Manchester United can secure their place in the knockout stages of the Europa League on Thursday as Cristiano Ronaldo prepares to come back into contention for a starting spot.
However, news elsewhere has revealed the real reason behind Zinedine Zidane’s decision to turn down the opportunity to manage the Red Devils before Erik ten Hag’s appointment. The Dutchman, however, has set Harry Maguire a new challenge in United’s upcoming fixtures, while Ronaldo has been told the brutal truth over his proposed January move to Napoli.
Mirror Football takes a look at all the latest stories coming out of Old Trafford.
Zinedine Zidane is ‘waiting’ for another job
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has revealed the real reason why former Real Madrid manager Zidane turned down the offer of taking over at Man United this season.
Zidane has been out of a job since leaving Los Blancos in 2021, although he maintains the stunning record of winning three consecutive Champions League titles with his former club. However, he passed up the opportunity to manage the Red Devils in order to wait for his desired vacancy elsewhere.
According to Henry, Zidane is holding out to be the next manager of the France national team, with Les Bleus currently managed by Didier Deschamps as they aim to become the first ever nation to win consecutive World Cup’s next month.
Read the story in full HERE .
How would Zinedine Zidane have faired as Man Utd manager this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Ten Hag sets Maguire challenge
Man United centre back Maguire is expected to shortly return from his recent hamstring injury and in the absence of Raphael Varane, Ten Hag has set the England international a fresh challenge.
Maguire lost his starting spot to the Frenchman after just two games of the season and has struggled to find a way back in since, while his injury has kept him out of every game so far this month.
However, Ten Hag has now challenged Maguire to raise his performance levels whilst Varane recovers from his recent injury, although he must prove his worth in order to get above Victor Lindelof in the pecking order.
Read the story in full HERE .
Ronaldo given brutal truth on Napoli move
Ronaldo could still leave Man United in January and Napoli have been earmarked as the club who may take him on board as he aims to get his career back on track.
However, Scotland legend Ally McCoist has struggled to find a reason as to why the Serie A giants would take a gamble on the 37-year-old. He told talkSPORT : "I don't know why Napoli would take him. I genuinely don't know why.
“I've seen enough of Napoli this season to say that they're on top of their game and they had another brilliant result at the weekend beating Roma 1-0 away from home. They're flying on all fronts. I might be wrong and he might go there. I don't see what he would bring to Napoli at this moment in time."
Read the story in full HERE .
