Man Utd news LIVE: Red Devils ‘step up’ Arias chase, Cristiano Ronaldo’s January transfer exit, Leeds match POSTPONED
MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly stepping up their interest for free agent Santiago Arias.
The Colombian full-back spent four seasons with Atletico Madrid and United believe that Arias could be a good option to cover Diogo Dalot.
Meanwhile, legend Cristiano Ronaldo is already eyeing a January move out of Old Trafford SunSport can exclusively reveal.
The Portuguese icon has struggled to force his way into United's starting line up with Rashford leading the line.
And Manchester United's Premier League fixture against Leeds this weekend has been postponed.
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Ten Hag gets off on the right AND wrong foot
Manchester Utd boss Erik ten Hag is making his players undergo training session where they use just their weaker foot, according to reports.
Ten Hag is making training drills tailored to improving player’s ‘wrong foot’ after realising there is a lack of left footers in the squad.
The Red Devils signed Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez and Antony to their squad over the summer to add more natural left footed players to the team along with Luke Shaw.
Ten Hag believes it is important to have a strong weak foot and be able to play with both feet as he looks to change the style of Man Utd into a more possession based team.
report that the 52-year-old has created specific drills to make players use their weaker foot.
The squad all take part in main sessions before more niche drills begin.
Man Utd ‘rejected the chance to sign duo’ this summer
Manchester United rejected the chance to sign Christian Pulisic and Memphis Depay during the summer, according to reports.
United endured a manic end to their transfer window as they looked to add fresh recruits for Erik ten Hag’s rebuild project.
But, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that they were offered Depay, 28, on a free transfer from Barcelona, while discussions also took place with Chelsea for Pulisic, 23.
According to Romano, United submitted a loan offer for Pulisic but Chelsea had no intention of allowing the American to leave unless it was with a permanent transfer.
Man Utd update ticket holders for Sunday
Ticket holders have also been provided an update on the postponement against Leeds.
United have confirmed tickets will remain active valid for the new match date.
The statement continued: "Please note, tickets already purchased for the game will remain valid for the new match date and we will contact ticket holders directly with further information when it is available.
"We appreciate the disappointment and inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding and continued support.
"The fixture will now be rescheduled and updated details will follow in due course."
United confirm postponement
Manchester United have released a statement explaining why their Premier League game against Leeds was postponed this weekend.
The Red Devils were due to play their rivals at Old Trafford in a 2pm kick-off on Sunday.
Man Utd said in an : “Following extensive conversations with the Premier League, Greater Manchester Police and Trafford Council, the decision has been made to postpone Manchester United’s Premier League fixture against Leeds United, scheduled to take place at Old Trafford at 14:00 BST on Sunday 18 September.
“This is due to Greater Manchester Police supporting forces across the United Kingdom at locations and events of high significance following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“The club reiterates that the safety and security of our fans is paramount and, after considering all available options, we are supportive of the decision that was made in conjunction with the relevant authorities.”
Ron track for a return to form
He posted a picture alongside compatriot Diogo Dalot and old Real Madrid pal Casemiro.
Ronaldo captioned it: "Starting the week with a good feeling!"
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner followed his message with a wink emoji and a flexed bicep icon.
Casemiro responded with three emojis of his own, while the post received more than three million likes overnight.
Ronaldo will be hoping to score his first goal of the season on Thursday night.
So far in 2022-23, the former Juventus ace has made seven appearances - five of which have come from the bench - without getting off the mark.
The forward did find the net against Real Sociedad with a towering header last week, only to be denied by the offside flag.
Good feels for Ron
Cristiano Ronaldo has a "good feeling" about this week ahead of Manchester United's trip to FC Sheriff.
The Red Devils will make the long journey to Moldova for Thursday's Europa League clash.
Ronaldo, 37, was desperate to leave Old Trafford during the summer for a team playing Champions League football.
But now that he finds himself playing on Thursday nights, he doesn't appear too upset at all.
The Portuguese ace was hard at work at training on Monday.
United's remaining decisions
Man United do NOT plan to trigger an extension in Cristiano Ronaldo's contract.
The Red Devils misfit is in the final year of his £500,000-a-week deal and is likely to leave next summer.
Defensive duo Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe are also set to go having struggled to stay fit in recent years. - although a deal may be reached with veteran third choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton.
Meanwhile, decisions will have to be made on youngsters Ethan Laird, Teden Mengi and Nathan Bishop.
Dalot and Shaw set for more time
Having usurped Wan-Bissaka as first choice right-back, Diogo Dalot is also set for a new deal.
While initially triggering a 12-month extension, United will open talks over fresh terms for the 23-year-old.
Dalot and his representatives are said to be "relaxed"; about the situation.
Shaw, 27, has seen his place in the starting XI wrestled away by new signing Tyrell Malacia in recent weeks.
But, for now at least, United wouldn't be willing to let the England international leave for nothing next summer.
More on Rashford and De Gea deals
Rashford, 24, was linked with Paris Saint-Germain in the summer and has started the season in red hot form.
The England international has three goals and three assists in six Prem games so far under Erik ten Hag and United want to keep their homegrown hero around at Old Trafford.
They will initially trigger a 12-month extension prior to January in order to prevent him from being able to talk to clubs overseas, such as PSG.
Then they plan to agree a new longer-term deal with Rashford.
De Gea is also set to see his £350,000-a-week contract extended by 12 months.
The Spaniard, 31, has indicated that he would be happy to finish his career at Old Trafford.
FIVE United stars set to get extended deals
Manchester United are set to trigger extensions in five players' contracts including Marcus Rashford and David de Gea, according to reports.
The Red Devils have a dozen stars set to be out of contract next summer.
Club chiefs are usually reluctant to even let fringe players leave for free, seeking to protect any value they may hold.
According to the , Man United are planning to trigger one-year extensions in the contracts of Rashford, De Gea, Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw and Fred.
Ten Hag gets off on the right AND wrong foot
Manchester Utd boss Erik ten Hag is making his players undergo training session where they use just their weaker foot, according to reports.
Ten Hag is making training drills tailored to improving player’s ‘wrong foot’ after realising there is a lack of left footers in the squad.
The Red Devils signed Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez and Antony to their squad over the summer to add more natural left footed players to the team along with Luke Shaw.
Ten Hag believes it is important to have a strong weak foot and be able to play with both feet as he looks to change the style of Man Utd into a more possession based team.
report that the 52-year-old has created specific drills to make players use their weaker foot.
The squad all take part in main sessions before more niche drills begin.
Arnautovic still scoring for fun
Marko Arnautovic continued to show Manchester United what they missed out on as the Austrian scored his sixth Serie A goal of the season.
The Bologna ace, 33, was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer to play under Erik ten Hag.
Arnautovic worked with Ten Hag at FC Twente and was a short-term option to solve a problem in the forward department.
However, fan backlash scuppered the deal and Arnautovic pledged his focus to Bologna.
And so far, Arnautovic is coming good on that pledge, scoring six in six Serie A games played.
His latest goal to keep him as the league’s top scorer came in the 2-1 win over Fiorentina.
Good morning Man Utd fans
It has been confirmed – there will be three Premier League games off this weekend, including Man Utd’s clash with Leeds.
The statement read: “Premier League fixtures will resume this weekend after a pause to the season as a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“Seven of the 10 Premier League fixtures this weekend will be played, with three matches postponed due to events surrounding The Queen’s funeral.
“Matches postponed on Sunday 18 September are Chelsea vs Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, and Manchester United’s home match vs Leeds United."
Cristiano Ronaldo will have more offers to move to Saudi Arabia next year, according to football chief Yasser Al-Misehal.Ronaldo could not find a suitable club to join in the summer in his bid for Champions League football and that led Saudi Arabia outfit Al-Hilal to make a bid.
Al-Hilal reportedly offered CR7 a two-year deal worth a staggering £211million – which works out to £2m a week.
But he rejected the offer along with a proposal from Al-Nassr.
Despite that, president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation Al-Misehal believes more bids will be made from Saudi clubs next year.
More on cancelled games
Prem chiefs have called off the weekend’s two biggest matches because Police resources are required to deal with the lead-up to The Queen’s funeral.
Chelsea’s home clash with Liverpool and Manchester United’s game with Leeds are both postponed – despite the FA giving football the green light to resume across the country.
The decision came hours after Uefa pulled the plug on Arsenal’s Europa League tie with PSV Eindhoven, citing “severe limitations on police resources and organisational issues” relating to the funeral.
That sparked fears that the Prem programme would be significantly impacted by demands on the Police.
But after a day of talks between the authorities, Prem chiefs announced the other seven matches due to be played this weekend WILL go ahead, including two in London.
Ajax boss looks to copy United and beat Liverpool
Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder hopes to copy the achievements of pal Erik ten Hag against Liverpool tomorrow night.
Ten Hag, who quit the Amsterdam club in the summer, helped new team Manchester United to a 2-1 win over Liverpool last month.
And now Schreuder, 49, who has arrived from Club Brugge, also hopes to topple Jurgen Klopp’s Reds like United.
The Dutchman, Ten Hag's assistant for 18 months before joining Hoffenheim in 2019, said: “I have looked at the United match and what they did.
“There are certain things they did that are applicable to us.
"You have to be good with the ball against these kinds of teams. You need to have guts and courage. Courage is key. If you have that, then you have a chance."
This weekend’s new look Prem schedule
Friday 16 September
20:00 Aston Villa v Southampton (Sky Sports)
20:00 Nott’ham Forest v FulhamSaturday 17 September
12:30 Wolves v Man City (BT Sport)
15:00 Newcastle v AFC Bournemouth
17:30 Spurs v Leicester City (Sky Sports)
Postponed Brighton v Crystal PalaceSunday 18 September
12:00 Brentford v Arsenal (Sky Sports)
14:15 Everton v West Ham (Sky Sports)
Postponed Chelsea v Liverpool
Postponed Man Utd v LeedsMan Utd vs Leeds OFF this weekend
It has been confirmed – there will be three Premier League games off this weekend, including Man Utd’s clash with Leeds.
The statement read: “Premier League fixtures will resume this weekend after a pause to the season as a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“Seven of the 10 Premier League fixtures this weekend will be played, with three matches postponed due to events surrounding The Queen’s funeral.
“Matches postponed on Sunday 18 September are Chelsea vs Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, and Manchester United’s home match vs Leeds United.
“Brighton & Hove Albion’s fixture against Crystal Palace, that was due to be played at 15:00 BST on Saturday 17 September, will also remain postponed.”
Al-Misehal on Ronaldo
Al-Misehal told : “We would love to see a player like Cristiano Ronaldo playing in the Saudi league.
"It would bring a huge positive feedback and it would be big news for everyone. I’m sure everyone knows the achievements and records of Cristiano Ronaldo, but also as a player who is a great role model.
“I think, ‘Why not?’. I’m sure it would be a very expensive deal, of course, but we can see our clubs getting higher revenues in the past couple of years.
"We have already seen some big players who used to play in the Premier League come to the Saudi league.
“I like Cristiano Ronaldo as a player and I would like to see him play in Saudi Arabia.”
More Saudi bids for Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo will have more offers to move to Saudi Arabia next year, according to football chief Yasser Al-Misehal.
The striker, 37, told Manchester United he wanted to leave the club in June in search of Champions League football.
Ronaldo could not find a suitable club to join and that led Saudi Arabia outfit Al-Hilal to make a bid.
Al-Hilal reportedly offered CR7 a two-year deal worth a staggering £211million - which works out to £2m a week.
But he rejected the offer along with a proposal from Al-Nassr.
Despite that, president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation Al-Misehal believes more bids will be made from Saudi clubs next year.
Pogba set for World Cup call-up
Paul Pogba could be in line for a call up to France’s World Cup squad despite his lack of fitness, reports claim.
The midfielder, 29, suffered a serious knee injury in training over the summer, throwing his World Cup hopes into doubt.
However, he could make a return to action for Juventus by November 10th, just 10 days before the tournament starts.
And despite his relative lack of game time, France coach Didier Deschamps could still call up the midfielder.
According to , Deschamps – who took over as France boss in 2012 – could utilise the full extent of his 26-man squad and bring the stricken Pogba to Qatar due to his “special status” within the team.
Pogba was a key member of the France team which won the 2018 World Cup and made it to the final of the 2016 European Championships.
Man Utd ‘rejected the chance to sign duo’ this summer
Manchester United rejected the chance to sign Christian Pulisic and Memphis Depay during the summer, according to reports.
United endured a manic end to their transfer window as they looked to add fresh recruits for Erik ten Hag’s rebuild project.
But, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that they were offered Depay, 28, on a free transfer from Barcelona, while discussions also took place with Chelsea for Pulisic, 23.
According to Romano, United submitted a loan offer for Pulisic but Chelsea had no intention of allowing the American to leave unless it was with a permanent transfer.
Arnautovic firing
Marko Arnautovic continued to show Manchester United what they missed out on as the Austrian scored his sixth Serie A goal of the season.
The Bologna ace, 33, was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer to play under Erik ten Hag.
Arnautovic worked with Ten Hag at FC Twente and was a short-term option to solve a problem in the forward department.
However, fan backlash scuppered the deal and Arnautovic pledged his focus to Bologna.
And so far, Arnautovic is coming good on that pledge, scoring six in six Serie A games played.
His latest goal to keep him as the league's top scorer came in the 2-1 win over Fiorentina.
Fixture pile-up for Ten Hag to contend with
In a statement, the Prem said: “Following extensive consultation with clubs, police, local Safety Advisory Groups and other relevant authorities, there was no other option but to postpone the three fixtures.”
The postponements leave League bosses with an additional fixture pile-up to contend with although things would have been even worse if, as had looked likely, the majority of games had bitten the dust.
Instead, with Aston Villa against Southampton and Nottingham Forest versus Fulham staying as Friday night games, there will now be three games on Saturday and two on Sunday.
Kick-off times for the Saturday games at Wolves (12.30), Newcastle (3pm) and Spurs (5.30pm) have not been changed.
More on cancelled games
Prem chiefs have called off the weekend’s two biggest matches because Police resources are required to deal with the lead-up to The Queen’s funeral.
Chelsea’s home clash with Liverpool and Manchester United’s game with Leeds are both postponed - despite the FA giving football the green light to resume across the country.
The decision came hours after Uefa pulled the plug on Arsenal’s Europa League tie with PSV Eindhoven, citing “severe limitations on police resources and organisational issues” relating to the funeral.
That sparked fears that the Prem programme would be significantly impacted by demands on the Police.
But after a day of talks between the authorities, Prem chiefs announced the other seven matches due to be played this weekend WILL go ahead, including two in London.