Manchester United

Manchester United have a clear interest in Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali but Newcastle United would demand a fee of more than £100m if they decide to sell the 25-year-old. (The i), external

United could look to pick up Nigeria midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, 29, from Besiktas, with goalkeeper Altay Bayindir moving in the other direction. (SporX - in Turkish), external

Meanwhile, Barcelona will look to keep forward Marcus Rashford on loan for another season to avoid paying a £26m transfer fee. (Mail), external

Juventus have been told they can sign Joshua Zirkzee for as little as 25m euros (£21.6m) but are also open to considering a loan with an option to buy the forward. (Tuttosport - in Italian), external

Finally, Borussia Dortmund believe they can persuade United winger Jadon Sancho to sign for a third spell at the Bundesliga club. (Times - subscription required), external

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

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Bristol City head coach Gerhard Struber said he would "love" to keep on-loan goalkeeper Radek Vitek beyond the end of this season.

The 22-year-old joined on loan from Manchester United in the summer on a season-long loan and has gone on to establish himself as their first-choice keeper and one of their best and most consistent performers.

Vitek has kept 10 clean sheets in 33 Championship appearances but Struber said the club have had to look at options to replace him, while also holding out hope of potentially re-signing him for 2026-27.

"I would love that Radek stays here," Struber told BBC Radio Bristol.

"On the same time we have to look really deep right now - now's the time we can search and be creative also for loanees or a permanent deal.

"We have to be really open-minded and not close the door about maybe we could only loan - [it's a] very big motorway where we drive and search for a goalkeeper but hopefully, maybe, Radek will join us another year."

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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All eyes on the Football Association's social media accounts on Friday morning when Thomas Tuchel announces his latest England squad for the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.

Apart from Marcus Rashford, who is on loan at Barcelona, Tuchel has not named a Manchester United player in any squad since taking charge just over a year ago.

Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo will hope that changes.

All three have impressed since Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim through to the end of the season in January.

Tuchel has previously suggested they could be in contention.

Carrick has not spoken to anyone at the FA. But he hopes his players make it.

"I'd love to see them picked for this one and for the summer," he said.

"I don't have any influence on that, but the way they're playing, they have put themselves in the picture and given themselves a chance.

"They are playing well enough to warrant a place."

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has been speaking to the media before Friday's Premier League game against Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Carrick confirmed Lisandro Martinez is "a lot closer" to a return and could be available after the international break, while Patrick Dorgu is "further down the line" and Noussair Mazraoui is ill but should be OK for Friday. The situation with Matthijs de Ligt is "frustrating" for the player but they are "working as hard as we can" to get him fit.

• Asked about Mason Mount's current fitness levels, he responded: "Starting would be too much at this point, from training time and the exposure he's had. It's brilliant to have him back, he's a fantastic player and great to have around the group. The break coming up is a good time for him."

• After two wins in their past seven away games, Carrick said it is "just form and results" and they don't pay too much attention to it: "We've had some good results at home, that doesn't mean that is fixed and we can move on to something else. It's been nice to win at home and play at Old Trafford with a real feeling of confidence and for the supporters to feel that. But we're not having a major difference in preparation or mindset."

• On Kobbie Mainoo's form: "You can always improve on a lot of things. Just the age he's at, there is so much more to come and develop, that's the stage he's at in his career. He's doing really well, not having a lot of football, to come in and play a run of games, he found his rhythm quickly and his natural flow."

• Carrick is expecting "a real mix for the group" over the international break and the following week off. He acknowledged they will "have to be flexible to come out the back of it in good shape", adding: "We're mindful of it for sure. It's unique in some ways, having the week after the internationals to prepare. Normally it's a rush to get everyone back as quickly as possible."

• With an apparent calmness around the club right now, the United boss said "sometimes it needs to be calm and stable, sometimes it needs to be on edge and a bit tetchy", but they want to be "measured and calculated" to get the balance right.

• On Bournemouth test: "It's a tough game, a tough place to go. They're on a really good run of form, but it's a difficult game. Going there, we've had a good run, the boys are in good shape, but always a difficult game - we know that. Really well-coached team and good energy so we know we'll be in for a game."

Listen to more from Carrick on BBC Sounds here or by hitting play on the clip above

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Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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After Friday's trip to Bournemouth, Manchester United don't have another match for 24 days, when they play Leeds at home.

It is an incredible situation, even allowing for the fact there is an international break as part of that and underlines what a season looks like with no Europe and when you have been knocked out of both domestic cups at the earliest possible stage.

European qualification is virtually certain next season after a run of seven wins in nine games since Michael Carrick took charge.

It is a spot in next season's Champions League that is the key aim for United now though.

Carrick has chosen to preview Friday's trip to Bournemouth today, so media commitments don't cut across Thursday training and travel.

United have only won one out their last three away games – and two in seven going all the way back to the victory at Wolves on 8 December – so it will be interesting to see what Carrick thinks the reasons for that are when he speaks to the media in a bit.

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Manchester United YouTuber Tom Cooney prefers that Michael Carrick be given the opportunity to stay as head coach.

The former midfielder was offered the role on an interim basis in January, replacing Ruben Amorim - United's 10th manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Carrick has led the Red Devils to seven wins in his first nine games at the helm - form which justifies a chance as permanent manager, Cooney says.

"Let's have a look at him over the course of 12 months rather than on an interim basis," he told BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast.

"At the moment, everything is a risk.

"If you're Ineos, with the mistakes that have been made so far, if Carrick carries on winning games at a better rate than anyone and gets us into the Champions League, do you want to change that?"

With a win over top-four contenders Aston Villa, United took a step closer to securing Champions League qualification.

For the first time in more than a decade, United aren't taking part in European competition this season after finishing the 2024-25 Premier League campaign in 15th place.

In this context, Cooney believes sticking with Carrick is more sensible than taking a chance on someone new.

"If you think about where we were 12 months ago, it's a big turnaround," he said.

"I'd be stunned if he didn't get the job. It'd have to be an exceptional candidate who became available for you to say: 'Thanks, Michael, but we can't turn this opportunity down.'

"And I don't see that coming. Everyone you'd look to move to is a bit of a risk, in light of Carrick doing so well."

Listen to the full podcast 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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Alex Turk
Fan writer

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Many will not admit that Bruno Fernandes has been the Premier League's best player this season, but his status as a Manchester United icon is undisputed.

United's captain delivered when the lights were the brightest again to inspire a potentially season-defining victory over Aston Villa.

Defeat by a direct rival after stumbling at Newcastle would have severely damaged dreams of a Champions League return.

Yet it couldn't have transpired much better, even more so in between dismal home results for Chelsea and Liverpool.

Fernandes once again showcased why, Champions League next season or not, United must retain his services.

Another pinpoint set-piece delivery for Casemiro's seventh goal of the season - Fernandes has assisted five of those, making it the Premier League's most deadly combination this term.

But his perfect pass for Matheus Cunha's Stretford End strike was one of his finest in a United shirt.

Glorious, unmatched vision and execution that sets the Portuguese playmaker apart from all who play in his position.

Fernandes' 16 league assists is double the total of his closest competitor, Rayan Cherki.

In fact, it is the most assists any United player has ever produced in a Premier League season, overtaking David Beckham's 15 from the 1999-00 campaign.

Fernandes also joins elite company in Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney as the only three Red Devils players to reach 100 goals and 100 assists in the Premier League era.

He may not boast the silverware Giggs and Rooney relentlessly collected under Sir Alex Ferguson, but he is not out of place in that trinity of attacking class.

The primary question that dominated the Villa build-up was how United would react to a first taste of defeat under Michael Carrick?

We got a satisfying answer at Old Trafford on Sunday. An even bigger question will continue to linger for a while longer, though.

What does life after Fernandes actually look like?

It's a harrowing inevitability in the next few years. I'd say enjoy him while you can, but it's impossible not to!

Find more from Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC, external

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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New Manchester United head of academy Stephen Torpey has heaped praise on current Under-18 coach Darren Fletcher.

The former United and Scotland midfielder took over following the exit of Adam Lawrence at the end of last season, after twin sons Jack and Tyler had moved out of the age group.

Fletcher has guided United to second spot in the Premier League North table and into the Premier League Under-18 cup final, where they will face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park next month. On Wednesday, they will attempt to beat Sunderland at Old Trafford to book an FA Youth Cup semi-final meeting with Palace, also next month.

In addition, Fletcher stepped in for two games as interim boss of the senior team following Ruben Amorim's dismissal in January.

Torpey said: "I've known Darren for years and he's always come across as a really amazing and clever guy, studious in terms of football and obviously passionate about the game and Manchester United in particular.

"He's a real leader at the club."

Fletcher made 342 appearances across a 12-year stint at United, before joining West Brom and then ending his career at Stoke.

He has had a number of roles at United, but his ambition has always been to coach and was keen to step back into the Under-18 fold rather than stay within the senior group when former team-mate Michael Carrick was appointed to the end of the season.

"Darren's on his own journey now in terms of developing himself as a future head coach," said Torpey.

"Working in the Under-18s has given him the opportunity to learn and evolve as a person and a coach or tactician, whatever that area would be.

"He's been superb. It's great to have someone who's a club legend with us in the academy. The boys are the ones benefiting from that."

Watch former Premier League defender and manager Russell Martin discuss how Manchester United's midfield dynamic has changed and improved under Michael Carrick.

"There's more balance," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"Bruno is playing in that position now where he can affect games in more of a free role. Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro are playing much closer together so there is much more central progression with the ball.

"It is something Michael and his Middlesbrough team were very good at - overloading midfield and trying to hurt teams in the middle of the pitch.

"In possession, with the ball, the team looks so much more balanced."

Listen on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United head of academy Stephen Torpey has explained the reasoning behind the club's development of young players.

At the start of the season, Ayden Heaven, Tyler Fredricson and Diego Leon barely played because they trained extensively with the senior squad but didn't drop down to the Under-21s for matches.

Scotland youth international Dan Armer started 16 out of the first 20 Premier League 2 games but has more recently taken over as captain of Darren Fletcher's Under-18 side.

Others, such as Jim Thwaites, Godwill Kukonki and Bendito Mantato have alternated between the different age group teams.

"Firstly, we've got a responsibility in the Youth Cup, because it's prestigious and what it means to the club," said Torpey.

"The boys have been here a long time. They are friends and want to go on a journey. We shouldn't forget that.

"But you also have to look at player plans and opportunity. What does a player need next? Are we teaching them about left-back? Left centre-half?

"In the Under-18s you have more time, so if we want to increase Dan's diagonal passing, we will play him in a run of games there so we can work on it.

"At Manchester City, Nico O'Reilly, spent two years in the under-18s. Talent-wise he could have played with the Under 21s at 15, but we had to allow him to grow because he was small. Then he became big but uncoordinated. It is easier to work through that in the Under-18s because matches are primarily Saturday to Saturday.

"If you're in the 21s, you might be on first team training, or in the first team squad for a while. You might not play because the schedules don't line up.

"You would never deprive anyone of being on the first-team bench but then you can't be over-exerted the day before.

"It's really complex. Where we meet weekly about team selections, we don't just look at one team we look at 15s, 16s, 18s, 21s so we can try and create these opportunities."

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Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has praised the intelligence with which Bruno Fernandes plays football.

Fernandes had a starring role as Manchester United beat top-four rivals Aston Villa 3-1, with the Portuguese captain providing two assists to bring his season total to 16.

This season, he has made twice as many assists as the next most prolific provider, Rayan Cherki, who has eight.

It puts him close to the record 20 assists made in the 2002-2023 season by Henry - who is an admirer of Fernandes.

"He doesn't play football," Henry said on Sky Sports Monday Night Football. "He thinks it."

Henry highlighted how even when 3-1 up against Villa, Fernandes demanded high standards from his team-mate Amad Diallo, who didn't play the ball when he started his run.

"Even when he wins, he demands excellence from himself and his team-mates," Henry said. "That's a real leader.

"My name for him now is Brain-o Fernandes. This guy thinks.

"I always liked him. What he's been doing at Man Utd in some difficult moments for the team is outstanding.

The quality of Fernandes' performance this season - his seventh at Old Trafford - has prompted debate over whether the midfielder can be considered among the club's legends when he hasn't won a major trophy in that time.

Henry pointed out the value of loyalty.

"He might not have started in the [early noughties] Man Utd team," Henry conceded.

"But if you arrive in that team with Van Nistlerooy finishing or Yorke or Cole or Rooney - you would think that what he is creating would have been finished, not having to go 'again' to the people he's playing with now."

"But you have to give him a lot of credit. He could have walked away.

"He stayed, he's fighting every single time. I love him."

Watch former Premier League striker Chris Sutton and former Premier League defender and manager Russell Martin discuss Casemiro's future after some Manchester United fans chanted for him to stay at the club during Sunday's win over Aston Villa in which he scored.

The Brazilian, 34, announced in January that he would leave the club when his £350,000-a-week contract expires at the end of the season.

"I don't really get the debate," Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"I think under [Ruben] Amorim he was really exposed. Under [Michael] Carrick his numbers and performance level has improved but so has the teams'.

"I think this is a bit of sentimental guff more than anything.

"If Manchester United want to really move forward as a club, Casemiro isn't the future for that. He's been a great player but it comes to us all, he just doesn't have the legs he once had."

Listen on BBC Sounds

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

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The Premier League's Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel has ruled that Newcastle's Jacob Ramsey should not have received a second yellow card in the Magpies' 2-1 win over Manchester United at St James' Park.

Ramsey was sent off in added time at the end of the first half for simulation for going down after running past goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

It was judged on a 3:2 vote that Ramsey's "left foot appears to slip as he goes past the keeper" and that it "wasn't an attempt to deceive the referee".

The game was goalless at the time, but Newcastle snatched the three points through a superb late winner from William Osula.

Second yellow cards are not currently reviewed by VAR, but that will change from next season.

However, there will only be a narrow corridor for the VAR to overturn second yellows.

For instance, if a yellow card has been awarded for a foul then the foul itself must be wrong, not just the card.

It is the first time this season the KMI Panel has found a player has been incorrectly sent off for a second caution.

Wolves' Ladislav Krejci was wrongly dismissed against Crystal Palace last month, though the KMI Panel highlighted his first booking as the mistake.

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BBC Radio Manchester presenter Gaz Drinkwater says that "no one comes close" to Bruno Fernandes when it comes to choosing a Premier League Player of the Season.

With 16 assists, the Portuguese midfielder is on his way to the league record - shared between Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne - on 20 assists in a single season.

Drinkwater says that Fernandes' performances since joining the Red Devils in 2020 have earned him a place among club greats.

"I do think we're talking about a player who we've got to say is one of Manchester United's greatest ever players," he told the Devils' Advocate podcast.

"In terms of quality and the numbers and his effect in games, he's up there with some of the best we've ever had.

"The question of whether or not he's a Manchester United legend has been done to death and I've always said if you don't win the league or the Champions League with all the players we've had who've done it, I feel strange describing a player who's not done that.

"But where would we have been without Bruno Fernandes? And where could we have been if we'd had a better team around him?

"I see mock-ups of Fernandes in a '99 shirt or a 2008 shirt and I think, imagine him in those teams."

Drinkwater hopes that Fernandes gets the team and personal achievements that he is due.

"This man deserves a Premier League title, he deserves to win the Champions League, the World Cup with Portugal," he said.

"If England don't win it, I hope Portugal do for him.

"He's a tremendous footballer and he should win player of the season this season.

"No one else comes close.

"Bruno is a delight to watch and he's what football is all about."

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Manchester United are set to face competition for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, 23, with Bayern Munich ready to step up their interest in the England international. (Mail + - subscription required), external

Newcastle fear being dragged into another Alexander Isak-style saga with Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali, 25, amid speculation of a £100m move to Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea or Real Madrid. (The I), external

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Manchester United struck a vital blow in the race for top four as they beat Aston Villa.

Gaz, Joe and Tom Cooney discuss the win, the form of Bruno Fernandes and whether Michael Carrick should get the job full-time.

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Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Leny Yoro says a club like Manchester United have to play in the Champions League.

United have not been in Europe's elite club competition since Yoro joined them from Lille in 2024. They have not made it past the last 16 since 2019.

But the 3-1 win against fourth-placed Aston Villa at Old Trafford consolidated them in third position, with eight games remaining.

While they still have Chelsea and Liverpool to face, the absence of European distractions should be a benefit. There are over three weeks from Friday's trip to Bournemouth to their next game against Leeds, at Old Trafford on 13 April.

Head coach Michael Carrick is not taking anything for granted.

But Yoro knows the prize is in sight.

"Every player wants to play Champions League, especially when you play for United," he said.

"This club has to play the Champions League. Hopefully we're going to get it next season.

"We know every game is important, but this one was especially so because they [Villa] are right behind us. We are really happy with the result."

The Villa win featured another crucial contribution from veteran midfielder Casemiro.

The Brazil skipper opened the scoring with a near-post header and was a calming influence in the latter stages after Matheus Cunha had put the hosts back in front.

Casemiro has already confirmed he will leave Old Trafford when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Nevertheless, United's fans chanted "one more year" to the 34-year-old at the final whistle.

That wish is unlikely to be granted, which Yoro thinks is a shame.

"Everyone wanted him to stay," he said. "He's a really important player for us and showed it again.

"He has won everything. He has experience no-one else in the team has."

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United defender Leny Yoro is hoping Harry Maguire will remain at the club next season to continue help him through the early stages of his career.

The pair were named in central defence for the fourth successive game at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Victory over Aston Villa has put United in pole position to finish third and secure a return to the Champions League.

There is uncertainty over Maguire's future though.

The 33-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and while it is anticipated a new deal will be agreed, as yet, there has been no outcome and Maguire could walk away in the summer.

Yoro hopes it doesn't happen.

United might have paid French club Lille £52m for the 20-year-old in 2024, but Yoro knows he still has a lot to learn and Maguire has been the source of indispensable advice.

"Having Harry in the team is good for us," said Yoro. "I hope he's going to extend his contract and he can stay with us.

"With all the experiences he has, he spoke to me a lot on the pitch and gave a lot of tips. That is helping me a lot.

"Even before the game, during the week, we speak a lot about the opponent. Sometimes he speaks before the game, or at halftime, about positioning as well.

"Playing with him is really good for me."

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Man Utd and Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

Man Utd fans

Rob: At 1-1 I was worried, but credit to Bruno as usual, plus Cunha who I thought worked tirelessly in the second half and took his goal so well. I'd quite like to see Carrick be a bit more animated and vocal on the touchline though, ordering his players about more - it's what the top class managers like Pep and Klopp seem to do to good effect.

Geoff: On occasion United oozed class. Unfortunately they still refuse to put their opponents "to the sword " once they secure a lead- hence Villa's equaliser which arrived out of United's sloppiness.

Dave: Some more precise play, resilient tackling, good defending, and great understanding between Fernandes and Casemiro. An overall better performance. Still need to improve regular tempo against teams parking the bus though!

Bob: Who'd have thought it? A team that a few months ago looked afraid of it's own shadow now playing (almost) free flowing football. Fortunately our relaxed schedule of matches has hardly exposed the complete lack of squad depth. Hopefully some of our superb youngsters can step up next season. Oh and Carrick should be given the job.

Aston Villa fans

Tom: We looked solid and compact but too many times the ball went up to Rogers, Watkins or Buendia and it just came straight back. There was no fluidity in attack and as soon as we concede, space opens up at the back and we concede more. Either Unai needs to realise those players need a break to recharge or contemplate, or we will stutter and falter to a mediocre league position and struggle in Europe.

Matt: Was always going to be tough game after the European shift we put in on Thursday night. Man Utd's fresh legs and £250million attack proved the difference. Disappointed to see Tammy not start. It was on the cards we'd lose today, so why not rotate the squad and have key players fresh for 2nd leg against Lille. McGinn was great again. Watkins very disappointing again. UTV. Keep fighting lads.

Ian: Well today's result is not really any surprise. First half fairly even, second half we were second best and didn't defend as well as we can. It's our lack of guile and finishing in the final third that is costing us, we now have eight league games to put things right and let's hope it's not goal difference again that costs us Champions League. As I have said before, maybe our route to Champions League will be the Europa League.

Mossy: It's plain to see, look at the top four now, very familiar isn't it! The big clubs with the biggest squads, Villa looked toothless up front today, lots of build up play and possession but no idea what to do in front of goal. We played okay but got dissected twice very easily and conceded two goals very quickly. I think we need a big re-build and a freshen up. Top six will be a huge achievement now, all in for the Europa League is a must now.

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Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney believes Michael Carrick should be given the job at Old Trafford based on how the team are performing under him.

Since he was named head coach for the remainder of the season in January, Carrick has guided his side to seven wins in nine games.

United chiefs want to assess all options before making a decision in the summer, but Rooney - who was on holiday with his former United and England team-mate when Ruben Amorim was sacked - has no doubts what should happen next.

"100% he should [get the job]," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I knew this was going to happen with Michael Carrick. I know him very well. I know his character and his personality.

"It needed a calm head, but someone who knows the place. The players needed some love, and he has given them that.

"We have seen the players play with more quality, more together as a team, and they look like a very strong team. Why would you change?"

Carrick confirmed he had spoken to chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox after the Aston Villa win on Sunday, but says his sole focus is Friday's trip to Bournemouth.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Captain Bruno Fernandes created United's first two goals against Aston Villa.

The Portugal playmaker's near-post corner was headed in by Casemiro to give United the lead.

Then, after Ross Barkley equalised, Fernandes threaded a pass through the Villa defence for Matheus Cunha who slotted home to give United a lead they would not lose.

Fernandes now has 100 assists in all competitions for United, becoming only the fourth player - after Rooney, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham - to achieve that in the Premier League era.

In addition, his 16 league assists this term have eclipsed Beckham's tally of 15 from 1999-2000 as the most by any United player in a single campaign.

"Bruno has done it for a long period of time now, making the difference in big moments, whether he's scoring or creating," said Michael Carrick.

"He's got a great connection with Casemiro, which is the bit you can't coach."

There has been talk about Fernandes leaving United in the summer, when his contract will have one year left to run.

The 31-year-old is keen to compete at the highest level, so Champions League qualification could prove crucial.

"Bruno's definitely not someone we'd want to lose," said Carrick. "It's difficult for me to kind of go too far with that, but certainly he's important for us."