Manchester United

George Booth
BBC Sport journalist

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It has been a season of ups and downs for Manchester United and Liverpool.

However, Sunday's Premier League meeting (15:30 BST) at Old Trafford will undoubtedly offer both sides an opportunity to claim third position in the league table come the end of the campaign.

Earlier in the season a Bruno Fernandes assist and a Harry Maguire header secured United's first win at Anfield in nearly a decade, a victory which put them ninth in the league table after eight games.

Now Michael Carrick's Red Devils have the opportunity to secure their first league double over rivals Liverpool since the 2015-16 campaign.

Carrick watched United complete their last double over the Reds standing with the United faithful in the lower tier of Anfield Road as he recovered from an injury.

Since Carrick's first Premier League game in charge this season, United have won more points than any other side (29). Carrick's nine wins in 13 matches (D2 L2) are already more than Ruben Amorim won in his 20 games in 2025-26 (W8 D7 L5).

And still the 44-year-old interim manager's future is unknown.

The last time Carrick faced Liverpool in his playing days, he was an unused substitute for Jose Mourinho's team in a 2-1 victory.

Carrick will again watch from the sidelines, but this time the stakes are even higher as he looks to secure his future at Old Trafford.

Fortunately for United fans, the 'Egyptian King's' Liverpool career is coming to an end, but it's worth a reminder that Mohamed Salah has scored more goals against the Red Devils both overall (13) and away from home (seven) than any other player in Premier League history. Though, his current injury may prevent him adding to those tallies.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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We were asked whether Tottenham's potential relegation this season will be viewed as being as equally surprising as Manchester United's relegation in 1974, via our Ask about Manchester United form.

United's relegation was a huge shock, there is no escaping that.

They were the best-supported club in terms of average attendance. They had won the European Cup six years earlier after being crowned league champions 12 months before that.

The issue had clearly been one of decline and the inability to arrest the slide.

United came straight back up and finished third in their first season back in the top flight. They also reached the FA Cup final in that season, with the defeat by Southampton still regarded as one of the biggest cup final shocks.

What makes the Tottenham situation more shocking is that the financial model of the English league has changed dramatically since 1974.

Clubs keep their own gate receipts, agree massive commercial deals and pocket huge amounts of TV money now.

Tottenham would have been in the European Super League, if it had taken off. They were in the Champions League final themselves seven years ago.

So, in theory, it should be impossible to be where they are right now.

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Manchester United could turn to Portuguese winger Rafael Leao, in the summer, with AC Milan open to exploring a swap deal involving England forward Marcus Rashford, Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte or Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee. (La Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external.

The Red Devils do not want to get into a bidding war for Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson, 23, who is also a target for Manchester City, and could turn to other targets such as Brighton's Cameroon international Carlos Baleba. (ESPN)

Captain Bruno Fernandes, 31, has a £57m release clause in his contract, but the club are confident that securing Champions League qualification will be enough to persuade the Portugal midfielder to stay. (Mirror, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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We asked for your views on whether Michael Carrick is the right person to lead Manchester United next season after Champions League qualification was all but confirmed by win over Brentford.

Here are some of your comments:

Chris: So, the defence has been torn apart by injury and suspension. He and the coaching staff have still motivated what players are available to be on the brink of Champions League qualification. From where they were to where they are now is a job well done. When they are qualified, he and the coaching staff will have done what they were brought in to do, probably against expectations. Give them 12 months again, and some players, see where we go.

Andrew: Carrick's style is very similar to Solskjaer, and that didn't end well. As much as I want him to succeed, I fear it will be the same.

Doc: This team is a patchwork quilt from previous managers. Give Carrick credit for instilling confidence in this team. Those who were on the sidelines and ignored have come into the team, reacted and made a difference. A lot to do yet, so do not expect miracles, but we have a manager who has the right DNA, even if the owners don't. He needs to rebuild and be supported in doing so.

Kevin: Give him a one-year contract with a possible extension if he does well, but for heaven's sake, support him by buying some more players. Injuries, suspensions, and the age of the team make substitutions difficult and show up the lack of squad depth.

Keith: This honeymoon won't last. This is a huge decision. Why pick Carrick? I believe it will go wrong quickly and we will be back to square one.

Gordon: Why is there always someone calling into question what Carrick has achieved? He's done everything that has been asked of him and more. He has to be given the opportunity of the job on a permanent basis. Once new midfielders have been signed in the summer, who knows what is possible? If it doesn't work out for him then so be it, a more experienced manager can be appointed at a later date. Has everyone forgotten how awful things were under Amorim and look where we are now!

Adam: There is no question Carrick has done the club proud, achieving results and league position and should be commended for that. We have been here before with club legends and results. United should be appointing the best in class at the time. Four months ago, Carrick wasn't even an option, never mind the frontrunner.

Steve: Those first two or three games (Arsenal and Man City), it was whoaaa!! But since then, every team we've beaten could so easily have beaten us. Luck has been on his side in my opinion. I think he's a good coach and players link, but not an authority needed for Man Utd. If they appoint him, he'll be gone before the end of the 26-27 season with a cracking payout.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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There was a flurry of noise around Kobbie Mainoo yesterday in the wake of Manchester United's victory over Brentford.

Michael Carrick claimed Mainoo's performance in the victory at Chelsea on 18 April was the midfielder's best since he took charge in January, when the 21-year-old returned to the United starting line-up.

If anything, Mainoo exceeded that against Brentford. His mazy dribble in the opening minutes was one of the stand-out moments from an outstanding game and should have been rewarded with a goal from Amad Diallo.

Mainoo, who has made 98 senior appearances for Manchester United, has been in talks over a lucrative new contract extension since the turn of the year.

The negotiations have been heading in the right direction for some considerable time now and while sources stress while it is not done, it will be, with actually signing it one of the only remaining aspects.

It is expected to be a five-year deal, at a figure which would elevate Mainoo's status in Carrick's squad.

He had previously been on a contract agreed just before he broke into the first team.

Mainoo did not start a league game this season until Ruben Amorim left.

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Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United under-21s coach Adam Lawrence has been talking about the plans for the club's younger players next season.

For a start, he has highlighted the potential for greater opportunities at senior level at the beginning of pre-season in July given the opening friendly against Wrexham – who might be a Premier League club by then – is on 18 July in Helsinki, the day before the World Cup final.

The Football League season starts three weeks after that though, so demands will intensify.

"Once you get past that bit (around pre-season) and closer to the start of the season proper, it will be looking at do we feel that a loan and senior football is the next step for certain individuals or do we feel their development is best kept within the building?" said Lawrence.

"That allows us to work closer with the player and have more control of their programme.

"When the players go out on loan, there's some really good lessons in terms of sometimes they might play, sometimes they might be out of the team, about being in a senior dressing room.

"There might be other players that we feel a longer period within the 21s or within the building, with exposure to the first team will help them."

United currently have a number of young players out on loan but not all have been as fortunate as Jacob Devaney, the young midfielder who is excelling at St Mirren.

Ethan Wheatley and Gabriele Biancheri have been in and out of the Bradford and Rotherham squads over the second half of the season and the same is also true of James Scanlon and Sekou Kone at Swindon and Swiss club Lausanne.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United's youngsters are chasing silverware on a couple of fronts.

At under-21 level, Adam Lawrence's side beat Sunderland on Sunday to secure a Premier League 2 play-off quarter-final trip to Crystal Palace.

Darren Fletcher's under-18 side may miss out on the Premier League North title to Manchester City, but they have a chance to avenge that in the FA Youth Cup final against their neighbours.

For United's players, these matches are huge and could have a significant impact on who gets an opportunity to play a meaningful role in the early part of pre-season and push their claims for more involvement at senior level.

So who will be knocking on the first-team door come July?

JJ Gabriel: The 15-year-old is a star of the under-18 team and also top scorer in the Premier League under-18 league. His speed and balance sets him apart from other talents at the same age. He is only lacking physical stature, which is another reason why his progress is being monitored so closely. He has trained regularly with the first team this season, and had rules around his age been different - he was 14 at the start of the season - he would almost certainly have been called up to the senior matchday squad before now.

Bendito Mantato: Despite being currently injured, he was one of the young players involved in what turned out to be Ruben Amorim's only pre-season tour as manager last summer. The 18-year-old was the only United player named in England's under-17 World Cup squad and he made his senior debut as a second-half substitute against Wolves at Old Trafford in December. A right-sided player, he has been used as a forward mainly but he is also capable of featuring at full-back.

Tyler Fletcher: The son of former United midfielder Darren Fletcher. He seems to have nudged slightly ahead of twin brother Jack in the Old Trafford pecking order. An effective holding midfield player with excellent awareness and ability to provide cover in deeper positions. Given his senior debut by Michael Carrick in February, he has been on the first-team bench a further 11 times and seems certain to push on next season.

Read the full list of players with big hopes here

Tottenham have shown a "genuine interest" in signing Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, 28, if they avoid relegation amid reports Barcelona have doubt about making the England international's loan permanent. (Sport - in Spanish), external

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Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Benjamin Sesko wants Michael Carrick to remain as Manchester United manager beyond the end of this season.

United's latest victory over Brentford leaves them needing two points from their remaining four games, starting against Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday, to seal a return to the Champions League.

Even that might not be required as Brighton and Bournemouth are the only two sides who can prevent it happening and they would need to win all four of their remaining games.

United's hierarchy is still to decide whether to give Carrick the job on a permanent basis.

Sesko feels it should happen.

"I've said this many times," said the Slovenia forward. "He's an amazing coach.

"He's brought different energy and also the way we're doing the training is unbelievable. I would like to have him here."

On Monday, Sesko took his personal goals tally to 10 in his debut Premier League campaign.

Eight of those, plus another in the FA Cup, have come since Ruben Amorim was sacked in January.

Few thought at that point United would secure a return to the Champions League after a two-match absence.

"We're in a good place," said Sesko. "It was difficult to get to this point after what we have been through but we have to keep it up.

"We're looking forward to the next game to try to secure the Champions League place."

Alex Turk
Fan writer

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Another win for Manchester United against Brentford, yet the debate surrounding Michael Carrick's credentials as permanent boss only intensified.

The opening 15 minutes offered a sense of hope that it would be a routine night at Old Trafford to all-but seal Champions League football.

But I was standing in the Stretford End at half-time in disbelief, having watched Brentford, and Igor Thiago in particular, squander an abundance of big chances.

United led 2-0, but the visitors crafted the better of the opportunities. Senne Lammens displayed once more why he is, pound for pound, the Premier League signing of the season.

Carrick reacted at the break, hooking Amad Diallo and tweaking to a back five by introducing Noussair Mazraoui.

On one hand, it was encouraging to see him acting proactively to try to shift the run of play into United's favour. And it worked, somewhat.

Brentford were shut out. No more space in behind. The Bees resorted to relentless crosses, which were gobbled up by towering centre-half duo Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven.

However, Carrick's change hindered United just as much as it helped. All attacking threat evaporated in the second half, and it felt like the Red Devils were more focused on holding on than extending the advantage.

And when Brentford's pressure inevitably paid off late on, it set up a nervy finish.

That's where concerns about whether Carrick's style of play is sustainable creep in.

He has won nine matches out of 13 and overseen an unlikely return to Europe's premier competition. Yet, United are seldom convincing.

Don't get it twisted, this is not a great United team. It's a team featuring top-class individuals who get things done. But there are also many problems.

Can Carrick spark performances as well as results after the summer transfer window? Perhaps. He deserves the opportunity, should he want it.

But while there isn't much fortune in winning 69% of your matches, there is an ominous feeling that the tight games that lean in Carrick's favour won't last.

Where do you stand on Carrick? With Champions League football all but secured, is he the man to take United forward next season? If not, why not - and who is?

Get in touch with your views here

Find more from Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC, external

Gaz and Joe from the Devils' Advocate are joined by BBC Sport's Simon Stone to discuss Manchester United's win over Brentford and the bigger picture for the summer and beyond.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

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Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko admits it is disappointing Casemiro is quitting the club this summer but is pleased the Brazilian still has another four games to show his worth.

Casemiro scored his eighth goal of the season to set United on their way to a vital victory over Brentford that leaves them on the brink of Champions League qualification.

Almost immediately, head coach Michael Carrick closed the door on any possibility of the Brazilian reversing his decision to quit and give it "one more year" as the United fans demanded.

Sesko feels that is a shame.

But he knows the 34-year-old former Real Madrid man still has a massive role to play as United look to secure a top-three finish for only the fifth time in 13 seasons since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

"He's a working machine," said Sesko. "What he's putting on the pitch is unbelievable. You need someone like this.

"Unfortunately, he's leaving, but we are pleased we can manage him until the last minute in the game and we're going to use him."

Casemiro has made 157 appearances and scored 26 goals since joining Manchester United from Real in 2022.

And it could be his influence at Old Trafford continues long after his exit.

From an experience standpoint alone, his impact is huge, highlighted by the free-kicks he won inside the home penalty area in injury-time against Brentford as the visitors were chasing an equaliser.

"You are stupid if you don't look at him and try to be like him when it comes to work-rate and stuff," said Sesko.

"Everyone is pleased that he is here."

We asked for your thoughts after Monday's Premier League game between European contenders Manchester United and Brentford.

Here are some of your comments:

Man Utd fans

Christine: An excellent first half in terms of pace and press. Manchester United had most of the chances. It wasn't the same in the second half though, as United became more defensive and Brentford were better at shooting. Thiago could have won the game. Carrick is playing too much on the break, and if he's not careful the wheels are going to come off.

Clive: How did we get away with that? Brentford were much the better team. Anyway, nevermind - it's all about results at this time of the season.

Richard: It's a win. The most important thing are results. Brentford are a good team, United are better. It shows in the result and the league positions. There's still a lot to do for United to progress. One step at a time.

Niall: I'm pleased with the result, but I can't help but feel dejected by the performance. It reminded me of games under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. End to end, exciting, but not a style that will win the league!

Brentford fans

Ian: A missed opportunity. For once, Thiago's lethalness in the opposition's penalty area went missing. Manchester United's goalkeeper kept his team ahead with some crucial saves in the first half. Brentford's goal, when it came, was too little, too late. The Bees go again on Saturday at the Gtech to keep their European dream alive.

Cliff: We were the better team for most of the match. Unfortunately, mistakes in both penalty areas cost us at least one point and perhaps even three. Thiago didn't take any of his three good chances and poor marking cost us two goals. With Manchester City and Liverpool being our two remaining away games, we have to beat West Ham next to stand a chance of European football.

George: It's a funny old sport. We've drawn the games we should have won and lost the one game we should have drawn! It was a spirited performance that showed real improvement on our game against Fulham. We had Manchester United turning to the dark arts to see themselves over the line.

Joe: It's fair to say we created enough chances to win, but we really struggled to convert them. I felt that we were properly in it for the full 90 minutes, but that's not enough to win games. The away end was in good voice, even when we were 2-0 down. A big shoutout to everyone who made the trip up.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Many feel delivering a return to the Champions League - it was predicted before his first two games against Manchester City and Arsenal that his side would be in the bottom half of the table - should be enough to secure Michael Carrick a full-time contract.

Getting rid of Carrick, the argument goes, would be the most risky option.

But there are two schools of thought.

The first is that Carrick gets the job because he deserves the chance, it goes wrong next season and the United hierarchy are derided for following the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer model - even though that downplays the Norwegian's achievement of delivering successive top-four finishes, something no coach has done since Sir Alex Ferguson quit in 2013.

The other is that Carrick is replaced by a more experienced manager, who struggles to adapt and then the hierarchy are accused of trying to fix something that wasn't broken.

• Listen to Carrick after Brentford win

This decision is not made easier by the knowledge that Paris St-Germain are confident the standout candidate, Luis Enrique, will sign a new deal with them, and even if he does not, will want wages among the highest in the world to change clubs.

The practicalities of trying to bring in someone like Julian Nagelsman - whose contract with Germany does not expire until 2028 and could be involved in the World Cup final a day after Manchester United's first pre-season game against Wrexham in Helsinki - make it an unviable option.

Andoni Iraola is well liked but, as Thomas Frank, who spoke to United in 2024, discovered at Tottenham, managing a progressive, smaller Premier League club is a whole different world to dealing with the biggest.

No-one knew what results Carrick would deliver when he was asked to take over until the end of the season. However, one thing United's powerbrokers were certain about was that he would not be swamped by the sheer scale of what he was taking on.

Carrick met Sir Jim Ratcliffe for a cup of tea and a casual chat last week. Time will tell how important that brew was.

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Central midfield is the priority area to strengthen at Manchester United. Nottingham Forest's Elliott Anderson is the number one target.

But the feeling at Old Trafford is the approach this summer will differ significantly from what went on under previous regimes in two aspects.

Firstly, it has been stressed, the club will not overpay. If the price for Anderson, who is also coveted by Manchester City amongst others, is £120m, United won't pursue. Every player's value has a cap, no matter how well regarded they are.

Secondly, they intend to avoid getting drawn into protracted negotiations before switching after the season has started, which is exactly how Casemiro ended up at Old Trafford in 2022 after Erik ten Hag's lengthy pursuit of Frenkie de Jong ended in failure.

It is fairly obvious but still being reinforced that United's recruitment team have multiple options. If Anderson is a no, the club's hierarchy feel there will be alternatives who can improve what they already have.

• Read more from Simon on Man Utd's summer

The signings of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha last summer are used as a template and evidence quality players can be attracted.

United know their squad needs to expand to cope with the demands of a season that could contain 50% more games than the current 40-match campaign.

It is accepted not every signing will be a success but the strategy is aimed at avoiding paying huge sums and handing out over inflated contracts that are so difficult to extricate the club from and, through the likes of Marcus Rashford and Andre Onana, are a legacy United are still to escape.

There is also a recognition that while some players - Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are the obvious examples - may struggle to play more than they have this season, others such as Noussair Mazraoui, have not played enough.

Ayden Heaven has excelled in central defence and there is a feeling he can play more often next season. Matthijs de Ligt might be out with a back injury but once fit, there is a belief he too can cope with the rigours of a more arduous season.

Two - and potentially three - central midfielders are key and regarded as the priority. A left-sided attacking player would make sense given United were in the market for Antoine Semenyo in January.

Borussia Dortmund are closing in on a deal to re-sign English winger Jadon Sancho this summer but Aston Villa remain hopeful they can agree a move for the 26-year-old when he becomes a free agent in July. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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There is a lively debate raging about who should be awarded the main Player of the Year prizes.

Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Gabriel have their supporters, so too Manchester City duo Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo. Two of that quartet will finish the season as Premier League champions. Bernardo Silva is the sentimental choice before he leaves English football. Ryan Cherki the bolter.

But no attacking player has been more effective, so consistently this season than Fernandes.

At times it has felt he has carried Manchester United.

Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne are two of the Premier League's all-time greats. It is surely only a matter if of time before Fernandes eclipses them with the most assists in a season.

He is now one behind, with four games left.

His 19th - and seventh in as many matches - almost brought a look of apology for Bryan Mbeumo, so keen to make an impact against his old club.

Instead, as Fernandes streaked to the edge of the Brentford box, he passed left instead of right and Benjamin Sesko scored the 11th goal of his debut campaign in English football.

That proved to be enough as it turned out. But before it all, Kobbie Mainoo had produced a wonderous mazy run into the Brentford area, then set up Amad Diallo, who missed.

At the end, Casemiro used all his experience to win a couple of free-kicks in the home penalty area as Brentford presser to find a leveller.

The Casemiro-Mainoo midfield pairing has been the standout improvement from the Ruben Amorim era. Casemiro has four games remaining of his Manchester United career. He will be badly missed.

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick, spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's victory over Brentford: "It was open at times. We started fantastically well. We managed the game and had to see it out. We were pushed tonight but it's the time of year where results are even more important."

On the fast start with Casemiro's goal: "He's scored some big goals for us. Bruno, Harry and Casemiro have a good relationship. We wanted to come out and start quick and look dangerous and creative and we did that."

On scoring the second at a good time: "Just before half-time put us in a good position. The game was never dead. We controlled it with the change at half-time and looked more control and solid. We could have gone for more but I thought there were certain spaces we needed to control better. The boys showed a lot of experience to see the game out. It was a big three points for us and off the back of the Leeds game two wins is great."

On almost securing a Champions League spot: "It wasn't a given, at certain stages we weren't favourites. Now we are in a good position and want to finish as high in the league as we want to keep pushing for that."

Did you know?

• Since Carrick's arrival (the start of his second stint – matchday 22 onwards), United have won more Premier League points than any other side (29 – P13 W9 D2 L2).

• Bruno Fernandes has provided 19 Premier League assists for Manchester United this season, just one shy of the competition's record which is jointly held by Thierry Henry (20 in 2002-03) and Kevin De Bruyne (20 in 2019-20).