Manchester United

United opened the game with a team mixed with first team players, fringe players as well as players who may be headed for the exit. United lost the first half 2 ...

Manchester United slipped to a narrow friendly defeat against Real Betis as the Reds' winter training week ended at the Estadio Benito Villamarin in Seville ...

Betis were inches away from an opener at the midway point in the first half, as Paul Akouokou's shot through a forest of bodies clipped the left-hand post, after promising work by Luiz Henrique on the right flank. Victor Lindelof and Scott McTominay were the only United starters who played the full 90 minutes of what was effectively another training exercise. It was a warning sign for United and regrettably it wasn't heeded sufficiently before Fekir received Iglesias's clever pass into the penalty area and fired home in the 49th minute. The young Reds in question included forwards Noam Emeran and Joe Hugill but clearcut chances still proved elusive as Betis saw out their 1-0 win. The United left-back also hauled down the rapid Luiz Felipe and that challenge might have earned him a yellow card in a competitive game. Teden Mengi's second start of the trip was sadly cut short just part the quarter-hour mark when he suffered an injury.

Premier League club defeated 1-0 at Estadio Benito Villamarin in mid-season friendly.

Started on the left – as opposed to on the right in Cadiz. And again on 69 from a Miranda header. Fine saves on 64 and 65 as Betis pushed for a second. A positive experience for United’s young players including the Mancunian. Challenged well, but up against a top side controlling the game. Lively one or twice on the right in front of 250 away fans. Better in Cadiz on Wednesday. Shot went wide of the far post on 30. Lost the ball in midfield, leading to Betis attacking and hitting the post on 20. Carried on going in hard on opponents. The most experienced defender, he organised the defence well and instructed Menghi and then Murray, but the defence was split by the experienced Beticos. Much better than against Cadiz, stemming the threat of the experienced Betis attack.

The boss says the club will attempt to bring in another forward, following the exit of last season's top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo. Although obviously refusing ...

We do everything we can if that opportunity will be there." "Each player is under contract and I respect that but we make sure we are working in the background to get the right players in." "We do everything that is in our power, so I do research on every opportunity that comes.

Man United are light on recognised strikers following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo last month and Ten Hag was asked about Cody Gakpo.

And now we have to stop the process and we get him and he gets himself in a better position so that he’s fit and available. “I think he is [happy] but he was so disappointed that he had bad luck with the injury. In his analysis of the United squad, Ten Hag felt they had too many right-footed left wingers. For our team, he’s a really important player and we need that profile. When Gakpo, who scored three times for the Netherlands at the World Cup, was mentioned to Ten Hag, he replied: “I cannot give comments on specific players. We are doing research on every opportunity and we do everything we can if that opportunity is there to contract them.”

Manchester United have been linked with moves for World Cup stars, including Cody Gakpo, as they look to replace the departed Cristiano Ronaldo.

Players have contracts and I respect that but be sure we are working in the background to get the right players in.” [Portugal lost to Morocco in the quarter-finals](https://en.as.com/soccer/morocco-vs-portugal-live-online-score-stats-and-updates-qatar-world-cup-2022-n/), had his contract with Manchester United terminated last month. Asked outright about whether PSV star Gakpo was one of the players on his radar, Ten Hag was typically coy in his response: “I cannot give comments on specific players.

Cristiano Ronaldo had already cleared out his locker at Manchester United before his explosive interview with Piers Morgan aired, according to reports.

[talkSPORT.com](https://talksport.com/radioplayer/live/index.html?interstitial=true). [denied that anything is close](https://talksport.com/football/1269709/cristiano-ronaldo-saudi-arabia-al-nassr-portugal-man-utd/). [mutually terminated](https://talksport.com/football/1253876/cristiano-ronaldo-man-united-statement-piers-morgan-interview-free-agent/), and he is therefore now a free agent.

Keep tabs on the latest news, views and Man United transfer rumours with our dedicated blog updates.

The French giants have been closely linked with his signature for a while. The centre-back, who performed well for his native South Korea at the World Cup, has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford over the last few months. [Erik ten Hag's](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/erik-ten-hag) preferred centre-back pairing have made it to the final four with their countries, as they look to go one step further and reach the final. They crashed out of the tournament on Friday, losing to 2018 runners-up Croatia on penalties. City Women and United Women are going head-to-head at the Etihad Stadium currently. Joao Felix and Goncalo Ramos, who both continue to be linked with a move to Old Trafford, were both in action, while former United striker [Cristiano Ronaldo](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/cristiano-ronaldo) left the pitch in tears. [Erik ten Hag](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/erik-ten-hag)'s side fell to a 1-0 defeat to the LaLiga side, with Nabil Fekir scoring the only goal of the game in the second-half. Of course, he's making his assists, or he is scoring the goals and makes great passes but Bruno Fernandes, he is working very hard. No response has been made with Tottenham in the market for him, too. Like he literally moves so smart on the field and do you know what, you actually like kind of underestimate [his work rate]. "From the first moment, I recognised huge potential," Ten Hag said of Rashford prior to England's quarter-final defeat to France. Harry Kane scored a penalty to level proceedings, but after Olivier Giroud had restored France's lead, the Three Lions captain missed his second spot-kick late on in the clash.

"We have to expect more from him. He needs challenges; that's why he came to the Premier League. He gets it here."

That's what you see: first weeks, he scored goals, he did good stuff, but also, I saw a lot of room for improvement in his game." As we saw on Friday night, he is still a very raw talent, but he clearly has the makings of an elite forward. Antony has endured a mixed start to his life at Old Trafford, with three goals but no assists from his first 11 appearances. This is a young man who has had the odds stacked against him ever since he was a child growing up in a São Paulo favela called Inferninho — 'little hell'. I was small, but I dribbled with a meanness that came from God. There were the customary samba skills, the fierce fight and the determination to battle for the ball.

Minute-by-minute report: Will Manchester United finally get their first WSL win over their rivals? Join Tom Bassam to find out.

9 min: United clear the initial corner but as the ball is hoisted back in it all gets a bit messy on the edge of box. The Jamaican striker gets to the byline on the City right and pulls the ball back for Chloe Kelly, but Hannah Blundell nips in at the key moment. City have been WSL force for far longer than United, but this season there is a growing sense that the red side side of Manchester can truly challenge. 4 min: There is a smart turn from Toone just inside the City half but her through ball towards Russo lacks precision an is easily cut out. This time she drives forward to the edge of the City box but her shot is a poor one and dribbles wide. Toone cuts the ball back to her teammate from the left-hand side of the box, Galton’s shot gets a handy deflection to beat Roebuck. It is a lovely goal for United as Toone combines with Galton to drive into the City box. Robeuck flaps at the resulting ball into the box but City are able to clear. 62 min: It is all United after that City bolt from the blue. 64 min: Moment of danger for United as Kelly’s cross drifts over the outstretched arm of Earps and just wide. The striker shifts the ball between her feet to make room for a shot which is just wide Roebuck’s right post. Again the United nips in ahead of the forward on halfway as PA announced a record WSL attendance at the Etihad, more than 44,000 fans in today.

Manchester City Women welcome Man Utd to the Etihad on Sunday and we'll bring you live updates from the WSL derby.

Laia Aleixandri - Fantastic calm footwork to turn out of trouble in the United box to create a chance for Kelly early on. Despite being a maestro in long balls she kept it short and snappy in the first half, a genuine solid performance at the back. Defensively she was strong as always with a top-notch performance but also in attack she was happy to drive into the City box shoulder to shoulder with towering Ouahabi. Came out to collect a high ball in the second half but missed it. Ellie Roebuck - She collected the ball well but was beaten by the big deflection for the goal. A confident performance that she grew into as the game progressed. And nicked the ball from Toone's feet in her area minutes later. Mary Earps - Her communication heard over a 44,000 crowd instilled confidence in her back four, demanding Blundell “stay on the ball” early into the game. Kerstin Casparij - Just quality on City’s right flank, she wasn’t afraid to get involved with Kelly in attack. Shaw has been prolific again for the Blues after enjoying an outstanding first season at the club last term. Hannah Blundell - Incredible first-half performance against Kelly and Casparij, she was involved at both ends. She couldn’t do anything from Coombs’ free header as it bounced into the back of her net.

Follow The Independent's live coverage of all the action in the FA Women's Super League today. The Manchester derby is taking place at the Etihad Stadium, ...

Attempt blocked. Lucía García (Manchester United Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Manchester City vs Manchester United

Manchester United Women's put themselves in pole position to claim one of the top three positions in this women's English Women's Super League & a place in ...

It was Coombs fourth goal of the season so far, which added to her two assists, already make it the most productive Barclays Women's Super League season in the 31-year-old's career. The previous Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium in September 2019 was watched by a then-record Barclays Women's Super League attendance of 31,213. The match toady was watched by a a crowd of 44,259 at the Etihad Stadium which is an all-time record for a women's club match in Greater Manchester. They remain three points ahead of the local rivals, with both clubs having played nine matches. The teams have occupied the top three positions in each of the last eight seasons. Champions in 2016, Manchester City have consistently finished among the top three in the English league, alternating positions with Arsenal and Chelsea.

Manchester City play out a thrilling draw against neighbours and top-three rivals Manchester United at Etihad Stadium.

Khadija Shaw (Manchester City Women) header from very close range is blocked. Attempt blocked. Lucía García (Manchester United Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. - Shots - 44,259 - 25Hasegawa - 10Castellanos - 15Ouahabi - 5Greenwood - 4Aleixandri - 2Casparij - 1Roebuck

Man City women drew 1-1 with Man United in the Manchester derby in front of a close-to-capacity Etihad crowd on Sunday.

Thomson's close-range header was saved and there was a tangible feeling of anticipation that the script had yet to be written. The crowds at Euro 2022 were inspiring and it was wonderful to see the Etihad almost at full capacity for the derby. They started the second half with the same impressive intent and tactical cohesion, which was restricting the hosts. That seemed to be a reflection of both managers' happiness with how the game was developing and City trudged down the tunnel at half-time. They were always going to fight, though, and that began immediately after the interval and the players were encouraged by the strong home support. City started slowly but they began to control the game with possession, which asked questions of Millie Turner and Maya Le Tissier at centre-back.

Marc Skinner's side took the lead in the first half, after excellent work from Leah Galton and Ella Toone down the left saw the former power the ball home.

The Reds came close to restoring our lead moments later, but Hayley Ladd's looping effort was caught with ease by Roebuck. But we couldn't turn our early dominance into an insurance goal before the hosts levelled the score. Mary Earps was forced into a big clearance early on, punching Alex Greenwood's corner off the line before our backline cleared it. Just two minutes later, however, Skinner's side took the lead through a wonderfully crafted goal. The match deserved more goals than it got, with both sides showing much attacking vigour and commitment to go for all three points. Both sides saw a handful of chances go begging as the game entered stoppage time, and United saw a penalty appeal waved away after the ball appeared to come off Greenwood's hand in the box.

The Reds may have lost for a second time in Spain but the manager says there was a "a big win" from the week as a whole.

Our main objective from the week was better fitness and I think we did it, we made the progress there. "In the second half we made a bad start, [we were] undisciplined. We really have to step up." "I think we had a good week, there was a good spirit," reflected Ten Hag. "We were better than in the game against Cadiz, also from the intensity, so I was quite happy with that first half." "The first half was okay, I think we had some good attacks.