MANCHESTER UNITED have crashed out of the Champions League after a 3-2 defeat at RB Leipzig.
We've the very latest on their pursuit of Leicester forward Harvey Barnes, who is being targeted by the Red Devils.
Get all the latest news, updates and gossip from Old Trafford here…
- Marc Mayo
PAUL THE OTHER ONE
David De Gea was labelled a bottler on a night when Manchester United blew their Champions League dream.
The Red Devils crumbled against RB Leipzig conceding twice in the opening 13 minutes BEFORE De Gea turned his back on Justin Kluivert for the crucial third.
And United legend Paul Scholes lambasted the United goalkeeper.
Scholes said: “"He bottles it. He's scared of getting himself hurt. He turns his back away and makes himself smaller.
“It's criminal for such an experienced goalkeeper.”
Credit: AFP - Marc Mayo
OLD LADY LURE
Juventus' sporting director has dropped a huge hint the club will look to bring Paul Pogba back to the club.
The wantaway Frenchman is heading for the Old Trafford exit door after his agent Mino Raiola confirmed he will not sign a new deal.
Fabio Paratici told Mediaset: "We love Paul, he’s an amazing player but he’s playing for Manchester United now.
"He’ll not be a free agent, you have to pay if you want to sign Pogba.
"We know so well the value of Paul Pogba. We also know his price, so we will see what happens”.
- William Pugh
GOOD MORNING UNITED FANS
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer felt his side were unlucky after crashing out of the Champions League with a 3-2 defeat to RB Leipzig.
Speaking after the game, on BT Sport, he said: "We showed spirit in a comeback again- it's different to the Premier League- you can't give a team a three goal lead and expect to come back.
"We were unlucky towards the end, I felt the character was there and I almost thought it was in at the last minute too.
"Of course you can't say we were good enough, we weren't.
"In a difficult group we started well, then the turning point was the defeat to Istanbul- that's where we lost the points that we should have had- today we were clime and we knew we had to defend crosses and balls in the box, but we just couldn't clear then."
On-loan Manchester City player Angelino stunned the Red Devils with a SECOND-MINUTE strike, then set up Amadou Haidara for No.2.
Justin Kluivert struck Leipzig’s third before a late Bruno Fernandes penalty and a Paul Pogba header gave United some hope.
But the defeat plunged United into the Europa League and increases the heat on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The United boss had left Pogba on the bench following his agent Mino Raiola’s claims that he is unhappy and wants out of Old Trafford.
But Solskjaer insisted: “My decisions tonight are tactical, it’s a team selection. We decided on the midfield for this game before we played West Ham.”
Harry Maguire meanwhile admitted United weren't ready and started too slow.
He said: “We started the game too slow, we weren’t good enough for the first 20 minutes and gave ourselves too much to do.
“At 2-0 down we said the next goal was crucial.
We came close at the end but we didn’t start the game well.
"I don’t want make excuses about the shape. It is not an excuse.
“If you can’t defend crosses you are going to lose matches.
“It’s a tough group but we felt we should get through. I am gutted for everyone. This club deserves to be in this competition.”
- Joe Brophy
LUCK OF THE DRAW
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer felt his side were unlucky after crashing out of the Champions League with a 3-2 defeat to RB Leipzig.
Speaking after the game, on BT Sport, he said: "We showed spirit in a comeback again- it's different to the Premier League- you can't give a team a three goal lead and expect to come back.
"We were unlucky towards the end, I felt the character was there and I almost thought it was in at the last minute too.
"Of course you can't say we were good enough, we weren't.
"In a difficult group we started well, then the turning point was the defeat to Istanbul- that's where we lost the points that we should have had- today we were clime and we knew we had to defend crosses and balls in the box, but we just couldn't clear then."
- Joe Brophy
VERDICT
SunSport's Neil Custis writes: "Have no doubt Paul Pogba played his part in this result.
"On the pitch Pogba gave Manchester United a lifeline with his late header. Off it, however, he had already damaged them.
"Solskjaer claimed it was tactical that Pogba did not start last night. I don’t doubt he was always going to start McTominay and Nemanja Matic, which tells it’s own story where Pogba is concerned.
"He did bring him on after 60 minutes more in hope than anything else with the game already wandering away from United.
"He couldn’t pull it round. They had lost this in the opening 13 minutes and maybe before even a ball had been kicked."
- Joe Brophy
EURO CRASH
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer loves to talk about restoring the glory, glory
days when Manchester United used to snatch victory from the jaws of
defeat.Well, despite all their recent domestic comebacks, this Champions
League campaign has been the polar opposite of all that.United appeared to be cruising into the group stages after winning in
Paris and demolishing Leipzig at Old Trafford in their opening two
fixtures.But what followed has been a weapons-grade balls-up, as Solskjaer’s
men were condemned to the Europa League by defeat in Germany.Read Dave Kidd's match report HERE.
- Joe Brophy
FT: RB LEIPZIG 3-2 MAN UTD
Two late goals for the away side brought late hope but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men have crashed out of the Champions League.
That result means RB Leipzig join Paris St-Germain in going through to the knockout stages.
- Joe Brophy
RB LEIPZIG 3-0 MAN UTD
Less than a minute after Bruno Fernandes clipped the crossbar at the other end, the Red Devils Champions League journey appears to be over.
A ball in to the centre of the box sees Maguire hesitate and misjudge Kluivert's run behind him, De Gea comes out half-heartedly allowing the Leipzig man to lift the ball over him.
- Joe Brophy
GO ON MY SON
Rio Ferdinand has hinted that he would love United to launch a move for Spurs star Son Heung-min.
He said on his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE: "I have a got a question for you: 'Is Son the best Asian player to come to the Premier League?
"Listen, I played with more of a player's player, but an absolute top player, top professional in Park Ji-sung.
"Park Ji-sung, you wanted him in your team. I remember he man-marked [Andrea] Pirlo out of a game once. Pirlo was waking up in the middle of the night and Ji was at the bottom of the bed waiting for him, giving him nightmares.
"But Son, man. If there was a player that I could take now [to Manchester United] that I feel would get the ball, he would be up there as one of my first picks, definitely in my top three.
"I love the way he plays, he is direct, he hurts teams, wants to score all the time, can go off both feet and he looks like a fantastic lad as well, so who is the best Asian player to play in the Premier League?"
- Joe Brophy
RB LEIPZIG 2-0 MAN UTD
The hosts actually had the ball in the back of the net for a third time but thankfully for the Red Devils, VAR ruled it out for offside.
But here's how United fell behind early…
- Joe Brophy
RB LEIPZIG 2-0 MAN UTD
Things are not looking good for the Red Devils as Haidara doubles the hosts lead.
Keep up to date with minute by minute action on SunSport's Live Blog HERE.
- Joe Brophy
RB LEIPZIG 1-0 MAN UTD
Horror start for the Red Devils as they're caught cold early as the hosts take the lead.
A long ball over picks out Angelino on the left of the box, bouncing in front of a jogging Wan-Bissaka.
Angelino fires the ball beautifully with his first touch, on his left foot, into the bottom right-hand corner as De Gea remains flat footed in the centre of the goal.
- Joe Brophy
PAUL TO PLAY FOR
Speaking ahead of the game, Ole Gunnar Solskjær spoke of his team selection, but failed to be drawn on Paul Pogba's absence.
He said: "We need a team that's flexible, a team with legs and we need experience because it's a big game."
- Joe Brophy
TEAM NEWS
Paul Pogba has been dropped for United's must-win Champions League clash against RB Leipzig.
- Joe Brophy
BRU BEAUTY
Bruno Fernandes has reportedly convinced Manchester United to sell Paul Pogba through his terrific performances.
Calciomercato claim the Red Devils had hopes French ace Pogba would become an inspirational leader at the club.
But the report adds that the Frenchman's role has now been usurped by Fernandes who has dazzled since his January arrival.
- Joe Brophy
DUTCH COURAGE
Timothy Fosu-Mensah has revealed his joy at Donny van de Beek following him from Ajax academy to Manchester United.
“It feels good,” the defender told United’s official website, on being joined by Donny at the club.
“It’s special also because we’ve seen each other since we were so small, growing up and then I left when I was 16. He was still at Ajax but we always had good contact with each other.
“When I left for United, I still played for the national youth teams in the Netherlands, the Under-17s, Under-18s, Under-19s, Under-21s, and he was always there. So it’s very special to see him now at Manchester United.”
- Joe Brophy
WET HIS BEAK
Timothy Fosu-Mensah has revealed he played small role in Manchester United's acquisition of Donny van de Beek.
The full-back told United's official website: “I told him United is a big club, if not the biggest club.
“I said it's good if you have the opportunity to come here. We have got very good team-mates, the quality is very good here.
“I said, 'It’s up to you because I can’t make the decision for you but it’s a very good club'. At the end of the day it was his decision.”
- Joe Brophy
CAM ON THEN
Manchester United have been put on high alert after Eduardo Camavinga informed Rennes of his desire to leave next summer, reports claim.
The French teenager has been turning heads for nearly two years now, after bursting onto the scene in Ligue 1.
He quickly became a key player at Rennes last season, despite his tender years.
But according to Mundo Deportivo, he could soon be on his way.
They report that Camavinga, 18, has informed his club of his desire to make an 'amicable exit' next summer.
- Joe Brophy
PAUL ALL OVER
Juventus cannot afford to sign Paul Pogba.
Italian journalist Tony Damascelli told Calciomercato: "The return of Pogba is a nice idea, but it’s difficult to pull off.
"They don’t even have the money to sign Fabio Quagliarella. They don’t have a single euro to spend on the market.
"They can only do a deal if someone leaves for someone to come in."
- Marc Mayo
CONFIDENCE
Manchester United will take confidence into tonight’s game despite RB Leipzig’s impressive rise.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has declared that, if his team performs, any opponent would struggle to beat them.
He told the club website: “They’ve got good players, a good team and the way they’ve risen up the ranks has been impressive.
“Tonight is all about Man United and how we perform. When we are at our best, I think any side will struggle against us.”
- Marc Mayo
DIO-GO
AC Milan director Ricky Massarra has outlined his club’s plan for loanee Diogo Dalot.
The Manchester United full-back has impressed in Italy and the Rossoneri are prepared to try and make his move from Old Trafford permanent.
Massarra told TMW: "The current market has changed, and forms of loaning are quite in vogue in this period.
"Then when there is a way to transform loans into outright transfers we'll do it, because we want to create assets.
"But at the moment we are happy with these purchases, when the time comes we will sit down with the particular clubs to discuss their future."
NINTCHDBPICT000623661824Credit: Reuters
- Marc Mayo
NEVER HAPPY
Bookies still reckon Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is among the more-likely Premier League managers to be given the boot.
BetFair rate the Manchester United manager’s chances of going at 9/1 despite the Red Devils’ improved recent form.
Of course, it will only take a defeat tonight to see those prices tumble.
Here are the top five bookies’ favourites for the sack:
- Slaven Bilic – 2/1
- Chris Wilder – 11/4
- Mikel Arteta – 11/2
- Scott Parker – 15/2
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – 9/1
OVER THE COUNTER
Michael Owen reckons old side Manchester United will feast on RB Leipzig if the German side are too offensive tonight.
Space in behind could suit the likes of Marcus Rashford and ex-striker Owen sees the counter-attack is the route to victory.
He told BetVictor: “Manchester United will be without [Edinson] Cavani and [Anthony] Martial for their trip to Leipzig.
“The Germans were involved in an enthralling 3-3 draw at home to Bayern Munich at the weekend, so United know this will be a big test.
“The home side need to win here to secure qualification, however, it’s on the road where United have shone this campaign.
“Leipzig quite simply need to win. I reckon if they attack United, they could leave themselves exposed at the back and pay the ultimate price against a side that seem to be at their best when playing on the counter-attack.”
SPAIN LING FOR JESSE
Real Sociedad are among the sides discussing a loan deal for Jesse Lingard, it has been claimed.
Sky Sports report on the outcast midfielder being keen for a loan switch to earn some first-team football in the second half of the season.
LaLiga high-flyers Sociedad are one team named with the likes of Celtic, Rangers and West Brom previously linked.
RUUD NOT TO
Ruud van Nistelrooy has been handed a key role at Euro 2020 and the World Cup – as Holland's assistant manager.
The Manchester United icon is currently lying low coaching former club PSV Eindhoven's Under-19 side.
But recently-appointed Oranje boss Frank de Boer has approached his former national teammate about working together.
Van Nistelrooy won the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup during his five-year Old Trafford stay.
De Boer said: "I've had a coffee with Ruud, and it's definitely the intention for him to join us.
"We have to see if it can be done, but he is very eager."
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