Dembele linked with Man Utd move, Cristiano Ronaldo joins United WhatsApp, Phil Jones could leave – transfer news LIVE

More from United’s Brazilian brothers

Fabio added: “When my brother came back after the first period, after 20 days of training with Manchester United, he was very excited about everything. He’s grown a lot.

“I didn’t go with him the first time because I was with Brazil’s under-15s, so he went on his own.

“But when he came back he was really excited, he was talking about everything: how big the training ground was, the players he met, who he had been with Sir Alex Ferguson.

“He was really excited. To be honest, we’re twins, so of course he told me everything and more, but I couldn’t feel the same enthusiasm as he did at that time.”

Ronaldo influence on twins revealed

Former Man Utd full-backs Rafael and Fabio da Silva have revealed they were tempted to the club by none other than Cristiano Ronaldo.

Rafael explained: “He [Cristiano Ronaldo] called my cell phone and I will never forget that moment.

“On the display, I don’t know how many zeros [an international number] appeared and I asked: ‘But who is it? I’ve never received a call with these numbers’.

“And I ran to the bus and immediately said: ‘It’s Ronaldo, it’s Ronaldo. He’s calling to talk to us!’

“He said: ‘Oh, it’s raining here, it’s raining here in Manchester, as you already know. I’m calling to tell you to sign for Manchester United. I’m sure you’ll enjoy being here.’ We wanted to believe. It was spectacular.”

Next up for Man Utd

Let’s take a look at United’s next five games…

Newcastle look to agree terms with Jesse Lingard

According to 90min, the 29-year-old has agreed personal terms with Newcastle.

The Magpies have been pushing to sign Lingard throughout the January window and now hope that a deal can be finalised before Monday evening.

United lead the chase for Fabian Ruiz

The Red Devils are looking at Ruiz as a possible alternative signing if they can’t get Declan Rice.

Reports suggest that West Ham will only part ways with Rice for a fee of around £100million.

According to MailOnline, Arsenal and Liverpool are also interested in the midfielder as a potential signing – most likely during the summer.

The Spanish international has 18 months remaining on his contract at Napoli.

Ousmane Dembele ‘in talks with Manchester United and Chelsea’

Barcelona have told the Frenchman that he can leave in January.

Xavi has made it clear that Dembele is not in his plans for the rest of the season.

His contract expires in the summer and he has already been offered to a number of Premier League clubs.

According to MailOnline, the 24-year-old’s representatives have been in touch with Manchester United and Chelsea.

Everton CLOSE to signing Donny Van de Beek on loan

Everton have agreed a deal with Manchester United to sign the midfielder on loan, according to Sky Sports.

There will be no option to buy at the end of the six-month deal.

The Toffees will pay 100% of Van de Beek’s wages.

Newcastle lining up last-minute swoop for Dean Henderson

The Magpies are aiming to secure a loan deal for the goalkeeper before the transfer window slams shut.

Reports suggest that there is a strong chance of an agreement being reached.

However, it means that Jesse Lingard would NOT be allowed to join Eddie Howe’s side on loan.

Phil Jones in loan talks

Manchester United are currently in talks with Bordeaux regarding a potential move for the defender.

The Red Devils are open to letting Jones leave as they are aware that he needs to get his career back on track.

They will not charge a loan fee.

Jesse Lingard’s brother takes a swipe at Man Utd

Lingard’s brother has slammed the Red Devils after the 29-year-old’s transfer talks with Newcastle broke down.

Louie Scott has compared the midfielder’s loan to West Ham last year to being “Allowed out on day release” in an instagram story post.

Lingard has only started twice for United this season.

Everton agree Donny Van de Beek loan

The Toffees have reportedly agreed a deal with Manchester United to sign Van de Beek on loan for the rest of the season.

They will pay 100% of his wages until June.

The Manchester United outcast will now have to decide between Everton and Crystal Palace, who are also interested.

Haa-py to wait

Erling Haaland is reportedly ready to wait for Barcelona to find the cash needed to sign him as he ‘dreams’ of a move to the Nou Camp.

The Dortmund striker is one of European football’s hottest properties and is being tracked by a host of heavyweight clubs.

Among them are Premier League giants Manchester United, Chelsea and Man City, all of whom want to bring the prolific goalscorer to England.

LaLiga leaders Real Madrid and mega-rich Paris Saint-Germain are also in the mix for his signature.

But reports suggest Haaland has his heart set on a move to Catalonia at the end of the season.

The problem there is Barca are skint and would struggle to put together the £300MILLION needed to sign the 21-year-old.

Edin back to South America

EXCLUSIVE – Edinson Cavani will be handed a dream ticket back to South America – thanks to Manchester City.

River Plate plan to offer him a two-year contract at the end of the season, to replace Etihad-bound striker Julian Alvarez.

And with the Argentine outfit able to meet the majority of £250,000-a-week Cavani’s personal demands, that will see him leave Old Trafford after 18 months as a cult figure.

Ironically it is City’s move for the highly-rated Alvarez – who United were also interested in – which has left River needing a new attacker for next season.

Good morning Man Utd fans 

Man Utd defender Phil Jones is being lined up by Bordeaux to replace the exiled Laurent Koscienly, reports suggest.

The 36-year-old veteran, who spent nine years at Arsenal before joining Bordeaux in 2019, has found himself out in the cold at the French side.

And now the Ligue 1 outfit have identified Koscienly’s former rival and United stalwart Jones as his replacement, according to L’Equipe.

Meanwhile, Man Utd, Chelsea and Newcastle are fighting over the transfer of superstar Ousmane Dembele, according to reports.

Sky Sports report that the Frenchman is ‘most likely’ to join a Premier League club if a transfer is completed this weekend.

Spanish news outlet Marca have also confirmed that Dembele and his agent are now looking for his next club.

They say that it is ‘clear’ to the winger and his representatives that a move in his his best interests.

A loan would be a possibility if a permanent deal cannot be concluded.

Finally, Man Utd have reportedly entered the race to land French starlet Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco.

The Red Devils are set to go into battle with Premier League rivals Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City for the 22-year-old.

And LaLiga leaders Real Madrid are also in the mix after dispatching their chief scout to watch the midfielder in action.

Reports in France suggest Monaco haven’t even bothered to name an asking price for the in-demand wonderkid.

They’re confident any bidding war among Europe’s top club’s would push the fee well north of £33million.

Exclusive by Richard Moriarty

Cristiano Ronaldo has joined a Manchester United WhatsApp group in bid to unify the Old Trafford dressing room.

Ronaldo had slammed the attitude of his under-performing United team-mates and accused the young players of not listening to advice.

But in an effort to banish any dressing room cliques, the 36-year-old Portuguese superstar is now a member of at least one WhatsApp group used by the club’s younger players.

Ronaldo is now joining in text banter with the likes of Marcus Rashford, 24, new starlet Anthony Elanga, 19, James Garner, 20, – currently on loan at Nottingham Forest – and the older Jesse Lingard, 29.

Exclusive by SunSport’s Neil Custis

Paul Pogba is open to staying at Manchester United – if Ralf Rangnick remains as boss.

The midfielder has been so impressed with the new Red Devils manager during a number of talks with him that he is ready to make a u-turn rather than leave the club on a free in the summer.

Rangnick has started to convince the four-time Serie A winner that he can build a midfield and indeed a team around him.

Rangnick also believes Pogba could prove a galvanising force behind the scenes.

Jones eyed by French side

Man Utd defender Phil Jones is being lined up by Bordeaux to replace the exiled Laurent Koscienly, reports suggest.

The 36-year-old veteran, who spent nine years at Arsenal before joining Bordeaux in 2019, has found himself out in the cold at the French side.

And now the Ligue 1 outfit have identified Koscienly’s former rival and United stalwart Jones as his replacement, according to L’Equipe.

Haaland could have saved Solskjaer

Sam Allardyce believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would still be manager of Manchester United if they signed Erling Haaland.

Allardyce said: “Manchester United, I still think that, had they secured him, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would still be in the job.

“And why United decided to let him go has been mind-boggling for me ever since it happened. And Ole had worked with him.

“Allegedly, it came down to finance, then that is the biggest mistake that United – not Ole – made. I think Ole would still be in a job if he actually signed him.”

Man Utd signings under Solskjaer

Ralf Rangnick is yet to make a purchase this month in the transfer market.

But considering the number of players Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signed, is there anything even left in the bank for United’s interim gaffer?

Dembele bound for Premier League

Man Utd, Chelsea and Newcastle are fighting over the transfer of superstar Ousmane Dembele, according to reports.

Sky Sports report that the Frenchman is ‘most likely’ to join a Premier League club if a transfer is completed this weekend.

Spanish news outlet Marca have also confirmed that Dembele and his agent are now looking for his next club.

They say that it is ‘clear’ to the winger and his representatives that a move in his his best interests.

A loan would be a possibility if a permanent deal cannot be concluded.

United target getting release clause

Palmeiras are preparing to slap a whopping £83MILLION release clause in 15-year-old sensation Endrick Felipe’s contract, according to reports.

That’s to ward off interest from Man United and Real Madrid.

AS claims the Brazilian side believe the fee should deter bids from two of Europe’s top sides.

But they are willing to let Endrick move abroad when he turns 18.

Aubameyang is Prem’s No1 striker

He may be on the verge of an Arsenal exit.

But Gunners outcast Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been the MOST valuable Premier League striker over the last four years.

Indeed, he’s won more points per goal than the likes of Mo Salah, Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford…

United’s pain is Arsenal’s gain

Juventus have reportedly launched a bid for Man Utd target Denis Zakaria – and that could pave the way for Arsenal to finally land Arthur Melo.

Fabrizio Romano said: “Juventus are pushing to sign Denis Zakaria immediately.

“Talks ongoing with Borussia Moenchengladbach and Zakaria’s new agents in the last few hours.

“Meeting taking place now for Denis Zakaria-Juventus deal. Club confident to complete the agreement while Zakaria is keen on the move.

“Juve need at least one midfielder to leave in the next hours. Rodrigo Bentancur or Arthur Melo, as things stand.”

Young snubs Aston Villa exit

Man Utd favourite Ashley Young has reportedly turned down an offer from Newcastle.

The veteran defender is back at Aston Villa but has played just 11 times this term.

The Mirror claims Newcastle made an approach for Young ahead of deadline day.

But the ex-Red Devils star, who made 261 appearances for the Old Trafford outfit, rejected Eddie Howe’s offer.

Next up for Man Utd

Let’s take a look at United’s next five games after the winter break…