Man Utd transfer chief Matt Judge RESIGNS from role, Kalvin Phillips 'open to transfer', Joe Cole's verdict on Fernandes
MANCHESTER UNITED transfer chief Matt Judge has officially resigned from his role with the club.
The head of corporate development spent ten years at Old Trafford but he has decided to step down from handling United's transfer negotiations.
Which means that Judge will not be involved in any potential deal for midfield maestro Kalvin Phillips who could be heading out the Leeds exit door according to reports.
And former Chelsea star Joe Cole has delivered his verdict on Bruno Fernandes' performances this season.
Get all the latest Man Utd news, gossip and transfer updates…
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- Justin Lawrence
Barcelona star's Premier League snub
Barcelona star Ronald Araujo has revealed there was no chance of him leaving the Catalan giants for the Premier League.
The defender who was being tracked by Man United, told ESPN: "I'm grateful for the effort the club have made.
"We all gave a little bit to reach an agreement, which is what we all wanted. [The Premier League interest] didn't distract me at all.
"I was convinced what I wanted. It's true money is a factor, but for me it's not the most important thing.
"I am happy at Barcelona. The idea is to be here for many years, and maybe in two years I can renew again and go for even more [success].
"That's the intention. I am convinced that with the team and the project we are building [with coach Xavi Hernandez] we are going to achieve a lot of things in the future."
- Justin Lawrence
Reason for Fernandes' form slump
Bruno Fernandes is struggling for Man United this season because he's in Cristiano Ronaldo's shadow.
That's the opinion of former footballer Joe Cole.
Speaking to Coral, Cole said: "At the moment, obviously you've got (Cristiano) Ronaldo, and he becomes the pivotal point.
"Bruno is a rhythm player and needs things going through him and he'll take chances.
"When it doesn't work, then I feel like he struggles. It highlights the other side of his game, he's not an amazing presser, he's not physically good.
"He’s like a quarterback, he needs to be dictating the play."
- Anthony Chapman
Good morning Red Devils fans
Ralf Rangnick has been officially confirmed as the new manager of the Austria national team – but will continue to work at Man United in a consultancy role.
The German has agreed a two-year deal with the Austrian FA to lead the national side until Euro 2020.
However, the 62-year-old will combine his new job with a consultancy role at United, and insists he's committed to helping the club to rebuild.
A statement from Rangnick reads: “I will take over as national team manager of Austria at the end of the season but will continue my consultancy with Manchester United.
"I’m really looking forward to playing my part in helping United become a real force."
Rangnick’s consultancy role will see him work just six days a month at Old Trafford.
And he is expected to play a large role in helping Erik ten Hag with recruitment.
That’s after United's head of corporate development resigned on Friday.
Matt Judge’s role saw him lead transfer and contract negotiations.
But he is now serving his notice period and will not play an active role in signings this summer.
Finally, Man Utd will hold talks with Cristiano Ronaldo over his future this summer.
Rangnick confirmed: This is something that we should speak about between Erik and the board and myself.
"Cristiano has another year of contract. It is also important to find out what he wants, if he wants to stay.
"In the end, it's both Erik’s and Cris’s decision what they want to do.
"It is not for me to speak about that but the performance of Cris (against Chelsea) was really great.”
- Anthony Chapman
Man Utd signings under Solskjaer
Erik ten Hag will ring the changes when he takes charge at Man Utd this summer.
As many as ten players could leave Old Trafford, with the same amount coming in.
How many of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's signings will survive the cull?
- Anthony Chapman
Cavani still missing with injury
Ralf Rangnick has confirmed Edinson Cavani will miss Man Utd’s clash with Brentford.
That’s despite having been expected to return.
Rangnick said: “Cavani is supposed to come back to training [today] but, then again, the question is he has been missing for the last four or five weeks.
"Is he really a player who could then play against Brentford?' Answer: no."
- Anthony Chapman
United get Phillips transfer boost
Kalvin Phillips is reportedly set to swap agents this summer.
And that could increase Man United’s chances of signing him from rivals Leeds.
The Manchester Evening News claims Phillips is open to a transfer.
And he is now in the process of switching agents to boost his odds of joining a top side.
- Anthony Chapman
Giants battle for Paulo Dybala
Man Utd and Arsenal are battling each other for Juventus star Paulo Dybala.
The versatile forward will be available on a free transfer this summer.
And ESPN claims Dybala has received tasty offers from United and Arsenal.
But Newcastle and Spurs are also preparing contracts, with both ready to disrupt the party.
- Anthony Chapman
Exclusive by SunSport’s Joshua Mbu
Anton Ferdinand has warned Chelsea target and West Ham star Declan Rice off a move to Man Utd.
He said: "Man Utd isn't the place to go right now. They're going through a massive transitional period.
"For me personally, if I'm Rice, Man Utd is not a place that I'd be going. I'd wait a few years and see what Ten Hag does.
“What's the point in leaving West Ham to go somewhere you're not even challenging for a title.”
- Anthony Chapman
Utd predicted XI vs Brentford
Man Utd could welcome Fred back for their clash against Brentford on Monday.
However, the Red Devils will still be without several stars including Paul Pogba, Harry Maguire and Jadon Sancho.
Is this how United will faces the Bees?
- Anthony Chapman
Top chief quits United role
Man United's head of corporate development has left the club.
The Athletic claims Matt Judge resigned from his position on Friday.
His role saw him lead transfer and contract negotiations.
Judge is now serving his notice period and will not play an active role in signings this summer.
- Anthony Chapman
Ronaldo to hold transfer talks
Man Utd will hold talks with Cristiano Ronaldo over his future this summer.
Ralf Rangnick confirmed: This is something that we should speak about between Erik and the board and myself.
"Cristiano has another year of contract. It is also important to find out what he wants, if he wants to stay.
"In the end, it's both Erik’s and Cris’s decision what they want to do.
"It is not for me to speak about that but the performance of Cris (against Chelsea) was really great.”
- Anthony Chapman
Rangnick's part-time United role
Ralf Rangnick will work just six days a month in his consultancy role at Man Utd.
The Telegraph claims United's current interim will definitely combine the behind-the-scenes role with his newly-announced job as Austria boss.
But Rangnick's involvement at United will be limited to less than one week each month.
And it's believed his main focus will be on helping Erik ten Hag with recruitment.
- Anthony Chapman
Exclusive by SunSport’s Jake Lambourne
Danny Mills has urged Erik ten Hag to complete an overhaul of Man Utd’s backroom staff – and not just the playing squad.
Mills said: "I think he's got to clear out the backroom staff. There's a lot of legacy people at United who know the club inside out, but it hasn't worked for the last ten years now.
"They've struggled and when you bring a new manager in, with the way they work wanting to develop players and younger players through to the first team…
“I think he needs to clear out the backroom staff and bring his own people. You don't have the issues of 'well we used to do it this way'.
“One bad apple can spoil the whole barrel, it's easy to point fingers when you're not winning games and compare it to Sir Alex Ferguson.
"You don't need any of that influence, United have struggled for long enough so it should be a clean sweep and start again.”
- Anthony Chapman
Man Utd's mega money wages
Bruno Fernandes is the latest Red Devil to pen a lucrative long-term deal.
The Portuguese playmaker saw his weekly earning skyrocket to a staggering £240,000.
But there are still SIX other players at Man Utd currently pocketing even more dosh.
- Sam Dymond
Sancho could be out for season
Manchester United may have to play the final three games of the season without Jadon Sancho.
Interim boss Ralf Rangnick confirmed this afternoon that the England international missed last night's match with Chelsea due to tonsillitis.
"Jadon [Sancho] might be out for the rest of the season with his tonsillitis so he will be unavailable against Brentford," revealed Rangnick at his Friday press conference.
"He’s got inflammation on his tonsils and has also had some high temperatures.
"Hopefully, they can get hold of that inflammation and if the tonsils have to be taken out and removed, this can happen at the end of the season.”
- Sam Dymond
Keane sunk by United subs
Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick has been slammed by Roy Keane for bringing Juan Mata on against Chelsea in Thursday's 1-1 draw.
With the Red Devils needing a victory to remain in the race for fourth, Rangnick turned to the 34-year-old, who will be leaving the club in the summer.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Keane said: "It's like a tribute to Mata, I thought it was his testimonial tonight. You're Man United, you're fighting for points, you're playing for pride.
"It's all like 'we'll give him a game, we'll bring [Phil] Jones on, everyone gets a round of applause,' you're there to try and win a game of football for Man United.
"Forget all this 'oh we'll give someone 20 minutes because he's leaving in a few weeks' actually you should have left two years ago, a few of them.
"Get young lads on who are hopefully going to be there for the future and get a taste of playing at Old Trafford, playing against really good players in terms of Chelsea."
- Sam Dymond
Breaking: Rangnick confirms two jobs
Ralf Rangnick has been officially confirmed as the new manager of the Austria national team – but will continue to work at Manchester United in a consultancy role.
The German has agreed a two-year deal with the Austrian Football Association to lead the national side until the 2024 European Championships.
However, the 62-year-old will combine his new job with a consultancy role at Manchester United, and insists he's committed to helping the club to rebuild.
A statement from Rangnick reads: “I will take over as national team manager of Austria at the end of the season but will continue my consultancy with Manchester United.
"I’m really looking forward to playing my part in helping United become a real force."
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 28:Manchester United Head Coach / Manager Ralf Rangnick is interviewed during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on April 28, 2022 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images) - Sam Dymond
Keane slams whole-hearted Matic
Nemanja Matic and Reece James clashed during the second half of last night's match at Old Trafford.
But while Roy Keane was full of praise for James after the game, stating that Chelsea were 'lucky' to have him, he was less than impressed with Matic.
Keane was enraged by the Serbian midfielder's post-match interview in which he claimed the Red Devils would always be in his heart – before adding that so too would former club Chelsea.
Back in the Sky Sports studio, Keane mocked Matic's comments, saying: "Where’s the standards at the club?
"Matic’s talking about 'I’m leaving, I’ve had a great time, Man United will always be in my heart, oh and Chelsea as well, oh and Benfica don’t forget them'. They all can’t be in your heart."
- Sam Dymond
Ralf set for international appointment
Ralf Rangnick will today be officially announced as the new head coach of Austria.
A press conference in Vienna is scheduled for 11.45am when the appointment will be announced.
The 63-year-old will link up with the Austrian national team until 2024.
Rangnick is expected to remain in his consultancy role with Manchester United while leading the Austrians.
- Sam Dymond
Ten Hag: Leave me alone!
Erik ten Hag has told Manchester United officials not to contact him.
But don't worry, Red Devils, the request only concerns the 48 hours prior to Ajax matches while he concludes his time with the Amsterdam club.
ESPN understand that Ten Hag, who will take over as manager at Old this summer, needs two days free of distractions before each game.
Top-of-the-table Ajax are looking to claim the Eredivisie title for a fourth season in succession, and lead PSV by four points with four games to play.
- Sam Dymond
On your Marcs: Gunners want Rashford
Arsenal have registered their interest in Manchester United star Marcus Rashford, reports suggest.
That is according to Football Insider, who claim that the Gunners have set aside £45million to boost their attack and are looking to splash it all on Rashford in the summer.
The forward has struggled at United this season after starting out with a shoulder injury, and his future at the club is ‘up in the air’.
The North Londoners are desperate to land an attacker from the top shelf this summer and the England international is reportedly a ‘leading target’.
Arsenal lost star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Barcelona during the January transfer window.
Manager Mikel Arteta is also likely to be left without any centre-forwards at the end of the season as Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah’s contracts run out in June.
- Sam Dymond
Breaking: Greenwood bail to be extended
Police want extra time to investigate Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood after he was arrested on suspicion of rape, assault and threats to kill.
The 20-year-old's bail is due to end tomorrow, but a request has been submitted to extend that deadline.
However, Mike Keegan at the Daily Mail understands that a decision on the request may not be made until mid-June.
In the meantime, the footballer will remain on conditional bail.
- Sam Dymond
United suffer De Jong blow
Manchester United's ambitious hopes of landing Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong have suffered a blow after it emerged moneybags PSG were also in for the midfielder.
The Dutch star worked with Erik ten Hag at Ajax, and has been linked with a reunion ever since the new Manchester United manager was officially confirmed.
Barcelona do not wish to sell one of their stars but could be tempted by a large offer while they continue to get back on a stable financial footing.
And that is likely to leave the Ligue 1 club in pole position given their resources, and United's need to bring in quantity as well as quality.
- Sam Dymond
Dream comes true for Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho hailed his Manchester United debut as a 'dream come true' after coming on for the closing stages of Thursday’s draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford.
There have been calls for the 17-year-old to be included in the first team in recent weeks, and the winger finally got the nod with United missing eight regulars.
The Spanish-born Argentine tweeted after his late cameo: "Incredible moment making my debut at 17 years old for Manchester United in the Premier League at the Theatre of Dreams."
"I can’t put into words what I’m feeling right now, I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I was 4 years old.
"Remember guys, Dreams really do come true."
Credit: @agarnacho7 Twitter - Sam Dymond
Rangnick praises De Gea display
Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick reckons David de Gea's first half performance was key to the Red Devils earning a point at home to Chelsea.
The German coach admitted his side struggled in the opening 45 to keep the Blues at bay, and needed a string of fine saves from theirSpanish stopper to keep them on level terms.
"It was a good point for us," Rangnick revealed afterwards.
"In the first half, Chelsea dominated the game. We had massive problem in closing down the spaces although our gameplan was to attack them higher and be aggressive but, to be honest, it was very difficult for us to do that.
"You can see that they have top players and also very good organisation.
"That showed in the first half, and we needed some great saves from David de Gea and some last ditch tackles."
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