Man Utd news LIVE updates: Thomas Muller transfer talks, Paul Pogba to Barcelona latest

MANCHESTER UNITED news is coming in thick and fast and Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the very latest from Old Trafford.
Manchester United news LIVE updates: All the latest from Old Trafford including the decision NOT to sign Alexandre Lacazette

Wednesday 28, February

Another snub
Manchester United turned down the chance to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid because of Sergio Ramos, according to reports.

United emerged as suitors for Ronaldo back in the summer when the 33-year-old expressed a desire to leave Real Madrid.

Ronaldo, however, ended up staying at Real Madrid and Manchester United’s signing of Alexis Sanchez means the door to an Old Trafford return now looks shut for good.

And the Manchester Evening News say Manchester United decided not to pursue Ronaldo in the summer because of what happened with Ramos.

The Spain international was wanted by the Red Devils in 2015.

The defender even went to Real president Florentino Perez and told him of his desire to make the move to Old Trafford.

Then United boss Louis van Gaal saw Ramos as the perfect player to flourish alongside Chris Smalling at the back.

Yet Ramos ultimately used United’s interest to negotiate a new Real contract.

And the MEN claim Jose Mourinho chose not to chase Ronaldo out of fear he would do the same.
No Laca…
Manchester United decided not to sign Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette after taking his penalty record into consideration, reports say.

Manchester United were tipped to sign Lacazette from Lyon back in the summer with Arsenal ultimately forking out a huge £52million to bring the France international to the Emirates stadium.

Big things were expected of the forward with many Arsenal fans believing the club had finally struck gold, signing a striker better than Olivier Giroud and worthy of leading Arsene Wenger’s attack.

United, in the end, decided to place their faith in Romelu Lukaku instead, splashing out £75million to prise the striker away from Everton.

Their decision to do so has been justified with the Belgium international plundering 22 goals across all competitions, 13 more than Lacazette who has managed just nine strikes from 27 appearances for Arsenal so far.

And the Manchester Evening News say United chose not to sign Lacazette over Lukaku for a number of reasons.

Among them was the striker’s penalty record.

Many considered Lacazette to be sensational for Lyon last season, with the 26-year-old hitting 37 goals.

However, 11 of those came from the penalty spot and United chiefs reportedly believed his goal tally to be rather inflated as a result.

The MEN say United also received poor scouting reports where doubts over Lacazette’s pace and physicality were expressed.
United wanted Hummels and Muller – LVG
Former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has revealed the club entered talks to sign Mats Hummels and Thomas Muller during his Old Trafford tenure.

Van Gaal told German publication Bild: “I wanted to sign Hummels for Manchester United, but because at that time he was coming out of a poorer season, we didn’t do it in the end.

“I can confirm that I wanted Muller. But there was nothing we could do. FC Bayern made it clear that they would not sell him.



“Manchester United, who I last coached, is a commercial club. Totally different to Bayern. The bosses, like Karl Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeness, are former players who know what they are talking about. Football is the most important thing, not money like it is now at United. That’s why I love Bayern.”
Pogba vs Griezmann
Barcelona are reportedly unable to sign both Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann as they look to bolster their squad this summer.
Barcelona are looking to strengthen when the transfer window opens in the summer.

But the latest reports from Spain suggest they do not have the resources to land both Pogba and Griezmann.

According to Mi Otra Liga, Barcelona have had Atletico Madrid ace Griezmann on their radar for a long time.

However, the potential for Pogba to leave Manchester United has forced them to consider their options.

Pogba is supposedly in the midst of a spat with Jose Mourinho and Mino Raiola is said to be touting him around Europe’s top clubs.

Barcelona are willing to pay £88m (€100m) for the midfielder if United show him the door.

But completing that deal would mean they are unable to secure Griezmann’s services.

Barcelona have splashed out more than £250m on Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho since Neymar left them for Paris Saint-Germain.

And that means they’re close to exhausting their funds for making marquee signings.

Opting against nabbing Griezmann would come as a shock with Spanish publication Sport claiming this week that Barcelona’s No 7 shirt has been reserved for him.

Source:www.express.co.uk