MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly hit a stumble block in their efforts to sign Adrien Rabiot this summer.
The Red Devils initially agreed a £15 million fee which could rise with add-ons, but talks are stalling over the Frenchman's wage demands.
Meanwhile, United have seemingly progressed in negotiations with long-term target Frenkie de Jong after agreeing a deal with his agent.
However, Chelsea are still very much in the run-in as the Blues have sorted out terms with Barcelona.
Meanwhile, SunSport can exclusively reveal that the Manchester United dressing room wants the club to SELL Cristiano Ronaldo.
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- Justin Lawrence
Rashford tipped for success
Marcus Rashford will be unstoppable when he finds his feet again for Man United, according to club legend Louis Saha.
Saha told The Metro: "The longer it takes him to get out of this bad form, then the more you start to worry.
“But he has too much talent and he’s a great kid.
“You can see that he loves the club, he’s very committed to the club, and he doesn’t talk to the press in any nonsense way.
!It’s only a matter of time before he’s back to his best and scoring goals for fun. When he clicks again, then I think he will be unstoppable."
- Justin Lawrence
Ronaldo posts training pic
Cristiano Ronaldo is still putting in the work as his transfer saga rages on.
Ronaldo's still keen to leave Man United – but that hasn't stopped him from training effusively.
He took to social media to post a pic of himself sprinting in a practice session.
And he captioned the pic: "Hard work always pays off 🙏🏽💪🏽."
- Justin Lawrence
United accept De Jong defeat
Man United have reportedly privately accepted defeat in their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong.
United have been chasing the Barcelona ace for the majority of the summer – to no avail.
De Jong's made it clear he doesn't plan to leave Barca, although he may not have a choice as the club needs to shed its crippling debt.
However, if he does get forced along, De Jong's reportedly got his sights set on a switch to United's rivals Chelsea, who can offer him Champions League football.
This culmination of factors have led United to concede they will likely miss out on their No1 transfer target, according to the Mail.
- Justin Lawrence
Ferdinand questions club's transfer policy
Rio Ferdinand has been left perplexed by Man United's transfer strategy this summer after they bid for veteran Marko Arnautovic.
The rescinded Arnautovic swoop followed United's purchase of another veteran Christian Eriksen, and Ferdinand doesn't understand why the club aren't pursuing younger talent with fresh hunger.
He said: "I understand, to a certain extent, why they were going for someone like Arnautovic… but then you have just brought Christian Eriksen as well?
“Another arrival at the back-end of their career going against the new process of young and hungry players to get the club to a new level.
“It is unfair to single out Arnautovic but what signal does that send out when you are going for someone at that stage of their career, given his career path, too?
“He is not coming from AC Milan or Inter or Juventus, he is coming from Bologna after being in China. Forget his ability, that route… it is a deal that makes the grey areas even greyer.”
- Justin Lawrence
Ferdinand speaks on Glazers
Rio Ferdinand understands Man United fans' anger towards the Glazers but thinks they should wait for new buyers to emerge before ousting the current owners.
Until then, Ferdinand reckons the supporters demands will fall on deaf ears.
He said: "I see the frustration from the fans and the fact the club is in so much debt. Things aren’t the way the fans think they should but there needs to be a buyer on the table.
“Once there is a buyer, then you can have this conversation. Until then, you are talking to a brick wall.
"They don’t need to respond and they are not going to respond.”
- Etienne Fermie
Good morning Man Utd fans
Manchester United’s move for Adrien Rabiot is being delayed due to his huge wage demands, according to reports.
The midfielder – and his agent mother – are reportedly asking for a whopping £8.5m a year contract to get the deal done.
What appeared to be a straightforward deal now appears to have a spanner in the works.
Meanwhile, Ralf Rangnick reportedly identified five Manchester United targets for this summer – and neighbours City signed two while the Red Devils went for none of them.
The German was appointed interim manager last term following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking and identified a handful of players to the board that would improve the club.
Rangnick allegedly told them to move for Erling Haaland, Christopher Nkunku, Konrad Laimer, Julian Alvarez and Josko Gvardiol.
And United cult hero Louis Saha believes Erik ten Hag will already be frustrated by the club’s lack of signings this summer.
The Red Devils have failed to bring in his top targets in Frenkie de Jong and Antony, with the club paying the price against Brighton on Sunday.
Speaking exclusively to SunSport, Saha has stated that Ten Hag “hasn’t been helped” by United chiefs this summer.
The 44-year-old said: “I think he could be frustrated, but I think they’ve tried a lot to bring in who he wants.
- Alex Cole
‘Enough is enough’, say Man Utd fans
Man United fans are threatening to #EmptyOldTrafford in another anti-Glazers protest before a game with Liverpool.
The hashtag has been circulated among Red Devils fans on social media.
Supporters are trying to plan a boycott which will see Old Trafford seats left empty for the crunch home clash against rivals Liverpool on August 22 to vent their anger at the club’s hated owners.
One wrote: “Enough is enough. #EmptyOldTrafford #GlazersOut #GlazersSellUnited”
Another said: “If you love Manchester United then stay out of Old Trafford. It is worth it lads #GlazersSellManUtd #EmptyOldTrafford”
And a third added: “My seat will be empty for the Liverpool game! Let’s get this happening, the time is NOW!! #EmptyOldTrafford”
- Alex Cole
Ron beats team-mates in training sprint
Cristiano Ronaldo was still the leader of the pack in Manchester United training despite being benched over a lack of fitness.
Ronaldo, 37, is desperate to quit the Red Devils in his quest to play Champions League football this season with his team-mates growing equally frustrated at the situation.
However, an image shared by the club’s Twitter account seems to suggest that the Real Madrid legend is racing to peak condition.
And now he looks to be closing in on a start for United, despite still being desperate to leave, when they head to Brentford on Saturday.
The Old Trafford club shared a snap of their squad in training, and it showed Ronaldo beating his teammates in a sprinting race.
Ten Hag revealed on Sunday that he was confident Ronaldo's fitness levels will improve after he missed pre-season due to family reasons.
- Alex Cole
Leeds pushing for Sarr
Manchester United are set to suffer a further transfer blow as target Ismaila Sarr reportedly closes in on a switch to Leeds United.
Sarr, 24, has previously been linked with an Old Trafford switch and his wonder goal this week led to fresh speculation they were chasing him again.
We reported how United could step up their hunt after pulling out of a controversial move for Bologna’s Marko Arnautovic.
However, Get French Football claims that Leeds “are close to an agreement” to sign the winger.
Sarr is starting his fourth season at Watford following last term’s relegation to the Championship.
He has 25 goals in 94 games for his club, as well as ten strikes for Senegal on the international stage.
- Alex Cole
Ten Hag ‘frustrated’ already, says Saha
Manchester United cult hero Louis Saha believes Erik ten Hag will be frustrated by the club’s lack of signings this summer.
The Red Devils have failed to bring in his top targets in Frenkie de Jong and Antony, with the club paying the price against Brighton on Sunday.
Speaking exclusively to SunSport on behalf of TPP-ThePuntersPage, Saha has stated that Ten Hag “hasn’t been helped” by United chiefs this summer.
The 44-year-old said: “I think he could be frustrated, but I think they’ve tried a lot to bring in who he wants.
“I think the calibre of player they’re looking for to add to the squad has been difficult because they haven’t been available straight away.
“It hasn’t helped at all that there are deals or rumours are dragging along, and it does bring a lack of confidence in some parts.
“It brings power to the player being linked because they can see that other players aren’t being linked, so their agents will see and use that with the negotiations which doesn’t make it easy.”
- Alex Cole
Where are the midfield signings?
Erik ten Hag is surely fighting a losing battle at Old Trafford.
He wants to implement a style that encourages possession and pressing high up the pitch, like at Ajax.
Are Scott McTominay and Fred up to that?
Or Donny van de Beek? Eriksen?
The Red Devils head to Brentford on Saturday so we’ll see what options Ten Hag elects to use.
- Alex Cole
More on Rabiot
United made a move for the out-of-favour Juventus man to beef up a midfield that has often faced criticism.
But what appeared to be a straightforward deal now appears to have a spanner in the works.
Manchester United and Juventus are believed to have agreed terms, with the report suggesting the Old Lady are now only "spectators" in the rest of the discussion.
Rabiot's personal terms now apparently risk slowing down the deal as Erik ten Hag desperately pushes for reinforcements following United's poor showing against Brighton.
The 27-year-old's mother is believed to be a tough negotiator and is also reported to be making demands about Champions League football guarantees.
Rabiot was pictured in Juventus training today as the saga of his transfer deal continues.
- Alex Cole
Rabiot's wage demands blocking move
Manchester United's move for Adrien Rabiot is being delayed due to his huge wage demands, according to reports.
The midfielder – and his agent mother – are reportedly asking for a whopping £8.5m a year contract to get the deal done.
What appeared to be a straightforward deal now appears to have a spanner in the works.
That's according to Get Football News Italy reports, who say the star's wage demands is the last sticking point in the deal.
- Alex Cole
More on Rangnick targets
RB Leipzig and Croatia defender Gvardiol was seemingly Rangnick's top priority while his team-mate Laimer was another of his recommendations.
He also allegedly told United to scout Leipzig striker Nkunku, who scored 35 goals in 52 appearances last season, but the French star has now penned a new long-term deal with the German outfit.
United knew that their hopes of signing hotshot Haaland were slim, and he is now starring for rivals City, but he still urged them to try and strike a deal with his £51m release clause becoming active over the summer.
Rangnick also reportedly brought Alvarez to United's attention in January.
But they were pipped by City again, who swooped for the Argentinian from River Plate for £14m back in January.
Rangnick and Ten Hag are not believed to have met in person but allegedly held talks before the former’s departure.
Despite his recommendations, United moved for none of these targets over the summer window.
- Alex Cole
City signed two of Rangnick's top targets
Ralf Rangnick reportedly identified five Manchester United targets for this summer – and neighbours City signed two while the Red Devils went for none of them.
The German was appointed interim manager last term following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking and identified a handful of players to the board that would improve the club.
Rangnick took charge in December but his time in the dug-out was miserable as they only won just 11 of his 29 games.
However, he was supposed to take up a consultancy role from the end of last season but he left to take charge of Austria just six days after Erik ten Hag's arrival.
Now Manchester Evening News are claiming that he still left them with a hit-list of five targets to secure this summer – but United failed to capture any of them.
Rangnick allegedly told them to move for Erling Haaland, Christopher Nkunku, Konrad Laimer, Julian Alvarez and Josko Gvardiol.
- Alex Cole
Fletcher was scouting Sarr for wonder goal
Manchester United chief Darren Fletcher was scouting Ismaila Sarr when the forward scored his stunner from the halfway line against West Brom, according to reports.
The technical director was treated to a wonder goal during Watford's Monday night trip to the Hawthorns.
Sarr managed to catch Baggies keeper David Button off his line with a goal of the season contender.
The Senegalese would go on to miss a penalty as Watford drew 1-1 with West Brom after Karlan Grant equalised.
It just so happened that Sarr scored his halfway goal while Fletcher was watching from the stands scouting him specifically, according to the Mail.
Man United are on manoeuvres as they try to bring in reinforcements, and the Red Devils are believed to have their eyes on the forward.
- Alex Cole
'Enough is enough', say Man Utd fans
Man United fans are threatening to #EmptyOldTrafford in another anti-Glazers protest before a game with Liverpool.
The hashtag has been circulated among Red Devils fans on social media.
Supporters are trying to plan a boycott which will see Old Trafford seats left empty for the crunch home clash against rivals Liverpool on August 22 to vent their anger at the club’s hated owners.
One wrote: “Enough is enough. #EmptyOldTrafford #GlazersOut #GlazersSellUnited”
Another said: “If you love Manchester United then stay out of Old Trafford. It is worth it lads #GlazersSellManUtd #EmptyOldTrafford”
And a third added: “My seat will be empty for the Liverpool game! Let’s get this happening, the time is NOW!! #EmptyOldTrafford”
- Alex Cole
Latest in De Jong saga
Man United have allegedly not given up on Frenkie de Jong as reports have claimed.
De Jong is still very much a priority for United who have an agreement in place for the midfielder, according to Dutch reporter Marcel van der Kraan.
De Jong’s wage war with Barcelona will play a key role in what happens next in the transfer saga, Der Kraan added.
But despite United’s interest, De Jong is still reluctant to join the Red Devils.
- Alex Cole
Ronaldo has scuppered Ten Hag plans, says Saha
Louis Saha went on to say that the Cristiano Ronaldo saga also hasn't helped Erik Ten hag.
Saha added: "It has an impact and the news about your own star player doesn't help as well in terms of bringing targets in.
"All these things come together and add to the frustration for the new manager because he wants to start his own era.
"He wants to build something, so I can understand how frustrating it is.
"If you look at the situation and everyone at the club, two or three months ago there was a lot of positivity and people looking forward to change.
"From that point, you hope that everyone will be on board because everyone would benefit from the situation.
"The speculation hasn't been good on the group I don't think, so Erik ten Hag has had some difficulties to overcome.
"But I think he deserves credit because he's done well with getting his message across and I'm sure the results will follow, but he hasn't been helped as much as he could be."
- Alex Cole
EXCLUSIVE – Ten Hag 'frustrated' already, says Saha
Manchester United cult hero Louis Saha believes Erik ten Hag will be frustrated by the club's lack of signings this summer.
The Red Devils have failed to bring in his top targets in Frenkie de Jong and Antony, with the club paying the price against Brighton on Sunday.
Speaking exclusively to SunSport on behalf of TPP-ThePuntersPage, Saha has stated that Ten Hag "hasn't been helped" by United chiefs this summer.
The 44-year-old said: "I think he could be frustrated, but I think they've tried a lot to bring in who he wants.
"I think the calibre of player they're looking for to add to the squad has been difficult because they haven't been available straight away.
"It hasn't helped at all that there are deals or rumours are dragging along, and it does bring a lack of confidence in some parts.
"It brings power to the player being linked because they can see that other players aren't being linked, so their agents will see and use that with the negotiations which doesn't make it easy."
- Alex Cole
Where are the midfield options?
Erik ten Hag is surely fighting a losing battle at Old Trafford.
He wants to implement a style that encourages possession and pressing high up the pitch, like at Ajax.
Are Scott McTominay and Fred up to that?
Or Donny van de Beek? Eriksen?
The Red Devils head to Brentford on Saturday so we'll see what options Ten Hag elects to use.
- Alex Cole
United rebuild will ‘take time’, says Brown
Former Manchester United defender Wes Brown reckons it will take “two or three transfer windows” for Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United squad to take shape.
Brown told Sky Sports: “I think if you look back before yesterday’s game I think we all knew it was going to take time.
“For myself I always knew if anything this window was going to be the most difficult really because the manager is trying to change a few things.”
He added: “It’s going to take time, I don’t know two or three transfer windows.
“The positive side is you could see at times we know what we’re trying to do, but I think it’s a confidence thing at the moment as well.”
- Alex Cole
Ronaldo riles up team-mates
Manchester United players are becoming increasingly annoyed by Cristiano Ronaldo’s antics, writes Neil Custis.
A number would prefer it if he just left rather than the current impasse between player and club go on.
There is growing anger amongst squad members at Ronaldo’s stance and attitude around the club.
A United source said: “It is really starting to annoy a lot of players now.
“He does have his allies in the camp but a lot are fed up with how he is going about things.”
- Justin Lawrence
Hernandez speaks on honour
Javier Hernandez says it will be a 'surreal' experience to lead an MLS team against players from his home country.
The ex-Manchester United striker, 34, has been named captain for the MLS side which will take on Liga MX in Wednesday's MLS All Star game in Minneapolis.
"It's very surreal this situation, I'm a Mexican guy representing MLS, even as a captain against Liga MX.
"I felt grateful, grateful, very grateful, very happy, and satisfied because this is the right perspective. There always needs to be a captain to represent the players, but we all can be leaders.
"We all can give a lot. Many of the players in this league are captains on their own teams. This is just part of the game, and I don't need or deserve a special treatment.
"I just have to take this responsibility to be humble and to be grateful.
"Like I said before, it is kind of surreal to be a Mexican player playing in the MLS as captain. Just I'm grateful and very humble, but being a captain doesn't mean that I'm more important than the others."
- Justin Lawrence
#EmptyOldTrafford plans
Man United fans are threatening to #EmptyOldTrafford in another anti-Glazers protest before a game with Liverpool.
The hashtag has been circulated among Red Devils fans on social media.
Supporters are trying to plan a boycott which will see Old Trafford seats left empty for the crunch home clash against rivals Liverpool on August 22 to vent their anger at the club's hated owners.
One wrote: "Enough is enough. #EmptyOldTrafford #GlazersOut #GlazersSellUnited"
Another said: "If you love Manchester United then stay out of Old Trafford. It is worth it lads #GlazersSellManUtd #EmptyOldTrafford"
And a third added: "My seat will be empty for the Liverpool game! Let’s get this happening, the time is NOW!! #EmptyOldTrafford"
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