ERIC TEN HAG has been interviewed for the Man Utd manager's job, it has been confirmed.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal have been hit with a mega blow as they prepare for the World Cup play-offs.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is in danger of failing to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in his career.
Portugal face Turkey in the semi-final, followed by a likely final at home to European champions Italy if they win.
But they are without both their first choice centre-backs as Pepe has tested positive for Covid and Ruben Dias is injured.
Pepe also missed out on the 2-1 defeat at home to Serbia – Portugal's only loss and a match that condemned them to the play-off – through suspension.
Meanwhile, reports from Brazil state that United are ready to rekindle their interest in Richarlison this summer.
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- Kealan Hughes
Man Utd eye Julen Lopetegiu
Manchester United are reportedly plotting a swoop for Julen Lopetegui should they fail to get Erik ten Hag as their next manager.
The Spaniard, 55, is currently in charge of Sevilla and remains under contract until 2024.
He guided the club to Europa League joy back in 2020 and he currently has them sitting second in LaLiga.
Now Marca state that United have placed him on their wanted list to potentially be their new boss.
That comes after reports he was part of a five-man shortlist drawn-up by the Red Devils.
- Kealan Hughes
Wayne Rooney gets big recognition
Wayne Rooney has been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
Last year, Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry were the first two inductees into the prestigious Prem club.
Speaking about being inducted, Rooney, who won the Premier League five times, said: "It's a huge honour for me to be named in the Premier League Hall of Fame, alongside an incredible group of players who have already been inducted.
"Growing up, I watched the Premier League as far back as I can remember.
"My dream was always to become a professional footballer, score goals, and win trophies, and I was lucky enough to win the Premier League five times.
"I have so many brilliant memories from my years playing for Everton and Manchester United, and I'm really proud of what we achieved. To enter the Hall of Fame is very special for me personally and I'm grateful to be recognised."
- Kealan Hughes
Wayne Rooney gets big recognition
Wayne Rooney has been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
Last year, Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry were the first two inductees into the prestigious Prem club.
Speaking about being inducted, Rooney, who won the Premier League five times, said: "It's a huge honour for me to be named in the Premier League Hall of Fame, alongside an incredible group of players who have already been inducted.
"Growing up, I watched the Premier League as far back as I can remember.
"My dream was always to become a professional footballer, score goals, and win trophies, and I was lucky enough to win the Premier League five times.
"I have so many brilliant memories from my years playing for Everton and Manchester United, and I'm really proud of what we achieved. To enter the Hall of Fame is very special for me personally and I'm grateful to be recognised."
- Kealan Hughes
Pogba unhappy with United career
Paul Pogba has insisted that Manchester United's season is 'dead' as they look to finish another disappointing campaign without a trophy – before suggesting he has wasted five years of his career.
The midfielder told La Figaro: "You have to be honest, the last five seasons have not satisfied me – really not at all.
"This year it is dead, we won’t win anything. Whether it is with Manchester United or at another club, I want to win trophies."
- Kealan Hughes
Pogba speaks out after burglary
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has opened up on the trauma of his home recently being burgled while his kids were at home with their nanny.
Speaking to Le Figaro, Pogba revealed that his World Cup winners’ medal was among the valuable items stolen by the burglars, while his nanny locked herself and Pogba’s kids in a room while the break-in was taking place.
He said: "There were jewels from my mother, my world champion medal.
“What scared me the most was that my two children were at home with the nanny during this incident.
“She overheard everything, called my wife and security, then locked herself with the boys in a room. For several days, she was shocked.”
- Kealan Hughes
Ten Hag favourite for United
Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag has held talks with Manchester United, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The English club were said to have doubts about Ten Hag’s English, but those concerns are now said to have been wiped away after talks.
However, Ten Hag is not the only candidate to replace Ralf Ragnick in the summer, with Manchester United set for talks with more coaches before they make their final decision.
Ten Hag has stayed quiet on his future with Ajax as he comes into the final year of his contract in Amsterdam.
- Kealan Hughes
Hammers set huge asking price
West Ham are allegedly demanding £150million for star Declan Rice.
The England international midfielder is yet to agree a new contract.
Now the Daily Mail states that “privately” they do “accept they will have to cash in” this summer.
But the Hammers are determined not to sell the 23-year-old for anything less than a mega £150m – which is £50m more than Manchester City’s British record signing Jack Grealish.
With Paul Pogba looking certain to leave on a free transfer when his contract expires in June, Manchester United are leading the chase for Rice.
Chelsea have also held a long-term interest, but they are currently unable to buy players due to the Government sanctioning of owner Roman Abramovich.
- Kealan Hughes
Man Utd eye Everton talent
Manchester United are pondering a summer move to sign Richarlison from Everton this summer, according to Goal Brazil.
The Red Devils are keeping tabs on the 24-year-old attacker’s situation at Goodison Park ahead of a potential summer swoop.
The report says that the Red Devils have placed Richarlison on their shortlist of potential candidates, and reports that the Brazilian two years left to run on his current deal at Goodison Park.
It’s claimed in the same story that Manchester United have a long-standing interest in Richarlison, and have been tracking him for the best part of two years.
- Gary Stonehouse
Morning, United fans
Julian Nagelsmann is off the agenda for becoming United's next boss – but Manuel Akanji and Ronald Araujo are on the radar as potential new centre-backs.
It's claimed United have accepted 'ideal' fit Nagelsmann, 34, will remain in charge at Bayern Munich.
That means Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino are even further ahead in the running to replace interim chief Ralf Rangnick permanently this summer.
The Red Devils are said to still be keen on Uruguay star Araujo.
But Barcelona are now confident he will U-turn on rejecting a triple-your-pay contract offer.
Meanwhile, it's been suggested United could already have clinched a deal for Borussia Dortmund's Akanji.
And ome reports reckon the future of Red Devils’ skipper Harry Maguire is uncertain following shaky form.
Fichajes say the Red Devils have ‘tied up’ a summer swoop for the £25million-rated Switzerland ace.
Finally, second-choice keeper Dean Henderson could finally be set for a permanent departure at the end of the season – with Tottenham strong tips to lead the chase.
- Ian Tuckey
Rooney in Prem Hall of Fame
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney and Arsenal all-time great Patrick Vieira are being inducted into the Premier League’s Hall of Fame.
The pair will become the first players to be part of the Class of 2022 and a shortlist of 25 other retired stars will be announced this afternoon.
A public vote will open and, from that shortlist, six more former players will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Former England striker Rooney, 36, now manager of Derby, is second in the League’s all-time scoring list with 208 goals.
He said: “It’s a huge honour for me to be named in the Premier League Hall of Fame, alongside an incredible group of players who have already been inducted.
“Growing up, I watched the Premier League as far back as I can remember.
“My dream was always to become a professional footballer, score goals and win trophies — and I was lucky enough to win the Premier League five times.
“I have so many brilliant memories from my years playing for Everton and Manchester United and I’m really proud of what we achieved.
"To enter the Hall of Fame is very special for me and I’m grateful to be recognised.”
- Ian Tuckey
Pogba reveals depression fight
Paul Pogba says he has suffered from depression in his career.
And the France midfielder, 29, revealed his 2018 World Cup winning medal was stolen when his home was recently burgled.
In an interview in his homeland, Manchester United star Pogba said: "I've had depression in my career, but we don't talk about it.
“Sometimes you don't know you are, you just want to isolate yourself, be alone, these are unmistakable signs."
The robbery happened in Manchester on March 15 – the same night United exited the Champions League at the last-16 stage to Atletico Madrid.
Pogba told Le Figaro: "I am ok, my family too. There was my mother’s jewellery in there, my World Cup medal…"What scared me the most, is that my two children were at home with the nanny during the incident.
“She heard everything, called my wife and security, then locked herself with the boys (aged 1 and 2) in a room.
“For several days after, she was in shock. The most important thing is that my children are doing fine.”
- Ian Tuckey
Dybala tipped to demand £11.5m pay deal
Prem giants might have to match Paulo Dybala’s huge £11.5m wage to recruit him from Juventus this summer.
That's the claim from football.london amid suggestions Arsenal, Spurs and even troubled Chelsea could eye a free transfer move for the former Manchester United target
It's understood Juve's hopes of persuading the Argentina star to agree a new deal have all but ended.
- Ian Tuckey
Barca 'hope Araujo has contract U-turn'
Barcelona hope Manchester United and Arsenal 'target' Ronald Araujo will eventually agree a huge new deal, reports in Spain claim.
Araujo is thought to have rejected Barca's initial contract offer of TRIPLING his pay.
And Catalunya Radio say the cash-strapped Spanish giants will not increase that package.
But Barca are confident Araujo will come round to staying, especially as he has become a regular this season.
- Ian Tuckey
Spurs 'still keen on Henderson'
Dean Henderson could finally be set to leave United permanently in the summer – with Tottenham still rated as a potential destination.
David de Gea's revitalised form has relegated Henderson to clear second-choice keeper.
And one-cap England stopper Henderson is expected to eye some sort of exit in the summer to strengthen his World Cup chances.
- Ian Tuckey
Ant you familiar?
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed that the first time he met Anthony Elanga, the winger told him 'you know my dad'.
The duo are set to take to the field together for the first time tomorrow, when Sweden host the Czech Republic in a crucial World Cup play-off.
But while Zlatan has never played with the Manchester United wonderkid before, he HAS played with an Elanga.
Speaking about his maiden encounter with the starlet, Ibrahimovic said: "First time I met him, we were in the restaurant in the [United] training ground and he came up to me and he said, 'you know my father' and I was like, help me now because I don't know who I'm talking to.
"'You played with my father Elanga', and then everything clicked and I said 'okay', and it made me happy because I wasn't the only Swedish one in Manchester, we had another Swedish player."
- Ian Tuckey
United linked with Akanji deal
Manchester United could already have clinched a deal for Borussia Dortmund centre-back Manuel Akanji, reports claim.
Fichajes claim the Red Devils have 'tied up' a summer swoop for the £25million-rated Switzerland star.
United have been strongly linked with the 26-year-old in recent weeks.
And some pundits even claim the future of Red Devils' skipper Harry Maguire is uncertain following his mixed season.
- Ian Tuckey
Man Utd have 4 of top 5 Prem earners
Manchester United boast four of the top five earners in the Premier League, according to a study.
The Red Devils may be struggling off the pitch but their financial power is still strong.
Research from respected French publication L’Equipe shows that they dominate the list of highest-paid players.
The French newspaper released their list of the top five earners in the Premier League on Tuesday.
And four of them currently ply their trade at Old Trafford.
Cristiano Ronaldo takes home £2.2million a month – or £26.4m per year – making him the best-paid player in England.
That figure is still someway off the £3.4million that his rival Lionel Messi earns at Paris Saint-Germain every month.
Man City playmaker Kevin de Bruyne is the second highest earner with a wage of £1.7m per month (£20.4m a year).
- Ian Tuckey
No Mann Utd
Manchester United have reportedly ruled out ‘ideal’ Julian Nagelsmann as their next manager.
The young Bayern Munich boss has rarely been spoken about in relation to the Old Trafford hot seat, but was supposedly the first choice to replace interim boss Ralf Rangnick
A source close to United told Sky Sports: “In an ideal world, Julian Nagelsmann would walk into the club this summer.”
However, the 34-year-old master tactician has indicated that he is more than happy at the Allianz Arena despite a history of following United.
Nagelsmann is understood to be open to a move to the Premier League at a later date, but is holding out for a more ‘stable’ club, ‘primed to lift silverware.’
- Ian Tuckey
Kalvin decliine
Kalvin Phillips is reportedly edging towards extending his contract with Leeds United in a huge blow to Manchester United's transfer plans.
The Red Devils had identified the 26-year-old as one of three targets to strengthen their midfield this summer.
Despite only managing 12 starts in the Premier League this season due to injury, United wanted Phillips to marshal a new-look midfield partnership with fellow England international and West Ham star Declan Rice.
But the Mancunian giants' transfer plans have been thrown into chaos as Phillips has no intention of leaving Elland Road.
The Whites want to keep hold of their prized asset whose contract expires in 2024 and according to The Times, they are planning to offer him a new and improved deal to fend off any potential interest.
And The Times also claim that Phillips will likely put pen to paper to stay with the Yorkshire club where he made his bones. Although no figures have yet been reported, Leeds are willing to largely increase the £38,000-a-week Phillips currently earns.
Along with United, West Ham were also keen on signing Phillips, who has become a staple in the England set-up since making his debut in 2020.
- Ian Tuckey
Five boss options if Neville departs Becks' Miami
Inter Miami's winless start to the season continued on Saturday against Cincinnati.
David Beckham's MLS franchise, managed by former team-mate Phil Neville, were on the end of a 3-1 defeat.
Brandon Vazquez ran riot, scoring two and assisting one for the home side.
The latest loss kept Inter bottom of the Eastern Conference on one point.
And pressure is building on boss Neville, who is encouraging his team to "work harder" to kick-start their season.
After the loss, he said: "In any walk of life, in my experience, the only way to get out of situations like this is to work even harder – to run more, play football more.
"We are a young team and I don't want to use that as an excuse, but this young team needs to get up to speed with each other.
"The confidence needs to come back because we need to start picking up points and winning games of football – and the only way we're going to get confidence is by winning games of football."
Read HERE our full guide to five possible contenders to step in if Nev departs Miami.
ROY KEANE
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER
PAUL SCHOLES
ROBERTO CARLOS
BRUCE ARENA - Ian Tuckey
Utd target Poch 'would cost PSG £12.5M to sack’
Mauricio Pochettino will cost Paris Saint-Germain £12.5million if they wish to sack him this summer, according to reports.
The Argentine manager's future came under serious threat following his side's Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid earlier this month.
And there was more disappointment for the ex-Spurs coach at the weekend. Poch saw his team of stars dismantled 3-0 by Ligue 1 rivals Monaco.
And while PSG still hold a 12-point lead at the top of the table, it appears increasingly likely that they will look to change manager at the end of the campaign.
Man Utd have been heavily linked with Pochettino as they search for a new permanent boss.
Ralf Rangnick is currently in temporary charge until the summer, but Poch and Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag have both been muted as the frontrunners for the Red Devils vacancy.
However, according to L'Equipe, Pochettino will only become available if PSG opt to fork out £12.5m to get rid of him. They will also have to pay compensation to all of the backroom staff he brought in. The PSG boss currently earns around £920,000 per month and is not expected to walk away from that contract by choice.
- Ian Tuckey
Rich Devil?
Manchester United are outright favourites to sign Everton striker Richarlison, writes JAMES ANDERSON.
That's according to bookmakers Ladbrokes, who've significantly altered their betting market after a flurry of activity over the last 24 hours.
The Red Devils were previously available at 5/1 to bring Richarlison to Old Trafford. But they are now 2/1 frontrunners to complete a deal for the Brazil international in the upcoming transfer window.
Richarlison has scored 47 goals and provided 12 assists for Everton since his £35million switch from Watford in 2018. He's also become a regular at international level for Brail, scoring 10 times and helping to win Gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
The 24-year-old is contracted until June 2024, and recently insisted that he would like to play Champions League football with the Merseysiders.
But that's unlikely to happen in the near future with Frank Lampard's side in 17th position and deeply embroiled in a relegation battle.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "It's looking increasingly likely Richarlison will leave Everton.
"The latest odds suggest he'll be the latest in a long list of names to move between Goodison Park and Old Trafford."
LADBROKES ODDS
Manchester United – 2/1
Real Madrid – 5/2
PSG – 15/2
Inter Milan – 8/1
Barcelona – 10/1
Tottenham – 10/1
Arsenal – 10/1
AC Milan – 10/1 - Ian Tuckey
Red Devils dominate top Prem earners
Manchester United boast four of the top five earners in the Premier League, according to a study.
The Red Devils may be struggling off the pitch but their financial power is still strong.
Research from respected French publication L'Equipe shows that they dominate the list of highest-paid players.
The French newspaper released their list of the top five earners in the Premier League on Tuesday.
And four of them currently ply their trade at Old Trafford.
Cristiano Ronaldo takes home £2.2million a month – or £26.4m per year – making him the best-paid player in England.
That figure is still someway off the £3.4million that his rival Lionel Messi earns at Paris Saint-Germain every month.
Man City playmaker Kevin de Bruyne is the second highest earner with a wage of £1.7m per month (£20.4m a year).
- Ian Tuckey
Hag-gle over next Old Trafford chief
Sky Sports report that the managerial shortlist for the Manchester United job is now down to four names.
PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino, Ajax’s Erik ten Hag, Spain manager Luis Enrique and Sevilla’s Julen Lopetegui are understood to be the quartet in the running – although the betting still suggests that another couple of candidates are also under consideration.
Here are the latest odds:
- Erik ten Hag 13/8
- Mauricio Pochettino 5/2
- Thomas Tuchel 4/1
- Antonio Conte 12/1
- Luis Enrique 16/1
- Julen Lopetegui 20/1
- Diego Simeone
Prices from Betfair correct at the time of publication.
Elanga excited for international bow
Anthony Elanga is 'in high spirits' as he prepares for a possible Sweden debut in this week's huge World Cup play-off fixture against Czech Republic, according to The Manchester Evening News.
The winners of Thursday's tie will face Poland in the final on March 29 after the national team spearheaded by Robert Lewandowski – originally due to face Russia in the semis – were awarded a bye.
Elanga was called up for these internationals by Janne Andersson for the first time following his impressive performances for Manchester United this term.
A competitive appearance would confirm his international allegiance for the Swedes. The 19-year-old is also eligible to represent England or Cameroon, who his father played 17 times for around the turn of the century.
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