RALF RANGNICK is set to become the interim Manchester United manager.
But the club have yet to formally announce the German's appointment.
And SunSport can reveal he's been given one huge brief – get Erling Haaland.
The German worked as director of football at Salzburg when the Austrian side attracted the Norwegian star.
Rangnick could yet earn the permanent role with the Red Devils reportedly considering adding an optional extension clause in his contract.
Mauricio Pochettino also remains a target, along with Eric ten Hag.
Facing Premier League leaders Chelsea could not come at a worse time for United, but that is exactly who they play at Stamford Bridge today.
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Follow all the latest Man Utd news, transfer and gossip from Old Trafford below…
- Joshua Mbu
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Chelsea have the edge in the had-to-head record with Man Utd.
The Blues have won 18 games to United's 17.
The two teams have played out 23 draws.
Chelsea have scored 71 goals in the 58 Prem games played against the Red Devils.
Whereas United have scored 72.
- Joshua Mbu
THROWBACK
Anthony Martial found the back of the net with a well-placed header at Stamford Bridge back in 2020.
- Joshua Mbu
MATCHDAY
John Terry has described playing Man Utd as a 'special day'.
Table toppers Chelsea welcome Man Utd to Stamford Bridge for Super Sunday's late kick-off.
Terry also shared a photo with Oscar, who was his mascot for a game against the Red Devils.
It was Oscar's final wish to walk out with the Chelsea team.
Terry said on Twitter: "Always a special day playing Man Utd.
"Memories that will last forever ,walking out with Oscar who had his final wish to walk out and be mascot.
"I know he will be watching over Stamford Bridge today.
"Miss you mate. Me and Your Dad will come and see you soon."
- Joshua Mbu
PAY-PER-VIEW
Andreas Pereira will be heading back to Manchester in the summer with his tail between his legs after a costly slip in the final of the Copa Libertadores, writes GIACOMO PISA.
Fans have already started comparing the incident to Steven Gerrard’s famous slip that cost Liverpool the title.
The on-loan Manchester United man has been enjoying a prolific loan spell with Flamengo, banging in the goals for the Brazilians.
But he was involved at the wrong end of the pitch on Saturday night.
With the score 1-1 between Flamengo and Palmeiras after 90 minutes a tense final headed into extra time.
And four minutes into the additional period Pereira dropped into the backline to pick up the ball.
He scuffed his initial pass, before slipping on his second attempt, leaving Deyverson through on goal.
And the Palmeiras striker duly converted – in true Demba Ba style – to net what turned out to be the winning goal.
Credit: @Tomiconcina1 - Joshua Mbu
DEAL WITH MOB
Former Manchester United star Patrice Evra has claimed he was 'owned' by The Mob at the start of career, writes NICK PARKER.
The French left-back, 40, says he signed his first pro deal with Marsala, in Sicily, without realising it made him 'property' of a Mafia godfather.
He recalls in his new autobiography, I Love This Game: “I found out this after I wanted to move to AS Roma.
“AS Roma said, ‘We have to call off the deal because you are the property of that man’.”
The angry gangster did not pay Evra for five months, leaving him struggling to buy food.
He eventually signed for Monza, then Nice and Monaco before switching to United in 2006.
- Joshua Mbu
SUPER SUNDAY
There’s more Premier League action coming up today, but who’s playing who?
- Brentford vs Everton 2PM
- Man City vs West Ham 2PM
- Leicester City vs Watford 2PM
- Burnley vs Tottenham 2PM
- Chelsea vs Man Utd 4.30PM
BAD TIMING
On Tuesday night, Chelsea beat up an Old Lady, writes MARTIN LIPTION.
Now they can follow up by humiliating a weakened, tottering, faded empire.
And such is the reality of the mess Manchester United are in at the moment, that if you offered Michael Carrick and his squad a point without playing the game, they would snatch your hand off.
While victory in Villarreal gave Carrick and his interim reign a degree of breathing space, the brutal truth of the Premier League is that life comes at you fast.
Guiding the Old Trafford side through to the knock-out phase of the Champions League, the minimum and basic expectation – if it even needed to be set – at the start of the campaign, felt like an achievement in the wake of the recent chaos and upheaval.
Yet Sunday’s trip to Stamford Bridge represents a whole new ball game.
HOLD THE BACK PAGE
Manchester United hope Ralf Rangnick’s relationship with Erling Haaland will help them land the striker, writes PHIL THOMAS.
Borussia Dortmund’s Norwegian star is wanted by a number of Europe’s top clubs, including Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid.
City were in pole position as Haaland’s dad Alfie played there and Real have made a move.
But new United interim boss Rangnick oversaw Haaland’s move from Molde to Salzburg two years ago when he was director of football for the Austrian side.
United believe that link will enable them to sign Europe’s hottest property next summer when he has a £64million release clause.
Haaland’s move to Salzburg rocketed the now 21-year-old into the limelight and Dortmund snapped him up a year later.
United had hoped former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would be a key factor in any deal, having given him his first big break at Molde.
MORE ON RALF
The arrival of Rangnick could be even more decisive in securing Haaland especially with Solskjaer also sure to sing the praises of a move to Old Trafford.
Rangnick will double his wages to around £8m at United after being released from his role as head of sports and development at Lokomotiv Moscow.
But United legend Wayne Rooney said: “He’s very well respected but he’s got a tough job coming in.
“I don’t mean in terms of ability but to get six months to stamp his style of play on the squad, his pressing, the way he likes to work.
“But he’s very experienced and I’m sure he’ll adapt to the players he’s got. He’ll bring back some stability to the team.”
- Joshua Mbu
LUK WHO’S BACK
Romelu Lukaku is likely to start on the bench for Chelsea today after a month out with an ankle injury.
The former Old Trafford striker will be hoping to come back and score against his former club, two years after leaving for Inter Milan.
But the Blues will take on Manchester United without N’Golo Kante and Ben Chilwell, who are injured.
United skipper Harry Maguire is suspended, Edinson Cavani is struggling with a tendon problem while Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane both remain unavailable.
Full-back Luke Shaw could return but midfielder Fred is set to miss out with an ankle injury.
- Joshua Mbu
MORNING, UNITED FANS
Luke Shaw's head injury could keep him out alongside suspended skipper Harry Maguire at Premier League leaders Chelsea this afternoon.
Ralf Rangnick is expected to become United's interim manager following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking once work permit issues are resolved.
But before then stand-in boss Michael Carrick could give midfielder Donny van de Beek and centre-back Eric Bailly key roles as the ninth-placed Red Devils visit Stamford Bridge.
Carrick, who began with Tuesday's 2-0 win over Villarreal, insists Solskjaer's eventual successor will inherit a squad and club in far better nick than it might seem from the outside.
The former England midfielder said: “You can see we finished well last season but once the results started going, it went pretty quickly.
“It’s still there and the backroom staff and environment has helped me an awful lot this week.
“What happens next, it’s there for sure and it’s a great starting point.”
Meanwhile, Rangnick's arrival could give United the edge over neighbours City, Real Madrid and PSG in the race for Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.
Rangnick previously signed £63million-rated Norwegian Haaland for RB Salzburg in January 2019.
The German is also tipped to target RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara, having recruited him too for Salzburg two years ago.
Beyond Rangnick, United are said to be keeping tabs on Sporting Lisbon’s 36-year-old manager Ruben Amorim.
- Ian Tuckey
CARRICK SHOULD BE NEXT UTD BOSS
HARRY REDKNAPP EXCLUSIVE: Michael Carrick is one of the most intelligent footballers I know, so really didn’t need telling he wasn’t going to be Manchester United’s next manager.
But the fact United have brought in Ralf Rangnick as an interim to replace the interim, before they get the man they really want, is ridiculous.
I’ve never heard anything so stupid in my life, whichever way you look at it.
And then we hear that if Rangnick wins the Champions League, he could end up staying as manager after all, rather than a couple of years as a consultant, director or whatever.
So the interim manager could become the full-time manager, which means the manager they want full-time now might not be the one they want full-time in six months.
If you’re not confused by all that, I certainly am! And we’re talking one of the biggest clubs in the world here. It’s crazy.
If they wanted Mauricio Pochettino, as we were led to believe, then there were ways and means to make it happen now.
And if they had to wait for him, they shouldn’t have pushed Michael aside and put someone above him for a few months. What does that say? We’ve got no faith in you?
HARRY'S FULL VERDICT ON CARRICK
- Ian Tuckey
AMORIM ON UTD BOSS LIST
Manchester United are among the clubs keeping tabs on Sporting Lisbon’s young boss Ruben Amorim.
Mauricio Pochettino, Brendan Rodgers and Erik Ten Hag remain the leading candidates to become full-time boss at Old Trafford after Ralf Rangnick’s short-term reign.
There is also the chance that Rangnick — set to be announced as interim manager this week — could gain a longer term deal at Old Trafford.
But United, plus a host of European giants, are monitoring Amorim, 36, and his progress closely.
The former Portugal midfielder led Sporting to their first league title for 19 years last season.
And last week’s win over Borussia Dortmund took the club into the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time in 13 years.
Sporting forked out £8.4million compensation to fellow Portuguese club Braga to poach Amorim last year.
He signed a new deal in March that increased his release clause from £16.8m to an astonishing £25.2m.
- Ian Tuckey
RALF CAN HELP UTD NICK ERLING
EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United hope Ralf Rangnick’s relationship with Erling Haaland will help them land the striker.
Borussia Dortmund’s Norwegian star is wanted by a number of Europe’s top clubs, including Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid.
City were in pole position as Haaland’s dad Alfie played there and Real have made a move.
But new United interim boss Rangnick oversaw Haaland’s move from Molde to Salzburg two years ago when he was director of football for the Austrian side.
United believe that link will enable them to sign Europe’s hottest property next summer when he has a £64million release clause.
Haaland’s move to Salzburg rocketed the now 21-year-old into the limelight and Dortmund snapped him up a year later.
United had hoped former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would be a key factor in any deal, having given him his first big break at Molde.
But the arrival of Rangnick could be even more decisive — especially with Solskjaer also sure to sing the praises of a move to Old Trafford.
- Ian Tuckey
CRISTIANO ‘NEEDS TOP-4 FINISH TO STAY’
Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Manchester United if they fail to finish in the top four, claims Paul Merson.
The Sky Sports pundit labelled United a “shambles”, suggesting they will be thrashed by Chelsea on Sunday.
And he thinks Ronaldo may leave Old Trafford next summer given the lack of organisation at the club.
- Ian Tuckey
COULD RANGNICK HELP UTD LAND HAALAND?
Ralf Rangnick could help Manchester United land Erling Haaland.
Rangnick is tipped to become United's interim manager next summer, having previously signed Haaland for RB Salzburg in January 2019 before the striker joined Borussia Dortmund.
And the Mirror suggest Rangnick would give the Red Devils the edge ahead of Manchester City, Real Madrid and PSG in the race for Haaland.
- Ian Tuckey
BAILLY WANTS RETURN OF 'GOOD VIBES'
Eric Bailly says Manchester United are only thinking forwards and want to restore 'good vibes' to their fans.
United visit Premier League leaders Chelsea tomorrow afternoon after beating Villarreal 2-0 on Tuesday following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking.
And with Bailly set to start at Stamford Bridge, he said: “You know, we lost important games but that is the past. Now for me, it’s very important to focus on the future.
“The future is Sunday and we had a good week, Tuesday against Villarreal, we have a good game.
“Sunday, we have to keep thinking in the future and give back this good feeling and good vibe for the fans. Win the game and take points: it’s very important.”
With Michael Carrick in temporary charge, Bailly added: “It’s very important to improve.
“Now, you know, the team is ready, we’ve trained well and we have a good feeling. I help give my team-mates energy and that’s very important for us.”
Credit: Getty - Ian Tuckey
‘INIESTA TOUGHER THAN RONALDO AND MESSI’
Frank Lampard rates Andres Iniesta above Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the toughest opponent he ever faced.
Chelsea legend Lampard also mentioned former England team-mate and Liverpool hero Steven Gerrard, plus Iniesta’s midfield partner Xavi.
Sacked ex-Stamford Bridge chief Lampard told The Overlap of Iniesta: “He could go either way.
Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd “Not many midfield players who play in that central area wanted to take you on too much, they wanted to pass so they could run.
“I’ve played great players, Stevie G, physically brilliant, but some of the time that he’d [Iniesta] open up and he could take you either way meant that you couldn’t get near him.
“Him and Xavi when they played in that [Barcelona] team were something, something else.”
Lampard landed just four victories in 13 clashes with Iniesta for club and country.
- Ian Tuckey
RALF EYES HAID RAID
Ralf Rangnick will reportedly look to sign RB Leipzig star Amadou Haidara if he becomes Manchester United’s interim manager.
Former Leipzig boss Rangnick has a good relationship with the Mali midfielder after signing him from RB Salzburg for £17milllion in 2019.
And The Mirror report one of Rangnick’s first bits of business at Old Trafford in January could be to move for Haidara again.
The 23-year-old has previously said he would love the opportunity to play for the Red Devils.
In 2019 he told German newspaper Bild: “I like Manchester United very much and watch as many games as possible. I dream of playing there. ”
Haidara was signed by Leipzig as a replacement Naby Keita, who joined Liverpool in 2018, and his box-to-box playing style could boost United’s suspect midfield.
The Malian made 31 Bundesliga appearances last season and bagged three goals.
The Mirror report says United might face competition from Newcastle in signing the star, who has a £33m release cause in his contract.
- Ian Tuckey
CARRICK: WE'RE IN A FINE STATE
Michael Carrick has promised any incoming Manchester United manager they will find the club in ship shape.
Ahead of the club’s clash against Chelsea, he said: “I think that’s one of the biggest things in Ole’s time as manager, creating and building an environment, a backroom staff and a culture within the group that is not obvious to the eye.
“You can see we finished well last season but once the results started going, it went pretty quickly, which is a shame because everything can get overshadowed.
“It’s still there and the backroom staff and environment has helped me an awful lot this week.
“What happens next, it’s there for sure and it’s a great starting point.”
- Ian Tuckey
CRISTIANO 'NEEDS TOP-4 FINISH TO STAY'
Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Manchester United if they fail to finish in the top four, claims Paul Merson.
The Sky Sports pundit labelled United a “shambles”, suggesting they will be thrashed by Chelsea on Sunday.
And he thinks Ronaldo may leave Old Trafford next summer given the lack of organisation at the club.
Merson wrote in his column for the Daily Star: “Manchester United needing an interim manager is a shambles – and Cristiano Ronaldo might decide to walk away in the summer.
“He won’t be hanging around if they don’t finish in the top four because he will want to end his career in the Champions League.
“And that doesn’t look terribly likely right now because United are a mess and will probably get thrashed by Chelsea this weekend.
“It might actually suit all parties if he leaves anyway because if they appoint Mauricio Pochettino and he wants to press from the front, you’re not doing that with Ronaldo.
“But what I really don’t get is why the biggest club in the world needs an INTERIM manager.”
- Ian Tuckey
MAN ALIVE
Ralf Rangnick boasts an almost identical win percentage with Mauricio Pochettino as Manchester United look to bring the pair to Old Trafford, writes JAKE LAMBOURNE.
The Red Devils are on the lookout for an interim boss until the end of the season following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking, before bringing in a permanent manager next year.
Poch is the man United want long-term.
- Ian Tuckey
KALVIN DEAL DOUBT
The door may be open for Liverpool to sign Leeds talisman Kalvin Phillips because he is ‘worried about’ joining Manchester United, reports suggest.
The Red Devils and Leeds have a long-standing cross-pennine rivalry, and Phillips doesn’t want to risk upsetting his family by moving to Old Trafford.
The Daily Star report that Red Devils chiefs are keen to launch a £60million move for the 25-year-old, but his connection to Leeds means Phillips remains hesitant.
Another factor is family, including mum Lindsay, all live in the Yorkshire city.
And Phillips is worried they will be subject to abuse from Leeds fans should he join bitter rivals United.
As a result the England star would be reluctant to pull on the colours of United.
He is even said to have ‘made it clear’ to his family and friends that he has no desire to play for the Red Devils.
Phillips joined the Elland Road outfit at 14-years-old and has played 223 times for the club.
The news comes as a blow to Manchester United who are crying out for a central midfielder to replace the heavily criticised Fred.
Old Trafford bigwigs had been plotting a £60million move for Phillips if attempts to sign Declan Rice failed.
- Ian Tuckey
CLUB VALUE
Man Utd have the second most expensive squad in the Premier League.
- Ian Tuckey
REAL TIPPED TO DROP POGBA INTEREST
Paul Pogba could be OFF Real Madrid's summer shopping list.
Reports in Spain suggest Real now suspect the Manchester United midfielder would not 'fit in'.
Pogba, 28, is working his way back after injury and his Old Trafford contract expires at the end of the season.
Spanish outlet MARCA claim the LaLiga leaders are “not contemplating” for Pogba, who has also been linked with old club Juventus.
Credit: EPA
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