Manchester United

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

It is a sobering thought for everyone attached to Manchester United that Bruno Fernandes might not have been at Old Trafford this season.

At the end of last season, club officials told the 31-year-old they would not stand in his way if he wanted to accept a huge offer from Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.

After speaking to his family, he opted to stay, but has spoken previously about the "hurt" he felt.

"I stayed because I thought I still had something that I can give back to the club," Fernandes told The Wayne Rooney Show.

"Obviously the Saudi situation, with the money... there was a lot. The good thing I have in my family is that my wife is pretty down to earth like me.

"We're very aware that we don't want to be the richest person in the world. We just want to be the ones that have achieved the dreams they had and live a good life with their kids and trying to be as successful as possible.

"The words of my wife were like: 'Have you achieved your dreams? Have you achieved everything you wanted?'

"And that small thing she said made me understand that she's on the same page as me. Let's keep trying and see where this takes me."

There was also a sense of trying to lift the club from their 15th-place finish last season - the worst since their 1973-74 relegation campaign.

"I didn't want to leave the club at the point when we were struggling," he said.

With a year left on his contract, there is uncertainty over Fernandes' position at the club. Given his performances this season, it would be remarkable if United do not come up with a huge new deal, even if co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is trying to drive down wage costs.

Read more here and listen to the full episode of The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sounds or watch on BBC iPlayer

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick says central defence is not a position he is worried about even though he had to use Noussair Mazraoui as a stand-in at Chelsea last week.

With Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez both suspended, and Leny Yoro joining Matthijs de Ligt on the injured list, 19-year-old Ayden Heaven was Carrick's only recognised centre-back in the win at Stamford Bridge.

Maguire is available for Monday's game against Brentford at Old Trafford but given Martinez's patchy injury record and De Ligt's continued absence, it has been suggested Tottenham's Micky van de Ven could be a summer target, even though United's priority remains central midfield.

While Carrick accepts it is difficult to talk about the future too much, he is happy with his current crop of central defenders.

"It's not an area of concern for me," he said. "We've got a mixed blend of experience, real quality and two promising young players who have already shown what they can do.

"I haven't got concerns. I can't really get involved in what the future looks like, because I'm not sure myself."

The Brentford game will be the 22nd successive match De Ligt will have missed with a back complaint, having started all 15 Premier League games up to that point.

De Ligt was pictured running and doing fitness work on United's Carrington training pitches at the end of last week.

While Carrick accepts the training is "only in a small capacity", he is not prepared to rule the 26-year-old Netherlands defender out for the rest of the season.

"I am certainly hoping there is a chance that he can [play] without putting any pressure or deadlines on it," he said.

"Of course, it's something we're working towards but he needs to come back at the right time - when he's ready."

Former Manchester United forward Jesse Lingard believes Michael Carrick should be given the full-time managerial job this summer.

Lingard, who progressed through United's academy, played alongside Carrick and went on to be coached by him a few years later.

"They've come on leaps and bounds," said Lingard. "It's difficult when you've got different managers coming in because they each have their own ideas and personnel but they are on the right track with Carrick.

"I know him from my United days and I know how he operates. The lads are doing really well under him.

"He should get the job. He's got the Manchester United DNA, he knows the club inside and out and the lads have taken to him really well.

"They are winning a lot of games and they are probably going to get Champions League which is amazing."

Manchester United have become a bit unpredictable recently and Michael Carrick is another manager who could do with having a strong end to the season.

Still, it looks like Carrick has secured Champions League football, so if the club's owners are still deciding about who will be in charge next season then he has done a more than steady job so far.

It feels like he has passed his audition and also that he has a bit of clout.

I would not like to predict what will happen about his future, though, and I am not sure how this game will go either. It should be close and it could be quite open too.

Brentford will fancy their chances after beating United 3-1 earlier in the season - and also from seeing how easily Leeds carved them open at Old Trafford a couple of weeks ago.

Igor Thiago scored twice against United in the reverse fixture and he might cause them a problem or two again.

The Bees just keep on drawing games at the moment, though, so I've really got to go for another draw here, haven't I?

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United Under-21s chief Adam Lawrence says Shea Lacey's regular exposure to first-team training is developing his all-round game.

Lacey was excellent in the 3-2 win over Sunderland in the PL2 play-off last-16 tie at Leigh Sports Village.

The 19-year-old showed off his superb close control, balance and excellent passing skills before he cut in off the right wing and drilled a precise low shot into the bottom corner that effectively sealed a last-eight trip to Crystal Palace.

It was a surprise to see Lacey involved given he was on the first-team bench for their most recent games against Leeds and Chelsea, but Lawrence was glad to have him available.

"Shea is playing with a lot of maturity," he said. "You can see training with the first team and being around their programme consistently is definitely helping him in a lot of areas of his game.

"It was a really good performance. He got his goal and he looked like a real threat at the top end of the pitch."

Lacey had a long spell out of the game during the 2023-24 campaign with a thigh complaint, then missed a month more recently after suffering a calf strain.

Generally, he has been operating at a high level and United feel he has huge potential.

"Credit to all the staff who work behind the scenes managing him - all the sports science and medical staff, just in terms of where he's got himself to," said Lawrence.

"He's a young man and maturing all the time. Sometimes we forget he's going through those years of growth.

"But that maturity is something we've definitely seen an improvement with, on and off the pitch.

"Hopefully he will continue to build on that and take confidence from it."

Manchester United are closely monitoring Xavi Simons' situation at Tottenham as they consider moving for the 23-year-old Netherlands midfielder in the summer. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

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

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Manchester United aim to take a step closer to securing a return to the Champions League as they face a Brentford side with European aspirations of their own. BBC Sport takes a look at the key themes ahead of Monday night's game at Old Trafford (20:00 BST).

Fernandes continues to inspire United

After only one win in four, the first small murmurs of discontent about Michael Carrick's suitability to take on the Manchester United role permanently were aired ahead of last weekend's trip to Chelsea.

They were far from perfect at Stamford Bridge, having less shots and only one on target, an expected goals tally of 0.29 compared to Chelsea's 1.55 and just 10 touches in the opposition box, but the three points were all that mattered as their 1-0 win edged them ever closer to a Champions League return.

The eight wins they have amassed in 12 league games under Carrick is as many as they had managed across their first 21 matches of the campaign, while the 28 points they have secured in 2026 is more than any other side.

The Chelsea win marked the 21st successive top-flight game in which they have scored, their longest such run since doing so 23 times under Sir Alex Ferguson between November 2012 and April 2013.

The Red Devils were once again indebted to the creative brilliance of Bruno Fernandes as their captain laid on an 18th top-flight assist of the season to further his claims to be named PFA player of the season.

He is only the fourth player to create 10 assists in a Premier League season away from home, while he is now just two shy of equalling the all-time record for assists in a season.

Draw specialists Brentford still dreaming of Europe

Brentford enjoyed a superb 3-1 win over Manchester United back in September and are now targeting a first victory at Old Trafford since 1937.

After a rip-roaring run of nine wins in 14 matches in all competition the Bees have forgotten how to turn one point into three. Their last six matches in all competitions have ended in draws, three of which have ended 2-2 and three 0-0. Its the longest such run in their history while five straight league draws is the most in the top flight since Manchester City had seven between October and November 2009.

They haven't fallen behind in any of their last six league matches dating back two months, but Keith Andrews will be desperate for his side to go on and keep their noses in front as they try to secure European qualification for the very first time.

One quirk of last Saturday's draw with Fulham is that Keith Andrews became only the second Premier League boss this season to not make a single substitution in a match, following Oliver Glasner, who also decided not to make a change in Crystal Palace's defeat to Sunderland in January.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Carrick had a "casual chat and a cup of tea" with Manchester United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe last week as a decision looms over whether he will get the manager's job on a permanent basis.

United have pledged to take their time before naming Ruben Amorim's successor.

However, if they beat Brentford at Old Trafford, the only requirement to secure a spot in next season's Champions League will be to not lose their final game of the season at Brighton - and even that would be a worst-case scenario.

In reality, the situation could be sorted before Carrick's side entertain Liverpool on 3 May.

Externally at least, questions will then start to get asked of United's powerbrokers around clarity on Carrick's future.

Whether Ratcliffe addressed that behind closed doors is unknown. However, for now, Carrick just underlined the normality of life at Carrington.

"He came in. We had a chat and a cup of tea," he said. "It was a casual chat, to be honest - quite informal. But it was nice to see him."

It is the kind of connection that has been absent for the majority of the Glazer family's involvement and Carrick feels it exists throughout the club.

"I'm really conscious that's how it should be," he said. "I am trying to do my part with that, as well as is everybody else.

"I've felt that since I've been here since for sure."

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter at Leigh Sports Village

Image source, Getty Images

Shea Lacey showed his qualities again as Manchester United booked a Premier League 2 play-off quarter-final berth by beating Sunderland at Leigh Sports Village.

Lacey made his first-team debut under Ruben Amorim but has not featured since he was sent off in the FA Cup defeat by Brighton in January. He was on the bench for United's last two games against Leeds and Chelsea.

His presence in Adam Lawrence's starting line-up, along with Darren Fletcher's twins, Tyler and Jack, suggests none of them will have a meaningful involvement in tomorrow night's Premier League clash with Brentford.

However, the England Under-20 international again showed why he is one of the stars of United's academy.

In the first-half, Lacey produced a phenomenal piece of skill to take a cross field pass down with the outside of his left foot without breaking stride. The Liverpool-born wide-man also delivered a 60-yard pass across the pitch that landed perfectly for Victor Musa.

After the interval, Lacey curled a shot wide after a trademark cut inside from the right wing. He had more success just before the hour when Tyler Fletcher won possession back inside the Sunderland half.

Lacey again cut inside before sending a precise low shot into the bottom corner.

United finished second in PL2 to earn a seeding for today's game.

Chido Obi put them in front when he applied a near finish to Jack Moorhouse's through ball. Jack Fletcher doubled their lead when he steered home the rebound after Moorhouse's shot had been blocked.

Felix Scott pulled one back for Sunderland before the break and Jack Whittaker reduced the arrears again with 18 minutes left but it was the home side who reached the last eight.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It is a sobering thought for everyone attached to Manchester United that Bruno Fernandes might not have been at Old Trafford this season.

At the end of last season, club officials told the 31-year-old they would not stand in his way if he wanted to accept a huge offer from Saudi Pro-League club Al Hilal. Fernandes has spoken previously about the "hurt" he felt.

After speaking to his family, he opted to stay, just as Wayne Rooney did after saying he wanted to leave in 2010, when all of Europe's leading clubs coveted him.

"I stayed because I thought I still had something that I can give back to the club," said Fernandes.

"Obviously the Saudi situation, with the money... there was a lot. The good thing I have in my family is that my wife is pretty down to earth like me.

"We're very aware that we don't want to be the richest person in the world. We just want to be the ones that have achieved the dreams they had and live a good life with their kids and trying to be as successful as possible.

"The words of my wife were like, 'have you achieved your dreams? Have you achieved everything you wanted?'.

"And that small thing she said made me understand that she's on the same page as me. Let's keep trying and see where this takes me."

There was also a sense of trying to lift the club from their 15th-place finish last season - the worst since their 1973-74 relegation campaign.

"I didn't want to leave the club at the point where we were struggling," he said.

With a year left on his contract, there is uncertainty over Fernandes' position at the club. Given his performances this season, it would be remarkable if United do not come up with a huge new deal, even if co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is trying to drive down wage costs.

What is certain is Fernandes' determination to lift the biggest trophies remains undimmed.

"I want to win the Premier League," he said. "I want to win the Champions League. I never hide from that."

Listen to the full interview with Bruno Fernandes on The Wayne Rooney Show

Explore more Manchester United content on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, BBC Sport

When former Manchester United skipper Johnny Carey's playing career ended, he went into management, first with Blackburn and then Everton.

Carey was sacked by the Merseyside club when he was in a taxi travelling to an FA meeting.

He went on to manage Leyton Orient, a job he had to take as part of the legal process around getting the compensation he was owed by Everton, and then Nottingham Forest.

Although he no longer played for Matt Busby, the Scot was still a major influence on his life.

"When they were deciding which club my dad should go to, Sir Matt used to say 'you have to go to a club where the management doesn't interfere with the team'," Carey's son Mike told BBC Sport.

"That is very hard given it was other people's money and everyone has a view on football.

"Sir Matt ended up interviewing clubs on my dad's behalf.

"That was the thing about Manchester United. The club has always been there in the background.

"Sir Matt came to my first wedding. Sir Alex Ferguson came to dad's funeral."

Carey won the FWA Footballer of the Year award in 1949. He also had the notable distinction of captaining the Republic of Ireland national team and also the Ireland team, that represented the whole island until 1950.

He died in 1995, aged 76. He had been suffering from dementia.

Mike Carey does not look back on his dad's latter years with bitterness or regret. He is just thankful for what he had.

"My father developed it when he was about 70," he said.

"I remember taking him to Macclesfield General Hospital to give my mum a break for a day a week. It was very sad. Some of the guys would be marching as though they were still in the Army.

"Less was known about dementia in those days. They weren't saying at that point it was definitely caused by football and I don't think there was ever a feeling of blame.

"I am a very rational person. That is life. Life is different for everyone.

"If he had not played football, he might still have got Alzheimer's. The point was he had a great life and all the family are hugely proud of him."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes says he is unsure whether he is in the best form of his career at the moment but he's enjoying his football and assisting his team-mates.

The Portuguese midfielder has 18 assists in the Premier League so far this season and is close to breaking the record of 20 set by Arsenal's Thierry Henry and only ever equalled by Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne.

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, Fernandes said: "For me, I don't know if it's the best form in my career, but I'm enjoying playing and numbers are coming up, and as a 10 you want to assist the others. The best thing in football is scoring a goal, no-one can say differently or change that. People want to say different because they don't score as much. I think the best feeling in football is scoring.

"For the position I play and for the way we want to play and the way we set and the players I have up front, serving them and giving them the passes is something I really enjoy.

"I don't think in the years I've been here, we haven't had many players who can play as a 10, who can create and not have that fear of losing the ball."

Listen to the full interview with Bruno Fernandes on BBC Sounds

Explore more Manchester United content on BBC Sounds

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

There were some positive pictures posted by Manchester United of central defender Matthijs de Ligt training "on the grass" at Carrington on Thursday.

De Ligt had been one of the stand-out United players over the first half of the season.

However, after starting every game, he has been missing since the victory at Crystal Palace at the end of November due to a troublesome back complaint.

BBC Sport reported a fortnight ago De Ligt had not completely abandoned all hope of playing again this season.

While there is clearly a lead-up time required and only four games left after Monday's Old Trafford encounter with Brentford, the sight of the 26-year-old running again has to be viewed as a step in the right direction for a player who had hoped to go to the World Cup with the Netherlands in the summer.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It's fairly safe to assume Bruno Fernandes will not be working for Trafford Council once his playing days are over.

That is what happened to Manchester United's 1948 FA Cup-winning captain Johnny Carey once his playing days came to an end and he was no longer managing.

Carey was one of the most foremost players of the post-War era, captain of Ireland as well as United.

But the 'rewards' simply do not compare to those available to modern day Premier League stars.

"The wages side was straightforward," said Carey's son Mike as he chatted to BBC Sport. "He earned £15-a-week in winter when he was playing and £13 in summer. Then he got £2 for a win and £1 for a draw.

"But his attitude the whole time was that he couldn't believe they paid him to play football.

"He also did some building work. He studied civil engineering and he just kept it going. Then, after he retired, for a time he worked in the Treasurers' Dept at Trafford Borough Council, opening the mail and distributing it.

"The players in those days were all very down-to-earth people. They didn't see themselves as celebrities.

"On a Sunday, we would go to Frank Swift's shop in his black Ford. They would have a chat, dad would buy some groceries and that was it. They were just ordinary guys."

Manchester United are monitoring 25-year-old Tottenham and Netherlands defender Micky van de Ven, along with 22-year-old Brighton and Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba. (Athletic - subscription required), external

The Red Devils, Manchester City, Liverpool and Real Madrid are keeping tabs on 26-year-old AC Milan and Portugal winger Rafael Leao, who is valued at about £60m. (Mail), external

Jadon Sancho, who is currently on loan at Aston Villa, has given his approval for a return to Borussia Dortmund this summer, with United already holding concrete talks over a deal. (Sky Sport - in German), external

Manchester City are in pole position to sign 23-year-old Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, despite interest from clubs including Manchester United and Arsenal. (Sky Sports), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Bruno Fernandes is on a quite remarkable run of form at Manchester United.

The Portugal playmaker has either scored or created eight of United's past 10 goals.

It has put him in contention for all the major annual awards as well as helped steer Michael Carrick's side to within six points of a return to the Champions League.

The 31-year-old seems to be thriving since he was moved into a more forward position by Carrick, as opposed to the deeper midfield spot Ruben Amorim felt he could be more effective in.

"We have given Bruno the platform to go and perform," said Carrick.

"There are limitations. Everyone has to sacrifice a little bit for the good of the team.

"But I like seeing Bruno in attacking positions with a little bit of freedom. He's got big responsibilities within that, but it is about trusting him because he's a very good player.

"He sees things. He's creative. We want to put him in a position where he can make the biggest difference."