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Man Utd face table toppers Chelsea next at Stamford Bridge.

IT COULD BE OU

Newcastle are preparing to splash some of their considerable cash on Barcelona contract rebel Ousmane Dembele, according to reports in Spain, writes JAMES COLASANTI.

The Saudi-owned Toon are gearing up to spend big in January and have put the France winger on their shopping list, says Mundo Deportivo.

The former Man Utd transfer target’s contact with the Spanish giants expires at the end of the season.

Barca have apparently made him an attractive offer to stay but Dembeleand his agent Moussa Sissoko are keeping their options open.

That has opened the door for the Geordies, who have apparently made him ‘an astronomical proposal’.

Mundo Deportivo report the Magpies are willing to offer Dembele £12.6million per season in wages and a chunky commission payment to Sissoko.

GAME CALLED OFF

Man Utd’s U18s’ game against West Brom has been POSTPONED due to a waterlogged pitch.

WHEN’S ED BACK?

Edinson Cavani has been struggling with a tendon issue since the start of November, which has kept him out of action.

But during the international break, the forward was able to go back to his native country of Uruguay to focus on regaining his fitness.

He told United’s media: “During this period of the international break, I’ve had the chance to stop and focus on this niggling injury that I’m feeling in the tendon in my leg.

“So I can speed up my recovery and come back quickly and be available for my club and national team.

“So, during this time, I was able to spend a few days in Uruguay, do some fitness and recovery work and stuff and, in turn, I managed to see my family at the same time, which is always important, to see your family and be close to them.”

Cavani’s return date is still unknown, though.

CECH MATE

Petr Cech has warned Chelsea not to underestimate Manchester United with the imminent arrival of Ralf Rangnick, writes GARY STONEHOUSE.

Now 66-year-old German Rangnick is set to arrive at Old Trafford after agreeing a deal to become interim manager until the end of the season.

He will then begin work as a consultant for the club, with United pushing ahead to try and bring in Mauricio Pochettino in as their long-term new boss.

He said: “We have a saying in Czech: ‘The new broom sweeps better’. It’s always tricky when you play teams with a new manager.

“That’s what Manchester United will be hoping for: when you get a change of manager, you always have a reaction.

“Suddenly, everybody starts from the same spot again. The new manager brings new ideas about the team, the tactics, the strategy.

“Even if it’s only the manager who has left, and everyone else has stayed in place, you still get the sense of a fresh start.”

SUPER SUNDAY

Man Utd take on league leaders Chelsea on Sunday.

MINO BLOW

Manchester United have been dealt a blow in the pursuit if Erling Haaland, with agent Mino Raiola claiming the 21-year-old sensation ‘loves Spain’, writes JOSHUA MBU.

The Red Devils have been tracking Haaland’s progress for some time.

But Haaland’s agent’s recent comments hint a move to LaLiga is more likely than a move to the Premier League.

Raiola said: “At the moment you cannot talk about anything, if you want about Christmas.

“I am not talking about the market, because it is too early.

“[Haaland] likes, loves, Spain. Especially his house here. It is too early to know where he is going to play next year.

“It’s not good to talk about that either.”

Raiola’s comments will encourage LaLiga duo Barcelona and Real Madrid, who also hold an interest in the 21-year-old.

IN A FINE STATE

Michael Carrick has promised any incoming Manchester United manager they will find the club in ship shape.

Ahead of the club’s clash against Chelsea, he said: “I think that’s one of the biggest things in Ole’s time as manager, creating and building an environment, a backroom staff and a culture within the group that is not obvious to the eye.

“You can see we finished well last season but once the results started going, it went pretty quickly, which is a shame because everything can get overshadowed.

“It’s still there and the backroom staff and environment has helped me an awful lot this week.

“What happens next, it’s there for sure and it’s a great starting point.”

HAG-TASTIC 

Manchester United will reportedly turn to highly rated Ajax boss Erik ten Hag next summer if they’re unsuccessful in their pursuit of Mauricio Pochettino, writes JOSHUA MBU.

Pochettino is favourite to take over from soon-to-be interim manager Ralf Rangnick next June.

But according to the Daily Mail, should United fail in their attempts to lure the Argentine back to England – where his family live – they will turn to Ajax boss Ten Hag.

The 51-year-old is believed to be interested in taking the long-term role at the Red Devils and Ajax will NOT stand in his way if he wants to leave at the end of the season, despite having a contract at the club until the summer of 2023. 

United and Ajax have a healthy relationship with Red Devils legend Edwin van der Sar working as the Dutch club’s chief executive. 

The Premier League outfit also recently handed £39million for Donny van de Beek in 2020, with Van Der Car playing a key role in the deal.

Ten Hag is a highly respected coach across Europe and has helped guide Ajax to the top of their Champions League group, winning all five of their played fixtures.

GOOD MORNING RED DEVILS FANS

Barcelona are reportedly fearing that Manchester United or Liverpool could snatch highly-rated prospect Ronald Araujo.

The 22-year-old star arrived at the Nou Camp from Uruguayan side River Boston in 2018.

The defender has since broken into the first-team squad and the Uruguay national side.

He is out of contract in 2023 but Barcelona want to reward his progress with a new five-year deal.

However, ESPN claims that interest from the Premier League big boys and the centre-back’s wage demands could ‘complicate’ negotiations.

 United are sweating over the appointment of Ralf Rangnick with Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow yet to grant him permission to leave.

The 63-year-old joined the side in the summer on a three-year deal as their Head of Sports and Development.

But the former RB Leipzig gaffer has since reached an agreement with the Red Devils to take charge on an interim basis until the end of the season.

United have been keen to bring in a new manager after they sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following the 4-1 away defeat at Watford.

Should Rangnick complete a move to United, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says it’s ‘not good news’ for other Prem clubs.

When asked about Rangnick’s arrival, he said: “Unfortunately a good coach is coming to England, to Manchester United!

“He’s a really experienced manager, built two clubs from nowhere.

“Man United will be organised on the pitch. That’s obviously not good news for other teams.”

RON TOP

Cristiano Ronaldo is still Man Utd’s biggest export to date.

TICK TOCK

Incoming Man Utd interim Ralf Rangnick could reportedly install a ‘countdown clock’ at Carrington to force players practice their ‘Gegenpressing’, writes ANTHONY CHAPMAN.

The Telegraph claims the German tactician will ‘revolutionise’ United’s training methods when his arrival is likely confirmed this weekend.

And it’s believed one way of getting players to understand his intense philosophy is to install a special countdown clock at United’s training ground.

Rangnick is credited as the godfather of the ‘Gegenpress’, a tactic used by many including Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

It sees players counter-press high up the pitch in an effort to win the ball back.

And Rangnick will expect his newly-inherited United squad to get into a habit of reclaiming the ball EIGHT seconds after losing it.

REUNION

United’s past and present got together for the premiere of a film based on the life and career of Bryan Robson.

DREAM TEAM

Italy and Portugal suffered a nightmare World Cup 2020 Play-Off draw and now look set to face each other in a shoot-out for Qatar, writes GARY STONEHOUSE.

The Euro 2020 winners and Cristiano Ronaldo‘s nation both finished second in their qualifying groups, behind Switzerland and Serbia respectively.

Italy now face a home clash with North Macedonia in the Play-Off first round in March.

Turkey will visit Portugal, before the winners of both of those one-legged ties battle it out for a spot at next year’s World Cup.

Even if one of the two powerhouses falls at the first hurdle, the draw still means that at least one of the last two European Championship winners will not be at the World Cup.

RAM RAID

Aaron Ramsdale wants to face a red-hot Cristiano Ronaldo when Arsenal travel to Manchester United next week, writes JOSHUA JONES. 

The Gunners head to Old Trafford on Thursday in what looks set to be Ralf Rangnick’s first game as interim boss.

Ronaldo, 36, has scored just one Premier League goal in his last SEVEN appearances, dating back to September.

But with his heroics for United in the Champions League, he is now just one strike shy of 800 career goals. 

Even so, Ramsdale insists he would prefer a ‘full-on battle’ with the Portuguese superstar than a quiet night between the sticks.

The Arsenal goalkeeper said: “I’d never thought I’d play against Ronaldo, but I really hope he’s on it against us because it gives me a chance to test myself. 

“As much as you want to go somewhere like Old Trafford, there’s no better feeling than getting on top of someone and saying I’ve had a full-on battle with Ronaldo.”

RON THE WAY

Barcelona are reportedly fearing that Manchester United or Liverpool could snatch highly-rated prospect Ronald Araujo, writes GARY STONEHOUSE.

The 22-year-old star arrived at the Nou Camp from Uruguayan side River Boston in 2018.

The defender has since broken into the first-team squad and the Uruguay national side.

He is out of contract in 2023 but Barcelona want to reward his progress with a new five-year deal.

However, ESPN claims that interest from the Premier League big boys and the centre-back’s wage demands could ‘complicate’ negotiations.

They claim that ‘sources said that during preliminary discussions with the player, there is a concern at Barcelona that they may not be able to meet the terms that he is requesting’ to stay.

Both Manchester United and Liverpool have been monitoring the starlet’s development closely over recent years.

GOAT DEBATE

Frank Lampard said back in 2020: “I’m gonna go Messi on this, on pure, natural talent. But what Ronaldo has done has been absolutely incredible.”

However, the ex-England international has now revealed a U-turn in his thinking after watching a recent episode of Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.

And he explained why while speaking to Gary Neville on The Overlap.

When asked the question again by the Manchester United legend, Lampard responded: “You know what, I’ve always been a Messi man… and then I watched your debate with Jamie Carragher recently.

“I actually think for Ronaldo’s output and actual numbers, and goals in big finals and semi-finals like we’ve seen, I think I maybe give him the edge.

“That’s going to start a load of hate, now!”

RON LAST TIME

Man Utd’s Cristiano Ronaldo faces an almighty fight to play at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Portugal HAVE to beat Turkey to then face either ITALY or North Macedonia in the play-off final.

Ronaldo’s Euro 2016 winners will play at home should they make the final, though.

But facing Italy for a spot at next year’s tournament isn’t ideal.

BEEK DILEMMA

Micheal Carrick has revealed that Manchester United still don’t know where Donny van de Beek should play – 15 months after signing him.

Man Utd caretaker manager Michael Carrick, 40, gave van de Beek a rare start in Tuesday’s 2-0 win against Villarreal in the Champions League.

Speaking about the Dutchman in a press conference on Friday, Carrick said: “Donny’s one of those players [that] because he’s so flexible, he can play in different positions.

“He did the same for Ajax before he came here, he’s done that for Holland as well, variety can be a real strength.

“We’ve got ideas where we think Donny’s most suited but he’s so flexible and adaptable, with two or three positions.

“He even played as a false nine for Ajax in the Champions League when they ended up getting beaten by Tottenham.

“We’ve got ideas for him but being flexible is a strength and a credit to what he can bring to the team.”

CECH MATE

Chelsea legend Petr Cech has warned the Blues that they have to be wary of Manchester United’s new management setup on the weekend.

United look set to appoint Ralf Ragnick as new boss and Cech is aware of the danger someone with fresh ideas can pose to the West London outfit.

Cech said to Chelsea’s website: “We have a saying in Czech: ‘the new broom sweeps better’. It’s always tricky when you play teams with a new manager.

“That’s what our next opponents Manchester United will be hoping for on Sunday: when you get a change of manager, you always have a reaction.

“Suddenly, everybody starts from the same spot again. The new manager brings new ideas, about the team, about the tactics, about the strategy, but only when he gets involved in training does he start choosing his team.”

CROWN JUL

Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann reckons Ralf Ragnick will be a hit at Manchester United.

Ragnick’s on the verge of being unveiled as the Red Devils manager following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal.

But United will be in safe hands with Ragnick according to Nagelsmann and he texted the 63-year-old to tell him so.

The Bayern head coach, who calls Ragnick his mentor, said: “I texted him and told him I think it’s great.

“He will do United very well with the way he plays football. I believe that United will play good games in the next few weeks and I wish he’ll stay there longer than just next summer.”