Live BlogRED DEVILS LIVE Updated: 6:01, 9 Feb 2023MANCHESTER UNITED are set to receive a takeover bid within DAYS, according to reports. United owners, the Glazers revealed that they were willing to listen to offers and reports suggest claim that a Qatari-based investment are readying a tantalising bid. Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho spared United’s blushes in their Premier League fixture against Leeds. The super sub had a part to play in Marcus Rashford’s goal before equalising shortly after. CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023 Follow ALL of the latest updates below… Kealan HughesToday, 06:01Good morning Man Utd fans Manchester United and Leeds drew 2-2 after an exciting Premier League encounter at Old Trafford. The Whites played their first game after Jesse Marsch’s sacking as manager with caretaker Michael Skubala in charge. The visitors, though, still opened the scoring just a few seconds after kick-off with Wilfried Gnonto. Leeds doubled their lead just three minutes into the second half following Raphael Varane’s own goal. United hit back on 62 minutes with Marcus Rashford and equalised only eight minutes later with Jadon Sancho’s first goal since his return to action. January signings Marcel Sabitzer and Weston McKennie made their full debuts for the Red Devils and Leeds respectively. Meanwhile, the Qataris are in the running to buy United and are set to launch a takeover bid within the next days. The Glazer family revealed in November that they were willing to listen to offers for either a stake of the club or an outright purchase. Several parties have expressed an interest in buying the Red Devils, which could be purchased for a world-record price for a sports franchise at close to, or above, £6billion. But according to the Daily Mail, a Qatar-based investment group will soon bid for the Manchester giants. The report states that “a group of private, high-wealth individuals based in the oil-rich state, buoyed by Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup, have set their sights on” the club. An official offer is set to be made in the coming days ahead of the mid-February deadline set by the Glazers. And United have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong as well as Ansu Fati as Barcelona need to make big wage cuts. Barca remain in a bad financial state and pressure is mounting on them to resolve these ongoing issues. LaLiga chief Javier Tebas has told the Blaugrana they must reduce the amount they pay on salaries per year by £177million, as per Mundo Deportivo. The Catalan giants could be forced to sell a number of top stars that are on hefty wages, handing United encouragement that they could snap up some of their players like De Jong and Fati. Finally, the Red Devils have been warned Napoli are under no pressure to sell star striker Victor Osimhen. Osimhen has fired the Partenopei 13 points clear at the top of the Serie A table with a staggering16 goals and four assists in 17 matches. Recent reports have emerged suggesting United are preparing to launch a whopping £107m transfer bid. However, despite the potential Premier League record bid, Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis remains defiant over the possibility of a sale. De Laurentiis told Bild: “I can tell you that Osimhen is not for sale. Our players are in demand, but I don’t have to sell anyone. We don’t have any debts” Kostas Lianos8th Feb 2023, 22:05FT: Man Utd 2-2 Leeds Manchester United and Leeds drew 2-2 following an exciting encounter at Old Trafford. The Whites played their first game after Jesse Marsch’s dismissal as manager with caretaker Michael Skubala in charge. The visitors, though, opened the scoring just a few seconds after kick-off with Wilfried Gnonto. Leeds doubled their lead just three minutes into the second half thanks to Raphael Varane’s own goal. United hit back on 62 minutes with Marcus Rashford and equalised just eight minutes later with Jadon Sancho’s first goal since his return to action. Follow all the live reaction with SunSport HERE Credit: AP Kostas Lianos8th Feb 2023, 21:56Victor Osimhen blow Manchester United have been warned Napoli are under no pressure to sell star Victor Osimhen. Osimhen, 24, has fired the Partenopei 13 points clear at the top of the Serie A table with 16 goals and four assists in 17 matches. Recent reports have emerged suggesting United are preparing to launch a staggering £107million transfer bid. However, despite the potentially huge bid, Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis remains defiant over the possibility of a sale. Speaking to Bild, De Laurentiis said: “I can tell you that Osimhen is not for sale. “Our players are in demand, but I don’t have to sell anyone. We don’t have any debts” Kostas Lianos8th Feb 2023, 21:50Man Utd 2-2 Leeds And yes, Manchester United have equalised in this exciting encounter. And it’s Jadon Sancho scoring his first goal since his return to action on 70 minutes. Follow all the action with SunSport HERE Kostas Lianos8th Feb 2023, 21:32Man Utd 1-2 Leeds Manchester United are back in the game! Marcus Rashford’s goalscoring streak extends with another strike after 62 minutes. What a match! Can United equalise, or turn this around? Follow all the action with SunSport HERE Kostas Lianos8th Feb 2023, 21:15Man Utd 0-2 Leeds Leeds are dominating against Manchester United without a manager! The hosts have doubled their lead with Raphael Varane’s own goal on 48 minutes Follow all the action with SunSport HERE Credit: Getty Kostas Lianos8th Feb 2023, 20:56HT: Man Utd 0-1 Leeds That’s half-time at Old Trafford and Leeds are ahead. The Whites broke the deadlock less than a minute after kick-off with Wilfried Gnonto. Follow all the action with SunSport HERE Kostas Lianos8th Feb 2023, 20:25Man Utd 0-1 Leeds Leeds lead 1-0 against Manchester United at Old Trafford. And it’s Wilfried Gnonto who broke the deadlock just a few seconds after kick-off. Follow all the action with SunSport HERE Kostas Lianos8th Feb 2023, 20:02Man Utd 0-0 Leeds We have kick-off at Old Trafford. Manchester United take on Leeds, who are competing in their first match after Jesse Marsch’s dismissal as manager. Follow all the action with SunSport HERE Kostas Lianos8th Feb 2023, 19:28Man Utd transfer boost Manchester United have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong and Ansu Fati as Barcelona need to make big wage cuts. Barca remain in a bad financial state and pressure is mounting on them to resolve these issues. LaLiga chief Javier Tebas has told the Blaugrana they must reduce the amount they pay on salaries per year by £177million, claim Mundo Deportivo. Barcelona could be forced to sell a number of top stars that are on hefty wages, handing United encouragement that they could snap up some of their players, like De Jong and Fati Kostas Lianos8th Feb 2023, 19:03Man Utd vs Leeds subs Man Utd: Heaton, Malacia, Lindelof, Maguire, Pellistri, Iqbal, Mainoo, Sancho, Elanga. Leeds: Robles, Firpo, Kristensen, Gyabi, Aaronson, Summerville, Greenwood, Rutter, Joseph. Kostas Lianos8th Feb 2023, 19:02Man Utd vs Leeds XI Marcel Sabitzer and Weston McKennie make their first start for Manchester United and Leeds respectively Man Utd: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Fred, Sabitzer, Fernandes; Rashford, Weghorst, Garnacho. Leeds: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Wober, Struijk; Adams, McKennie; Sinisterra, Harrison, Gnonto; Bamford. Follow all the action with SunSport HERE Kostas Lianos8th Feb 2023, 18:34Jarrad Branthwaite interest Manchester United and Liverpool have sent scouts to watch Everton ace Jarrad Branthwaite, who is currently on loan at PSV Eindhoven. According to the Daily Mail, United and the Reds keep an eye on Branthwaite’s progress throughout the rest of the season. The Red Devils’ boss Erik ten Hag has made no secret of his desire to have a left-footed centre-back. Roma are also sending scouts in the hope of landing the 20-year-old Credit: Getty Kostas Lianos8th Feb 2023, 18:06Declan Rice warning Manchester United’s Casemiro has been warned that West Ham star Declan Rice could kick him out of the team if the midfielder moves to Old Trafford in the summer. That is according to Newcastle ace Kieran Trippier, who made that claim after Rice impressed against the Magpies in last weekend’s Premier League clash. The right-back was quizzed on choosing Rice or Casemiro, but he picked his England team-mate. Trippier said: “As defenders like me, you appreciate a Michael Carrick, or what Declan does. “So it makes your job easier when they’re just mopping everything up. “Don’t get me wrong, Casemiro, the trophies he’s won, the Champions Leagues, he’s a world-class player. But if you’re talking right now, Dec is incredible, he’s got the age as well” Kostas Lianos8th Feb 2023, 17:42Man Utd vs Leeds preview Manchester United take on Leeds at Old Trafford tonight in the Premier League. United boss Erik ten Hag will be without Casemiro, who starts a three-game ban after his red card against Crystal Palace. Meanwhile, Christian Eriksen (ankle), Donny van de Beek (knee), Anthony Martial (hip) and Antony (leg) are out. However, Diogo Dalot is pushing for a start with Jadon Sancho also nearing a full return from his fitness issues. Leeds, on the other hand, are set for their first match after former manager Jesse Marsch’s dismissal. Marsch’s assistant Chris Armas will deputise until a full-time replacement is found. January signing Weston McKennie could make a first start for his club. Rodrigo Moreno (ankle), Adam Forshaw (hip) and Stuart Dallas (leg) are long-term injury absentees, while Robin Koch is suspended. Follow all the action with SunSport HERE Kostas Lianos8th Feb 2023, 17:05Marcel Sabitzer full debut Manchester United January signing Marcel Sabitzer is in line for a full debut this evening against Leeds at Old Trafford. Sabitzer, 28, came off the bench in the weekend’s win over Crystal Palace. But with Christian Eriksen injured, and Casemiro now banned, manager Erik ten Hag is short of options in the middle of the park. That could see the midfielder named in the starting line up for the first time tonight Kostas Lianos8th Feb 2023, 16:38Qatar’s Man Utd interest The Qataris are in the running to buy Manchester United and are set to launch a takeover bid in days. The Glazer family revealed in November that they were willing to listen to offers for either a stake in United or an outright purchase. A number of parties have expressed an interest in buying the Red Devils, which could be purchased for a world-record price for a sports franchise at close to, or above, £6billion. But according to the Daily Mail, a Qatar-based investment group will bid for the Manchester giants. The report states that “a group of private, high-wealth individuals based in the oil-rich state, buoyed by Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup, have set their sights on” the Old Trafford club. An offer is set to be made in the coming days ahead of the mid-February deadline set by the Glazers Credit: PA Giacomo Pisa8th Feb 2023, 15:56Neville compares Boehly to Woodward Gary Neville has compared Chelsea owner Todd Boehly to former Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward. The Old Trafford icon has likened Boehly’s transfer strategy to that of Woodward when he was with the Red Devils. He said on Sky Bet’s The Overlap: “To me, Todd Boehly smacks of Ed Woodward when he first came to Manchester United and wanted to sign everyone. “It felt like that at Chelsea in the summer and it was chaotic. Marc Cucurella for £64m and Enzo Fernandez for £107m – that’s a full-back and a midfielder who will sit at the base of a three. “The ceiling on those types of players – like Rodri, Fabinho, Casemiro – they are £50-60m positions. “These aren’t players that are playing in the forward part of the pitch and scoring you 30 goals, so what they’re paying for the positions, what they’re getting for the money, they just seem like strange transfers. “I’m not saying the players are no good. They could be really good and could go on to be great. But the fees for players in those positions seem mad to me.” Giacomo Pisa8th Feb 2023, 15:44Bruno relishing Wembley outing Bruno Fernandes can’t wait for the “amazing chance” to play in front of fans at Wembley. The Red Devils take on Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final at the end of the month. Fernandes has played at Wembley before, losing in 2020 FA Cup semi-finals to Chelsea. He told club media ahead of the Newcastle clash: “That will be really good. I think it’s an amazing chance and opportunity for all of us to experience that. “At the same time, being in the final, it’s a long time for us since we’ve had that chance to be there. “It’s now focusing on the games that we have, to be fully prepared for the upcoming games and to arrive at that final at our best level.” Giacomo Pisa8th Feb 2023, 15:28Countdown to kick off… There’s less than five hours to go now until the Red Devils are back in action. Erik ten Hag’s side take on bitter rivals Leeds for the first of two games between the sides in five days. Remember, the game is not on TV, and Leeds are also without a manager after sacking Jesse Marsch on Monday. For United Marcel Sabitzer could make his full debut in place of the suspended Casemiro. Giacomo Pisa8th Feb 2023, 15:12Rio on Man Utd vs Leeds rivalry Rio Ferdinand has opened up on the “mad rivalry” between Manchester United and Leeds. The former defender spent two years at Elland Road before joining the Red Devils in 2002. Speaking on his move, Ferdinand told William Hill: “It’s mad, when you’re from London you don’t really understand all the rivalries. “You know there’s a rivalry there, but you don’t know the levels. “Leeds and Manchester United is a mad rivalry; when I got there, I was told: ‘Rio you’re making a big decision to go to Man United from Leeds, because their fans will hate you!’ “I didn’t even think about that, because I didn’t know it was that bad. I knew they didn’t like them, but I didn’t know it was to the core.” Giacomo Pisa8th Feb 2023, 14:47Title race still open Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke reckons the Red Devils are still in the title race. Erik ten Hag’s side are currently eight points off the top, having played a game ore than leaders Arsenal. But, speaking to Ladbrokes, via MEN, Yorke said: “Arsenal are in the driving seat, but I’m still expecting plenty of twists and turns. “Who’s to say – you know, my old club are a little bit behind at the moment – if Manchester United can go on an unbelievable run, who’s to say they can’t come into the frame? “No one is talking about Man United at the moment, but they’re just getting something going over there now, so maybe they could become a threat with Arsenal and Man City slipping up.” Yorke added: “All United have to do is chip away and capitalise when Arsenal and City slip up. All of a sudden, we could see a dramatic shift in the title race.” Giacomo Pisa8th Feb 2023, 14:26A new era Reports claim Old Trafford could be DEMOLISHED and rebuilt if Manchester United are taken over by a Qatari group. A Qatar-based investment group will bid for Man Utd in the coming days, according to the Daily Mail. That could lead to Old Trafford having a “state-of-the-art” refurbishment. The Mail states: “United’s owners are seeking more than £6 billion for the club, and there is the prospect of another huge bill to redevelop Old Trafford, or knock down the iconic venue and build a new state-of-the-art facility. “Such a project could cost more than £2bn, but that would not be a problem for the Qatari group.” Giacomo Pisa8th Feb 2023, 14:12A reminder about tonight Manchester United host Leeds this evening at Old Trafford. However, the rearranged game is NOT being shown on TV in the UK. That is because the match was not originally selected for TV coverage in September. As a result, tonight’s meeting is not being broadcasted in the UK. Giacomo Pisa8th Feb 2023, 13:49Man Utd team news Erik ten Hag has confirmed Anthony Martial, Scott McTominay have all been ruled out of tonight’s game against Leeds. Meanwhile Casemiro is suspended, while Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek are long-term absences. When asked about Martial and McTominay, Ten Hag told club media yesterday: “They are not available. Antony, as well, and we will miss them tomorrow. “We will see how that develops in the coming days but it is about who is left and they have to do the job. “We have a good squad and they have to deal with that, we have to bring a good team tomorrow on the pitch and, if we perform well, we have a good chance to win.”
