Man Utd news LIVE: Woodward to make bid, Solskjaer sack backed, Sancho transfer boost

Man Utd news LIVE

• Manchester United have been backed to sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and beat Arsenal to Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers
• The Red Devils are ready to table an official bid for RB Salzburg hitman Erling Haaland
• Borussia Dortmund are now open to selling prized asset Jadon Sancho in the January transfer window

Jesse Lingard challenges Man Utd team-mates

Jesse Lingard has challenged his Manchester United team-mates to win a trophy this season.

“There’s always that hunger and fight for positions and obviously it goes down to form and where you’re at club wise so, for me, it’s about getting back to the Jesse that everyone knows and the Jesse Lingard that I know,” he said.

“Things can affect that on the pitch, off the pitch, but mentality is key, confidence is key and belief is key.

“I’m a player who likes to score goals, make assists and, for me, I need to get back to that, back to my best and I feel I’m slowly but surely getting back there.

“For club, my ambition is definitely a trophy. We’ve worked so hard last season, this season we started off well.

“A trophy is in our sights and we have to concentrate on winning a trophy, getting that winning feeling by lifting a trophy.”

Daniel James on Marcus Rashford

Daniel James has opened up on his partnership with Marcus Rashford.

“Yeah, Marcus is obviously a great player to play with,” James told ManUtd.com. “The abilities he has are fantastic and he’s getting better every game.

“Something we work on in training is the movement and things like that and obviously, for me, getting out wide and [in] those positions I want to find him as much as I can, to get him goals and for him to assist me as well.

“That’s something we talk about every day, to improve each other’s game.”

Man Utd fans slam Man City

Manchester United fans have slammed Manchester City for handling Liverpool the Premier League title. Champions City were held by Newcastle at St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon.

United fans took to social media to slam City for ‘gifting’ Liverpool the title.

One fan wrote on Twitter: “We might as well give Liverpool the title and call it a season.”

Another added: “Pep is gifting the title to Liverpool the useless donkey. Mourinho/SAF/ Wenger would never.”

“Liverpool winning the title this season looks real than never before,” fumed a fellow United fan.

Another said: “Man City make Liverpool win the league simple.”

“Ferguson made sure for nearly 20 years that Liverpool didn’t win the league,” agreed another fan.

Allegri snubs Arsenal job

Massimiliano Allegri has rejected an approach from Arsenal to enter talks over their vacant managerial role.

Unai Emery lost his job this week after a run of seven games without a win, and former Juventus boss Allegri was said to be one of the club’s main candidates to replace him.

Italian publication Gazzetta have now revealed that the 52-year-old gave a firm ‘no’ when the approach was made.

The ex-Milan manager is said to have game the same answer when he was approached by Tottenham after Mauricio Pochettino lost his job, which detailed why he remains unavailable.

Allegri has been linked with United as the pressure mounts on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Man Utd change transfer plans

Manchester United are no longer looking for a left-back after the impressive emergence of Brandon Williams.

That’s according to The Times, who report that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is happy with the way the 19-year-old has repaid his faith.

Williams grabbed his first goal in the 3-3 draw at Sheffield United last Sunday.

Luke Shaw will face a fight to regain his spot in the United side.

Depay to return to Premier League?

Liverpool and Tottenham are ready to battle to sign Lyon and Holland star Memphis Depay, according to reports in Italy.

Italian outlet Calciomercato claim any transfer for Memphis would cost in the region of €50million (£42.6m).

United do have a buy-back clause and would have the opportunity to rival Tottenham and Liverpool.

The Dutch winger previously played for United in the Premier League but failed to make an impression under Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford.

Sancho update

Jadon Sancho will NOT be sold in January.

European heavyweights Barcelona, PSG, Manchester United and Liverpool have all been credited with interest in the England international.

Sancho’s conduct has been the subject of intense scrutiny with the winger substituted in the first half of defeat by Bayern Munich and relegated to the bench against Barcelona.

But sporting director Michael Zorc says all of those issues have been resolved.

“We’ve cleared everything internally in the team and with the player,” Zorc said.

Man Utd fear Liverpool will win title

Manchester United fans have slammed Manchester City for handling Liverpool the Premier League title.

Champions City were held by Newcastle at St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon.

And United fans took to social media to slam City for ‘gifting’ Liverpool the title.

One fan wrote on Twitter: “We might as well give Liverpool the title and call it a season.”

Another added: “Pep is gifting the title to Liverpool the useless donkey. Mourinho/SAF/ Wenger would never.”

“Liverpool winning the title this season looks real than never before,” fumed a fellow United fan.

Another said: “Man City make Liverpool win the league simple.”

“Ferguson made sure for nearly 20 years that Liverpool didn’t win the league,” agreed another fan.

Another wrote on Twitter: “Liverpool are winning the league aren’t they.”

Haaland transfer battle

Manchester United are not wasting any time in their pursuit to seal a deal with Red Bull Salzburg for Erling Haaland, but they are facing stern competition.

According to Norwegian outlet VG SPORT, scouts of both Barcelona, Real Madrid and United have seen the 19-year-old play this season, with several other clubs having also sent members of staff.

As well as that trio, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Valencia and Seville are said to have watched the forward, as he brought his goal tally to 27 in 19 games in midweek.

The report goes on to claim that Salzburg CEO Christoph Freund remains hopeful that the club will be able to keep hold of Haland until the end of the season, but he cannot rule out a January exit.

Woodward on Mourinho transfer

Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has finally opened up on why he rejected the chance to sign certain transfer targets recommended by Jose Mourinho.

Woodward is known to have had a tense relationship with the Special One which often came to a head during the transfer window.

“It is true that there was a difference of opinion on one or two players between the manager and the recruitment department,” he explained to United We Stand.

“Sometimes I have to be one who delivers the ‘no’, which isn’t easy, because our natural tendency is to back the manager in every possible circumstance, but we have to listen to the recruitment experts too.”

Solskjaer has doubts over Shaw

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly has doubts about Luke Shaw, with the England international falling behind teenager Brandon Williams in the Old Trafford pecking order.

Shaw has never been able to achieve consistency at Manchester United and has made just 110 appearances for the club since his arrival from Southampton in 2014.

The England international has fallen behind teenage prodigy Williams in the pecking order at Old Trafford, sparking talk he could be set to leave.

And UniBet say that Solskjaer has doubts about the Manchester United star.

It’s claimed that they relate to his injury record and whether or not he’s physically capable of carrying out his manager’s orders.

Why Man Utd sold Herrera

Manchester United thought Ander Herrera couldn’t justify his wage demands before his move to PSG.

The Spain international left Old Trafford during the summer transfer window after five years of service.

According to Unibet, Manchester United felt that Herrera wasn’t playing enough games to justify his high wage demands.

That’s despite the fact he was vital for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal before that.

De Gea warning

David de Gea says Manchester United must improve the quality of the squad if they want results to improve.

“The team is what it is, and results are what they have been recently,” De Gea said.

“We’re giving it everything, we’re trying to get those big wins that can put us high up in the table, but the truth is at the moment we’re not consistent enough, there’s much to train and much to improve.

“I don’t think it’s through any lack of effort, the boys are leaving everything out on the field in training and games. You could point maybe to a lack of quality in certain areas, but certainly not a lack of fight.”

Solskjaer on Pogba rumours

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists Paul Pogba is still loyal to Manchester United following recent transfer rumours.

Solskjaer said: “Every player is allowed to be injured when he’s injured.

“Paul is working hard to be back and no-one can doubt his professionalism or his willingness or desire to play football.

“He’s a footballer and he’s also one of the best midfielders in the world, so it will be like signing a new player before the transfer window opens.

“Of course we’ve missed him while he’s been away. Some of the players, like Scott McTominay and Fred, have taken up that [midfield] challenge and have done well but, of course, it’s a boost for us when he comes back.

“He’s stepping up his recovery and let’s see how soon he’ll be match-fit and available.

“Sunday? No. Spurs? I can’t say because I’ve not been at home and seen him. Let’s see where he’s at when he comes back and starts training.

“He’s not really been able to play for us so when we get him back it’ll be like a new world-class signing. We want him back as soon as possible.”

Tottenham boss Mourinho trolls Man Utd

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has declared his current job as being better than his previous roles at Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid.

“I’m so happy here that I couldn’t even think about the possibility to go to another place,” Mourinho said.

”You can put now in front of me any club in the world, I would not move.

“The facilities in this one are the best I’ve ever seen and I’ve been in big clubs. It’s not like I arrive here from small clubs and think: ‘Wow.’

“I’ve been in big, big clubs with very good conditions. Chelsea, very good conditions, United the same, Madrid, the same, Inter the same.

“It’s not like I’ve been in bad conditions but here it’s fantastic. The stadium is brand new and is the best stadium in the world.

“You know how much I like the Premier League, that’s the first point. You go back to porto, my first opportunity to leave my country I had lots of options. It was England.

“I was in Real Madrid, probably the dream club for the majority of us. I left Real Madrid to come to the premier league. Now, I stayed in the Premier League which I always say is my natural habitat. So many years I like it a lot. So that is a point.

“The second point is this club. You know what the club is showing me. The vision they have for the future and everything they are as a club in terms of structure organisation, feelings, a big club but with a concept of a family, working together with people. See them everyday.”

Erling Haaland keen on move

Erling Haaland remains interested in a possible transfer to play under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United despite links with Spanish and Italian giants Real Madrid and Juventus.

Spanish outlet AS have claimed that United have an advantage in their transfer pursuit for the youngster, because he is excited about the idea of linking up with Solskjaer.

The former Manchester United striker handed Haaland his debut at Molde in 2017 and oversaw his progression until his move to Old Trafford in December.

The report goes on to suggest that the forward may be interested in the prospect of helping United return to being one of the best teams in world football after their struggles in recent seasons, but Solskjaer has not been keen to comment on the rumours.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sacking backed

Manchester United have been told they should be rivalling Arsenal for Brendan Rodgers’ signature as the Red Devils aren’t good enough under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Former Arsenal star Charlie Nicholas told Sky Sports: “Man Utd are shocking defensively.

“David de Gea is not mentioned anymore – he is not making mistakes but he is not saving shots, which is what he came synonymous for.

“He has won the Player of the Year award many times for them, and some of that was under Mourinho and even Louis van Gaal.

“Nobody mentions him as a top-level player any more.

“Ashley Young has been found out that he was never a left-back or right-back, so why give him a contract? Seriously, Man Utd where are you going? Brandon Williams and Mason Greenwood have been decent, but can they carry them along? Can Marcus Rashford do it? You cannot survive on 10 minutes of football.

“They don’t want change, they want to build. They understand the youth, it will not be the Class of ’92 because you will never get that again, but for now, the younger ones are good and helping.

“I do not know the philosophy for Man Utd but I think they will get over the line in this one. It is a needs-must kind of game.

“If Man Utd do not see off Villa, and with games against Tottenham and Manchester City coming up, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be in trouble and I think they should go for Brendan Rodgers too, along with Arsenal.”

Erling Haaland bid ready

United are ready to table an official bid for RB Salzburg hitman Erling Haaland.

The Red Devils are desperate to bolster their attacking options and the 19-year-old Norwegian international is considered a top priority.

Italian publication Calciomercato claim Ed Woodward and Co. are prepared to offer £55million for the sought-after teenager, who’s scored 26 goals in 18 appearances this time out.

United are eager to secure his signature in January to foil several other interested clubs including Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Jadon Sancho transfer boost

Borussia Dortmund are now open to selling prized asset Jadon Sancho in the January transfer window.

Manchester United and Liverpool are both keen on the England international but it was thought any swoop would have to wait until the summer. But it is now claimed Sancho wants out of Germany now and that Dortmund aren’t opposed to his departure.

Sancho has established himself as one of the finest young talents on the continent, having managed 12 goals and 17 assists in the Bundesliga last season, which he has followed up with four goals and seven assists this term.

Such form has piqued the interest of major European clubs such as United, Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid, and it was thought such club would battle it out to secure Sancho next summer.

The Independent now report, however, that there have been a change in circumstances and that Dortmund are willing to offload the 19-year-old in January.

That is because the player was once again late to report for a team briefing and training sessions before Wednesday night’s Champions League defeat to Barcelona.

His attitude is deemed a problem by the German giants, who could cash in next year.