Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo NOT in training as players return, Rangnick talks with Haaland's dad
MANCHESTER UNITED are back training after a Covid outbreak but Cristiano Ronaldo is NOT among the players to have showed up at Carrington today.
Donny van de Beek, Paul Pogba, Diogo Dalot, Jadon Sancho, Phil Jones, Tom Heaton and Dean Henderson were also unaccounted for.
Sources at Old Trafford say the return to training will be staggered ahead of Monday's match at Newcastle away.
And Ralf Rangnick is said to have spoken to Erling Haaland's dad as United look to snap up the Dortmund star.
The Red Devils are also keen on completing the transfer of Boubacar Kamara in the January transfer window, according to reports.
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Get all the latest Man Utd transfer news, gossip and updates here.
- Jake Lambourne
Ronaldo’s Wag Rodriguez dazzles again
Man Utd Wag Georgina Rodriguez was pictured celebrating her Cosmopolitan cover shoot on Cristiano Ronaldo’s £20million private jet.
The model posed for the Spanish edition of the famous magazine and she shared snaps of herself surrounded by copies on her boyfriend’s swanky airliner.
Rodriguez, 27, can be seen in a grey jacket and matching trousers.
She also posed in a headband with a black handbag.
Several copies of the magazine were spread across the table in front of her.
The Spaniard captioned the post: “Like a little girl. @aloyoga #love #happiness #gratitude.”
And it received 850,000 likes on Instagram.
- Jake Lambourne
New Dortmund deal for Haaland?
Borussia Dortmund reportedly want to open talks with Erling Haaland over a monster new contract as the star striker considers offers from a host of European giants.
The Bundesliga outfit are set to offer the Norway international a deal that would see him paid almost £12million AFTER tax at Signal Iduna Park.
But reports claim Dortmund would also expect to insert a revised buy-out clause to eclipse the £64m trigger in his current deal.
The 21-year-old is among the hottest property in world football, with the likes of Manchester United, Barcelona and Man City all tracking his progress.
He has already smashed 19 goals in 15 Dortmund appearances this season and notched a hat-trick for Norway back in September.
The forward sent rumours swirling after he appeared to wave goodbye to fans in BVB’s last home match of the calendar year.
- Jake Lambourne
Paul the other ove
Man Utd legend Patrice Evra has revealed how Paul Pogba can fix his Red Devils career.
Speaking during a Q&A in the latest Four Four Two magazine, he said: “It hurts me when people criticise Paul, I have to say, because it hurts when people criticise your brother.
“We still have a lot of talks together and I give him a lot of support.
“He’s such a great player — and maybe some people can’t understand why he can play so well with France for the national team and not as well for Manchester United.
“He needs to fix that, give more love to the fans, then they have to give more love to him in return.
“I think some of the old legends can sometimes go in too personal on him, which I don’t like. He’s a great guy.”
- Jake Lambourne
Dio no go
Man Utd right-back Diogo Dalot will NOT be on his way out of the club in January.
The Portuguese defender reportedly remains part of the club’s plans with interim boss Ralf Rangnick a fan of the 22-year-old.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Manchester United are ‘more than happy’ with Diogo Dalot performances.
“AS Roma wanted him for January but nothing was agreed – he’s now key player for Rangnick.
“Borussia Dortmund bid was turned down last summer.”
- Jake Lambourne
Cav some of the that
Man Utd will fight to keep Edinson Cavani at Old Trafford next month amid interest from Barcelona.
The Uruguayan, 34, signed a new 12 month deal with the Red Devils in the summer but has started only two matches this season.
His last appearance came way back in early November in the 2-2 draw at Atalanta and his situation has alerted a host of clubs.
Barca are among them but United’s recent problems with Covid have shown the importance of having a big squad.
Ralf Rangnick is believed to be keen to work with Cavani and as yet the forward has shown no signs that he is desperate to move.
Read more HERE.
- Jake Lambourne
Not Keane
Roy Keane has demanded David De Gea and captain Harry Maguire to prove him after brutally criticising the pair.
The legendary midfielder took part in SkyBet’s ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ series and had an amusing chat with fellow pundit Micah Richards, who thought it would be funny if he replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as interim coach.
But the former Republic of Ireland international insisted he would do nothing more than challenge the Red Devils pair to show him their true value on the pitch.
Keane said: “Why would that be a joke? Have you ever been in a dressing with me as a player? As a manager? You’re meant to challenge people, fall out with people.
“Alright – so the first thing, you’d walk into the club and pull them two and say ‘I’ve been really critical – prove me wrong’.
“And that’s the end of the conversation. If they get upset, no problem, players are upset all the time.
“And it’s not about the players liking the manager. The most important thing is, you hope, that the players respect the manager.”
- Etienne Fermie
King Eric
This moment is truly iconic.
Feast your eyes this morning on a moment of sheer genius by United legend Eric Cantona.
- Etienne Fermie
Looks Al-right
Manchester United have reportedly made contact with River Plate over signing their super-striker Julian Alvarez.
And the Red Devils could snap him up for just £17million – £4m less than his release clause – if they act fast.
United put in a call to the South American side in the last few weeks, according to Argentine newspaper Ole.
Alvarez, 21, has been in scintillating form – scoring 24 and providing 15 assists in 46 games.
Some of Europe’s biggest clubs are said to be keen on the five-cap Argentina international.
Bayern Munich, Juventus, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid have all been linked.
- Etienne Fermie
Walk in the Park
What a goal this was by Park Ji-sung.
Amid the news that the South Korean is back in English football, coaching at QPR, feast your eyes on this brilliant effort from his Man United days.
- Etienne Fermie
Playing the field
Manchester United target Erling Haaland hasn’t ruled out staying at Dortmund next season.
The in-demand striker’s agent Mino Raiola said: “Haaland can wait for everyone.
“We don’t have a pre-agreement with any club.
“We will look for the best option, and I also never ruled out another year at B. Dortmund”.
- Etienne Fermie
A Real threat
Real Madrid are serious contenders to beat Manchester City and United in the race for superstar Erling Haaland.
The two Prem giants are certain to be in the frame if the 21-year-old striker decides to leave Borussia Dortmund in the summer.
But the German club have warned the Manchester rivals they face competition from the Bernabeu when bidding does start.
Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke said: “No matter where I go, everyone speaks to you about Erling Haaland.
“All I know is a guarantee that Real Madrid are very interested in him — I could name 25 others.
“It could be that he leaves, but it can also be that he stays.”
- William Pugh
GOOD MORNING MAN UTD FANS
Manchester United are interested in signing Marseille star Boubacar Kamara ahead of the January transfer window.
According to El Nacional, United are in the driving seat in the transfer war for Kamara, who could become interim manager Ralf Rangnick’s first signing.
Rangnick is ‘convinced’ the midfielder is the right transfer for the Red Devils and talks with the Frenchman are at an ‘advanced stage’.
It’s even claimed the move could be announced in the first few days of January.
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke confirmed Real Madrid’s transfer interest in United target Erling Haaland.
Watzke told BILD TV: “No matter where I go, everyone speaks to you about Erling Haaland.
“All I know is a guarantee that Real Madrid are very interested in him. I could name 25 others now.
“But I know for sure, it can be that he leaves, but it can also be that he stays.
“A few days ago I had a very good conversation with Mino Raiola. When we are in a target corridor, the conversations are always quite friendly.
“And that phone call was quite friendly. We will certainly have another meeting in the next few weeks.
“The overall development of Haaland is in the foreground.
“Just like with [Robert] Lewandowski, I would like to be proud of Erling at some point if he wins the Champions League.
“Personally, I think it’s good for him if he stays in the Bundesliga a little longer.”
And Raiola confirmed his client doesn’t have a “pre-agreement” with any of his suitors, including United.
Raiola told NOS: “Haaland can wait for everyone.
“We don’t have a pre-agreement with any club.
“We will look for the best option, and I also never ruled out another year at Borussia Dortmund.”
Finally, Barcelona are cautious about signing United star Edinson Cavani in the January transfer window because of the his continued injury woes.
Barca have been strongly linked with a move for Cavani next month.
According to SPORT, however, the striker’s latest injury setback means the club are thinking twice about making a bid.
The Uruguay international’s latest injury is a recurring problem to his Achilles tendon.
It’s caused him to miss the Manchester giants’ last eight league games, meaning Barca may shelve their pursuit for the 34-year-old
- Kostas Lianos
Pogba advice
Manchester United legend Patrice Evra believes Paul Pogba has things to “fix” at the club.
Evra said during a Q&A with FourFourTwo: “He’s such a great player – and maybe some people can’t understand why he can play so well with France for the national team and not as well for Manchester United.
“He needs to fix that, give more love to the fans, then they have to give more love to him in return.
“I think some of the old legends can sometimes go in too personal on him, which I don’t like. He’s a great guy”
- Kostas Lianos
O-Mi not again
Premier League games could again take place behind closed doors.
A meeting between Prem clubs decided matches would continue as normal after Christmas – despite a rise in positive COVID-19 cases.
According to The Times, fixtures could end up taking place without fans.
Omicron cases are on the rise and although supporters have shown proof of a negative test or a coronavirus passport to gain admittance, they could soon be blocked from attending if the government steps in.
Fears around a high R figure mean the government could introduce further restrictions.
And if Premier League stadiums are needed as makeshift vaccination centres, fans may have to be excluded from live matches for the foreseeable future.
In such a scenario, matches could be shown live on TV, as was the case from Project Restart until the end of last term
- Kostas Lianos
Out of the race
Newcastle have ‘pulled out of the race’ for Manchester United ace Jesse Lingard.
That is according to The Athletic, who report that Lingard has opted to stay and ‘fight for his place’ after interim manager Ralf Rangnick replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
That means the Magpies, who have found themselves in a desperate bid to avoid relegation, will have to look for reinforcements elsewhere.
The England international is into the final months of his contract and is also targeted by West Ham
- Kostas Lianos
‘No pre-agreement’
Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola confirmed his client doesn’t have a “pre-agreement” with any of his suitors, including Manchester United.
Raiola told NOS: “Haaland can wait for everyone.
“We don’t have a pre-agreement with any club.
“We will look for the best option, and I also never ruled out another year at Borussia Dortmund”
- Kostas Lianos
More from Park
“Chris [Ramsey] has lots of experience and I see how he listens to people.
“He listens to opinions and then makes his own decision based on the best way he can influence players. That is why he has such a good reputation as a coach.
“It has surprised me how much I have learnt. It is not just about your skill or ability, it is about your mentality too.
“People might think being a coach is quite similar to being a player. For me, I have realised it is totally different”
- Kostas Lianos
Park is back
Ex-Manchester United star Park Ji-Sung is training Queens Park Rangers’ Under-16s team as part of his coaching B license.
Park, who spent time at both United and QPR, is learning under QPR’s head of coaching Chris Ramsey.
The former midfielder told the club’s official website: “Having played for QPR I am really interested to see how they develop their younger players.
“I have learnt lots from the players as well as the coaches”
- Kostas Lianos
Barc in business
Barcelona want to sign Manchester United’s Edinson Cavani and Manchester City’s Ferran Torres next month, according to reports.
That is according to Mundo Deportivo, who report that Barca want to secure two signings next month to put them back on the right track.
The Blaugrana are desperate to sign Torres, who wants to return to LaLiga and it’s claimed he has already verbally agreed a five-year deal with Xavi’s side.
Barcelona also want another striker, however, to provide ‘malice and mischief’ in the box – with Cavani an experienced option.
Ideally, Xavi would like both signings completed by the time he takes his team to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup.
Both legs against rivals Real Madrid will take place between January 12 and January 16
- Kostas Lianos
More from Watzke
Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke added that he had a “friendly” chat with Manchester United target Erling Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola and claimed the striker should consider staying in the Bundesliga.
Watzke added: “And that phone call [with Raiola] was quite friendly. We will certainly have another meeting in the next few weeks.
“The overall development of Haaland is in the foreground. Just like with [Robert] Lewandowski, I would like to be proud of Erling at some point if he wins the Champions League.
“Personally, I think it’s good for him if he stays in the Bundesliga a little longer”
- Kostas Lianos
Cavani caution
Barcelona are cautious about signing Manchester United star Edinson Cavani in the January transfer window because of the his continued injury woes, reports suggest.
Barca have been strongly linked with a move for Cavani next month.
According to SPORT, however, the striker’s latest injury setback means the club are thinking twice about making a bid.
The Uruguay international’s latest injury is a recurring problem to his Achilles tendon.
It’s caused him to miss United’s last eight league games, meaning the Blaugrana may shelve their pursuit for the 34-year-old
- Kostas Lianos
Mad for him
Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke confirmed Real Madrid’s transfer interest in Manchester United target Erling Haaland.
Watzke told BILD TV: “No matter where I go, everyone speaks to you about Erling Haaland.
“All I know is a guarantee that Real Madrid are very interested in him. I could name 25 others now.
“But I know for sure, it can be that he leaves, but it can also be that he stays.
“A few days ago I had a very good conversation with Mino Raiola. When we are in a target corridor, the conversations are always quite friendly”
- Kostas Lianos
Kam on over
Manchester United are interested in signing Marseille star Boubacar Kamara ahead of the January transfer window.
According to El Nacional, United are in the driving seat in the transfer war for Kamara, who could become interim manager Ralf Rangnick’s first signing.
Rangnick is ‘convinced’ that the midfielder is the right transfer for the Red Devils.
And talks with the Frenchman are at an ‘advanced stage’.
It’s even claimed that the transfer could be announced in the first few days of January
- Jake Lambourne
Game pass
Legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson warned Cristiano Ronaldo ‘you won’t play every game’ upon signing him in 2003.
Ferguson told the Inside View: “I always remember, that when we had the discussion [about Ronaldo signing], I think the thing I wanted to impress on his agent, in particular, [was that] he won’t play every game.
“But if he’s so good, I can’t stop him. You always play your best players.
“The opening game of the season, he was substitute. He came on and he was absolutely bloody fantastic! The crowd was magnificent, the crowd loved it.
“So here we had a situation: Do I play him the next game or do I put him back on the bench? That was a big problem, that, you know.”
- Jake Lambourne
Juan-ted man
Barcelona want to sign Manchester United star Juan Mata in January, according to reports.
The Star claims United could let Mata leave on a free transfer next month.
And Barca are ready to swoop for the experienced playmaker.
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