MANCHESTER UNITED finished the January transfer window with NO new signings – with reports stating they were hesitant to splash out until they knew who their permanent manager would be.
Mauricio Pochettino is one man said to be on their shortlist, and he has reportedly told friends he will leave PSG in the summer.
Meanwhile Declan Rice could be approached, with the West Ham midfielder reportedly having just two years left on his contract.
United are also said to be in a battle with other top Premier League clubs for Juventus' Paulo Dybala.
Follow ALL the latest from Old Trafford with our live blog below…
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- Giacomo Pisa
Matt Crooks desperate to face Ronaldo
Middlesbrough midfielder and boyhood Manchester United fan Matt Crooks is relishing the chance to play at Old Trafford tomorrow night.
And he's earmarked one player in particular that he hopes he can test himself against.
Crooks told The Northern Echo: "It will probably be a bit surreal. I’m used to watching them on TV. Obviously I was growing up as a United fan when Ronaldo and Rooney [were there].
"If I had the chance to go up against him [Ronaldo], I think that would probably be the biggest thing.
"I want to be excited but I don’t want to hype it up too much and not focus on the match in hand. Obviously it will be surreal.
"I’m not used to playing the likes of Pogba, Ronaldo. It’s challenge where I hope they get put out and one I can look forward to."
- Giacomo Pisa
Haidara speaks on Utd links
RB Leipzig midfielder has spoken out on rumours linking him to the Premier League after returning from Afcon duty with Mali.
The midfielder was strongly linked with a move to Manchester United in January, to which he told Bild: "I can’t say much about that.
"I’m glad to be back [in Germany from AFCON]. You hear rumours, that’s how it is when the transfer period is over.
"But I still have a contract and I want to keep fulfilling it. I see no reason to think about change."
He went on to add: "The English league is very interesting, many players want to prove their skills there.
"But I feel very comfortable here and I’m glad that I can develop further here. It’s clear that the English league is very interesting for all of us."
- Giacomo Pisa
Gullit – Haaland not for United
Former Netherlands international Ruud Gullit doesn't reckon Erling Haaland is a good fit for Manchester United.
Instead he reckons the superstar, a long-term target for United, would be better off at the club's two biggest rivals – Manchester City or Liverpool.
Gullit told German outlet Bild: "I see him in England but I don’t think he goes to Manchester United. City would be good for him because of Pep Guardiola. But Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool would also be great.
"What Jurgen has done with this club is unbelievable. You just have to love him and he’s always hungry. That suits Haaland.
"In Spain only Real is an option. These are the three clubs that will be in the running for Erling."
- Giacomo Pisa
Schweinsteiger reveals Mourinho 'hurt'
Former Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has opened up on the 'hurt' he felt after being banished from first team training by Jose Mourinho.
Schweinsteiger told Man Utd's official podcast: "It was very strange on my birthday I came to the dressing room wanted to change but then someone told me I'm not allowed to go in, and I had to change in the dressing room and had to play with the second team.
"I was very hurt because no one was talking to me. Then I was speaking to Mourinho about it and he explained something to me something which I really did not understand and it had to do with the second injury that I got.
"My first injury I got the season before, I got treated by the medical department of United and then in an easy training session I got the same injury, so I asked Louis van Gaal if I could get treated in Germany because we had the Euros in 2016 coming up and it was always agreed to that.
"So I did that, I was fit, I played the Euros, I was looking forward to coming to United to play with Mourinho who twice actually wanted to buy me with Inter Milan in 2010 and then later on at [Real] Madrid."
- Giacomo Pisa
Rangnick overruled on January transfer
Manchester United chiefs reportedly opted against a January move for RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara.
That's despite Ralf Rangnick being keen on the midfielder, and a 'verbal agreement' said to be in place for him to join the club.
But The Express report chiefs at the club were unwilling to sanction a deal, and only ready to sanction transfers after appointing a permanent boss.
The club want to sign players to match their new manager's philosophy, something not possible in January under interim boss Rangnick.
That being said, the German was still in favour of bringing in Haidara in January before those upstairs vetoed the move.
Credit: Getty - Giacomo Pisa
Ferdinand – Lingard 'wasted' career
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has claimed Jesse Lingard has 'wasted' a year of his career by staying at Manchester United.
Ferdinand said on his FIVE YouTube channel: "I wouldn’t be happy if I was a player. It’s almost like he’s wasted a whole year of his career, a whole season of his career has been wasted.
Ferdinand added: "Maybe he took too long in getting to that point of wanting to leave. Did he ask to leave at the beginning of the window?
"Or did he make a decision later on in the window that he wanted to leave? Maybe, by then other situations took it out of his hands maybe? I don’t know.
"But you look at his career and I just think the last year or two has just been wasted by just sticking around at Man United.
"He’s never going to play games. It’s just crazy."
- Giacomo Pisa
United trail Chelsea in Rice chase
Manchester United have been dealt a blow in the pursuit of West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.
The Red Devils are desperate for a fresh face in midfield, and have been linked with England star Rice for a number of months.
But latest reports from Sky Sports suggest Chelsea are leading the race to sign the 23-year-old.
He tops a three-man Chelsea shortlist for the summer which also includes Ousmane Dembele, another player linked with Manchester United.
Along with Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde, the Blues are said to be in pole position for all three signings, in what is a major dent to United's hopes of landing Rice.
- Giacomo Pisa
Man Utd matchday minus one
The Red Devils FINALLY return to action tomorrow evening after what seems like an eternity.
Championship promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough are the visitors to Old Trafford in the FA Cup fourth round.
Ralf Rangick's side haven't played since the last-gasp 1-0 win against West Ham on January 22.
And in a boost to the interim boss, Paul Pogba could make his return from injury against Boro.
He hasn't played since November, but has been in full training at Carrington ahead of tomorrow night's clash.
- Giacomo Pisa
More from Maguire on Rangnick
Harry Maguire reckons that results have been 'pretty good' under Ralf Rangnick, despite the club coming under fire for some below par performances in recent weeks.
The skipper claimed: "I think the results have been pretty good since the manager’s come in
"We’ve had some indifferent performances, but we’ve stuck together and we’ve managed to get good results out of the period. But it’s set us up now.
"We’ve got a crucial period of the season where we need to make sure that the performances are turned out week after week. I always say it, and I’m always a big believer that good performances lead to good results.
"So we’ve got to make sure that we deliver those good performances, and the results will come."
- Giacomo Pisa
Maguire on Rangnick's influence
Man Utd club captain has spoken on how the Red Devils have improved in a little over two months with interim boss Ralf Rangick.
Maguire told the United Review: "I think there are lots of different principles that he’s brought into the club.
"But, for sure, we haven’t conceded as many goals, we haven’t conceded as many chances.
"It’s team effort; it’s not a back-four effort, or a goalkeeping effort [alone]. It’s a team effort.
"Our lives are a little bit easier from the way that they [the midfielders and forwards] are working and covering spaces in front of us, so it’s a huge effort from us all.
"But I think there’s still a lot to improve on, especially with the ball now. We’ve got to make sure that we carry a little bit more of a threat with the ball and look after the ball a bit better than we have done in recent weeks."
- Giacomo Pisa
Paulo Dybala race hots up
Manchester United have been linked with Juventus star Paulo Dybala.
According to 90Min, United are keen on a move for the playmaker, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
But the Red Devils will face stiff competition for his signature, with FIVE other Premier League teams also interested.
Cross-town rivals Manchester City are linked with a swoop for the 28-year-old, as are Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham.
Dybala is said to have been offered to the Prem clubs by his representatives after failing to agree to a new contract at Juventus.
- Giacomo Pisa
Good morning Man Utd fans
Mason Greenwood’s has been ousted from the England setup until any potential legal proceedings against him are completed.
SunSport understands England boss Gareth Southgate has no interest in even considering selecting the striker until legal proceedings end.
Greenwood's also been removed from Japanese game manufacturers Konami's PES 2021 edition.
New executive vice-chairman Richard Arnold will reportedly have no involvement in recruiting the club’s new manager.
According to The Times, Arnold will leave the task to the Red Devils football director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher.
But despite his hands-off approach, the final decision of who gets the job will still have to get signed off by Arnold and the club’s owners – The Glazers.
However, Murtough and Fletcher’s task may not be that difficult as it’s been reported that the Red Devils hierarchy are keen on bringing in PSG Mauricio Pochettino to take over from Ralf Rangnick.
And the latest news is Argentinian tactician is so fed up with life in France that he was prepared to QUIT and take over at United in JANUARY.
And on the pitch, United can reportedly look forward to Paul Pogba returning to the club’s squad for Friday’s FA Cup fourth-round match against Middlesbrough.
Pogba hasn’t played since picking up an injury in November, but he has been back in full training at Carrington, and manager Rangnick will decide Friday morning whether to include him in the squad.
Meanwhile, Pogba’s United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo could prove to be instrumental in the club’s pursuit of Brazilian wonder-kid Endrick Felipe.
According to Endrick’s father, the 15-year-old phenomenon idolises Ronaldo above his South American counterparts Lionel Messi and Neymar.
- Justin Lawrence
Keane could return to Sunderland
Roy Keane has been offered a dramatic return to management at his old club Sunderland.
The former Stadium of Light boss held talks yesterday with Black Cats owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.
And Keane, who quit the club 13 years ago, is now deciding whether to take up the position as successor to Lee Johnson.
Johnson was axed following the Wearsiders’ 6-0 thrashing by Bolton in League One on Saturday.
Louis-Dreyfus said they had been ‘overwhelmed’ with applicants.
Mick McCarthy, another ex-Sunderland manager, and Neil Warnock have thrown their hat in the ring, with Grant McCann, Neil Lennon and Alex Neil also on the radar.
- Justin Lawrence
Greenwood ousted from England squad
Man United striker Mason Greenwood has been banished by England.
He will not be considered for Three Lions selection until any potential legal proceedings against him are completed.
SunSport understands England boss Gareth Southgate has no interest in even considering selecting the striker until legal proceedings end.
- Justin Lawrence
Aston Villa poach Derby hotshot
Wayne Rooney’s Derby County are picking up a bitter-sweet £600,000 cheque from Aston Villa for young Northern Ireland striker Omari Kellyman.
The Rams administrators have accepted the offer from the Premier League club for Derby’s top young talent.
The deal can be done now as Kellyman, 16, is a youth player and not subject to the senior transfer windows.
Kellyman is rated highly and goes straight into Villa’s crack academy set-up.
- Justin Lawrence
United women's cup exit
Chelsea booked their spot in the FA Women's League Cup final with a 3-1 win over Manchester United at Kingsmeadow.
it's a 3-1 win for Chelsea over 10-player Man United.
Pernille Harder, Jessie Fleming and Jess Carter were on target as the Blues reached their third successive Conti Cup final.
The WSL champions scored three times in 13 minutes with Boe Risa on target for the visitors.
- Justin Lawrence
Ferdinand on Aubameyang’s Barca transfer
Rio Ferdinand reckons Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made the right choice leaving Arsenal to join Barcelona.
Speaking on his FIVE podcast, Ferdinand said: “I wish him luck, for both parties, Aubameyang needed to leave, for his sake, for football’s sake and for Arsenal’s sake.
“You don’t want it at the club, a player hanging around who is not really wanted by the manager.”
- Justin Lawrence
Man Utd ‘turned down Kamara transfer opportunity'
Man United rejected Boubacar Kamara, Denis Zakaria and Julian Alvarez in January due to uncertainty over Ralf Rangnick's future.
That's the claim from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano amid suggestions United want to wait until they appoint a permanent manager in the summer before spending big.
Turning down the chance to recruit Kamara might stun Old Trafford fans as it's thought interim chief Rangnick's priority is to find such an anchorman.
Romano also believes United said no to Alvarez 'many times'.
The 22-year-old went on to join neighbours City for £17m on a five-and-a-half-year deal before rejoining River Plate on loan.
- Justin Lawrence
Man Utd receive Endrick boost
Man United have been handed in a boost in their pursuit of Endrick Felipe – after the wonderkid's dad revealed Cristiano Ronaldo is his idol.
Endrick's dad Douglas told Marca: "His idol is Cristiano Ronaldo.
"At the age of 15, children usually fall in love with Neymar or [Lionel] Messi.
“But Cristiano is his reference and he wants to make history like him."
- Justin Lawrence
Spurs and Lingard rumours
Tottenham will make a move for Man United ace Jesse Lingard in the summer.
That's the opinion of transfer guru Fabrizio Romano who reckons Spurs will rival West Ham for the winger at the end of the season.
Romano told United legend Rio Ferdinand on his FIVE podcast: “He’s going to leave as a free agent and I think that West Ham will come back for him, that Tottenham will be in for him in the summer.
"So a lot of opportunities, he will take his time. But Lingard will leave as a free agent.”
- Justin Lawrence
Martial's Sevilla move broken down
Sevilla director of football Monchi has revealed that the club's boss Julen Lopetegui played a major role in recruiting Anthony Martial.
Mochi said to La Colina de Nervion: "It has been intense because bringing in two players like Martial and Tecatito is not easy because the competition was so great.
"Different situations, with a high market profile, but very coveted pieces of the market. We have spent a lot of time convincing and acquiring these players.
"If the Sevilla coach wasn’t Lopetegui, it wouldn’t have been so easy for Tecatito and Martial to be here. The willingness of the players has helped a lot in that sense."
- Justin Lawrence
Richards’ ready to join Keane
Micah Richards joked he has packed his bags ready to join pal Roy Keane at Sunderland.
Keane has reportedly been approached by the Black Cats over an interview for the vacant manager’s job.
And his fellow Sky Sports pundit quickly quipped he would be following the ex-Manchester United captain to the Stadium of Light.
Richards shared a tweet asking if Richards could be Keane’s new No2, he quoted transfer guru Fabrizio Romano’s phrase whenever a deal is getting done, then tagged the Italian journalist.
Richards wrote: “Here we go @FabrizioRomano.
“I have my stuff packed 👔🎒👜💼⚽️🏆🔜”
- Justin Lawrence
'United have to win something'
Man United legend Bryan Robson has warned the Red Devils' current crop of stars that success in the FA Cup this season is imperative.
He said to The Mirror: “The FA Cup is absolutely massive for the boys.
“This group of players, what they've got to do is win something, to get that confidence and belief in each other. They've got to win something.
“As a group of players, when I look back to 1990 with Sir Alex, that first FA Cup and first major trophy win, that gave us all belief in each other, because we had quite a lot of young lads in the squad at that time.
“You have to have belief to go on and keep winning things, and I think that's where this group of players are up to at this moment in time. They need to win something.”
- Justin Lawrence
Ronaldo won't pressure son
Cristiano Ronaldo has promised 'never to pressure' his mega-talented eldest son into staying in football.
He said of his son's footballing future: "Only time will tell. I will never pressure him. He will do what he wants.
"Also what I want the most for Cristiano and everyone else is that they're happy and that they choose what they want.
"I will support in any way."
- Justin Lawrence
Top four predictions
Man United will miss out on a place in the top four this season, a supercomputer has predicted.
SBK's supercomputer backed the Red Devils to book a Champions League spot back in December.
But their lack of January signings has seen them fall behind in the race.
Football boffins have backed them to be pipped into fourth by Tottenham Hotspur, who they reckon will join City, Liverpool and Chelsea in next season's Champions League.
The algorithm does back United to come fifth, however, ahead of Arsenal in sixth and then West Ham United.
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