MANCHESTER UNITED are plotting a major clearout which doesn't include Jadon Sancho – but the winger has been urged to leave the Premier League regardless after his exile.
Meanwhile, United legend Sir Alex Ferguson has broken his silence on Sir Jim Ratcliffe's expected buy-in at the club.
Ratcliffe is edging closer to completing his £1.3billion deal to buy 25 percent of the club, and Sir Alex has had his say.
On the transfer front, defender Raphael Varane is set for a shock exit SunSport can exclusively reveal.
The former Real Madrid star is targeting a move to Saudi Arabia or Italy, but not until the summer window.
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- By Emillia Hawkins
Howard Webb orders clamp down on Prem refereeing
Refs chief Howard Web has told Premier League officials they MUST clamp down on players waving imaginary cards.
PGMOL boss Webb has also reiterated the need for refs to enforce directives penalising dissent.
And in a further statement of intent, Webb wants VAR officials to step in if “soft” penalties are wrongly awarded.
The former World Cup final whistler laid down his demands at the scheduled gathering of officials at their Loughborough base ahead of this weekend’s Prem resumption.
Webb pointed out that the early season directive to book – and if a second offence, send off – players showing imaginary cards after fouls appears to have been forgotten in recent weeks.
That inconsistency has been a complaint from fans up and down the country.
Webb is equally keen to ensure the strong line against dissent continues – as a way of enforcing better behaviour from players and managers alike.
- By Emillia Hawkins
Ex-United star slams Red Devils
Ex-Man Utd striker Louis Saha has piled criticism onto his former club, saying the current squad and dynamic is "not good enough".
He told Paddy Power: "If we compare Portugal’s team to Manchester United’s, it’s clear why Bruno Fernandes performs better for country than club.
"At Manchester United, there are about five or six players who aren’t at the level they should be confidence-wise, and that brings a lot of pressure to the likes of Bruno Fernandes who must deliver each week.
"Marcus Rashford, Antony, Rasmus Højlund all need to do more because in one game, there aren’t enough players playing with full confidence. It should be eight or nine at least but that’s the current dynamic at Manchester United.
"It’s not right! The link between the players is not right, the speed of the buildup is not right. They don’t shoot when they’re in the right position and when it's about creativity they need to stop thinking that someone else will move.
"Everything needs to be synced up and it’s not. That puts a lot of pressure on the creative players to do something and it’s not good enough."
- By Emillia Hawkins
Sancho told to LEAVE Man Utd in January
Man Utd outcast Jadon Sancho has been urged to quit the Premier League until his "mind is settled".
Ex-Red Devils striker Louis Saha believes the England winger should join an overseas club in January to resolve his "horrible situation".
He told Paddy Power: “Jadon Sancho can play in any side in the Premier League – he's got the quality for that.
"He needs somewhere where he’ll find the right mentality. Quality-wise he’s a terrific player but his mind is against him.
"His fitness wasn’t right when he arrived at Manchester United, and he had to work really hard to get fit and that didn’t help him."
Saha added: “It would be nice to see him fulfil his potential in the Premier League because it’s the best league in the world.
"Moving to Saudi Arabia would be a bit extreme, but I can see him playing in Spain or another top league where he can go and enjoy his football before coming back to England when his mind is settled.
"That's the most likely scenario I can see happening."
Credit: Getty
- By Emillia Hawkins
Man Utd plot major clearout
Man Utd are plotting a major clearout to offload ten players over the next two transfer windows, according to Manchester Evening News.
The long list includes defender Jonny Evans who is nearly 36 and could struggle to earn himself a new deal as his contract runs out next year.
Raphael Varane is another suspect who is at risk of being thrown out the exit door as he has fallen down the pecking order.
Meanwhile, full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka is approaching the final six months of his contract as his future at Old Trafford remains uncertain.
Also Anthony Martial's future remains unclear as his contract runs out next June.
And the other culprits on the offload list are backup shot-stopper Tom Heaton and Hannibal Mejbri whose contracts run out in 2024.
Credit: Getty - By Emillia Hawkins
Martinez returns to Carrington
Lisandro Martinez returned to Carrington today to continue his recovery from injury.
The defender has not played for the Red Devils since September due to a foot injury.
He is expected to be sidelined until the new year.
Credit: Getty - By Emillia Hawkins
Shaw returns to training
Luke Shaw has returned to training with the Man Utd first team after recovering from injury.
MARC MY WORDS Man Utd fans convinced Marcus Rashford's season is about to be transformed
- By Kealan Hughes
Neville wants Klopp at United
Gary Neville has named the manager he would pick to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United – Jurgen Klopp.
Asked who he thought was the best manager in the world, Neville replied: "I’d say Jurgen Klopp.
"Jurgen Klopp works with a budget that is far less than Pep Guardiola’s. Pep Guardiola is a genius and he’ll be one of the ones that’ll be remembered forever more.
"But Jurgen Klopp for me is an amazing manager. If you said to me which manager would you bring into Manchester United tomorrow, it’d be Jurgen Klopp. But [Liverpool] might never let him leave!"
- By Kealan Hughes
Ten Hag planning squad clearout
Manchester United are 'eyeing a clearout to break double figures' across the two transfer windows next year, according to Manchester Evening News.
Tom Heaton and Jonny Evans, who was snapped up on a short-term deal ahead of this season, are out of contract without the option of one-year extensions in June.
It remains to be seen whether Man United will extend the deals of Brandon Williams and Alvaro Fernandez, who are on loan at Ipswich Town and Girona respectively. Mason Greenwood is also on loan and does not have a future at the club.
A centre-back is high on Erik ten Hag's transfer wishlist, which could see Victor Lindelof be offloaded next year. He is on the shortest contract, but he has started in 11 of Man United's 18 games this season. Raphael Varane's future appears to lie away from the club, too, with Harry Maguire rediscovering his form.
Midfielders Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, who are in their thirties, could also be axed ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Jadon Sancho, who has been banished from the first-team, and Anthony Martial continue to be linked with moves away from Man United.
- By Kealan Hughes
Man Utd trolled by Checkatrade
Manchester United have been brutally trolled by Checkatrade and fans have called the company's dig a 'masterclass'.
Their advert mocks the Theatre of Dreams' dodgy roof – by claiming they could fix it.
It features a tick next to "leaky roof" on a checklist, but sticks the boot in further by adding a cross next to "leaky defence".
The ad finishes with the sentence: "There are some things that even Checkatrade can't fix."
- By Kealan Hughes
Ten Hag to serve ban
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag will have to watch their game against Everton from the stands on Sunday, having been hit with a touchline ban under new Premier League rules.
Ten Hag was shown a yellow card during United's 1-0 win over Luton town before the international break, having previously been booked in defeats to Tottenham and Arsenal this season.
The threshold for a touchline ban used to be four yellow cards, but that has been reduced to three this season with Manchester City's Pep Guardiola and Fulham boss Marco Silva also serving bans due to the clampdown.
- By Kealan Hughes
Ronaldo raced sprinter at United
Cristiano Ronaldo once went against a Spanish Olympic sprinter to test how fast he actually is while playing for Manchester United.
He went toe to toe with Spanish sprinter Angel David Rodriguez.
The pair faced off as part of a 2011 series titled 'Ronaldo: Tested to the Limit'.
The duo competed in a 100 metre dash, with Rodriguez revealing he managed to beat the current Al Nassr star.
He said: "I took three tenths from him [Ronaldo], which is quite a lot. If it was 100 metres, he may be able to get 11.60 [seconds]."
Going off Rodriguez's claims, that'd mean Ronaldo's top speed is two seconds off Usain Bolt's world record time of 9.58 seconds.
- By Kealan Hughes
Politician apologises to Harry Maguire
The politician who referenced Harry Maguire in a speech discrediting his political rival's economic policies has apologised to the defender in another comedic speech in the Ghanaian parliament.
Last year Isaac Adongo grabbed headlines for his comments to country's national assembly, which included him saying Ghana's vice-president Mahamudu Bawumia enjoyed scoring – political – own goals in much the same manner as the Manchester United defender.
He said: "If you remember last year I was very quick to compare [vice-president] Mahamudu Bawumia to Harry Maguire. Mr Speaker I now apologise to Harry Maguire.'
"Mr Chairman, you got very angry when I used your defender as an example. Today Maguire has turned the corner, he's a transformational footballer. Harry Maguire is now scoring goals for Manchester United.
"Mr Speaker Harry Maguire is now a key player for Manchester United, as for our Maguire, he is now roaming at the high heavens with a cup in hand.
"As for our Maguire, the economic Maguire, he was able to get pensioners to leave their homes and come and parade in the streets."
- By Kealan Hughes
Saha: Something not right at United
Louis Saha feels too many players at Manchester United are not pulling their weight.
He told Paddy Power: “At Manchester United, there are about five or six players who aren’t at the level they should be confidence-wise, and that brings a lot of pressure to the likes of Bruno Fernandes who must deliver each week.
“Marcus Rashford, Antony, Rasmus Højlund all need to do more because in one game, there aren’t enough players playing with full confidence. It should be eight or nine at least but that’s the current dynamic at Manchester United.
“It’s not right! The link between the players is not right, the speed of the buildup is not right. They don’t shoot when they’re in the right position and when it's about creativity they need to stop thinking that someone else will move."
- By Kealan Hughes
Saha offers Jadon Sancho advice
Former Red Devil Louis Saha believes it is time for Jadon Sancho to move on and leave Manchester United.
He told Paddy Power: "The Jadon Sancho situation is horrible for everybody. As a Manchester United fan, you want to see the best players and most talented players on the pitch and Sancho is definitely one of those players that can disrupt the opposition.
"But, since he signed, he hasn’t performed regularly, and it’s been going on for months now so it's time to find the solution for everybody.
“We want to see him go somewhere he’s playing, scoring and enjoying his football, wherever it is he wants to go. I’m sad because I really like him when he’s in form, but it hasn’t happened for him at United.
“Even if Erik ten Hag considered bringing him back into the team, I doubt it would work because if he starts playing well, people will say that ten Hag should have brought him in earlier. But if he doesn’t play well, then people will say that he shouldn’t have brought him back."
- By Kealan Hughes
Harry Maguire issues defiant message
Manchester United's Harry Maguire expressed his gratitude towards English fans while insisting he is "really appreciated" across the football world.
He said: "Listen, playing for my country means everything, it’s a huge honour and playing for my country is such a big privilege for me, it’s what I dreamed of as a kid so every time there’s a game I want to available, I want to play every minute, start every game and help the lads.
"It’s been a really successful six years for me since I made my debut, also for the team as well but now we just need to get over the line now.
"I know I’m appreciated in the dressing room. I know I’m appreciated in the football world, coaches, players, the support I have from ex-players, managers and I know I’m really appreciated in the world of football. I know I’m appreciated by the England fans whom I have made many memories over the years and that’s the most important thing for me."
- By Kealan Hughes
Romano offers Todibo transfer update
Long-term Manchester United target Jean-Clair Todibo is attracting interest from several high profile clubs, per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
He told Caught Offside: “There have been rumours about Newcastle and Chelsea being interested in Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo and I can say that he’s been scouted by many clubs.
“Manchester United made contact with the player’s representatives last summer, while Newcastle were tracking him in June then nothing happened.
"At the moment, there is not something concrete as he is a key player for Nice, therefore, it is not easy at all to imagine a deal in January.”
- By Kealan Hughes
United to decide on Casemiro
Manchester United could decide to cash in on Casemiro, according to talkSPORT.
The report claims that clubs in the Saudi Arabian Pro League are interested in Casemiro, and that United could considering selling the player if an offer is received.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is likely to soon become minority owner of the club and take charge of sporting affairs, is said to be open to the prospect of selling the Brazil international in order to fund a rebuild of the current squad.
The midfielder – who cost United around £60 million last summer and is one of their highest earners – is currently contracted to the club until the summer of 2026.
- By Kealan Hughes
Man Utd receive injury boost
Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has returned to first-team training after a period on the sidelines with injury.
Shaw has been absent with a 'muscle injury' since the 2-0 defeat against Tottenham on August 19, but he trained with the main group at Carrington this week and he's set to be available for selection again.
United return to Premier League action with a visit to Everton on Sunday and Shaw could make his first start for three months.
- By Kealan Hughes
Cole backs Fernandes as skipper
Andy Cole believes Bruno Fernandes is the right captain for Manchester United.
He told Betfred: “There’s talk about Bruno Fernandes not being the right choice for captain, but if you look around the Manchester United dressing room currently, then who else would you give the captaincy to instead? There’s not four or five standout contenders.
"Bruno leads in a different way and I understand it. I can also understand that people don’t want to see a captain waving his arms about in frustration, which I personally believe is disrespectful to his teammates, but at this moment in time, he’s the man and he will captain the side in a way which he believes is beneficial to himself and his teammates.”
- By Kealan Hughes
Ferguson tips Ratcliffe for success
Sir Alex Ferguson is confident Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be a success at Manchester United.
He told Gambling Zone: "I am still a director of the club and I know Jim [Ratcliffe] well. We shall have to see what he does but I am optimistic."
- By Kealan Hughes
United tried to sign Muller
Erik ten Hag tried to sign Thomas Muller in January, according to Bild.
The Dutchman is claimed to be a big admirer of the Bayern Munich veteran.
The report claims it was felt that the 34-year-old's experience could benefit United.
And that Ten Hag and Co could try again for Muller in this season's January transfer window.
- By Kealan Hughes
Man Utd receive Ferguson boost
Manchester United have received a boost in their pursuit of Evan Ferguson thanks to Brighton CEO Paul Barber.
He admitted the young striker could leave despite recently signing a new long-term deal.
Speaking to Soccerex TV, he said: "When we can put them into long contracts to give them security, give us security, but very importantly, with young players, also to help them keep learning.
"At some point in the future, Evan's gonna be playing at an even higher level if his trajectory continues as it is.
"We want to make sure that we do everything we can to prepare him for that. Not just on the field, but off the field as well, give him as much support as we can."
- By Kealan Hughes
Fulham rival United for wonderkid
Fulham are targeting a January move for Fluminense midfielder Andre, who is wanted by Manchester United.
Fulham have moved ahead of Liverpool and Manchester United in the race to sign Andre after their chief executive Alistair Mackintosh flew to Brazil for face-to-face talks last week.
Mackintosh was at the iconic Maracana stadium to watch the 22-year-old Brazil international lead Fluminense to victory over Boca Juniors in the final of the Copa Libertadores.
- By Kealan Hughes
Man Utd stars feeling fatigued
A number of senior players at Manchester United believe the club’s poor start to the season is down to their intense training and travelling schedule over the summer.
The Guardian reports that some players feel the poor form has been down to being overworked during pre-season, with the squad beginning the campaign tired rather than refreshed.
Erik ten Hag reportedly introduced a more intense training regime over the summer in order to whip his squad into shape and become title challengers, but it appears to have backfired.
The tough training sessions alongside a hectic travel itinerary left players past their physical peaks before the season even got underway.
- By Kealan Hughes
Silvestre eyes Nice pair for United
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been told of two “easy” transfers he can make once his deal to purchase a minority stake in Manchester United is confirmed.
Former Red Devil Mikael Silverstre told Bettingexpert: “Khephren Thuram and Jean-Clair Todibo definitely have the level to play for Manchester United.
“And I’m sure they’re on the radar and they will be scrutinised.
“They will probably be put forward because it will be an easy and sensible transition and will make sense for INEOS to get the best scouting reports on these two players specifically.
“They’re quality players. Both French internationals. Todibo is having a very good season. Thuram, a little bit less this season compared to last season but still a quality midfielder.”
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