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      ‘It’s baffling’ – Ferdinand slams Ten Hag’s ‘unfair’ decision to keep Cristiano Ronaldo at Man Utd after strop vs Spurs

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Rio Ferdinand has slammed Erik ten Hag’s “unfair” decision to leave Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench for their 2-0 win over Tottenham.Ronaldo, 37, stormed down the tunnel before the final whistle at Old Trafford on Wednesday night as he was left unused for the entirety of the game.
      Ronaldo stormed down the tunnel after being an unused sub against TottenhamCredit: Rex
      Ferdinand feels it is unfair for everyone involved in the Ronaldo sagaCredit: Youtube – Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE
      The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has started just two of Man Utd’s 12 Premier League games so far this season.
      And Ferdinand, who played with Ronaldo during his first stint at the club, feels it is not fair on anyone for the situation to carry on like this.
      Speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel, he said: “My only thought could be that Cristiano is being saved for the weekend against Chelsea. That’s the only way I see it, logically.
      “He didn’t play today and I think Ronaldo will be absolutely fuming with that naturally and I wouldn’t expect anything different from him.
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      “I think the big problem Erik ten Hag’s got is that, coming up to this next window, I think he’s got to think very carefully about what he does.
      “If he doesn’t see Cristiano Ronaldo as a starter in his team more often than not, I think he has to release him from the contract, has to let him go.
      “It’s not fair on anybody – the club, Cristiano, Erik ten Hag or the players – that after every game he doesn’t start is ‘why didn’t didn’t Cristiano Ronaldo start?’ and that’s the story.
      “Man Utd have won 2-0 today and one of the leading stories will probably be about Ronaldo tomorrow and that can’t be right.”
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      He continued: “So you sit here and think ‘why did Man Utd not just let him go then?’ if Erik ten Hag kind of knew he wasn’t going to part of his main plans.
      “That’s the baffling part for me because you think what someone’s done in their career, at his level, the manager surely would have known before the season started ‘am I going to really play Ronaldo a lot? Is he really what I want in my team? Is he the future of what I’m building around?’
      “It looks to me right now as though he would have aired on the side of ‘no’. If that’s the case, I feel he probably should have let Cristiano go.
      “It’s probably going to be something that hampers him [Ten Hag] going forward until the day Ronaldo leaves the football club because of how big he is, how much of an icon, how much of a superstar he is.”
      Ferdinand wasn’t the only pundit who weighed in on the Ronaldo situation following the game.
      Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie described the Portuguese superstar’s actions as “incredibly disrespectful”.
      And Gareth Ainsworth, who was alongside Hendrie on Soccer Saturday, went one step further by insisting “his time is over at United”.
      When quizzed on how he will handle Ronaldo’s storming down the tunnel, Ten Hag said: “We will deal with that on Thursday. I saw him leaving but I didn’t speak to him after.
      “I don’t pay attention to that, we want to focus on this team, it was a magnificent performance from all 11 players.
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      “Tonight we celebrate the result and the rest we deal with on Thursday.”
      Ronaldo was trolled on social media after the game as heat maps were mocked up of him sitting on the bench and heading down the tunnel. More

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      Bayern Munich shortlist Harry Kane as a ‘serious contender’ for transfer if Tottenham star decides not to renew contract

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      BAYERN MUNICH have reportedly made Harry Kane a “serious contender” as a top transfer target should he decide not renew his contract.The striker, who is closing in on becoming England’s all-time top scorer, has been in red-hot form for Tottenham this term.
      Fresh transfer rumours regarding Bayern Munich’s pursuit of Harry Kane have emergedCredit: Getty
      He goes into tonight’s showdown against Manchester United at Old Trafford with ten goals and two assists to his name already with Spurs third in the Premier League.
      The 29-year-old tried to force through a move to Manchester City just over a year ago but Spurs dug their heels in and kept their talisman.
      He was then linked with Bayern during the recent summer window, but once again Tottenham refused to do business and insisted that the star was going nowhere.
      However, speculation continues to rumble on over Kane’s future due to his contract ending in 2024.
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      He would then be able to move abroad and leave for nothing, which could force Antonio Conte’s side to cash in at the end of this season rather than risk losing him on a free.
      A fresh report from Sky Germany is now claiming that Bayern are ready and waiting to swoop if no new deal is signed as they assessed recent transfer rumours regarding the Bundesliga giants.
      It also adds that Kane could be interested in order to achieve his ambition of winning silverware.
      The superstar, who is yet to make a decision on an extension, was asked ahead of last week’s Champions League match with Eintracht Frankfurt about the Bayern speculation.
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      He said: “I’m focusing on Tottenham Hotspur and trying to do our best.
      “For sure Bayern are a top, top club but all my concentration is on Tottenham.” More

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      ‘Break the bank’ – Teddy Sheringham says Man Utd should go all out to sign Tottenham star Harry Kane

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      MANCHESTER UNITED should splash the cash on trying to sign Harry Kane, according to ex-Red Devils and Tottenham striker Teddy Sheringham.The Spurs talisman has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in the past, but so far the Lilywhites have held onto their man.
      Kane has made a superb start to the season for TottenhamCredit: Alamy
      Sheringham has called on Manchester United to sign KaneCredit: Getty
      However, Man Utd are set to search for someone to lead the line for them come the end of the season when Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract expires.
      And Sheringham, who left Spurs to join United in 1997, feels Kane is a player Erik ten Hag should be looking at.
      Speaking to Gambling, he said: “If they’re going to go out and break the bank for someone, go out and get Harry Kane.
      “He’s the type of centre-forward they lack, a proper professional, he leads the line and you’ll always get 100% out of him.
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      “He’s a proper player, so go break the bank for him. I know that’s going to upset the Tottenham fans but we’re talking about Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world.
      “They should be doing this sort of thing instead of spending money on players who only might do the job for you.”
      Kane has been in sensational form for Tottenham so far this season, scoring 10 goals in 14 appearances.
      He has netted nine times in the Premier League, more than any other player aside from Erling Haaland – who has dwarfed everyone with 15 goals in 10 games.
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      And while Sheringham feels United should go after Kane, he is also of the opinion that the England captain is content at Tottenham under Antonio Conte.
      “Harry looks very happy to me,” he added. “He obviously had a wobble at the start of last season when he thought he might be leaving the club, and you could see he was unnerved by all that.
      “He’s in good shape at the moment, has the World Cup coming up, he’s scoring goals, so he’s in fine fettle so I don’t see why he would be thinking about leaving.”
      Kane is just nine goals shy of becoming Spurs’ all-time top scorer – a feat currently held by Jimmy Greaves who hit the back of the net 266 times for the club.
      He is also two goals behind Wayne Rooney’s England scoring record of 53. More

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      Cody Gakpo hints at Man Utd transfer as he regrets failed summer move and reveals he snubbed two Premier League clubs

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      PSV star Cody Gakpo has thrown the door back open to a Manchester United transfer after revealing he held talks with them this summer.The 23-year-old Dutch international was the subject of interest from a number of Premier League clubs late on in the window.
      Cody Gakpo has thrown the door back open to a potential switch to Man UtdCredit: Getty
      United explored the possibility of signing him when a deal for Ajax attacker Antony proved difficult, although they eventually got it over the line.
      Southampton were also keen on the ace and rumours had suggested they agreed a £34million fee with the Dutch club.
      Leeds chief Victor Orta then travelled to Holland to try to negotiate the transfer but Gakpo turned them down after he allegedly refused to board a plane to England to finalise the transfer to Elland Road.
      Now the winger has revealed that he was “close” to a switch to Old Trafford after transfer talks with United boss Erik ten Hag.
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      He told The Times: “I was close to leaving, I spoke to Erik ten Hag a few times at Manchester United.
      “In the end the deal didn’t go through, which was a shame, for me and my development, and because Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world, but also for PSV, because to transfer a player to Manchester United is a good thing for the club.
      “It ended about a week before the end of the transfer window and in that week I had to decide if I would go to Leeds or Southampton.
      “In the end I stayed, but it was a stressful period.”
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      Gakpo has not let his disappointment at failing to sign for United get him down as he has fired 14 goals in 20 appearances so far this term for club and country.
      He looks nailed on to be part of Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands squad at the World Cup next month – and the ace still has eyes on a switch to the Premier League.
      He said: “I always said if I stay here, it’s my childhood club. It’s not a punishment.
      “I like being here, I want to win trophies here and do my best for the club.
      “But if I got the chance to go to the Premier League or something, of course I would have to consider that option. At that time it was hectic for me but I recovered pretty quickly.” More

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      Arsenal facing fight to keep hold of Edu with European giants looking to snatch technical director away from Emirates

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      ARSENAL face a fight to keep hold of technical director Edu, according to reports.The 44-year-old Brazilian joined the Gunners back in 2019 and has thrived in the role at the Emirates.
      Edu has spearheaded a positive change at ArsenalCredit: Reuters
      He has been widely praised for the appointment of manager Mikel Arteta, as well as the club’s impressive recruitment.
      Arsenal currently sit top of the Premier League table after nine wins from their opening 10 matches.
      And according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Edu is attracting interest from several European clubs.
      The former midfielder’s name is said to have been “discussed internally” as a suitable technical director – although the identity of the teams are not known.
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      However, Edu is considered to be “100 per cent focused on the Arsenal project”, with the club seeing him as a “key figure” in their plans for the future.
      The former Brazilian midfielder will always be remembered as a member of Arsene Wenger’s 2003-04 Invincibles.
      But he has been playing an even more important role since being appointed technical director in 2019 to help salvage a club in serious danger of losing their place at football’s top table.
      In the summer, the South American told SunSport the Gunners were not simply going to settle for a place in the top four as he outlined ambitious plans.
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      Edu said: “Arsenal should not be building to just fight for fourth. A club of our size cannot accept that.
      “That’s what really hurt when I returned three years ago. I was asking, ‘What’s happening here? Everybody is comfortable and they’re all OK with that?’
      “Well, f*** you, because that’s not the mentality of this club. I want everyone to feel, ‘F*****g hell, now we are really going to go for things’.
      “So we needed a squad with personalities that say, ‘I am not losing this game — I will kill someone first but I don’t lose’.
      “And this summer I think we’ve added more players with that kind of character.”
      Arsenal signed five new players ahead of the new season – Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Marquinhos.
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      And Arteta’s men now look ready to compete for the title as they have opened up a four-point lead over Manchester City.
      Edu will be hoping Arsenal can build on their positive start as he looks to add to the FA Cup they won during his first season at the club. More

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      Arsenal star Bukayo Saka wanted by Chelsea in shock transfer move with Todd Boehly making move for England winger

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      CHELSEA could launch a shock bid for Bukayo Saka – as Liverpool’s hopes of landing the Arsenal winger fade.The Gunners remain confident of tying the England superstar, 21, to a long contract.
      Chelsea have reportedly joined Liverpool in eyeing Arsenal’s Bukayo SakaCredit: Getty
      But CBS Sports’ Ben Jacobs suggest Chelsea owner Todd Boehly regards Saka as an ideal recruit for Graham Potter’s young squad.
      The Blues’ main hope would surely be to dangle a huge contract for a player tipped to be one of the Three Lions’ main men at the World Cup.
      But Londoner Saka has helped Arsenal to the top of the Premier League.
      And few strikeforces offer more dynamism than his link-up with fellow wideman Gabriel Martinelli and out-and-out striker Gabriel Jesus.
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      Saka sunk Leeds with the only goal at Elland Road on Sunday as the Gunners made it nine wins from ten Prem matches this season.
      Reported interest from Liverpool and Manchester City has dipped, however,
      Jacobs told The Football Terrace that Chelsea might be willing to present the pacy 20-cap star with a bigger deal than Arsenal.
      But the contract offer from the Emirates – thought to be around £200,000 a week for five years – is already on the table.
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      And the Gunners are confident it’s a question of when, not if, he’ll sign it.
      Meanwhile, Martinelli, like Saka, has two years left on his current deal.
      And the Brazilian insists he is keen to remain for much longer.
      He said: “We are talking about a contract so let’s see what happens. But of course I want to stay.
      “I think this is my best season at Arsenal and I am so happy for this moment.
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      “Everyone can see our hunger and our mentality. We want to win every single game.
      “I am so happy to be playing alongside players like Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka.” More

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      Sambi Lokonga ‘p***ed off’ with Belgium boss Martinez and says he ‘almost snapped’ and asked for Arsenal transfer exit

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      ARSENAL midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga has revealed he almost quit both Arsenal AND the Belgium national team earlier this year.The 22-year-old joined the Gunners from Anderlecht for £18million in the summer of 2021.
      Lokonga has taken aim at both club and country for their recent treatment of himCredit: Getty
      He started 16 times under Mikel Arteta last season, but was often reduced to being used as a back-up in the middle of the park.
      This consequently saw him struggle for game time with his country as Belgian boss Roberto Martinez opted to leave him on the bench in both of their friendly matches in March.
      And it has left Lokonga furious with the former Wigan and Everton manager as the World Cup fast approaches.
      Speaking to La Derniere Heure, he said: “I called him the day after the international match in March. I was really p****d off.
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      “I thought for a moment that I didn’t even want to play for the national team anymore. I was disgusted.
      “Martinez said he preferred players who are playing regularly at their club.
      He was also not completely satisfied with my training. I don’t think he can portray me as a bad boy who doesn’t work hard. It would be too easy to put up such a picture of me.
      “He can’t use something like that to justify why I don’t get to play.”
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      Lokonga has not been included in Martinez’s squad since the friendlies in March.
      And the midfielder has also admitted he considered departing Arsenal following just one campaign in England.
      “At the end of last season, I almost snapped,” he added when speaking about his first year in the Premier League.
      “I called my agent to ask him if staying at Arsenal was a good idea.
      “He comforted me in my choice, even though I know I need to start more often to develop.”
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      Lokonga has enjoyed more game time so far this season, featuring in six of the Gunners’ 11 Prem matches and starting all three of their Europa League games.
      Arteta’s men sit top of the Premier League table with nine wins from 10 and also boast a 100 per cent record in Europe. More

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      Man Utd boost in Joao Felix chase as Atletico Madrid star’s agent ‘explores options’ for January transfer

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have received a boost in their pursuit of Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix, according to reports.The 22-year-old Portuguese star was linked with a move to Old Trafford in the summer, but a deal never materialised.
      Felix is being linked with a move away from Atletico in JanuaryCredit: Getty
      However, he has started just seven of the Spanish side’s 14 matches in all competitions this season.
      It is causing friction between Felix and his relationship with Atletico and manager Diego Simeone.
      And according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the player’s agent Jorge Mendes is now searching for a route out of the club in 2023.
      But Atletico are keen to stand firm, refusing to accept anything less than his release clause – which is worth £304million.
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      Speaking on his “Here We Go” podcast, he revealed: “The situation is tense between Joao Felix and Atletico Madrid, especially between Joao Felix and Diego Simeone, of course, because he’s not a starter, he’s not playing a lot.
      “The reality is that on Atletico Madrid’s side they insist Joao Felix is not for sale and a key player for Atletico Madrid.
      “They want the release clause in his contract which is 350 million euros (£304m). They have no intention to negotiate.
      “But the reality is that on the player’s side – with agent Jorge Mendes – they are trying and exploring the market to find some potential solutions for 2023.”
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      Felix arrived at Atletico from Benfica in 2019 for a whopping £113m.
      He has not yet lived up to the enormous price tag the Spanish giants paid, contributing 29 goals and 18 assists in 123 appearances.
      And Atletico may be willing to cut their losses, although it is thought a transfer in the summer is more likely than in January.
      It was reported earlier this week that Felix has “lost his patience” with Atletico boss Simeone.
      He has played less than 30 minutes across their last four matches. More