CRISTIANO RONALDO made a scoring return to action tonight as Manchester United beat Sheriff Tiraspol 3-0 in the Europa League.
Meanwhile, former United boss Ralf Rangnick has claimed that he had efforts to sign Erling Haaland and other names blocked during his time at Old Trafford.
The Austria boss was supposed to move into a senior role at the club but instead opted to join the national team.
He has stated that he attempted to bring Haaland, Christopher Nkunku, Josko Gvardiol and Luis Diaz to Man United but saw his vision blocked by those at Old Trafford.
Get all the latest news, updates and transfer gossip here…
- James Orr
Ten Hag speaks on Ronaldo
After the win last night, boss Erik ten Hag was asked about the returning goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ten Hag said: "Seeing Cristiano Ronaldo get his goal was great. He created a lot, the team created for him and we know he has the capability to finish.
"Cristiano needed a goal and now I'm confident there will be more goals."
- Chisanga Malata
Good morning Manchester United fans
Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Manchester United's first team with a goal as Erik ten Hag's men beat Sheriff 3-0 at Old Trafford.
The Portuguese superstar, 37, stormed off down the tunnel before the end of the win over Spurs last week.
He was then subsequently axed from the squad to face Chelsea.
But he came back in on Thursday and – after having one goal ruled out for offside – eventually got on the scoresheet late on when United had already wrapped up the game.
It now remains to be seen whether he will stay in the side for the home Premier League game against West Ham on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Ten Hag praised his side for their "focus" as they did a professional job to beat the Moldovan outfit.
He said: "It was OK. Of course you hope you score in first half hour so it took a bit long but we deserved that goal.
"The second half we scored two more good goals from open play and I'm pleased with the clean sheet because we gave nothing away. It was a focused win.
"Our occupation of space in the box could still be done better, the second and third goals we did that well.
"We occupied positions and scored."
- Dylan Terry
Ronaldo rages at disallowed goal
Cristiano Ronaldo exploded with rage once again – booting the ball into the crowd after having a goal ruled out on his Manchester United recall.
Barely a week after being banished to the Under-21s for refusing to come on as a sub, Ronaldo revealed his continuing frustration in even more bizarre fashion – although he was in much better mood later when he hammered home a legitimate goal.
With United 1-0 up against Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League through a Diogo Dalot strike, Ron met a nod-down with a perfect volley into the top corner on the hour.
But when it was instantly disallowed for offside, he carried the ball to the side of the net and thumped it high into the Old Trafford stands behind the goal.
Ronaldo was not even booked for that.
And after Marcus Rashford doubled United's lead, Ron pounced to make it 3-0, whipping home a loose ball with his left foot.
- Dylan Terry
Antony produces "embarrassing" skill
Manchester United new boy Antony pulled off an "embarrassing" double spin skill before woefully misplacing his pass.
The Brazil star, 22, has pulled off the trick on a number of occasions, more recently in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea.
He tried it again against Sheriff in the Europa League and pulled it off, albeit unchallenged, but proceeded to misplace his pass intended for Casemiro.
However, his trickery didn't impress boss Erik ten Hag, who proceeded to shake his head.
And to make matters worse for Antony, he was taken off at half-time.
Ex-pro Robbie Savage, whose son Charlie is on the books at Old Trafford, labelled the deadline day signing "embarrassing".
- Dylan Terry
Man Utd and West Ham both win
Results from the Europa League and Europa Conference League this evening as both English clubs secure home wins.
Europa League: Man Utd 3-0 Sheriff
Europa Conference League: West Ham 1-0 Silkeborg
- Dylan Terry
Man Utd 3-0 Sheriff
Cristiano Ronaldo has his goal!
The Portuguese star returns to the team and hits the back of the net for just the third time this season.
- Dylan Terry
Man Utd 2-0 Sheriff
Cristiano Ronaldo thought he had given Man Utd a two-goal lead, before it was ruled out for offside.
But moments later the hosts did double their advantage as substitute Marcus Rashford heads home a Luke Shaw cross.
- Dylan Terry
Maguire and Rashford on for Man Utd
Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford are on for Manchester United at the start of the second half.
Time for the England duo to make an impact? Maguire, in particular, will be hoping to avoid any major errors in the next 45 minutes.
- Dylan Terry
Man Utd 1-0 Sheriff
Manchester United have made the breakthrough after 44 minutes and it's Diogo Dalot with the goal.
About time.
- Dylan Terry
Man Utd 0-0 Sheriff
Casemiro attempts to catch the keeper off his line from the halfway line but it's a failed attempt.
United yet to break through after 20 minutes against Sheriff at Old Trafford.
- Dylan Terry
Man Utd 0-0 Sheriff
Kick-off at Old Trafford as Manchester United look to return to winning ways against Moldovan minnows Sheriff.
A reminder of Erik ten Hag's starting XI as Ronaldo returns and Garnacho makes his full debut.
Man Utd team: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Martinez, Malacia, Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes, Antony, Ronaldo, Garnacho.
- Dylan Terry
Premier League schedule
Here are the Premier League fixtures this weekend:
Saturday
- Leicester vs Man City (12.30pm)
- Newcastle vs Aston Villa (3pm)
- Bournemouth vs Tottenham (3pm)
- Brighton vs Chelsea (3pm)
- Crystal Palace vs Southampton (3pm)
- Brentford vs Wolves (3pm)
- Fulham vs Everton (5.30pm)
- Liverpool vs Leeds (7.45pm)
Sunday
- Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest (2pm)
- Man Utd vs West Ham (4.15pm)
Manchester United vs Sheriff
Manchester United face Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League this evening at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils are currently second in their group, below Real Sociedad, and they need a big victory over Sheriff, who sacked their manager earlier this week.
Follow the live blog here.
Ronaldo starts for Man Utd
Cristiano Ronaldo returns to the starting line-up for Manchester United against Sheriff tonight.
Here is the full team news…
Man Utd XI: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Martinez, Malacia, Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes, Antony, Ronaldo, Garnacho.
Subs: Dubravka, Heaton, Maguire, Shaw, Fred, McTominay, Van de Beek, Iqbal, Elanga, Pellistri, Sancho.
Man Utd vs Sheriff
Manchester United team news incoming.
Are we expecting Cristiano Ronaldo to return for the first time since storming down the tunnel against Tottenham?
- Dylan Terry
Ten Hag gives Martial fitness update
Anthony Martial has returned to individual training, but is not yet ready to join his teammates.
The French forward has been struck down by a series of injuries since Erik ten Hag took charge of Manchester United – just as the new manager’s arrival had appeared to rejuvenate the Red Devil.
Martial impressed in pre-season with the Dutch coach, and had made some telling contributions from the bench before suffering his current back problem.
However, Ten Hag has hinted that he hopes to have the 26-year-old back soon.
“He’s improving,” the United boss told the club’s in-house media.
“He’s back on the [training] pitch, but not in the group so we have to wait for that step. But hopefully he’s quickly back.”
- Dylan Terry
Pellistri happy to be back at Man Utd
Manchester United man Facundo Pellistri is pleased to be available for selection after picking up an injury in pre-season.
He said: "I'm very happy to be back here again. I'm training hard on a daily basis and enjoying everything about life here at this great club, Manchester United.
"I'm hoping for the chance to be able to get some game-time under my belt. So all this makes me very pleased.
"Well, I'm quite calm and relaxed about it [making my debut]. As you said, I've played in a lot of pre-season and friendly games for the club but I'm still to make my debut, for a number of different reasons really.
"I've also been out on loan a lot but, this time, I've stayed put and so I'm searching for my opportunity, but I'm pretty chilled as I wait for that moment to come around."
- Dylan Terry
Sheriff defender mocks Man Utd star Antony
Sheriff Tiraspol left-back Patrick Kpozo has talked up keeping Man Utd man Antony quiet during the first game between the sides.
He told BBC Sport: "People thought Antony was going to "kill" me in the first game.
"He is a very good player but when he came up against me, he couldn't do anything. Still, they are saying again that he will 'kill' me again in the match at Old Trafford.
"I'm sure he will be trying to do everything possible to prove himself, but I believe in myself. I am strong, fast and when I stay close to him, he has nowhere to go. I've got him."
- Dylan Terry
Man Utd arrive ahead of Sheriff clash
Manchester United's players have arrived at Old Trafford ahead of their clash with Sheriff tonight.
Can they build on a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in front of their home fans this evening?
- Dylan Terry
Eriksen on Casemiro form
Christian Eriksen has praised Casemiro for his recent form after the Brazilian has begun to shine at Old Trafford.
The Dane said: "I was very pleased for him, although he’s quicker than me to get his first goal!
"He’s a good guy for the club and I think he’s settled very well. You can see on the pitch he’s showing his quality.
"He brings a lot of calmness and a lot of experience at the same time. He’s played a lot of games and won a lot of trophies in his career.
"He knows how football will be played and he reads the game well, and he’s got good rhythm on the ball, so we’re in a good place."
- Dylan Terry
Man Utd and Arsenal given Neves boost
Manchester United and Arsenal have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Wolves star Ruben Neves as Barcelona are no longer interested, according to reports.
A number of top clubs have been keen to recruit the 25-year-old with his contract expiring at the end of next season.
Barcelona were one of them but they have had second thoughts and may now turn to other targets.
Neves was reportedly on the Catalan giants' shortlist for the January transfer window and were considering an initial loan bid with an obligation to buy for £43million.
He was seen as part of the strategy to replace long-serving veteran Sergio Busquets in central midfield.
But Barca boss Xavi is concerned he will not suit his side's tactical setup, claim Spanish outlet Sport.
Neves has been linked with a host of Europe's top clubs
- Dylan Terry
Bellingham blow for Man Utd
Manchester United have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Jude Bellingham with the midfielder considering staying at Borussia Dortmund, according to reports.
There has been plenty of speculation about the England star's future.
Several high profile clubs have been linked to Bellingham including Man Utd, Chelsea and Real Madrid.
But according to journalist Kevin Hatchard no club has a plan in place to lure Bellingham away from Dortmund.
The 19-year-old has impressed this season and could even stay at the German giants despite the mounting interest.
Dortmund offer Bellingham a guarantee of regular football and are set to progress in the Champions League, which should appeal to the wonderkid.
- Dylan Terry
SunSport’s predicted XI vs Sheriff
Manchester United take on Sheriff in the Europa League at 8pm BST tonight.
Here is how SunSport think Erik ten Hag's side will line up at Old Trafford this evening
- Sam Dymond
Eriksen: Casemiro calms us down
Christian Eriksen has praised his Manchester United teammate Casemiro for the qualities that he has brought to the club – not least the mentality that helped bring about his last minute equaliser at Chelsea on Sunday.
However, the Dane joked that he was disappointed that the former Real Madrid ace broke his goal duck for the Red Devils before him.
"I was very pleased for him, although he’s quicker than me to get his first goal!" Eriksen told the club's official website.
"He’s a good guy for the club and I think he’s settled very well. You can see on the pitch he’s showing his quality.
"He brings a lot of calmness and a lot of experience at the same time.
"He’s played a lot of games and won a lot of trophies in his career. He knows how football will be played and he reads the game well, and he’s got good rhythm on the ball, so we’re in a good place."
- Sam Dymond
Milinkovic-Savic not for sale
Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool have been told that transfer target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is not for sale.
That's according to Lazio president Claudio Lotito, who insists that the Serbian midfielder's value to the Serie A club increases with every game.
Responding to the ongoing rumours linking the impressive 27-year-old with a move to the Premier League, Lotito told newspaper Il Messaggero: "I’m not gonna sell Sergej, it’s not in my plans. I will offer him a new long term deal.
"Milinkovic-Savic is worth €120m, and then every month the price increases."
The Lazio ace has scored three goals and assisted another seven in just 11 appearances this season.
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