MANCHESTER UNITED icon Cristiano Ronaldo could be in line for a sensational switch to Atletico at the expense of Antoine Griezmann.
Reports suggest that Atletico are open to letting Griezmann go if it results in the Spanish outfit securing Ronaldo's signature.
Meanwhile club captain Harry Maguire has snubbed a move to Barcelona despite rumours claiming that a swap deal for him and Frenkie de Jong is being considered.
And Erik Ten Hag has reportedly said to want to sign Sergino Dest from Barca, as he does not trust any of his current right-backs.
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Stay up to date with all the latest from Old Trafford…
- Justin Lawrence
Rashford's happy with pre-season
Marcus Rashford has revealed the positive effect that Man United's pre-season tour has had on himself and the squad.
He said: "For us, it's definitely a positive thing to have a fully-fit squad ready to start the season.
"For me personally, it's priceless to have the pre-season that I've had.
"Sometimes I don't really take as much note of it because usually we're playing games in the summer and stuff like that, so the next season sort of just rolls onto the previous season.
"But this year I've had time to break, rest, recover mentally and physically, and then I've had a proper pre-season.
"I feel really happy. I'm pleased that I managed to do that."
- Justin Lawrence
Martial 'deserves No9 shirt'
Anthony Martial deserves to occupy the No9 shirt at Man United, according to Ashley Young.
Martial donned the coveted number during United's draw with Villa.
And he swapped it with Young once the match concluded to the Villa ace's delight.
After the game, Young said on social media: "Was good to see you my bro and thanks for your shirt.
"Good luck for the season bro and it’s about time you occupied that No9 shirt.”
- Justin Lawrence
Personal chefs for United stars
Man United players are being offered five-star meals on wheels so they do not pile on weight this season.
They can book them with club chefs and have them delivered to their mansions.
New boss Erik ten Hag has also introduced rules banning players from drinking alcohol during game weeks and demanding the players eat together at training.
United advertised for a first team head chef last month and a source said: “The facilities at Carrington are now more like a Michelin-starred restaurant as opposed to an old-fashioned canteen.
“There is even a steak room. The players need to stick to their diets so the chefs are happy to make meals and get them delivered to any player that wants them.”
- Justin Lawrence
Maguire gets court date
Harry Maguire will finally get a court date for his Greek holiday assault case — but won’t be able to clear his name until 2023.
The England and Manchester United defender will receive a court summons in the next few weeks for an appeal hearing.
He was convicted of assaulting police in Mykonos in August 2020.
According to Greek police sources, the court will set a date for late spring or early summer next year on the island of Syros, which is where appeals are heard.
It means the 27-year-old will be free to focus on the start to United’s Premier League season and the World Cup in Qatar in November and December.
But it leaves him waiting for nearly three years to clear his name over the bust-up, which also involved his brother Joe and sister Daisy.
- Jon Boon
Ten Hag's Champions League bonus
Erik ten Hag will collect a £3million bonus if he leads Manchester United back into the Champions League.
Yet that is still only a fraction of what United face missing out on if they fail to make Europe's elite club competition for a second year on the run.
Ten Hag’s £9m-a-year salary is only half the amount Pep Guardiola earns with champions and cross-town rivals Manchester City.
But the Dutchman’s contract is loaded with incentives which will leave him laughing all the way to the bank if he can clinch a top-four finish.
United are facing a £90m black hole if they miss out on a spot at Europe's top table again after last year’s nightmare campaign.
Under the terms of their £75m-a-season, ten-year sponsorship deal with shirt maker adidas, they will forfeit £25m if they miss out on the Champions League for a second year straight.
- Jon Boon
Loan deal for Ronaldo
Man Utd are willing to let Cristiano Ronaldo leave on loan this summer, according to a report in the People.
The Portuguese star, 37, is hankering for an Old Trafford exit after becoming disillusioned with the club.
In return, the Red Devils are said to want Ronaldo to trigger his one-year option clause in his contract so he can return to the club next summer.
- Jon Boon
Milinković-Savić still on Utd's radar
Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinković-Savić is still on Man Utd's radar, according to reports.
That’s according to La Lazio Siamo Noi, who reveal the 27-year-old’s agent, Mateja Kežman, ‘could soon deliver a proposal from Manchester United’ to the Serie A giants.
The report adds that Kezman is working behind-the-scenes to secure a new club for his client.
Any move for the Serb could be dependant on how United's move for Frenkie de Jong pans out.
- Jon Boon
Maguire snubs Barcelona
Harry Maguire is so determined to beat the boo boys at Old Trafford, he has snubbed a move to Barcelona.
According to the Mirror, the England centre half has told his reps to tell the Catalans to forget about making a move for him this summer
A source revealed: "Some players, especially with some of the criticism flying around, would have been desperate to go if Barcelona came calling.
"But Harry is unmoved and wants to have a successful season with United. When it comes to mental strength, Harry has it in spades. As usual he will get down to doing what he does best."
- Jon Boon
Mejbri set for loan
Man Utd hothead Hannibal Mejbri is reportedly set for a loan move to the Championship.
And no less than four clubs are circling for his signature.
Hannibal, 19, is one of United’s top prospects after bursting onto the scene last season.
He has been featuring in pre-season under Erik ten Hag.
But United’s midfield and attacking options are plentiful at the moment.
And Ten Hag is ready to let Hannibal move so he can boost his development with vital minutes, says Sky.
- Jon Boon
Bailly linked with Mourinho return
Out-of-favour Man Utd defender Eric Bailly has been linked with a move to Roma.
Italian reports claim that Jose Mourinho is seeking a reunion with the Ivory Coast defender, who was his first signing for the Red Devils.
United are looking for around £8.5million for the centre half.
He has made 113 appearances for the club since moving in 2016.
- Jon Boon
Mejbri's new position
Erik ten Hag gave Hannibal Mejbri a runout in a new position, coming off the bench against Aston Villa to play as a STRIKER.
The Dutchman is putting his Manchester United team through their paces Down Under.
United have played a number of pre-season games this month and are still undefeated with thumping wins over rivals Liverpool, as well as Crystal Palace and Melbourne Victory.
But with options limited in the striker department, ten Hag played natural midfielder Hannibal up front in the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa at the Optus Stadium.
The 19-year-old replaced red hot Jadon Sancho in the 67th minute.
However, Hannibal was unable to help United extend their lead and Calum Chambers scored an added-time equaliser to tie the game up.
- Jon Boon
Ten Hag slams Utd's performance
Erik ten Hag has slammed his Manchester United stars for making too many mistakes and "throwing away" the lead as they drew with Villa.
Calum Chambers last-gasp equaliser meant the Red Devils' winning run in pre-season came to a shuddering halt.
Ten Hag's team threw away a two-goal lead against their Premier League opponents, and the boss was not pleased with the performance.
The Athletic quote the United boss as saying: "In the first half I saw really good football, really controlling and dominating the game, but we have to learn from what happened in the second half. It’s not possible that you go 2-0 and then throw it away.
"Football is a sport of mistakes and we have to decrease the mistakes. That’s clear, but I have seen a lot of progress in these two weeks."
- Jon Boon
Ronaldo open to Atletico switch
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly open to a controversial switch to Atletico Madrid.
The 37-year-old superstar wants out at Manchester United.
Ronaldo is desperate to carry on playing in the Champions League, and has eyes on lifting Europe’s top prize for a sixth time.
He wants to join a club with a chance of winning the trophy, and is interested in a move to Atletico, according to the Daily Mail.
Ronaldo is reported to be willing to take a hefty pay cut in order to join the club.
Reports suggest CR7 would accept a 30 per cent wage reduction to sign for Atletico.
- Jon Boon
Ten Hag wants Dest
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag reportedly wants to sign Barcelona defender Sergino Dest.
The Red Devils conceded 57 league goals last season – the second most of any side in the Prem's top 10.
New manager Ten Hag is keen to strengthen the right side of his back line due to a current lack of options.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka struggled for any kind of form last season, while Diogo Dalot remains somewhat unconvincing.
And according to El Nacional, Ten Hag "does not trust" either of his current full-backs on the right flank.
As a result, 21-year-old American Dest has been identified as a target for Man Utd.
- Jon Boon
'Next Robbie Savage'
Man Utd's Hannibal Mejbri has been branded "the next Robbie Savage" after he tussled with Ashley Young in a friendly.
The Red Devils and Aston Villa played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in Perth and Hannibal's hot-headed performance left United fans excited.
One said he was "only on the pitch to scrap" after he clashed with multiple Villa players, including former United winger Young.
Hannibal also shoved Douglas Luiz off the ball during another scrappy exchange.
The performance is just the latest sign that Hannibal's competitive streak likes to come to the surface – and Man United fans were absolutely loving it.
One person on Twitter compared him to Robbie Savage, the now retired midfielder who came through United's academy before enjoying a nomadic career where he was never far from trouble.
- Justin Lawrence
Ten Hag's disappointment with performance
Erik ten Hag has labelled Man United's performance in today's draw with Aston Villa unacceptable.
He said after the game: "The drop of focus is unacceptable. That cannot happen.
"We have to learn from the second half that it is not possible just to be comfortable being two goals up."
- Justin Lawrence
United mull Dumfries swoop
Man United could try to sign Inter Milan star Denzel Dumfries – but only if they sell Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The defender, 26, signed for Inter last summer and has three years left to run on his contract.
But the Serie A outfit are open to selling him and included him in negotiations to sign Romelu Lukaku – but Chelsea said no.
United are keen on Dumfries however and will attempt to sign him if they can offload Wan-Bissaka, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Inter are said to be open to offers and value Dumfries at £34million – and it is not clear whether United would be able to pay in instalments.
The Netherlands international often operates as a right wing-back for club and country so would be a useful addition for Ten Hag.
- Justin Lawrence
Ronaldo's wife copies Messi's partner
Cristiano Ronaldo girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez has copied Lionel Messi's wife with a dazzling clip.
Georgina posted a short video on Instagram showing her wearing a white shirt, pink heels and a black thong.
Ronaldo's partner also donned a new look as she adopted some dark dreads.
She shot the clip for Alo Yoga a few days after Messi' wife Antonela Roccuzzo also advertised them.
Antonella posed with a dazzling dark yoga gear and also rocked a pose from her latest workout session.
- Justin Lawrence
Dalot speaks on Villa draw
Diogo Dalot has given his review of Man United's draw with Aston Villa.
He said: "[It was] difficult. I mean I think you all can see, difficult conditions, the pitch was not very good to play football.
"I think we [played] a good first half. We scored two beautiful goals, the way we want to play.
"The second half a little bit difficult. I think we could [have] come into the second half a bit more lively. '
"We concede some counter-attacks that we shouldn’t, and obviously the pitch was getting more and more difficult, so the game was a little bit more ugly.
"But, in the end, we should be happy for what we did on this tour.”
- Justin Lawrence
De Gea error gets blasted
Man United fans slammed keeper David de Gea after his late error in their 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.
The Red Devils looked to be closing in on a fourth successive pre-season victory as they led Steven Gerrard's men 2-1 heading into stoppage-time.
But in the final moments of the match, De Gea failed to claim a Leon Bailey corner from inside his own six-yard box and Calum Chambers climbed to nod home a last-gasp equaliser.
The final whistle came seconds later, with Manchester Evening News reporting that De Gea headed "straight down the tunnel" despite his team-mates hanging around on the pitch to thank the fans in Perth, Australia.
And, to add insult to injury for the Spanish shot-stopper, he was then criticised on social media for his failure to clear the corner.
- Justin Lawrence
The hand of Tom
Scott McTominay has been brutally trolled by fans after they spotted the Manchester United star using his hand to perform a skill.
The Red Devils midfielder was performing the "around the world" trick but required some help from an unexpected source to get the job done.
The skill sees footballers knock the ball in mid-air, twist their foot around the ball and then collect in on their laces before it hits the ground.
McTominay made a good fist of it – but only thanks to his hand.
The viral video of what appears to be an in-house media photoshoot sees the Scottish international doing kick-ups.
He then tries to pull off the around the world skill, but left fans in hysterics with a sneaky use of his hand.
- Justin Lawrence
Ronaldo drops future hint
Man United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo dropped a major hint he may stay at Old Trafford after all.
The star forward has been training hard on his own as he shared snaps of his latest workout session on Instagram.
And the Portugal captain appears to have hinted he is actually going nowhere as he donned a pair of last season’s United training shorts.
- Justin Lawrence
Fernandes dismisses Ronaldo rumours
Bruno Fernandes has dismissed claims that he can't play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
Fernandes said: "No, I don't think so (did Ronaldo upset the balance of the side).
"I am there to serve my strikers and I think we had an amazing start to the season.
"When Cristiano came in he scored two goals in his first game and I scored one and after that, I scored many goals playing with Cristiano."
- Justin Lawrence
Rashford names his best United squad
Rashford has named his all-time greatest Man United XI, minus himself.
He said on Instagram Live: "Right, I'm going to go with most players from the teams that I watched when I was growing up.
"I'd probably have [David] De Gea, but it was a close one between him and [Edwin] Van der Sar.
"When I was a kid Van der Sar was one of the best keepers and obviously playing with David has been great, so I'd have to put David in there."
Focusing on the outfield players, Rashford said: "At the back I'd have Rio Ferdinand.
"I'm all out attack there. I'd have [Paul] Scholesy in front of Rio, [Ryan] Giggs on the right, [Cristiano] Ronaldo on the left and [Wayne] Rooney up front.
"I'm not putting myself in. Not yet."
- Justin Lawrence
Pogba makes second Juve debut
Paul Pogba made his second debut for Juventus in a 2-0 win over Guadalajara in the US.
The 28-year-old Frenchman left Manchester United at the end of last season after his contract expired at Old Trafford.
His return to Juventus was then confirmed earlier this month – six years after his first spell ended with the Italian giants.
And he marked the beginning of his second stint with The Old Lady in winning style.
Goals from Marco Da Graca and Mattia Compagnon handed Max Allegri's side a routine win over their Mexican opponents.
Reacting to his second debut on social media, Pogba said: "𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙠𝙠𝙠𝙠! First win! 💪🏾 ⚪⚫️ #JuveOnTheRoad."
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