Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Furious Lingard FIRES BACK at Rangnick, Ronaldo LATEST, Pochettino PSG 'exit' – updates
JESSE LINGARD has furiously hit back at Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick after the boss announced the winger had asked for some time off to clear his head.
Lingard has denied the claim and tweeted that his "headspace is clear".
United finished the January transfer window with NO new signings – with reports stating they were hesitant to splash out until they knew who their permanent manager would be after Rangnick moves upstairs at the end of the season.
Mauricio Pochettino is one man said to be on their shortlist, and he has reportedly told friends he will leave PSG in the summer.
Meanwhile Declan Rice could be approached, but the West Ham midfielder has given a new interview which has some bad news for United in it.
United are also said to be in a battle with other top Premier League clubs for Juventus' Paulo Dybala.
Follow ALL the latest from Old Trafford with our live blog below…
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
- Justin Lawrence
De Gea breaks record
David De Gea has been announced as Premier League Player of the Month for January.
It's the first time De Gea has won the award in 11 years at Manchester United, and the first time a goalkeeper has scooped the prize in SIX YEARS.
Southampton shot-stopper Fraser Forster was the last man between the sticks to win Player of the Month, all the way back in February 2019.
De Gea's excellent January sees him land the gong – despite keeping just one clean sheet in four games.
- Justin Lawrence
United fan fury over Greenwood
Man United fans are burning Mason Greenwood's shirt and try to flog the striker’s memorabilia online after he was released on bail.
Fans have been trying to shift their shirts after the allegations came to light when his accuser posted a series of photos and audio on social media.
Some United fans have been lighting their £65 shirts to destroy them, while others have even tried to scrape the name and numbers off.
Footage shows one fan using an aerosol to burn the away shirt on a washing line, while others set fire to it on a bonfire.
- Justin Lawrence
Man United squad's arrival
Man United were pictured arriving at their pre-match hotel as they prepare to play for the first time since Mason Greenwood's arrest.
United host Middlesbrough in the FA Cup and the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes were all snapped arriving at The Hyatt Hotel.
As SunSport revealed, midfielder Pogba, 28, made a late bid to be in the squad for the fourth-round tie.
He has not played since the 2-2 Champions League draw away to Atalanta on November 2.
- Justin Lawrence
The American dream
Ex-Newcastle DeAndre Yedlin has joined former Man United icon David Beckham's Inter Miami team.
The former Newcastle player quit Galatasary to team up with Beckham's fellow ex-Red Devil Phil Neville and his Miami side ahead of the 2022 MLS season, which begins later this month.
Yedlin has signed a contract that will see him stay in Florida until 2025, with the option of an extra year.
Miami Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson expressed his delight to be able to welcome the defender to the club.
- Dylan Terry
Rangnick gives injury update
Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick has provided an update on his squad's fitness issues ahead of their clash against Middlesbrough this evening.
He told the club website: “We have Eric Bailly, who only came back last night with some ankle problems, a swollen ankle. He cannot be part of the squad.
"We have Victor Lindelof ill and being out of training for the whole week. He trained on Sunday but, since Monday, he’s been ill.
"Edi [Cavani] will only come back on the weekend. He asked me for one or two days off after the international break and the two games that he played for Uruguay.
"Jesse [Lingard] will be rejoining the group on either Sunday or Monday. He just asked me and the board for a couple of days off to get fresh in his mind again.”
Since those quotes, Lingard has disputed Rangnick's comments by insisting he is ready to play.
- Dylan Terry
Man Utd plan Araujo swoop
Manchester United are planning a "big investment" for Barcelona ace Ronald Araujo, reports suggest.
That is according to Marca, who report that United are leading the transfer race for Araujo who has attracted interest from other Premier League sides as well.
The Red Devils are seriously considering a deal for the centre-back, who is aware of their interest in him.
However, the Manchester giants are facing competition from rivals Manchester City and Chelsea, who are also keeping tabs on the Uruguay international.
In fact, City manager Pep Guardiola was pictured having dinner with the 22-year-old's agent Edmundo Kabchi earlier this week.
- Dylan Terry
Solskjaer a success for Man Utd?
Was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a success as Manchester United manager?
The Norwegian made a plethora of signings during his spell as Red Devils head coach.
On balance, did he spend the money wisely? Has he left the team in a better place than when he took over from Jose Mourinho?
- Dylan Terry
Merson on Van de Beek's Everton move
Paul Merson reckons Donny van de Beek will be a good signing for Everton.
Merson also praised the Dutch ace for never complaining at Man United despite hardly getting any playing time.
Merson wrote in his Sky Sport’s column: “Donny van de Beek just hasn’t got started in England.
“I feel for him, I really do. I really like his attitude. He has never moaned, he’s always there and you never see him throwing his toys out the pram.
“I just hope he does well, and he’s given a chance finally because I think there’s a top player in there. He just needs to let it come out and he needs a run of games to be able to do that. He doesn’t need one game here or one game there or 10 minutes here or 10 minutes there in a game where it is a hiding to nothing.
“For Everton, it’s a really good signing. Dominic Calvert-Lewin comes short, Dele Alli goes in behind and Van de Beek will find him. I think we could see that happen quite a few times in the coming weeks and before the end of the season.”
- Dylan Terry
Munich Air Disaster to be remembered
Manchester United will pay tribute to the Munich Air Disaster on Sunday with a fan-led ceremony 64 years on from the tragedy.
A club statement read: “Manchester United are pleased to confirm that the 64th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster will be marked with a fan-led ceremony at Old Trafford on Sunday.
“This will be the first time since 2020 that the traditional ceremony has been held on the 6 February anniversary, after pandemic-related restrictions made it impossible to hold the event last year.
“As usual, the service will be led “by the fans, for the fans”, with supporters’ group Munich58 co-ordinating and former club chaplain Rev John Boyers acting as master of ceremonies.”
- Dylan Terry
Alternative Man Utd XI vs Middlesbrough
Earlier we said Ralf Rangnick could go for a 4-3-3 formation against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup tonight.
Here is an alternate way he could choose to line up with his more familiar 4-2-2-2.
- Dylan Terry
Keane over Vieira, says Rice
West Ham star Declan Rice has revealed that he prefers Roy Keane over Patrick Vieira as a football player.
Ex-Man United ace Keane and former Arsenal midfielder Vieira were sworn enemies on the pitch.
But Rice admitted that Keane was the one that he watched more out of the pair when he was growing up.
When asked by Gary Neville who his favourite was on the Overlap show, Rice said: “I just feel like I’ve probably watched him more as a player.
“Even though I was a kid when he was playing or coming towards the end of his career in terms of clips, how he played and what he was like as a captain.”
- Dylan Terry
Keane to interview for Sunderland job
Manchester United legend Roy Keane will be interviewed for the Sunderland manager job TODAY.
He is set to sit down and discuss the role with Black Cats owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, who revealed the club had been 'overwhelmed with applicants'.
Louis-Dreyfus and sporting director have also held interviews with former Hull City boss Grant McCann as well as Neil Warnock, Neil Lennon and Alex Neil.
The interview stage is set to conclude this week and Keane will hope his passion for the club and the job helps his candidacy.
His previous experience in getting Sunderland promoted to the Premier League could also work in his favour, as supporters and those within the club are said to be keen on his return.
- Dylan Terry
Meet Man Utd talent Mejbri
With a name like Hannibal, Premier League clubs could be forgiven for fearing Man United's teenage wonderkid.
But the only thing terrifying about Hannibal Mejbri, the frizzy-haired 19-year-old midfielder, is his talent.
Mejbri arrived at Old Trafford in 2019 on a £9.3million move after a mystery fallout with former club Monaco.
But the Monegasque's loss is United's gain, as the playmaker, who also drew interest from Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur, with the ace already enjoying a number of training sessions and a promising first-team cameo.
Check out why he has been compared to Roy Keane and David Beckham in our extensive piece.
- Dylan Terry
Wilder speaks ahead of Man Utd clash
Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder has given his take on the trip to take on Manchester United in the FA Cup fourth round this evening.
He said: "I don't want [my players] going to Old Trafford to enjoy the visit.
"If they want [to swap] a shirt, do it in the changing rooms after. We don't want to be looking at them all fuzzy eyed. They are up against a competitor.
"I want them to play well, to give a good account of themselves and make it a competitive, dangerous night for Manchester United."
- Dylan Terry
Man Utd trophy cabinet
Manchester United will be hoping to progress through to the fifth round of the FA Cup tonight.
But how many times have they won the competition? Here is their extensive trophy cabinet.
- Dylan Terry
Man Utd's attacking options
Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho could start on the flanks against Middlesbrough this evening.
And Cristiano Ronaldo could start his first FA Cup game since February 2009.
Alternatively, Rangnick could look to test the 4-2-2-2 again.
In that case, Pogba could move into the two behind the strikers with Sancho.
Rashford could move up front to partner Ronaldo.
And Matic alongside McTominay could provide the backline with good defensive cover.
- Dylan Terry
Man Utd's midfield
Ralf Rangnick could change his midfield to a three instead of a two, and Nemanja Matic could be the holding man to start against Middlesbrough tonight.
The defensive midfielder could potentially allow the returning Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay to bomb forward.
Rangnick doesn't see Pogba as a winger due to his 'physique', his physical presence and technical assets.
On Pogba, he said: "What I’ve seen so far, with regard to his physique, his physical presence, the technical assets he has, I think his best position is a central midfield position. I don’t see him that much as a winger.
“By saying that, I wouldn’t say he cannot at all play that position. But we have quite a few players for the winger position right now.
"I see his best possible position as central midfield, if it’s a no.6 or an 8, I have to see. I haven’t seen him play so far. If you ask me right now, probably the no.8 position."
- Dylan Terry
Man Utd next five games
Man Utd return to action tonight when they take on Middlesbrough in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
But who do they face after that? Here are their next five games.
- Dylan Terry
Tottenham interested in Lingard transfer
Tottenham are reportedly one of three clubs interested in signing Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard in the summer.
The England international was on course to join Newcastle United on loan last month but a move to St James' Park didn't come to fruition.
Lingard will be able to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season on a free transfer once his contract expires in June.
And according to ESPN, Spurs will swoop for his services once he becomes a free agent.
They claim the north Londoners will have to battle Newcastle and West Ham – whom Lingard was on loan at last season – to land the midfielder.
- Dylan Terry
Man Utd out of Haaland running
The battle for Erling Haaland’s signature is reportedly narrowing to a two-horse race.
Manchester United are said to be out of the running to land the 21-year-old wonderkid this summer.
And Chelsea’s interest is thought to be waning as club chiefs still hope £97.5million-signing Romelu Lukaku will come good.
Now ESPN reports Manchester City and Real Madrid are the two European giants left to scrap it out for the Dortmund striker’s services.
Norway international Haaland is one of world football’s hottest properties after smashing in 80 goals in just 79 appearances for the Bundesliga side.
The player himself is thought to favour a move to the Bernabeu and Real reckon they have the funds to bring him in.
- Dylan Terry
Man Utd defensive news for Middlesbrough clash
Dean Henderson could make his third start of the season in goal.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has found himself behind Diogo Dalot in recent games, could also return to the starting line-up. The right-back struggled with illness before the January break.
Phil Jones was close to sealing a late loan move away from Man Utd, but the centre-back turned down a potential move to Bordeaux.
He could be handed more minutes after impressing in his return against Wolves after a two-year absence.
Club captain Harry Maguire could be fielded alongside him in the heart of the defence.
And Luke Shaw is favourite to start with Alex Telles playing for Brazil just two days ago.
- Dylan Terry
Man Utd predicted team vs Middlesbrough
Manchester United are back in action against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup on Friday.
Boss Ralf Rangnick could look to make a statement and field a strong Red Devils team against the Championship outfit.
- Dylan Terry
Man Utd receive Rice blow
Manchester United target Declan Rice has hinted he wants to stay in London as he gushed about his childhood love for Chelsea.
West Ham midfielder plans to ‘stay close to home’ amid speculation over a summer move.
Rice also revealed his bromance with boyhood idol and Chelsea legend John Terry is as strong as ever.
The 27-cap Londoner, 23, has been regarded as a potential dream signing for United in their search for a stylish anchorman.
But on Gary Neville's Overlap podcast Rice underlined how settled he is – living just seven miles from Stamford Bridge.
Strolling together in Kingston, South West London, he told ex-United defender Nev: "Yeah, I'm here all the time. I've always wanted to stay close to this place, I feel like I don't want to lose my roots."
- Dylan Terry
Jesse Lingard's 'headspace is clear'
Jesse Lingard has denied claims by boss Ralf Rangnick that he asked for time off from Manchester United.
United boss Rangnick announced the midfielder is not available for selection due to having a request for time off to ‘clear his mind’ granted.
That has led to a furious response from Lingard tonight on Twitter denying those claims.
The England international blasted: “The club advised me to have time off due to personal reasons!
“But my headspace is clear and I’ll always be professional when called upon and give 100 percent.”
- Dylan Terry
Man Utd return to action
English football's top flight sides return to action this weekend in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
And Manchester United kick things off as they host Championship outfit Middlesbrough at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils are looking to win the competition for the first time since 2016.
Source: Read Full Article