Man Utd takeover news LIVE: Sir Jim Ratcliffe finally ANNOUNCED, £1.3bn deal for 25%, Dave Brailsford role update

Red Devils 'make Kubo interest clear'

Manchester United have reportedly revealed an interest in Real Sociedad winger Takefuso Kubo.

But there are conflicting claims in Spain over the Japan star.

Mundo Deportivo suggest the Red Devils have made their admiration for the 22-year-old clear.

And there's been talk of a possible exchange deal involving United wideman Antony.

But MD Gipuzkova say no such swap deal is likely.

'Academy kids took p*** out of Rooney, Ronaldo, Rio'

Even legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were savaged as Manchester United's academy kids "took the p*** out of everyone" as a Christmas tradition.

Former Red Devils' frontman Dimitar Berbatov says players needed a "thick skin" when the club's apprentices did their annual festive skit imitating the senior sorcerers.

Recalling the Alex Ferguson era, Berba told : "After you had your lunch with the boss and staff, the academy players put on a bit of a show.

"They would make fun of the first-team players. They'd pretend to be one of us or show us what some of us were doing on the pitch or the way we spoke - it was so fun.

"You needed thick skin to watch yourself being played by someone else. It was great.

"They took the p*** out of everyone: me, Wazza (Rooney), Ronaldo, Rio (Ferdinand).

"You need moments like this, for someone to humble you because you knew it was just fun."

Red Devils had festive Fergie as well as turkey

Dimitar Berbatov has revealed Alex Ferguson's tradition of serving Christmas dinner to his Manchester United squad.

Former Old Trafford striker Berba says it was "great fun" and a "wonderful moment for camaraderie".

The ex-Spurs, Fulham and Bulgaria stylist, 42, told : "I enjoyed playing football around Christmas when I was in England. I don't remember ever playing on Christmas Eve, though.

"I really enjoyed this time of year and a lot of players feel the same.

"We had lots of traditions at United. Sir Alex Ferguson and the staff would get all the players together and serve us Christmas dinner. We had banter, jokes and a cracking time.

"An English Christmas dinner was a new experience for me. There was plenty of food, although it wasn't all to my taste to be honest.

"You had a menu prepared by the chef. Normally it was roasted potatoes, turkey, some other vegetables and salad. We never had pigs in blankets. You ate and took the p*** out of the staff. Never the boss, though!

"It was great fun and a wonderful moment to show camaraderie. It built the team spirit. I loved it."

Red Devils to 'come back in for the other Onana'

Manchester United could bid around £48million for Everton's Amadou Onana next month.

The Belgium anchorman has been linked with United, Arsenal and Chelsea over the past year.

The Red Devils instead bought keeper Andre Onana from Inter Milan for an initial £44m last summer.

Now  claim United will vie with Barcelona for Toffees' main man Onana in January.

Ten Hag reveals 'illnesses and doubts'

Erik ten Hag says his Manchester United side have "some doubts, some illnesses" ahead of tomorrow's Prem trip to West Ham.

Meanwhile, Victor Lindelof faces a lengthy lay-off following surgery.

But fellow centre-back Lisandro Martinez and midfielder Casemiro should both be fit by January.

Boss Ten Hag told his press conference: "We have some doubts, some illnesses during the week.

"We have to see who is available. Hopefully they are recovered, we have to see."

United take hygiene incident 'seriously'

United's new Food Hygiene Rating is one - and is highlighted as “major improvement needed”.

While the cleanliness and condition of facilities and building were classed as being “good”, they were let down in two other areas.

“Improvement necessary” was deemed for their hygienic food handling while management of food safety was ruled “major improvement necessary” following a November 24 inspection.

And it also included a statement from United themselves that read: “Following the isolated incident in one of our kitchens, MUFC quickly took action to ensure immediate failures were addressed.

“Kitchen staff were rebriefed on MUFC's food safety requirements, kitchen procedures were reviewed and an external audit of all kitchens was commissioned. Going forwards we have increased the frequency of our audit regime to provide assurance to our valued fans and customers.

“MUFC serves thousands of meals each month and has an impeccable track record which led to our 5 star food hygiene rating.

“Following a thorough investigation, it was confirmed a small amount of undercooked meat was inadvertently served during a non match day event. This was an isolated issue and the immediate failures were quickly addressed.

“MUFC has taken this incident very seriously and wants to reassure our valued fans and customers that we maintain the highest culinary standards.”

Badly Fed Devils

Manchester United have been given a one star food hygiene rating amid the investigation into corporate guests allegedly being served raw chicken.

We reported on December 1 that numerous guests had complained they became unwell after the event at Old Trafford.

Trafford Council are investigating after allegations came to light following an unnamed event hosted by United's stadium in recent months.

The Red Devils also launched an internal investigation after receiving the complaints.

They were both designed to determine whether symptoms experienced were related to what guests had consumed at the Theatre of Dreams or whether another illness was to blame for them becoming unwell.

United’s food hygiene rating was listed on the government’s website with the highest grade available, which is 5, when the incident came to light.

However, Old Trafford’s annual Food Standards Agency (FSA) inspection was set to take place on October 23.

And now the  has been updated - and it makes grim reading for the club.

Ferguson valued at £100m

Prem giants keen on Brighton striker Evan Ferguson might have to fork out £100m.

Arsenal and Manchester United are said to be among the main admirers of the Republic of Ireland star, 19.

But the Seagulls recently persuaded the former Bohemians youngster to sign a new long-term contract.

Red Devils eye En-Nesyri

Manchester United are tracking Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri as Serhou Guirassy has his eye on a move to rivals Tottenham, write STEVE BRENNER and ELLIE GRANT.

The Red Devils are being very active in signing a few recruits to re-boost Erik Ten Hag’s team in the January Market.

Having a season that won’t stay in the books so far, United have been plagued with injuries and some signings that have yet to meet expectations.

SunSport understands the Red Devils have sent a scout to observe closely Sevilla and Moroccan international En-Nesyri on multiple occasions in the last few weeks.

The Red Devils will also keep a lookout in Madrid for Saturday’s La Liga clash against Atletico Madrid at Wanda Metropolitano’s stadium.

En-Nesyri has been playing in Sevilla since January 2020, having started in 16 out of the 17 games in the domestic league this term.

Ferguson and Murtough feud

Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson and director of football John Murtough were involved in a "feud" that came to a head over Jude Bellingham's botched tour of Carrington.

Bellingham toured United's training ground in 2020 ahead of a potential transfer when he was still at Birmingham City before moving to Borussia Dortmund.

According to , the manager at the time Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his assistants wanted Ferguson to finish off the "analytical presentation and detailed personal report" for the midfielder.

Solskjaer believed that meeting Sir Alex would help convince Bellingham to swap St Andrews for Old Trafford.

It is then suggested Murtough disagreed with this and had his own view on how the pitch should go as he insisted that the club's legendary manager could only meet and shake hands with the player.

Murtough then took the England international and his parents on a tour of the training ground.

The report continues to suggest that the interaction left Fergie "incandescent" as he felt that the move was a "slight" to him and said to Murtough's face at a later date.

Potter tipped for Man Utd

Manchester United should hire Graham Potter if they sack Erik ten Hag, according to former Old Trafford ace Tom Cleverley.

When it comes to Graham Potter, you don't know how someone's feeling; he might have needed a mental break. He's been in coaching for many, many years, but personally I think he's a top, top manager.

You see the rumours with United at the moment, and I personally believe that's the kind of level of club he belongs at.

You're seeing now how much Chelsea have struggled since he left, and the problem he was having there was that the team just wasn't putting the ball in the back of the net.

They were dominating possession, they were creating bags and bags of chances… they just couldn't score.

The decision, by Chelsea, to sack him looks premature now. I would certainly say they're in a worse position than they were with Potter.

Tom CleverleyLadbrokes Fanzone

On the Case

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has questioned Manchester United's signing of Casemiro and even club staff felt Declan Rice would have been a better move before he joined Arsenal.

United secured the Brazil international for a staggering £60million plus £10million in add-ons last year.

Ratcliffe, whose £1.25billion deal for a 25 per cent stake in the Red Devils is close to being confirmed, toured around the club's Carrington training base in March.

During his visit, Sir Jim allegedly flagged the transfer as one he was unhappy with.

According to The Athletic, the 71-year-old singled out the midfielder who he felt was not the right fit for Erik ten Hag's side.

And some of United's employees preferred Rice as it was felt he was better suited to the club with regards to complying with Financial Fair Play rules.

Mason Mount contract details

Manchester United fans have hailed the add-ons inserted into the transfer that took Mason Mount from Chelsea to Old Trafford last summer.

Mount arrived in the summer for a £55million transfer fee with an additional £5m in potential add-ons.

However, the details of what exactly will trigger that extra £5m have now been revealed.

According to , United will need to make a £1m payment to Chelsea every time Mount plays in 70 per cent of games in a title-winning season during his five-year contract at the Old Trafford.

Of course, the Red Devils appear to be light years away from properly competing for a Premier League title, let alone winning one.

There is also the poor injury record of the England international to consider.

Man Utd eyeing Newcastle chief

Manchester United have identified Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth as their top target to overtake the same role at Old Trafford.

However, United may have to be patient if they are determined to appoint Ashworth as he has a 12-month notice period in his contract.

The 52-year-old left Brighton to join the Magpies last year and has no release clause in his £1.5m-a-year deal.

According to the , it will take a fee far greater than Ashworth’s annual salary for the Red Devils to prise him away.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, whose 25 per cent takeover has yet to be completed, has identified Ashworth as his top target for this extremely important role.

Ten Hag on limited budget

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag knows he will have little money available in the January transfer window.

However, Ten Hag insists he has no worries about that, once a few of his injured players return.

I am happy with the current squad, when we get our players back it’s a good one.

Then we will be much stronger.

Erik ten Hag

Liverpool snub ESL

Liverpool have confirmed their opposition to the European Super League to become the final ‘Big Six’ Premier League club to publicly speak out against the breakaway competition.

It comes after football was thrust into an all-out scrap on Thursday when judges decided Uefa can’t punish breakaway rebels.

The shock ruling opened up a second attempt to form a new competition with Real Madrid and Barcelona not giving up on their project.

But the Reds followed Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham to rule themselves out of the ESL.

Ten Hag speaks out

Here's what Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag told his misfiring stars:

Firstly we have played strong teams in Liverpool and Bayern [Munich], but also we have to improve.

We played very well against Bayern and Liverpool, created more chances, but have to be more clinical.

We can definitely improve, but it’s about the whole group. You know my philosophy is we have to attack with 11.

It is something we work on as a group with the players who should be contributing offensively.

But the movement, the decision making has to be better – and sometimes we have to be more clinical. And remember, the best chance at Liverpool was ours...but we should create more chances

Erik ten Hag

Erik ten Hag's warning

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has thrown down the gauntlet and challenged his goal-shy stars to finally end their scoring drought, reports SunSport's Phil Thomas.

United have drawn a blank against Bournemouth, Bayern Munich and Liverpool, and another at West Ham would be their worst run in eight years.

Summer buy Rasmus Hojlund has yet to find the target in the Premier League, for all he managed it in Europe.

And Marcus Rashford, missing through illness for the last two fixtures, has scored just three all season – after 30 last.

Now ten Hag wants his side to follow last week’s morale-boosting draw at Liverpool by rediscovering their goal touch against the Hammers.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer vindicated

Manchester United fans have approved of their former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's valuation for Antony before current boss Erik ten Hag signed him in 2022.

The winger was signed for a near club record at the time of £86million by Ten Hag.

Solskjaer spent three years as manager at Old Trafford after taking over from Jose Mourinho in 2018.

During his time trying to revive the Red Devils back to Premier League and European glory, the Norwegian tactician had his eye peeled for a midfielder.

The Manchester giants scouts, alongside Solskjaer, targeted the Brazil international but valued the then Ajax star at only £25m.

Ratcliffe takeover latest

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's 25 per cent takeover of Manchester United has yet to be finalised despite months of speculation.

And because of the continuous delays United are not expected to be very busy in the January transfer window.

That is according to ESPN, who report the Red Devils are not set to bring many players.

The Manchester giants will also be working with limited funds due to Financial Fair Play regulations.

Super League update

Man Utd are among several clubs that have rejected the European Super League.

SNOOPER LEAGUE

Liverpool reject Super League becoming final Big Six club to break silence

Casemiro considering United exit

Casemiro is weighing up an offer from Saudi Arabia and could leave Manchester United, according to reports.

The Brazilian star has supposedly had his head turned by the lucrative proposal.

MADE THEIR CASE

Casemiro considering Man Utd exit after receiving Saudi Arabia offer

Check out our Man Utd WhatsApp page

Read more Man Utd stories on our amazing .

Varane linked with shock return

Raphael Varane is being lined up for a shock return transfer to Real Madrid, according to reports.

The French defender, 30, spent ten years at the Bernabeu from 2011 to 2021.

He won 18 trophies - including four Champions Leagues - before joining Manchester United for £34million on a four-year deal.

But now Varane could be on his way back to the Spanish giants.

According to Bild, Varane is among Real Madrid's top targets.

The World Cup winner has found himself down the pecking order at Old Trafford this season and transfer listed amid interest from Saudi Arabia.

Erik ten Hag currently prefers Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and even Jonny Evans.