Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo 'almost stormed down tunnel', Sancho attitude 'questioned by team-mates'
MANCHESTER UNITED'S title challenge appears to be waning after a harrowing 4-2 defeat at Leicester.
The Red Devils thought they were back in the game when Marcus Rashford scored a late equaliser at the King Power Stadium.
But sloppy United capitulated in defence again, allowing two late goals to give the Foxes a confidence-boosting victory.
Cristiano Ronaldo was one player who trudged off the pitch in a huff in the East Midlands, with Solskjaer having to convince the superstar to clap the away supporters.
And after another below par display, Jadon Sancho's attitude is reportedly being questioned by his team-mates.
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- Joshua Jones
MORNING, UNITED FANS
Claims that United players are worried about Jadon Sancho's form and attitude have diverted the spotlight on troubled boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Times' Duncan Castles told The Transfer Window Podcast some Old Trafford stars have privately questioned £73million England winger Sancho's value.
Ex-Borussia Dortmund hero Sancho, 21, has been quiet for United and erratic for England since his summer switch.
Meanwhile, it's claimed Sevilla’s France centre-back Jules Kounde would prefer joining United to Chelsea.
El Nacional even suggest the 22-year-old – targeted by Chelsea in the last transfer window – has asked his agent to hold talks with the Red Devils.
Back on the pitch, Solskjaer insists he still believes in his squad, despite Saturday's 4-2 Premier League slump at Leicester.
And publicly at least, the Norwegian says it's more about cutting out mistakes than changing systems for Wednesday's home Champions League clash with Atalanta.
But Paul Pogba blasted United's weekend display and fellow midfielder Nemanja Matic apologised to fans.
Matic said: "They deserve much, much better than this. But we have 14 points – we are still in the title race."
- Ian Tuckey
'WOBBLE YOUR HEAD' IF YOU COMPARE OLE TO ALEX
Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley has blasted the “balloons” who claim Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should be given time to turn Manchester United around like Alex Ferguson.
Ex-Scotland, Celtic and Derby star Burley blew away the argument that Solskjaer is slowly returning United to their glory days.
The 50-year-old pundit responded to yesterday’s 4-2 defeat at Leicester by posting on Twitter: “One or two balloons saying Sir Alex Ferguson was given time so so should Solskjaer!
“Ferguson got the Man Utd job off the back of a stellar managerial record and huge success at Aberdeen.
“Dethroning the Old Firm and beating Real Madrid in a European final.
“Give your head a wobble.”
- Ian Tuckey
GAY STAR FEARS COMING OUT
A gay Premier League star has had therapy because he is so frightened of coming out, telling pals: “I will be crucified.”
The ace revealed he has sought professional psychological help amid fears of how rival fans will react.
He said: “It’s 2021 and I should be able to be free to tell everyone who I am.
"But there are some fans on the terraces for whom it is still very much the 1980s.
“I want to be open with people because it’s who I am and I am proud. But the truth is I will be crucified.”
Gay Premier League star is in therapy as he fears abuse from fans if he comes out
The player admitted he is riddled with doubt, saying: “When I play, I feel like the fans may guess and they are judging me.
“Am I coming across as camp? Can they tell from the clothes I wear off the pitch? It has had a terrible effect on me mentally. It’s terrifying.”
The top-flight Brit has spoken to campaigner Amal Fashanu — niece of ex-Norwich star Justin, who came out in 1990 and took his own life in 1998.
- Ian Tuckey
SOLSKJAER POSITION ‘100% SAFE’ – FOR NOW
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is having another rocky time.
Yesterday’s 4-2 defeat at Leicester perhaps ended returning hero Cristiano Ronaldo’s honeymoon period and re-open defensive concerns.
Bu The Athletic’s respected reporter David Ornstein claims Solskjaer’s position is “100% safe” – at least on the board’s current thinking…
- Ian Tuckey
UTD'S SHEAR FOLLY
Alan Shearer reckons Manchester United made a mistake by not buying a central midfielder in the summer.
United lost 4-2 to Leicester yesterday and Shearer believes they needed a midfielder that can take games by the scruff of the neck.
Speaking on Match Of The Day, Shearer said: “That was Manchester United’s problem last season, they didn’t invest in that position and it’s the same again.
“There’s no one in there to really press and take control from the front. You can’t do that in the Premier League.
“They will always score, Man United, because of the brilliance they have going forward. But you cannot press if you haven’t got that aggression.”
- Ian Tuckey
'UTD PLAYERS WORRIED BY SANCHO STRUGGLE'
Manchester United players are worried about Jadon Sancho's lack of impact, reports suggest.
The Times and Daily Record’s Duncan Castles believes some United stars have even privately questioned signing the £73million England winger over the summer
Sancho, 21, has been quiet for United and erratic for England after hitting 50 goals in 67 games for Borussia Dortmund.
Castles told The Transfer Window Podcast Sancho’s Old Trafford team-mates have 'major question marks’ due to his form plus his attitude in training.
Credit: Getty - Ian Tuckey
WENGER AND ZZ HAIL BENZEMA FOR BALLON D’OR
Zinedine Zidane and Arsene Wenger believe Karim Benzema should be a serious contender for stopping PSG's Lionel Messi and Manchester United's returning superstar Cristiano Ronaldo winning the Ballon d’Or.
Ex-Real Madrid boss Zidane claims the Bernabeu striker ‘deserves’ to win the world player of the year award.
Credit: Rex And former Arsenal manager Wenger’s only question mark over Benzema is his lack of honours in the past year, although the 33-year-old did help France win the Nations League this month.
Zidane said: “Benzema deserves the Ballon d’Or. He’s an incredible player.
“I’ve had the great honour of managing him. He can do it all on a pitch. He’s a cut above.”
Wenger, meanwhile, said: “There are no untouchables this year.
“In his individual performances and consistency, Benzema is at a top level.
‘The question is, does the weight of trophies play a decisive role?’
- Ian Tuckey
NEV: ‘RESILIENT’ CHELSEA CAN PIP KOP AND CITY
Gary Neville believes Chelsea have a ‘great shout’ of winning the Premier League title as he hailed the club’s dogged resilience.
The Blues moved back to the top of the table yesterday after winning 1-0 away at Brentford having survived a second half onslaught from the Bees.
Neville highlighted the squad depth and mental toughness of Thomas Tuchel’s side, who were missing Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic.
The ex-Manchester United defender told Sky Sports: “I think Chelsea can win the title.
“I know people will say Manchester City or Liverpool and you can’t disagree with that given what they’ve done over the last three or four years.
“City’s performance at Chelsea a few weeks ago was incredible, but I do feel this Chelsea team are resilient and are tough to play against.
“I can’t think that any team in the league would like to play against them.
“I know Brentford have enjoyed the last 10 to 15 minutes, but this was a tough game for them for the first 70-80 minutes.
“They couldn’t get into it, they had to change and they had a bit of joy at the end.
“That was a Chelsea team that had a few players missing as well, and they’ve got so many to come back.
“They had so many good players coming off the bench too, so I feel they’ve got a great shout of winning the title.”
- Ian Tuckey
'UTD NEEDED A NEW CENTRAL MIDFIELDER'
Alan Shearer reckons Manchester United made a mistake by not buying a central midfielder in the summer.
United lost 4-2 to Leicester yesterday and Shearer believes they needed a midfielder that can take games by the scruff of the neck.
Speaking on Match Of The Day, Shearer said: “That was Manchester United’s problem last season, they didn’t invest in that position and it’s the same again.
“There’s no one in there to really press and take control from the front. You can’t do that in the Premier League.
“They will always score, Man United, because of the brilliance they have going forward. But you cannot press if you haven’t got that aggression.”
- Ian Tuckey
SOLSKJAER POSITION '100% SAFE' – FOR NOW
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is having another rocky time.
Yesterday's 4-2 defeat at Leicester perhaps ended returning hero Cristiano Ronaldo's honeymoon period and re-open defensive concerns.
Bu The Athletic's respected reporter David Ornstein claims Solskjaer's position is "100% safe" – at least on the board's current thinking…
- Ian Tuckey
BURLEY BLASTS ‘BALLOONS’ BACKING OLE
Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley has blasted the “balloons” who claim Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should be given time to turn Manchester United around like Alex Ferguson.
Ex-Scotland, Celtic and Derby star Burley blew away the argument that Solskjaer is slowly returning United to their glory days.
The 50-year-old pundit responded to yesterday’s 4-2 defeat at Leicester by posting on Twitter: “One or two balloons saying Sir Alex Ferguson was given time so so should Solskjaer!
“Ferguson got the Man Utd job off the back of a stellar managerial record and huge success at Aberdeen.
“Dethroning the Old Firm and beating Real Madrid in a European final.
“Give your head a wobble.”
- Ian Tuckey
WILSHERE HOPES RICE STAYS A HAMMER
Arsenal legend Jack Wilshere has urged former team-mate Declan Rice to stay at West Ham amid interest from Chelsea and Manchester United.
Rice, 22, has been heavily linked with a move away from the Hammers, more recently after his standout performances for England at Euro 2020.
But ex-Three Lions midfielder Wilshere has advised Rice to snub any moves away for now in favour of staying at West Ham and continuing to captain the side.
He told talkSPORT: “I’ve always said – and I’ve said this to Dec too – why would he leave West Ham now?
“He’s the captain, he’s the main man, and he’s playing week-in week-out in the Premier League.
“They are going in a good direction.
“There will probably come a time when he will want to leave and win a title and play in the Champions League, maybe West Ham will play in the Champions League, but I don’t think they’ll win the title.
“But, for now, he’s doing well, and he’s playing week-in week-out.”
- Ian Tuckey
RIO PAINED BY UTD LOSS AT FOXES
Rio Ferdinand has admitted he isn’t ‘feeling great’ after Manchester United’s shock 4-2 loss at the hands of Leicester City.
The loss means United haven’t won any of their last three league games, something which doesn’t sit well with club legend Ferdinand.
He said on Twitter: “My team man…my team…we will come good I’m sure but right now I ain’t feeling great I can’t lie.”
Ferdinand isn’t the only unhappy United fan.
Some feel there’s a lack of direction under current boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, despite having one of the best teams in the league on paper.
- Ian Tuckey
KOUNDE 'PREFERS UTD TO CHELSEA'
Sevilla's France centre-back Jules Kounde would prefer joining Manchester United to Chelsea.
That's the claim from El Nacional, who even suggest the 22-year-old has asked his agent to hold talks with the Red Devils.
Kounde helped France win the Nations League this month, having joined Sevilla for £20million from Bordeaux two years ago.
Chelsea reportedly bid for him over the summer.
- Justin Lawrence
BIG MISTAKE
Alan Shearer reckons Manchester United made a mistake by not buying a central midfielder in the summer.
United lost 4-2 to Leicester yesterday and Shearer believes they needed a midfielder that can take games by the scruff of the neck.
Speaking on Match Of The Day, Shearer said: "That was Manchester United’s problem last season, they didn’t invest in that position and it’s the same again.
"There’s no one in there to really press and take control from the front. You can’t do that in the Premier League.
"They will always score, Man United, because of the brilliance they have going forward. But you cannot press if you haven’t got that aggression."
- Justin Lawrence
HANDS OFF DEC
Arsenal cult hero Jack Wilshere has personally encouraged former team-mate Declan Rice to stay at West Ham.
Rice, 22, has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United after his standout performances for England at Euro 2020.
Wilshere has advised Rice to snub any moves away for now in favour of staying at West Ham and continuing to captain the side.
He told talkSPORT: “I’ve always said – and I’ve said this to Dec too – why would he leave West Ham now?
“He’s the captain, he’s the main man, and he’s playing week-in week-out in the Premier League.
“They are going in a good direction.”
- Justin Lawrence
WE'RE SORRY
Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic has apologised to the club’s supporters after his team's 4-2 loss to Leicester City.
Matic revealed that he and his teammates were devastated after the game.
But the midfielder claimed the Red Devils can still turn things around and mount a title challenge.
He said: "We are sorry for them [the supporters]. They support us, especially away [and] they are top.
“They deserve much, much better than this. We will do our best to make them happy in the future.
“But we have 14 points – we are still in the title race. We don’t want to give up until the end."
- Justin Lawrence
RED REDEMPTION
Manchester United will have a £70million transfer kitty in January if Man Utd are still in the title race, reports say.
The Red Devils spent £134.7m in the summer window on some big names from across Europe.
According to the Daily Star, Solskjaer could be given an additional £70m to spend in January – but there's a catch.
Man Utd HAVE to be in the title race for the funds to be available for the Norwegian.
But as it stands, United sit sixth in the table, five points off table-toppers Chelsea.
And the Red Devils have failed to win in all of their last three league games, losing 4-2 to Leicester City on Saturday.
- Justin Lawrence
NOT CONTE
Gary Neville’s been critical of Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but wouldn’t want Antonio Conte to replace him.
Neville has previously claimed that Solskjaer needs to win silverware at United this season or face the sack.
But the ex-United star doesn’t think Conte would be a good fit at Old Trafford if Solskjaer is given the boot.
Speaking on Instagram Live, Neville said: “Conte won’t be the manager at Manchester United I don’t think.
“I don’t think they’ll go for that option, personally. He’s a great manager but I think certain managers fit certain clubs and I don’t think Conte fits United personally."
- Justin Lawrence
MAGPIES CALLING
Newcastle United are considering a transfer move for Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland, according to reports.
Haaland, 21, is perhaps the most highly sought-after player in the market with several Premier League clubs, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain all interested.
But now Newcastle have emerged as an unlikely destination thanks to their newfound ability to pay his £64million release clause.
It is believed Newcastle could make a bid to sign him, according to Spanish outlet AS.
The report fails to outline Haaland's thoughts on the matter, or that of his agent Mino Raiola.
- Justin Lawrence
RI-THINK
Rio Ferdinand has admitted he isn't 'feeling great' after Manchester United's shock 4-2 loss at the hands of Leicester City.
The loss means United haven't won any of their last three league games, something which doesn't sit well with club legend Ferdinand.
He said on Twitter: "My team man…my team…we will come good I’m sure but right now I ain’t feeling great I can’t lie."
Ferdinand isn't the only unhappy United fan.
Some feel there's a lack of direction under current boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, despite having one of the best teams in the league on paper.
- Justin Lawrence
ERL OF PARIS?
Paris Saint-Germain have joined the race to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, according to reports.
The 21-year-old Norwegian will be able to leave the Bundesliga side for £68million in the summer as he has a release clause in his contract.
And, according to Le10sport.com, PSG's sporting director Leonardo has prioritised Haaland as their number one target.
The Ligue 1 side are also monitoring the situation surrounding Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.
The Pole's current contract expires in 2023 and it was reported earlier this season that he could be tempted to embark on a new challenge.
- Justin Lawrence
SOL SEARCHING
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says his Manchester United side missed Fred and Edinson Cavani in Saturday's loss at Leicester City.
Both Fred and Cavani missed the game after playing for their respective countries, funnily enough against each other, just over 24 hours before kick-off in the Midlands.
After the loss, Solskjaer admitted his team missed the South American pair.
He said: "I have got many good players. Fred, Edinson Cavani, you miss them.
"I am not making excuses for the team I put out there, they are top footballers and we have not produced."
- Justin Lawrence
DOUBLE STANDARDS
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has called out Gary Neville for his double standards on Manchester United’s team selection.
United lost 4-2 to Leicester on Saturday, and Neville was fuming with his former team's performance which he labelled 'shabby'.
Neville blasted the Red Devils for starting with five attackers including Mason Greenwood, Jadon Sancho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes.
But Carragher was quick to point out that Neville had picked a similar team for United to play with last month.
Carragher said: "You literally picked a team with five attackers two weeks ago. @GNev2 all over the place the lot of you."
- Justin Lawrence
BLUES PRAISE
Gary Neville was full of praise for Chelsea stars Trevoh Chalobah and Malang Sarr after the Blues beat Brentford this weekend.
While Neville had nothing positive to say about his ex-Manchester United team following their loss to Leicester, he was really impressed with the Chelsea duo.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Neville said: "I thought they did brilliantly. It was tough in the last 15 or 20 minutes, they got a little bit messed around by [Ivan] Toney and [Bryan] Mbeumo when Brentford got themselves going.
"But they did really really well, that was as tough a game as you can have as a centre back.
"I saw Arsenal’s centre-backs here get absolutely messed about by those two. So for Chalobah and Sarr to come here today with a lot of expectation, I think they can be really proud tonight."
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