Erik ten Hag expects Marcus Rashford to be ready to face Chelsea on Thursday night but admitted he is not sure whether Manchester United’s top scorer is fully fit. Rashford has missed United’s last two fixtures, first with a leg injury and then through illness, but has returned to training this week. Asked if the 29-goal forward was ready to play, Ten Hag said: “It looks like (it). Yesterday, he returned to training, he looks quite fit but we have to see today what is the outcome of the training, how did we recover and then we will make our choices.” Rashford’s absence against Wolves and Bournemouth – both games United won without him – once again brought into focus United’s lack of depth in the forward positions. Anthony Martial was handed a rare start on the south coast on Sunday, but headed straight down the tunnel when he was withdrawn after an hour before later returning to the bench. Martial’s reaction led to fresh speculation over his United future. The 27-year-old, who finished last season on loan at Sevilla, has scored eight times in 27 appearances for United this season, but has struggled at times with injuries. “If you are not available, you can’t score,” Ten Hag said. “When he was available we played better, the team is winning games, he’s also scoring goals but he has to be available.” And Ten Hag also batted away a question about speculation linking United with Paris St Germain’s Brazil forward Neymar by offering his stock answer on transfer rumours, saying: “When we have news, we will tell you.” United will secure a top-four place and a return to the Champions League for next season if they take at least a point against Frank Lampard’s side. “It’s clear, we want to win every game,” the Dutchman said. “That is what we do all season so tomorrow we want to do the same, we want to win the game, play dominant football and get the job done… “First, we have to win the game tomorrow and get the job done. Then, it’s about judgement from others if it’s a good, bad or normal performance. “We are in a project, we want to go back and win trophies, we win one trophy but we want more trophies, compete with the best, we are still in a journey but we think we are in the right direction but it can always be better. Because good is not good enough.” We are still in a journey but we think we are in the right direction but it can always be better. Because good is not good enough Erik ten Hag With the League Cup trophy already in the cabinet, booking a return to Europe’s premier competition would be another significant marker for Ten Hag in his first season at Old Trafford. “If we want to compete with the best, then you have to be in the Champions League,” he said. “We want to compete with the best and be in the Champions League. In the Premier League, you have to be one of the first four, that’s not easy, many are competing for it, many think they should be in and we are one of them.”

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Manchester United bidder Sir Jim Ratcliffe is now the second-richest person in the UK according to the Sunday Times Rich List, with the list’s compilers placing his wealth at almost £30billion. Ratcliffe, the chief executive of the INEOS chemicals company, has bid to take a controlling stake in United. He faces competition from Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim, who made an improved fourth bid to buy 100 per cent of the club earlier this week. That move was interpreted as an attempt to seize the initiative from Ratcliffe, whose bid is reported to be structured to allow two members of the Glazer family which currently owns the club to keep a combined 20 per cent stake. Ratcliffe, born in Failsworth in Greater Manchester, was ranked 27th on the 2022 Sunday Times Rich List with an estimated wealth of £6.075bn, but has jumped up to second in the 2023 list with wealth now believed to be £29.688bn, an increase of almost 400 per cent in 12 months. Robert Watts, the compiler of the Rich List, told PA: “This year we have new information about the full scale of INEOS’ profits and that has made us confident that INEOS is now worth at least £40bn. “We have also learned more about the personal assets that Jim has accumulated over the past 25 years.” Ratcliffe topped the Rich List in 2018 when his personal wealth was estimated at £21.05bn. INEOS already owns French club Nice and Swiss side Lausanne. The Reuben family, which includes Jamie Reuben who bought a minority stake as part of the Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle in October 2021, drops from third to fourth on the list despite their overall fortune increasing by £2.134bn to £24.399bn. The Coates family, which founded the bet365 betting company and owns Championship club Stoke, remains 16th in the list with a combined fortune of £8.795bn, an increase of £158million compared to 2022. Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich dropped off the list altogether, having been in 28th place last year. The list compilers believe his fortune remains largely intact despite sanctions imposed by the UK and other governments following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but he is not on the 2023 list because he does not have British citizenship or live in the UK. The Sunday Times identified golfer Rory McIlroy as the richest active UK sportsman with a fortune of £200m. Also contained within its list of the wealthiest 35 people under the age of 35 were boxer Anthony Joshua (£150m) plus footballers Gareth Bale (£70m), Raheem Sterling (£61m) and Harry Kane (£51m). :: Further information on the Sunday Times Rich List can be accessed via the following link: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/sunday-times-rich-list Read More Sheikh Jassim makes bigger last-ditch bid in Man United takeover saga Ineos ‘optimistic’ over Man United purchase after increased contact What would a Sir Jim Ratcliffe takeover mean for Manchester United Jon Rahm faces day two battle to make the cut at US PGA Championship Rumours: Man United ‘shock’ Mane move and Arsenal talks to sell Xhaka How Manchester United experiment with No. 10s - and where it goes wrong

Gordon McQueen, the former Manchester United, Leeds United and Scotland defender, has died aged 70 after suffering with dementia. His daughter, the Sky Sports presenter Hayley McQueen, announced the news on social media. “Beyond heartbroken to announce we have lost our wonderful dad,” she wrote on Instagram. McQueen was diagnosed with dementia in January 2021, a condition that is prevalent in the game: according to studies conducted by the Glasgow Brain Injury Research Group, footballers are five times more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Now 378 former players across football, rugby league and rugby are taking legal action against governing games bodies they allege were “negligent in failing to take reasonable action to protect players from permanent injury caused by repetitive concussive and sub-concussive blows”. Hayley wrote: “I thought when the day came I’d be prepared & feel a sense of relief that he is no longer trying to battle this awful disease but I just feel numb. I’m hoping we can now remember him for the man he was & not the man he became this last few years. We thought we were losing him when home palliative care came to look after him back in December, we were distraught but being the big strong man that he is, battled on for many months. “Whilst it’s been unimaginably sad & at times unbearable for my mum who has cared for him at home we’ve had precious time with him whilst this cruel disease & all that comes with it completely took over, he certainly put up a fight. One comfort was he knew all his friends & family right till the end but to watch someone slowly die I wouldn’t wish on anyone. “I now want to remember my Dad for the man he was, the ultimate entertainer, the life and soul of every occasion, the greatest storyteller who certainly lived life to the full, he made sure everything was one big adventure & full of so much fun for me Anna & Eddie. His career gave me one too & I will be forever grateful for him passing on so much of who is and what he loved. Life really won’t be the same without him but he is now at peace.” She added: “A big thanks to my employers sky sports who have been incredible throughout this & for all the time off & support they’ve given me this last year or so. #ripdad.” McQueen began his playing career at St Mirren before moving to Leeds United in 1972, where he won a league title. He joined Manchester United six years later, winning the FA Cup in 1983, before retiring in 1985. He went on to manage Airdrie before working as a television analyst. His former Manchester United teammate Bryan Robson also paid tribute. “Gordon was one of the best centre-backs I had the privilege of playing with. He was strong and brave, and ahead of his times in being a defender who could play out from the back and contribute as much in attack as he did in defence. He was a perfect fit for Manchester United with his flair, courage and big personality, and that’s why the fans loved him. “Most importantly, though, he was a brilliant person with a huge heart. He lit up any room he walked into, and that’s how he should be remembered.” McQueen played 30 times for Scotland, scoring five goals. Read More Former Scotland defender Gordon McQueen dies aged 70 Gordon McQueen: The tough defender who starred for both Leeds and Man United Premier League fixtures LIVE: Opening weekend and full schedules for every club Former Scotland defender Gordon McQueen dies aged 70 Gordon McQueen: The tough defender who starred for both Leeds and Man United