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      Fed up players, no No9 and Gary Neville off on one – the £6bn Qatari takeover of Man Utd can’t come soon enough

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      THERE is a new broom sweeping in from the East.Sheikh Jassim is close to completing his Qatari takeover — and for Manchester United fans it cannot come soon enough.
      Manchester United players are fed upCredit: Alamy
      Gary Neville’s rants have become a regular occurrenceCredit: Getty
      Sheikh Jassim is set to complete a £6bn takeover of United
      The club needs a new start, totally Glazer free. Let them take their £6billion and relinquish every percentage of control.
      United are still not title-winning material, as their opening two Premier League games have clearly shown.
      Lucky to beat Wolves 1-0, they were impotent  up   front   in the 2-0 loss to Spurs.
      They have had a decent transfer window as Erik ten Hag’s spending nears the £400million mark in just over a year in charge.
      READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS
      But for United to still not have a decent No 9 at the top of his game available to them is a dereliction of duty.
      Ten Hag got the club back on track last season, no doubt about that.
      The Carabao Cup triumph, FA Cup final appearance and third place in the Prem undoubtedly provided one of the best seasons in the ten years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
      It was intense from that shaky start, through the revival to the disappointing Cup final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley.
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      The players were then off on international duty and before they knew it, on a plane heading off on pre-season jaunts to Oslo, Glasgow,
      New York, San Diego, Houston, back to San Diego and then the 104OF heat in Las Vegas, before returning to Old Trafford and a quick trip to Dublin.
      By that final US tour match in Vegas last month — a 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund — the players looked fed up.
      They returned to Manchester and knew they needed a good start to the season or the whole circus would start again.
      It is not merely coincidental that Sky chose the big top imagery for their new season promotions as it is a constant high-wire act at Old Trafford.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said United were the only club whose whole situation is judged from week to week. He is right.
      A good win and you will see videos on social media of ‘United under Ten Hag’ with great passing moves.
      Talk will be of how they have got the recruitment right at last, how their Carrington HQ is fit for purpose after all and the manager has got the control that no one since Fergie has had.
      Lose and they cannot spot a decent player if he knocked on the door, there is a chip in the swimming pool at Carrington and the manager cannot get a tune out of certain players.
      Casemiro, meanwhile, who was an inspired £60m buy from Real Madrid last summer, is now apparently too old and slow at 31.
      Of course, no other clubs demand such scrutiny with former defender Gary Neville off on one again over the last few days. Club officials have long grown tired of Red Nev’s rants.
      They have become repetitive but they raise the shackles of the fanbase.
      The Mason Greenwood situation has provided another stick with which to beat the Old Trafford hierarchy.
      Although quite what else the club could or should have done has not been fully explained by the critics.
      There was a great social media post yesterday from the respected United fan, broadcaster and journalist based in Los Angeles, Pilib De Brun.
      He wrote: “Sometimes I just feel like jacking football altogether. All I want to do is watch 11 players kick a ball in a net each week but I’m forced to learn geo-politics, have a financial degree and pass the bar exam just to know what’s going on these days ffs.”
      Beat Nottingham Forest at the Theatre of Dreams on Saturday and things will temporarily be put to one side.
      The tills will still be ringing at the Megastore.
      ‘Man United never die’, as the fans sing.
      But you  wonder if that “open-heart surgery” caretaker-boss Ralf Rangnick talked about is still on the waiting list?
      Read More on The Sun
      Perhaps Sheikh Jassim can operate.
      Somebody needs to.
      The takeover cannot come soon enough for UnitedCredit: Rex
      Erik ten Hag is still in need of a number nineCredit: Alamy More

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      Date set for £6bn Qatari takeover of Man Utd with announcement coming even sooner after Ratcliffe interest beaten away

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      SHEIKH JASSIM is set to complete his full £6BILLION takeover of Manchester United by mid-October.The Qatari royal has fought off rival bidder British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who was willing to allow the Glazer family to retain a stake in the Red Devils.
      Sheikh Jassim is set to complete his £6billion takeover of Manchester United
      Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been defeated in his attempts to buy the clubCredit: PA
      A date is pencilled in and an announcement could come as early as next month.
      Sheikh Jassim’s team are now completing their due diligence on the club before they end the 18-year reign of the loathed Glazers.
      United fans will rejoice in a 100 per cent sale as they feared the Americans were dragging their heels and would eventually cling on to a slice of the club.
      The Glazers wanted to continue holding shares but were warned by senior Old Trafford figures there would be a huge backlash from the fanbase.
      READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS
      They will make a healthy profit having lumbered United with massive debts when they completed their £800million takeover back in 2005.
      The servicing of that debt has since cost United over £1bn.
      And their last financial figures showed that the gross debt is £725m — the highest it has been since 2010.
      Sheikh Jassim will wipe that out to save on any further fees and not take any dividend payments from the club, like the Glazers did.
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      He also plans to upgrade both Old Trafford and the club’s Carrington training ground, while continuing the investment in the team.
      The takeover will end a tortuous process that started when the club was put up for sale last November.
      It is not all good news for United, though, as midfielder Mason Mount is set to miss their Prem clashes with Nottingham Forest and Arsenal.
      The £60m summer signing from Chelsea picked up a “small complaint” during  Saturday’s 2-0 loss at Tottenham.
      A club statement revealed he is expected to be “out until the international break next month”.
      United’s first match after that is against Brighton at Old Trafford on Saturday, September 16.
      Meanwhile, the club are checking on Fenerbahce keeper Altay Bayindir, 25, ahead of a possible move as back-up to new £43.8m No 1 Andre Onana.
      The takeover is set to be announced by mid-OctoberCredit: Reuters More

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      Alexis Mac Allister red card overturned after huge backlash over ‘harsh’ decision as Liverpool star no longer suspended

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      ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER’S red card has been OVERTURNED, meaning he has avoided a three-match suspension.The Liverpool midfielder, 24, was sent off for serious foul play on Saturday after a challenge on Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie in the second half of the Reds’ 3-1 win at Anfield.
      Alexis Mac Allister’s red card has been overturnedCredit: Reuters
      Mac Allister will no longer serve a three-match suspensionCredit: Reuters
      Jurgen Klopp’s men appealed referee Thomas Bramall’s decision.
      And the FA have now confirmed the “wrongful dismissal” claim has been successful.
      An FA statement read: “An independent Regulatory Commission has removed Alexis Mac Allister’s three-match suspension following a claim of wrongful dismissal.”
      Mac Allister will now be available for games against Newcastle, Aston Villa and Wolves.
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      Liverpool boss Klopp vehemently disagreed with the dismissal immediately after the game.
      He said: “It’s harsh, this shouldn’t have been a red card.
      “It’s a mistake and the punishment of playing 40 minutes with 10 men is already punishment enough. We have to talk to the authorities.
      “There was contact but there is contact in a game all the time. If he gives a yellow card nobody would say, ‘by the way you need to have another look at that’.
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      “The amount of times I’ve already been asked about it shows it is worth discussing again, which we will probably do.
      “I asked Macca and he said ‘he touched him, but not really’. If we have a list of points of what you need to give a red card, besides contact there’s no other box ticked.”
      Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer agreed with Klopp, adding: “I think this is a terrible decision, I think this is an awful decision.
      “There’s no force at all, I know [Mac Allister is] slightly high but he’s not going in with great force or great power to do [Ryan Christie].
      “For [Mac Allister] now to miss three games because of that, then I think that’s extremely harsh.
      “I didn’t think it was a red card at all and I was really surprised it wasn’t overturned or [the referee] was at least told to go to the screen – very, very harsh.”
      Liverpool have kicked off their Premier League campaign with four points from six, adding a win over Bournemouth to their 1-1 draw with Chelsea. More

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      Man Utd fans fume as they ‘launch £6m transfer bid for Fenerbahce keeper Altay Bayindir’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have made a £6million offer for Fenerbahce goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, according to reports… and fans are fuming.United are hoping to sign the Turkish shot-stopper as a backup for £47m Andre Onana.
      Manchester United make an offer for Fenerbahce’s Atlay BayindirCredit: Getty
      Bayindir, 25, has been Fenerbhce’s No1 since 2019 and has 12 caps for the Turkish national side.
      Goal has reported the Turkish team has given the 6ft 6in keeper permission to leave Istanbul to pursue a move away.
      United have already made big changes in goal this summer as David De Gea’s contract expired allowing him to leave as a free agent.
      Erik ten Hag then completed the club’s biggest signing for a goalkeeper on Inter Milan’s Andre Onana.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      Meanwhile, the Reds are desperate for a No2 as Nathan Bishop has been sent on loan to Sunderland while Dean Henderson has been linked to a move to Crystal Palace.
      That leaves 37-year-old Tom Heaton as United’s current No2.
      If Bayindir does sign for the Premier League giants Fenerbahce are targeting Croatian international Dominik Livakovic as a replacement.
      A Manchester United transfer news account revealed the deal on Twitter earlier- and fans were not happy as they think Ten Hag’s side urgently needs a midfielder.
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      One fan said: “We need a midfielder.”
      Another tweeted: “Don’t think 2nd GK is the priority lads.”
      A third said: “Okay what about a midfielder we need.” More

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      Brighton switch transfer attention to Arsenal outcast midfielder in desperate search for Moises Caicedo replacement

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      BRIGHTON have switched their attention to signing Arsenal outcast Albert Sambi Lokonga to replace Moises Caicedo.Their interest comes after a move for Lille midfielder Carlos Baleba stalled on Monday night.
      Brighton have turned their attention to Arsenal’s Albert Sambi LokongaCredit: Getty
      Lokonga is being eyed as a potential replacement for Moises CaicedoCredit: Alamy
      The Seagulls are keen to secure a new midfielder after selling Caicedo to Chelsea earlier this summer.
      Caicedo completed a British record £115million move to Stamford Bridge after an intense transfer saga.
      Baleba had looked set to join Brighton as his replacement this week, but the £26million deal has since stalled.
      According to talkSPORT, Brighton are no eyeing a move for Lokonga instead.
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      The Belgian is not in Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s plans and could join Brighton on an initial loan deal.
      He has made 39 appearances since joining the Gunners in 2021 and still has three years left on his contract.
      Lokonga also spent the second half of last season on loan at Crystal Palace, where he made just nine appearances.
      If he were to move to Brighton, he would become Roberto De Zerbi’s sixth summer signing.
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      Joao Pedro, Bart Verbruggen and Igor Julio have already been brought in for a combined £60million.
      Meanwhile, Mahmoud Dahoud and James Milner have both joined on free transfers.
      Brighton have made a perfect start to the new season, winning both their matches 4-1 against Luton and Wolves.
      Those wins sees them top the Premier League ahead of Saturday’s visit from West Ham. More

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      Furious Bruno Guimaraes hits out at Newcastle fans with ‘short, stupid memories’ in now-deleted tweet

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      FURIOUS Bruno Guimaraes hit out at moaning Newcastle fans with “short, stupid memories”.Some Toon supporters were quick to hammer their players on social media following Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Manchester City.
      Newcastle stars were singled out for criticism following their 1-0 loss to Man CityCredit: Getty
      But Bruno Guimaraes hit back at the claimsCredit: Alamy

      NUFC360, a popular fan account with just under 134k followers, tweeted: “Is it too early in the season to start focusing blame onto individual players?
      “Was there an overreaction to the loss to Man City?”
      Brazilian midfielder Bruno, 25, was pictured in the post alongside Joelinton, Dan Burn and Miguel Almiron – none of who were at their best at the Etihad. 
      Guimaraes joined Newcastle from Lyon in January 2022 when the Magpies were battling relegation but admitted in July there are “doubts” over signing a new deal.
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      And he hit back: “Is this serious? We are in the Champions League, we lost against maybe one of the best teams in the world.
      “We have lost one game!
      “Support in the best moment is easy. Short, stupid memories you all have.
      “Look what we have done for the team in this year and a half.”
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      Bruno deleted his Tweet and NUFC360 backtracked, replying: “We are with you Bruno, this post was a way to try and focus on the craziness of those trying to find players to blame after two games.
      “I’m sorry if this was not expressed on that matter.” More

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      Pep Guardiola undergoes emergency surgery and is set to miss Man City’s next two matches

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      PEP GUARDIOLA has undergone emergency back surgery.And he is set to miss Manchester City’s next two matches.
      Pep Guardiola had emergency surgery on his back in BarcelonaCredit: AFP
      Dr Mireia Illueca performed the operation on the Man City managerCredit: www.barcelonaspineinstitute.com
      The Spaniard, 52, needed the operation to help deal with “severe pain” that he had been experiencing for “some time”.
      And he flew out to Barcelona to go under the knife with surgeon Dr Mireia Illueca, who works at the Barcelona Spine Institute.
      City confirmed the procedure had gone to plan and Guardiola will now spend some time resting up in his homeland – just hours after footage emerged of the manager getting a parking ticket in Manchester.
      The Premier League champions said: “The Manchester City boss has been suffering with severe back pain for some time lately, and flew out to Barcelona for emergency surgery performed by Dr Mireia Illueca.
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      “The surgery was a success, and Pep will now recover and rehabilitate in Barcelona.
      “In his absence, assistant manager Juanma Lillo will oversee coaching of the first team on the training field and will assume duties on the touchline until Pep’s return.
      “He is expected to return after the forthcoming international break.
      “Everyone at Manchester City wishes Pep a speedy recovery, and look forward to seeing him back in Manchester soon.”
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      Guardiola is expected to be absent for Sunday’s trip to Sheffield United as well as the home clash with Fulham on September 2.
      And that could mean the Treble-winning coach may not be in the dugout until City face West Ham away on September 16.
      That will see Lillo take charge of orchestrating the players on the sidelines – although it is unclear if he will face the media due to his limited English.
      The 57-year-old began his coaching career way back in 1981 – working for teams in Spain, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Japan and China – and joined City as Mikel Arteta’s replacement in 2020.
      After two years, he took the managerial job to succeed Javi Gracia at Saudi side Al-Sadd but returned to the Etihad this year following Enzo Maresca’s departure for Leicester.
      City have made a perfect start to the season with two wins – beating Burnley and then Newcastle.
      In the latter stages of the game, Guardiola even enjoyed a funny interaction with a fan questioning his substitutions.
      Antonio Conte missed four Tottenham matches last season when he was rushed to hospital and needed gallbladder surgery.
      Guardiola is resting up in Spain after the surgery at the Barcelona Spine InstituteCredit: Google Maps
      Juanma Lillo will be in charge of the City team in Guardiola’s absenceCredit: Getty More

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      Is Man Utd vs Nottingham Forest on TV? Red Devils hope to put Spurs defeat behind them in tasty Prem clash – team news

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      MANCHESTER UNITED will be determined to bounce back from their Tottenham tragedy when they face Nottingham Forest on Saturday.A second-half strike from Pepe Matar Sarr followed by an own goal by Lisandro Martinez saw Spurs beat the Red Devils last weekend.
      Manchester United were comfortably beaten by TottenhamCredit: Alamy
      And this comes off the back of a poor performance at Wolves despite escaping Old Trafford with a 1-0 win.
      However, fans could be in for a treat as Erik ten Hag is expected to finally add mega-summer signing Rasmus Hojlund to the fold.
      But it won’t be an easy ride for the Danish superstar as he comes up against a Forest side fresh from a Sheffield United triumph.
      When is Man Utd vs Nottingham Forest?

      Manchester United and Nottingham Forest will face off on Saturday, August 26.
      It is scheduled to get underway at 3pm BST.
      Old Trafford in Manchester is the allocated arena for this huge fixture and it can host approximately 74,310 fans.
      Goals from Antony and Diogo Dalot was enough to help United see off Forest when the sides last met in April.

      Read more on Man Utd
      Is Man Utd vs Nottingham Forest on TV?

      Unfortunately, Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest will NOT be broadcast live on TV in the UK.
      This is due to the Saturday 3pm football blackout law.
      However, SunSport will have minute-by-minute coverage of the entire action through our live blog.

      Team news
      Erik ten Hag confirmed that Rasmus Hojlund is “available” for the Nottingham Forest clash but the Manchester United boss doesn’t expect the mega-summer signing to be 100 percent fit.
      Rasmus Hojlund could make his debut against Nottingham ForestCredit: Getty
      Kobbie Mainoo (ankle), Amad Diallo (knee), Tom Heaton (knock) and Tyrrell Malacia (muscle) all continue to be sidelined, while Harry Maguire (knock) remains a doubt.
      Elsewhere, Forest gaffer Steve Cooper looks set to be without the quartet of Felipe (knock), Ola Aina (groin), Omar Richards (leg) and Wayne Hennessey (knee).
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      Latest odds

      Man Utd 3/10 to win
      Draw 17/4
      Nottm Forest to win 9/1

      *Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes are correct at time of publication More