SIR JIM RATCLIFFE has given a rare update on Manchester United's prolonged takeover.
And Britain's richest man has admitted losing his battle with Sheikh Jassim would be “too excruciating”.
Elsewhere, United have made a huge blunder over new signing Rasmus Hojlund that could cost them millions.
And we have the latest on Jadon Sancho after his bust-up with Erik ten Hag.
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Stay up to date with all the latest from Old Trafford…
- By Ciaran Wiseman
Man Utd's next six matches
- Brighton (H) – Saturday
- Bayern (A)* – September 20
- Burnley (A) – September 23
- Crystal Palace (H)** – September 26
- Crystal Palace (H) – September 30
- Galatasaray (H)* – October 3
* Champions League
** Carabao Cup
More on Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes wowed fans with an outstanding assist in Portugal's 9-0 win over Luxembourg.
The Manchester United midfielder's outside of the boot cross was headed into the back of the net by Goncalo Inacio.
"What a cross from Bruno," tweeted one supporter.
Fernandes grabbed three assists during the nine-goal victory, which broke Portugal's record for their biggest ever win.
Fernandes scores in Portugal thrashing
Bruno Fernandes was on target as Portugal beat Luxembourg 9-0 in Euro 2024 qualifying on Monday.
The Manchester United captain scored his side's eighth as they remain five points clear at the top of group J.
A win against Slovakia in their next qualifier in October could seal Portugal's place at next summer's tournament in Germany.
Roberto Martinez's side have won all six of their matches so far in qualifying, scoring 24 goals without conceding in those fixtures.
- By Anthony Chapman
United 'considering' shock swoop for ex-Villa star
Manchester United are reportedly lining up a swoop for Anwar El Ghazi.
The former Aston Villa winger is currently a free agent after leaving PSV Eindhoven this summer.
According to the Daily Mail, the Red Devils are now eyeing a move for El Ghazi amid uncertainty over Jadon Sancho and Antony's futures.
El Ghazi scored 15 goals in 71 Premier League appearances for Villa and later played two league games on loan at Everton.
Credit: AFP - By Ciaran Wiseman
Borussia Dortmund target Sancho
Borussia Dortmund are "keeping tabs" on Jadon Sancho's situation at Manchester United.
According to Bild, Dortmund could make a move to re-sign Sancho in January.
The English winger's future is up in the air after his public falling out with United boss Erik ten Hag.
Sancho scored 50 goals and provided 64 assists in 137 appearances for Dortmund before his move to Old Trafford in 2021.
- By Ciaran Wiseman
United target record-breaking teenager
Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg.
The 16-year-old is the Black Cats' youngest-ever goalscorer and turned down a move to arch-rivals Newcastle earlier this year.
According to i News, United are aware of Rigg's performances for Sunderland and are considering a move for the youngster.
Rigg, who is an England under-17 international, has scored twice in five first-team appearances for Sunderland since making his debut aged 15 in January.
- By Anthony Chapman
Ex-United boss rules him out of Germany role
Ralf Rangnick has ruled himself out of the race to replace Hansi Flick as Germany manager.
The four-time World Cup winners sacked Flick following their 4-1 home loss to Japan.
Rangnick, who is the manager of Austria, has now given a blunt response to being asked if he planned to take over.
"No," answered the former Manchester United interim manager.
He went on to add: "I decided 14 months ago to work her as team boss and to prepare the team so that we qualify for the Euros and play a good role for me.
"Everything else is not an issue for me."
Credit: PA - By Ciaran Wiseman
United in talks with new sponsor
Manchester United are reportedly in "advanced talks" with US tech company Qualcomm to become their new shirt sponsor.
The Red Devils are in negotiations over a deal worth £60million-per-year, according to The Athletic.
United are looking for a new shirt sponsor after TeamViewer opted not to renew their contract.
The existing deal with TeamViewer is understood to be worth £47million-per-year, which would be surpassed by the potential new sponsorship agreement.
- By Ciaran Wiseman
More from Fernandes on Hojlund
Bruno Fernandes is hoping to build a connection with new Manchester United forward Rasmus Hojlund.
Erik ten Hag handed Hojlund his United debut against Arsenal before the international break.
"I want to build that connection with him that I have with the other strikers and wingers because I'm here to serve them so I want them to feel happy that they will get their chances," Fernandes told the club's YouTube channel.
"After that, it's about them getting the goals. I want my strikers and wingers to score goals and I want to see their happy faces celebrating in front of the Stretford End."
- By Ciaran Wiseman
Fernandes discusses Hojlund at United
Bruno Fernandes has spoken about new Manchester United signing Rasmus Hojlund.
The Danish forward joined the Red Devils from Atalanta this summer and made his debut earlier this month against Arsenal.
Speaking to the club's YouTube channel, Fernandes explained: "He is someone who is always trying to speak to everyone, he is really open.
"From what I've seen, he wants to work and get in the team because he wants to be fit as soon as possible.
"I think he has a lot of energy, a lot of strength and hopefully a lot of goals too."
Credit: Getty - By Cosmo Teare
Ex-Prem star invited to coach at Man Utd
Bryan Ruiz has been invited to coach at Manchester United as he looks to gain work experience before entering football management.
The Premier League cult hero spent four years in England with Fulham after signing from Twente in 2011.
Ruiz, 38, retired after last year's World Cup in Qatar and has now been lined up for a surprise coaching move to United.
His invitation is the result of playing under Erik ten Hag's assistant Steve McLaren at Twente.
"I have now received an invitation to come and see Steve McLaren and Erik ten Hag at Manchester United," Ruiz told De Telegraaf. "Those are fun things to do."
- By Joshua Hall
Sir Jim Ratcliffe gives United takeover update
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has given a rare update on his hopes of taking over Manchester United.
The British businessman has admitted losing his battle with Sheikh Jassim would be "too excruciating".
Speaking in a video marking his company INEOS' 25th anniversary, Ratcliffe admitted: "You can't really contemplate acquiring a brand like Manchester United and failing because the failure is just far too public and too excruciating."
The billionaire is already the owner of French side Nice and Lausanne-Sport of Switzerland.
- By Ciaran Wiseman
More from Parker
Paul Parker has called for Rasmus Hojlund to start for Manchester United against Brighton this weekend.
The former United defender has urged Erik ten Hag to drop Anthony Martial for the Danish forward.
"All Manchester United fans are fed up of seeing a player with a lousy attitude, who always sulks and complains," Parker told SpilXperten.
"It's a blessing that Man Utd finally has an attacker who plays with enthusiasm."
- By Ciaran Wiseman
Ex-United star urges Ten Hag to start Hojlund
Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker has warned Erik ten Hag against failing to start Rasmus Hojlund this weekend.
The Danish forward made his debut off the bench against Arsenal before the international break.
Parker has urged Ten Hag to start him against Brighton on Saturday and fears the United boss could be sacked if he doesn't.
"If he doesn't start against Brighton, then all fans will want Erik ten Hag fired, and it would almost be justified," he told SpilXperten.
"It wouldn't make any sense if he started on the bench. Martial shouldn't even be on the bench.
"There must be a youth player who is better who can sit on the bench, and Hojlund can be the first striker."
Credit: Getty - By Anthony Chapman
Pogba 'tests positive for doping'
Ex-Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has reportedly tested positive for doping.
Corriere Della Serra claims traces of testosterone were discovered in Pogba's system following Juventus' first game of the new season.
Neither Pogba or Juventus are yet to comment.
If found guilty of doping, Pogba faces a ban of up to two years.
- By Ciaran Wiseman
McTominay turned down deadline day move
Scott McTominay rejected a deadline day move to Fulham, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Scotland midfielder had been strongly linked with the Manchester United exit door throughout the summer.
Romano reports that Fulham were "really keen" on McTominay and pursued a late move at the end of the transfer window.
Although talks are said to have reached an advanced stage, the Cottagers were not willing to meet United's valuation as they looked to sign a potential replacement for Joao Palhinha.
The Portugal international saw his move to Bayern Munich collapse, partly due to Fulham being unable to sign a replacement.
- By Ciaran Wiseman
Premier League legend defends Maguire
John Terry has hailed Manchester United defender Harry Maguire's performances for England.
The Tree Lions star had been criticised for keeping his place in Gareth Southgate's squad despite his lack of action for United.
"Gareth has shown a huge amount of faith in Harry," Terry told talkSPORT. "And to be fair to him, every time he's put the England shirt on, he's never let us down and he's always performed.
"It is difficult to do when you are not playing regularly, to keep that fitness and the sharpness there. So, fair play to him.
"He must be doing the right things in training well like I know he would be. That is why Gareth gets paid to make those big decisions."
Credit: PA - By Kostas Lianos
Sofyan Amrabat contract clause
Fiorentina included a secret clause into Sofyan Amrabat's contract before he joined Manchester United on loan.
Amrabat joined United for the 2023-2024 campaign but the Manchester giants can make that move permanent for €25million (£21.5m) plus €5m (£4.3m) in add-ons.
According to Il Tirreno, if the Red Devils decide against that then the Viola will extend Amrabat's current deal.
The Serie A giants have inserted a clause which means they can extend the midfielder's contract until 2026 in order to protect his value.
- By Kostas Lianos
Lisandro Martinez injury boost
Manchester United ace Lisandro Martinez hinted he is closing in on a return to full fitness.
Martinez hobbled off during the Premier League clash with Arsenal earlier this month.
However, the centre-back flew to Argentina for the international break.
And the 25-year-old has been training with the reigning world champions and expects to be involved against Bolivia.
- By Kostas Lianos
More on Antony
Two more women have made similar allegations against Manchester United player Antony.
Law student Rayssa de Freitas said she needed hospital treatment following an incident in 2022, after she was allegedly attacked by the winger and a woman in his Land Rover after they left a Sao Paulo nightclub.
Ingrid Lana, a 33-year-old banker, has alleged in an interview in Brazil that the 23-year-old was sexually aggressive towards her while on a business trip to England in October.
The Brazil international strongly denies all allegations against him.
Antony is currently being investigated by police in both Manchester and Sao Paulo and was axed from the Selecao for their 2026 World Cup qualifiers this month.
Credit: PA - By Kostas Lianos
What Cavqllin said
Antony's ex-girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin urged Manchester United to remove the winger before the club put him on leave of absence.
Antony needs to be taken off the pitch.
It’s disappointing he’s still allowed to play while there’s an investigation.
I am absolutely destroyed by the whole process. How can life go on as normal for him?
They can’t just know what they know now and not do anything. He needs to be removed.
Gabriela CavallinThe Sun on Sunday
- By Kostas Lianos
Gabriela Cavallin's claims
Manchester United player Antony is on a leave of absence following allegations of domestic abuse made against him from three women, including his ex-girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin.
Cavallin accused the winger of physical aggression towards her on a number of occasions and told police that Antony assaulted her four times.
The social media personality has shared pictures showing her bloodied clothes, sliced fingers and a head wound which were allegedly the aftermath of the Brazil international's actions.
The 22-year-old previously alleged she was first attacked in June 2022 while pregnant and on holiday in Brazil.
She added that in in January 2023, Antony headbutted and punched her in a Manchester hotel, damaging a breast implant.
And in May 2023, Cavallin claimed the 23-year-old threw a glass at her, injuring her finger.
- By Kostas Lianos
Laurent Blanc fired
Manchester United hero Laurent Blanc has been sacked as manager of Lyon, with the side currently bottom of Ligue 1.
The French giants have had a dreadful start to the season as they have only picked up one point from their opening four fixtures, losing three in the process.
Now, according to L'Equipe, the board have had enough and pulled the trigger on sacking Blanc.
Back in August, the 57-year-old even admitted that Lyon might have to 'change the manager" when asked about changing the situation at the club.
The report claims that the French tactician was told about the decision to sack him on Friday.
Training will now be taken by the club’s Under-19 coach Jeremie Brechet and John Textor’s advisor Sonny Anderson as well as assistant coach Jean-Francois Vulliez, while a replacement is found.
It is suggested that the leading candidate to replace Blanc is Gennaro Gattuso.
- By Kostas Lianos
Hojlund's rousing speech
Manchester United ace Rasmus Hojlund has left fans predicting him to be the future captain at Old Traffordafter his rousing megaphone speech to the Denmark crowd.
Hojlund played a part in his nation's 1-0 win over Finland at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium, which saw his national team leapfrog their neighbours in their Euro 2024 qualifying group.
After the full-time whistle, the United summer signing took centre stage.
Armed with a megaphone, the 20-year-old gave a rousing speech to the travelling fans as he thanked them for their support.
Hojlund declared : "I heard you all game and your passion is everything in football. We are going to the f*****g Euros. F*****g come on."
Man Utd fans desperate to see more of ‘future captain’ Hojlund after rousing megaphone speech to Denmark crowd
- By Kostas Lianos
Don and off
Manchester United outcast Donny van de Beek could seal a move away from Old Trafford this week with two clubs showing genuine interest.
According to transfer insider Nicolo Schira, two Turkish clubs have expressed an interest in signing Van de Beek on loan.
Although the two teams have not been named by Schira, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce have both previously been linked with a swoop for the playmaker.
The Turkish Super Lig transfer window closes on Friday, meaning a deal for the Netherlands international will have to be struck this week.
Credit: PA
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