MANCHESTER UNITED’S clash with Brentford is at risk of being postponed as the club have suffered a Covid-19 outbreak, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
Elsewhere, there were worrying scenes as Victor Lindelof suffered a heart scare and he was quickly substituted during Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Norwich.
Boss Rangnick said the defender has had tests since the game, and “seems ok”.
Rangnick said: “Victor can’t even remember himself how it happened. I think he had a collision with another player and had problems to breathe.
“For more than 10 minutes his heart rate was higher than normal and he was a little shocked by this, so we had to replace him.
“The doctor has checked him after the match and it seems everything is OK now, but we still have to see how he is doing tomorrow. Hopefully he will fit for the Brentford game.”
On the transfer front, Erling Haaland’s agent has delivered a withering snub to United by telling the Red Devils they’re simply not as big as their European rivals.
Mino Raiola has put Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and even Barcelona in front of United, despite the fact that the cash-strapped Nou Camp club didn’t even make it out of their Champions League group.
Meanwhile, Paul Pogba has chatted with Rangnick about his injury troubles, with the German putting roughly a month on the Frenchman’s timespan for a return.
LATEST IN SUN BINGO AND VEGAS
Get all the latest Man Utd transfer news, gossip and updates here.
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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW
Manchester United are going to find out their next Champions League opponent in less than an hour.
United made it through to the Last 16 and are set for the competition’s play-off stage.
The Red Devils can draw Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Red Bull Salzburg or Sporting Lisbon.
SunSport will be covering the draw LIVE
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CAVANI MESSAGE
Manchester United star Edinson Cavani insists the team fears no one ahead of the Champions League draw.
Cavani told United’s website: “Look, I have my own personal opinion on this, and everyone will have their own thoughts and views on this competition. I personally know and believe that, to win an overall competition, you have to come up against the very best.
“Sometimes you’re drawn against some teams, other times you’re drawn against other different sides. But I think that the best teams in Europe are involved in this competition. So I’m not really one for thinking, let’s see who we get in the draw!
“Whichever team that we get to play, the key will be that we trust and believe in ourselves, and in just how strong this team can be, and that we are calm in the knowledge that we can go out onto the pitch, against whoever we draw, with our own identity and personality.
“Our identity in the way we play, our own identity… So personally I’m not really one who really pays close attention to the draw”
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TEN HAG SITUATION
Ajax manager Erik ten Hag is the leading candidate to take over the permanent role in Manchester United’s dugout.
That is according to The Mirror, who report that Ten Hag leads the way as he ‘ticks all the boxes’ for United.
The Dutchman’s proven track record with young talent and successful signings have impressed the Red Devils.
The Manchester giants have been previously linked with other head coaches, such as Mauricio Pochettino and Zinedine Zidane
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POCKET MONEY
Manchester United target Erling Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola wants £47million in commission for a deal involving his client, according to SunSport’s Duncan Wright.
And Manchester City have not ruled out coming up with the cash to land Borussia Dortmund star Haaland.
SunSport understands City are well aware of the kind of money needed to sign the centre-forward — and are pressing ahead with their plans.
The Norway international could be available for a £68m fee this summer due to a clause in his Dortmund contract.
Raiola has suggested the Citizens are the only Premier League club the 21-year-old would be interested in joining, although Real Madrid are also in the running.
The Italian agent hinted that Barcelona, United, Liverpool and Chelsea are also candidates
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SAR THING
Ajax chief executive and Manchester United legend Edwin van der Sar appears to have denied an interest in Dean Henderson ahead of the January transfer window.
Van der Sar told Voetbal Primeur: “I’ve heard nowadays you can pay €2,000 a month and hire media agencies to throw out nice stories about players into the world.
“I’m talking about social media, so to speak. You are continuously linked to players, whether they come from South America or Eastern Europe.
“But no, this makes no sense”
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LINDELOF LATEST
Manchester United ace Victor Lindelof suffered a health scare during Saturday’s 1-0 win over Norwich.
Lindelof had to leave the pitch due to breathing difficulties, although this is not believed to be linked to COVID-19.
The centre-back crouched down unchallenged feeling his chest with 16 minutes of the game to go and had to leave the field.
United interim manager Ralf Rangnick said: “Victor had problems to breathe and his heart rate was higher than normal. He was a little shocked.
“He can’t remember how it happened but he had a collision with another player. After the game we checked him.
“It seems everything is OK but we will have to see tomorrow. Hopefully he will be fit for Tuesday against Brentford”
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COVID SCARE
Manchester United have been hit by a COVID-19 outbreak that could threaten their midweek trip to Brentford, reports SunSport’s Neil Custis.
United had positive lateral flow tests returned on a number of players as well as staff and the Premier League have been informed.
This is after Tottenham had to postpone both their Conference League fixture against Rennes last week and yesterday’s trip to Brighton after coronavirus ripped through their camp following their 3-0 victory over Norwich.
There were positive tests among a small number of the Red Devils’ players and staff who had to be sent home from Carrington.
The rest trained outdoors and practice had to be adjusted to individual and non-contact sessions
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UTD MAY HAND BONDO LICENCE TO THRILL
French wonderkid Waren Bondo is said to be on the wishlist of Manchester United, Bayern Munich and PSG, plus Italian giants Inter and AC Milan.
The midfielder, 18, can leave Ligue 2 bottom side Nancy for free when his contract runs out next summer.
And French outfit Le le10sport say interest in Bondo is mounting, including from Rennes and several European giants.
The France Under-19 star has netted twice in 26 games for Nancy.
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UNITED’S CLASH AT BRENTFORD STILL ON
Manchester United’s Premier League clash at Brentford on Tuesday is still scheduled to go ahead despite the Red Devils reporting a ‘small number’ of positive Covid cases.
Some players and staff tested positive after yesterday’s 1-0 Prem win at Norwich – but before training today.
United altered their training session to include individual and non-contact outdoor for those who tested negative.
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UTD’S BACK GAIN
Ralf Rangnick is happy with how Man United defended in their 1-0 win over Norwich yesterday.
But the German felt United’s attack could have been better, although he singled out Fred and Scott McTominay for individual praise.
Speaking to Man United after the game, Rangnick said: “But the whole defensive line, the two no.6s, including David De Gea, did extremely well.
“Fred and Scott McTominay played a high level.
“The centre-backs and two full-backs were good. Offensively, we had some nice moves but didn’t always find the best possible solution in the first half.
“The body language, the intensity, especially in our offensive department, the two striker and also the two number 10s, they didn’t play at the same intensity level as we did against Crystal Palace but again, that also has to do with the way that Norwich played.”
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RED DEVILS LACKING NEV’S REVS
Gary Neville thinks Man United were lacking energy in their 1-0 win over Norwich.
Speaking after the game, he said: “The biggest mystery of today, for me, was why Manchester United were so lacking in energy.
“I thought that they would have been a lot better than that, particularly when the players that were out on the pitch have had a free week to prepare for this match.
“It is a little bit of a mystery in terms of today’s game. We will know a little bit more on Tuesday night [versus Brentford], as will Ralf Rangnick, he is still finding out about his players.”
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BARCA EYE JANUZAJ
Adnan Januzaj is WANTED by cash-strapped Barcelona as his contract expires next summer.
The ex-Manchester United prospect has shone at Real Sociedad and the Catalan giants are said to be interested in the creative winger, reports say.
According to Spanish outlet, Sport, Barcelona are hoping that they can make a January move for the 26-year-old as his contract winds down.
Januzaj was one of Man Utd’s brightest young starlets and promoted to the first team squad ready for the 2013/14 season.
In what was his first start for the club, the highly-rated hotshot scored a brace in a comeback win against Sunderland.
A promising beginning to his career at Manchester United saw Januzaj make 27 Premier League appearances that season, with four goals.
However when manager David Moyes left the club, a turbulent relationship with Louis Van Gaal halted his progress.
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UNITED DRAW
Manchester United are looking ahead to the Last 16 of the Champions League.
Ralf Rangnick’s side are already through as group winners, meaning that they will crucially be going into the draw SEEDED.
This also means they will avoid the other group winners – such as German giants Bayern Munich.
United will instead face a team who has finished second in their group, though this could still be a big gun such as Lionel Messi’s PSG.
And remember, teams from the same country cannot meet in the next stage, so defending champions Chelsea will NOT be able to face United.
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COR BLIMEY
Corinthians are looking into the possibility of signing Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani, according to reports in Brazil.
The Uruguay star’s agent and brother Walter Guglielmone has discussed the potential move with the Brazilian giants, reports GE.
Guglielmone would not confirm the talks with Corinthian’s board but the report says he has ‘left the future open’.
He told GE: “We have to wait a bit (about a return to South America), we will see what possibilities exist.
“Obviously, if any team from Brazil comes up with a good project, we can always listen.
“I have an obligation to get Cavani all the options.”
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RON BLOW
Juventus director Pavel Nedved admits that the Serie A side are missing Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals.
Ronaldo left Juve to return to Man United this summer and Nedved revealed that the Old Lady have struggled to replace him.
He said to DAZN: “In terms of implementation, we are behind.
“But we must add [Federico] Chiesa, Bernardeschi and all the attacking players, who maybe as you rightly say they score between 10 and 15 goals.
“If they do, it means that you are in good shape.
“We lost a 30-goal player, but if our players improve the side-lines we will have a better chance of getting closer to the top spots.”
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EXCLUSIVE
Manchester United have been hit by a Covid outbreak that could threaten their midweek trip to face Brentford.
United had postive lateral flow tests returned on a number of players and staff and the Premier League have been informed.
The whole group that travelled to Norwich had tested negative beforehand.
Subsequently, there were positive tests among a small number of players and staff who had to be sent home from Carrington today.
The rest trained outdoors and training had to be adjusted to individual and non-contact sessions.
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GINN HIM IN
Football legend Paddy Kenny wants Man United to sign Aston Villa star John McGinn.
Kenny already envisions McGinn in a United shirt as he wants the midfielder to play alongside better stars than Villa’s current crop.
Speaking to Football Insider, Kenny said: “I don’t see why McGinn wouldn’t do well at Man United.
“He’s a brilliant player, and he has done so well for Aston Villa. He’s shown his quality.
“It would be interesting to see if this does happen. I can see him at United now. No disrespect to Villa, but I would like to see McGinn play with better players.”
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NO ENERGY
Gary Neville thinks Man United were lacking energy in their 1-0 win over Norwich.
Speaking after the game, he said: “The biggest mystery of today, for me, was why Manchester United were so lacking in energy.
“I thought that they would have been a lot better than that, particularly when the players that were out on the pitch have had a free week to prepare for this match.
“It is a little bit of a mystery in terms of today’s game. We will know a little bit more on Tuesday night [versus Brentford], as will Ralf Rangnick, he is still finding out about his players.”
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MORE INTENSITY
Ralf Rangnick is happy with how Man United defended in their 1-0 win over Norwich yesterday.
But the German felt United’s attack could have been better, although he singled out Fred and Scott McTominay for individual praise.
Speaking to Man United after the game, Rangnick said: “But the whole defensive line, the two no.6s, including David De Gea, did extremely well.
“Fred and Scott McTominay played a high level.
“The centre-backs and two full-backs were good. Offensively, we had some nice moves but didn’t always find the best possible solution in the first half.
“The body language, the intensity, especially in our offensive department, the two striker and also the two number 10s, they didn’t play at the same intensity level as we did against Crystal Palace but again, that also has to do with the way that Norwich played.”
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LUCKY WIN
Gary Neville wasn’t impressed with Man United despite their 1-0 win over Norwich yesterday.
United managed to clinch a late victory against the Canaries but Neville reckons they got lucky.
And if the Red Devils play the same against Brentford next week, Neville thinks his former side will be in trouble.
He said to Sky Sports: “It wasn’t a good performance. Against any other team in the league that would have caused them real problems.
“They go to Brentford on Tuesday night and they have to be better than that otherwise they will get beaten. I do think they will.”
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JANU CAMP
Adnan Januzaj is WANTED by cash-strapped Barcelona as his contract expires next summer.
The ex-Manchester United prospect has shone at Real Sociedad and the Catalan giants are said to be interested in the creative winger, reports say.
According to Spanish outlet, Sport, Barcelona are hoping that they can make a January move for the 26-year-old as his contract winds down.
Januzaj was one of Man Utd’s brightest young starlets and promoted to the first team squad ready for the 2013/14 season.
In what was his first start for the club, the highly-rated hotshot scored a brace in a comeback win against Sunderland.
A promising beginning to his career at Manchester United saw Januzaj make 27 Premier League appearances that season, with four goals.
However when manager David Moyes left the club, a turbulent relationship with Louis Van Gaal halted his progress.
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JUST BE-KOZ
Brighton are set to win the signature of teen sensation Kacper Kozlowski despite competition from Premier League big boys.
Kozlowski, 18, may be heading to the South Coast in an £8m deal, reports say.
The Daily Mail has reported that the Polish midfielder is close to joining the Seagulls.
But Man Utd are after Kozlowski, as well as powerhouses Liverpool, Manchester City and AC Milan.
The teenager currently plays for Pogon Szczecin, who currently sit in second, three points from top in the Polish national league.
The Polish wonderkid made his first team debut at just FIFTEEN years old.
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TEN OUT OF TEN
Manchester United have reportedly made Ajax manager Erik Ten Hag their No1 managerial target to take over from interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
Ten Hag has impressed with his attacking style of play which helped them top their Champions League group and send Borussia Dortmund tumbling down into the Europa League.
Ajax won all six of their group games and are currently on course to win their third consecutive Eredivisie title.
And according to the Mirror, United feel the Dutchman is the man to take the club back to the top and get them back competing for the biggest trophies in world football.
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OVER ANT OUT
Barcelona are reportedly keeping an eye on wantaway Manchester United ace Anthony Martial.
The Frenchman has seen limited game time this term and has ultimately failed to live up to the hype that surrounded his £36million 2015 transfer.
And according to Sport, Barca are looking to offer Martial a way out of England after it was revealed the forward wants a January move.
Martial’s representative, Philippe Lamboley, told Sky Sports News: “Anthony wishes to leave the club in January.
“He just needs to play. He doesn’t want to stay in January and I will speak to the club soon.”
The Catalan giants are in the market for a new forward after summer signing Sergio Aguero’s health scare.
And loan signing Luuk de Jong is also out of favour after failing to impress.
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ALL ZLAT
Zlatan Ibrahimovic joined Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the elite 300 club as he took his goal tally in Europe’s top leagues to another level.
In true dramatic style, Ibrahimovic, 40, scored in the 92nd minute with a overhead kick to snatch a point for AC Milan on Saturday night in Udinese.
Ronaldo, 36, and Messi, 34, have scored 483 and 475 goals respectively.
But now the Swedish superstar has joined them in spectacular fashion.
He has reached the 300-goal milestone in four of Europe’s Big Five leagues – with the Bundesliga being the only one he has missed out on.
And Ibrahimovic has picked up a trophy cabinet of silverware in the process.