Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Manuel Akanji BOOST, Antony twist as rivals join race, De Jong fuming, Ronaldo gives update
MANUEL AKANJI prefers to join Manchester United over Arsenal in the summer, reports suggest.
The Borussia Dortmund defender, 27, has been informed that he is no longer part of Dortmund manager Edin Terzic's plans and won't be used in the team's remaining pre-season games.
Elsewhere, United have been linked with a move for Ajax star Antony all summer, but now Liverpool have joined the battle for his signature.
And wantaway Cristiano Ronaldo is continuing to train alone as the Manchester United forward keeps up his his fitness in his native Portugal.
The 37-year-old has informed the Red Devils of his desire to leave this summer after the club failed to secure Champions League football.
- IN: Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez
- OUT: Paul Pogba (released), Juan Mata (released), Jesse Lingard (released), Nemanja Matic (Roma), Edinson Cavani (released), Lee Grant (released), D'Mani Mellor (released), Reece Devine (released), Paul McShane (released), Connor Stanley (released), Paul Woolston (released)
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Ronaldo given ‘indefinite leave’
Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has “effectively been given indefinite leave” after his transfer bombshell.
Ronaldo wasn’t part of the returning crop of players for pre-season training on Monday as he was given extra time off due to family reasons.
United are insisting that the Portugal captain's absence is genuinely due to personal issues and that he is not for sale.
However, states that it is “unclear” when he will return and that there is doubt over whether he will fly to Asia and Australia on Friday with the rest of the squad for pre-season.
And they also add that it all “effectively amounts to a case of indefinite leave” for the star forward
Pereira to Fulham
Manchester United outcast Andreas Pereira is set to join Fulham, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Romano tweeted: "Andreas Pereira to Fulham, here we go!
"Full agreement in place on player side, three year deal with option for further season.
"Manchester United will receive £10m plus £3m add ons, deal was already agreed between clubs last week. Now it’s all set to be done"
Cristiano Ronaldo stats
Manchester United could actually be better off without Cristiano Ronaldo this coming season.
Ronaldo led the line for most of last season, and despite him topping the individual charts, United only managed to find the net 57 times in the Premier League.
However, the season before the star forward's arrival last September proved to be much more fruitful as they scored 73 goals in 38 top-flight matches.
You may think that is clutching at straws, but even the Portugal captain's former club Juventus’ goal output dried up after he moved there.
Juve fired 86 goals in their 2017/2018 Serie A title-winning campaign but in the three years that followed after he joined from Real Madrid that tally dropped to 70, 76 and then 77
Ron to watch
Manchester United need to deal with Cristiano Ronaldo's situation as soon as possible, according to club legend Gary Neville.
That is because the transfer saga could affect manager Erik ten Hag's bid of rebuilding the team after a disastrous season.
Neville tweeted: "The only important factor with the Ronaldo situation is that it’s dealt with decisively and quickly.
"This can’t be a saga that takes the focus away from Erik ten Hag bedding in period for the next two months."
Credit: GETTY IMAGES Murtough on Malacia
Manchester United Football Director John Murtough praised Tyrell Malacia.
Murtough said: "Tyrell is an exciting, dynamic young footballer with excellent experience for his age, including five seasons in the Eredivisie, a European final and full International honours for the Netherlands.
"We look forward to seeing him continue to develop under the guidance of Erik ten Hag and his coaching team in the years ahead.
"Everyone at Manchester United welcomes Tyrell to the club”
First Dybs for Paulo
Paulo Dybala is considering a move to the Premier League this summer with Manchester United interested.
Dybala left Juventus when his contract expired at the end of last season and is now a free agent with Inter Milan heavily linked with a swoop.
According to , however, the Nerazzurri have put the forward on stand-by after the return of Romelu Lukaku on loan from Chelsea.
The 28-year-old will now look to the Prem as his next potential destination with United keeping tabs.
The Red Devils are likely to lose Cristiano Ronaldo and need a replacement for Edinson Cavani
Malacia's first words
Manchester United signing Tyrell Malacia praised manager Erik ten Hag after being unveiled as the club's first summer transfer.
Malacia said: “It’s an incredible feeling to have joined Manchester United.
"This is a new chapter for me, a new league with new team-mates and a tremendous manager [Erik ten Hag] leading us.
“I know from playing against his teams in the Eredivisie, the qualities that he has and what he demands of his players.
“Whilst I know that I am still young and will continue to develop, I can promise the United fans that I will leave everything on the pitch every time I pull on the red shirt.
"I’ll always be thankful to Feyenoord for all they have given to me and my family.
“None of this would be possible if it wasn’t for them. Now I’m ready to focus on the future with United, and help my new club achieve success”
Ronaldo wages slashed
Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly "upset" that his wages have been cut by 25 per cent.
United's failure to qualify for the Champions League has resulted in reduction across the board at Old Trafford.
And the salary slash is one of the reasons Ronaldo has sensationally asked to leave the Red Devils, according to .
Sources suggest the 37-year-old is "upset" his wages next season will drop by a quarter.
The star forward penned a contract worth £480,000-a-week when he made an emotional return to United last year.
That will now go down to a basic weekly salary of £360,000
Credit: GETTY IMAGES Man Utd fixture amendments
Manchester United have had a few Premier League fixture amendments ahead of the coming season.
Brentford vs United still takes place on August 13 but the time has changed to 5.30pm.
The derby with Liverpool at Old Trafford has been moved to August 22 at 8pm.
Southampton vs Man Utd remains on August 27 but takes place at 12:30pm.
Leicester vs United has been moved to September 1 at 8pm.
Man Utd vs Arsenal now takes place on September 4 at 4:30pm.
Crystal Palace vs Man Utd will be played September 11 at 4:30pm.
And Man Utd vs Leeds has been moved on September 18 at 2pm
Lap it up
Barcelona president Joan Laporta claims a number of clubs want Frenkie de Jong but insists he has “no intention” of selling the Manchester United target.
Laporta said: “There are clubs that want him, not just United. We have no intention of selling him, he wants to stay.
“Frenkie is considered as one of the best midfielders in the world by all the experts. We are happy to have him.
“I’m going to do everything I can in my power so that Frenkie stays here, but there’s also a salary issue and that would have to be adjusted”
Cristiano Ronaldo EXCLUSIVE
Chelsea are having internal differences regarding a potential swoop for Manchester United’s wantaway superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
According to SunSport’s Andy Dillon, new Blues owner Todd Boehly is a huge fan of Ronaldo but must now convince manager Thomas Tuchel to go for him.
Tuchel and Boehly are set to hold talks on whether to follow up with a firm bid for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner or invest in other positions.
The German head coach thinks Manchester City star Raheem Sterling and defenders are the priority after losing key centre-backs.
But the American businessman wants a marquee signing to launch his regime after taking over last month
Ronaldo linked with Barcelona
Manchester United's wantaway star Cristiano Ronaldo has been linked with a shock move to Barcelona.
Ronaldo wants to leave United and Barca have emerged as a possible destination.
The star forward's agent Jorge Mendes has linked up with Barclona president Joan Laporta to speak about a deal, according to AS.
Chelsea and Bayern Munich are other clubs the Portugal captain has been linked with
Credit: GETTY IMAGES Luke's a Shaw thing
Former Manchester United ace Lee Sharpe claims Luke Shaw can still be Erik ten Hag's No1 left-back ahead of Tyrell Malacia if he has a good pre-season.
Sharpe told : "But like I said, Luke Shaw is one of the best left-backs in the world on his day.
"If he can have a good pre-season, and get himself properly fit and be up for the challenge, I still think he’ll be the No1 left-back.
“To surmise, [Alex] Telles will be looking for a trip out on loan or maybe a sale to somewhere else because I think he will go to third in the pecking order”
Tyrell Malacia competition
Former Manchester United ace Lee Sharpe expects new signing Tyrell Malacia to offer Luke Shaw some much-needed competition at left-back.
Sharpe told : “I think Luke Shaw, on his day, is probably one of the best left-backs in the world.
“I think the problem for Luke Shaw is that he’s not really had a challenge at left-back.
"This new signing [Malacia] might just do that [challenge Shaw]."
"He [Malacia] looks highly talented, really quick, really good defender, loves going forward”
Christian Eriksen confirmed
Former Tottenham star Christian Eriksen's transfer to Manchester United has been reportedly confirmed.
United have drawn up a contract that Erkisen needs to sign before the switch is complete, Fabrizio Romano reported on
And the attacking midfielder will sign on the dotted line once he completes his medical.
The Denmark international's contract will see him remain at Old Trafford for a three-year period
Malacia transfer reminder
Manchester United have completed the signing of Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord.
Malacia put pen to paper on a contract with the Red Devils until 2026.
And an option to extend the deal for another 12 months upon completion was also embedded in the deal.
United say the fee is £12.9million with a further £1.75m in add ons for the left-back
Credit: GETTY IMAGES Ronaldo 'fuming about wage cut'
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly "upset" that his Manchester United wages have been cut by 25 per cent.
United's failure to qualify for the Champions League has resulted in the reduction across the board at Old Trafford.
And the salary slash is one of the reasons Ronaldo has sensationally asked to leave the club, according to .
Sources have told MEN the 37-year-old is "upset" his wages next season will drop by a quarter.
Ronaldo penned a contract worth £480k-a-week when he made an emotional return to Manchester United last year.
That will now go down to a basic weekly wage of £360k.
Man United handed De Jong blow
Joan Laporta claims a number of clubs want Frenkie de Jong - but insists Barcelona have “no intention” of selling the Manchester United target.
Laporta said: “There are clubs that want him, not just United.
“We have no intention of selling him, he wants to stay.
“Frenkie is considered as one of the best midfielders in the world by all the experts.
“We are happy to have him.”
Laporta added: “I’m going to do everything I can in my power so that Frenkie stays here, but there’s also a salary issue and that would have to be adjusted.”
Man United 'lack ambition'
Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave Man United because the club lack ambition.
That's according to United Stand host Mark Goldbridge, who said on talkSPORT: "This is what Cristiano Ronaldo is doing. It is not good enough for Manchester United.
"The ambition needs to be from the top and it is not there.
“Fans can dress it up as they like, but Ronaldo is leaving because there is a lack of ambition at Manchester United, and I agree with that.”
Who is Tyrell Malacia?
Man United new signing Malacia shot through the ranks of Feyenoord's academy from the tender age of nine.
He went on pen his first pro contract with the Dutch side in 2015.
The left-back's ascent continued and he made his debut with Feyenoord's first-team in 2017.
He simultaneously built a name with the Netherlands international side where he's been capped at every level from the U16's to the senior team.
Thus far, Malacia's earned five caps for the Dutch first-team.
Credit: Getty Murtough heaps praise on Malacia
Man United's football director John Murtough has heaped praise on new signing Tyrell Malacia.
United just announced they've signed the defender from Feyenoord until 2026.
And Murtough was one of the first to welcome Malacia to Manchester.
He beamed to the club's press: "Tyrell is an exciting, dynamic young footballer with excellent experience for his age, including five seasons in the Eredivisie, a European final and full international honours for the Netherlands.
“We look forward to seeing him continue to develop under the guidance of Erik ten Hag and his coaching team in the years ahead.
“Everyone at Manchester United welcomes Tyrell to the club.”
Credit: Getty
Malacia speaks on United transfer
Man United new-boy Tyrell Malacia has opened up on his move to Old Trafford.
He told the club's media: "It’s an incredible feeling to have joined Manchester United. This is a new chapter for me, a new league with new team-mates and a tremendous manager [Erik ten Hag] leading us.
“I know from playing against his teams in the Eredivisie, the qualities that he has and what he demands of his players.
“Whilst I know that I am still young and will continue to develop, I can promise the United fans that I will leave everything on the pitch every time I pull on the red shirt. I’ll always be thankful to Feyenoord for all they have given to me and my family.
“None of this would be possible if it wasn’t for them. Now I’m ready to focus on the future with United, and help my new club achieve success.”
Credit: Getty Malacia transfer fees revealed
Man United have made their first signing of the summer by snapping up Feyenoord defender Tyrell Malacia, MARTIN BLACKBURN WRITES.
The contract is until 2026 with a further year option.
Utd say the fee is £12.9million with a further £1.75m in add ons.
United confirm Malacia transfer
Man United have completed the signing of Feyenoord ace Tyrell Malacia.
The Dutch defender penned a contract with the Red Devils until 2026.
And an option to extend the deal for another 12 months upon completion was also embedded in the contract, United revealed.
Credit: Getty Let 'bad apple Ronaldo leave'
Man United have been urged to grant 'bad apple' Cristiano Ronaldo his wish and let him leave the club.
The damning verdict was issued by ex-Chelsea star Craig Burley.
Burley told ESPN amid reports linking Ronaldo with Chelsea: "[Apparently] there will be a few tears shed in the Manchester United dressing room if Cristiano Ronaldo leaves… Really?’
"Trust me, the only tears shed will be from fans at the fact that half of these wannabees are at the club.
"The fact that he allegedly was a bit divisive last year on arrival at the club, I think that’s merely down to the fact that the standards were awful. I can understand that frustration.
"I think Manchester United have to get him out. He’s not the future. You can’t have a bad apple, a divisive player and one that doesn’t want to be there."
