Ronaldo ‘offers’ to join Barcelona as Rangnick blocks January exit

Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick is set for his first window in charge, with much of the speculation surrounding potential departures of high-profile stars

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Ralf Rangnick reviews Newcastle draw

Ralf Rangnick was given a glimpse at the task in hand at Manchester United after a desperate display vs Newcastle United.

The German had won his first two Premier League matches in charge but were grateful to David de Gea for earning a 1-1 draw against the relegation-threatened Magpies.

The Red Devils offered little going forward, with Cristiano Ronaldo cutting a hugely frustrated figure for much of the evening.

Rangnick will now have one eye on the January window opening as he looks to shape the squad in his image.

As well as potential incomings, a number of players have hinted they would be open to leaving including forward Anthony Martial.

With just three days until the transfer window reopens, Mirror Football take a look at the latest Manchester United transfer rumours:

Ronaldo ‘offers himself’ to Barcelona

Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford was one of the biggest stories of the summer, but reports in Spain suggest his stay in Manchester could be short lived.

Mundo Deportivo report that the 36-year-old has been in contact with Gerard Pique to assess whether there is a chance he could head to the Camp Nou.

Jorge Mendes has also reportedly sounded out Barca president Joan Laporta, who tried to sign Ronaldo back in 2003.

The report adds that Ronaldo could even live in the house of old rival Lionel Messi, with the Champions League’s record scorer said to have no issues about dropping into the Europa League.

United ‘block’ Martial transfer

United have rejected Sevilla’s first offer to take Anthony Martial on loan for the rest of the season.

Martial has made it clear that he wishes to leave the club, with Rangnick telling the Frenchman he will only be allowed to leave if the deal suits United.

“We spoke at length,” said Rangnick. “He explained to me he’s been at Manchester United now for the last seven years and he feels it’s the right time for a change, to go somewhere else.

“I think in a way this is understandable, I could follow his thoughts, but on the other hand, it’s also important to see the situation of the club.

“We have Covid times, we have three competitions in which we still have high ambitions and we want to be as successful as we can be.

“I told him ‘listen, as long as there is no club showing interest in him [he will stay]’ and it should not only be in the interest of the player it should also be in the interest of the club.”

And the Red Devils have stuck to their word, reportedly rejecting Sevilla’s attempt to pay just half of Martial’s salary.

United are yet to decide whether he will be allowed to leave at all, but unless a suitor is willing to pay his entire wages negotiations are said to be a non-starter.

Real Madrid ‘drop out of Haaland race’

Dusan Vlahovic has emerged as a potential alternative for Real Madrid, with the La Liga giants ready to step out of the Erling Haaland sweepstakes.

United are one of a number of clubs linked with the Norwegian striker, who looks set to leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season.

Carlo Ancelotti is a huge admirer of Haaland, but knows that signing him would likely see Karim Benzema forced out of the club.

That isn’t something the Italian would like to consider at this point and so El Nacional claim Vlahovic could be another option which could appease Benzema.