THE Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund are reportedly exploring a deal for Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes.
Meanwhile, Sir Jim Ratcliffe will allow Erik ten Hag to continue as Red Devils manager after agreeing a deal to buy a stake in the club, according to reports.
The Ineos chief is set to take over the football operations at United once his 25 per cent stake is confirmed.
Elsewhere, Marcus Rashford missed the Red Devils' 1-0 away at Fulham after he picked up a heavy knock in training on Friday.
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- By Tony Robertson
Shearer slams 'daft' Rashford
Alan Shearer has slammed Marcus Rashford as "daft" after he went out clubbing after the defeat to Manchester City.
Shearer was not too pleased with the actions of the England ace, disagreeing with Gary Lineker on The Rest Is Football podcast.
He said: "Do think he was wrong? Yeah absolutely. I don't care if it's your birthday on Saturday night, if you've been dumped 3-0 after a terrible performance you've got to read the room.
"The amount of times that happened to me (cancelling plans after a poor performance).
"You can't go into a town. Into a nightclub on the night you've been dumped 3-0 by your neighbours.
"It's just a no, no. It was daft and it was stupid whether it was your birthday or not."
- By Tony Robertson
Man Utd most negatively impacted team by VAR
VAR has caused Man Utd to score five fewer goals this season, an ESPN study has found.
United saw Scott McTominay's goal against Fulham ruled out for offside.
An ESPN study following the Manchester derby revealed how United had seen four goals taken away by VAR, making that five when looking at the weekend's action.
Credit: https://x.com/AliceTalksFooty/status/1721118731630203260?s=20 - By Tony Robertson
Ferdinand outlines Hojlund struggles
Rio Ferdinand has expressed sympathy for Rasmus Hojlund amid his slow start to life in the Premier League.
The Dane is yet to score in the league, but Ferdinand insists his team-mates need to do more to provide for him.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Ferdinand said: "I wish we’d had a bit more time with Erik ten Hag [to discuss Hojlund] because he’s invested in a player we’re not seeing the best of. His best attributes are not being seen because the team aren’t playing to his strengths.
"He [Ten Hag] said in his press conferences we want to play a bit more direct with players like Hojlund and Rashford who can play on the counter. Too many times they get wide and the quality is nowhere near good enough. Antony doesn’t want to cross it, his first instinct is to see what he can do for himself. Marcus is more of a striker who wants to get on the end of things and see if he can finish.
"When he’s making his movements the ball is being delayed and isn’t coming into the areas. He made one fantastic run in the first half and he was screaming for the ball and it ended up being a bad cross from Garnacho.
"The sooner they get the ball in the box for this guy, he makes good enough runs. Play to his strengths. He’s not old enough to grab a few people and say get the ball into me guys. He’s not go that and I wouldn’t expect that yet. Ruud van Nistelrooy, you didn’t cross the ball for him and I see players resorted to tears because of his demands."
- By Tony Robertson
Neville reveals golden rule amid Rashford nightclub fallout
Gary Neville has revealed a football golden rule from his playing days after Marcus Rashford went on an "unacceptable" night out following the defeat to Manchester City.
Neville revealed on the Gary Neville podcast: "I've said this in my book. I've said it openly and publicly, if we lost a match, any match, forget about the Manchester derby where we wouldn't be seen for a week or two weeks, but if we lost a match, nights out were cancelled. Simple as that.
"That was my rule and the rule for the other lads in the dressing room.
"You couldn't be seen out in a public place if you lost a football match because to be fair, you would be bumping into people who had paid big money to watch the team play and they don't really want to see you enjoying yourselves and celebrating – it's an optics thing.
"Optically I don't think it looks great if you are seen in a nightclub in Manchester after a derby loss, I don't think it is right. Erik ten Hag said it was a mistake, I would class it as a mistake as well."
WELL I NEV-ER Neville reveals his harsh nightclub rule at Man Utd after Rashford party
- By Tony Robertson
Ramos reveals he was 'close' to joining United
Sergio Ramos has revealed he was "close" to joining Man Utd from Real Madrid in 2015.
Speaking to The Mirror: "I stayed where I should have stayed, Real Madrid, but was indeed close to playing for United [in 2015].
"It was not to be, but I do keep that admiration for the club, to the Premier League and the players, because the rhythm of play and the pace is different. It's a league we can learn a great deal from.
"That was not meant to be. I was glad to stay in Madrid and now I'm glad to be in Sevilla."
- By Tony Robertson
Brain charity blast Magurie head injury
Brain charity Headway have slammed the handling of Harry Maguire's head injury as "concerning".
Maguire twice needed treatment with a suspected concussion after going down in the first minute following a clash with Fulham forward Rodrigo Muniz.
The England defender told MUTV after the game he has passed the concussion protocol tests.
However, Headway chief Luke Gregway said: "The incident with Harry Maguire is concerning for a number of reasons.
"After a brief on-pitch assessment — again highlighting the nonsensical lack of temporary concussion substitutes in football — he was allowed to continue.
“We are not privy to the discussions with his medical team, nor should their professionalism be questioned.
"This is an issue with the very culture of football and its stubborn refusal to put players’ health above all else — including the result of a game.
“Every time the ‘if in doubt, sit it out’ principle is seen to be ignored in elite level football, our chances of educating younger players and better protecting future generations from short and long-term brain injury is diminished.
"Temporary concussion substitutions would immediately help return some credibility to the process, but an evolution of attitude is urgently needed."
Credit: Getty - By Tony Robertson
Toone silences critics after 'difficult' goal drought
Ella Toone silenced her critics after grabbing a goal against Brighton.
The England ace had been without a goal in the Women's Super League season, but finally got back on the scoring charts against the Seagulls.
Speaking to MUTV, boss Marc Skinner hit out at the critics and backed Toone to get back to her best.
He said: "It’s a wonderful goal but the critics are everywhere in football.
"They can do it better, everyone has an idea of how they can do it better but big players will always come up and produce quality moments."
"There were moments in this game where [Toone] created lots and lots and then she took a wonderful chance. But she did one of those in training and it’s nothing.
“As an athlete, you have to stay focussed on yourself because the quality shows and that will happen, she will do that a lot more. Sometimes you just need a goal to go in and then it reignites what you're doing. But she’s fine, she’s in a great space and we’ll keep working.”
- By Tony Robertson
Marc Skinner bemoans 'sloppiness' in United women draw
Man Utd women's boss Marc Skinner has bemoaned his side's "sloppiness" in their 2-2 draw with Brighton but said he was delighted with their fighting spirit
United came from behind twice to snatch a draw thanks to goals from Ella Toone and a 98th-minute equaliser from Rachel Williams.
Skinner said: "We created too many chances in that game to walk away with a draw.
"We’ve got to do better in that final third and defend transitions better.
"Two moments of sloppiness at the back and lots that we should score — this game should be 5-2 or 6-2 with the chances we’ve created.
"The fightback at the end shows the spirit we have as a collective but we’ll be disappointed with ourselves tonight and we should be.
"And we should make sure we put that right against Everton and West Ham."
- By Tony Robertson
Saudi's eye Fernandes deal
Saudi Arabia's PIF remain determined to land Bruno Fernandes at the end of the season.
According to Sky Italia reporter Rudy Galletti, PIF have already taken "some serious steps" towards a transfer for the United captain.
His report suggests representatives of the PIF are set to contact Fernandes' representatives to explore the possibility.
FERN INTEREST Fernandes 'lined up for Man Utd exit' as Saudi bosses 'set to meet his team'
- By Tony Robertson
Ten Hag award
Erik ten Hag has picked up an award from the Football Writers' Association after guiding Man Utd to the Carabao Cup last season.
Credit: @theofficalfwa - By James Orr
Hot rod
Manchester United are reportedly plotting a move for World Cup winner Guido Rodriguez.
That’s with Casemiro expected to be injured until 2024.
The former River Plate and Mexican top-flight star has been at Spanish side Real Betis since 2019.
Rodriguez is now considered to be one of LaLiga’s best midfield sixes.
He is out of contract next summer, allowing him to negotiate a future deal from January.
But United would like to land Rodriguez in the winter window and are already “pushing hard financially” to get a deal over the line.
- By Kostas Lianos
Varane linked with move
Manchester United star Raphael Varane is being lined up with a January exit.
Varane may depart when the transfer window reopens amid interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia.
And the centre-back would be open to leaving, according to a report from TEAMtalk.
The same report argues Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr are one of the clubs interested in buying the France international.
Several other Saudi outfits are keen on the 30-year-old and his agent has received offers from several teams around the world.
And the Frenchman could be tempted to leave by a lucrative offer to possibly reunite with ex-United and Real Madrid team-mate Ronaldo.
- By Kostas Lianos
Marcus Rashford situation
Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has not found himself on thin ice.
United manager Erik ten Hag slammed Rashford's "unacceptable" decision to go out clubbing after last weekend's loss to Manchester City.
However, the whole issue has been resolved and the forward is not out of favour.
In fact, Ten Hag insists the England international would have started against Fulham if he wasn't injured.
- By Kostas Lianos
Onana addresses 'crisis'
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana believes the ongoing talk of the club being in "crisis" is just part of playing for such a big team.
I think you just have to be prepared to play for Manchester United.
It is the price to pay when you are playing for such a big club. When you don't win, everyone is upset.
It is normal because we are Manchester United, we have to try to win everything. For me, it is good.
We have to do everything to win even if we are not in a good situation.
Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world so they have to always try to win.
- By Kostas Lianos
Neville slams Arsenal statement
Manchester United legend Gary Neville lambasted Arsenal’s statement and urged PGMOL chief Howard Webb to stop apologising and “get on with it”.
I played for a club where a manager went mad after games if we felt a decision had gone against us. You feel like it’s us against the world. I get it. Everyone hates us, the refs are out to stitch us up and theirs bias v us.
However I can never remember the club writing letters undermining the system and the whole refereeing community.
When I look back now I don’t think as players we always covered ourselves in glory with refs and also at a big club we all feel entitled and you have to leave and retire to be able to see that.
Arsenal’s letter and even the Liverpool statement a few weeks ago (they had a genuine bad one v them) are wrong. Do it privately.
If I was Howard Webb I would stop apologising to them and get on with it. Managers and players make far more mistakes than refs!
Gary NevilleX
Credit: PA
- By Jon Boon
World Cup winner targeted
Man Utd are plotting a move for Argentina World Cup winner Guido Rodriguez.
Brazilian midfielder Casemiro is now reportedly set to be out until 2024, according to Estadio Deportivo.
And with Casemiro turning 32 in February, it’s reckoned Erik ten Hag is now on the hunt for a new holding midfielder.
Step forward Rodriguez, 29, who was part of Argentina’s World Cup winning squad in Qatar.
The former River Plate and Mexican top-flight star has been at Spanish side Real Betis since 2019.
Rodriguez is now considered to be one of LaLiga’s best midfield sixes.
He is out of contract next summer, allowing him to negotiate a future deal from January.
- By Jon Boon
Oh Boey
Man Utd have made an enquiry about Galatasaray defender Sacha Boey, according to reports.
RMC Sport claim the Red Devils are interested in the France right back.
Erik ten Hag's side have struggled at right back with current incumbent Diogo Dalot inconsistent.
They face competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal, who are also interested in Boey.
- By Jon Boon
Hamann tips Nagelsmann for the Utd job
German legend Didi Hamann has tipped former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann as the next Man Utd boss.
He told BoyleSports: "I think the problem United might face is their team. If it were up to me, I wouldn't know where to start. They need players in every area on the pitch. A few years ago, Ralf Ragnick said the same thing. It depends on who they get.
"I'm not sure if the top-class managers go to United because they know that it's a three or five-year job. I think it's impossible to win the league within three years, but those expectations will always be there if a new manager comes in and spends a few quid.
"The other question revolves around how much money the new manager gets. Nagelsmaan has done well and he did good things at Bayern. He's an up-and-coming manager who has shown he can win titles, even if was unfortunate in the Champions League.
"He'd certainly be somebody you'd have a good feeling about. He knows how to play football, but it depends if he was backed. You need to back your manager for two or three seasons, and I don't know if that's the case at United.
"There's a lot of chaos at Old Trafford. However, I don't think Julian would be a bad choice. You don't want to keep managers for the sake of it, but you need to at least give them a chance."
- By Jon Boon
Fernandes and Rashford backed
Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford have been backed by ex-Chelsea star Joe Cole.
He told TNT Sports:
Rashford and Fernandes are both world class players. They’re outstanding footballers but they’re in a system that’s not allowing them to express their creative abilities. Rashford is the face of Manchester United and Bruno is the captain but I wouldn’t want my creative players to be the main leaders."
Joe Cole
- By Kostas Lianos
Bruno Fernandes Saudi interest
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes could be on for a shock exit.
Reporter Rudy Galetti has claimed the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund are exploring a deal for Fernandes
PIF, who are also majority shareholders at Newcastle, control stakes in the Saudi Pro League's four biggest teams Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli.
It's now suggested PIF representatives are set to hold talks with the playmaker's entourage over the potential for future negotiations.
- By Kostas Lianos
Harry Maguire rage
Manchester United ace Harry Maguire was left baffled as Erik ten Hag's men saw a goal get disallowed against Fulham.
United edged the Cottagers 1-0 on Saturday after a last-gasp Bruno Fernandes strike sealed a much-needed win at Craven Cottage.
The Red Devils thought they had the lead in the first-half when Scott McTominay tapped home from close range.
Maguire was offside in the build-up and despite not touching the ball was judged by VAR to have been involved after attempting to kick it.
Referee John Brooks was called to the pitchside monitor to review the decision and he came to the conclusion that the centre-back was indeed interfering with play.
While the ref was looking at the screen, the England international protested his innocence.
Maguire was videoed by a Fulham fan as he shouted: "I wasn’t even involved ref. Hey, I wasn’t even involved, f****ing hell."
- By Kostas Lianos
Garnacho makes top 10
Manchester United ace Alejandro Garnacho made the top 10 of most shirts sold in Europe last month.
Garnacho has yet to register a goal in the Premier League or Champions League this season.
But the winger is still considered a star in the making by many and it seems like there is a lot of faith in him as fans are literally investing in him.
The Argentina international finishes above stars like Bukayo Saka from Arsenal and Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid, who finish ninth and 10th respectively.
- By Kostas Lianos
Erik on edge
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag shut down club legend Rio Ferdinand during a tense live TNT Sports interview after Saturday's 1-0 victory at Fulham.
Ferdinand asked Ten Hag when fans will finally get to see the team playing his style effectively and consistently.
However, the Dutch tactician was having none of it and fired back defiantly.
Ten Hag said: "With all due respect, didn't we see it last season?"
Ferdinand replied: "Last season I saw it but this season we haven't."
Ten Hag hit back: "No. Anyone knows why – because we have so many injuries. Every time you have to swap, you have to make changes and the routines are not there.
That is what you see in these moments in our team. You have to be more pragmatic but I've always said it's not an excuse for not winning matches."
- By Kostas Lianos
Varane linked with exit
Manchester United ace Raphael Varane is being lined up with a January exit.
Varane could depart when the transfer window reopens amid interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia.
And the centre-back would be open to leaving according to TEAMtalk.
The same report claims Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr are one of the clubs interested in buying the France international.
Several other Saudi clubs are keen on the 30-year-old and his agent has received offers from several teams around the world.
And the Frenchman could be tempted to leave by a lucrative offer to possibly reunite with former United and Real Madrid team-mate Ronaldo.
- By Kostas Lianos
De Gea's Fernandes quip
Manchester United legend David de Gea told Bruno Fernandes "you're not the right captain" after the skipper scored the winner against Fulham.
Fernandes has been criticised for his leadership skills after the Red Devils suffered back-to-back 3-0 home defeats by Manchester City and Newcastle.
After the 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage, the playmaker's pal De Gea, seemingly being sarcastic, gave his view on the captaincy debate.
The Portugal international uploaded a snap on Instagram of the image of him celebrating his late goal and captioned the photo: "United" – adding a heart emoji to his note.
In the comments section, fans couldn't help but notice the goalkeeper's message.
The free agent wrote: "You are not the right captain," adding a zipped mouth emoji.
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