Juventus believe that qualifying for the Champions League will put them in pole position to sign Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who is valued at around £35m by his current club. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian, external)
Meanwhile United and Liverpool have stepped up their interest in Monaco and France winger Maghnes Akliouche, 24. (Teamtalk, external)
Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column
Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester United's absence from European competition has been well documented this season - but below first-team level, the club are still making an impact on the continent.
Tuesday's Premier League International Cup tie with Real Madrid at Old Trafford is one of the marquee games left for United's under-21 side, offering the opportunity to join Borussia Dortmund, Real Sociedad and the winner of the remaining last-eight tie between Dinamo Zagreb and Valencia in the semi-finals.
It is a chance for United's academy prospects to show they are ready to take the next step on their pathway to becoming a professional player.
"It's an amazing occasion," said under-21s coach Adam Lawrence.
"You try to be humble, but to be involved in this type of fixture and for the players to experience this type of game at Old Trafford, it's fantastic."
Friday's win at Leeds means United are guaranteed a top-two finish in PL2, which means they will be at home until the final, should they get there, in the 16-team play-offs.
However, the chance to extend their run in Europe offers a different type of challenge, even if the first team's four-day trip to Dublin clashes and United also have to look ahead to forthcoming FA Youth Cup semi-final and Premier League under-18 final matches with Crystal Palace later this month.
"People talk a lot about development versus winning," said Lawrence.
"This is one we want to win but we're also trying to do it in a developmental way and looking at individual players in terms of what they will benefit from most in the programme to then perform.
"If we were to just pick the same players, the rest wouldn't get any exposure.
"But there are players in that middle bracket who you're not quite sure what level they're going to end up at. They would miss out on some of those opportunities."
Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester United boss Michael Carrick will be hoping Lisandro Martinez comes through training unscathed in Dublin this week to avoid a central defensive selection headache for next Monday's Premier League clash with Leeds.
Harry Maguire will definitely miss the Old Trafford encounter following his red card just before the international break at Bournemouth that could yet land him with a two match suspension.
There is no sign of Matthijs De Ligt returning from the back problem that has kept him out for over four months. De Ligt was missing from the 25-man squad United took to Dublin for a four-day camp and it is understood he is still to start meaningful training.
Martinez was in the United travelling party though. The Argentina international has missed five games with a calf problem.
If Martinez is not fit enough to face Leeds, Carrick will likely pair youngsters Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven in central defence against the FA Cup semi-finalists.
Full-back Diogo Dalot and goalkeeper Tom Heaton have both been ruled out of the Dublin trip due to illness but Patrick Dorgu, who has missed eight games with a hamstring problem, did travel.
United have left behind most of their Under-21 players, including Shea Lacey and the Fletcher twins, Jack and Tyler, to allow them to play in the Premier League International Cup quarter-final against Real Madrid at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
Fifteen-year-old JJ Gabriel also misses out, although Under-18 pair Jim Thwaites and Yuel Helafu are involved.
United stay in Dublin until Thursday before returning to Manchester to continue their preparations for the Leeds game.
Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester United under-21 coach Adam Lawrence is looking for midfielder Jack Moorhouse to use the final games of the season to show he can perform at an elite level.
The 20-year-old was named on the first-team bench four times last campaign without getting on to make his senior bow.
He then seemed to be impressing on loan at League One Leyton Orient until a series of winter deadline day moves triggered Moorhouse's return to United after 24 appearances for the east London outfit.
Moorhouse has been picked on the bench twice by Michael Carrick since his return and frequently gets called into first-team training.
However, it is in games, including the Premier League International Cup quarter-final with Real Madrid at Old Trafford, where Moorhouse will really have a chance to shine.
"He's not a staple [at training] as a Jack Fletcher or a Shea Lacey, but he's over there often enough," said Lawrence.
"There's always got to be a bit of room to say to the player 'go and perform - and your performances pick teams or get you a loan or get you in the first team'.
"It's the club's part to create the pathway. It's the player's job to force the pathway and make that final part. That's where Jack sits at the moment.
"There's no bigger fan of Jack than me. He's a lovely player. He receives the ball on the back foot, the way that he can travel and glide with the ball.
"What we're looking for him to do between now and the end of the season, in those under-21s games, like against Madrid, 21s play-offs, is show he can perform at the elite level and make the difference. We feel he can."
Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester United Under-21 coach Adam Lawrence says it is "too early" to know if he will remain at the club beyond the end of the current campaign.
Lawrence, who led United's under-18s to the Premier League national title in 2023-24, left his role at the end of last season to take up a position at Newcastle.
However, he left the club at the beginning of January, which meant he was able to return to United a couple of weeks later to fill the gap left by Travis Binnion's elevation to Michael Carrick's senior coach set-up.
Carrick's future is still to be determined, which means Binnion is yet to discover what job he will be doing.
That clearly has an impact on Lawrence, although he is quite relaxed about the situation before Tuesday's Premier League International Cup quarter-final match with Real Madrid at Old Trafford.
"I've not really thought longer than the end of this current season," he said. "It's too early anyway and I've not put too much time and energy into that, to be honest.
"At the moment, everyone is just really concentrated on what we've got coming up between the first team and the academy programme.
"It's my job to put energy into the players, keep supporting them and work together with the staff to maximise their last two months.
"Things will just happen organically over time."
Manchester United could look to offload midfielder Manuel Ugarte, 24, this summer, with Newcastle, Aston Villa and Juventus among the clubs interested. (Caught Offside), external
United, along with Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal, are among the clubs who have been contacted about the potential availability of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, 25. (Teamtalk), external
Manchester United are among clubs who are interested in Aston Villa midfielder Amadou Onana, 24, who could be set for a big money move away from the club. (Football Insider), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been awarded the Premier League player of the month award for March.
The midfielder has now equalled former Red Devils team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo with six of the awards and sits just one behind the joint-record of seven shared by Harry Kane, Sergio Aguero and Mohamed Salah.
Fernandes has won the prize after an impressive month in which he produced two goals and four assists in just four matches.
He came out on top across the league for chances created (23), big chances created (six), combined goals and assists (six) and total assists (four).
In taking his overall assists tally for the season to 16, the 31-year-old beat a club record previously held by David Beckham, who provided 15 in 1999-00.
Fernandes also has the opportunity to match - and possibly break - the record for number of assists in one Premier League campaign, which is currently jointly-held by Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne with 20.
Manchester United are next in action at home to Leeds United on the 13 April.
Morgan Rogers would be open to leaving Aston Villa this summer, with Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea all in the mix to sign the 23-year-old England midfielder. (Sun), external
RB Leipzig have put a £87m price tag on 18-year-old Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, who is a target for Manchester United and Liverpool. (Sky Sports), external
Atletico Madrid are closing in on a deal for 26-year-old Atalanta and Brazil midfielder Ederson, who is also of interest to Manchester United and Manchester City. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Manchester United will look to add two new central midfielders to their squad this summer, with Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton and Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali all under consideration. (Givemesport), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesWho will win the Premier League player of the season?
That won't be announced until towards the end of May but we already have a pretty good idea of the contenders, based on players' performances so far this campaign.
So, who are BBC reporters' player of the year picks?
Arsenal's Declan Rice is the favourite to be crowned player of the season but pushing him hard for the award is Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes is on course to break the record for the highest number of assists provided across a single Premier League season.
That tally is 20 - a total which has been reached by two players - Thierry Henry for Arsenal in 2002-03 and Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne in 2019-20.
There is no doubt the Manchester United skipper deserves to be named player of the year.
He is by far the most regular scorer or provider of goals in the Premier League.
Of the 11 games he has not done one or the other for United this season his team did not score at all in three. In one of the others, at Aston Villa, he had to go off at half-time, which was a shock in itself because Fernandes hardly ever misses a game.
His 16 assists are twice as many as anyone else. He is joint fifth in the list of midfield goalscorers.
In a season where attacking players have largely not stood out consistently across the entire campaign, he is the exception.
The Manchester United captain deserves recognition not only for his form this season but also for his consistency over several years.
Even as United have fallen short of expectations, Fernandes has delivered in what has often been a dysfunctional environment, which has now stabilised under interim boss Michael Carrick.
For me, Fernandes is something of a Matt le Tissier figure, reminiscent of his Southampton days in the 1990s: a player who could have left to win more trophies but has stayed loyal in a way others perhaps might not have been.
With eight goals and 16 assists in 28 Premier League matches this season, he would be my pick for player of the season.
Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesOn the surface, it seems quite simple.
Michael Carrick followed Darren Fletcher's lead in ditching Ruben Amorim's three at the back formation, pushed skipper Bruno Fernandes into a more forward role, recalled Kobbie Mainoo to play alongside Casemiro and stuck with it.
Across his 10 games in charge, Carrick has made just six changes to his starting line-up.
Two of those were enforced.
United's relative lack of games - they are currently in a stretch of 23 days without one - means rotation is a choice rather than a necessity.
Yet Carrick's impact goes far deeper.
Club sources note the sense of calm that has settled across the club.
The 44-year-old is a relaxed individual - the epitome of someone who does not get carried away by success or overly despondent by failure.
In public, that comes across in his media briefings.
"I'm not going to sit here and get angry with you if that's what you're asking," was Carrick's response when he was asked before the 2-2 draw at Bournemouth if he ever used anger as a management tool.
The attitude is in stark contrast to Amorim, who admitted to getting emotional at the performances of his team. That led him to make ill-advised news conference comments.
Rather than being on edge, United's staff at their Carrington training complex feed off Carrick's attitude and the feeling is they are delivering more.
Meetings between the head coach and Wilcox are fewer now, it is said, because there are not as many day-to-day issues to address.
Sources who know Carrick say his intention has been to strip training back to basics. That has resulted in the shorter sessions critics have argued show the players are not being worked hard enough.
Sources close to the players say the squad are unified, happy and enjoying their work.
Twenty-three points from 10 games since Carrick's appointment is the highest in the Premier League over that period.
During this period, some of the alternatives to Carrick for the permanent role have either suffered reputational damage or become unavailable - Roberto de Zerbi would become the latest if he accepts the Tottenham job.
United's stance remains they do not want to be bounced into an appointment, and will take their time reaching a decision.
The reality is they are yet to speak to anyone else.
There are some elements of Carrick's management that cannot be answered this season - including how he copes with a 60-game campaign, compared to this one with its optimum preparation time, which has allowed Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Casemiro to play every game under him.
There is also the reality that after pushing for Amorim's appointment, Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada risk their own reputations if they get another major call wrong.
Nothing is certain until an appointment is made, but if United maintain their momentum and qualify for the Champions League, it is hard to imagine Carrick not being given the job.
Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist
Manchester City and Chelsea, even with heavy spending in recent years, are leading the way this season when it comes to the use of academy players.
City have used seven academy players in the Premier League in 2025-26 - more than any other side. Chelsea's graduates, meanwhile, have accumulated the most minutes with 5,673.
Manchester United's tradition continues - their ongoing run of naming at least one home-grown player in a matchday squad dates back to 1937. They have used six this season, although their combined minutes (1,264) are well short of Chelsea and City (5,162).
There are some nuances within the numbers.
Across the Premier League, there are players from top-flight academies now at other teams.
Some players moved clubs during the season and others moved from one academy to another before making a senior appearance, the most notable example being Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea to Liverpool.
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester United will face Leeds United in a pre-season friendly at Dublin's Croke Park on Wednesday, 12 August.
It will be the first club football fixture ever played at the stadium and the first football match of any kind since 2009.
Manchester United director of football Jason Wilcox said, external the friendly gives the club a "fantastic opportunity to connect with our supporters in Ireland".
Leeds have said the fixture is subject to the club retaining their Premier League status and whether they are involved in the Community Shield.
Daniel Farke's side, who are four points above the relegation zone with seven league games remaining, play their FA Cup quarter-final against West Ham on Sunday.
Leeds played AC Milan in a friendly at Dublin's Aviva Stadium prior to the start of this season and chief business officer Morrie Eisenberg said, external the club's "support in Ireland is huge, which was demonstrated last year".
Barcelona's £26m option to buy on-loan England forward Marcus Rashford expired in March, meaning the Spanish club must now negotiate a transfer fee with Manchester United. (Cadena SER - in Spanish), external
Inter Milan and Netherlands right-back Denzel Dumfries has been offered to Premier League clubs including Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester City and Tottenham. (Teamtalk), external
Manchester United are interested in 23-year-old Benfica and Sweden defender Samuel Dahl, with the club sending scouts to watch him more than 10 times this season. (Record via SportWitness), external
Manchester United and Liverpool are pursuing a move for 19-year-old RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande. (Sportsboom), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on if Bruno Fernandes a Manchester United legend.
Here are some of your comments:
Lucy: Winning trophies is a team effort. Earning the status of club legend requires commitment and hard work, which Bruno has been bringing to the table since day one. I'd have no problem ranking him alongside Best, Cantona, Robson, Irwin, and even Sir Bobby.
Graham: Get a new engine room in midfield and I'm confident United can dominate again in the Premier League and get Fernandes what he deserves.
Calum: Fernandes has to be counted as a legend regardless of what he has won. Without him we would probably be in the Championship!
Vernon: We definitely would be in a lot of trouble without him. However he can often be a liability because he spends too much time moaning. Not cajoling but just constant moaning. He is no Bryan Robson.
Jeh: I think Bruno is a legend regardless of whether he wins a Premier League. How many captains in the Premier League have the numbers that Bruno has and won two trophies and four finals? Yes, United haven't been as successful but it's a different time. Having said that I would give an arm to see Bruno lift the Premier League at old Trafford. Future United manager.
Lewis: A Legend? No doubt! Where would United have been without him? He can't do that much about the other 10 players on the pitch - though he does inspire them. And would he have made it into the legendary United teams of yesterday? For sure.
Clint: Bruno has carried a very poor side making average players look good around him season after season. Of course he should be classed with the greats. Robbo was my hero, but I'd say Bruno has achieved as much if not more in his standing with the fans and players who have shared the pitch with him. I'd go so far as to say he's our greatest foreign import. Stayed longer and did more than most. When United were struggling he kept the club above the relegation zone single-handed. Spurs are wishing they had a Bruno. So yes he deserves a statue at the end of his career. Most of those with statues won less than him during their time at the club. If he had been under Sir Alex he'd of won even more, because he'd have had a team of giants alongside him. So one of United's greatest? Of course he is!
Terry: I would say legend in the same way that Martin Buchan, Lou Macari or Steve Coppell are legends without winning the league.
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester United defender Harry Maguire has been charged by the FA following his red card at Bournemouth.
Maguire was sent off in the 78th minute of the 2-2 draw at Vitality Stadium for bringing down Evanilson, with the Cherries equalising from the subsequent penalty.
The FA said he is alleged to have acted in an improper manner and used abusive and/or insulting language towards the fourth official.
Maguire has until Thursday to respond.
Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesDuring his time at Ashton Gate, Radek Vitek has been in regular contact with United's goalkeeping coach Craig Mawson, whose status was elevated in January following Ruben Amorim's dismissal.
"We speak regularly; he gives me feedback," said Vitek. "He has been watching clips from games. It is good conversation with him."
Vitek comes across as assured and measured.
It is a calmness that has helped him make some huge moves. As a 12-year-old, he left his "small village" to join Sigma Olomouc. He was 16 when the call came from Manchester United.
"I couldn't turn down Manchester United at such a young age," he said.
"I knew it would be a challenge; new country, new language, but if you don't work for something in life, you can't achieve much.
"Looking back, I did the right step. It built my personality and character as well.
"There have been some difficult times but, when you overcome that, it builds you up, you have more confidence and you believe in yourself.
"I have always been a bit of a loner. Sigma Olomouc was over an hour from home, and I stayed over the week, so I was already used to the travel and being on my own."
It was pre-planned for the past three summers he would go out on loan. Struber took him to Bristol City this season after receiving excellent reports from Vitek's time in his Austrian homeland once it became clear loan rules meant he needed to stay in England.
"It would be amazing to go over, play for Manchester United straight away and be unbroken but it's not really usual," he said.
"I think each time, I proved I can go another level and that I deserved to make another step to the Championship.
"Loans are not easy for a young goalkeeper. Young goalkeepers usually have some ups and downs. I really appreciate that everyone in the club trusted me to come here and do a job."
That includes dealing with crosses and set-pieces, which have become harder to deal with as the standard of delivery has improved.
Not that Vitek is too flustered by that.
"Now it is a more powerful game," he said. "I see long throws and people crowding your box.
"It is difficult for goalkeepers but luckily for me, I am 6ft 6in, so I can deal with it."
Vitek signed a contract extension to 2028 with United when they agreed to this season's loan. Yet his future beyond his stint Bristol City is uncertain.
Do United see him as a competitor to Senne Lammens, only 23 and relatively inexperienced himself, for a campaign virtually certain to include European football? Or will it be another loan?
"At the moment, I'm focusing on being as strong as possible for Bristol City with eight games to play," he said.
"I want to give my best for the club and build my platform towards next season.
"Then I will communicate with Manchester United closely, and we will see what's going to be best for me next season.
"But I want to play football. I don't want to just be somewhere sitting on the bench."
Image source, Getty ImagesOn the latest episode of BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast, co-hosts Gaz Drinkwater and Joe McGrath discussed Bruno Fernandes and whether he can be classed as a legend at Old Trafford.
Drinkwater said: "Because of how successful Manchester United have been, if you truly want to join the pantheon of greats - and there are so many that Manchester United have - you need to have won the European Cup or the Premier League.
"If you've not won either of those, I struggle to put you in that bracket, with the likes of Eric Cantona, George Best and Wayne Rooney.
"I feel sorry for him [Fernandes] because without him who knows where Manchester United would have sunk to.
"The direct comparison at this point in his career that you can make is Bryan Robson - Captain Marvel. Everyone loved Bryan Robson.
"He was playing for Manchester United in a period that we weren't successful in terms of winning the league.
"He did end up winning the league towards the end of his Manchester United career. He wasn't a mainstay at that point necessarily, but he did still win that league.
"I would give everything for Bruno Fernandes to win a Premier League at Manchester United - and if he does, he shoots up there."
What do you think? Is Fernandes a United legend or is he not up there in that top bracket?
Manchester City in the race for Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson, 23. (Mail - subscription required), external
However, United are the favourites to sign Toulouse's 23-year-old former England Under-21 defender Charlie Cresswell. (Teamtalk), external
The Old Trafford side have also been handed a boost in their pursuit of 25-year-old Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali, with Newcastle open to selling their best players for the right price this summer. (Sun), external
Manchester United are among the clubs interested in 25-year-old Brazil midfielder Joao Gomes, who could be available for about £39m if Wolves get relegated. (Caught Offside), external
Forward Marcus Rashford, who is on loan at Barcelona, is one of five players set to leave Old Trafford this summer, with the Red Devils hoping to recoup over £100m in sales. (Sky Sports), external
However, striker Joshua Zirkzee is eager to stay next season because he believes he will be given chances under Michael Carrick if he remains in charge. (Mail - subscription required), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Alex Turk
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesWe are one week into three without a match for Manchester United. Therefore, naturally, most of the discussion has drifted towards another big summer of recruitment.
The midfield rebuild is United's clear priority but how should the club go about it?And which positions are next in line, in terms of how urgently they need addressing?
Let's rank United's summer transfer priorities as preparations ramp up for the Premier League run-in and beyond.
A new Casemiro
I say a new Casemiro, but the fact of the matter is that the task of replacing the outgoing 34-year-old is a daunting one.
It is undisputedly United's most important signing and strong links to Premier League candidates highlight that the chosen one must hit the ground running instantly.
Competition for Kobbie Mainoo
The midfield rebuild cannot stop there. United need numbers and another option who raises the physical and athletic floor of this squad.
I am convinced that it is almost guaranteed to be Carlos Baleba of Brighton, despite his underwhelming form this season.
Find Luke Shaw's successor
Shaw may have started all 31 Premier League games this season, but he can no longer influence both ends of the pitch like he previously could.
If Patrick Dorgu's long-term future lies in attack, United need a left-back who can bomb up and down the flank from the first whistle to the last. But with two games a week returning next season, Shaw will still have a big role to play.
Return of the wing
United's recruitment under Ruben Amorim was largely excellent. However, to accommodate his wing-back system, wingers at Old Trafford are almost extinct.
Amad and Dorgu fit the profile, but Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo favour operating in inside channels. United are yet to fully replace Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Jadon Sancho in full after last summer's culling.
January's attempt to lure Antoine Semenyo was an indicator that, despite recent attacking expenditure, United do not view the job as done just yet.
Find more from Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC, external
