SIR JIM RATCLIFFE and Manchester United face competition from Saudi Pro League clubs for highly-rated sporting director Paul Mitchell.
The former Tottenham and Southampton chief has been linked with a move to Old Trafford as part of a management shake-up if the British billionaire buys into the club and takes control of football operations.
Meanwhile, United boss Erik ten Hag has dedicated his side's 2-1 win away at Sheffield United to the late great Sir Bobby Charlton after the club legend passed away at the age of 86.
The Dutchman said his team "showed our respect" for the legendary 1966 World Cup winner after coming away from Bramall Lane with all three points.
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Follow ALL of the latest from Old Trafford below…
- By Emillia Hawkins
Player ratings
Read SunSport’s player ratings from yesterday’s match here:
MAN UTD RATINGS Maguire looks at home back at Bramall Lane but Amrabat still off the pace
- By Emillia Hawkins
'His impact will live on'
Man Utd defender Raphael Varane has paid tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton on social media.
He tweeted: "My sincerest condolences go out to the family and friends of Sir Bobby Charlton today.
"We as players at this special club stand on the shoulders of giants every day, and Sir Bobby was the biggest of them all. His impact will live on for generations to come."
- By Emillia Hawkins
'A great player and even greater man'
Fans have laid flowers outside Old Trafford with messages in honour of Sir Bobby Charlton.
- By Emillia Hawkins
United's move for sporting director to be hijacked
Man Utd face competition from Saudi Pro League clubs for highly-rated sporting director Paul Mitchell.
The former Tottenham and Southampton chief has been linked with a move to Old Trafford as part of a management shake-up if Sir Jim Ratcliffe buys into the club and takes control of football operations.
But Saudi clubs are also looking at Mitchell as they plan the next phase of their recruitment drive.
The former Manchester City youth player, 42, left Monaco earlier this year and recently moved back to his native North West, fuelling talk that United would be his next port of call.
Mitchell's record of identifying players with world-class potential like Son Heung-Min, Sadio Mane and Dele Alli, is also attracting attention in Saudi Arabia.
- By Emillia Hawkins
'A legend and true pillar'
Former Man Utd goalkeeper David De Gea has paid tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton.
He tweeted: "A legend and true pillar of Manchester United, whenever people think of the club around the world, they think of Sir Bobby Charlton. You will be missed throughout football. RIP."
Credit: X / @D_DeGea - By Emillia Hawkins
Fans pay tribute at Old Trafford
Football fans gathered outside Old Trafford last night to pay tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton.
Credit: EPA Credit: EPA Credit: PA - By Connor Greaves
Erik ten Hag dedicates win to Sir Bobby Charlton
United manager Ten Hag said post-match: "Very sad, our thoughts are with his family, especially his wife, his children and grandchildren.
"What he achieved in football was immense. Also his personality off the pitch. The football world lost a big man.
"We had to show our respect for him and I think we did that today. We wanted to celebrate but also to remember him.
"[The tribute from our fans] was fantastic. We have to pay contribution, pay our big goodbye, remembering Bobby Charlton because what he did was magnificent.
"He was outstanding on the pitch and off it.
"We wanted to remember Sir Bobby and I think we did it in a decent way."
- By Jon Boon
Casemiro's return
Erik ten Hag is not unhappy that Casemiro played with an injured ankle for Brazil against Uruguay, but expects him to be fit for the Manchester derby next weekend.
"You can’t – they are the rules," the Dutchman said.
"And he’s played for his nation and he's playing for us and we all understand Casemiro is a solider and he is always available for every game, he will always gives his best for nation and Manchester United.
“He was injured in the first game and he came off but he played the second game, it was an important one. I’m sure that game didn’t help him but it’s a small injury and he’ll return next week and he will be healed and ready for our next game, I'm sure.”
- By Jon Boon
Recruitment is key says Souness
Graeme Souness believes that recruitment will be key for Sir Jim Ratcliffe if he is to address Man Utd's slump.
“They [United] are one of, if not the biggest club in the world. Yet, they have a modest group of players,” the Scot told the Daily Mail.
“Because of that, there is one area Ratcliffe must address with urgency. Recruitment.
“This is the most important thing you have to get right at any club. Man United, since Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill left in 2013, have given a masterclass in how not to do it, and they’ve spent over £1billion in the process.”
- By Jon Boon
Mark of respect
Man Utd's stars wore black armbands in respect of Bobby Charlton's passing.
Here is Harry Maguire showing off his after a win against Sheffield United.
- By Jon Boon
Greenwood stops at Burger King
Manchester United loanee Mason Greenwood could be in for a grilling — as he is clocked grabbing a Burger King with his father.
His new coach at Spanish club Getafe, José Bordalás, forbids players from eating junk food.
But Greenwood, 22, and dad Andrew stopped off to collect two Burger King meals after training yesterday in Madrid.
Bordalás says the players are weighed every day and get a fine if they are too hefty.
Greenwood was loaned this summer after charges including attempted rape were dropped.
- By Jon Boon
Ten Hag's quotes on
Erik ten Hag calls Charlton a “giant” of the game.
A legend, a giant, his achievements are so immense and global… I never had the honour to meet him but what I heard, despite all his trophies and games, he was so humble and a big personality, he's an example for all of us in society and global wide."
Ten Hag on Charlton's passing
- By Jon Boon
Mitchell competition
Man Utd face competition from Saudi Pro League clubs for highly-rated sporting director Paul Mitchell.
The former Tottenham and Southampton chief has been linked with a move to Old Trafford as part of a management shake-up if Sir Jim Ratcliffe buys into the club and takes control of football operations.
But Saudi clubs are also looking at MItchell as they plan the next phase of their recruitment drive.
The former Manchester City youth player, 42, left Monaco earlier this year and recently moved back to his native North West, fuelling talk that United would be his next port of call.
Mitchell's record of identifying players with world-class potential like Son Heung-Min, Sadio Mane and Dele Alli, is also attracting attention in Saudi Arabia.
So far, the SPL recruitment has been run centrally, with former Chelsea chief Michael Emenalo acting as director of football for the whole league while its clubs spent millions bringing in players who were mostly ageing superstars.
- By Jon Boon
Maguire admits it’s a ‘sad day’
Harry Maguire has revealed the sadness in the Man Utd dressing room who are mourning the loss of Sir Bobby Charlton.
Maguire told Sky Sports: “First and foremost, it’s a really sad day. Sir Bobby came into the changing room a lot and he lit the room up.
“He’s an absolute legend of this club and a legend of football and our thoughts are with his family.”
- By Jon Boon
Three points on the road
Utd have won at Bramall Lane 2-1.
It was Dalot's wonder strike that was enough to secure all three points for the Red Devils.
Erik ten Hag's side are up to 8th in the Premier League.
- By Jon Boon
Keown on Charlton
Keown on Charlton
Martin Keown’s words on Final Score on the BBC.
He was a truly wonderful player and an immense talent. He's been a great ambassador for Man United in recent years and has been a major shining light for that football club for many years.
The way he carried himself – he was such a dignified man and he's going to be remembered for a very long time.
An all time great and an absolute legend."
Keown on Charlton's passing
- By Jon Boon
Utd lead
A Diogo Dalot screamer puts United 2-1 up.
Not long to go – just 10 minutes now.
It would be fitting if that goal wins it on the day Bobby Charlton passes.
It was a strike from distance befitting of the great man.
- By Jon Boon
Shearer’s tribute
Alan Shearer has paid his respects to Bobby Charlton.
Shearer told Radio 5 Live: “If you hadn’t watched a game of football and didn’t see him play, you would just see him as this normal guy. He was so humble about everything he had won.
“When you read out everything he has done in the game, how many trophies he has won, appearances he has made and goals he has scored, he could have been excused for having a little bit of arrogance about him. But there was absolutely none of that at all.
“I don’t think you will ever hear anyone say a bad word against him.”
- By Jon Boon
From hero to villain
Just minutes after giving Utd the lead, McTominay has now given away a penalty for handball.
Up steps McBurnie to slam the ball home.
It's 1-1.
- By Jon Boon
Utd lead
Scott McTominay has given Utd the lead at Sheffield United.
The man is on fire. He can't stop scoring.
That's three in two for the Scotland star.
To think he could have been sold in the summer.
- By Jon Boon
United Trinity statue
Man Utd fans are continuing to serenade the United Trinity statue with scarves.
Credit: EPA
- By Jon Boon
Arteta on Charlton
Mikel Arteta paid his respects to the late Bobby Charlton.
The Arsenal boss told talkSPORT: “He was an enormous person in English football and the English world. He inspired a whole country with his way of being and the way he played and is a big loss. He will stay forever in football that’s for sure.”
- By Jon Boon
Prince William's words on Charlton
Prince William today hailed Sir Bobby Charlton a "legend and gentleman" as he joined the nation in remembering the England star.
William wrote on X, previously known as Twitter: "Sir Bobby Charlton. First Division Champion. European Champion. World Champion. Gentleman. Legend. A true great who will be remembered forever. Thank you Sir Bobby. W."
- By Jon Boon
Ferdinand's tribute
"Sir Bobby. Icon, Legend, Great… these words are thrown around by all of us to many who 100% don’t deserve them, especially when you compare them to a man of Sir Bobby’s calibre.
"What a true gentleman of not many words, but when he spoke you stood still, stopped what you were doing and listened.
"A lot of the history was living and breathing through him and he was a constant at the club while I was there – travelling with us all over the world.
"Win, lose or draw he would be in the changing room wishing us well.
"The words he shared with me at the bottom of those stairs in Moscow, before I went up to lift the CL trophy will stay with me forever."
Rio Ferdinand
- By Jon Boon
Carrick’s emotional note
Michael Carrick has shared his emotion about hearing of the death of Bobby Charlton.
He said: “It’s a huge blow for me personally. He is an iconic figure around the world, definitely in England and obviously part of Manchester United.
“I was lucky enough to get to know him, feel his support and what Manchester United meant to him. Being in that position was something I never took for granted. He is sorely, sorely missed.
“It was a strange moment in some ways – being on the touchline and feeling the support and emotion in the stadium at half-time, then the applause and looking across and seeing Wayne [Rooney] standing next to me.
“Obviously we know him, we know the club so much, we have been through everything together – so it was a bit of surreal moment.
“We definitely took our eye off the game. Or at least I took my eye off the game for a few moments. Reflecting on it now, it is tough. It’s emotional. I just wish Sir Bobby’s family and the club all the very best.”
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