MANCHESTER UNITED boss Erik ten Hag says it was "unacceptable" for Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Old Trafford before the end of Sunday’s friendly against Rayo Vallecano.
The wantaway Portuguese superstar made his first appearance of Manchester United’s pre season but was hooked at half-time.
Elsewhere, the club are set to go in for Barcelona left-back Sergino Dest, according to reports.
It is believed that United have asked Barca about the possibility of signing the Dutch-American, with a fee of £17m believed to be sufficient to prize their hand.
The Red Devils are also still in the driving seat to sign £71m Frenkie de Jong from the Catalans, according to reports.
They are ready to make the 25-year-old their highest paid player by matching his £450,000-a-week contract and the latest reports are that there will be a meeting imminently.
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- Justin Lawrence
When United's season collapsed
Man United's Champions League exit last season was when the air got "sucked out of the club", according to former coach Chris Armas.
Armas, who was part of Ralf Ragnick's coaching team told Sky Sports: "We were trying to become a team, it's always a process but at Manchester United, at the time we arrived, all of us were trying to come together.
"I think Ralf did a really good job of stabilising things when we got there.
"You realise what a challenge it was, but after the Champions League exit, not getting the result at home, you can see the air got sucked out a little bit in what we were doing. Then it becomes difficult."
- Justin Lawrence
'Champions League football's imperative'
Man United's failure to get into the Champions League has hampered their chances of landing Frenkie de Jong and other top stars, according to Dwight Yorke.
He told safebettingsites.com: "I had a conversation with Frenkie De Jong at the All Star game (A-League All Stars vs Barcelona in May).
"And you know before that would’ve been a done deal (De Jong to Man Utd) and you look at his circumstances where he’s playing with a massive club and even though the money is an issue he has the opportunity to play CL football there.
“The players we are chasing are in such powerful positions it’s very difficult to lure them away to come to United.
"The club have kicked themselves in the teeth and can’t attract the best players any more, no CL football is a serious issue and it’s getting more and more difficult by the year.
“Players and agents are looking from the outside and thinking ‘that is not the place I want to be right now with all that stuff going on’. So we need to get that turned around and get the club back on track.”
- Justin Lawrence
United enquire about youngster
Man United have enquired about Bristol City midfielder Alex Scott, according to reports.
The teenager was one of the Championship's standout young players last season in his breakthrough year at the Robins.
The 18-year-old became a first-team regular playing 39 times for the club scoring four goals and registering two assists.
Scott, who won the club's player of the season award last campaign, has also shone on the international stage being a part of the England Under-19 side that won the European Under-19 Championship.
His impressive form at such a young age has caught the attention of Man Utd, claim The United Stand.
If United do sign him then they are reportedly willing to loan him back to Bristol City so he can continue to gain first-team experience.
- Justin Lawrence
Ten Hag blasts Ronaldo's exit
Erik ten Hag says it was "unacceptable" for Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Old Trafford before the end of Sunday’s friendly against Rayo Vallecano.
Speaking on Ronaldo's early dash, he told ViaPlay Sport: "Absolutely not. It is unacceptable. I’ve told them this – that it’s unacceptable.
“We are a team, we are a squad and you have to stay to the end.”
- Justin Lawrence
United face De Jong heartache
Man United face heartache in their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong.
The Red Devils have prioritised the signing of De Jong from Barcelonathis summer.
But the Dutch midfielder's resisted United's advances up to this point.
This has led Chelsea to swoop in on De Jong, and a report from Sport claims the Blues feel confident they'll sign him.
And it's also thought De Jong's open to move to London.
- Justin Lawrence
Bizzare kick-off time revealed
Everton and Manchester United fans are probably wondering why their Premier League match at Goodison on October 9 has been rescheduled for 7pm on a Sunday, CHARLIE WYETT WRITES.
It was chosen as a TV game — but is later than normal because United will be playing in the Europa League on the Thursday night.
And this unusual kick-off time gives them a few more hours to prepare.
This falls in line with the Premier League guidelines that any Champions League team playing away on a Wednesday night will no longer have a Saturday lunchtime kick-off for a BT Sport match.
- Justin Lawrence
Telles to Sevilla confirmed
Alex Telles' loan move to Sevilla has been confirmed for the season.
That's according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano who claims there's no buy option in the deal, and that the defender will pen a contract this week.
He tweeted: "Alex Telles to Sevilla, here we go and confirmed! Full agreement completed between with Manchester United on loan dean valid until 2023. Been told there’s NO buy option clause.
"Contracts being prepared in order to be signed this week."
- Justin Lawrence
Henderson drops Ten Hag bombshell
Dean Henderson has sensationally revealed he "didn't really want" Erik ten Hag to see him in training because he knew the manager would be desperate to keep him.
Henderson fumed to talkSPORT: "I didn’t really want the manager to see me in training because I knew he’d probably want to keep me.
"I told all the hierarchy: ‘I need to go and play football. I don’t want to be playing second fiddle’.
"And it panned out so I was almost gone before the manager came in."
- Justin Lawrence
Anthony transfer in doubt
Man United could be about to give up on signing Ajax star Antony, according to reports.
United have so far been priced out of a move, with the Eredivisie champions demanding £68million for their winger's signature.
According to Sky Sports, the Red Devils will give up on signing him this year, unless one of two factors come into play.
They claim that Antony handing in a transfer request could tempt them back into negotiations.
Alternatively, United would be interested in returning for Antony if Ajax were to lower their asking price.
- Justin Lawrence
Time will Tell
Alex Telles is poised to leave Man United on loan.
The defender's on the verge of completing a short-term switch to Sevilla, the BBC report.
The Brazil international's reason for heading out on loan is to secure a spot in his nation's World Cup squad.
And with his first-team options limited at Old Trafford, a move to Spain seems like the best thing for the left-back.
- Justin Lawrence
More on fan ownership talks
An original supporters’ scheme was axed when the Glazers completed their takeover of United in 2005.
MUST have been trying to revive it and “create the biggest fan shareholder movement in world football”.
Now they view the current proposals as the first step to making that a reality.
Even though they do accept that the scheme will not change the Glazers’ majority holding, they do believe it will help to make a better ownership model.
- Justin Lawrence
'Selfish Ronaldo's thinking of himself'
Cristiano Ronaldo is only thinking about himself – and not Man United when demanding to leave the club.
That's the view of Louis Saha who feels disappointed with Ronaldo's strop.
He relayed to Sky Bet: "I’m not Cristiano but as someone who seems to be a supporter of Manchester United, I have felt like he hasn’t shown completely enough of that, he is thinking about himself.
“I am not going to judge him because he is an immense player and I’m not in his position, but I would have loved him to stay because he’s a terrific player.
“No-one can judge his actions at this moment because it’s his own career.”
- Justin Lawrence
United fans in ownership stake talks
Man United's owner has reportedly opened talks with fans over selling a stake in the club to them.
The Daily Mail now claims that United “have moved a step closer to setting up a fans’ share scheme” which would give fans “a significant stake in the ownership” of the club.
Talks have been taking place with the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust for over a year since the failed launch of the European Super League.
The two camps have “finally come up with a set of proposals that have been held up by regulatory and legal complications” which have now been “accepted by 99 per cent of voters in an exit poll” at the first of a number of members’ meetings organised by MUST.
Now they will be put to the United board if the majority of members vote in favour of the proposals when the ballot closes on August 9.
It would allow fans to “carry the same voting weight as the Glazer family’s B shares, with proceeds from share sales being reinvested” in United – with both the Glazers and other shareholders not profiting from the scheme.
- Justin Lawrence
Ronaldo accused of 'acting selfish'
Louis Saha has accused Cristiano Ronaldo of acting selfish as he tries to force a move away.
The Frenchman told Sky Bet said: “In some way, from Cristiano Ronaldo’s point of view it’s a bit unrealistic to ask now a club of this size to adapt to him and his dream.
“Even last year, I’m sorry but the magic could have happened and everything could have gone well and they won the Champions League and the Premier League and there we go, he could say that he could stay because he had participated in that.
It was unrealistic that just his arrival would have changed all this.
“Asking that again after a poor season and maybe not great transfer market business in his view, I don’t really understand how dramatic it is to change and to do all those things.
“I think that last year he had been in Juventus but they hadn’t won the Champions League.”
- Justin Lawrence
Henderson faces comments backlash
Dean Henderson's disparaging comments about Man United have not gone down well with Danny Mills.
Henderson slammed United for making him false promises about the No1 spot before forcing through a loan move to Nottingham Forest.
But Mills wasn't amused after hearing what Henderson had to say and laid into the keeper.
He exclaimed on talkSPORT: "Boo hoo, woe is me. Welcome to the real world of football, Dean. This is what happens in football."
- Justin Lawrence
Giggs' trial gets delayed
Ryan Giggs' assault trial has been postponed again to test for deadly asbestos in the court building.
Giggs faced trial in January but it was postponed for seven months due to a backlog of cases caused by Covid.
It was due to start on Monday but Manchester Crown Court has been forced to close for two weeks to test for asbestos.
A potential site of the carcinogen was discovered in the basement of the 1960s building.
It's understood a routine asbestos survey identified a need for further tests but so far no airborne asbestos particles have been found.
The court will only be re-opened when it has been declared safe.
- Gary Stonehouse
Morning, United fans
Wantaway icon Cristiano Ronaldo will only be a sub for Sunday's Prem opener at home to Brighton.
And although the Red Devils are favourites to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, it looks unlikely before this weekend.
Old Trafford boss Ten Hag aims to keep Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford as his front three this weekend after their pre-season success.
In contrast, 37-year-old Ron has played just 45 minutes – the first half of Sunday’s draw with Rayo Vallecano.
Transfer gossip is mounting ahead of Sunday's big-kick – EXCEPT for news on Ronaldo's future.
Lazio reportedly want £50million for Serbia midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
And it's claimed United would need to pay £25m for Barcelona right-back Sergino Dest.
RB Salzburg’s strike starlet Benjamin Sesko has been valued at £45m amid links to the Red Devils, Chelsea and Newcastle.
FourFourTwo say the Slovenia star, 19, has told his Austrian club he wants to move in this transfer window.
And “fuming” Dean Henderson claims United “wasted” a year of his career.
Nottingham Forest haved borrowed the keeper for this season.
But the one-cap Englishmam says he rejected "many good loans" last summer after being promised he'd be first-choice stopper.
- Ian Tuckey
Sporting linked to Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo's old club Sporting Lisbon are said to have a 'genuine interest in resigning the wantaway Manchester United legend.
A host of top clubs have ruled themselves out of signing the 37-year-old.
Barcelona have NOT said no – but former team Real Madrid and Atletico have distanced themselves from the Portugal legend.
- Ian Tuckey
Ron the bench
EXCLUSIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo is set for a humiliating stint on the bench, with his future still in doubt at Manchester United, writes NEIL CUSTIS.
The star, 37, missed the tour of Bangkok and Australia for family reasons and has played just 45 minutes since then, in Sunday’s draw with Rayo Vallecano.
That is not enough for boss Erik ten Hag to start him in their Prem opener at home to Brighton on Sunday.
Ten Hag wants to stick with the front three of Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford that served him so well on the pre-season tour.
That means even when Ronaldo is up to speed he could be benched.
And it will not go down well because he was furious in March when interim boss Ralf Rangnick dropped him for the derby away to Manchester City.
Rangnick told Ronaldo he would be an impact substitute in the game, which United lost 4-1. But an angry Ronaldo then developed an injury and flew off to Portugal.
On Sunday, the former Real Madrid striker had a touchline tiff with Ten Hag during a break in play against Vallecano. He was then the only player subbed at half-time.
- Ian Tuckey
Milinkovic-Savic rated at £50m
Manchester United might need to pay £50million-plus to land Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Libero claim the Serie A giants are prepared to sell their Serbia hero this summer- for the right price.
But the repots says no serious offers have come in so far for the 27-year-old.
He'd almost certainly be a cheaper option than Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong.
- Ian Tuckey
'Barca want £25m for Sergino'
Manchester United could need to pay £25million for Barcelona right-back Sergino Dest.
But there are conflicting reports over whether the USA star fancies a move.
The 21-year-old has never been an automatic choice in his two years with the Red Devils.
Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and Chelsea are amongst the other clubs to have been linked with the Holland-born ace.
- Ian Tuckey
Utd and Chelsea target Sesko would cost £45m
RB Salzburg’s strike starlet Benjamin Sesko would reportedly cost £45million amid links to Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle.
FourFourTwo say the Slovenia star, 19, has told his Austrian club he wants to move in this transfer window.
And iSport suggest Salzburg will stand firm over their valuation.
Sesko netted 11 club goals last term.
And he’s notched two goals in 11 internationals.
- Ian Tuckey
Henderson fumes at Utd 'wasting' a year of his career
"Fuming" Dean Henderson claims Manchester United "wasted" a year of his career.
The England keeper says he snubbed "many good loans" last summer as United promised him the No1 jersey.
Instead he suffered Covid and David de Gea cemented his place as first-choice stopper.
Nottingham Forest have now borrowed Henderson for their first season back in the Premier League.
The former Sheffield United loanee, 25 told talkSPORT: "I turned so many good loans down last summer for that reason [being promised the No.1 spot], and they wouldn't let me go.
"It was frustrating. To sit there and waste 12 months is criminal really, at my age. I was fuming."
Henderson explained why United's words made him sure he would finally be their main keeper last term
He said: "The conversation I had, coming out of the Euro squad, was that you're coming back here to be the number one goalkeeper.
"I got Covid – unfortunately, no one followed through with anything they told me."
- Ian Tuckey
Set to Garna a new deal
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho, 18, is close to landing a new contract.
The Spanish-born Argentina youth star went on the Red Devils' pres-season tour of Thailand and Australia but didn't play.
But he played, and impressed, against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
United are "working" on a new deal for a player approaching a crucial season.
- Ian Tuckey
Ronaldo drama denting Utd 'togetherness'
Cristiano Ronaldo’s unresolved transfer issue is having an effect on Man United’s harmony.
That’s according to John Barnes who feels disharmony within United’s squad stemming for Ronaldo’s presence will prevent them challenging for a top four spot.
He told BonusCodeBets: “For Manchester United the harmony and togetherness is still not right, they have Ronaldo who wants to go and is still there.
“Will that upset the balance and harmony, will that upset the group, we don’t know. Manchester United have got to sort the harmony out at that football club as well before they can challenge.”
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