Man Utd news LIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo ABSENT from squad, Ten Hag CONFIRMS talks, United want Pogba stay – transfer update
CRISTIANO RONALDO was absent from Manchester United's squad to face Leicester as they checked into the Lowry Hotel on Friday.
Meanwhile Eric ten Hag has confirmed that he has held talks with the Red Devils over the possibility of taking over at Old Trafford.
And United are reportedly keen to keep Paul Pogba this summer.
On the international front, former Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal's Holland will feature in the opening World Cup match against Senegal.
But Van Gaal has admitted he doesn't know anything about his team's World Cup opponents – Senegal, Qatar and Ecuador.
He said: “I don’t know if this is a nice draw, I don’t know much about these countries,” he admitted.
“I have been in Senegal on holiday two years ago, I have never been in Ecuador, I have never seen Qatar play."
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- Justin Lawrence
Ronaldo's champagne experience
Cristiano Ronaldo revealed he cried so much after winning the Euros that he had to break his booze ban and neck champagne because he was so dehydrated.
He told Diletta Leotta: "The title of European Champion with Portugal is the most important prize I have ever won.
"It was an incredible, unforgettable evening.
"I cried, I laughed, I suffered, I shouted, I got drunk.
"During that game, I cried so much that I was dehydrated.
"At the end of the game, during the celebrations, I drank a glass of champagne and immediately it went to my head.
"I never drink but that day was so special. The most important trophy ever."
- Justin Lawrence
Ronaldo absent from matchday squad
Cristiano Ronaldo was nowhere to be seen as Manchester United's squad checked in to The Lowry Hotel for their clash against Leicester.
Fernandes and fellow Portuguese ace Diogo Dalot were both spotted back at United’s Carrington training ground yesterday.
However, there was no sign of Ronaldo reporting for duty.
United then assembled at the Lowry hotel in Manchester ahead of the Premier League showdown with the Foxes.
But once again the forward was missing and could not be seen arriving along with the 21 other players that did.
- Justin Lawrence
Too many points dropped
Ralf Rangnick has explained why Man United have fallen behind in the race for the top four.
Rangnick told Sky Sports: “After Christmas we focused to make sure the team was creating enough chances but since then we have had games like the FA Cup game against Middlesbrough.
"The home game with Watford and a few other games where we didn't score enough goals from the opportunities we created.
"That's why we have dropped too many points, eight draws in total in the league, and too many moments where we were 1-0 or even 2-0 up – at Aston Villa – and then ended up drawing."
- Justin Lawrence
Fernandes' toughest opponents
Bruno Fernandes has revealed who the toughest player to mark has been in his career thus far.
Surprisingly, no Prem player made the list for the Man United ace.
Instead he announced that ex Barcelona star Andres Iniesta – or former AC Milan ace Andrea Pirlo gave him the biggest headache on the pitch.
In a Twitter Q&A, he said: “The toughest to mark was Andres Iniesta or Pirlo.”
- Justin Lawrence
Where it's all gone wrong
Man United legend Paul Parker has blamed player power at his former club for getting Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the sack.
He told the Daily Mail: "If players decide they don’t like the manager, they don’t play.
"They tell their agents and the agents run to the owners. And we’ve got owners listening to people who’ve seen something on social media.
“And players sitting there, looking at the manager going, ‘I know you’re not here for long because upstairs they don’t like you’.
"So when Man United have an interim management consultant in charge, what chance have you got?"
- Justin Lawrence
Rangnick tips England for World Cup
Man United boss Ralf Rangnick has tipped England to be amongst the favourites to lift the World Cup.
But he reckons the Three Lions could face stiff competition from rivals Germany.
Rangnick told United media: "It’s difficult to say. I think England has a top team, yeah, they are definitely a team who could play a vital role.
"I also think Germany, with Hansi Flick [in charge], are in a good position now again, but since the World Cup takes place in Qatar and even if they [may] have air conditioning in most of those stadiums.
"It’s a difficult constellation, playing in the winter, having a World Cup break in winter in the middle of the season. So this is a completely new experience for everybody."
- Justin Lawrence
Man United's crucial next games
Wes Brown believes the next three games Man United play will be important in their race for a top four spot.
He told Manchester World: "I feel that the next three games are important.
"If someone can take that upper hand and get those early wins, it adds a lot of pressure and then it’s on the players themselves.
“It’s still there, and Manchester United are a club that need to be in the Champions League. It’s there, it’s a challenge."
- Alex Cole
Good morning, Man Utd fans
Wayne Rooney has held heart-to-heart talks with under-fire Harry Maguire — and says he is undroppable for England, writes GRAHAM HILL.
The Manchester United defender was booed by Three Lions fans during Tuesday’s friendly win against Ivory Coast.
Rooney says he knows what that feels like after his rant into the TV camera after the 2010 World Cup group stage draw with Algeria.
Rooney said: “I’ve been there. It’s never nice when you’re booed by your own fans.
“Harry’s a top lad and a top professional. I know Harry personally.
“I spoke to him not long ago and he’s a strong character, he’s strong-minded.
“I’ve spoken to him a few times as a friend and we’ve had a general chat, but I’m not his mentor. I’m sure the people who were booing him are not real England fans.
“Because as a fan, you go there to get behind the team.
“I don’t think any England fans are concerned about his form for United as long as he’s doing well for England.
“He has to play — I know Gareth’s said that if you’re not in good form, then you won’t play for your country.
“But Harry Kane wasn’t in good form earlier in the season and nobody booed him or questioned why he’s playing.
“It’s clear he’s not in the best form for Manchester United, I don’t think any of them are at United.
“They’re all going through a difficult time but for England he’s been incredible."
- Alex Cole
Cont me in
Antonio Conte has bizarrely claimed that Tottenham need a 'miracle' if they are to secure a Champions League spot for next term, writes JAKE LAMBOURNE.
The Italian gaffer still believes Manchester United, who are currently sixth in the Premier League, are the favourites to finish above the two North London teams.
Conte's men can jump into fourth should they beat Newcastle at home this weekend by more than two goals.
Credit: Getty Commenting on the race for Champions League football, the 52-year-old said: "It’s right to underline that this target is very, very difficult.
"We are not the only team that wants to try to do this miracle. There’s also Arsenal that in this moment has an advantage, and then there is United.
“United is the top team that in this season are struggling a lot. Last season, it was Liverpool. Otherwise in England, I continue to repeat, you play for other targets.
"Because there are a top four, who at this moment are stronger clubs than the others, for many reasons.
“And this season it depends on United. At the moment we are among the teams that have to try to stay very close and exploit if someone fails this season.
“If you ask me about the past, about our possibility to reach a place in the Champions League, I could say to do it’d be very, very, very difficult."
- Alex Cole
Ronaldo and Bruno learn fate in World Cup
Portugal and star man Cristiano Ronaldo face Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea in the Qatar World Cup.
The Manchester United striker, Bruno Fernandes and team-mates could have done without the stress of the play-offs, although Italy’s debacle against North Macedonia did them a favour.
Ronaldo remains untouchable, even if, perhaps, the team can actually look more cohesive when they do not have to feed his demands.
Familiar faces abound in Diogo Jota, Bernardo Silva, Fernandes and Joao Moutinho but they were ordinary in last summer’s Euros and might be past their best.
- Alex Cole
Greenwood seen for first time since arrest
Mason Greenwood has been seen for the first time since his arrest, writes HOLLY CHRISTODOULOU.
The Man Utd striker, 20, covered his face in a black balaclava while in a flashy Mercedes-Benz CLA.
Greenwood, who has kept a low profile since his arrest, was pictured driving a pal around Cheshire.
It is the first time he has been seen in public since he was bailed pending further investigation on February 2.
It comes after the club were yesterday forced to release a statement confirming there has been no change to Greenwood's status.
The statement from Utd read: "There has been no change whatsoever in Mason’s status.
"We removed his profile from the club app soon after he was removed from the squad in January.
"This was in order to remove Mason from interactive elements of the app, such as team predictions etc.
"However, his profile was never removed from the website as he remains a Manchester United player, albeit not currently part of the squad while the legal process unfolds."
- Alex Cole
Stam says build the team around Ronaldo, Bruno and Pogba
“These are three players that I’m thinking okay if you can use them then you need to work the team around them and try to create the team around them so you can play very nice and attractive football.”
"You’ve got wingers, Rashford on the wing, with a lot of pace.
"There’s Sancho as well for the other side that you can use as well. With his right foot, he comes in from the left, on the inside with his right."
"That means you need to have a full back who is very fit and very good on the ball and can go up and down the pitch for 95 minutes but not be injured occasionally.
"Trying to have somebody who can be up for it, week in and week out and play a lot of games.
"That’s what you need to have on the right side as well."
Credit: Getty - Alex Cole
Jaap Stam talks on current crop
Manchester United legend Jaap Stam gave his thoughts on the current team.
Stam was speaking to bettingexpert about which players he'd build the team around.
He said: “When you’re looking at the squad now, there are a few players I think you work around in building your team."
"That’s Cristiano if you want to keep him. I think Bruno as well, in the midfield. I would keep Pogba, also there is a big discussion, but I think you need to use him in a certain way because I like him as a player and what he can bring.”
- Alex Cole
How are Ajax doing this season under Ten Hag?
The Dutch giants are currently locked in a tight Eredivisie title race.
Ten Hag's men lead PSV by two points at the top of the table, with their boss aiming to win his third league title as manager.
The Ajax boss is the now favourite for the Manchester United job, ahead of other contenders Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel.
Speaking to broadcaster Sport1, Ten Hag said: "I've sat down with Ajax after every season – and this year again, I can say that Ajax and Ten Hag are very happy with each other at the moment.
"I need all my energy for final games. Anything else would just be a distraction."
But when pressed further, he admitted: "In football you never know.
"I don't want to rule anything out. I know that in football everything can change from one day to the next."
- Justin Lawrence
Ten Hag pleads with Ajax fans
Erik Ten Hag has pleaded with Ajax fans to understand if he leaves the club.
He said: "My focus is currently only on Ajax. But in football you never know. I don’t want to rule anything out. I’m currently employed here at Ajax to perform.
“With the cup final against Eindhoven, we still have eight finals left, and I need all my energy for that.
"Anything else would just be a distraction. I know that in football everything can change from one day to the next. If at some point I should decide to take the next step, I hope that people here will understand.”
- Justin Lawrence
Rangnick's Maguire vow
Ralf Rangnick insists the Old Trafford crowd will get behind Harry Maguire after he was booed by England fans in midweek, NEIL CUSTIS WRITES.
Rangnick said: “Harry has been a very valuable player for the team and the club as the captain.
“I didn't understand what happened at Wembley, it won't happen in our stadium with the Red Army.
“He's been playing well for Manchester United and England in the last couple of years.
"For it to happen in an international game is unusual but I’m sure it won’t happen in our stadium.”
- Justin Lawrence
Ten Hag ADMITS United talks
Erik Ten Hag has called Manchester United a "great club" – and admits that talks are "always" ongoing with representatives from other teams.
Speaking to broadcaster Sport1, he said: "People know each other in our business.
"There are always talks with representatives from other clubs, that's normal.
"Man United is a big club with great fans. But I can only repeat that my full focus is on Ajax."
- Justin Lawrence
Fernandes wants to play with Garner
Bruno Fernandes has named the Man United youngster who he wants to play with the most.
United starlet James Garner will be happy to hear that the senior first-star Fernandes picked him in a Q&A on Twitter.
And Fernandes will most likely get his wish as he's just penned a new six-year deal with the Red Devils.
- Justin Lawrence
United want Pogba stay
Man United are reportedly waiting on the appointment of a new manager before offering Paul Pogba a new long-term contract.
Now italian football journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has offered an update on Pogba’s situation during an interview with wettfreunde.
He said: “I know that Manchester United would like to keep him.
“They are waiting for the decision to be made on a new manager before they make a final decision. Maybe the new coach wants him to be the centre of the new project.
“They will try to renew his contract. But I think that Paul at this moment prefers a change.
“He will listen to offers in Ligue 1 and LaLiga that can give him some new 'emotions'.”
- Justin Lawrence
Ukraine want friendy with Prem club
Ukraine manager Oleksandr Petrakov wants to play a Premier League side to prepare for his nation’s play-off tie with Scotland.
Petrakov’s got his eyes set on a game at Wembley, preferably with a London club.
He told the Guardian: “We could play at Wembley, for example, against a London club.
“It could be a good exhibition game, a response for the Ukrainian army, as well as preparatory work for the Scotland game.”
- Justin Lawrence
Liverpool urged to buy Kane
Ian Wright has urged Liverpool to sign Man United transfer target Harry Kane from Tottenham.
Wright said on his podcast: "Imagine Harry Kane at Liverpool… If I had the capability of getting Kane and putting him in Liverpool’s side with [Mohamed] Salah, or [Sadio] Mane or [Luis] Diaz and playing as the number nine, dropping deep and doing his stuff…
"It won’t be how Firmino does it, those lovely bit of skills and stuff, but Kane can drop in and help create because the two could run behind."
- Justin Lawrence
De Gea's anger
David de Gea is reportedly furious at being axed from the Spain squad by Luis Enrique.
According to AS, the Man United stopper didn't take Enriques decision well and was incensed by his omission.
They also added that De Gea didn't think Enrique's choice was justified.
- Justin Lawrence
Rush on Man United
Ian Rush thinks Man United have to take a leaf out of Liverpool's book to become successful once again.
He told Gambling.com: "You need the commercial success if you’re to sustain results on the field.
“Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool seem to have it down to a tee.
“Klopp is well aware of Liverpool’s commercial appeal and the need to have that in modern football, but his job is to win matches and that feeds commercial success too.
“If United are to get back up to the top table again they’ll have to learn how to strike that balance too.”
- Justin Lawrence
PSG want Arsenal/Man United target
PSG have joined Manchester United and Arsenal in the race to sign Ajax winger Antony, according to reports.
He has 12 goals and 10 assists across all competitions this season, with six of his goal contributions coming in the Champions League.
Premier League duo Man Utd and Arsenal hold an interest in signing Antony.
But according to Le10Sport, PSG has joined the pair in the race to sign the Brazil international.
In fact, PSG have “upped their pursuit” in recent weeks and are currently in the lead to capture Antony’s signature.
- Justin Lawrence
'We need to win every game'
Nemanja Matic has admitted that Man United have to win every single game from now until the end of the season to clinch fourth spot.
He told talkSPORT: “We need to finish in the top four, that is our aim and we will do everything we can to achieve that.
“I think we can make it, but, of course, we will need to win almost every game until the end of the season.
“I think it’s possible and we will do everything for that and never give up.”
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