Here is your Manchester United morning digest for Saturday, October 9.
Ronaldo Ballon d'Or chances assessed
Cristiano Ronaldo is in contention to win a sixth Ballon d'Or title after he was shortlisted for the prize on Friday.
The Portuguese international has not won any major honours in 2021, although he did finish last season top of the Serie A goalscoring charts with Juventus. Ronaldo has also had a fine start to life back at Old Trafford following his summer transfer, scoring five goals in six appearances.
The 36-year-old will face serious competition for the accolade though, with Lionel Messi currently the favourite for the prize.
Messi was in inspired form during the summer, as he finally secured a major honour with Argentina, as they triumphed at the Copa America.
For the story in full click HERE.
United make unprecedented appointment
It was confirmed on Friday that United have appointed their first ever data scientist.
Dominic Jordan has been added to staff at Old Trafford, with the club said to be keen to improve the way in which they accrue and analyse data.
Jordan had previously worked with N Brown Group in Manchester, where he headed up a team of 30 data scientists.
United's football director John Murtough said the new recruit provides "huge potential to strengthen our existing capabilities and build new ones" in the data field.
For the story in full click HERE.
Fred absence gives United chance to experiment
Given the international commitments of Fred and Edinson Cavani during the ongoing break, it's unlikely either will be available for the first match back in the Premier League against Leicester City.
It means Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will need to make changes to the team that started the previous encounter, when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton.
While Cristiano Ronaldo seems an obvious solution to come in for Cavani and lead the line, in midfield there are a number of options available to replace Fred, including the out-of-favour Donny van de Beek.
For the story in full click HERE.
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