Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Ten Hag BREAKS SILENCE on Cristiano Ronaldo, Rashford disciplinary reason REVEALED – latest
MARCUS RASHFORD has revealed that he “slept in” for a team meeting.
And it was this that prompted Erik ten Hag to DROP the forward to the bench before scoring the winner against Wolves.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a two-year deal with Al Nassr after leaving United on a free, with the Saudi Arabia club confirming the move.
And Ten Hag has broken his silence on his former player, simply saying: “I don’t talk about the past. Let’s talk about the future.”
Ronaldo has been pictured with his new No 7 shirt on the announcement.
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Ten Hag breaks silence on Ronaldo
Erik ten Hag has now consigned Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United history.
And when asked what he thought of Ronaldo’s decision to sign for Al Nassr, United boss Ten Hag delivered a brutal snub.
He said: “I don’t talk about the past. Let’s talk about the future.”
Meanwhile Rio Ferdinand, a team-mate of Ronaldo during his first spell at Old Trafford, defended his decision to make the switch to Saudi.
He said: “For any footballer at whatever level, happiness and the environment you’re playing in is one of the most important things.”
Credit: Getty Exclusive by SunSport’s Alan Nixon
Man Utd are trying to jump into the race for Sunderland wonderkid Chris Rigg.
Red Devils bosses would love to land the 15-year-old prospect as one for their future.
But Newcastle remain strong favourites to sign the central midfielder from their fiercest rivals, who is also wanted by Everton.
Rigg is rated the best of his age in the country and has already captained England’s Under-16s.
Exclusive by SunSport’s Alan Nixon
Man Utd midfielder Hannibal Mejbri is on the wanted list of French giants Marseille.
The Tunisia international is currently on loan to Birmingham City in the Championship.
But Marseille are keen to step in — and sent one of their top men to check his progress last week.
Meanwhile, forward Charlie McNeill may go out on loan to find his form.
Top class Rashford key man
Luke Shaw reckons Marcus Rashford has developed into a world-class player after his winner at Wolves.
Shaw explained: “When you’ve got a player like Marcus Rashford to come on, you know there’s a goal there.
“He’s in a really good place at the moment: confident, positive, happy.
“It’s nice to see it. He’s world-class, and if he keeps going he can be one of the best in the world.”
Shaw praises Ten Hag decision
Luke Shaw believes Erik ten Hag was correct to axe Marcus Rashford from his starting XI against Wolves.
Shaw declared: “At a top club it has to be like that. People can’t do whatever they want.
“Maybe that’s been part of the problem in the past.
“If you’re not keeping the standards high, you won’t play.”
Maguire told to leave United
Rio Ferdinand has urged Harry Maguire to quit Man Utd after he was dropped for the 1-0 win at Wolves.
Rio told BT: “It raised eyebrows when you saw Lindelof and Maguire on the bench. It shows what Ten Hag thinks of those two guys.
“If I’m Harry Maguire, I’m looking for a new club right now. He’s faultless for England, but at United it hasn’t worked out for him.
“I’d be telling my agent to go and find me a new club where I can play regularly and enjoy my football.”
Ten Hag hails naughty Rashford
Erik ten Hag piled praise on Marcus Rashford’s winner at Wolves.
That’s despite dropping the striker for oversleeping!
Ten Hag beamed: “He was bright, he was lively, he score a goal, that is the right reaction.
“Everyone has to match rules and values and if you react like this, it is the right answer.”
Sleepy Rash reveals axe reason
Marcus Rashford confirmed he OVERSLEPT for a team meeting which resulted in him being dropped for Manchester United’s trip to Wolves.
After coming off the bench to score the winner, Rash said: “Team rules, it is a mistake that can happen.
“Obviously disappointed not to play but I understand the decision.
“I am happy we managed to win the game, I was a little bit late for a meeting, I slept in, it can happen.”
Dusan Vlahovic a wanted man
There are no less than four top sides battling it out for Dusan Vlahovic.
The Serbian striker could leave Juventus with the club in turmoil after their board dramatically quit.
Arsenal, Man Utd and Chelsea are leading the race from England.
But Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are also known to be interested.
Rashford reveals reason for being benched
Marcus Rashford has revealed the reason he was dropped for the clash against Wolves.
Speaking to BT after his match-winning performance, Rashford revealed the reason he was dropped was because he “overslept.”
After his winning goal today though Erik ten Hag, may let him sleep in a bit tomorrow.
Midfield general
Another strong display from Casemiro helped them over the line against Wolves.
Up against Ruben Neves and Co, the Brazilian put in another commanding yet shrewd display.
Stats look
Here’s how the game played out based on the stats.
Full-time Wolves 0-1 Man Utd
Man United move into the top four after another clean sheet and goal from Marcus Rashford.
As well as ending their year with a win, De Gea now moves into second on the club’s all-time clean sheet list.
United goal ruled out
Rashford had doubled the United lead after a superb bit of play.
However, a ricochet off his arm to spin the ball into the net meant the goal was ruled out for handball.
We have an opener
Dropped star Rashford has become his side’s hero after his 11th goal of the season.
Rashford introduced
Marcus Rashford has been introduced vs Wolves in the place of Alejandro Garnacho.
Adama Traore has also replaced Diego Costa for Wolves.
Half-time vs Wolves
United have had a host of good chances to break the deadlock but have been found wanting on more than one occasion with their finishing touch.
Wolves have not been without threat either, with Wan-Bissaka putting in a vital block against Diego Costa.
However, Semedo selling Sa short should have resulted in a Garnacho goal and Martial should have put a header into the net but only got minor contact just before half-time.
Man Utd interested in Sivert Mannsverk
Norwegian wonderkid Sivert Mannsverk is on the radar of Manchester United.
French outlet Jeunes Footeux report that the defensive midfielder, named as the third most prominsing defensive midfielder by CIES football observatory, has been noticed by the Red Devils.
This interest could prompt a move for the 20-year-old Molde star.
The report indicates he could be available for as little as £8.9million, which would break Erling Haaland’s record as the biggest sale in the club’s history.
Arsenal and Ajax are also reportedly interested.
Tribute to Pele
Players, staff and fans alike all joined in together for a minute’s applause for Pele prior to kick off.
Credit: AFP Players will pay tribute to Pele
Players across the Premier League will pay tribute to Pele by wearing black armbands in memory of him.
Two Brazilians are starting in the early kick off between Wolves and Manchester United.
A minute’s applause will be held prior to kick off.
Rashford dropped for disciplinary reasons
Erik ten Hag has revealed Marcus Rashford has been dropped for disciplinary reasons.
Speaking on BT Sport he said it was down to an “internal disciplinary” issue.
Wolves on paper
Here’s how Wolves look on paper:
Matheus Nunes comes into the side in place of Joe Hodge but otherwise Julien Lopetegiu names an unchanged starting XI from the win at Everton.
On paper
Here’s how Man Utd might look on paper.
As usual with Ten Hag side’s expect a lot of rotation from the front three.
Further back he has kept faith with the same defence which kept a clean sheet against Nottingham Forest.
Wolves starting XI to face Utd
Here’s how the host’s line up:
Sa (GK); Semedo, Collins, Kilman, Bueno, Neves (C), Moutinho, Nunes, Hwang, Podence, Costa.
Starting XI to face Wolves
Here’s how United line up to face Wolves:
De Gea (GK); Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Shaw, Malacia, Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes (C), Antony, Garnacho, Martial.
