Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Club SUED by own staff over wages, half-year financial results, Mainoo contract EXCLUSIVE
MANCHESTER UNITED are being SUED by their own staff over a huge wages blunder.
SunSport exclusively revealed that staff have been left seething over a data protection breach and are seeking a six-figure sum in compensation.
have today announced their half-year financial results - which has eased concerns around their compliance with financial fair play (FFP).
In another SunSport exclusive, starlet Kobbie Mainoo is set to sign a bumper new deal at Old Trafford.
Wes Brown heaped a lot of praise on Mainoo and the ex-United star told Instant Casino that the young talisman reminds him of Clarence Seedorf.
Follow our live blog below...
Evans & Rashford injury update
Man Utd were forced to take Jonny Evans and Marcus Rashford off through injury against Man City.
After the game, ten Hag told Sky Sports: “I don’t know, they had to come off, but I preferred to keep them [Rashford and Evans] on as the organisation was very good."
The Red Devils are back in action on March 9 against Everton at Old Trafford.
Fernandes on Champions League qualification
“Every time you don’t win a game it is damaging at this club. We know what this club demands and we want to win the games we are involved in.
“We didn’t get the three points today but there’s still a long way to go. We know it is not everything in our hands because other teams have to lose points but we have to do our job.”
Bruno FernandesTen Hag on Rashford's foul
Erik ten Hag was asked if he felt Marcus Rashford was fouled in the build up to City's equaliser.
“Let’s say this it is debatable there was contact [on Rashford] and it’s a defining moment in the game, in the counter-attack they scored," ten Hag told Sky Sports.
“It was soft [foul on Rashford], but when you are in a full sprint you lose your rhythm that is why he went down.”
Damning stat
Erik ten Hag has defended his tactics for the derby – despite Manchester United recording a second worst Premier League total EVER in the loss at City.
But the Old Trafford boss felt two key decisions had also gone against his team – which had also been crucial.
He said: “I think the plan went well, it’s very small margins. Football is not only about possession, of course you need the ball to score a goal.
“We scored a brilliant goal but also after that the first 20 minutes we had some more opportunities.
“I thought we defended brilliantly out of possession but the defining moments were not on our side.”
Keane's fuming
A fuming Roy Keane has broken down how he'd have defended Phil Foden if he played for Manchester United today.
The former United midfielder said: "United have a lot of players back here. I'll be critical of the United defenders because they have the players back.
"But two or three players are just having a breather there. You've got Foden who we've seen do that many times this season cutting in and the players are just having a breather for that split second.
"You can't do that against Foden! We've seen that before. When there's a left footer cutting in like this people say it's dangerous but when you've got bodies in there this is where you've got to switch on.
"You've gotta get out to the ball! You've gotta get out to Foden! We've spoke about an amazing player. He wants to get onto his stronger foot. Get out to him!"
Neville riled by Richards
Gary Neville asked Micah Richards "are you winding me up" as he was quizzed by his fellow pundit after Manchester United's derby loss to City.
Neville was quick to insist that United's top-four hopes were still intact, despite falling 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.
He even claimed the performance was "the best defensively from a discipline point of view in Erik ten Hag's whole period at United".
However, he added: "In a perfect world they would be 20 to 30 yards further forward up the pitch, playing as compact as that. They were really at the edge of their box.
"Rashford and Garnacho got so deep, they couldn't then get up the pitch.
"But there is something there today that meant they've addressed the carnage, gaps and chaos in midfield over the last few month."
That's when former City star Richards spotted his opportunity to play host.
First he quizzed Nev about his "confidence", then about the impact of Luke Shaw's injury absence.
And, as actual Sky Sports presenter Kelly Cates tried to get a word in, Neville joked: "Is he winding me up here?"
Rodri's record
Rodri helped Manchester City earn bragging rights over rivals United - and broke a Premier League record in the process.
The midfielder played all 90 minutes of the derby, with Phil Foden's double and Erling Haaland's late strike cancelling out Marcus Rashford's opener.
Rodri has still not lost a club game since City's 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in February 2023.
City's 1-0 win against Bournemouth last weekend saw Rodri draw level with ex-Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho on 58 games without defeat.
Today was his 59th outing without defeat.
Disgusting Garnacho!
Fans spotted the moment Alejandro Garnacho appeared to pick his nose and eat it while on the bench.
The “peak Manchester United moment” occurred during Sunday’s derby clash at City.
Marcus Rashford fired the visitors ahead after just eight minutes.
But Phil Foden’s brace and a late hit from Erling Haaland secured a 3-1 win for City.
United ended up having just three shots all game, as well as just 26 per cent ball possession.
And frustrated fans felt the performance was summed up by Garnacho’s unsavoury moment.
Man Utd ratings
Here's how SunSport's Martin Blackburn rated United's performers.
Match report
City's were too strong for Man Utd in that second half, as the Red Devils lost 3-1.
And it looked so good early on, too. Here's SunSport's Dave Kidd with the match report.
Break in play
The Manchester derby had to be delayed after a flare was launched onto the pitch at the Etihad.
The object was thrown into Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana's penalty area following Manchester City star Phil Foden's equaliser.
Play was stopped for around a minute as the flare was cleared after landing next to Onana.
Fortunately, the Cameroon international was not struck by the pyrotechnic, which fire marshals removed from the pitch.
After a brief pause in the action, referee Andy Madley allowed the derby to restart.
Credit: Sky Sports FT: Man City 3-1 Man Utd
Manchester City completed a 3-1 comeback win over rivals Manchester United at the Etihad.
United broke the deadlock after only eight minutes with Marcus Rashford's wonderstrike.
But Phil Foden equalised only 11 minutes into the second half and completed his brace 10 minutes before full-time.
Erling Haaland sealed the three points in the first minute of stoppage time to keep City in the Premier League title hunt.
Credit: AFP Man City 3-1 Man Utd
Manchester City have sealed the three points with Erling Haaland in the first minute of stoppage time.
City are still only one point away from Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Man City 2-1 Man Utd
Manchester City have turned the game on its head as we approach full-time.
And it's Phil Foden again who is completing his brace in the 80th minute!
Man City 1-1 Man Utd
Manchester City have levelled things up early in the second half with Phil Foden.
Foden makes it 1-1 just 11 minutes into the second half.
HT: Man City 0-1 Man Utd
It's half-time at the Etihad and Manchester United are still in the lead.
United broke the deadlock with Marcus Rashford's stunning rocket of a shot after just eight minutes.
Credit: Rex Man City 0-1 Man Utd
What an incredible start for Manchester United and Marcus Rashford!
Rashford scores a goal-of-the-season contender with a shot from 25 yards out!
United lead against Manchester City after their eighth-minute opener!
Man City 0-0 Man Utd
We're live at the Etihad as Manchester City and Manchester United go toe to toe.
You can follow SunSport's live coverage HERE
Man City XI
And here's who Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola picked in his team to face Manchester United:
Starting XI: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake, Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Doku, Haaland.
Subs: Ortega Moreno, Kovacic, Alvarez, Gomez, Gvardiol, Akanji, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis.
Follow all the live action in the link below:
Man Utd XI
Here's who starts for Manchester United against Manchester City at the Etihad:
Starting XI: Onana, Dalot, Varane, Evans, Lindelof, Mainoo, Casemiro, McTominay, Fernandes, Rashford, Garnacho.
Subs: Bayindir, Kambwala, Ogunneye, Amad, Amrabat, Collyer, Eriksen, Forson, Antony.
Follow all the live action in the link below:
Neville's Ten Hag warning
Manchester United legend Gary Neville warned manager Erik ten Hag he will have to deliver against Manchester City today and Liverpool later to convince Sir Jim Ratcliffe he deserves the top job.
Erik ten Hag has a game against City today and then two against Liverpool in the next month.
He will be judged on these matches.
INEOS aren't going to wait until the end of the season to make a decision.
Gary Neville
Erik ten Hag's message
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag warned his players they will have to give everything against Manchester City.
You always want to play against the best so most of the times we feel and you can also see it that the opposition get their best outputs against Manchester United, and maybe this game is the other way around.
We know we have to give everything and show really a team performance if you want to get a result. If you do it, it is possible.
From all the games we look back, we had the opportunity to win and we won one time but you need a great day.
That is also what we know so the players have to give the best performances.
Erik ten HagSilva responds to Ten Hag
Fulham manager Marco Silva addressed his Manchester United counterpart Erik ten Hag's call for an apology over a TikTok mocking Bruno Fernandes:
I’m aware of it. I haven’t seen it - I’m not a fan of social media. It was a reaction from Ten Hag. When a manager defends a player, it’s normal. I would defend one of ours until the end.
He said he hadn’t seen it, he was responding to a question. Ten Hag defended his player, I understand that.
All the other noise comes because it’s Man Utd. If it was Marco Silva reacting, it would be finished in 10 seconds.
The second question is about TikTok. I would prefer it to be about a performance.
Marco SilvaMan Utd boss Erik ten Hag shuts down Rio Ferdinand in tense interview after Bruno Fernandes' late winner against FulhamJack Grealish ruled out
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed Jack Grealish won't play against Manchester United today at the Etihad due to a persistent groin problem.
He will not be fit this weekend. When he comes back, I don't know. Setbacks are always there in life, he will overcome it.
No, I don't think so [Grealish won't return before the international break].
He has to recover well to use him as much as possible. I didn't speak to Gareth Southgate.
Pep GuardiolaCristiano Ronaldo advice
Nottingham Forest ace Anthony Elanga has revealed the great advice he received from Cristiano Ronaldo during their time shared at Manchester United.
I’ve always been someone who wants to find that extra percentage to improve.
Having Ronaldo come in, I tried to take some chapters out of his book and try and form it into mine.
There was a time when I missed a penalty against Middlesbrough and after that he kept speaking to me.
He told me, ‘It’s not the end of the world, I’ve missed loads before and you’ve shown character and professionalism taking one at your age'.
I took that on board and that’s been really helpful.
Anthony Elanga
