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Roy Keane defends Cristiano Ronaldo as the Manchester United star received further criticism for his refusal to come on as a substitute during Wednesday’s game against Spurs.

Ronaldo, who has struggled for playing time this season under new United boss Erik ten Hag, was seen walking out of the game at Old Trafford before the full-time whistle and the Dutch manager later confirmed that the striker had been asked to come on and refused.

It was the second time during Ten Hag’s time at the club that Ronaldo has left a game early, having previously left at half-time during a pre-season friendly.

Ronaldo is also known to have left games early at his former club Juventus under the management of both Maurizio Sarri and Andrea Pirlo, having been substituted before full-time by both managers.

Nevertheless, former United captain, Keane was quick to jump to Ronaldo’s defense following the clash with Chelsea on Saturday night, getting into a heated dispute with fellow pundit and former teammate Gary Neville.

“There are players at Man United who have done a lot worse than he’s done,” Keane insisted on Sky Sports.

“You know Paul Scholes. He refused to play for Man United. He got fined 2 weeks’ wages but he found his way back.

“Rio Ferdinand missed a drugs test; he got banned for eight months.”

Neville took the opposite view, claiming: “There aren’t many Manchester United fans right now who would take Cristiano Ronaldo in their starting 11.

“They’re better without him, they score more goals without him and they win more games without him. That’s a fact – he’s just got to get used to that.”

Ronaldo’s future at Old Trafford has cast a shadow over United’s season so far, with the Portuguese allegedly unhappy at his lack of game-time under Ten Hag.

The forward also attempted to force a move away from the club in the summer, but no such move materialised.

Despite this turbulence, United have enjoyed a solid start to the season under their new manager and currently sits in fifth place in the Premier League table.

 

Transfer rumours: Real Madrid interested in Son; Man Utd scouting Ronaldo replacements

 

Real Madrid is interested in striking a deal for Son Heung-min, who has struggled to showcase his best form with Tottenham this season. (SPORT1)

 

PSG are working to renew Lionel Messi’s contract in the hope of keeping him away from Barcelona, who are hopeful he will walk away from his current deal and return to Camp Nou on a free transfer next summer. (Le Parisien)

 

‘Industry insiders’ believe the battle for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham will be fought between Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid next summer, with the teenager likely to cost around €150m. (Bild)

 

Cristiano Ronaldo is open to a return to Italy in January and could be of interest to Napoli, who were interested in the summer and are understood to remain keen on signing the Man Utd forward. (The Sun)

 

Erik ten Hag is looking to replace Ronaldo with one of Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick, Lille’s Jonathan David or Lyon’s Moussa Dembele. (The Mirror)

 

Man Utd is also interested in Roma striker Tammy Abraham, who is being scouted by Tottenham as well. (Calciomercato)

Chelsea manager Graham Potter is not interested in signing Ronaldo and, as a result, co-owner Todd Boehly will prioritise a move for AC Milan’s Rafael Leao instead. (CBS Sports)

 

Palmeiras striker Endrick has been contacted by PSG, who are readying a bid of €30m for the teenager in the hope of beating Real Madrid and Barcelona to his signature. (Bruno Andrade)

 

Scott Saunders hosts Graeme Bailey and Toby Cudworth in the latest episode of Talking Transfers. The team discuss Cristiano Ronaldo’s Man Utd future, interest in Naby Keita and a decision looming for Harry Kane. Available on all audio platforms.

 

Arsenal is ‘willing to do anything to finalize a deal for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. They are preparing an offer of £43m plus Albert Sambi Lokonga to try and recruit the Serb. (Calciomercatoweb)

 

Barcelona’s next transfer priority is to sign a replacement for the ageing Sergio Busquets and Ajax’s Edson Alvarez has emerged as a top target. Scouts have followed Alvarez, who was the subject of a £50m bid from Chelsea in the summer, all season. (Sport)

 

Antonio Conte is preparing for the January transfer window and will ask Tottenham to sell both Bryan Gil and Japhet Tanganga, while right-back Djed Spence is expected to depart on loan as well. (The Times)

 

Real Madrid is ready to offer a new three-year contract to Marco Asensio, who has attracted interest from Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham. (SER Deportivos)

 

Scouts from Leeds United have been closely following Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, who is also on the radar of Arsenal and Tottenham. (CBS Sports)

 

Bayern Munich was keen on signing Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix last summer but has dropped their interest completely following the arrival of Sadio Mane. (Sky Germany)

 

Jonathan David is keen on joining a ‘massive’ club in Premier League or La Liga

 

Jonathan David, a striker for Lille, has stated that if given the opportunity to play for a “big club,” he will “go for it.” The Canadian has been touted to Manchester United and Chelsea.

David, who was raised in Ottawa, was given the chance to relocate to Europe at the age of 18 when he was awarded a job by Gent. He arrived in France with Lille after scoring 37 tallies in 83 outings in Belgium. Year to year, he has shown development; this winter, he has nine goals in 12 games.

A large relocation is now more likely as a result of a similar form.

Days ago, 90min stated that Chelsea is keeping an eye on David. The Blues are interested in Napoli attacker Victor Osimhen, but they anticipate intense rivalry for the Nigerian global, so they are also looking at a number of other choices, including David.

With Terrence Martial still battling injury and Cristiano Ronaldo expected to quit Manchester United at a certain point in 2023, the team also needs a striker.

With Canada participating in a competition on an international for the first time since 1986, David will have extra opportunities to impress prospective suitors at the swiftly forthcoming World Cup.

“I frequently viewed TV coverage of European football. So, that was always the end result for me. I only wished to go to Europe, so that was it concerning the future of his club, David spoke with Sky Sports News.

Everybody player aspires to playing for a major club at some point in their career, and I believe that if given the chance, I would definitely take it. “The next step is constantly expanding, and had more desire, and a bigger club,” he said.

The most recent Chatting Transactions scene shows Graeme Bailey and Toby Cudworth as the hosts. The group talks about Harry Kane’s impending decision, Cristiana Ronaldo’s future at Manchester United, and speculation about Naby Keita. Accessible on any audio technology.

To install the entire episode if you are unable to view the webcast embedded, press here.

David has no objections to competing in the Premier League or La Liga.

“They play in two distinct leagues. But I believe I can adjust to both without a doubt “said he.”I think that the knowledge I’ve gained while living in France will be very helpful if I need to adjust to a new environment quickly. I feel comfortable from both leagues.”

 

Transfer rumors: Liverpool prepare Tonali bid; David watched by Man Utd

Liverpool might be willing to trade for Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali by giving Naby Keita to AC Milan. In the Daily Express

Chelsea is considering making an offer for Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United, a midfielder who was on the Blues’ radar when he left for Lyon in 2020. The Magpies are hoping that the 24-year-old will decide to stay after receiving the opportunity of a current contract. (Goal)

In addition to Chelsea, Juventus is interested in acquiring Guimaraes. (Calciomercato)

Since the deal for Guimaraes would be difficult for Chelsea, the deals of Christopher Nkunku and Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig seem to be done and dusted. The pair will be at Stamford Bridge in 2023 if nothing goes awry. Matéo Moretto

Jonathan David, a striker for Lille, has caught the attention of Manchester United scouts after making an impression on anyone in charge of hiring at Old Trafford. The international player from Canada is being considered Cristiano Ronaldo’s potential successor. Ingazio Genuardi

Arsenal is anticipated to spend half of Mikel Arteta’s £50 million allowance for the January transfer window on midfielder Danilo from Palmeiras. In (The Sun)

When Youri Tielemans’ agreement with Leicester expires, it is anticipated that Arsenal would take him on a full scholarship after Juventus withdrew their interest in the Belgian midfielder. Jive Dependency

The most recent Chatting Transfers episode features Graeme Bailey and Toby Cudworth as the hosts. The group talks about Harry Kane’s impending selection, Cristiano Ronaldo’s career at Manchester United, and intrigue in Naby Keita. Accessible in any music format.

Alessandro Bastoni, a winger for Venice, is the target of a summertime bid from Tottenham. Spurs are preparing a £44 million move for the Italian, but they will face opposition from Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea. (The Inter Live)

If Milan Skriniar is not available, Paris Saint-Germain is ready to focus on Pau Torres of Villarreal in the January transfer window. (L’Equipe)

Real Madrid has a benefit over Barcelona and PSG in their pursuit of Palmeiras attacker Endrick because they have been friendly to his support group. (Marca)

Ruben Neves, a midfielder for Wolves, is now under contract with Barcelona, who has agreed on a transfer fee. Personal details were agreed upon over the season, but Barcelona did not have the extra funds to consummate the transaction at that time. However, there is optimism that a January transfer may be arranged. (SPORT)

Newcastle believes that Moussa Diaby of Bayer Leverkusen and James Maddison of Leicester are possible targets for the January transfer window. In the Newcastle Chronicle

Marcus Thuram is a forward against Gladbach, and Bayern Munich has grown interested in him before his lease is up. (L’Equipe)

 

 

 

Borussia Dortmund vs Man City clash in the Champions League on Tuesday night to decide which team will finish top of Group G.

The reverse fixture saw City edge to a 2-1 win over the Etihad Stadium although for long periods of the game it was Dortmund who was the better side.

 

Jude Bellingham’s goal was eventually canceled out by John Stones’ rasping drive from outside of the box, before Erling Haaland, who else, spectacularly sealed the win for City with an acrobatic outside-of-the-boot flick from close range.

City are currently on ten points, three clear of Dortmund, who themselves have a five-point advantage over the disappointing Sevilla.

Here’s how to watch their crucial Champions League clash on TV and streaming services.

Borussia Dortmund vs Man City Match 2022 UCL Live

Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring for Borussia Dortmund at Manchester City / Alex Pantling/GettyImages

 

Borussia Dortmund 0-0 Man City: Player ratings as draw suits both teams

Manchester City has secured the top spot in their Champions League group with a game to spare following a 0-0 draw with Borussia Dortmund, who themselves have also booked a place in the knockout rounds in the New Year.

The game hinged on Riyad Mahrez failing to convert a second-half penalty, with Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel making a match-defining save.

With City already assured of a last-16 place prior to kick-off, Pep Guardiola saw fit to make a handful of changes to his lineup, leaving Ederson and Kevin De Bruyne on the bench. But while the visitors dominated the ball, it was Dortmund who had the best of the early chances.

Julian Brandt struck a free-kick that narrowly missed the target and ricocheted off the pitchside hoardings into the side netting. Karim Adeyemi, the elder statesman in the Dortmund front three at 20 years of age, should have done better when he went through and hit it straight at Stefan Ortega.

Ortega was again called into action when Giovanni Reyna got into a good position. But the ensuing shot was too weak to ask any meaningful question of the stand-in City goalkeeper.

Yet Ortega would have stood no chance had Youssoufa Moukoko hit the target with a glorious chance in front of the goal, failing to properly connect when Adeyemi fired into the penalty area. In the closing stages of the first half, Ortega gathered from Moukoko’s shot.

Erling Haaland, who will have been disappointed at his return to Signal Iduna Park, didn’t reappear after half-time, while Guardiola also opted to withdraw Joao Cancelo at the break.

Even with less of the ball, Dortmund had been the stronger side for an hour and deserved to be in the lead by the time Emre Can momentarily lose his head and needlessly scythed down Mahrez in a crowded penalty area. Fortunately for Can, Kobel guessed right and saved Mahrez’s subsequent effort from 12 yards, to a roar from the iconic yellow wall behind the opposite goal.

Kobel later had to make a smart stop from the otherwise quiet Julian Alvarez, with Phil Foden just unable to gather in the rebound. It was a sign that the tide was starting to change as City created more meaningful chances than they had done in the first half and Dortmund was subdued.

Ultimately, a point was all that either side needed or the draw served them both well.