Cristiano Ronaldo left Man Utd team-mates 'surprised' by jetting out of country for derby

Manchester United are considering appointing reportedly has a ‘mole’ in the dressing room informing him of issues.According to a report in EPSN, there is at least one coach in the frame for the position who has made use of his own contacts to ‘assess how committed key players are to remain at United in an effort to discover how big of a rebuild is required.’Manchester United chiefs - who have begun the process of searching for candidates - are growing worried that the recent furor around the club will be detrimental to bringing in their first choice boss. The same report states that the risk of missing out on Champions League football and the uncertainty of star players’ futures could also have a negative impact on the hiring process.

A one-off Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired registration plate is to be offered at auction at the end of March.

Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick has called out Arsenal and Everton over their past links to Russia after Chelsea were sanctioned by the UK government. There is great uncertainty around Stamford Bridge after sanctions were placed on Blues owner Roman Abramovich on Thursday.A special licence has been granted to allow Chelsea to continue operating and to fulfil fixtures, despite the sanctions.

Chelsea and their owner Roman Abramovich, with the Russian's sanctions preventing the Blues from currently being able to sign new players.However, back in 2014, Abramovich almost made the biggest signing of all, as Lionel Messi was on the brink of trading Barcelona for Chelsea.Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo both made moves this summer, although for the Argentine it was his first transfer since turning pro, but both are very much coming to the end of their careers.However, when Chelsea were close to signing Messi he was in his prime, and it was almost a FaceTime call that sealed the deal for the former Barcelona star, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.After an astonishing 41 goals across all competitions in the 2013/14 season, Messi grew frustrated with the Spanish authorities as he was caught in a tax fraud probe, and the Argentine was tempted by a new life in London under Jose Mourinho, according to Di Marzio.After speaking with former Barcelona team-mate Deco, who also had played at Chelsea, a meeting was scheduled between Messi and Mourinho, but via a rather unconventional FaceTime call.But the call reportedly worked at the time, as Messi went to tell his camp afterwards: "With Mourinho, for how he's spoken to me, I can win whatever I want: he's a winner, go ahead and close the deal."HAVE YOUR SAY: Should Lionel Messi stay at Paris Saint Germain next summer? Comment below.Obviously a move never materialised and Chelsea ended up signing Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona instead, and according to Fabrizio Romano, after careful consideration Messi decided to continue his life in Spain.Romano said: "Everything collapsed because Barcelona was something special for Lionel Messi.

Manchester United star looks completely unrecognisable from when he burst onto the scene at Old Trafford 19 years ago, when he was sharing the dressing room with Cristiano Ronaldo.Chris Eagles came through the United academy and into the first team when he was just 17, although he had Ronaldo to contest with as both stars battled it out in 2003.The slick gelled-up hair and the baby face that Eagles was known for is now gone as the former Premier League winner is sporting a well-groomed beard as he enjoys retirement.But he's having to enjoy it on two wheels as his driving ban means he is left unable to drive following a drunken incident last year.Eagles won owns a Premier League and Champions League medal from his time at United, but the former winger has landed himself in trouble with the police after hanging up his boots at Oldham in 2020.The former United star was caught outside his ex-girlfriend's house three times over the limit, and was also 'partially in a state of undress' in his £70,000 Audi.Along with a driving ban, he was ordered to pay a total of £1525 in fines and costs, and has since been snapped heading out on his bicycle.And it seems as though Eagles has a record with driving incidents, as he was caught behind the wheel by Sir Alex Ferguson even though he was only 15.Eagles opened up about the situation in an interview with Ladbrokes, as he said: "I drove a car somewhere when I was 15 and Sir Alex found out about it and called me in his office. I was petrified."It’s the worst experience ever because you don’t know what he’s going to do.

Manchester United star Dimitar Berbatov has admitted that 'something isn't right' at the Red Devils.Ralf Rangnick's side were played off the park by Manchester City last weekend, and United's performance was slammed as 'embarrassing' on Sky Sports. "It’s not going well, because for nine years now they haven’t won the Premier League," Berbatov, who is a Betfair Ambassador, told Daily Star Sport .

Antonio Conte insists he was never in contention to manage Manchester United this season and has played down claims he did not fit the profile of candidate they were looking to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Manchester City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu will maintain the number one shirt for the Republic of Ireland this month, despite the Carabao Cup heroics of Liverpool back-up stopper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Thomas Tuchel has emerged as a possible manager candidate for Manchester United, following the UK government's sanctions against Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich casting doubt over the German's future at Chelsea.

Manchester United managerial candidate Mauricio Pochettino is 'pretty certain' he will leave Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, according to reports.

Your Manchester United evening headlines for Thursday, March 10:

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes Paris Saint-Germain should follow Cristiano Ronaldo's Real Madrid blueprint to end their Champions League struggles.

Ralf Rangnick.People still seem seduced by the fact Pochettino rode incredible luck to lead Tottenham to the Champions League final in 2019, instead of being more alarmed at how it all unravelled for him within six months and ended in the sack.The same thing is now happening in Paris, which leaves United CEO Richard Arnold having to now address one simple question: Is Pochettino qualified to be given the job of rebuilding United to become a major force in football once again?The answer is no.The situation at United is no so bad that Pochettino or Erik ten Hag are in a strong bargaining position should the fallen giants come calling.But this shouldn't happen, because if United are serious about being top dogs again they need a serious manager to help them do it.There will be one in the opposition dugout on Saturday in the shape of Tottenham's Antonio Conte, while Thomas Tuchel's future at Chelsea is now under a huge cloud following the unprecedented events regarding Roman Abramovich's ownership of the world and European champions.United need to think big, because the challenge ahead of them is an enormous one and with Chelsea now on the precipice, the German is there for the taking.And if Pochettino cannot get the better of a mediocre Real Madrid side, despite having the firepower of Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe at his disposal, then he shouldn't even be in United's thinking at all, let alone be their No.1 choice.When Leeds United found themselves in the financial mire almost two decades ago, it brought out the best in some of their star names.A group of players decided to dip into their own pockets and help fund the cost of travelling to away games.This didn't prevent the Yorkshire club from going into administration

The dust appears to be settling on last weekend's Manchester derby, as Manchester United prepare for their next Premier League fixture against Spurs on Saturday.

Dimitar Berbatov has warned Manchester United not to necessarily go for the obvious choice in regards to appointing their next permanent manager. Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino remains a favourite for the role and is the popular pick among United players to replace Ralf Rangnick in the summer, with Ajax coach Erik ten Hag also under consideration.

Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer watched his daughter, Karna, help United's Women's Under-21s win the 2022 Women's Super League Academy Cup final on Wednesday evening against Birmingham City.

Cristiano Ronaldo was a notable absentee for Manchester United's derby day drubbing at the hands of Manchester City after he jetted off to Portugal.Ronaldo flew to his homeland to rehab an injury - but that trip was unsanctioned by United. According to The Telegraph, Ralf Rangnick was unaware of Ronaldo's decision to fly to Portugal over the weekend of the derby.

The preparations for Manchester United’s crucial game against Tottenham are well and truly underway.

Manchester United face a huge test of their top four credentials this weekend as they look to bounce back from their embarrassing derby day defeat.

Cristiano Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes reportedly had to calm the Portuguese veteran down amid crunch talks over his Manchester United future.Mendes, widely regarded as one of the game's super agents, tried to placate the former Real Madrid and Juventus star after he was axed from United's team to face Manchester City at the weekend.But according to the Sun, Mendes is fighting a losing battle with Ronaldo edging towards an exit from Old Trafford less than a year since his emotional return to the club. The report says the 37-year-old is still angry after being informed by Ralf Rangnick that he would be used as a substitute against City.Rangnick apparently wanted to begin without a recognise no.9 and wanted Ronaldo to make an impact off the bench - an approach that did not go down particularly well with the star.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has downplayed reports touting him as the next Manchester United manager, insisting he ignores speculation over his future.