MANCHESTER UNITED will not stand in the way of Cristiano Ronaldo if he wants to quit the club this summer.
There are no guarantees that the Red Devils will land a Champions League spot and failing to do so could see the Portuguese icon move on.
United seemed to have pulled off a masterstroke signing the 36-year-old from Juventus in the summer.
But there are feelings at the club that the incredible Ronaldo come-back story hasn't gone to plan.
Raphael Varane was also part of United's summer transfer overhaul and Ralf Rangnick could make the Frenchman captain, according to reports.
The Red Devils boss said: "Well I don't know, it is difficult to say right now.
"What will happen in the next one, two or three years? I don't know. That is not of any importance. For me it is what will happen in the next three months."
Follow ALL of the latest updates and transfer gossip from Old Trafford right here…
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
- Kostas Lianos
Good morning Man Utd fans
Manchester United beat Leeds 4-2 in a Premier League encounter at Elland Road.
Under-fire United skipper Harry Maguire opened the scoring on 34 minutes and Bruno Fernandes doubled the visitors' lead in the fifth minute of stoppage time before half-time.
But the Red Devils lost their lead in just 60 seconds when Rodrigo found the net on 53 minutes and Raphinha equalised.
But United regained the lead with Fred in the 70th minute before Anthony Elanga sealed the win two minutes before full-time.
Meanwhile, United will NOT stand in Cristiano Ronaldo's way if he demands an exit in the summer.
The Red Devils are facing a huge battle to even reach the Champions League during another disappointing campaign.
Ronaldo has made his frustrations known over the Manchester giants’ inability to fight for the Premier League title.
And according to the Mirror, United will not stand in the five time Ballon d'Or winner's way if he opts to leave Old Trafford this summer.
The 37-year-old would still have one-year left on his contract but would still be let go.
And United's pursuit of Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong has been handed a blow as the midfielder revealed his intentions to stay at the Nou Camp for 'many more years'.
De Jong told The Guardian: "I’m very happy I’m at Barcelona: from a young age I’ve wanted to be here, so in that way it has been a dream come true.
"But I would have liked to win more trophies than we did in my first two years. I expected more in that sense, let’s put it that way.
"But other than that, I’m very happy here and hopefully [I will be here] for many more years."
Finally, United legend Roy Keane snubbed a return to management with old team Sunderland because of the length of the contract.
SunSport understand the Black Cats would only guarantee Keane a position for the season.
The legendary United captain would have needed to shelve his lucrative TV deal to risk it all on gaining League One promotion.
The Irishman was not concerned about the drop in salary but there was no chance for him to plan ahead with the initial suggestion of a short-term stay
- Kostas Lianos
Man of the Match
Manchester United legend Gary Neville claims Jadon Sancho was man of the match against Leeds.
Neville told Sky Sports: "I have to give Sancho man of the match for his two assists.
"He is definitely getting better, and he looks much more comfortable in this Manchester United shirt.
"It's been Manchester United's quality, in the end, that has won this game.
"His delicate chipped cross in the first half for Bruno Fernandes' goal and the reverse pass to Fred for the third played a crucial part in the win"
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
Bielsa reacts to loss
Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa admits he is "worried" after the loss to Manchester United.
Bielsa said: "It is impossible not to be worried. We have conceded 50 goals. Do you think I cannot be worried? How can I not feel responsible?"
"In the first half we started well and ended well but didn't manage to score. In the moments we lost dominance they scored.
"After we got back level, we had the chance to go 3-2 up and straight way they went up and scored again. We played better trying to get back into the game than when we were trying to keep a result, but something has repeated that is difficult to resolve.
"We have to defend better. We are missing Kalvin Phillips and Robin Koch was substituted and we could not count on Pascal [Struijk] in midfield because he went back into defence. Not being able to come with the three defensive midfielders we have, there is a weakness in the recovery of the ball"
- Kostas Lianos
Maguire addresses result
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire admitted the club should have started the second half in a better way against Leeds.
Maguire said: "We needed to start the second half better, for sure. They came out right on top of us.
"Their first goal is obviously really lucky, and it got them right back in it and then they scored a good goal.
"We had to fight back and stick together; we knew it was a tough place to come but we knew we had qualities and could hurt them.
"We said at half-time we needed to score more in the second half and we managed to do that"
- Kostas Lianos
Rangnick reacts to victory
Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick said the win over Leeds was the "best possible answer" to stories of dressing room rift.
Rangnick said: "We knew that it was an important win today. It was similar to the one against West Ham. That was similarly emotional at the end with the last-second goal. But today it was more important, not only that we won the game but the way that we reacted after conceding the equaliser.
"That was the best possible answer the team could give. It was perfect with regard to maturity, unity and the best reply that they could give to some articles last week that there was some disruption in the locker room.
"I think a game like this one today you can only win as a team and with the mentality of a team and this was, apart from the three points, the most important thing"
- Kostas Lianos
Roy not Keane
Manchester United legend Roy Keane snubbed a return to management with old club Sunderland because of the length of the contract.
SunSport understand the Black Cats would only guarantee Keane a position for the season.
The legendary United captain would have needed to shelve his lucrative TV deal to risk it all on gaining League One promotion.
The Irishman was not concerned about the drop in salary but there was no chance for him to plan ahead with the initial suggestion of a short-term stay
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
More from Ferdinand
"I had a police escort from the team bus to the changing room when we got to the stadium and then when I got out on to the pitch the fans that once loved me for the time I was there made their feelings known in no uncertain terms!
"The atmosphere was electric towards me and my team-mates – absolute dislike (to put it mildly).
"As a player I loved these days, the more the opposition fans were against you the more it fired you up!
"Unfortunately we lost 1-0 that day but it was an atmosphere that stayed with me for a long time after!"
- Kostas Lianos
This is Fer real
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand was warned by police not to return to the city of Leeds after his move to the Red Devils in 2002 as it would be 'dangerous'.
Reminiscing about Leeds vs United on Instagram, Ferdinand wrote: "I actually didn’t realise how big the rivalry was until I actually signed for @manchesterunited.
"A day or two after I had signed for Man Utd I got a call from the Yorkshire police advising me not to come back to Leeds for a while as they had some intel that it would be quite dangerous for me!
"I quickly realised how big this was for Leeds fans and I especially did when I played my 1st game back at Elland road as a Man Utd player"
- Kostas Lianos
Turned a corner
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire admitted it is 'embarrassing' that his team went 139 corners without a goal.
Maguire said: "Embarrassing. Every time I see that stat I get embarrassed myself.
"I'm a big part in that set-piece routine and trying to score goals from corners.
"As a team, as a group, we've been no where near good enough.
"It's a big part of the game, and for sure if we score more from corners and set-plays, we'd be higher in the table.
"I know you can play all this pretty football, but set-plays are a massive part of the game and this season we've been nowhere near good enough"
- Kostas Lianos
More from Keane on Cantona
"The game is about characters and personalities, and Eric [Cantona] was up there with the best, but he also produced, he also produced on a matchday.
"A lot of clubs can have mavericks, but they don't turn up at the weekend, they're kind of lads during the week.
"But Eric turned up on a Saturday and done the business, and particularly in my time at the club he scored so many big goals in big games.
"And ultimately that's what it's about and I think that's why the fans love him as well"
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
Cantona night out
Manchester United legendary captain Roy Keane hilariously revealed Eric Cantona was 'really good on a night out'.
Keane told Sky Sports: "As I said [he was] a brilliant personality in the dressing room, when you're travelling with him. A good guy, classy guy.
"And as I said, really, really good on a night out as well.
"I'm surprised we saw him drinking a pint, when we used to go out there was always champagne, he's obviously made a few bob in his time at United"
- Kostas Lianos
More from Merson
"Harry Maguire, you know I said from day one, I thought it would be a little bit of a struggle playing on the half-way line.
"I thought he's not blessed with a lot of pace but at the end of the day he still has to get protection.
"I don't care who you are as a centre-half, their holding players don't sit as the sitters, they're all over the place.
"They're having a shot on the edge of the box, over on the left, right, you're a holding midfield player you sit in front and protect the back four.
"I don't care if you're the best centre-half in the world, if you keep getting run at and there's a lot of space in the channels you're going to have a hard time"
- Kostas Lianos
Mers-y for Harry
Paul Merson says he feels 'sorry' for Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire as he's being let down by his team-mates.
Merson said: "I feel sorry for Harry Maguire, I don't think they play to his strengths.
"The players on the pitch are letting him down, he needs more protection.
"I know people say 'oh he's £80m' but I don't care – you get someone running at you on a consistent basis and it's a big old pitch Old Trafford, you don't want to be coming out"
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
Mar problems for Anthony
Manchester United loanee Anthony Martial has suffered an injury setback just four games into his Sevilla loan.
Martial swapped the Premier League for LaLiga in January for the next six months to try and revive his career.
And the forward got off to a good start by scoring for the Andalusians in the Europa League this month.
But now, the France international faces a nervy wait to find out the extent of the injury he sustained against Espanyol in the league.
The 26-year-old went off after only 26 minutes holding his left leg and was replaced by Papu Gomez
- Kostas Lianos
De Jong blow
Manchester United's pursuit of Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong has been handed a blow as the midfielder revealed his intentions to stay at the Nou Camp for 'many more years' to come.
De Jong told The Guardian: "I’m very happy I’m at Barcelona: from a young age I’ve wanted to be here, so in that way it has been a dream come true.
"But I would have liked to win more trophies than we did in my first two years. I expected more in that sense, let’s put it that way.
"But other than that, I’m very happy here and hopefully [will be here] for many more years"
- Kostas Lianos
Var check
Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick insists Harry Maguire will remain captain amid rumours suggesting Raphael Varane could replace him.
Rangnick said: "Well, I don't know, it is difficult to say right now. I am happy that he has been continuously training, having had no injuries. This was probably his biggest issue in the first weeks and months that he has always had to deal with some injuries. After having trained or played two or three games he was out for another six weeks.
"So, I think we took the right decision to let him rest and make sure the injury was causing no issues anymore. Right now he seems to have adopted, unfortunately he couldn't play against Brighton, he was supposed to play, but then he had some stomach problems.
"For me, it is most important that he stays in good health and that he doesn't get any further, most of all, muscle injuries. If that happens, he can obviously develop into one of the best centre-backs in the league.
"About the captaincy, we have a captain with Harry Maguire. He will be the captain until the end of the season for sure. What will happen in the next one, two, or three years? I don't know. That is not of any importance. For me, it is what will happen in the next three months"
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
Ron the go
Manchester United will NOT stand in Cristiano Ronaldo's way if he demands to leave in the summer.
United face a huge battle to even reach the Champions League during another disappointing campaign.
Ronaldo has made his frustrations clear over the Red Devils' inability to fight for the Premier League title.
And according to the Mirror, the Manchester giants will not stand in the five time Ballon d'Or winner's way if he opts to leave Old Trafford this summer.
The 37-year-old would still have one-year left on his contract, but United would still let him go
- Kostas Lianos
Leeds 2-4 Man Utd
Manchester United defeated Leeds 4-2 in a Premier League encounter at Elland Road.
Under-fire United captain Harry Maguire opened the scoring on 34 minutes and Bruno Fernandes doubled the visitors' lead in the fifth minute of stoppage time before half-time.
But the Red Devils lost their lead in just 60 seconds when Rodrigo hit the back of the net on 53 minutes and Raphinha equalised.
But United regained the lead with Fred in the 70th minute before Anthony Elanga sealed the victory two minutes before full-time
- Justin Lawrence
Fred to the rescue
Man United had Fred to thank as they halted an embarrassing Leeds comeback at a waterlogged Elland Road.
United were 2-0 up at half-time but conceded twice in as many minutes straight after the break.
However, Fred came off the bench to fire home a stunner before Anthony Elanga's late strike gave United a hard-fought 4-2 win.
- Justin Lawrence
Elanga gets struck by object
Man United youngster Anthony Elanga was hit by an object after celebrating Fred's second half strike against Leeds.
Elanga as well as Fred were brought on for Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard in order to change United's fortunes. And they did.
Fred finished off a sweeping counter attack to restore United's lead and strengthen their grip on fourth place.
And as United's players celebrated the thumping finish, Elanga was hit by an object coming from the stands.
United's medical team attended to the teenager and after a quick check over he was cleared to play the rest of the game.
- Justin Lawrence
Fred restores United's lead
Leeds are hosting Manchester United in an absolute thriller at Elland Road.
Super-sub Fred has given United a 3-2 lead after Rodrigo and Rafinha scored in just 59 seconds to level it for Leeds.
With 15 minutes or so remaining Leeds really need to pick themselves up to have another go at the visitors.
- Justin Lawrence
Leeds stage amazing comeback
Leeds United have scored TWICE in just 24 seconds to level it up 2-2 against Manchester United at Elland Road.
Rodrigo and Rafinha scored early in the second half in a quick-fire double of remarkable proportions in rain-soaked scenery.
Those goals have reignited the atmosphere here at Elland Road.
Every time Leeds go forward now the crowd erupts.
- Justin Lawrence
Maguire ends United's set-piece goal drought
Harry Maguire ended Manchester United's awful goal drought from corners, scoring on their 140th attempt against Leeds.
The Red Devils had taken 139 corners in the league this season, managing to score a grand total of ZERO goals.
But Luke Shaw's inch-perfect cross presented captain Maguire the perfect opportunity to end United's goal drought from corners, as well as fire his team into a first half lead.
Maguire lost his marker Diego Llorente and powered his header into the back of the net.
The last time United scored from a corner was April 2021 against Burnley.
- Justin Lawrence
James snubs Shaw's handshake
Leeds winger Dan James refused to shake hands with his old Manchester United pal Luke Shaw after the left-back checked up on him.
With James down on the deck following a tackle during Leeds vs Manchester United, Shaw came over to offer his hand.
But the Leeds man SNUBBED Shaw's outstretched peace offering, much to the bemusement of the England star.
James looked at his hand and chose not to take it, with Shaw left red-faced after being completely blanked by the Welsh winger.
The 24-year-old, who spent two unsuccessful years at Old Trafford, simply turned away in spite after taking a blow to the face.
- Justin Lawrence
Man United plan Carvalho swoop
Man United are attempting to hijack Liverpool's bid to sign Fabio Carvalho this summer, according to reports.
A Kop deal for Fulham wonderkid Carvalho, 19, collapsed at the final hurdle in January.
Now the Daily Star have reported that sources inside Old Trafford say that United are scouting the wonderkid.
After watching the attacker score against Man City in the FA Cup, Red Devils scouts have checked him out 'twice more since'.
And they've been so impressed that they may muscle in with an offer this summer.
Source: Read Full Article
