Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Ralf Rangnick told to sign Haaland, Cristiano Ronaldo fumes at Messi Ballon d'Or story
November 30, 2021RALF RANGNICK has been confirmed as the new Manchester United manager until the end of the season.
And SunSport can reveal that United have ordered the German to do all he can to sign Erling Haaland.
The former Lokomotiv Moscow sporting director worked as director of football at Salzburg when the Austrian side attracted the Norwegian star.
Rangnick could yet earn the permanent role with the Red Devils reportedly considering adding an optional extension clause in his contract.
Meanwhile Cristiano Ronaldo has hit out at a story from France Football Editor-in-Chief Pascal Ferre, which said he wouldn't retire until he had won more Ballon d'Or's than Lionel Messi.
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Follow all the latest Man Utd news, transfer and gossip from Old Trafford below…
- Etienne Fermie
GOOD MORNING RED DEVILS FANS
Ralf Rangnick has finally been confirmed as Man Utd’s new interim manager.
The German has penned a deal until the end of the season.
And Rangnick will then take on a consultancy role for a further two years.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo could only finish 6th at this year’s Ballon d’Or.
It was the first time Ronnie had ended up outside the top three places since 2010.
And there was controversy before the ceremony even started, with Ronaldo posting a statement slamming the award organiser as he snubbed the Paris show.
Bruno Fernandes was United’s only other player who made the final cut, finishing joint-21st alongside Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez.
And Mason Greenwood missed out on the Best Youngster award, finishing fifth as Barcelona’s Pedri scooped the prestigious gong.
Finally, United's Champions League clash with Young Boys could be moved from Old Trafford because of the Omicron strain.
Travel from Switzerland to the UK is banned and that means the Young Boys squad will be unable to make the trip to Manchester.
As a result, the tie could be moved to a neutral venue in Europe.
Uefa have asked the Swiss government whether Young Boys will have to quarantine ahead of their clash at Old Trafford, according to The Telegraph.
- Anthony Chapman
NEXT UP
Let's take a look at Man Utd's next five games…
- Anthony Chapman
MANE MAN
Ousmane Dembele is reportedly ready to quit Barcelona on a free transfer this summer.
Sport claims the Frenchman is not willing to extend his £325,000-a-week contract with the Nou Camp club.
And that has opened the door for suitors to make approaches in January.
Man Utd have long been linked with Dembele and are said to be keen alongside Newcastle and Arsenal.
- Anthony Chapman
TOUGH TASK
David De Gea has admitted Arsenal will be a hard challenge for new Man Utd boss Ralf Rangnick.
He said: “I think from [the draw against Chelsea] we should take a lot of confidence.
“We know Arsenal are in a good moment, they play well, they are improving, so it’s going to be a big game.”
- Anthony Chapman
UNITED VISION
Mason Greenwood has missed out on this year's Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d'Or awards ceremony.
The Man Utd striker finished 5th in the rankings as Barcelona's Pedri took the crown.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo finished 6th in the main trophy rankings.
- Anthony Chapman
YOU WHAT?
Man Utd and Arsenal are reportedly set to battle it out over Sevilla striker Youssef El-Nesyri.
Super Deporte claims the goal poacher is being lined up for a move to England next summer.
Arsenal look set to lose Alexandre Lacazette on a free transfer and will need a new hitman.
United could be in the same boat too with Edinson Cavani also expected to depart when his contract expires.
- Anthony Chapman
TEAM TALK
New interim boss Ralf Rangnick is famed for his adaptable approach to the beautiful game.
Here's another way he could line United up against Arsenal…
- Anthony Chapman
RONNIE CONTINUED
“I always want to congratulate those who win, within the sportsmanship and fair-play that have guided my career since the beginning, and I do it because I'm never against anyone.
“I always win for myself and for the clubs I represent, I win for myself and for those who love me. I don't win against anyone.
“The biggest ambition of my career is to win national and international titles for the clubs I represent and for the national team in my country.
“The biggest ambition of my career is to be a good example for all those who are or want to be professional footballers.
“The biggest ambition of my career is to leave my name written in golden letters in the history of world football.
|I will end by saying that my focus is already on Manchester United's next game and on everything that, together with my team-mates and our fans, we can still achieve this season. The rest? The rest is just the rest…”
- Anthony Chapman
RON RAGE
Cristiano Ronaldo has unleashed a lengthy statement in Portuguese, appearing to take aim at the Ballon d’Or organisers.
The Instagram post read: “Today's outcome explains why (editor-in-chief of France Football) Pascal Ferré's statements last week, when he stated that I confided in him that my only ambition was to finish my career with more Golden Balls than Lionel Messi.
“Pascal Ferré lied, he used my name to promote himself and to promote the publication he works for.
“It is unacceptable that the person responsible for awarding such a prestigious prize could lie in this way, in absolute disrespect for someone who has always respected France Football and the Ballon d'Or.
“And he lied again today by justifying my absence from the Gala with an alleged quarantine that has no reason to exist.”
- Anthony Chapman
SEVENTH HEAVEN
Patrice Evra appears to have leaked the Ballon d'Or winner by congratulating Lionel Messi.
The Manchester United legend posted on Twitter, writing: "Congratulations to Leo Messi for winning another Ballon d'or."
Although the announcement is not due until 9pm tonight, Evra has jumped the gun.
If true, it would see Messi collect his SEVENTH Ballon d'Or and beat off challenges from the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema.
- Anthony Chapman
BRU WOAH
Bruno Fernandes has finished joint-21st at this year's Ballon d'Or ceremony.
The Man Utd playmaker was level on points with Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez.
Fernandes finished ahead of Premier League stars Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Ruben Dias and Cesar Azpilicueta.
But he was pipped to 20th by Man City's Riyad Mahrez.
- Anthony Chapman
RUBBED THE RON WAY
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly snubbing tonight’s Ballon d’Or ceremony.
The Man Utd star is set to finish outside the top three – which hasn’t happened since 2007.
And with arch-rival Lionel Messi in line to win, SIC claims Ronaldo will not be present at the awards show in Paris.
- Anthony Chapman
NICK OF TIME
Ralf Rangnick is now in charge of Man Utd until the summer.
But is this how he will line up against Arsenal?
- Anthony Chapman
FER REAL
Jamie Carragher claims Rio Ferdinand once tried to push through a sensational transfer to Chelsea.
Hitting back at the Man Utd icon for comments about never winning a title, Carragher tweeted: "Not talking titles but the deal for Ronaldo to Man Utd which you arranged.
"No Premier League for me but Sky like my opinions!
"No trophy in your career without Alex Ferguson and when you stopped winning Premier League at Manchester United you tried to move to Chelsea so please stop giving it the big United fan one! #olesatthewheel."
- Joshua Mbu
BALLON D’OR 2021
Real Madrid fans are fuming after their hero Sergio Ramos backed team-mate and former Barcelona star Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d’Or, writes JOHN HUTCHINSON.
The two players were bitter rivals for years while playing for Spain’s top two clubs.
But now they are winding down their careers playing for Paris Saint-Germain, with the pair playing in the same team for the first time at the weekend.
Messi bagged three assists to overshadow Ramos’ debut in a 3-1 away win at St Etienne.
And speaking after the game Ramos, 35, is tipping his new mate to win football’s top prize.
The 180-cap Spain international told ESPN: He’s in good shape, and I think he’s the kind of player who really makes a difference.
“He’s a unique player and it’s a privilege to have him in the team.
“I think that bit by bit, each of us is going to bring our own quality to make Paris Saint-Germain even greater and achieve the things we want to achieve.”
The ceremony starts around 7PM tonight.
Will Messi win his seventh Ballon d’Or to go two clear of Ronaldo, or will Robert Lewandowski claim his first?
Where will Ronaldo finish? Top five?
- Joshua Mbu
HOW MANY TOUCHES?
Ronaldo had just SEVEN touches in just under half an hour of action yesterday.
- Joshua Mbu
IT'S NOT RON
Cristiano Ronaldo is being 'abused' by Manchester United, according to former Red Devils striker Michael Owen, writes WILLIAM PUGH.
The Portuguese superstar was left on the bench for more than an hour in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Chelsea and Owen has not been impressed with how the 36-year-old has been used recently.
Speaking to Premier League Productions, the 41-year-old blasted: "No, you can’t.
"We were at Old Trafford for the City game and all of a sudden it’s just exactly the same and they leave Ronaldo up front on his own. That’s almost abuse!
"Having someone that good in your team and then playing everyone defensively and saying ‘That’s alright we’ll just hope he nicks a goal’… he’ll end up being average.
"If you leave him and all these good players – or just two of them – playing and everyone else defending, they’ll start putting in bad performances because they’ve got nobody to pass to.
"They’ve got no options, they’re chipping the ball form 50 yards away. They need other players to come up and help them.
"It’s almost abusing the good players they’ve got and that’s the last thing you’ve got to do. If anything, expose the rubbish.
"Find ways of getting world class players in your team, get [Paul] Pogba, get [Bruno] Fernandes, get Ronaldo, get them as best as you can.
"If you let a few goals in because [Eric] Bailly’s not great or [Aaron] Wan-Bissaka or whoever then fine, you can replace them.
"But at the minute – because they’re nervous and scared – they just bulk up with sitting midfielders and more defenders and abuse the great players up front leaving half of them on the bench and one or two to play.
"They’ve got no chance!"
- Joshua Mbu
RUN RON, RUN
Cristiano Ronaldo was benched by Michael Carrick for yesterday's 1-1 draw against Chelsea.
Will Ralf Rangnick do the same?
- Joshua Mbu
SEASON FAR
Paul Pogba had a good start to the season, but his form has dropped off in recent months.
- Joshua Mbu
BREAKING: O-MI
Manchester United's Champions League clash with Young Boys could be moved from Old Trafford because of the Omicron strain, writes KEALAN HUGHES.
Travel from Switzerland to the UK is banned and that means the Young Boys squad will be unable to make the trip to Manchester.
As a result, the tie could be moved to a neutral venue in Europe.
Uefa have asked the Swiss government whether Young Boys will have to quarantine ahead of their clash at Old Trafford, according to The Telegraph.
United have already played the Swiss side away and lost 2-1 but lead Group F by three points over Villarreal.
- Joshua Mbu
'FULL OF TALENT'
Ralf Rangnick has hailed the Man Utd squad as 'full of talent' after being appointed interim manager.
The 63-year-old said: “I am excited to be joining Manchester United and focused on making this a successful season for the club.
“The squad is full of talent and has a great balance of youth and experience.
"All my efforts for the next six months will be on helping these players fulfil their potential, both individually and, most importantly, as a team.
“Beyond that, I look forward to supporting the club’s longer-term goals on a consultancy basis.”
- Joshua Mbu
RONALD ARAUJO
Barcelona fear that United could lure defender Ronald Araujo to Old Trafford.
The Uruguayan arrived at Barca in 2018, since breaking into their first-team set-up.
But with his contract set to expire in 2023, ESPN report that the Catalan giants are wary of interest from United and Liverpool potentially turning his head.
- Joshua Mbu
DENIS ZAKARIA
Manchester United are reportedly one of a number of European giants chasing Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria.
The Swiss ace's contract is set to expire at the end of the season, putting the continent's elite on alert.
According to Italian reporter Nicolo Schira, Barcelona, Juventus and Roma are all eager to sign the 25-year-old.
- Joshua Mbu
DUSAN VLAHOVIC
Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic has become hot property in 2021.
The 21-year-old has banged in 13 goals in 15 outings in all competitions for Fiorentina this season.
United are reportedly in the race to sign the £70m-rated star, alongside the likes of Tottenham, Newcastle, AC Milan and Juventus.
- Joshua Mbu
AMADOU HAIDARA
Rangnick brought Amadou Haidara to RB Leipzig while managing the German side in January 2019.
And he could recruit him again three years on, with the Mirror reporting interest.
It would appear to be mutual, with Haidara himself having told Bild in 2019: "I like Manchester United very much and watch as many games as possible. I dream of playing there."
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