ANTHONY MARTIAL has been ruled out of Manchester United's Europa League tie against Real Sociedad after failing to recover from his injury.
The Frenchman, 26, has been out of action for the wins over Leicester and Arsenal, but is close to a return.
Meanwhile, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has brutally told Eric Bailly that Harry Maguire is a better defender than him following the Ivory Coast international's homegrown comments.
Erik ten Hag has also waded in on the spat.
And videos have surfaced of Cristiano Ronaldo's reaction to Arsenal's equaliser at the weekend where the Portuguese superstar was spotted motivating his team-mates.
Get 25 FREE SPINS with NO DEPOSIT required when you join Sun Vegas
Get all the latest news, updates and transfer gossip here…
- Alex Smith
Hargreaves urges United to sign Bellingham
Owen Hargreaves has urged Manchester United to sign Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham.
Speaking to BT Sport after the youngster scored last night in the Champions League, Hargreaves stressed how Bellingham could be United's missing piece of the jigsaw.
He said: "He could turn around a club like Manchester United.
"Get them back to the top. He could carry that with his mentality.
"Perfect midfielder. Can play for any club. Everyone will want him – Chelsea, Liverpool, United."
- Alex Smith
Giggs latest
Ryan Giggs will today find out if he faces a retrial over accusations he headbutted his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville.
The former Man Utd star, 48, allegedly attacked the PR exec, 38, and coercively controlled her over a three-year period.
After 22 hours and 59 minutes of deliberations, jurors failed to reach a verdict and the trial collapsed.
The ex-Wales boss will now discover his fate at a case management hearing at Manchester Crown Court later today.
- Alex Smith
Carragher slams Bailly
Eric Bailly has criticised Man Utd for favouring English players such as Harry Maguire.
Pundit Jamie Carragher has responded to the defender's claims tweeting: "Absolute nonsense,
"Eric Bailly has been injured consistently and poor when he has played. That’s why they keep buying players to replace him! Harry Maguire is a better player."
Bailly is currently on loan at Marseille.
- Alex Smith
Turned down Paredes
Leandro Paredes was reportedly offered to Man Utd before he signed for Juventus.
PSG wanted to sell the midfielder and contacted United to see if they were keen.
But the club decided to pursue other targets and signed Casemiro, claims journalist Fabrizio Romano.
- Jake Lambourne
Good morning Man Utd fans
Manchester United star Lisandro Martinez’s injury against Arsenal is not serious, reports suggest.
Martinez hobbled off after 80 minutes against the Gunners on Sunday’s 3-1 victory at Old Trafford.
The centre-back reportedly suffered a groin injury and that raised serious concern within the United ranks.
However, reports suggest the Red Devils’ boss Eik ten Hag took the Argentina international off the pitch as a precaution.
The 24-year-old has impressed ever since his arrival as he won player of the month for August.
Meanwhile, Napoli have stated they were never in "real negotiations" to sign United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo this summer.
The Partenopei are one of several teams to have been linked with Ronaldo, who was reportedly unsettled at Old Trafford this summer.
But the Serie A outfit’s sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli insists there were never any substantial talks with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's camp.
Giuntoli said: "I'm sorry to say that but we've never been in real negotiations with Man United to sign Cristiano Ronaldo this summer."
And United have been joined by Bayern Munich in the race to sign Barcelona ace Gavi.
United and Liverpool have been heavily linked with a move for the 18-year-old prodigy recently.
It is a proposition too good to pass up as the Spaniard's deal expires next summer, so he will be available on a free at the end of the season.
According to Bild, Bayern remain interested in trying to acquire the midfielder's signature ahead of the next transfer window.
Barca president Joan Laporta recently confirmed an offer has been made to Gavi as they are keen to renew his contract.
Finally, Ajax sporting director Gerry Hamstra has slammed United for their timing of the £133million double swoop for Martinez and Antony in the summer.
The departures of both South American stars left the Dutch champions' new manager Alfred Schreuder short and with voids to fill.
Hamstra told De Telegraaf: "Manchester United's timing was so bad.
"The last few days [of the window] became even more hectic after Ajax had already gone through a major rebuild of the squad following the departure of lots of top-class players.
"'It was so difficult to leave our manager with such a void. We all think we lost too many first-team players who always start."
- Kostas Lianos
That Ant right
Manchester United star Antony has hit out at the agency claiming to have played a significant role in facilitating his huge move to Old Trafford.
Several parties are now attempting to claim credit for facilitating the winger's huge move.
Forza Sports Group, owned by Revien Kanhai, took to social media to claim they had played a significant role in the "biggest transfer" of the year.
But, the Brazil international's agent disputed the claim and suggested that he played the defining part in the move.
Antony said: "This must be a joke!??!!
"After so much work by our team/family, an unknown person wants to take control of my transfer.
"I kindly ask you to delete my name from your publication, as YOU were not involved in the negotiation of my contract nor the negotiation of the transfer between the two clubs #respect."
Credit: PA - Kostas Lianos
Life of Brian
Ajax star Brian Brobbey has revealed his dream to one day play at Manchester United after snubbing a summer move.
In an interview with ESPN, Brobbey was asked what one team he would want to play for in the future was.
The striker responded with "Manchester United" and burst out into laughter at the irony of the statement.
The Dutchman also revealed he had received a message from United boss Erik ten Hag during the window.
Brobbey said: "Erik sent me a message, yes. To congratulate me, and to tell me that he would like to have me there in Manchester.
"But I'm not done at Ajax yet, I want to show something here first"
- Kostas Lianos
Neville on Antony
Manchester United legend Gary Neville says he would have “whacked” Antony for the incredible piece of footwork he produced against Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Neville said: “To be honest with you, when you see a player doing that your automatic reaction as a defender…”
Jamie Carragher then interrupted, saying: “Put him in the stand.”
Neville agreed, saying: “Yeah, you are going to get whacked. But from a United point of view, we have been asking for personality, confidence and character.
“So we can't knock it because we have got someone out there who is having himself, massively”
- Kostas Lianos
Malacia on Shaw
Manchester United ace Tyrell Malacia believes the rivalry between himself and Luke Shaw for a spot in the starting XI is a healthy one.
Malacia told United Review: “Yeah, of course, because we can keep each other sharp every day, so you have to step up your game every training, every game.
"If you are not, then the coach can make another decision and that’s good for the team”
- Kostas Lianos
More from Carragher
Jamie Carragher conceded that Manchester United star Lisandro Martinez can still be a great defender and not particularly tall.
Carragher cited some of the greatest defenders, such as Franco Baresi and Bobby Moore.
He added: "So for Martinez to play at this level, he's obviously a good player. He has to be, because of his height. But at times, that will cost him.
"But if he is nine out of 10 at everything else, it will compensate for being 5ft 9". Because at times, if you are that height, you will get exposed as we saw in the first two games"
Credit: Getty - Kostas Lianos
Carragher slams Neville
Jamie Carragher insists Gary Neville is getting "carried away" with Manchester United star Lisandro Martinez as he continued to cast doubt over the defender.
The punditry pair have clashed repeatedly over Martinez, who stands at only 5ft 9in.
Carragher told The Overlap: "I think he's a good player. I wouldn't want a centre-back who was 5ft 9" in my team. I would not."
He added: "We've had four games [of Martinez being in form]. You're getting carried away. If [Martin] Odegaard scores the opening goal then you'll be saying he made a mistake.
"But for a defender to be 5ft 9" and play, never mind in the Premier League, at any level of football, he's got to be a good player. Because that is not normal.
"His passing is very good, he looks aggressive. He looks like a leader. He's not a bad player, but to play at that level of football at 5ft 9" – I wouldn't want to play alongside someone who was 5ft 9" as a centre back"
- Kostas Lianos
Fernandes on Rashford
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes has reportedly revealed the advice that he gave Marcus Rashford to help the star rediscover his form.
Twitter account @FernandesZone claims that Fernandes has let slip the advice he gave Rashford.
The Portugal international is reported as saying: “I have told Marcus I don't care if I miss 10 passes, just focus on receiving the right pass and score it, let the blame be on me.”
Rashford stood out in United's 3-1 win over Arsenal as he scored a brace and produced an assist for Antony's debut goal
- Kostas Lianos
Rooney on Neville
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has revealed more details about the 2005 tunnel bust-up between Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira.
Rooney claims that Gary Neville was chased into the dressing room by Arsenal players before the game had even kicked off.
United's record scorer wrote in a piece for The Times: "Arsenal had targeted Gary Neville for whatever reason and it started in the warm-up.
"Vieira and someone else chased him in the tunnel. He’s not a fighter, Gary, not off the pitch, and he ran into our dressing room."
Neville tweeted some laughing emojis and wrote: "This story changes every year"
- Kostas Lianos
More from Hamstra
Ajax sporting director Gerry Hamstra claims the club didn't expect mega-money offers for key players, who ultimately left.
Hamstra added: "We had a summer with totally different expectations.
"We wanted to keep the group together as much as possible to be able to perform well in the Champions League and to carry on being successful.
"That's what we talked about with Alfred [Schreuder]. Of course we knew there were a few snags.
"But no one had foreseen that our players would be bought for such huge sums of money"
- Kostas Lianos
Cheeky Red Devils
Ajax sporting director Gerry Hamstra has slammed Manchester United for their timing of the £133million double swoop for Lisandro Martinez and Antony in the summer.
The departures of the two South American stars left the Dutch champions' new manager Alfred Schreuder short and with voids to fill.
Hamstra told De Telegraaf: "Manchester United's timing was so bad.
"The last few days [of the window] became even more hectic after Ajax had already gone through a major rebuild of the squad following the departure of lots of top-class players.
"'It was so difficult to leave our manager with such a void. We all think we lost too many first-team players who always start"
- Kostas Lianos
Gav some of that
Manchester United have been joined by Bayern Munich in the race to sign Barcelona ace Gavi.
United and Liverpool have been heavily linked with a move for the 18-year-old prodigy.
It is a proposition too good to pass up as the Spaniard's contract expires next summer, so he will be available on a free at the end of the season.
According to Bild, Bayern remain interested in trying to acquire the midfielder's signature.
Barca president Joan Laporta recently confirmed an offer has been made to Gavi as they are keen to renew his deal
- Kostas Lianos
Napoli clarify Ronaldo position
Napoli have stated they were never in "real negotiations" to sign Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo this summer.
The Partenopei are one of several clubs to have been linked with Ronaldo, who was reportedly unsettled at Old Trafford this summer.
But the Serie A giants' sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli insists there were never any substantial talks with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's camp.
Giuntoli said: "I'm sorry to say that but we've never been in real negotiations with Man United to sign Cristiano Ronaldo this summer"
- Kostas Lianos
Lisandro Martinez injury latest
Manchester United star Lisandro Martinez hobbled off after 80 minutes against Arsenal on Sunday at Old Trafford.
Martinez reportedly suffered a groin injury and that raised concern within the United ranks.
However, reports suggest manager Eik ten Hag took the centre-back off the pitch as a precaution.
The Argentina international has impressed ever since his arrival as he won player of the month for August
Credit: Getty - James Colasanti
Gallas slams Saliba and White
Former Arsenal and Chelsea defender William Gallas says Gunners centre-backs William Saliba and Ben White need to shoulder much of the blame for Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester United.
The retired France star told Genting Casino: “Against Manchester United, at Old Trafford, you can’t concede those types of goals, especially the second and the third one.
“That was a big mistake of Saliba and Ben White – they didn’t communicate properly and they conceded because of it. Their positioning was poor.”
- James Colasanti
Antony clarifies transfer background
Manchester United's new £85.5million superstar Antony has rejected claims from a football agency they played a key role in his move to the Red Devils from Ajax.
The Forza Sports Group took to social media to state that they helped facilitate the "biggest transfer" of the year.
But Brazil winger Antony took to Instagram to set the record straight, writing: "After so much work by our team/family, an unknown person wants to take control of my transfer.
"I kindly ask you to delete my name from your publication, as YOU were not involved in the negotiation of my contract nor the negotiation of the transfer between the two clubs."
- James Colasanti
New Jesus kicking Martinez footage
New footage of Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus kicking Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez in frustration during Sunday’s Prem clash has emerged.
Argentina centre-half Martinez accidentally walks backwards into Jesus while he is kneeling on the pitch in the penalty box, prompting the Brazil striker to stand-up and kick his opponent in the left leg.
The footage was tweeted by @UtdFaithfuls along with the comment: “Look what Gabriel Jesus did to Lisandro Martinez for pocketing him, but Arsenal fans won’t see it because they’re busy crying that Man Utd thrashed them.”
- James Colasanti
United still want De Jong
Despite an unsuccessful summer chase, Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly still interested in signing Frenkie de Jong.
But transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has told CaughtOffside and move to the Prem for the Barcelona midfielder still hinges on him deciding he wants to leave the LaLiga giants.
In his column, Romano writes: “Frenkie wanted to stay at Barca and therefore there are no immediate updates.
“Certainly Man United and Chelsea will monitor the situation but they know that De Jong only wanted Barca with great clarity all summer.
“It will take months before we understand the next developments.”
- James Colasanti
Queiroz set for Iran job
Former Manchester United assistant boss Carlos Queiroz could be in charge of Iran when they face England and Wales at this winter's World Cup.
The 69-year-old former trusted aide of Sir Alex Ferguson is about to take charge of the Middle Eastern nation for the second time, according to reports in Tehran’s media.
The Three Lions start their campaign in Qatar against the Iranians on November 21, and the Dragons will play them four days later.
- James Colasanti
Drop is 'embarrassing for Maguire'
Paul Parker says being dropped has been "quite embarrassing" for Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire.
The England defender was on the bench for Sunday's big win over Arsenal but did replace new star recruit Lisandro Martinez with ten minutes to go.
Parker, who was a rock in United's defence in the early 1990s, told MyBettingSites: "It’s quite embarrassing for Harry Maguire.
"He thought he was all right because the new manager came in and said he’s going to be captain – and he felt the job was done.
"But I think he’s read too much that has been written about him and thought he could do more than what was written in the game."
- James Colasanti
Napoli clarify Ronaldo position
Napoli say they were never in "real negotiations" to sign Cristiano Ronaldo this summer.
The Serie A giants are one of several clubs to have been linked with the unsettled Red Devils legend.
But Napoli's sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli said: "I'm sorry to say that but we've never been in real negotiations with Man United to sign Cristiano Ronaldo this summer."
Source: Read Full Article
