Manchester United Transfer News Roundup: Cristiano Ronaldo's injury questioned; Marcus Rashford tipped to join Tottenham Hotspur, and more - 12 March 2022
Manchester United registered a hard-fought 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday. A fabulous hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo helped interim manager Ralf Rangnick’s side move up to fourth in the points table. United are two points ahead of Arsenal, but the Gunners now have four games in hand.
Meanwhile, Danny Mills has questioned Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury. Elsewhere, Marcus Rashford has been tipped to join Tottenham Hotspur.
49 - Cristiano Ronaldo (37y & 35d) has scored the 49th hat-trick of his club career, while he becomes the second oldest player in Premier League history to net a treble after Teddy Sheringham in August 2003 (37y & 146d). Speechless. https://t.co/FUwWb6Axet
On that note, here’s a look at the key Manchester United transfer stories as on 12th March 2022:
Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury questioned by Danny Mills
Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury (hip flexor) has been questioned by former Manchester City full-back Danny Mills. The Portuguese missed the Manchester Derby due to an injury. United suffered a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of their bitter rivals last weekend in the 37-year-old’s absence.
Ronaldo left for Portugal over the weekend and was fighting to be fit for the Tottenham Hotspur game. However, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner recovered in time and was selected to start. The Portuguese’s speedy return to the United team has raised doubts about his injury.
Speaking to Football Insider, Mills said that the injury might not have been too serious.
“It’s not a great look when you get injured on the Friday and then you immediately fly to Portugal then suddenly you’re fit the following Wednesday. At Man City, you know you are going to be starved of the ball, but he’s a big-game player. Would he have not wanted to play in the game? Did he see the writing on the wall? I don’t know,” said Mills.
The former player continued:
“It’s not a good look to get an injury and go straight to Portugal. What’s wrong with the medical staff at United? Why couldn’t they have dealt with it? The injury could not have been that serious because he’s fit the following Thursday."
Doubting the severity of Ronaldo’s injury, Mills said:
"You get it when players have long-term injuries, and you can’t find out what’s wrong and it’s reoccurring; yes, you do go abroad and find a different perspective and different opinion. Or, maybe, you go back and find someone you trust. That can’t have been that much of an injury if it ruled him out for four or five days."
With his hat-trick - his second for Manchester United - Ronaldo became the second-oldest player to score three times in a Premier League game. Before the Spurs clash, Ronaldo had scored just once in ten games across competitions.
Paddy Kenny tips Marcus Rashford to join Tottenham Hotspur
Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has tipped Marcus Rashford to join either Chelsea or Tottenham Hotspur. The 24-year-old’s future at Old Trafford is up in the air after struggling for game time this season.
Rashford
1. A failure for United’s football department if he leaves
2. A very poor look for MR if he can’t get his form right to break into this team
3. MR/Team would be naive if they think his off-pitch voice will carry without the MU badge
Lose/Lose if he goes. Sort it out!
Speaking to Football Insider, Kenny said that a move to London could appeal to Rashford.
“It would be a massive blow for them. I have no doubt, if Rashford leaves, he will stay in the Premier League. They will be making a rival stronger. He’s good enough to play for Chelsea or Tottenham, and I could see him there. I think a move to Man City is probably off the cards, though. If Man United don’t want to keep him there will be a lot of interest,” said Kenny.
He continued:
“Those other clubs are better to be at as well because Man United are going nowhere. I know he’s a Manchester boy, but you have to do what is best for your career, and a move to London to pay for a club who are always in the Champions League must be appealing to a player like Rashford."
Rashford has started only nine Premier League games this season. He has scored just five times in 24 appearances across competitions this campaign.
Noel Whelan advises Manchester United to appoint Mauricio Pochettino
Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has advised Manchester United to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as their next manager. The Red Devils are currently in the process of identifying the best candidate for the hot seat at Old Trafford.
Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan said that the Argentinean would be a better candidate than Thomas Tuchel for the Manchester United job.
“Pochettino. He’s fresher, and I think he’s got a man-management skill that might be a little bit better with players. He knows how to handle big players as welll we’ve seen that. We saw the improvement before he got sacked at Tottenham. He’s had a couple of years now where he’s worked with some of the best players in the world. They just fell a little bit short that night, like they did as well under Tuchel,” said Whelan.
He continued:
“They probably have different styles; I think they both do when you look at them. I would say the two of them are on par. I think if you’re looking at man-management skills as well, you’re looking at Pochettino. It was proven how much he improved Tottenham during the time he was there."