Manchester United has contacted the agent of Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries at the request of manager Erik ten Hag, according to Corriere dello Sport.

The Dutch great has been linked with a move to the Premier League, and we reported yesterday that Chelsea are the favourites to capture him next summer. Ten Hag, on the other hand, would like to work with the 26-year-old, and Corriere dello Sport reports that United have held negotiations with Dumfries’ representative Rafaela Pimenta about a move.

Diogo Dalot has been United’s first-choice right-back this season, but Ten Hag prefers Dumfries, who is more physical, offensive, and likely to score. Meanwhile, according to the source, Inter Milan would want to sell the defender for more over £51 million next summer.

Competition

Dalot has performed admirably as United’s right-back this season. He is one of the most improved players under Ten Hag and has displaced Aaron Wan-Bissaka. In reality, the latter has only appeared as a substitute versus Liverpool once in the Premier League.

Ten Hag will want more competition at right back, and Dumfries would be an ideal fit for him. The Dutchman possesses a formidable physical presence and swift counterattacking speed. Every four matches since his transfer to Inter Milan, he has either scored or assisted on a goal.

Due to his superior offensive capabilities, the Dutchman may easily become a regular starter for United. United is doing the correct thing by contacting his representation early, since Chelsea is also interested in Dumfries and will do everything possible to entice him to Stamford Bridge in the upcoming summer.

Regular first-team play could be a determining element in Dumfries’ future. United may have this advantage over Graham Potter’s squad. If Dumfries were to transfer to Chelsea, he would likely not be a regular starter at right wingback, where Reece James is vital when healthy.

After Real Madrid’s return, Carlo Ancelotti’s words about Cristiano Ronaldo take on new significance.

The final few months of Cristiano Ronaldo’s time at Manchester United were marked by high-profile events at the club’s training facility.

Initially, the veteran striker, along by his agent and close friend Jorge Mendes, visited in the summer for crisis discussions with the Old Trafford hierarchy. This initial mediation occurred after it became known that Ronaldo wanted to assist a sensational leave less than a year after his equally sensational homecoming.

All eyes were on United’s headquarters, where new manager Erik ten Hag was compelled to instantly confront the club’s most prominent personality. These negotiations finally resulted in Ronaldo’s retention, but the seeds of resentment were firmly planted.

And months later, Carrington was the scene of another drama when Ten Hag ordered the Portuguese icon to practise alone after he refused to enter the game against Tottenham. Following a brief ban, further discussions between the player and manager culminated in a forced but friendly mending of fences.

However, Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training facility is now the setting for the most recent chapter of Ronaldo’s increasingly intriguing later career. Relovo confirmed on Wednesday that the 37-year-old has returned to the Spanish city following his Champions League quarterfinal loss.

Ronaldo was permitted to work at their training facility so that he could keep his fitness while searching for new employment, according to the article. And while the possibility of a return to the club where he won nine trophies seems remote, the thought of him donning Madrid training gear once more was tantalising.

According to Spanish news accounts, his presence at Valdebebas was strictly as an independent trainer working apart from the main group. Younger members of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad nevertheless made their way over to catch a peek of the modern-day Los Blancos legend.

And perhaps it was Ancelotti’s presence that was instrumental in Ronaldo regaining access to the Spanish and European champions. Even while hostility has subsided since his departure in 2018, club president Florentino Perez is not typically one to let the past be the past.

Perez was outraged when Ronaldo’s desire to quit the Bernabeu was made public after the 2018 Champions League victory. But Ancelotti, who won his own European championship with the striker, has been quite appreciative of his approach around the team, making it obvious that he believes the forward’s career has a ways to go.

“Ronaldo’s farewell dance? He told Mais Futebol earlier this month, “I don’t know, he probably still feels like he’s 20 since he’s healthy and has the answers he’s looking for in his body.” “He has always taken excellent care of your body. However, rivalry is fierce within the Portugal national squad. I had him for two years with no issues.

Florentino Perez dismissed the prospect of bringing Ronaldo back to Madrid.

“He actually fixed my difficulties. Is it possible to consider someone who scores at least one goal per game to be a problem? Cristiano trains extremely well and pays close attention to detail; he was a pleasure to work with. He’s a fantastic player.”

If Ancelotti wants to bring Ronaldo back to the club on a permanent basis, the dialogue will be totally different. Perez was approached by a fan in August and asked about re-signing him… He replied, unable to hide his amusement: “Cristiano? Again? At 38?”