Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Piers Morgan REVEALS Ronaldo’s future, De Jong news

Huddlestone ‘in shock talks to be Utd player coach’

Manchester United are reportedly in talks with 35-year-old ex-Spurs midfielder Tom Huddlestone… to become player-coach for the Under-21s.

The Telegraph say the four-cap former England ace has been approached after being released by Championship side Hull City.

It’s Hip not to have the Hump

Jake Humphrey has been REPLACED by Lynsey Hipgrave as the presenter of BT Sport’s Premier League coverage.

The host has fronted Saturday lunchtime games in recent years with the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch and Joe Cole.

However, the broadcasters decided on a major shake-up this summer.

And that sees Lynsey Hipgrave take over in Humphrey’s place.

Hipgrave’s first match of the new Premier League season is Fulham vs Liverpool at 12.30pm on Saturday

Other highlights on the channel already confirmed include Everton vs Liverpool and the North London derby.

The Newcastle fan has been doing lots of Europa League coverage in recent seasons – as well as some Ligue 1 too.

She wrote on Twitter: “After a weekend of dreams coming true for women in football the dreams of a football-mad Geordie lass have also come true…

“I couldn’t be any prouder to be leading @btsport’s Premier League coverage this season. We KO with Fulham v Liverpool on Saturday at 11.30am BT Sport 1.”

Utd and Chelsea target Sesko would cost £45m

RB Salzburg’s strike starlet Benjamin Sesko would reportedly cost £45million amid links to Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle.

FourFourTwo say the Slovenia star, 19, has told his Austrian club he wants to move in this transfer window.

And iSport suggest Salzburg will stand firm over their valuation.

Sesko netted 11 club goals last term.

And he’s notched two goals in 11 internationals.

Red Devils tipped to win ding-dong De Jong saga

Man United remain favourites to sign Frenkie de Jong, according to reports.

The Red Devils have been chasing the Dutchman all summer, although the transfer appears to have stalled in recent weeks.

It’s been claimed that De Jong doesn’t want to leave Barcelona, but would also even prefer a move to Chelsea than United.

But according to Catalan paper Sport, the Red Devils are still in the driving seat to sign him.

They add that De Jong is set to meet with the club to discuss a resolution to the issue of his unpaid wages.

Ron: Sort my future out NOW

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly wants his Manchester United future resolved BEFORE the start of the new Premier League season, writes GIACOMO PISA.

But with the Red Devils getting their campaign underway against Brighton on Sunday, the 37-year-old is running out of time.

Ronaldo is still eager to leave United despite returning to training last week.

And he wants to be out the door before Erik ten Hag and Co officially kick off their campaign on Sunday.

That’s according to Spanish outlet AS, who say Ronaldo is eager for a change of scenery as soon as possible.

Ronaldo is desperate to continue playing in the Champions League and lift the trophy for a sixth time in his career.

His agent, Jorge Mendes, has held talks with numerous clubs across Europe in recent weeks without any success as of yet.

Mendes is claimed to be doing all he can to try and engineer a move for Ronaldo.

The likes of Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Napoli are all thought to have decided against lodging a bid for the superstar forward.

Sevilla ‘in Telles talks’

Manchester United are reportedly in talks with Sevilla over a potential deal for Alex Telles.

The left-back has been linked with a move away following the arrival of Tyrell Malacia earlier this summer.

And discussions between United and Sevilla are ongoing, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Reports yesterday suggested Sevilla are one of three clubs interested in Telles.

The LaLiga outfit are believed to be leading the race to sign the 29-year-old Brazilian.

Portuguese outfit Porto were rumoured to be keen, although they have not tabled a bid and are not in the running for his signature.

Telles originally joined the Red Devils from Porto in 2020 after scoring 26 goals in 194 games for the Portuguese giants.

Fulham ‘in for Bailly’

Fulham have reportedly submitted a bid for the out-of-favour Manchester United defender Eric Bailly – but face a fight with Sevilla and Roma.

The newly-promoted Premier League club are looking for reinforcements at the back ahead of the new season.

Their porous defence has contributed to each of their last two relegations from the top-flight, and boss Marco Silva is desperate to stop history repeating itself.

Bailly is one of a number of defenders the club have been linked to, and they have now reportedly made an official move for him.

Freelance journalist Pete O’Rourke tweeted: “Fulham have an offer on the table for Manchester United defender Eric Bailly, but face a fight to persuade him to move to Craven Cottage.

“Sevilla and Roma are also both chasing Bailly who could be allowed to leave Old Trafford.”

Cristiano can’t put brave face on it

Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t look happy when arriving for training with Man United.

The want-away attacker cruised into Carrington stone-faced in his Bentley.

Not even the slightest flicker of a smile was on show as Ron prepared to train with his United pals.

It remains to be seen how long he’ll stay at the club after announcing his intent to leave this summer.

New coach issues war cry

New Man United coach Benni McCarthy plans to help the Red Devils compete with rivals Man City and Liverpool.

He told the club’s media: “[I want to] help these young players, push them, change their mindset and really try to make the difference to United this season.”

“Hopefully this season we’re going to see a completely revived United, a hungry bunch of players and a team that’s going to be able to challenge to get into the Champions League and change the dynamics of the Man City’s and Liverpool’s.”

Ronaldo receives praise

Cristiano Ronaldo has received a glowing character review from Man United starlet Isak Hansen-Aarøen.

He told Dagbladet: “Ronaldo is something for himself.

“You notice if Ronaldo walks past. You will notice that he is a big person. It gets a bit quiet, and people really look up to him.

“Everyone takes good care of us. It’s really random who you sit with and talk to. Ronaldo is perhaps something for himself.

“I think he seems like a very nice guy. You have to have confidence when you play football. Without it, you cannot perform. I think it has something to do with the fact that those who have the best confidence are often the ones who perform the best.”

Pogba faces difficult decision

Paul Pogba will reportedly choose soon whether or not to have surgery on the knee injury he suffered after rejoining Juventus.

Getting surgery now will rule him out of action for four months, and will see the midfielder miss World Cup duty with France.

The alternative option for Pogba is to receive treatment that will keep him sidelined for half the duration, but he’ll be susceptible to picking up a similar injury in future.

Juve will prefer him to get surgery and miss the World Cup, but it’s thought he’s desperate to take part in the tournament that starts in November.

Pogba will make the tough decision when he visits specialists in Lyon today, according to Foot National.

Pizza-gate culprit unveiled

The culprit who allegedly hit Sir Alex Ferguson with a pizza slice in Arsenal’s tunnel brawl with Man United has been unmasked.

Fergie was the unintended recipient of a the airborne pizza slice that was launched when the Prem rivals clashed in the 2004/05 season.

And the perpetrator was none other than former Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas who revealed he launched the slice because he didn’t want to fight with United’s ‘monsters’.

He said: “I just went in quickly to the dressing room and there was some food there and I was starving so I just took a slice of pizza.

“We started hearing noises from the tunnel and I saw the players and Arsene [Wenger], everyone in the tunnel.

“The first thing that occurred to me was just throw the pizza because I didn’t have the power or the courage to go into that fight because they were monsters in there.

“They were super big guys and apparently it hit Sir Alex Ferguson.”

United favourites for De Jong

Man United remain favourites to sign Frenkie de Jong, according to reports.

The Red Devils have been chasing the Dutchman all summer, although the transfer appears to have stalled in recent weeks.

It’s been claimed that De Jong doesn’t want to leave Barcelona, but would also even prefer a move to Chelsea than United.

But according to Catalan paper Sport, the Red Devils are still in the driving seat to sign him.

They add that De Jong is set to meet with the club to discuss a resolution to the issue of his unpaid wages.

Fulham bid for Bailly

Man United star Eric Bailly could be set for a move to London.

Fulham are reportedly lining up a move for the defender who’s surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.

But according to Football Insider, the Cottagers are keen on providing Bailly a new home.

And the West London club have tabled an offer for Bailly to United in order to do so, the report adds.

Ronaldo’s effect on United squad

Cristiano Ronaldo’s unresolved transfer issue is having an effect on Man United’s harmony.

That’s according to John Barnes who feels disharmony within United’s squad stemming for Ronaldo’s presence will prevent them challenging for a top four spot.

He told BonusCodeBets: “For Manchester United the harmony and togetherness is still not right, they have Ronaldo who wants to go and is still there.

“Will that upset the balance and harmony, will that upset the group, we don’t know. Manchester United have got to sort the harmony out at that football club as well before they can challenge.”

Neville confirms De Jong fears

Gary Neville has revealed he was told that Frenkie de Jong only wants to move to the Premier League if it’s to join Chelsea.

Sky Sports reported that the Blues were looking to usurp United’s pursuit of De Jong.

And Neville said on Twitter that he heard the same rumour – albeit not from a reliable source.

He tweeted: “I was in Miami when Barca were there playing two weeks ago and I got told ( third hand ) De Jong preferred staying at Barca or Chelsea and London.

“Wasn’t a concrete source but this follows that thought.”

Eriksen stops to sign autographs

Man United new boy Christian Eriksen took time out to sign autographs of fans outside Carrington.

The Dane was full of smiles ahead of training with his new team-mates.

Eriksen arrived in his Audi 4×4 to the practice session.

His pleasant demeanour was in stark contrast to that of disgruntled team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo looks glum at training

Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t look happy when arriving for training with Man United.

The want-away attacker cruised into Carrington stone-faced in his Bentley.

Not even the slightest flicker of a smile was on show as Ron prepared to train with his United pals.

It remains to be seen how long he’ll stay at the club after announcing his intent to leave this summer.

Ferdinand makes plea to Rashford

Marcus Rashford has been urged to shut critics up next season by scoring a bevy of goals.

The impassioned plea came from Rio Ferdinand who insists Rashford has what it takes to succeed at Old Trafford.

Ferdinand said: “Marcus, shut everyone up. You have had a pre-season, no injuries now, blast up the Premier League please.

“Last season his body language was affecting me. He didn’t look happy. I spoke to him about it. Even if you aren’t happy you have to go on the pitch and act. That’s what players do.

“Sometimes I wasn’t happy with certain things behind the scenes but you wouldn’t know that with the way I played. Marcus, for whatever reason, allowed that to creep into his performances.

“This season he will be happier. He’s had a pre-season, no injuries and from what I have seen him talk about, he has a manager that he believes in what he is saying. If all three of those things play out this season, Marcus Rashford will come good.”

Ferdinand shares Ronaldo fears

Rio Ferdinand fears Manchester United will be well short on goals if Cristiano Ronaldo is sold, PHIL CADDEN WRITES.

When asked if Ronaldo will stay, Ferdinand said: “Yes, he stays. Man United can’t afford to let him go. That’s the problem. 

“Where do Man United find 20 goals now in the transfer market? If they go into the window, who are they going to buy?

“The only reason why Man United don’t let Cristiano Ronaldo go now is because there will be a void of 20-plus goals in the team.

“You can’t just let that walk out of the door with no reinforcements put back in the place.

(Anthony) Martial is coming back but he still has a lot to prove. He was let out to Sevilla last year. 

“I hope he does come back and fly. We’re in pre-season and he looks good and the front line is looking very lively. But let’s get back in the season when the pressure is on. I want to see the same.”

United youngster’s dream debut

Man United debutant Isak Hansen-Aarøen has revealed what boss Erik ten Hag said to him ahead of his first senior appearance.

Hansen-Aarøen featured in United’s draw with Rayo Vallecano.

And the 17-year-old disclosed what words of advice Ten hag gave him before he entered the fray.

Hansen-Aarøen said: “He only said how we should press, where I should position myself, but he only said that I should go out and enjoy myself.

“It was a lot of fun! I should say so much about how I feel. I don’t know where to start.”

Barcelona deliver De Jong blow

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed there is a “strong possibility” Frenkie de Jong will stay at the club this summer.

The news comes as a huge blow to Manchester United, who have been trying to sign the midfielder for the entire transfer window.

Laporta told CBS: “The first thing to say is we want Frenkie to stay at Barcelona. We love the player and him as a human being.

“I want him to stay at Barcelona. He’s a high-quality player and a good guy. I also know that he wants to stay.”

Fans plan anti-Glazer protest

Man United fans are planning a fresh anti-Glazer protest ahead of Erik ten Hag’s first game in charge this weekend.

Red Devils supporters group “The 1958” announced they’re organising a protest for this Sunday.

According to the Telegraph, The 1958 want fans to congregate at Salford Quays two hours before the 2pm kick-off against Brighton before marching to Old Trafford.

In a rallying call posted to their Twitter account, The 1958 wrote: “The Glazers are unfit and improper owners.”

They then added: “We will always support the club. We will always support the manager. We will always rise up against the current owners and any puppet hierarchy they appoint.

“Our club’s future is our only motivation.

“Some things are worth fighting for.”

United line up De Jong alternatives

Man United have alternatives lined up incase their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong bears no fruit.

United have pinned their hopes on signing De Jong from Barcelona.

But they’ve identified a few other options who can fill the role they want the Dutchman to play, according to the Express.