MANCHESTER UNITED are set to miss out on Kalvin Phillips with the England star preferring a move to Liverpool, SunSport can reveal.
The Leeds midfielder is reluctant to consider a switch to Old Trafford due to the huge rivalry across the Pennines.
Meanwhile, Ralf Rangnick fielded an experimental line up for the 1-1 draw with Young Boys and gave debuts to Robbie Savage's son Charlie plus Zidane Iqbal.
Mason Greenwood repaid the faith given to him by the new boss with an exquisite opener.
Though the match ended with Aaron Wan Bissaka being carried off on a stretcher after suffering an arm injury on the final whistle.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Dean Henderson is reportedly a target for Dutch giants Ajax.
The England stopper has been unable to displace David De Gea as No1 at United and is keen for first team opportunities.
LATEST IN SUN BINGO AND VEGAS
FREE BONUS 
Join Sun Vegas now to get £10 free with no deposit required
You can get 50 free spins at PokerStars Casino with no deposit
Win a share of £250k with Sun Bingo's Christmas Slots Prize draw
Win great prizes every day in December with the FREE Christmas Sun Bingoboard
Get all the latest Man Utd transfer news, gossip and updates here.
- Justin Lawrence
‘TIS THE SEAS-RON
Cristiano Ronaldo’s household is in the Christmas spirit as we approach the holidays.
The family has already put up the Christmas tree as well as festive decorations in their lavish home as they prepare for the most wonderful time of the year.
Their swanky countryside hideaway, which boasts seven bedrooms, high-tech fitness complex, pool and jacuzzi, has truly come alive for the upcoming Noel.
Ronaldo’s girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez, who is expecting twins, shared a story on Instagram of their festive lobby, which is ready to welcome father Christmas.
But of course, Ronaldo won’t get to spend much time with his loved ones during the holidays as Manchester United are set for a busy schedule.
- Justin Lawrence
MOCK DRAW
Manchester United have been drawn against PSG in the Champions League last-sixteen… simulator.
Ralf Rangnick and Co topped Group F but could end up facing PSG in the next round after the French giants were beaten to top spot in their group by Manchester City.
The real draw for the Champions League last-sixteen is on December 13, with Manchester United fans hoping it doesn’t go the same way as SunSport’s simulation.
There are some tough potential draws on the cards for all four English teams, but United were handed the short straw in a simulation of their possible opponents.
A mock draw saw Cristiano Ronaldo and United land a clash with long-time rival Lionel Messi and PSG in a mouth-watering knockout clash.
- Justin Lawrence
TOUGH TEST
All four Premier League teams competing in the Champions League are safely through to the knockout stages of the competition.
But some Prem outfits face easier draws than others, with Chelsea in particular at risk of landing a nightmare tie, and Manchester United also in danger of being handed a banana skin clash.
Liverpool, Manchester City and United all topped their groups, and the Blues too appeared on track for the same fate until Matchday Six.
Chelsea’s dramatic 3-3 draw against Zenit on Wednesday night means the defending champions are unseeded for the next round.
December 13 is the date for the Champions League last-sixteen draw, although the knockout stages to not get underway until February.
Teams who finished top of their group will be drawn against a team that finished second, and vice-versa.
And teams cannot be drawn against a team from the same nation, or against teams from their group.
So there won’t be any mouth-watering all-English ties to look forward to… yet.
- Justin Lawrence
CAN LIV WITH THAT
Kalvin Phillips is ready to snub Manchester United for Liverpool in the summer.
The England international, 26, is a transfer target for the Red Devils who are desperate to bolster their midfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are also keen on the Leeds United midfielder, who was outstanding at Euro 2020 for the Three Lions.
However, Phillips’ loyalty towards his current employers has made him wary of a move to the Yorkshire side’s bitter rivals.
SunSport has learned he is unwilling to upset Leeds fans and harm his status at the club by making a switch to Old Trafford.
He believes they would, instead, be much more accepting of a move to Anfield if he looks to progress his career.
- Justin Lawrence
OH MAN!
Manchester United could face a horror Champions League last 16 draw against Atletico Madrid or mega-rich Paris Saint-Germain.
The Red Devils won Group F after a 1-1 home draw with Young Boys on Wednesday night and focus has now switched to who they will play next.
Uefa rules state teams cannot draw clubs from their own country until the quarter-finals.
Nor can they face sides from their group in the last 16.
This rules out Villarreal or Atalanta – whichever one qualifies after their match was postponed because of snow on Wednesday.
And it also means all-Premier League clashes with Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool are off the cards for now.
As winners of their group, Ralf Rangnick’s men are in a pot with the other group winners and can only be drawn against runners up.
But that doesn’t mean they’ll avoid some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
- Justin Lawrence
HIT THE SAK
Aaron Wan-Bissaka was carried off on a stretcher after colliding with advertising boards in worrying scenes at the end of Manchester United’s draw against Young Boys.
The defender went in for a challenge just as the full-time whistle of the 1-1 draw was blown.
But Wan-Bissaka ended up flying into the Old Trafford hoardings separating the crowd from the pitch.
The United right-back looked to be in agonising pain as he lay on the floor.
And there were worrying scenes as a stretcher was summoned by medics.
Concerned onlookers watched on as Wan-Bissaka was taken off the pitch.
- Justin Lawrence
LEAN GREEN
Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangick has revealed Mason Greenwood needs to ‘develop physically and mentally’ to turn into a great player for the club.
Greenwood, 20, netted a brilliant goal in United’s 1-1 draw against Young Boys last night.
And despite showcasing his finishing ability, Greenwood still has work to do when it comes to the physical side of his game.
Speaking after the draw against Young Boys, Rangnick admitted: “Sometimes he looks a bit not on an athletic level.
“I think we have to develop him there physically, but technically all the things that he can do with the ball are outstanding.
“So, I am not so much worried about his technical level. We need to develop him physically and mentally to become the strongest version of himself.
“And if we manage to do that, he can become a regular player and a valuable player for our club in the future.”
- Justin Lawrence
RED-EYED ROB
Robbie Savage had the honour of announcing his son’s arrival on the pitch as Charlie Savage made his Manchester United debut.
Savage, 18, was named on the bench against Young Boys and came on in the last five minutes.
Savage Senior was part of BT Sport’s commentary team for the match and he admitted he was a nervous wreck watching on.
As the seconds ticked away with his lad still on the sidelines, Savage joked: “Somebody kick the ball out.”
Savage then announced his son’s debut, proudly telling viewers: “Coming on for Man Utd, Charlie Savage for Juan Mata.
“I never believed I’d ever say those words for Manchester United. What a proud day for my boy after all the hard work.
“What a day for me, his mother, nanna, his grandparents but most importantly for that boy there Charlie Savage.
“So proud of him, it’s just an amazing moment for him – coming on for a World Cup winner.
“I’m a nervous wreck.”
- Justin Lawrence
GET HIM HEAT-ON
Man United fans were loving Ralf Rangnick after he bizarrely sent No3 goalkeeper Tom Heaton on for his debut against Young Boys.
The Red Devils manager made a string of changes with his side already confirming their progression into the Champions League knockout stages as group winners.
And as well as handing debuts to the likes of Robbie Savage’s son Charlie and Zidane Iqbal, Rangnick also ensured it was a special day for Heaton.
The 35-year-old goalkeeper spent eight years on the books at Old Trafford, coming through the youth ranks before six different loan spells away.
But he did not make a senior appearance before joining Cardiff in 2010 and then re-signed for the club this summer.
So with David De Gea rested and the pressure off and the scores level at 1-1, Rangnick replaced Dean Henderson with Heaton on 68 minutes.
And supporters on Twitter appreciated the classy gesture for Heaton’s 378th club appearance of his career – and first for his boyhood club.
- William Pugh
GOOD MORNING UNITED FANS!
Ralf’s own youngsters didn’t quite have enough to see off the visiting Young Boys last night.
Granted, Mason Greenwood showed why ex-boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer once labelled him as the best finisher at the club with an exquisite opening goal.
But United’s second-string never quite hit their stride at Old Trafford.
The Swiss visitors inflicted one of the many embarrassing defeats of the Solskjaer era back in September.
And they hit back last night just before half-time to earn a 1-1 draw at the Theatre of Dreams.
The result makes no difference to United’s Champions League campaign this season – given they had already qualified as Group F winners.
But there will be a few Red Devils hoping to catch Ragnick’s eye who would have wanted a different result last night.
One good news story though – young Charlie Savage, son of United youth product Robbie, did get some minutes late on.
- Tristan Barclay
MAN UTD 1 YOUNG BOYS 1
Mason Greenwood staked his claim for a starting spot in the Premier League this weekend with a spectacular goal against Young Boys.
Manager Ralf Rangnick said this game was a chance for everyone outside of last Sunday’s first team to show him what they can do.
His predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knew what Greenwood could do, which is why he labelled him the best finisher in the club.
New boss Rangnick got a close up look of it too as the 20-year-old put Manchester United ahead in this Group F Champions League encounter.
Donny van de Beek was another hoping to catch Rangnick’s eye.
It was thought that if anyone was going to benefit from Solskjaer’s departure it was him.
But he bungled his big chance in front of his new boss as he tried a cleverer pass than was needed to Aaron Wan Bissaka.
He wasn’t ready, the pass was reckless and Fabian Rieder was on to it curling a shot into the far top corner from just outside the area.
The game meant little to United as they had already secured top spot in Group F, but Young Boys can still qualify depending on the result in the postponed Atalanta vs Villarreal clash.
- Tristan Barclay
GREEN HOUSE
MASON GREENWOOD netted an acrobatic wondergoal as United scored their first in Europe under new boss Rangnick.
The German oversaw a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace on his managerial bow with the Red Devils at the weekend.
He rang the changes for Wednesday’s Champions League group stage clash against Young Boys.
Having already booked their spot as group winners, Rangnick handed starts to numerous fringe players including Juan Mata, Amad Diallo and Jesse Lingard.
Greenwood was also given a rare chance as United’s central striker – and he repaid Rangnick’s faith with just nine minutes on the clock.
A break from United down the left saw Luke Shaw receive the ball outside the Young Boys’ penalty area.
He swept a great ball across the box to find Greenwood unmarked in the centre.
Despite several opponents standing nearby, Greenwood turned side-on as he made contact with ball, resulting in a glorious acrobatic volley.
- Tristan Barclay
SNOW GO
ATALANTA’S Champions League tie with Villarreal was called off due to a snowstorm – with the showdown for a last-16 place set back to Thursday.
The two sides returned to the snow-laden pitch to applaud their fans for turning out after the fierce blizzard meant play was impossible.
Ref Anthony Taylor sheltered under an umbrella as he inspected the pitch Whoever wins the clash will finish Group F runners-up to Manchester United.
And football chiefs intend to play what will be the final group match of this year’s tournament 24 hours later.
Referee Anthony Taylor was covered by an umbrella as he inspected the pitch, with his fellow officials smiling.
And kick-off was initially put back 20 minutes before Taylor bowed to the elements and postponed the crucial encounter.
- Tristan Barclay
FEET ON THE GROUND
Rio Ferdinand has praised interim boss Ralf Rangnick for orchestrating the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, but vows to not ‘get carried away’ again.
The German took charge of just one training session before naming his first United team.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand is keeping his expectations low And according to legend Ferdinand, Rangnick’s influence is already visible after the win.
But the former captain is keen to not get too carried away over Rangnick like he did when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over on a short-term basis.
Ferdinand called for Solskjaer to be given the full-time job after United‘s Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain back in 2019.
United largely controlled the game against Palace as they shaped up with a 4-2-2-2, and the dominating performance was capped off by a Fred wonder strike.
On Rangnick’s influence, Ferdinand said on BT Sport: “I think a continuation of what we’ve seen against Palace.
“We won’t get carried away, it’s been one game and maybe a training session. But there were noticeable differences and changes to the team, the structure of it, the way they pressed as a team – that’s the important point.
“Fred with the winner with his right foot, he’s the last person you’d expect to score; Ronaldo tried to header it in on its way in.
“I think Rangnick has come in and you can see the differences in terms of intensity, working from a structure, working from a base.
“He keeps saying he wants to get a good balance between attacking with the ball and without.”
- Tristan Barclay
TONIGHT’S ACTION
Manchester United face Young Boys in their final Champions League group game at Old Trafford tonight.
The Red Devils have made a raft of changes with qualification to the knockout stages already secured.
Follow SunSport’s liveblog here for all the action from the Theatre of Dreams.
- Tristan Barclay
THAT’S MY BOYS!
Ralf Rangnick stayed behind after Manchester United training to put the club’s own Young Boys through their paces ahead of tonight’s game.
And four of the academy’s rising stars could be handed first-team debuts this evening against the brilliantly-named Swiss side.
The Red Devils know the pressure is off at Old Trafford because they have already topped Group F with a game to spare in the Champions League.
That could see wholesale changes from Rangnick, especially with the hectic Christmas schedule around the corner.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Rangnick stayed on at Carrington while 13 first-team stars were taken to The Hyatt hotel this afternoon to make the final preparations for tonight’s game.
The German remained at the training ground working with the likes of Bjorn Hardley, Charlie Wellens, Charlie Savage, Sam Mather, Zidane Iqbal and Shola Shoretire, who were named in the squad list for the Young Boys clash.
Mather, 17, is not expected to be involved after being named in the starting XI for the Under-19s Youth League game.
However, the rest look on course to be in the matchday team – with four set for debuts.
- Tristan Barclay
NEW ZIZOU
Manchester United wonderkid Zidane Iqbal is set to feature against Young Boys tonight after starring for the club’s youth team.
The talented attacking midfielder, 18, joins Robbie Savage’s son Charlie in United’s matchday squad for Wednesday’s game
Zidane Iqbal has represented Iraq at under-23 level The academy pair are set to have spots on the bench and could get some minutes if the scoreline is firmly in boss Ralf Rangnick’s favour.
Manchester-born Iqbal, who has represented Iraq U23s, has a ‘great attitude’, according to his former Sale United youth team coach.
The youngster was reportedly so good he would have to be subbed off as ‘it wasn’t fair’ on his opponents.
United take on Young Boys tonight already secured top spot in Champions League Group F.
But they will be out for revenge after suffering defeat by the Swiss outfit back in September.
- Tristan Barclay
TELL ALL
United left-back Alex Telles has been interviewed by MUTV and he was quick to point out the hard work his side have put in to seal Champions League qualification.
The Red Devils are already through to the knockout stage but tonight have a chance to avenge their earlier defeat by Group F rivals Young Boys.
Alex Telles moved to Old Trafford from Porto last year Telles has caught the eye with recent performances as stand-in for the crocked Luke Shaw.
And the Brazilian has paid tribute to the desire in the team to this point in their European campaign.
He said: “After the defeat against Young Boys, I really believe that our mental strength and hard work were key. There’s nothing more important than hard work.
“When we dedicate ourselves to our work, things happen.
“There are games that don’t go well, like the game against Young Boys.
“I believe it was the players’ desire, everyone’s mental strength, and the main goal of winning the Champions League.
“I think this goal together with our desire to get to the final meant we bounced back in the remaining games and started winning again.”
- Tristan Barclay
RIGHT SAID FRED
Liverpool legend John Barnes has been running the rule over the Reds’ arch-rivals Manchester United and their new boss Ralf Rangnick.
The German tactician is famous as the godfather of the pressing game.
Fred moved to United from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2018 United midfielder Fred has long been the target of criticism at Old Trafford but seems to have come into his own in Rangnick’s high-energy philosophy.
And Barnes reckons the Brazilian will feel vindicated as his team-mates’ shortcomings are now exposed.
He told BonusCodeBets: “I’ve always liked Fred and he has not been the problem at Man United, it’s been the other four strikers that have been playing, whatever combination of Ronaldo, Rashford, Fernandes and Greenwood.
“It is the strikers working with Fred and Scott McTominay that need to supplement them with attacking pressure.
“It doesn’t matter who you are, even Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, you cannot do what you do if the front three are not working hard to press and close down. That is why Liverpool are a much more balanced team.
“I have never had an issue with Fred and McTominay nor the defence because they need everyone in the team to be working hard and that is what they did against Crystal Palace.”
- Justin Lawrence
DON’T PRESS
Paul Ince reckons Ralf Rangnick can get the best out of Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United.
As long as Rangnick doesn’t ask the 36-year-old veteran to press too much, he will produce goals for the Red Devils.
Ince told the Mirror: “Ronaldo is 36 years of age, he still has a great physique but you can’t ask him to press from one centre-half to another.
“If he did that when he gets the ball, he would be too knackered to do anything.
“What Rangnick has done, he’s made the team compact so when they are pressing, they’ve put some alongside Ronaldo like [Marcus] Rashford.
“Ronaldo can press five, ten yards. He’s not asking Ronaldo to press 20, 30 yards.
“What you saw at the weekend is he could do that. As long as the team is compact and press together then that will suit Ronaldo.”
- Justin Lawrence
IT’S EASY
Kylian Mbappe has switched allegiance in the GOAT debate from Cristiano Ronaldo to Lionel Messi.
The French star previously revealed he preferred Manchester United ace Ronaldo but having played with Messi at Paris Saint-Germain, he appears to have had a change of heart.
Mbappe scored twice in the first eight minutes as PSG beat Club Brugge 4-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Messi scored twice more to complete the thrashing and after the match, Mbappe, 22, heaped praise on the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
He said: “It’s easy to play with Lionel Messi.
“He’s the best player in the world.
“He won the Ballon d’Or a few days ago, he scored two goals today and he is happy.”
Mbappe’s apparent change of stance came after he labelled Ronaldo the GOAT and his idol in 2020.
- Justin Lawrence
NOT EASY
Manchester United ace Nemanja Matic has admitted that the past few days training with new boss Ralf Rangnock hasn’t been easy.
United’s stars have only been able to work with Rangnick for the past few days ahead of their Champions League tie against Young Boys.
And trying to implement the German’s new style of play in a short space of time has been tricky.
Matic told ManUnited.com: “We are training with him only a couple of days and we didn’t have enough time to understand more of this but we could in the last couple of days the way he wants to play and I’m sure in the future the team will play more in his way.
“After a couple of days it’s very difficult but I’m sure step by step everyone will see his ideas on the pitch because we still have to understand everything that he wants from us.”
- Justin Lawrence
FESTIVE BLOW
Football fans are set to be forced to show “vaccine passport” to enter grounds from this weekend.
The Government is understood to be on the verge of confirming it is adopting its Covid “Plan B” in a bid to stop the spread of the new Omicron variant.
That will see people needing to prove they are double vaccinated to enter public buildings as well as working from home directives and more mask-wearing rules.
And football will feel the immediate effect with clubs expected to enforce the new rules or prevent supporters entering grounds.
Premier League clubs were warned of the likely imposition of the new regulations during last Friday’s virtual “shareholder” meeting.
League officials explained that extra measures were likely to be brought in before Christmas, adding to the pressures on clubs.
- Justin Lawrence
MAR-SULK
Alan Shearer has compared Manchester United star Anthony Martial’s attitude to that of ex-Liverpool ace Nicolas Anelka.
Anelka was labelled ‘Le Sulk’ for his moody demeanour during his footy career, and Shearer reckons he can see the same traits in Martial.
Shearer asked Gary Lineker on the Match Of The Day podcast: “Do you think, when you look at his attitude, you see a bit of Martial in him?,” to which Lineker replied: “Bit moody?”
Shearer continued: “I don’t mean this as a comparison ability-wise, Anelka was a lot better, no doubt about it.”
- Justin Lawrence
MOTOR FRED
Manchester United left-back Alex Telles has praised team-mate Fred as the club’s driving force.
Fred’s been unplayable in the last few weeks for United, leading Telles to label him a ‘motorzinho’ – a Brazilian term for engine.
Speaking to ManUnited.Com, Telles raved: “In Brazil, we call players like this motorzinhos. They are the team’s engine, playing deep and looking to recover the ball.
“I think he had a key role in the game against Villarreal – the two goals we scored came from Fred’s ball recoveries.
“We know how important he is for the team and I’m really happy for him.”
Source: Read Full Article
