.
      McGregor, 32, tweeted: “A conversation came up regarding Celtic first to be honest. To acquire shares from Dermot Desmond.
      “I am certainly interested in acquiring a sports team at some stage! Both Celtic and Man United are teams I like for sure.
      “But I am open. I feel I could do big things for a club.”

      This is how Conor McGregor compares to Manchester United’s owners
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      McGregor, who makes his UFC return on July 10 in in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier, had dozens of fans pleading with him to invest in their club.
      One said: “I beg you buy Hull City. We’ve just won the league and we are up for sale and have been for years, a new owner could come in and take us back to the Premier League.”
      Another said: “BUY ARSENAL.”
      One tweeted: “Buy West ham.”

      As a Manchester United fan, I believe you could do big things for the club and would please all of our fan worldwide, please do— Michael Flanagan (@mikey_flan) May 10, 2021

      I beg you buy Hull City. We’ve just won the league and we are up for sale and have been for years, a new owner could come in and take us back to the Premier League 🙌— Joe🌹 (@JoPSmith25) May 10, 2021

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      Joel Glazer writes 708-word letter to Man Utd fans as he vows to work with supporters and invest in transfers in summer

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      MANCHESTER UNITED owner Joel Glazer has written a 708-word letter to fans and vowed to work with them. Manchester United’s Supporters Trust sent the Glazers a four-point plan outlining how they want the club run following the recent angry protests at Old Trafford.
      Manchester United owners Avram and Joel GlazerCredit: PA
      Fans protested inside of Old TraffordCredit: Action Images
      Furious fans stormed the pitch and made their voices known inside and outside the ground.
      It led to their match with Liverpool being cancelled amid player safety, but Joel Glazer has now acknowledged supporters’ concerns.
      And he promised to meet with United’s Fans’ Forum once the season is finished to help bridge the divide.
      Glazer, 50, wrote: “We want to work together to come up with an ambitious package of measures which will transform our relationship with fans and strengthen the club for the long-term.
      “In this spirit, we will reach out to members of the forum to schedule a meeting in which I shall participate as soon as possible after the final game of the season. 
      “Thank you again for your work for the forum and your passion for the club.
      “I look forward to meeting you and in the meantime let’s look forward to a successful end to the season.”
      Fans have protested over their unhappiness with the Glazer family in recent years but it was United’s entry into the proposed European Super League which sparked further fury.
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      The Glazers were credited as a driving force behind the rebel breakaway league and were rapidly blasted by supporters and former players for the devious idea.
      Ex-captain Gary Neville was among those calling for the Americans to leave the club which his former team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer manages.
      But Glazer insisted his family love the club and vowed to focus on the Champions League and Premier League following the ESL disaster.
      He explained: “We remain committed to working with the wider football community to make the game stronger and more sustainable over the long-term, and we will now refocus our efforts on doing this within the existing structures of UEFA and the Premier League.
      “In addition, I want to reassure you that my family and I care deeply about Manchester United and feel a profound sense of responsibility to protect and enhance its strength for the long-term, while respecting its values and traditions. 
      “Our top priority is, and will always be, competing for the most important trophies, playing entertaining football with a team comprised of top-quality recruits and some of the world’s best homegrown talent.
      “Under Ole, we feel we are absolutely on the right track.”
      Joel Glazer’s open letter in full Dear (Fans Forum representative)
      Thank you for your letter dated April 30, sent in your capacity as a representative of Manchester United fans. I read the contents closely and your love and passion for the club came across very clearly.
      I want to salute your service to the Fans’ Forum, which I know is a vital channel for consultation between the club and our fans. As I recently stated publicly, I am personally committed to ensuring that we strengthen this relationship in future.
      Your heartfelt letter captured the unique spirit of Manchester United, forged through decades of triumph, adversity and tragedy, and still powerfully present in today’s exciting team under Ole and the vibrant fanbase which you represent.
      I was personally humbled by parts of your letter, as you explained so clearly why our initial support for the European Super League left you feeling angry and let down. I would like to reiterate my sincere apology for the mistakes that were made.
      In particular, I want to acknowledge the need for change, with deeper consultation with you as our main fan representative body across a range of important issues, including the competitions we play in. We also recognise the importance of fan and football interests being embedded in key decision-making processes at every level of the club, and we are open to constructive discussions on how to reinforce that principle.
      We remain committed to working with the wider football community to make the game stronger and more sustainable over the long-term, and we will now refocus our efforts on doing this within the existing structures of UEFA and the Premier League.
      In addition, I want to reassure you that my family and I care deeply about Manchester United and feel a profound sense of responsibility to protect and enhance its strength for the long-term, while respecting its values and traditions.
      Our top priority is, and will always be, competing for the most important trophies, playing entertaining football with a team comprised of top-quality recruits and some of the world’s best homegrown talent. Under Ole, we feel we are absolutely on the right track.
      Success on the field must be underpinned by solid foundations off it. We have supported sustained investment in the team over many years, and that will continue this summer.
      We recognise that we will need to significantly increase investment in Old Trafford and our training complex to ensure that the club’s facilities remain among the best in Europe. As part of this, we will consult with fans on investments related to the stadium and the matchday experience.
      Indeed, one of the clearest lessons of the past few weeks is the need for us to become better listeners. To this end, I can commit the club will engage across all of the issues raised in your letter.
      To highlight some specific points, as one of the few European football clubs listed on the public markets, we believe in the principle of fans owning shares in the club. We have previously engaged with the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust on fan share ownership and we want to continue and accelerate those discussions, together with provisions to enhance associated fan consultation.
      We recognise that the Government-initiated, fan-led review of football is a positive opportunity to explore new structures for fan engagement and influence. I can assure you that we will willingly and openly engage in the review, with the aim of putting fans at the heart of the game and ensuring their interests are advanced and protected.
      These commitments are a starting point for further dialogue, including all the specific points you raised, rather than final proposals. We want to work together to come up with an ambitious package of measures which will transform our relationship with fans and strengthen the club for the long-term. In this spirit, we will reach out to members of the forum to schedule a meeting in which I shall participate as soon as possible after the final game of the season.
      Thank you again for your work for the forum and your passion for the club. I look forward to meeting you and in the meantime let’s look forward to a successful end to the season.
      With best regards,
      Joel Glazer
      Executive Co-Chairman and Director

      MUST were quick to respond and shared their optimism – as well as caution.
      They wrote: “The response could in theory – and we emphasise in theory only – be a change in direction and approach by the owners versus their silence and disregard for communication over the last 16 years. 
      “We will, however, determine our position based on the resulting actions rather than these words alone. We have seen empty words too many times previously. 
      “We will seek a mandate from our members and from the wider fanbase before proceeding.
      “We only wish to engage in this process should our supporters want us to. 
      “The onus remains on the club to put right the problems of the past, not just the European Super League but the overall lack of communication and consultation by the owners. 
      Manchester United fans protesting outside Old TraffordCredit: PA
      “Our primary objective remains to ensure a supporter share scheme is put in place which carries equal voting rights to the shares held by the Glazer Family.
      “This scheme would be promoted to the global fanbase and should in turn build a notable stake in the club. 
      “Through all this, our goals remain the same and as set out in the Open Letter to Joel Glazer.
      “We want a new Manchester United, with a meaningful shareholding for supporters and a meaningful say in key areas.
      “This is our objective, and there will be no let up until we get there.”
      Man Utd vs Liverpool will be held next Thursday May 13 as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side play twice in 48 hours More

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      Ex-Man Utd star Van Persie to coach his son Shaqueel in Feyenoord’s U16s next season after landing assistant role

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      ROBIN VAN PERSIE has joined Feyenoord’s Under-16 team as assistant manager and will be coaching his son Shaqueel next season.Arsenal and Manchester United legend Van Persie cemented himself as one of the greatest strikers in Premier League history.
      Robin van Persie will take over as Feyenoord’s Under-16s assistant managerCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Robin van Persie will be coaching his son Shaqueel at FeyenoordCredit: Getty
      But the Netherlands’ record goalscorer ended his glittering career two years ago at his boyhood club Feyenoord.
      After his retirement, the 37-year-old was hired by the Rotterdam giants as the first team’s strikers coach on a part-time basis.
      However, the Algemeen Dagblad report that Feyenoord have decided to promote him to the youth squad under manager Brian Pinas.
      Van Persie is now set to work with his son Shaqueel, who has apparently taken after his father on the pitch.
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      The 14-year-old forward joined Feyenoord’s youth ranks from Fenerbahce in 2017 and is considered as one of the most promising young talents in Holland.
      Van Persie has been a constant source of advice for his son throughout his young career.
      The Prem winner never holds back on constructive criticism, especially when it comes to failure, and thus preferential treatment appears to be completely out of the question.
      Van Persie previously told The High Performance Podcast: “He (Shaqueel) was complaining about others, the trainer etc.

      “Then I said, ‘Shaqueel, you sound like a loser when you talk like that. You blame everyone, but I don’t hear about yourself.
      “‘Winners take control and look at themselves, they see where they can improve themselves. ask yourself, do you want to be a winner, or do you want to be a loser?
      “‘It doesn’t matter to me because I’m your dad. All I have is to get you ready for life when you’re 20.
      “‘I love you anyway. It doesn’t matter to me whether you make it as a footballer or not.
      “‘But you say this is your passion, so you have to take control of your life and stop complaining.'”
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      Roy Keane warns Man Utd cannot win title if Edinson Cavani STAYS and hopes striker leaves to make way for new transfer

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Roy Keane has warned his former club not to extend Edinson Cavani’s contract because he can’t lead them to titles.Cavani joined United last year from Paris Saint-Germain on a one-year deal and has so far recorded a total of 12 goals and five assists in 33 matches across all competitions.
      Manchester United ace Edinson Cavani could sign a new contract with the clubCredit: Getty
      The star striker was recently linked with a summer switch to Boca Juniors, with his family keen to return to South America.
      However, the Uruguay international appears to have made a U-turn and is now keen to extend his stay at Old Trafford for one more year.
      But Keane has advised the Red Devils to let go of the 34-year-old at the end of the season because they need more quality up top to challenge for the Premier League title.
      The club’s legendary captain also argued that the hierarchy would be taking the “easy way out” if Cavani stayed as that would work as an excuse not to spend big on a new centre-forward.
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      Manchester United legend Roy Keane has urged his club to let Edinson Cavani goCredit: Rex
      Keane said: “Cavani is a good point, because I kind of hope in one sense they don’t keep him.
      “Because then they might look at it and go, ‘We don’t need to go out and get another striker’. It might be an easy way out.
      “He’s 34. If you’re hanging your hat on Cavani next year to get Man United back to winning league titles, forget about it.
      “He’d be a back-up striker, and he wouldn’t want to be a back-up striker. That’s why he’s reluctant to sign a new contract. And obviously his family reasons behind it.”

      United have been linked with various star strikers ahead of the summer transfer window with Borussia Dortmund ace Erling Haaland posing as their top preference.
      Tottenham striker Harry Kane as well as Eintracht Frankfurt’s Andre Silva have also been touted as potential targets.
      Keane insists the club should focus on those types of marquee names in order to close the gap to their Premier League title rivals.

      Keane added: “Again, I will go back to the recruitment. I think United, going forward, certainly need to go and make a big, big signing – whether it be a Kane or a [Jack] Grealish, put a marker down.
      “They probably need another centre-half, but I still think at the top end of the pitch, when we look at some of the games this year they’ve drawn, they’ve lacked that real bit of quality.
      “They’ve got some brilliant players, there’s been progress, but the worry for Manchester United is that the next step now is the biggest and the hardest one and that is to go and get that league title.
      “Liverpool were brilliant last year, Man City excellent this season, but United are still a bit short.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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      Man Utd ‘can land Jadon Sancho for just £74m as Dortmund SLASH £36m off transfer fee.. but Solskjaer must act soon’

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND have reportedly slashed their asking price for long-term Manchester United target Jadon Sancho to less than £80million ahead of the summer transfer window.According to SPORT, Dortmund have dropped their financial demands significantly and thus Sancho may be available for a fee in the region of £74-78m.
      Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho has been linked with a move to Manchester UnitedCredit: AFP
      That development poses as a major boost for potential suitors, including United who tried to sign him last summer.
      Ultimately, the Red Devils refused to meet the star winger’s staggering £110m release clause.
      However, if manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still wants to sign the England international then he will have to move fast.
      Dortmund are adamant that any offer for the 21-year-old must be lodged in good time so that the Bundesliga giants can buy a replacement.
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      Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have to act quickly if he wants to sign Jadon SanchoCredit: PA
      It seems like there will be another deadline this year and all interested parties will have time until the end of July to sign Sancho before the team jets out to training camp.
      This comes after Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc confirmed that a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ has been reached with Sancho that would allow him to leave in the summer.
      However, the same doesn’t apply for the club’s in-demand star striker Erling Haaland.

      Zorc said: “We already had a gentlemen’s agreement with Jadon last year that he can move under certain conditions.
      “However, this agreement doesn’t exist with Erling.”
      Liverpool have also been previously linked with Sancho but Jurgen Klopp’s attack is full of reliable options, such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota.
      Reports suggest that Klopp would only consider signing the former Manchester City ace if Salah – who has been linked with Real Madrid – left Anfield.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Jadon Sancho scores some narrow goals in training with Borussia Dortmund More

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      AC Milan freeze contract talks with Chelsea and Man Utd transfer target Donnarumma after Ultras confront him in training

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      AC MILAN have paused contract talks with Gianluigi Donnarumma after a group of ultras confronted the star goalkeeper at the club’s training ground.Donnarumma’s deal with Milan runs out in June and reports suggest that Premier League giants Manchester United as well as Chelsea have been keeping tabs on the 22-year-old.
      AC Milan star goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has been linked with a move to Manchester United and ChelseaCredit: PA
      There have also been rumours claiming that the Italy international was holding talks with Juventus over a potential Serie A switch in the summer.
      As a result, tensions rose on Saturday when a group of hard-line supporters went to the club’s Milanello complex to address the situation directly with the Italy star, according to ANSA
      The fans reportedly ordered Donnarumma not to play against Juventus on Sunday in Turin unless he puts pen to paper on a new contract with the Rossoneri.
      After the incident, Milan legend and technical director Paolo Maldini said the club has paused contract renewal talks with the young shot-stopper until the end of the season.
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      Maldini told ANSA: “It’s important to firmly reiterate that no one outside of AC Milan can decide who plays and who renews their contract.
      “Certain choices are up to the coach, regarding the football pitch, and up to the club, regarding contractual matters.”
      Maldini added that Milan’s decision to halt contract doesn’t only apply for Donnarumma.
      Hakan Calhanoglu’s deal also comes up in June and the attacking midfielder has yet to agree to new terms.
      Maldini added: “From this moment every single renewal negotiation is frozen until the end of the season, to allow the team to focus solely on the league.
      “In the meantime, we will continue to protect our players as we have always done.”

      Donnarumma recently put talks with Milan and Juventus on hold as he wants to play in the Champions League next season, according to a recent report by Sky Sport Italia.
      Juve and the Rossoneri are not certain to feature in next season’s competition as they are still battling for a top-four finish in Serie A.
      United, on the other hand, are highly likely to finish second in the Premier League but are currently spoilt for choice in goal with David de Gea and Dean Henderson in the squad.
      Chelsea are fourth in the Premier League and playing in the Champions League semi-finals.
      But Blues manager Thomas Tuchel seems to have full faith in Edouard Mendy between the sticks.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      In demand Gianluigi Donnarumma is match ready as he saves every goal in training More

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      Man Utd vs Liverpool postponement wreaks HAVOC on Prem fixtures as chiefs try to fit game in tight window

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      THE Premier League fixture list has been thrown into chaos after Manchester United’s home clash with Liverpool was postponed due to furious fan protests.No new date for the game has yet been confirmed, with both clubs in urgent discussions to thrash out a plan.
      Angry Man Utd supporters protested outside Old TraffordCredit: AFP
      Some fuming fans invaded Old Trafford’s pitch causing the Liverpool clash to be postponedCredit: Reuters
      The end-of-season run-in is tight, especially for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer given his side are set to play the second leg of their Europa League semi-final against Roma in the Italian capital on Thursday.
      United would normally fly out to Italy early on Wednesday.
      They could, in theory, play against Liverpool today.
      But the potential risk of a further fans protest was being assessed last night, especially given the heavy police involvement yesterday.
      Liverpool might have to shift their game against West Brom on Sunday May 16 to the Monday and visit United on Friday 14 — the day before the FA Cup Final.
      Both teams must play their last games of the season on May 23 at 4pm, with that kick-off time set in stone alongside the rest of the top-flight fixtures that day.
      United and Liverpool are also in midweek action on May 19 — plus there is already a full fixture list next weekend.
      The game was called off following furious fan protests as some angry supporters stormed onto the Old Trafford pitch.
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      United said in a statement: “Following discussion between the Police, The Premier League, Trafford Council and the clubs, our match against Liverpool has been postponed due to safety and security considerations around the protest today.
      “Discussions will now take place with the Premier League on a revised date for the fixture.
      “Our fans are passionate about Manchester United, and we completely acknowledge the right to free expression and peaceful protest.  “However, we regret the disruption to the team and actions which put other fans, staff, and the police in danger.
      “We thank the police for their support and will assist them in any subsequent investigations.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Sky Sports pundits forced to take cover as fuming Man Utd fans launch flare towards Carragher in gantry at Old Trafford More