WAYNE ROONEY believes that Erik Ten Hag has turned Manchester United into Premier League title contenders following three changes.
The Red Devils legend said: "I think he’s changed the mindset and the confidence and belief of the players."
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has bagged himself a second hat-trick in Al-Nassr colours.
Ronaldo, 38, has now netted eight times for the Saudi side in his last four games.
Off the pitch, US-based Ares Management Corp have become the latest asset manager to try and get involved in the proposed Manchester United takeover, according to reports.
Reuters have reported the buyout financier worth £290bn has offered funds to at least one bidder to support a potential takeover.
And keep up to date with all the build-up for Manchester United's Carabao Cup final against Newcastle which takes place TODAY.
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- Henry Tomlinson
Ten Hag 'excited' for Cup final
Erik ten Hag has revealed he is "very" excited about the Carabao Cup final tie against Newcastle.
It will be his first experience of Wembley Stadium, a prospect he is looking forward to.
When asked if he was excited to the occasion, he told club media: "Very.
"I've seen so many games [there] on television but I have never been.
"I've never had the pleasure to have been, so Sunday is the first time and I'm really looking forward to it."
- Henry Tomlinson
More from Chiellini
The Italian legend added: "I didn't think to be honest, some years ago when I see at the beginning and he started to play as a defender, [I didn't think] he could arrive at this level in that position.
"I made a mistake as in the last two years he was really unbelievable.
"Also in England, a very difficult league, he's still playing well. I love his attitude.
"He never gives up, he wants to be tall against a tall striker, I love his attitude."
Credit: Getty Images – Getty - Henry Tomlinson
Chiellini praise for United star
Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini has hailed Lisandro Martinez as "technically perfect".
He told ESPN Argentina: "He is very good. Technically very good and he has a good attitude.
"He's not too tall, he's aggressive, fast, technically he's perfect.
"I think mixed with another kind of defender he's perfect, but it was always the same for me and Bonucci, we completed each other.
"Lisandro could play with Otamendi, Romero for the national team, they're perfect to play with him."
Credit: Getty
- Henry Tomlinson
Good morning Man United fans
Marcus Rashford and his Manchester United team-mates have arrived in London ahead of the Carabao Cup final.
That is good news for United as Rashford is an injury doubt.
The red-hot England star, 25, sparked injury concerns with a cryptic Instagram post following the 2-1 Europa League win over Barcelona.Erik ten Hag added that they would have to wait and see on the injury but Rashford has at least travelled so could be in contention to play.
The striker arrived at the team hotel looking rather sombre, with United travelling to the Big Smoke via train.
Man Utd owner Avram Glazer is reportedly set to be at Wembley for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Newcastle.
The Glazer family are going through the process of selling the club as bidders state an interest in purchasing the Premier League giants.
American Avram, 62, has only been at Man Utd matches on a handful of occasions in recent times.
He was last in attendance for Erik ten Hag’s first game in charge as they lost 2-1 at home to Brighton back in August.
But he is set to fly over to England in a bid to see United claim their first silverware in nearly six years.
According to the Financial Times, the takeover bids for Man Utd by Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe are not enough.
The report continues that the Glazers are looking for even more money to sell the Premier League giants – and the interested parties will have to up their bids.
The Glazers have received several offers from suitors who have remained private.
US bank Raine Group are currently working through the offers.
The deadline for bids was last week.
Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney has revealed the players are enjoying the intensity Erik Ten Hag has brought to the club.
The DC United manager admitted he’s still in contact with some players.And they are happy with the club’s current form.
“He (Ten Hag) is what Manchester United have needed for a few years now,” Rooney said.
Marcus Thuram, who is out of contract at Borussia Monchengladbach, is wanted by Man Utd.
However, the Red Devils will face competition from Barcelona – with Mundo Deportivo reporting the Catalans have been offered the French forward.
Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Inter Milan and PSG have all been linked with a move for Thuram, who has 14 goals and four assists in all competitions this campaign.
Man Utd fans have been left raging at “Glazer agent” Wayne Rooney.
That’s after he hailed the controversial Americans as “fantastic” owners.
Rooney said: “Firstly, I think the Glazers have done a fantastic job, they’ve been at the club for, well they signed me in 2004, so they’ve been at the club for 20 years now and I think they’ve always allowed managers to bring the players in they want.
“I think it’s clear the fans want change and obviously it looks like the Glazers are open for that change to come with putting the club up for sale and receiving the bids they have received, so hopefully they get the right people in.
“And it’s people who are going to try to move the club forward.”
However, fans were left smarting at Rooney’s comments, with some even labelling him a “Glazer agent.”
One said: “Glazers have done a great job? What was Rooney thinking?”
Another declared: “Probably a PR figure employed by the club or he’s scared to risk any potential future coaching role.”
- Jon Boon
Rooney slammed by Utd fans
Man Utd fans have been left raging at “Glazer agent” Wayne Rooney.
That’s after he hailed the controversial Americans as “fantastic” owners.
ooney said: “Firstly, I think the Glazers have done a fantastic job, they've been at the club for, well they signed me in 2004, so they've been at the club for 20 years now and I think they've always allowed managers to bring the players in they want.
"I think it's clear the fans want change and obviously it looks like the Glazers are open for that change to come with putting the club up for sale and receiving the bids they have received, so hopefully they get the right people in.
“And it's people who are going to try to move the club forward."
However, fans were left smarting at Rooney’s comments, with some even labelling him a “Glazer agent.”
One said: “Glazers have done a great job? What was Rooney thinking?”
Another declared: “Probably a PR figure employed by the club or he’s scared to risk any potential future coaching role.”
- Jon Boon
Ronaldo thriving
Cristiano Ronaldo hit a first-half hat-trick for Al-Nassr and charged into the race for the golden boot.
The 38-year-old needed a few games to adapt to Saudi Arabia but is now hitting goals with regularity.
His hat-trick today means he has now netted eight times in his last four games.
His goal glut means he is now in joint-fourth in the Saudi Pro League scoring charts.
Anderson Talisca leads with 13 goals from 15 appearances, while Ronaldo already has eight in only five games.
- Jon Boon
Players enjoying Ten Hag's intensity
Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney has revealed the players are enjoying the intensity Erik Ten Hag has brought to the club.
The DC United manager admitted he's still in contact with some players.
And they are happy with the club's current form.
"He (Ten Hag) is what Manchester United have needed for a few years now," Rooney said.
- Jon Boon
Martinez retorts to Carragher criticism
Lisandro Martinez has finally responded to Jamie Carragher's criticism that he was too small to cut it in the Premier League.
The ex-Liverpool star doubted the Argentine's credentials after a 4-0 hammering at Brentford. However, he has since answered those critics.
He told the MEN: “To be honest, I put my full focus here, in the training," Martinez says of the criticism he received. "I can't control that, you know. It's just an opinion.
"I understand when people say that – they show me who they are, you know? It's not my problem. I'm here, I'm really happy, the people are happy with me as well, I'm really happy to be in this team as well and my teammates are the same, you know? That's the most important thing.
"My goal is to get trophies here, I always train hard and, like I said, in an interview before, I don't have to show anything, I just have to show it here, with my people.
“For example, in the beginning, in Argentina, it was the same. But it's normal because, in football, it's not normal to play as a centre-back with my height. It's not easy as well, you know.
"I try to do my best, to be honest, but you have to work very hard. You have to be very clever on the pitch because you have to be sharp in every situation. Because if you're smart you can win the duels.
"It was tough (at the start), for sure, because it was not the start that we wanted. For sure, it was hard, the result, the way that we lose, the attitude was really bad.
"The team we changed directly the mentality, it was like, okay, we are in the ground but now we have to prove, to fight again. Sometimes it is good to see the bad things and then you have to change on the pitch."
- Jon Boon
Bids not enough
According to the Financial Times, the takeover bids for Man Utd by Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe are not enough.
The report continues that the Glazers are looking for even more money to sell the Premier League giants – and the interested parties will have to up their bids.
The Glazers have received several offers from suitors who have remained private.
US bank Raine Group are currently working through the offers.
The deadline for bids was last week.
- Jon Boon
Rashford injury news
Marcus Rashford and his Manchester United team-mates have arrived in London ahead of the Carabao Cup final.
That is good news for United as Rashford is an injury doubt.
The red-hot England star, 25, sparked injury concerns with a cryptic Instagram post following the 2-1 Europa League win over Barcelona.
Erik ten Hag added that they would have to wait and see on the injury but Rashford has at least travelled so could be in contention to play.
The striker arrived at the team hotel looking rather sombre, with United travelling to the Big Smoke via train
- Jon Boon
Arsenal & Man Utd tussle
Arsenal have reportedly joined Manchester United in the race to sign Celta Vigo youngster Gabri Veiga.
Both Mikel Arteta and Erik ten Hag will be looking to improve the depth of their respective squads when the summer transfer window opens later this year.
And a new midfielder is understood to be the priority.
According to Spanish outlet AS, both clubs are keen on signing Veiga from Celta Vigo.
The 20-year-old is currently enjoying a breakthrough season in La Liga with six goals and two assists in 21 games.
He has been highly regarded as Celta Vigo's best player alongside former Liverpool star Iago Aspas.
- Jon Boon
Diallo's quality
Man Utd fans were salivating at the thought of their options next year as Amad Diallo scored a stunning goal.
The 20-year-old has been on loan at Championship side Sunderland throughout the season.
And Diallo continued his strong vein of form today with a superb curling effort against Coventry City.
United fans saw the effort from the right hand side of the penalty area and lavished praise on the winger.
One fan said: "Lovely finish, little superstar ?."
A second wrote: "Quality finish ??," while a third added: "This kid is some talent…"
- Jon Boon
Premier League full-times
Everton 0-2 Aston Villa
Leeds 1-0 Southampton
Leicester 0-1 Arsenal
West Ham 4-0 Nottingham Forest
- Jon Boon
Thuram chase
Marcus Thuram, who is out of contract at Borussia Monchengladbach, is wanted by Man Utd.
However, the Red Devils will face competition from Barcelona – with Mundo Deportivo reporting the Catalans have been offered the French forward.
Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Inter Milan and PSG have all been linked with a move for Thuram, who has 14 goals and four assists in all competitions this campaign.
- Jon Boon
Casemiro's reaction
Man Utd fans were left in stitches after footage emerged of Casemiro reacting to Alejandro Garnacho's new hairdo.
The 18-year-old debuted his bleach blonde hair in the Europa League on Thursday as he came off the bench in the Red Devils' 2-1 win over Barcelona.
But the Man Utd squad and closely attentive fans were given a sneak peak at Garnacho's look in a training session leading up to the game.
The youngster was wearing a hat but saw it ripped from his head by Brazilian Antony.
And Man Utd supporters were loving Casemiro's astonished face as he caught sight of the new style.
Reacting on social media, one fan said: "Casemiro was surprised ?".
- Jon Boon
Glazer expected at final
Man Utd owner Avram Glazer is reportedly set to be at Wembley for Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Newcastle.
The Glazer family are going through the process of selling the club as bidders state an interest in purchasing the Premier League giants.
American Avram, 62, has only been at Man Utd matches on a handful of occasions in recent times.
He was last in attendance for Erik ten Hag's first game in charge as they lost 2-1 at home to Brighton back in August.
But he is set to fly over to England in a bid to see United claim their first silverware in nearly six years.
- Dylan Terry
No bus parade for Carabao Cup win
Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag has reportedly insisted that there will not be an open-top bus parade if the Red Devils win the Carabao Cup.
The Dutchman, 53, will have the opportunity to end United's six-year trophy drought on Sunday when his team take on Newcastle at Wembley.
However, despite the significance of the occasion, he has no interest in holding a parade, or any major celebrations, if they win.
According to The Daily Mail, Ten Hag will only consider an open-top bus parade if the Red Devils win TWO trophies rather than just the Carabao Cup.
The United boss is already understood to have told his staff and players that all focus will immediately switch to Wednesday's FA Cup clash with West Ham after Sunday's final.
Ten Hag implemented a strict regime at Old Trafford when he became United manager last May in a bid to improve performance, so his reluctance to celebrate the Carabao Cup comes as no surprise.
- Dylan Terry
Man Utd fans concerned by De Gea
Man Utd fans have identified a part of David de Gea's game they believe could end up costing them.
He has stopped just eight crosses in the Premier League so far this season, meaning he ranks 20th among his fellow keepers.
And he drops another place when crosses are measured by "stop percentage".
This concern was illustrated on social media through a clip where De Gea actually ends up making a superb save.
However, fans were left less than impressed by his inability to intercept the cross that led to the diving stop during United's win over Barcelona.
- Henry Tomlinson
United takeover doubt
A takeover of Manchester United is potentially in doubt after recent reports.
The Athletic have suggested that owner Avram Glazer still feels "emotionally invested" in the club despite the ongoing issues that his ownership faces from fans.
While it is also said that Joel Glazer wants to keep hold of the Old Trafford side.
But this goes against the wishes of Kevin, Bryan, Edward and Darcie Glazer who all want to sell the club.
- Henry Tomlinson
United chase Celta Viga star
Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Celta Viga prospect Gabri Veiga.
The 20-year-old has recently broken into the LaLiga club's side, scoring six goals and assisting two more in his 21 league outings.
According to Spanish outlet AS has caught the admiration of manager Erik ten Hag.
The report also suggests that the Gunners will have to battle Arsenal for his signature.
Credit: Alamy - Henry Tomlinson
Martinez defended by team-mate
Lisandro Martinez has been praised by Man United team-mate Luke Shaw.
The Englishman admitted that the Argentine has "everything"to be a top player.
He said: "I could see his qualities, feel the passion that he brings, how aggressive he is and he’s got an amazing left foot.
"With the ball he’s so composed, so good and I think a lot of football nowadays is how well the centre-back can play out. But I think, for me, he’s got everything.
"There was obviously a lot of question over his height at the start, which, for me, was nonsense, really. He reads the game so well. With someone that intelligent, I don’t think it matters how tall you are or not, wherever you play, as long as you read the game well.
"For me, he does that and I love playing next to him. He’s an amazing player and still really young. He’s only going to get better and better, I think."
- Henry Tomlinson
Rashford over Haaland
Jamie Carragher believes that Marcus Rashford would be the favourite to win player of the season if votes were taken now.
He wrote in The Telegraph: “Step aside Erling Haaland. Marcus Rashford is currently producing performances of a complete Premier League striker.
“If votes were being cast this week, the Manchester United attacker would surely command most support from his peers.
“Haaland hit the ground running after joining Manchester City and remains on course for the golden boot.
“Rashford’s form under Erik ten Hag is taking his game to that next level. His all-round displays this season are superior to Haaland’s because United are set up to get the most from him.”
Credit: Reuters - Henry Tomlinson
'We can win'
Shaw believes that he and United have the ability to win the final and pick up the club's first piece of silverware since 2017.
He added: “We need the belief to be there. We need to believe that we can win this game.
“Go out there with confidence and I think for me, I won’t need to speak too much because everyone knows how important this game is, this match will be.
“We need to leave everything out on that pitch to win the game because it’s been a long time since we’ve won a final. For me, for the players, for the club it means everything.
“We will do everything we can to make sure that we win that.”
- Henry Tomlinson
More from Shaw
The defender has also looked ahead to tomorrow's Carabao Cup final against Newcastle.
Shaw is has insisted that the players must use their experience to deal with the occasion.
He told club media: “We’ve all been in a lot of big games. I think we have that experience, and we can’t, of course, let the occasion take over.
“Like I say, we have to just focus on the game itself, the things we’ve been doing well and take them into the game and just make sure we focus on our game.
“[We] know what Newcastle are going to bring and the occasion is going to be amazing, but once you’re out on that pitch and the whistle goes, you forget about that, and you just play the game.”
Credit: AFP - Henry Tomlinson
Shaw enjoying United again
Luke Shaw has revealed that the club is a much happier place on and off the pitch.
He told the PA news agency: "I think there's a lot more enjoyment now back in around the place – not just on the pitch but off it.
"The staff around the training ground seem much more happier and in a much better place, and I think it shows on the pitch.
"I think we've still got a lot to improve on, but I think the signs right now are in a really good moment to show that we're pushing in the right place. Of course, still in four competitions and in a massive final that means a lot to us.
"It feels like we're in a really good path and there's a lot of enjoyment. The sort of feel-good factor's back here and I think that's all we really need to focus on."
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