MANCHESTER UNITED are pursuing Bayer Leverkusen starlet Florian Wirtz, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
Ralf Rangnick is going to use his knowledge of the Bundesliga to unearth some future stars and the German has told his new colleagues the midfielder, 18, will be his country’s next big player.
Antonio Rudiger would be a “perfect signing” for Manchester United, according to a former Old Trafford star.
The Chelsea defender is out of contract in the summer and former Red Devil Paul Parker says the club should move for the Germany international.
Parker said: “If you had him next to [Raphael] Varane, what a difference you’re talking about.
“Good pace and you’re talking about someone who’s won a World Cup, Champions League and then you’ve got a centre-half, who in the old-school way of talking is actually a leader.”
Meanwhile, Ousmane Dembele looks set to stay at Barcelona with reports suggested he is on the cusp of signing a new contract.
Elsewhere, United are keeping close tabs on Erling Haaland, with the club looking to pounce on a move for the striker should he become available.
Boss Ralf Rangnick is said to have spoken to Haaland’s dad as United look to snap up the Dortmund star, who previously stated Cristiano Ronaldo is the reason he started playing football.
And we’ve the very latest on Edinson Cavani, who is being eyed by Juventus.
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Get all the latest Man Utd transfer news, gossip and updates here.
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United stars given Rangnick homework
Ralf Rangnick said that his Manchester United stars missed some key days of learning due to the Covid outbreak at Carrington — but most of them did their homework.
He said: “Obviously during those four days we couldn’t do it. I spoke with most of the players who were in isolation or positively tested.
“I spoke with 16 or 17 players individually over the phone to hear how they are and how they were feeling. But we did a lot of work in between with my coaching staff, preparing video footage.
“We’ll follow up on that because it’s important that they really know what it’s about, how we should play, how to find the best possible balance of playing offensively.
“We must make use of the offensive players we have but at the same time be able to defend and make sure we get further clean sheets in the future.”
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Ralf reveals no Martial interest
Anthony Martial has been told to focus on Manchester United – because nobody has made an offer to sign him.
Ralf Rangnick said: “We spoke on Wednesday. We spoke at length. He explained to me he’s been at Manchester United now for seven years and he feels it’s the right time for a change, to go somewhere else.
“In a way this is understandable, I could follow his thoughts but on the other hand, it’s also important to see the situation of the club.
“I told him as long as there is no club showing interest in him, and it should not only be in the interest of the player it should also be in the interest of the club.
“So far, as far as I know, there has been no offer from any other club and as long as this is the case he will stay.”
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De Gea enjoying Rangnick training
David De Gea has lifted the lid on Ralf Rangnick’s training methods.
He said: “It’s good to have the whole team back to train properly altogether and then, of course, see they are all safe. They are back, they are all training, they are fine, so it’s great to be together again.
“We’ve been training hard, of course. It’s very intense, every training session, every moment with him [Rangnick] is intense. You have to give 100 per cent every time in training and in the games.
“Let’s see. It’s just the beginning, it’s been a couple of weeks, so let’s see in the future. The team is training with energy, with pace, and now we have to show that in big games.”
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Man Utd’s biggest ever sales
Man Utd could lose several players when the January transfer window opens.
But will they make anywhere close to the £80million they received from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo over 12 years ago?
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Exclusive by Alan Nixon
Newcastle are making a dramatic bid to sign Marseille midfield star Boubacar Kamara — from under the noses of Premier League rivals.
The Toon’s transfer team have lined up talks with Kamara’s agents — and hope to agree a deal with him before sorting out a fee with the French giants.
The anchorman, 22, is a free agent at the end of the season but Newcastle plan to fix personal terms and offer as much as £10million to buy him in January.
That kind of money could see off other Premier League interest from the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea, as most of Kamara’s fan club want to wait until he can go for nothing in the summer.
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Man Utd signings under Ole
Ralf Rangnick is ready to stamp his authority on Man United’s squad.
But he will be keeping all the players signed by predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer?
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Exclusive by Phil Thomas
Ralf Rangnick will step up his efforts to land £60million-rated German super-kid Florian Wirtz.
The Manchester United boss has also drawn up a hitlist of crack Bundesliga rookies, with Luca Netz, Eric Martel and Armel Bella-Kotchap targeted.
A United source said: “The new manager knows practically everybody in German football and there is huge excitement behind the scenes about what it could mean for United in the next few years.
“Germany is a hotbed of talent and he has already flagged up a handful of names. Everyone is hoping Rangnick can help United steal a march on some of our rivals.”
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United and Chelsea eye Neves
Man United and Chelsea are reportedly plotting bids for Wolves star Ruben Neves.
Fichajes claims the Portuguese playmaker has impressed both Ralf Rangnick and Thomas Tuchel.
And the two bosses could be set to go to war next month with starting bids of £35million.
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Ronaldo’s mum remembers ace’s roots
Cristiano Ronaldo’s mum made sure a gift bought from Sporting Lisbon’s club shop took pride of place under the Man Utd star’s Christmas tree.
The green bag with the initials SCP – short for Sporting CP – was top of the pile of presents Cristiano and his family received, as they wished his 381 million fans ‘Merry Christmas’ in matching red pyjamas in an Instagram snap.
Doting Dolores Aveiro, 67 on New Year’s Day, has made no secret of the fact she would like her son to make an emotional return to the team he left for his first spell at United.
She recently said: “I’ve already told him: ‘Son, before I die I want to see you return to Sporting’.”
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Exclusive by SunSport’s Alan Nixon
Jose Mourinho is taking on old club Tottenham for Manchester United’s young midfielder Charlie Wellens.
Mourinho is keen to bring Wellens to Roma after taking a shine to him during his spell at Old Trafford.
The Special One wanted to take him to Spurs, who are still interested.
Now the North London club and Roma could battle it out in the January transfer window or the summer.
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Saka ‘stamp’ leaves fans fuming
Norwich fans were left fuming after Bukayo Saka escaped punishment for what was perceived as a deliberate ‘stamp’ in their game against Arsenal.
It all happened in the 52nd minute, when the England international, 20, was involved in an incident with on-loan Manchester United defender Brandon Williams.
But VAR and the officials deemed that Saka unintentionally landed his studs on the full-back’s thigh and ruled it wasn’t worth a look.
One fan raged: “Var is so obviously corrupt. Clear stamp by saka and mclean clearly pulled back”.
Another added: “Absolutely disgraceful stamp from Saka on Brandon Williams. Can’t believe that’s not been reviewed for a red card. The boy is out of control.”
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Phillips ready to reject United
Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips is set to snub a £60million move to Man United and sign a new deal at Elland Road.
The midfielder, also linked with Liverpool, said: “I just want to focus on getting back fit, but I speak to the owner regularly.
“I want a new contract. I’m very happy here.”
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Man Utd highest-ever goalscorer
Wayne Rooney is Man United’s top scorer with 253 goals.
Will Marcus Rashford or Mason Greenwood get near the legend’s incredible tally?
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Hannibal’s big plans for future
Hannibal Mejbri has revealed he dreams of emulating the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho and Andres Iniesta.
The Man Utd youngster said: “Obviously I’ve got role models, but they don’t play much football these days!
“Zinedine Zidane was one of the best players in the world and you had someone like Ronaldinho who was great on the wing. [Andres] Iniesta [plays] a bit deeper.
“So I try to learn from watching players like that but in my national team too we’ve got some really talented players, so I’m hoping to learn from them as well.”
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Man Utd urged to land Rudiger
Paul Parker reckons Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger would be an ideal signing for Man United.
He explained: “To come to Manchester United, I would say that is ambitious. I would understand why he would want to and I think he would make a difference.
“When people aren’t doing it, he tells them because he doesn’t make that many mistakes himself. He keeps things simple. He’d be absolutely perfect.
“It all depends on him being ambitious. Does he want to go to Manchester United and be the difference-maker at the back?”
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Next up for Man United
Let’s take a look at United’s next five games…
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Man United star ‘killing career’
Jesse Lingard is ‘killing his career’ by staying at Man United, according to Frank McAvennie.
The former West Ham and Scotland ace, 62, told Football Insider: “I really don’t get that. He went to West Ham last year and set the world on fire, he was brilliant.
“He’s barely played this season and he wants to stay? I just don’t get that. He’s killing his career. Why would you not want to go and join another club and score goals again?
“You can’t tell me he’s happy being sat on the bench. He can’t be. I’ve said enough about Lingard not going to West Ham but I’m not sure I want him there if this is his attitude.
“I’m sorry, I just don’t get this at all. He’s not going to play ahead of Ronaldo, is he? It’s crazy. It makes no sense to me, I don’t understand what he’s doing.”
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Chelsea ace edges closer to move
Manchester United target Antonio Rudiger is reportedly expected to join Real Madrid in the summer… by the Real Madrid players themselves.
Rudiger has rejected Chelsea’s approaches over a contract extension and looks destined to leave the club at the end of the campaign.
Talks between the two parties have been momentarily ditched after the 28-year-old turned down a £140,000-a-week offer in the summer, according to the Telegraph.
Rudiger is claimed to want DOUBLE that figure.
And his stand-off with Chelsea has led to Real Madrid’s players believing he will join them in the summer, with the club willing to match his demands.
The squad, which includes former Blues Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois, are ‘convinced’ that Rudiger will swap London for Madrid at the end of the season.
He’s allowed to begin negotiations with overseas clubs from January 1.
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Man Utd in for ex-Arsenal ace
Emi Martinez is reportedly on Manchester United’s list of potential goalkeeping targets.
The Argentina international, 29, has shone for Aston Villa ever since joining them from Arsenal in September 2020.
And his consistent displays have caught the eye of the Red Devils.
The Daily Star claims United have ‘watched him closely’ several times and believe that he could be a future No1 at Old Trafford.
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Nemanja Matic talks Rangnick training
Serbian midfielder has opened up on what it’s like to work for the German.
He said: “You must be physically ready, play well tactically when your chance comes, and we are already adapting to him.
“We understand his ideas and how he wants to play, what he wants from us in every position. Gradually we will be where he wants us to be.
“We are all positive and we’re already adapting to him. It’s only the beginning but we are all positive about things, so we will see in the future,” said Matic.
“Of course, we’ve had some problems, and must have 100 per cent concentration from the first minute to the last. But when we are focused it’s difficult to play against us.
“You have to be clinical when you have a chance to score and if you defend well, that’s what brings you trophies – and it’s time for us to show our qualities and finally win some.”
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Man United star on Prem challenge
Nemanja Matic believes that the Premier League is far more difficult than it was 15 years ago.
He said: “I think this is the toughest league so far.
“When I came over in 2009, it was only Chelsea and Man United who were competing.
“Now there are a lot of teams who have a chance to win. The smaller ones have improved a lot and buy top-class players.
“The Premier League is just very hard… much more than 15 years ago, and of course, every manager who comes to a new club needs a period to adapt.”
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Ex Liverpool star backs United
BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson has backed Man United to beat Newcastle 2-0 tomorrow at St James’ Park.
He wrote in his column: “I do think this game will end in another defeat for the Magpies too.
“Yes, they were competitive at Anfield, and they also had a big decision go against them against Manchester City, but the facts are they were just not good enough defensively to get anything out of either game.
“I’m expecting a similar story here. Manchester United have had a couple of weeks off since their last game because of a Covid-19 outbreak, but their training ground reopened this week and Ralf Rangnick will have been working them hard.
“They will be going to St James’ Park to win.”
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Michael Owen predicts tomorrow’s game
Former Manchester United striker has had his say on tomorrow’s clash between the Red Devils and another of his former sides, Newcastle.
He told BetVictor: “This is one of my favourite fixtures and St James’ Park will be noisy for this one. Newcastle continue to struggle, mainly at the back.
“I’ve said all season that I don’t worry about the goals in this side, Callum Wilson is a natural goal scorer, but they need to improve defensively. They’ve been in a difficult run of fixtures though, and things will get easier from now.
“I’m very interested to see how Man United perform. There’s been some signs of change from the new boss in terms of pressing and how he wants them to play. He’s had some time with the squad to get more of his ideas across and it will be fascinating to see how they play.
“With the home fans behind them, I can see Newcastle scoring. I don’t trust them at the back though and United will score a couple of their own.”
Owen has backed a 2-1 Man United win.
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Red Devils star on Rangnick training
David de Gea has opened up on what it’s like to work for Ralf Rangnick.
He told United’s official website: “We’ve been training hard, of course.
“It’s very intense, every training session, every moment with him [Rangnick] is intense.
“You have to give 100 per cent every time in training and in the games.
“Let’s see. It’s just the beginning, it’s been a couple of weeks, so let’s see in the future.
“The team is training with energy, with pace, and now we have to show that in big games.”
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Merry Christmas everyone from JLingz
Jesse Lingard took to Twitter to wish his followers a merry Christmas yesterday.
The Man United and England star posted a picture of himself performing his trademark hand gesture alongside a sign saying ‘Christmas with the Lingards’ and a number of presents.
He wrote: “Merry Christmas everybody!”