Al-Nassr

MANCHESTER UNITED are weighing up a cash-spinning mid-season friendly in Saudi Arabia.

A trip to the Middle East could reunite the Red Devils with Cristiano Ronaldo, who left Old Trafford on bitter terms to join Al-Nassr in 2022.

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United are holding early-stage talks with stakeholders while looking into possible dates and opponents.

But a face-off with CR7 would be the most lucrative prospect at a time when they’re crying out for funds.

United could stage midweek friendlies this season after failing to qualify for any European competition.

Losing May’s Europa League final to Tottenham meant a £100million reward fell by the wayside.

And with roughly £750m worth of debt weighing on Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s shoulders, United are being forced to get creative.

Their schedule thinned out even more with defeat to Grimsby Town in round two of the Carabao Cup.

SunSport exclusively revealed last month that AC Milan, RB Leipzig, Lazio and Sevilla – four big clubs who missed out on Europe – have also been scouted out as potential friendly opponents.

United’s new plan comes after they scrapped the idea of a fly-on-the-wall documentary, which could have earned them millions.

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And Ruben Amorim could be sold on a trip to the Middle East if it doubles up as a warm weather training camp in the winter months.

Ratcliffe has sacked up to 450 United employees as part of his ruthless efforts to get finances back on track.

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But he insists the issue had to be tackled head-on, telling the BBC in March: “We can’t put our head in the sand.

“We have to deal with the problem. And it’s a big problem, not a small problem.

“We are in the process of change and it’s an uncomfortable period and disruptive and I do feel sympathy with the fans.”

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WAYNE ROONEY has been encouraged to face Cristiano Ronaldo in the boxing ring in a football super fight.

Malik Scott, former coach of heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, suggested the fight, labelling such a bout a ‘global event.’

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Scott, 44, told CanadaCasino: “Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Wayne Rooney would bring more eyes to boxing, and I’m all for it.

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“Any time boxing gets more attention, it’s a good thing. I want people to enjoy the spectacle, not just critique it.

“Just enjoy the carnival. It would be a global event because these are high-level names that would draw huge numbers.”

Scott is no stranger to the world of football, having married fan-favourite CBS sports broadcaster Kate Abdo in September last year.

His prospective competitors were iconic teammates at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, making over 200 appearances together.

Their relationship was believed to have turned cold following Ronaldo‘s protests to the referee earning Rooney a red card in a 2006 World Cup quarter final, which Portugal would go on to win on penalties.

He also made headlines for his comments on the heated Messi vs Ronaldo debate, backing the Argentinian over his former teammate.

But earlier this week the England legend rubbished rumours of bad blood between the two on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.

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Rooney, 39, said: “People think I hate him (Ronaldo).

“I love him. I think he’s an absolute genius and what he’s doing is incredible.

“I love Cristiano and playing with him. I don’t think people realise actually how close me and him were.”

While it seems that a boxing score-settler between the two is unlikely, it is not the only fight that Rooney has been tipped of late.

He was called out earlier this week by former Leeds United and Ireland international keeper Paddy Kenny.

Kenny is himself set to face former Prem footballer Curtis Davies at a charity event next month, and is keen to keep the ball rolling on his new boxing escapades.

SERGIO AGUERO brutally trolled Cristiano Ronaldo for being absent from the Club World Cup after meeting the footie icon’s biggest fan, iShowSpeed.

The revamped 32-team tournament got underway early on Sunday morning, with Inter Miami and Al-Ahly lighting the blue touch paper.

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Despite the competition now consisting of 32 teams, Ronaldo‘s Al-Nassr failed to qualify for the stateside competition.

He could’ve played in the tournament had he joined one of the participating teams on a short-term deal.

But the 40-year-old opted against doing that, much to the disappointment of American streamer iShowSpeed.

And CR7 was on the receiving end of several shots from Aguero during a live stream with social media sensation Speed.

Aguero asked Speed: “You’re a very big fan of Cristiano, no?”

In response to Speed’s confirmation of his Ronaldo fandom, former Argentina international Aguero said: “I respect it, it’s OK.

“He’s a good player. I prefer [Lionel] Messi, of course.”

Aguero then stuck the knife into Ronaldo by sarcastically asking Speed: “Ronaldo is playing here now at the Club World Cup or no?

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“Maybe he’ll have to watch on TV.”

Speed leapt to the defence of Portuguese superstar Ronaldo, insisting the five-time Ballon d’Or winner will guide Portugal to glory in the 2026 World Cup.

Aguero sarcastically then asked the 20-year-old: “[Ronaldo] just won the [Euros] no?

“Ah the Nations League… congratulations.”

ALEJANDRO GARNACHO has jetted out on holiday to escape his Manchester United nightmare.

The Argentine forward’s Old Trafford career appears over after being told to find a new club by boss Ruben Amorim.

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Garnacho was left fuming after being benched for the Europa League final last month.

He later angered his teammates after giving an interview where he described United’s season as “s**t”.

The 20-year-old cut a dejected figure on the Red Devils’ disastrous post-season tour of Asia.

Garnacho was spotted in an altercation with a fan, before flashing the middle finger to supporters after a loss to the ASEAN All Stars.

The former Puskas Award winner has jetted out to Rome with girlfriend Eva Garcia for some much-needed R&R.

Garcia posted a host of snaps of the pair enjoying the Italian capital with their young son Enzo.

The influencer – who has her own jewellery line – uploaded the memories to her 664,000 Instagram followers.

Eva posed infront of the Trevi Fountain, before enjoying coffee in the sun with her boyfriend of over four years.

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SunSport exclusively revealed last month United want £50million for Garnacho, who joined the club’s youth ranks from Atletico Madrid in 2020.

The 20-year-old has made Chelsea his No1 choice.

Garnacho is also attracting attention from Napoli, but would prefer to stay in the Premier League.

United rejected a £40m January bid from the Naples club for Garnacho but may get twice that from the Saudis. 

Pro League club Al-Nassr are preparing an audacious bid with Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at the club uncertain.

Garnacho’s relationship with Amorim fell apart after a dressing room spat boiled over infront of teammates.

Amorim reportedly told Garnacho he needs to “pray he can find a new club.”

United have since signed Matheus Cunha and are eyeing up Swede goal machine Viktor Gyokeres.

Garnacho appeared in 36 Premier League games last season, contributing 6 goals and 3 assists.

Following Europa League heartbreak against Tottenham, the Argentine refused to be drawn on his future at United.

Garnacho said: “Until we reached the final, I played every round.

“And I played 20 minutes today – I don’t know. “I’m going to try to enjoy the summer and see what happens next.”

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CRISTIANO RONALDO’S attitude towards fans can’t be knocked – even when they accidentally knock him!

The Manchester United legend won new admirers for the way he dealt with a supporter catching him on the shin with his wheelchair.

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Viewers loved the amusing exchange as Ronaldo ended up with a smile almost as big as his bank balance.

It began an eventful night for Ronaldo, who was outside Portugal’s team hotel at the time of the ‘collision’.

The Al-Nassr striker was later grabbed by a pitch invader as he warmed up at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena to face Germany in the Nations League semi-final.

And he then drilled Portugal’s clincher in a 2-1 comeback win – thanks to his 137th international goal midway through the second half.

Understandably the 40-year-old looked ecstatic.

But he was in high spirits too during his earlier hotel encounter.

Wearing shorts and training gear, Ronaldo walked over to sign an autograph.

And as he was preparing to scribble his name, the fan’s wheelchair nudged  forward and hit the five-time Ballon d’Or winner on the right leg.

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Ronaldo rubbed his shin as he smiled and shared a joke with the fan.

It’s just possible the ex-Real Madrid winger was mischievously pretending to have been fouled – as contact looked minimal.

And he then finished scribbling his signature before posing for a selfie with the man.

One fan responded to the clip on social media by saying: “Massive respect to CR7 who made the supporters day.”

Another viewer wrote: “Ronaldo down to earth.”

“I have to respect him for this,” posted a third.

Many fans still relentlessly argue online over Ronaldo’s GOAT claims compared to those of  Lionel Messi.

But Ron’s ‘bumpy’ exchange even earned grudging backing from supporters of his great rival!

One said: “As someone who prefers Messi’s play style this is why you gotta respect Ronaldo, class human being.”