Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo 'considering' LEAVING', Luis Enrique takes lead in next manager race
CRISTIANO RONALDO'S agent Jorge Mendes is reportedly jetting in for showdown talks with the Old Trafford hierarchy.
It is claimed that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is considering LEAVING Old Trafford after a poor run of form and uncertainty over the identity of the new manager.
The Red Devils board are said to be keen on hiring Luis Enrique, despite previous links to Mauricio Pochettino and Eric ten Hag.
Meanwhile Wayne Rooney has made a series of revelations in his new documentary, 'Rooney' which is set to stream on Amazon Prime from Friday.
He reveals his disappointment at Sir Alex Ferguson for not replacing Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez in 2009 and that he still struggles with alcohol.
Follow ALL of the latest updates and transfer gossip from Old Trafford right here…
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- Chisanga Malata
Tielemens boost
Manchester United target Youri Tielemens has reportedly opted NOT to sign a new deal with Leicester City.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano tweeted: "I’ve been told Youri Tielemans will NOT extend his contract with Leicester.
"New deal bid has been turned down – current one expires in 2023.
"Of course, Youri will be professional, he’s focused on Leicester. Many top clubs want him for June."
- Chisanga Malata
Berba's warning
Former United hitman Dimitar Berbatov admits he could 'see there being problems' in the dressing room if training isn't 'inspiring' for the players.
He told Betfair: “I've read the latest reports that some of United players aren't apparently happy with how training is going.
“If there is some truth to the reports and the training is a bit old school then it's a problem because football is different now and you have to keep up with the times.
“I'm not saying completely step away from the old school way of training but you have to prepare for matches a bit differently now. Coaches have to adjust and adapt and get with the times.
“Rangnick hasn't managed a team of United's stature before, and I hope that if there is some unhappiness with training then things get sorted quickly.
“There are a lot of experienced players in the dressing room, like Ronaldo and Pogba, and if training isn't inspiring and players start to moan, I can see there being problems.”
- Chisanga Malata
Formation change explained
Ralf Rangnick has given fans some insight into his decision to start deploying his United troops in a 4-3-3 formation.
He said: "To start with, it was logical to stick to the formation that they were used to and that the team has played before.
"As you know in the first game against Crystal Palace and against Norwich we played in a 4-2-2-2, quite like Southampton is playing, but once we realised for all our players – Bruno, Fred, Paul Pogba – it would fit better to their strengths to play in an eight position, we did that.
"I think this is the right formation for us, where most of the players or all of the players play in their best possible position."
- Chisanga Malata
"Everything is positive"
Luke Shaw has dismissed suggestions of Manchester United players being unhappy working under Ralf Rangnick.
He told talkSPORT: "There have been a lot of things said about Ralf doing different things, sending people home with homework and the players being angry and unhappy about it, but it is false. Everything is positive here.
"I am really impressed with how he has come in, what he has changed, the details he brings and what he wants the lads to do is really good. Of course, as I said, the team are all together and the team is fully with the manager and his staff.
"Everything that has been written in the media isn't true because I see a completely different side of the team and with the manager inside here than what I read on the outside."
- Chisanga Malata
Striker plan confirmed
Interim Manchester United chief Ralf Rangnick has confirmed the club will sign a young striker in the summer.
When asked if the Red Devils will need to sign a replacement for Edinson Cavani, he said: “This is obvious.
Edinson’s contract is running out in the summer and the club needs the best possible centre forward.
"This is an obvious one. I think everyone is aware of that.”
- Chisanga Malata
Good morning Man Utd fans
Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is considering a move away from Old Trafford.
According to the Daily Star, Ronaldo is set to meet with agent Jorge Mendes to discuss his future at United.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has reportedly become disillusioned with life back in Manchester following the arrival of interim manager Ralf Rangnick.
The star forward has endured a dip of form since Rangnick took charge, and it is said that he wants assurances over the identity of a long-term successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Portugal captain has another year to run on his United contract but is considering a move away without clarification over the club's direction.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino will reportedly urge United to sign Tottenham superstar Harry Kane if he takes charge this summer.
But any move for Kane could depend on Ronaldo's future at Old Trafford.
Credit: PA:Press Association According to The Telegraph, Pochettino could leave PSG and replace interim boss Rangnick at Old Trafford.
And it's reckoned the Argentine will instruct Red Devils chiefs to target former forward Kane should he leave France.
However, the Manchester giants' transfer business could be dictated by Ronaldo's future.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has endured a mixed return to Manchester and has been linked with a summer exit should his team fails to secure Champions League football for next season.
And Pochettino described Zinedine Zidane as 'great' as he reacted to links of the Frenchman replacing him at Parc des Princes.
In an interview with Cadena Ser, the PSG boss said: "It's not for me to decide.
"But he's a great coach, he showed it in Madrid and he can coach any team in the world. Besides, he's French.
"But I don't know, it would be more a question for our sporting director or our president."
Finally, United are looking at a possible bargain deal for Leicester star Youri Tielemans this summer.
According to Het Nieuwsblad, Tielemans is planning to leave the King Power Stadium and is keen to join a ‘top club with title ambitions’.
The Foxes had reportedly demanded £60million for the midfielder last year.
But it has now been suggested Leicester would be willing to accept a £35m fee to avoid losing him on a free in 2023
- Kostas Lianos
Hasenhuttl's warning to United
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has warned Manchester United not to underestimate his team.
Hasenhuttl said: "For us, it is tough to go there and win.
"Don't underestimate us, but they are still the favourite in this game. We need a very good [performance].
"Their targets are high and expectations also, so far the results have been good in some moments, not perfect in others, but they are in touch with the Champions League spots and this is what this team should normally get with the quality they have got"
- Kostas Lianos
Rangnick's Ronaldo message
Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick insists Cristiano Ronaldo's goal drought can't be blamed solely on him.
Rangnick said: "It's not only about Cristiano Ronaldo.
"He should score more goals, it's obvious, I think we are creating enough chances and enough opportunities in the last couple of games but we just didn't score enough goals, but this is not only an issue with Cristiano, it's an issue with the other players, especially the offensive players. We don't score enough goals.
"If you bear in mind how many chances we create, and this is also something that needs to get better in the next couple of weeks. At Burnley, in 70 of those 90 minutes, it was very, very, very close to the game plan we spoke before the game and now it's about rewarding ourselves and also getting the results we should deserve"
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
Shaw's Rangnick verdict
Manchester United ace Luke Shaw has praised interim manager Ralf Rangnick.
Shaw told talkSPORT : "There have been a lot of things said about Ralf doing different things, sending people home with homework and the players being angry and unhappy about it, but it is false.
"Everything is positive here. I am really impressed with how he has come in, what he has changed, the details he brings and what he wants the lads to do is really good.
"Of course, like I said, the team are altogether and the team is fully with the manager and his staff.
"Everything that has been written in the media isn't true because I see a completely different side of the team and with the manager inside here than what I read on the outside"
- Kostas Lianos
McTominay still fighting
Manchester United ace Scott McTominay has insisted his confidence hasn't been affected this season despite the club's poor results.
McTominay told United's official website: "Confidence is a big part of it. I wouldn’t say I’ve necessarily been low in confidence.
“The team has maybe been going through a difficult patch but I’d never really felt like that dip in confidence where I don’t want to do this or I don’t want to do that. I’ve never really had that.
"So, for me, that’s part of the mental side of my game, which I feel is so important. No matter what’s happening, you always want the ball and you always want to play. No injuries or anything like that, I always want to be there and I always want to play.
“If you’re in a good moment or a bad moment, I think the lads can say that I’ll always be on the pitch”
- Kostas Lianos
Van de Beek's Frank assessment
Everton boss Frank Lampard admitted Manchester United loanee Donny van de Beek will be "integral" to his team for the rest of the campaign.
Lampard said: "Donny came on at a difficult time in the game, let’s be honest.
"He made us tick a bit. He's only going to get better, I know that.
"He will be integral for us this season."
- Kostas Lianos
Che Adams warning
Southampton ace Che Adams warned Manchester United they will be coming with confidence after beating Tottenham.
Adams told BT Sport: "Everyone is buzzing. Tottenham is a hard place to come and they are a great team, so we are delighted with the three points and now we can go to Old Trafford full of confidence.
"Everyone works so hard, day in day out on the training pitch and when you get the results on the pitch, it makes it worthwhile.
"We had so many chances in the first half and it could have been won, we had that many chances, but you know with teams like Tottenham that they can punish you.
"But hats off to all the boys, we have got the result and we are delighted and we can take confidence now into Saturday"
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
Tielemans price reduction
Manchester United are looking at a possible bargain deal for Leicester star Youri Tielemans this summer.
According to Het Nieuwsblad, Tielemans is planning to leave the King Power Stadium and is keen to join a ‘top club with title ambitions’.
The Foxes had reportedly demanded £60million for the midfielder last year.
But it has now been suggested Leicester would be willing to accept a £35m fee in order to avoid losing him on a free in 2023
- Kostas Lianos
Saka admission amid rumours
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has admitted that he ‘dreams’ of playing Champions League football amid reported interest from Manchester United.
Saka told Sky Sports: “I think the Champions League creates so many special nights and it’s a dream for me still to experience one of them and hopefully many more of them.”
“I think I’ve taken a step forward, but I think, also, the team has taken a step forward. Football’s a team sport and as long as everyone is doing well, I think it makes things easier individually.
“I’d say we’re on good form and it really helps me – the team is so fluid, we’re building a lot of chemistry”
- Kostas Lianos
More from Pochettino
Pochettino added: "When [Zinedine] Zidane was in [Real] Madrid, how many rumours did I see from England…
"When you work at a club like PSG, you know that everything else comes with the job.
"And you have to accept it, otherwise it's is unliveable"
- Kostas Lianos
Maur drama for Pochettino
Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino described Zinedine Zidane as 'great' as he reacted to links of the Frenchman replacing him at Parc des Princes.
In an interview with Spanish radio Cadena Ser, Pochettino said: "It's not for me to decide.
"But he's a great coach, he showed it in Madrid and he can coach any team in the world. Besides, he's French.
"But I don't know, it would be more a question for our sporting director or our president"
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
Mauricio's deep Poch-ets
Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino will reportedly urge Manchester United to sign Harry Kane if he takes charge this summer.
But any move for Kane could depend on Cristiano Ronaldo's future at Old Trafford.
According to The Telegraph, Pochettino could leave PSG and replace interim boss Ralf Rangnick at Old Trafford.
And it's reckoned the Argentine head coach will instruct Red Devils chiefs to target former forward Kane should he leave France.
However, the Manchester giants' transfer business could be dictated by Ronaldo's future.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has endured a mixed return to Manchester and has been linked with a summer exit should his team fails to secure Champions League football for next season
- Kostas Lianos
More from Sheringham
Sheringham added: “It's such an absurd situation I see at Man United, and that's why you get uncertainty, that's why you get the differences of performances in the Man United team at the moment.
"Unless the United board have got something up their sleeve that is defined, with a manager coming in with the whole summer to go and do what he's got to do, then I'll understand, I’ll hold my hands up and say, ‘Do you know what? It's a great plan, perfect’.
“But at the moment, from the outside looking in, you just think, ‘What is going on? What does the next six months hold for Manchester United, where will they go?’”
- Kostas Lianos
Sheringham blasts Rangnick
Manchester United legend Teddy Sheringham has slammed his former club's ‘ABSURD’ decision to hire Ralf Rangnick interim manager.
Sheringham told Genting Casino: "In the main, when we're talking about Man United, I think the real problem is goes back to Rangnick coming in, another interim manager, it's just absurd for me.
"United had an interim manager in Michael Carrick, they let him go and appointed another, it just brings uncertainty to a group of footballers that should be playing at their highest level.
“It's another season lost when you have that sort of vibe, you only need to chop and change and rotate the team a few times and you've got a lot of unhappy players.
“If he leaves at the end of the season, and then someone completely different, like Mauricio Pochettino, comes in, it's a whole new vibe of how you want to play football.
“This season's going to be lost. It will be wasted and you have to start again. If the next manager brings in his own staff, his own players – it's just a whole new revolution again"
- Kostas Lianos
More from Ten Hag
Ajax manager Erik ten Hag feels remorseful for former colleague Marc Overmars but insists those suffering should be his first thoughts.
Ten Hag said: "Of course, you sympathise with him.
"But the first thoughts go to the suffering of the women.
"It touches us all to the depths of our souls"
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
Ten Hag addresses Overmars sacking
Ajax boss and Manchester United transfer target Erik Ten Hag has responded to Marc Overmars' resignation as the club's director of football.
Overmars quit last week after being caught sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues.
The former Arsenal player sent X-rated photos to a fellow member of staff, according to Het Parool.
Ten Hag told ESPN: "I was totally stunned when I heard it. This is disastrous. Especially for the victims; the women.
"I have a hard time with the suffering that has been caused to them. As a coach you naturally have to radiate energy, but that was difficult the last few days"
- Kostas Lianos
Luis Enrique considered
Spain manager Luis Enrique has reportedly emerged as another contender for the Manchester United job this summer.
According to ESPN, Enrique has joined Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino on United’s shortlist.
However, neither the Spanish head coach or Pochettino are favourite to replace interim manager Ralf Rangnick.
United players are keen for ex-Tottenham coach Pochettino to take charge due to his Premier League experience.
However, reports suggest the Argentine is also a target for Real Madrid.
And Enrique is emerging as a candidate following his brilliant work at Barcelona
- Kostas Lianos
Ronaldo considering exit
Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is considering a move away from Old Trafford.
According to the Daily Star, Ronaldo is set to meet with agent Jorge Mendes to discuss his future at United.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has reportedly become disillusioned with life back in Manchester following the arrival of interim manager Ralf Rangnick.
The star forward has endured a dip of form since Rangnick took charge, and it is said that he wants assurances over the identity of a long-term successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Portugal captain has another year to run on his United contract, but is considering a move away without clarification over the club's direction
- Sam Dymond
Boss has faith in Maguire
Ralf Rangnick has backed captain Harry Maguire to bounce back from his disappointing showing at Burnley on Tuesday.
The England international was criticised for his defending that led to the Clarets' equaliser when he was beaten to the ball by both Wout Weghorst and goalscorer Jay Rodriguez.
"We could have defended the transitional moment better at Burnley, but the rest of our defence was not really good. We should not have allowed the counter-attack to happen," admitted Rangnick.
“Harry was injured, came back, and had an outstanding game versus West Ham. I am sure he can perform like that again tomorrow.”
- Sam Dymond
Rangnick responds to player unrest
Interim boss Ralf Rangnick has also answered questions regarding stories that appeared in today's press suggesting that several Manchester United players are unhappy with training methods at the club.
It has even been reported that some of the first team have taken to calling Rangnick's assistant Chris Armas 'Ted Lasso,' in reference to the lovable but uninformed fictional football manager of AFC Richmond.
Rangnick, however, dismissed the stories, as well as any criticism of his coaching team's methods.
I have nothing to say on this. I haven't read any newspapers, and I don't know about those articles. The way the team has developed is obviously tactically due to the work we do on the training pitch and with the video analysis.
Ralf Rangnick
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