Manchester United

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick speaking to BBC MOTD: "Disappointed. We created enough chances and had enough opportunities in the game. A big opportunity to go 2-0 up and we get one penalty and not the other. It's exactly the same thing really - a two-handed grab. He's [referee] got one wrong - I don't know which one but he doesn't give us the second one. Massive moment and I don't understand how you can give one and not the other.

Harsh to send Maguire off? "Maybe - it ended up chaos at that time so decisions go in different ways. Ours should've been a penalty before, we would've had two penalties and then that wouldn't have happened.

On coping with 10 men: ""I was really pleased that when we went to 10 men we saw the game out and took a point - that's a real positive. Credit to Bournemouth the way they play - really energetic and positive, and constantly test you. To go with 10 men for so long and having to make changes, the boys off the bench finishing the game did really well."

On break between next game: "It is what it is. It's not a problem. Boys are going away and it feels a lot because of the international break, but we'll be ready for Leeds when it comes."

Listen to more from Carrick on BBC Sounds

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, speaking to Sky Sports: "Disappointed because we did enough to get three points. we had to finish with a lot of suffering and trying not to concede. I know it's difficult for the referee to give two penalties to the same team in one game but I don't understand why VAR doesn't get involved in that situation or with Harry [Maguire] because either one is a penalty and so is the other, or neither of them are."

On what Carrick has done: "That's always been part of the club. It doesn't change with the manager in charge. We've been getting positive results and that gives positive energy to the team to understand we can go anywhere and get results."

On turning a corner after criticism: "It will always be like that. When you get results you get flowers, when you don't you get criticised. It's part of being a Manchester United player - demand is very high from everywhere. There are a lot of people with eyes on the club because it's massive. If you decide to play for this club then you are a big player and have a big personality. There are highs and lows and you have to deal with them.”

Did you know?

• Fernandes has now created 101 chances in 28 appearances the league this season (three on Friday). It is the fewest games a Manchester United player has needed to reach 100-plus chances made in a Premier League campaign, ahead of Ryan Giggs in 2006-07 (29).

• On his 286th top-flight appearance, Maguire received the third red card of his Premier League career on his 286th top-flight appearance.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Bournemouth's performance

What did you make of Man Utd's display?

Come back on Saturday for a selection of your replies

Alejandro Jiménez and Armine Adli start for Bournemouth as Junior Kroupi drops to the bench.

Tyler Adams misses out for the hosts through injury.

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic; Alejandro Jiménez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Scott, Christie; Adli, Tavernier, Rayan; Evanilson.

Subs: Mandas, Brooks, Gannon-Doak, Smith, Diakite, Kroupi, Ünal, Tóth, Milosavljevic

Manchester United name an unchanged team for the trip to the Cherries.

The only change in the entire squad sees Tyler Fredricson replace Noussair Mazraoui on the bench.

Man Utd XI: Lammens, Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Diallo, Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo

Subs: Bayindir, Fredricson, Heaven, Malacia, T. Fletcher, Mount, Ugarte, Sesko, Zirkzee.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United are getting closer to agreeing new contracts with Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo.

Maguire's current deal is due to expire in the summer and he has been free to talk to rival clubs since January.

However, as previously reported by BBC Sport, the 33-year-old's preference has always been to remain at United, while the club have been reluctant to lose Maguire's experience in the same summer as midfielder Casemiro will depart.

Sources say there is still work to do to finalise terms, but it appears a one-year contract, with the option for a further season, is likely to be agreed.

Meanwhile, negotiations over a much-improved, long-term deal for Mainoo are also said to be progressing well, with an expectation talks will reach a successful conclusion over a contract likely to run until 2031.

That will include a significant increase on the terms Mainoo is currently on, given he last signed a contract in February 2023, just after the 20-year-old made his first-team debut.

If Mainoo had been granted his wish, he would have joined Napoli on loan in either August or at the beginning of January.

The Stockport-born academy product was not given a single Premier League start by Ruben Amorim, who felt Mainoo did not suit his preferred system.

However, he has started every game since Michael Carrick took charge in January and with relations between player and club thawing, it is welcome news for United fans that Mainoo is willing to commit his future to the club.

Both players were included in Thomas Tuchel's 35-man England squad on Friday morning, the first time either man has been involved under the German.

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Thomas Tuchel's inclusion of Manchester United's Harry Maguire is reward for the 33-year-old defender who has shown superb character and inner strength to emerge from a spell when he was a figure of mockery for some opposition fans - and indeed England supporters - when his Old Trafford career looked over.

Maguire turned down potential moves to clubs such as West Ham United, eventually reviving his form to such an extent that he has played a key role in Michael Carrick's rejuvenation at Manchester United this season, fighting his way back into England contention.

He was left out of Southgate's Euro 2024 squad and has yet to figure under Tuchel, winning the last of his 64 caps against the Republic of Ireland in September 2024.

With John Stones struggling to string games together, Maguire's experience of major tournaments stretching back to the 2018 World Cup could yet be a valuable commodity this summer - and now he has a chance to make his case.

"Manchester United have had an outstanding run since Michael Carrick took charge, and Harry and Kobbie [Mainoo] have been a big part of that," Tuchel said.

"As I said, this is the last camp before the trip to the US, so it's also my final chance to get to know new players, to learn about them, and see how they fit in.

"Harry isn't a new player in an England shirt, of course, but he's new to me in this camp."

Beth Tucker
Fan contributor

Beth Tucker from The United Stand, external has given her opinion on which midfielders Manchester United should look to sign in the summer.

"I think they need to sign two, or potentially even three midfielders. The three I would go and get are...

"Elliot Anderson - I know that Manchester City are going to go massive on getting him, but if Manchester United can do anything to go and get him then they need to. Go and pitch that you are going to anchor the midfield and lead United back to glory, back to league titles and competing in the Champions League.

"He has got every attribute to compliment Kobbie Mainoo and be a top Premier League midfielder. He has proven he can do it going forward and he can take the next step up. He's combative and his energy levels are ridiculous and he reads the game really well. He has to be the top target.

"My second pick is Bruno Guimaraes. People might say that's not realistic but I think he is gettable. Newcastle look unlikely to make the Champions League this season, therefore, they will have to sell and some players will be looking for a way out.

"I'm not saying he's looking for a way out, but he's 28 years old, and I think he can step into that experienced role Casemiro has had and leaving behind. Guimaraes is excellent in the Premier League and he's looking to play Champions League football at a pivotal part of his career.

"Just look at Bruno Fernandes, he's 31 years old and he's playing some of the best football of his career. He's aged like fine wine. So someone like Guimaraes could go on to have some excellent years.

"The third player I would go in for is Mateus Fernandes from West Ham. If they get relegated, you could probably get him for a reasonable price. They paid about £43m for him last summer so it won't be ridiculously cheap, but when you are talking about some people in his position [midfield], you are looking at crazy price tags.

"Manchester United better get their chequebook out!"

Find more from Beth Tucker at The United Stand, external

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

JJ Gabriel is top of the Premier League Under-18 scoring charts. He has hit 10 goals in his past nine games and in a United side challenging on several fronts under coach Darren Fletcher, Gabriel is a stand-out performer.

Ruben Amorim was the first to call him into the senior training squad, even if his response to Gabriel's presence was lukewarm.

Michael Carrick was also asked about the youngster this week.

Fletcher is probably the best judge, though, given he has worked with him all season, deciding initially to pick him in a false nine position to give him more space.

"I couldn't speak highly enough of JJ," said Fletcher, when asked for his verdict in January.

"He's got an amazing family and amazing support around him.

"He's somebody we're delighted to have at the club.

"There's a lot of noise around him and deservedly so because he's a real talented kid," added Fletcher.

Wayne Rooney was at Old Trafford on Wednesday, along with Carrick, as his son Kai was an unused substitute in the in the 3-2 FA Youth Cup win over Sunderland.

Rooney made his senior debut for Everton at 16 and became England's youngest player when he made his debut against Australia in 2003 aged 17 years and 111 days.

Currently, United's youngest-ever player is David Gaskell, a goalkeeper who made his debut when he was 16 years and 19 days old. Legendary England international Duncan Edwards (16 years, six months, four days) is third on the list behind Jeff Whitefoot (16 years, three months, 15 days). Angel Gomes is the youngest to play for United in the Premier League era (16 years, eight months, 20 days).

"He (Gabriel) has a bright future ahead of him and I'm super-excited by his talent. But the most important thing is that he keeps developing, because he still has lots to learn," said Fletcher.

For now, Gabriel will carry on doing his thing with the Under-18s. There is plenty for him – and his team-mates – to achieve.

But it won't be long before his chance at senior level comes and that is something many are looking forward to.

Image source, Getty Images

England manager Thomas Tuchel on the inclusion of Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire in his squad: "Manchester United have had an outstanding run since Michael Carrick took charge and Harry and Kobbie have been a big part of that.

"As I said, this is the last camp before the trip to the US, so it's also my final chance to get to know new players, to learn about them and see how they fit in. Harry isn't a new player in an England shirt, of course, but he's new to me in this camp.

"I want to observe how he interacts with other players, see him on the pitch, understand what he's capable of, and gather enough insight to make clear decisions."

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

The Premier League's draw specialists Bournemouth welcome Manchester United to Vitality Stadium on Friday night (20:00 GMT) with both sides seeking a positive result to take into the international break.

An uneventful 0-0 draw at second-bottom Burnley last week extended the Cherries' unbeaten run to 10 league games, the longest in the division, but it felt like an opportunity missed in terms of the chase for a European place.

Cherries drawing lots

The 14 draws recorded by Andoni Iraola's side this season are two more than any other team in Europe's top five leagues and five of those have finished 0-0 – again, a league-high tally.

Another stalemate on the Dorset coast would be their fifth in a row. No top-flight side has drawn as many consecutive matches since Fulham in December 2020-January 2021.

Bournemouth, in 10th place, are unbeaten in their last five against United and the teams played out a thrilling 4-4 draw at Old Trafford in November, when eight different goalscorers played their part in one of the most entertaining games of the season.

Since then, star man Antoine Semenyo has departed. He remains their top scorer and the Cherries have lacked a cutting edge in attack recently, drawing blanks in three of their last four.

They had 22 shots against Burnley without finding the net – the most they've ever had in a top-flight game without scoring – prompting Iraola to admit: "It's costing us a lot of points."

The Spaniard will be hoping the 500-mile round-trip takes its toll on the visitors. His side have won three of their four Friday night games in the league, while United have won just one of their five.

United's Champions League charge

Manchester United opened up a three-point gap between themselves in third and Aston Villa in fourth with a solid, if unspectacular, victory when the two sides met on Sunday.

A strong second-half showing gave head coach Michael Carrick five wins from five at Old Trafford in his second spell in charge, but he has found things a little trickier on the road, suffering his sole defeat against Newcastle United and relying on a late equaliser to hold West Ham United.

Portuguese playmaker Bruno Fernandes set up two goals in the Villa game to surpass David Beckham's club record of 15 assists in a single Premier League season. Now, with eight games remaining, he has the overall record in his sights.

The United captain, who has created six or more chances in each of his last three league games, has been involved in eight goals in his eight appearances against Bournemouth. He will need all his creative nous to unlock a home defence seeking its third clean sheet in a row.

With a 24-day wait until their next fixture, United and Carrick will be desperate to keep the feelgood factor going at a ground where they have lost just two of their eight away games in this competition (won four, drawn two).

England manager Thomas Tuchel has named his 35-man squad for the two friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in March.

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle United), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion).

Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan).

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Garner (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).

Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur).

There are 13 players involved who weren't in the last squad back in November, while there's a first senior call-up for Everton midfielder James Garner and Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele.

We asked for your views on who Manchester United should sign in the summer to boost their midfield strength. Would you go for Sandro Tonali, Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, or do you think there is a better option out there? Would you try to sign more than one midfielder?

Here are some of your comments:

Mike: Re-sign Scott McTominay. He should never have been allowed to leave. Pure stupidity!

Bailie: I would say it's between Sandro Tonali, Carlos Baleba or John McGinn. Tonali is proven class and would be unstoppable with Bruno Fernandes, but he would also cost far too much. Baleba is unproven in a big team, but from seeing him in Brighton I fancy his chances of being good plus he would be cheaper compared to Tonali. McGinn is between the two in terms of class and price, but I think he would be too expensive for United.

Neil: We need legs in there and Elliot Anderson fits the bill. I Adam Wharton, but unsure about his workrate - great vision and passer, but a bit pedestrian. The one I'd go for is Ethan Ampadu at Leeds. He controls a game, quality passer and does it at international level and he is flying under the radar a bit. I'm surprised he's not in the conversation.

Thomas: United need to sign Bruno Guimaraes, as he is so consistent for Newcastle, and he has vital Premier League experience, which has really shown this season with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.

Graham: Man Utd must have enough money to prise Morgan Rogers away from Villa. Even if that's the only player they can afford, it would be better than signing 10 players across the whole squad. Everyone has their price!

Chris: I think Anderson and Tonali would be fantastic squad additions. Anderson as our new No.6 to replace Casemiro and Tonali to compete with Mainoo for the newly founded "No.18 slot."

Bournemouth have got an excellent record against Manchester United, who haven't beaten them home or away in any of their past five attempts.

United do look like a different team under Michael Carrick, and they have got some momentum as well as a Champions League spot in their sights.

But while Bournemouth used to be a team who I always fancied to score, and could be quite open, recently they have become a lot tighter at the back.

The Cherries have drawn their past four games, with three of those matches ending goalless, and the other one finishing 1-1.

They have now drawn 14 of their 30 league games this season - including a 4-4 thriller when these sides met at Old Trafford in December - and this smells of another draw to me.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Manchester United great Wayne Rooney reflects on the best midfielders he ever played with - from Steven Gerrard's dominance and how he would have wanted him at Old Trafford, David Beckham's quiet leadership and Frank Lampard's timing in the box.

United's record goalscorer looks at Roy Keane's authority, Michael Carrick's understated control and why Paul Scholes' football brain set him apart. There's high praise too for Park Ji-sung, the relentless engine who stopped Andrea Pirlo, and how players like Darren Fletcher and Owen Hargreaves played key roles.

Plus, which opposition midfielder stands out to Rooney? And what is his ultimate midfield line-up?

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

Manchester United are in advanced negotiations to sign Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes for about £69m, but renewed interest ​from Real Madrid threatens to complicate the move for the 28-year-old Brazil midfielder. (Reuters), external

Manchester United will reject Barcelona's efforts to extend the loan of England international Marcus Rashford, 28, for another season, telling the Spanish club to pay the previously agreed £26m or send the forward back to Old Trafford. (Mirror), external

Borussia Dortmund are interested in re-signing English forward Jadon Sancho. The 25-year-old, on loan at Aston Villa, will be out of contract at parent club Manchester United in June. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United's fans won't have a chance to see JJ Gabriel in Premier League action at Old Trafford this season, so a good proportion of the 2,516 who saw him feature in the 3-2 FA Youth Cup win over Sunderland on Wednesday made sure they got their selfies.

As he only celebrated his 15th birthday in October 2025, Gabriel currently falls foul of the Premier League regulation that players must be 15 by 31 August of the season in question to be allowed to play. In other words, they have to be in Year 11 at school.

That is what makes Gabriel such a special talent.

Despite being a Year 10 in school terms and, physically, much smaller than the vast majority of the players he is playing with and against, he still tends to stand out.

The victory against Sunderland that earned United an Old Trafford semi-final with Crystal Palace, who they also meet in the Premier League Under-18 Cup final at Selhurst Park next month, was not his best performance.

But he still produced a couple of magical moments. There was the first-time lay-off to Chido Obi in the first half that really should have led to United going in front. There was the perfectly weighted pass to Junior Brown that was smashed home superbly for the winner.

More thrillingly, there was the dazzling two-footed manoeuvre that took him into a shooting position at the end of the game.

That's why those fans were after their selfies at the end. It is why Gabriel's name was cheered the loudest when it was read out just before kick-off.

In August, he was in the directors' box with his family for the league opener against Arsenal. In December, he was pictured with Sir Alex Ferguson at the 1-1 draw with West Ham.

These events do not happen by accident. United know they must prove to Gabriel that he should commit his future to them.

They rolled out the red carpet last summer, when technical director Jason Wilcox was part of the delegation that spoke to Gabriel with a sales pitch that kept the Londoner in the north-west.

Nothing that has happened since will dissuade Europe's leading clubs from thinking Gabriel has talent they would quite like.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport's senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel has confirmed that a number six is the top priority for Manchester United in this summer's transfer window.

It is thought that those at the club are leaning towards a player with Premier League experience - although a midfielder from another league cannot be ruled out for certain.

England duo Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton are among those linked with a move to Old Trafford, along with fellow Premier League stars Sandro Tonali and Carlos Baleba. Elsewhere in Europe, Atalanta's Ederson is believed to have impressed some at the club.

It also cannot be ruled out that United will sign more than one number six, especially if out-of-favour Manuel Ugarte departs this summer.

There are two factors which will prove crucial in the club's decision making - Champions League qualification and who the next permanent manager will be.

Read the full piece about United's midfielder hunt here

Tell us what you would do. Would you go for one of the players named above or do you think there is a better option out there? Would you try to sign more than one midfielder?

Get in touch with your views here

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Some good news for Manchester United fans. Shea Lacey has been pictured at training.

The images were posted by the club on Thursday but were taken on Wednesday and it is thought Lacey took a full part in the session.

The 18-year-old impressed in a couple of first-team outings around the turn of the year but was then sent off in the FA Cup defeat by Brighton in January.

He has not played at all since scoring a hat-trick in a Premier League 2 win at West Brom on 2 February. The reason for his absence has not been clarified, although it is thought to be injury related.

In addition to the senior side's trip to Bournemouth, United have a Premier League 2 encounter at Reading - they still have a chance of finishing top with three games of the regular season remaining, which suggests Lacey might get on the pitch.

Image source, Getty Images

We are getting to the stage of the season where every Premier League team is managing injuries in their squad as the sheer volume and intensity of games begins to take its toll.

But who has been most affected by injuries across the campaign so far?

Ben Dinnery, from Premier Injuries Limited, has provided the data below, showing the number of domestic injuries each top-flight team has suffered, defined by a player missing at least one Premier League game.

The data has been taken from the opening weekend up to and including 18 March.

Despite this table listing domestic injuries, it is unsurprising that the top three of Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa have all competed in European competition, with the Gunners still fighting on four fronts and the Blues also coming off the back of a much-shortened pre-season following their Club World Cup victory.

Perhaps more surprisingly, however, is the fact Arsenal's 31 domestic injuries so far comfortably leads the way, illustrating the strength and depth available to Mikel Arteta to still have his side nine points clear at the top of the table.

The graphic below shows Tottenham lead the way for days missed by injured players, illustrating the issues faced by Thomas Frank, who had to cope with long-term absentees including Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison.

Both West Ham and Brentford are in the bottom three for domestic injuries and days missed through those injuries, while Arsenal and Villa are in the top three for both.

Chelsea drop down the table when looking at days missed, showing they have predominately suffered from short absences spread throughout the squad.

It is worth pointing out that Newcastle's two longest absences this season - Emil Krafth (120 days) and Yoane Wissa (88 days), who had not yet even trained with his new side, resulted from injuries picked up on international duty and are not factored into the figures.