LEWIS HAMILTON is open to joining Sir Jim Ratcliffe in a potential takeover of Manchester United.
The Formula One sensation drives for Mercedes, the team endorsed by Britain's richest man and his company Ineos.
United are preparing to face Arsenal in the Premier League this afternoon, with the Red Devils aiming to become the first team to take points off Mikel Arteta's Gunners this season.
Antony and Martin Dubravka have met and trained with the Red Devils squad and are available to play against the North London club.
Frenkie de Jong is staying at Barcelona, but that means United can make another play for him in January.
- IN: Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Antony, Martin Dubravka
- OUT: Paul Pogba (released), Juan Mata (released), Jesse Lingard (released), Nemanja Matic (Roma), Edinson Cavani (released), Lee Grant (released), D'Mani Mellor (released), Reece Devine (released), Paul McShane (released), Connor Stanley (released), Paul Woolston (released), James Garner (Everton), Tahith Chong (Birmingham)
- EVERY Premier League done deal this summer
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
Get all the latest news, updates and transfer gossip here…
- Alex Terrell
See you later Phil
Injury-prone Phil Jones has been kicked out of Manchester United's training ground dressing room – to make space for Erik ten Hag's new signings.
The first-team changing area at Carrington is meant for a maximum 24 players and is bursting to capacity after Ten Hag's summer spending spree.
And that's left stars like Jones and third-choice left-back Brandon Williams being shunted down the corridor to the Under-23 changing room.
Joining them are believed to be defenders Teden Mengi and Axel Tuanzebe, as well as promising midfielder Shola Shoretire.
The arrival of Brazil midfielder Casemiro from Real Madrid, Ajax pair Lisandro Martinez and Antony, former Feyenoord left-back Tyrell Malacia and back-up keeper Martin Dubravka from Newcastle has squeezed space.
It is the latest blow for the hapless Jones and another twist in his bizarre United career that had hit the buffers even before he signed a four-year £110,000-week contract in February 2019.
- Alex Terrell
More Hamilton on takeover
Asked about the prospective Red Devils takeover while at the Dutch Grand Prix, Hamilton said: "I haven't had time to catch up with Jim since I was in Namibia.
"I haven't had a call from him asking if I want to be involved in that just yet.
"But I do want to get more and more involved in teams because I really do believe in black ownership, there is a lack of it in sports.
"And black equity, there is a real lack of that. Jim's part-boss and part-partner, I'd say we're more partners because we're in this together.
"I hope in the future to do something with Jim and build with him, I don't know when that will be or what that will be."
Hamilton was part of a failed consortium to buy Chelsea earlier in the year, which was eventually taken over by American businessman Todd Boehly.
- Alex Terrell
Lewis Hamilton on potential Man Utd takeover bid
Lewis Hamilton could join Sir Jim Ratcliffe's potential bid for Manchester United, writes DAN KING.
Ratcliffe is worth around £15BILLION and has been linked with buying the club as fans fume at the Glazers' ownership.
The 69-year-old Brit owns petrochemical company Ineos, who sponsor Hamilton's Mercedes team.
He is also a three-way owner of the outfit, along with the Mercedes- Benz Group and boss Toto Wolff.
Credit: Rex
- Alex Terrell
Southgate reassures Maguire over World Cup spot
Gareth Southgate has told Harry Maguire: "Don't worry about your England future."
That is despite the defender being dropped for Manchester United's last three games.
Ten Hag favours Raphael Varane and new signing Lisandro Martinez in the heart of defence – and the Qatar World Cup starts in November.
One source said: "Gareth has been in contact and assured him he has a lot of credit in the bank with England thanks to previous performances.
"Naturally he wants to play and is worried that not getting game time might affect his place in the England team ahead of the World Cup.
"But he's spoken to Gareth, who has told him he has no need to worry at the moment."
- Joshua Mbu
Good morning Man Utd fans
Injury prone Phil Jones has been kicked out of Manchester United’s training ground dressing room – to make space for Erik ten Hag’s new signings.
The first team changing room at United’s AON training Centre at Carrington is only meant for a maximum 24 players and is bursting to capacity after Ten Hag’s summer spending spree.
And that’s left stars like Jones and third choice left back Brandon Williams, on loan at Norwich last season, being shunted down the corridor to the Under-23 changing room.
Joining them are believed to be defenders Teden Mengi and Alex Tuanzebe as well as promising midfielder Shola Shoretire.
Erik ten Hag has warned Cristiano Ronaldo to get used to life on the bench.
Ten Hag said: “As we all know, he didn’t have a pre-season and you cannot miss pre-season, it’s the base for everything, especially the way we play.
“We play another type of football compared to last year.
“The demands, the co-operation, the positioning, in and out of possession, and the fitness all depend on pre-season.
“I will be his friend and sometimes I will be his teacher, it depends on the situation.”
Juventus CEO Maurizio Arrivabene has admitted he feels sad for Cristiano Ronaldo’s situation at Man Utd.
“We said goodbye to Cristiano with great reciprocal respect a year ago, so what happened at Manchester United is no longer our problem,” he told DAZN.
“It’s sad to see him in this situation that is not pleasant for him or for his team, but again, that is no longer our business.”
Man Utd’s football director John Murtough reportedly pleaded with Erik ten Hag to KEEP out-of-favour defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, according to a new report.
The Athletic claim the Dutch tactician wanted to sell the right-back before the transfer window closed.
However, Murtough is reported to have stepped in and asked ten Hag to keep the player.
- Jon Boon
Phil Jones booted out of dressing room
Injury prone Phil Jones has been kicked out of Manchester United’s training ground dressing room – to make space for Erik ten Hag’s new signings.
The first team changing room at United’s AON training Centre at Carrington is only meant for a maximum 24 players and is bursting to capacity after Ten Hag’s summer spending spree.
And that’s left stars like Jones and third choice left back Brandon Williams, on loan at Norwich last season, being shunted down the corridor to the Under-23 changing room.
Joining them are believed to be defenders Teden Mengi and Alex Tuanzebe as well as promising midfielder Shola Shoretire.
- Jon Boon
Ronaldo needs to get used to new role
Erik ten Hag has warned Cristiano Ronaldo to get used to life on the bench.
The Manchester United boss insists his Portuguese Galactico is paying the price for missing pre-season, when he staged his failed attempt to secure a move away from Old Trafford.
Ronaldo, 37, has only started one of United’s five matches this season – the disastrous 4-0 defeat at Brentford.
But since Ten Hag dropped the former Real Madrid and Juventus goal machine, United have won three in a row, heading into the home clash with table-topping Arsenal.
And Ten Hag suggested that Ronaldo is unlikely to start until he gets fully up to speed with his fitness and understanding of the new manager’s approach.
Ten Hag said: “As we all know, he didn’t have a pre-season and you cannot miss pre-season, it’s the base for everything, especially the way we play.
“We play another type of football compared to last year.
“The demands, the co-operation, the positioning, in and out of possession, and the fitness all depend on pre-season.
“I will be his friend and sometimes I will be his teacher, it depends on the situation.”
- Jon Boon
Sanchez on target Marseille
Alexis Sanchez proved there is life in the old dog with a stellar display against Auxerre
The Chile star scored for Marseille to take his tally to three goals in five for his new club.
It's worth noting the 33-year-old scored just five times in his two years at Old Trafford.
- Jon Boon
Predicted line-up v Arsenal
Man Utd could hand debuts to BOTH Casemiro and Antony in their crunch Super Sunday clash with Arsenal.
The pair have been signed for a combined fee of over £150million.
And the Brazilians are expected to feature in tomorrow's match.
Elsewhere, Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are expected to make up the defence.
Here's United's expected line-up:
De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes; Antony, Rashford, Sancho.
- Jon Boon
Dubravka number decided
Martin Dubravka became a last-minute signing for Man Utd before transfer deadline day.
The Red Devils snapped up the Newcastle keeper on loan with an obligation to buy for £6million – should he make a certain number of appearances.
And the club have now handed him his squad number.
David De Gea needn't sweat though, he won't be the No1. The back-up goalie will wear 31 this season.
- Jon Boon
Juve chief is sorry for Ronaldo
Juventus CEO Maurizio Arrivabene has admitted he feels sad for Cristiano Ronaldo’s situation at Man Utd.
“We said goodbye to Cristiano with great reciprocal respect a year ago, so what happened at Manchester United is no longer our problem,” he told DAZN.
“It’s sad to see him in this situation that is not pleasant for him or for his team, but again, that is no longer our business.”
- Jon Boon
Murtough steps in
Man Utd's football director John Murtough reportedly pleaded with Erik ten Hag to KEEP out-of-favour defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, according to a new report.
The Athletic claim the Dutch tactician wanted to sell the right-back before the transfer window closed.
However, Murtough is reported to have stepped in and asked ten Hag to keep the player.
It is believed that ten Hag believes Wan-Bissaka is a "capable" defender.
However, he has fallen behind Diogo Dalot in the pecking order.
- Jon Boon
Come in No21
Antony will wear the No21 for Man Utd, the club has confirmed.
The Brazil forward is in line for his debut at Old Trafford against rivals Arsenal.
And he will adopt the number formerly worn by Edinson Cavani last season for the 2022-23 season.
Incidentally, it's the first time he's worn No21 – he wore 7, 11 and 39 at clubs Ajax and Sao Paulo.
- Jon Boon
Antony has nothing to prove
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag has said new boy Antony has nothing to prove after his huge transfer from Ajax.
The Brazil forward moved for a fee of £82.5million – with question marks raised over his price tag.
But ten Hag has tried to take the pressure off hus new signing.
"He proved himself already. Champions League, Brazilian national team and Olympic gold medalist," he saud.
"Brazil has a number of players so high talented. You can select two or three teams and he can deal with the pressure. He will bring temperament and creativity."
- Jon Boon
Antony agent fight
Antony's £85.5million move to Manchester United has led to a three-way war between rival agents.
The 22-year-old joined from Ajax in midweek in the biggest sale in Dutch history.
And now agents are scrapping it out over £20m worth of fees, according to the Mirror.
Three different parties are said to be claiming they played the biggest part in making the move to United happen, and are therefore entitled to the largest amount of money.
The Forza Sports Group claimed on Instagram they they were responsible for the deal.
They wrote: "Transfer agent on the 100M record breaking deal of Ajax and worldwide biggest transfer this year of Antony."
But despite that statement from the group, reports say Antony's Brazilian agent, Junior Pedroso, is claiming in South America that he was the controlling party in the deal.
And then an agency called Sports Entertainment Group are involved too.
The Mirror say SEG are believed to have advised United during the £85.5m swoop for Antony, and therefore also entitled to a fee.
- Jon Boon
Timber refutes claim
Dutch defender Jurrien Timber was linked with a move to Man Utd this summer.
However, reports said that Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal advised the international star not to make the move because he wouldn't get game time.
Now, Timber has refuted those claims.
He told ADnl: "It was fake that was Louis van Gaal who told me not to go to Manchester United this summer…”
“Van Gaal actually said I would make minutes there, so that story was not true”.
- Alex Cole
Build up to Arsenal clash tomorrow
Once the most eagerly awaited fixture in the Premier League calendar, Arsenal’s match at Manchester United will have a new emphasis on Sunday when the visitors arrive as Premier League leaders.
And the two sets of fans will know that while United have the better of the history, they have only beaten Arsenal once in the last eight meetings.
However, the Londoners have triumphed just once in their last 15 league trips to Old Trafford (D5 L9), picking up a 1-0 victory in November 2020.
Furthermore, Arsenal have lost more away games at United in the Premier League-era (17) than they have at any other opponent.
- Alex Cole
Antony needs time, says Evra
Man Utd’s new £84m winger Antony has been backed to be a success, but only if given time to adapt.
That's accoridng to former Man Utd defender Patrice Evra.
He told Betfair: “The Premier League is a different league, and players will be shocked when they see the defenders and how much stronger and faster they are. We have to give Antony time, but he’s a good signing.
“I hope that Ten Hag won’t rely on the players he’s coached in the past too much because it’s a different league, but I think what he is looking for right now is trust.
“He wants to trust those players, and know that they are going to die for him. I think this is the right direction, but he has to make sure that if results go bad he can change things.”
We have to give Antony time, but he’s a good signing.
Patrice Evra
- Alex Cole
Martinez is a ‘pit bull’, says Evra
Patrice Evra reckons Lisandro Martinez is ready to put his body on the line for Man Utd.
Hailing his acquisition, Evra told Betfair: “Lisandro Martinez is a pit bull, he’s going to give his life and that’s what we need.
“South Americans play with passion and they give everything, it’s like they are going to war.
“I remember when Martinez signed for United, he said every game is important, and people started to judge him too soon.
“I’m not surprised with what he is doing and how well he is performing. “
- Alex Cole
Man Utd FIFA ratings – top five
Man Utd’s ratings for FIFA 23 have been revealed.
Fans are sure to be excited playing as the Red Devils due to their new star signings including Casemiro.
But how are United’s players rated on the game?
Here are our top five:
Ronaldo – 90
De Gea – 87
Fernandes – 86
Varane – 84
Sancho – 84
- Alex Cole
Arsenal had 'phenomenal' transfer window, says Arteta
Mikel Arteta was delighted with Arsenal’s transfer window as they run into Sunday's clash with Manchester United.
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City, but the club missed out on Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa on deadline day.
In total, the Gunners made five summer signings, the pair from City, Marquinhos from Sao Paulo, Fabio Vieira from Porto and Matt Turner, a goalkeeper from the MLS.
Arteta said: “We had a lot of things still to do in the squad.
“You see the amount of departures compared to the recruitment and again the club has done a phenomenal job and put everything on the table to try to bring in the players and profile that we wanted.
“We did the business pretty early, but unfortunately in the last 72 hours Thomas [Partey] got injured in the same place as last time and then Mo [Mohamed Elneny] has a long-term injury and we had to react in the market.
“We tried and at the end of the day we have to bring in the players we feel are right for the team and the club, but we didn’t manage to do that.”
- Alex Cole
Man Utd predicted XI vs Arsenal
Man Utd are expected to stick with the same side that beat Leicester when they face Arsenal on Sunday.
Antony and Cristiano Ronaldo are both pushing to start, as well as Casemiro.
But Erik ten Hag is unlikely to rip up a winning formula after three wins on the bounce.
- Alex Cole
United 'making good steps' in time for Arsenal clash, says Ten Hag
Erik ten Hag believes his Manchester United team is starting to gel at just the right rime to face league leaders Arsenal.
He said: “I have seen some good stuff. It’s more than details. I see structures are coming. We are constructing and that’s good to see.
“We have to do that and aim prove from game to game. That’s work on the training ground, work on the video and work in the games.
“It’s about formation, about creating lines and making the right decisions. The decisions on the ball. But also out of possession, we are making good steps.”
- Alex Cole
Mum's the word for Ron
Ronaldo appeared miserable in the background of an Instagram picture posted by his mum this morning.
Dolores Aveiro posted a selfie with the forward's eldest son Cristiano Ronaldo Jr and captioned the snap with: "Good morning, I'm already with my boys."
But, Ronaldo did not pose for the pic and was instead seen in the background looking far from happy.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has made it clear that he wants to leave Manchester United before his contract expires in 2023.
He attempted to push for a move away while the transfer window was open, but his exit plan did not come to fruition.
And now he has been relegated to the subs bench by United boss Erik ten Hag.
- Alex Cole
'Make or break for Ten Hag', says Merson
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson praised the Gunners' transfer business.
But claims it's been 'gung-ho' at Old Trafford.
He said: “I’ve been impressed with the way Arteta and Edu have gone about their transfer business.
“They identified the areas that needed improving and signed the players they needed.
“To bring players of the calibre of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to a club that isn’t in the Champions League speaks volumes for the manager.
“They haven’t just bought players for the sake of it, which has probably been the case at Manchester United.
“It’s all been a bit gung-ho at United. But if you buy players like Antony and Casemiro for big money and they don’t work, that will make or break Ten Hag.”
Source: Read Full Article
