Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Maguire sister 'likes' anti-Roy Keane tweet, Zidane 'in United talks but wants France job'
MANCHESTER UNITED are back in Premier League action this weekend at Watford following the international break.
But there is reportedly discontent behind the scenes, with eight players feeling they've been 'misled' over their first-team chances this season.
And to make matters worse for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, one journalist has reported that Man Utd are in talks with Zinedine Zidane.
The Frenchman is reported to be a popular choice with Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane, both of whom he managed at Real Madrid.
However, the talks are said to be difficult as Zizou is reported to be keen on coaching a national team next.
Meanwhile Harry Maguire's sister has 'liked' an anti-Roy Keane tweet after the Man Utd legend and pundit fiercely criticised his celebration following his goal for England against Albania.
We also have the latest on Donny van de Beek's future, with Wolves said to be interested in the Dutch star.
Follow all the latest Man Utd news, transfer and gossip from Old Trafford below…
- Justin Lawrence
RED RODGE
Brendan Rodgers is the clear favourite for the Manchester United job.
That's according to bookmakers Betfair, who've priced the Northern Irishman at 4/6 to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer's tenure is hanging by a thread after a series of disappointing results.
The Red Devils have won just three of their last 10 fixtures in all competitions and trail leaders Chelsea by nine points.
United were comprehensively outclassed by rivals Liverpool and Manchester City before the international break.
And that's led two claims that senior players have lost faith in the Norwegian.
SunSport understand United chiefs held an emergency board meeting to discuss future plans and potential replacements.
Rodgers is their first-choice option and Betfair agree with the 48-year-old the 4/6 odds-on frontrunner for the position.
- Justin Lawrence
CRIST ALMIGHTY
Manchester United's wage bill has rocketed by nearly a quarter following the arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho.
The sum has gone up to £354million a year a leap of 23.1per cent.
The figure came out as the club announced their first quarter results for this financial year which showed club revenues for the period up by 16 per cent to £126.5million.
The club’s Executive Vice-Chairman Ed Woodward insisted that the club’s overriding priority was success on the pitch rather than on the balance sheet.
Woodward said: “While these financial results today demonstrate our resilience through the pandemic, our top priority is success on the pitch.
“The manager, players and everyone at the club are determined to achieve that objective.”
- Justin Lawrence
POOR CHOICE
Micah Richards has admitted he was proven wrong about Alexis Sanchez’s transfer from Arsenal to Manchester United.
Richards thought Sanchez was bound to be a hit at United because he done so well for the Gunners.
But to Richard’s surprise, the Chile ace’s move to Old Trafford didn’t go to plan and he was shipped to Inter Milan shortly after.
Reflecting on Sanchez’s time at United, Richards told the BBC’s Top 10 podcast: “He became a laughing stock at Manchester United.
“At Arsenal he was quality and he worked hard. He had skill and creativity. He was a go-to man.
“It was sad when he went to United because I thought it was going to be a great move for him.”
- Justin Lawrence
LEW AND BEHOLD
Robert Lewandowski reportedly cornered Matty Cash while on international duty with Poland to quiz him all about life in the Premier League.
The 24-year-old defender, who has Polish grandparents, recently switched his allegiance from England and won his first two caps for them over the past week.
After coming on as sub in the 4-1 win over Andorra, he was hooked at half time of their World Cup qualifying defeat to Hungary.
However, away from the pitch, a fresh report states that at the team hotel he was pulled aside for a lengthy chat with his adopted country’s biggest superstar.
And The Athletic claims the star, who was previously linked with a transfer to Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, wanted to know all about life in England’s top-flight from the Villa ace.
- Justin Lawrence
DEAN DILEMMA
Dean Henderson is ready to leave Manchester United, reports claim.
And there's no shortage of Premier League interest in the goalkeeper with Newcastle the frontrunners for his signature, according to Sky Bet.
However, Eddie Howe and Co. could face stern competition from several Premier League rivals including West Ham, Watford and Crystal Palace.
Sky Bet also think Ajax, Brentford and Norwich could challenge if Red Devils chiefs green-light his departure.
- Justin Lawrence
'FIRMLY NOTED'
Jesse Lingard's brother Louie has hit back at West Ham fans who believe the club don't need to sign the Manchester United ace in January.
The 28-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at the Hammers, scoring nine and assisting five – helping them to a sixth place finish.
However, a permanent summer move failed to materialise with Lingard keen to stay at his boyhood club and fight for his place.
ut Lingard has only played 154 minutes of football this term – scoring two and assisting one.
The England international has since been linked with a move back to West Ham, as well as newly mega-rich Newcastle ahead of the January transfer window.
Some West Ham fans have questioned whether bringing Lingard back to the club is worth it, with Said Benrahma finally coming good this season.
And Lingard's brother Louie says the 'staggering' amount of Hammers fans who don't want the midfielder back will be 'firmly noted', hinting it could play a part on where the ace will play his football next.
Responding to a West Ham fan page on Instagram, Louie said: "From the comments I can see that most would believe use don’t need him and wouldn’t even start.
"Exact same was said before he last came. Staggering to see that many don’t actually want him either. Firmly noted."
- Justin Lawrence
PET STOP
Ex-Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit reckons Zinedine Zidane will reject a move toManchester United to hold out for the French national position.
Zidane has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
But Petit thinks Zidane.s next role will as France boss when Didier Deschamps possibly steps down after the next World Cup.
Petit said: “I’m pretty sure after the 2022 World Cup Deschamps will leave the national team and join a club.
“Zinedine has been mentioned as the next France manager for years, ever since he left Madrid the first time, so it would not be a surprise for anyone if that was his next job.”
- Justin Lawrence
RAI'S RAGE
Paul Pogba's agent Mino Raiola has taken a swipe at ex-Manchester United stars who criticise the Frenchman.
Throughout his United career Pogba's been blasted by several former United aces such as Paul Scholes and Roy Keane.
But Raiola doesn't get their fascination with Pogba and claims they only speak about him as they have nothing else to say.
He raged to TuttoMercatoWeb: “We don’t know why, but when we talk about Pogba in England, even the dead wake up.
"Some former Manchester United players, if they don’t talk about Pogba and me, they don’t talk about anything. So it’s better not to talk about it.”
- Justin Lawrence
OOPSIE DAISY
Harry Maguire’s sister appears to like a tweet mocking Manchester United legend Roy Keane after his criticism of her brother.
Keane blasted Maguire’s start to the season for Man Utd as a ‘disgrace’ and labelled his goal celebration against Albania as ’embarrassing’.
Although Maguire hasn’t directly responded to Keane’s comments, his celebration could be seen as a rebuttal to the criticism.
And sister Daisy didn’t hold back in digging back at Keane in her own way.
The 21-year-old liked a Tweet comparing Keane’s contribution towards Ireland on the international stage against Maguire’s.
The tweet read: “Roy Keane for his country vs Harry Maguire for his country.”
A photo of Keane after he was infamously sent home from the Republic of Ireland squad at the 2002 World Cup accompanied the tweet.
Whereas a photo of Maguire holding a Man of the Match award during England’s Euro 2020 campaign was put up next to it.
- Justin Lawrence
FLAIR FORCE ONE
Brazil'sPremier League stars all travelled back to the UK together after Tuesday's 0-0 World Cup qualifier against Argentina.
The five-time World Cup winners secured their place at the Qatar-based tournament last week with a tight win over Colombia.
But they were unable to exact revenge on Argentina – who they lost to in the Copa America final – as they played out a feisty draw.
The point secured Argentina's place at the World Cup too, leaving just three South American qualifying spots left with four fixtures to go.
And after the game, Liverpool pair Fabinho and Alisson travelled back on a private jet with Manchester City duo Ederson and Gabriel Jesus, as well as Man Utd's Fred and Leeds' Raphinha.
Alisson captioned the Instagram story: "Let's go home."
- Justin Lawrence
BEEK SWEEP
Real Madrid have been linked with a shock swoop for disgruntled Manchester United star Donny van de Beek.
De Beek's hardly got a look in at United and Real are said to be interested in ending his misery if they can snag him for a lower price than the £35m the Red Devils splashed on him.
Los Blancos were in the running for the ex-Ajax star before he joined United and have been keeping tabs on him ever since, according to Fichajes.
They add that his lack of starts has seen a significant drop in his transfer valuation, and that he could be brought to Madrid as a replacement for club legend Luka Modric.
- Justin Lawrence
RODGER THAT
Frank lampard is said to be keeping an eye on the situation at Leicester with Brendan Rodgers heavily linked with the Manchester United job.
The former Chelsea star is reportedly plotting his return to management and views Leicester as the ideal club to stage his Premier League comeback.
Lampard, 43, has been linked with managerial jobs at Crystal Palace, Newcastle and Norwich this season and reportedly turned down the job at Carrow Road.
According to The Mirror, Lampard viewed the Norwich job as too risky, with the Canaries rock-bottom and facing a tough relegation scrap this season.
It is believed that Lampard would prefer a return to the Premier League in any case, having only been sacked by Chelsea in January.
And with Man Utd boss Solskjaer’s job hanging by a thread and Rodgers the favourite to replace him, Lampard could soon get his wish.
- Justin Lawrence
NO DAL-OGUE
Roma chief Tiago Pinto has played down rumours that the club will make a move for Manchester United star Diogo Dalot in January.
Pinto revealed he doesn't like speaking about private negotiations in public.
But he did admit that if Roma were chasing Dalot, he isn't holding his breath for a swoop in the New Year when the market is hostile.
Pinto told Sky Italia when asked about Dalot: "I don't like talking about players from other clubs, I don't like talking publicly about transfer strategies.
"On the market, we cannot create great expectations for January because we all know what the January market is like."
- Justin Lawrence
KOP SWAP
Jonathan Woodgate reckons Jadon Sancho should be playing for Liverpool instead of Manchester United.
Sancho's had a quiet start at Old Trafford, but Woodgate puts that down to United's style of play.
The ex-Leeds star thinks United's bitter rivals Liverpool play in a style that will suit Sancho's strengths.
He told Ladbrokes: "Things haven't gone exactly according to plan for Sancho since he signed for Man United this summer. "I put it down to the style of play; it doesn't suit him.
"If United replicated Dortmund's approach then it would be a different ball game altogether, but Man United don't play that way; they don't play the sort of football Sancho is used to.
"Jadon Sancho is an extraordinary talent; if you play to his strengths, then he'll come good.
"There's no doubt in my mind that he'll come good again. Put him in the Liverpool team, and he'd be a completely different player, I'm sure."
- Justin Lawrence
JI WHAT A GUY
Ex-Manchester United ace Patrice Evra has revealed how old team-mate Ji-sung Park became one of his best pals and godfather to his son.
The pair joined United in the same season and went on to win four Premier League titles together, as well as a Champions League and three League Cups.
Evra has now pulled back the curtain on his relationship with Park and revealed he is the godfather to one of his sons.
When asked how he became close with Park on ManUtd.com, Evra said: "Because I like shy people!
"When someone doesn’t open himself up too much, that’s when I go to those people.
"Ji is the godfather to my son, he’s more than a friend. I spoke with him actually this morning so it just came naturally.
"He’s such a humble person but he’s also a funny guy.
"You don’t see that side, because he only shows it to me. He’s a real brother.”
- Justin Lawrence
RASH IT UP
Former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys has told Marcus Rashford to leave his humanitarian work behind while slamming his goal record.
Keys reckons Rashford's done a great job helping children with his hunger efforts but now's the time to get scoring again.
He told beIN Sports: This is where it gets complicated when pop stars/footballers and the like start to want to get taken seriously – and they forget about the day job,
“Marcus Rashford is also a good example of that. What he did to tackle child hunger was wonderful. But leave it there, Marcus. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was right – get back to you doing what you’re paid for. There’s a need for massive improvement there.
“Rashford has made 183 appearances for United and scored 57 goals – one every 3.21 games.
"Making 46 appearances for England he’s scored 12 goals – one every 3.83 games. For a striker – is that enough?”
- Justin Lawrence
VER-Y SIMILAR
Paul Pogba has been compared to former Manchester United midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron by Micah Richards and Alan Shearer.
Speaking on the Match of the Day Top 10 podcast, the two pundits discussed how both Pogba and Veron have had similarly difficult spells at Old Trafford.
Veron, 46, signed for Man Utd for £28m in 2001, which was the most expensive transfer in the history of English football at the time.
But the Argentine never really hit the heights that were expected of him, making just 51 league appearances for them before leaving to join Chelsea in 2003.
Richards told the Match of the Day Top 10 podcast: "I just remember him being a flash in the pan, before he came to Man United you expected big things.
"He's like Pogba, Pogba's stayed longer but when you watch Pogba, you want him to do something brilliant every time and the same with Veron as well you wanted him to score a 40-yard goal or [make a] 60-yard pass.
"It was just a little bit fast for him. He wanted to slow down the tempo a little bit. This is what I don't understand, people always ask me, why did it not always happen?
"You've got that ability, he worked hard, it's consistency. His ability was off the scale, wasn't it, it's one thing I've wondered.
"By all accounts, he worked really hard, was a good lad, it just didn't work out."
Shearer added: "I definitely agree with the Pogba comparison."
- Jack Figg
GOOD MORNING RED DEVILS FANS
Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly ready to explore a move for Manchester United's Donny van de Beek during the January transfer window.
The 24-year-old has only made five appearances for the 20-time English champions this season, with just two of those coming in the Premier League.
Van de Beek continues to be linked with a move away from Old Trafford, and a recent report claimed that the Netherlands international is determined to secure a January exit.
Everton, Newcastle United and Barcelona are among those to be credited with an interest in his services ahead of the winter transfer window.
However, according to the Birmingham Mail, Wolves are firmly in the mix, with Bruno Lage's side keen to sign the Dutchman in 2022.
Meanwhile, United have received a boost in their pursuit of Erling Haaland after it was reported Real Madrid have ‘accepted he is going to the Premier League’.
The Spanish giants were thought to be interested in signing the Norwegian, whose release clause enables him to leave Borussia Dortmund for £64million.
But now it has been reported that Madrid believe Haaland will join an English club when he leaves the German outfit.
As reported by Sport, journalist Josep Pedrerol said: “Real Madrid assumes that Haaland will play in England next year and they have it ruled out.”
Finally, Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is taking charge of their next match against Watford but a report claims that could ‘change fast’.
Speculation is building over who could replace Solskjaer if the Red Devils decide to pull the trigger after a poor run of form which has seen them slip down the table to sixth.
The Manchester Evening News claims that ‘the board has made no decision over the future of Solskjaer and as of this moment he will still be in charge of the Watford game, but situations may change fast’.
And United are reportedly looking at Ajax’s Erik ten Hag should they make a change.
- Anthony Chapman
NEXT UP
Let's take a look at United's next five games as the international break draws to a close…
- Anthony Chapman
‘ALWAYS MY HOME’
Cristiano Ronaldo has posted a stirring love note to Portugal after their costly World Cup qualifying defeat against Serbia.
The Instagram post read: "No matter how far the world we travel, it is always in Portugal that my family and I feel at home.
"The fantastic climate, the wonderful food, the affection of the Portuguese people, it's always a pleasure to come back to my country.
"It's time to go back to Manchester and focus completely on our goals, but we'll be back soon. See you now, Portugal!"
- Anthony Chapman
RON’S REV DEVILS
Cristiano Ronaldo has gone from sweeping roads as a poor kid to owning sweeping mansions as a Portugal legend.
The Manchester United icon has more than £45million worth of homes and cars, from a £7m Madeira mega-mansion and £8.5m Bugatti sportscar to a modest £14,000 Mercedes.
The former Real Madrid and Juventus striker, 36, is thought to have a net worth of around £363m.
And over his entire career he's reputedly earned, spent and invested about £789m.
READ MORE HERE
- Anthony Chapman
TEAM TALK
There’s just one year to go until the 2022 World Cup.
And teams continue to cross the line by sealing their spot in Qatar.
Let’s take a look at the best possible XI of stars who have already qualified…
- Anthony Chapman
LIN IT TO WIN IT
Man Utd players are reportedly fed up with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's refusal to play Jesse Lingard.
The Telegraph claims stars do not understand why the ex-West Ham loanee is yet to get a chance this season.
United are already nine points off league leaders Chelsea but Solskjaer has so far refused to turn to his bench warmers, including Lingard and Donny van de Beek.
- Anthony Chapman
RED REVAMP
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is under severe pressure at Manchester United.
Zinedine Zidane, Brendan Rodgers, Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag are the main contenders to replace him.
And SunSport has explored how they stack up against each other…
- Anthony Chapman
UP FER IT
Rio Ferdinand reckons Erik ten Hag would be a perfect fit for Man Utd.
He declared: "Now I don't know Ten Hag personally but he's doing a fantastic job at Ajax.
"Let's remember that Ajax isn't a small club. They're a massive club – the biggest club in Holland.
"Yes, it's different and the landscape is different but it's still a huge club that he's got to work with and the expectation levels there every day are to win.
"That's something that will be there every day and would be there if he was to come to Manchester United."
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