Manchester United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Manchester United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Manchester United have a chance to build on their Thursday night victory over Real Sociedad when they take on Leicester City in a Premier League clash on Sunday.
Ruben Amorim's team pulled away from La Real in the second half on Thursday, winning 4-1 on the night and 5-2 on aggregate as the visitors ended with 10 men. They will take on Lyon in the quarter-finals after the French club completed a 7-1 aggregate victory over FSCB.
Leicester were United's opponents in the final game before Amorim took charge, with the Red Devils winning 3-0 at Old Trafford. Ruud van Nistelrooy was in the United dugout that day but is now facing an uphill battle to keep the Foxes in the Premier League.
Away from the pitch, part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been speaking about the club's past, present and future. That's one of the topics of discussion today as Mirror Football brings you the latest from around Old Trafford.
Ratcliffe's mistake claim
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has argued Manchester United should not have appointed David Moyes as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor. Moyes lasted less than a year in the dugout, leading United to what was at the time their lowest ever Premier League points tally.
“Look, I like David Moyes, and I think he's a really good manager, but to go from Sir Alex Ferguson to Moyes is not where I would have gone,” Ratcliffe told The Times. "Moyes stepped into the shoes of Ferguson, who's won the Premier League 13 times, who won the Champions League twice and then you're handing over to a guy that has never managed big players and had never won anything.
“He's not necessarily got the personality to stand in front of them all. And I don't think Real Madrid would have made that choice as coach."
Amorim's praise for Heaven
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has been full of praise for teenage defender Ayden Heaven. The former Arsenal youngster made his first senior career start against Real Sociedad and made quite the impression.
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Ayden Heaven during Man Utd vs Real Sociedad
Ayden Heaven impressed on his full debut ( Image: Getty Images)
“I really like his confidence, I like his pace,” Amorim said of the centre-back. “I think he’s good in defending the box. I think he’s quite complete, but he has a lot of work to do.”
The head coach also called for his team to build some momentum, saying: “We have to be humble and forget [the lack of recovery time], forget the table and face Leicester like we faced Real Sociedad. We just need to win to improve our position in the table."
Pogba's conversations
France manager Didier Deschamps has shed light on the conversations he has had with Les Bleus star Paul Pogba. Former Manchester United star Pogba is on the lookout for a new club, having completed a lengthy ban following a positive drugs test, with United themselves among the clubs mentioned as a possible destination.
“He’s supposed to be able to play again, but he doesn’t have a club," Deschamps said as France prepare for the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals.. "We’re talking, and I won’t tell you the details.
“Yes, he has the ability and the mentality to return to the highest level. It won’t happen overnight, but for the moment, he hasn’t made a decision. We’ll see.”
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