Manchester United

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Through our Ask about Manchester United form, you've queried whether the stability and improvement of Manchester United under Michael Carrick will prompt the club to ask Casemiro to stay on for another year, especially given he has such vast experience in the Champions League.

I just don't see that as being likely. In fact, Casemiro's exit is one of the reasons why the club are keen that talks with Harry Maguire over a contract extension beyond the rest of the campaign reach a positive conclusion. They feel losing Casemiro and Maguire in one summer would be too much.

The reality is Sir Jim Ratcliffe is simply not going to sign off an extension on Casemiro's current terms. I also think the player is quite keen to explore his options beyond this summer's World Cup. I could see him earning lots of money from the Saudi Pro-League, or Major League Soccer. I guess there is also the option of returning to Brazil or staying in Europe, although I am not convinced the latter two choices would hit his earning potential.

For United, they are already heavily down the road of deciding who to target when it comes to central midfield additions – and that will not be cheap. United don't want to be in the position of paying huge sums – either in terms of transfer fee or wages - for a player who is going to sit on the bench.

Casemiro has said he is leaving. I am pretty sure he will.

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Nottingham Forest and Brazil defender Murillo, 23, is one of several defenders on Manchester United's shortlist of potential summer signings. (i paper), external

Netherlands forward Joshua Zirkzee, 24, wants to leave Manchester United this summer after the club blocked a January departure. (Sun), external

Borussia Dortmund and Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha, 25, will sign a new contract with the Bundesliga club until 2030 despite interest from Manchester United. (Florian Plettenberg), external

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

We know from submissions to our Ask about Manchester United form that plenty of you are keen to know when work will begin on the new stadium.

This is a very good question. It was on 11 March last year that Sir Jim Ratcliffe unveiled his grand plans for a new 100,000-seater stadium, complete with a 'circus tent'. At the time, the feeling was the whole project could be done in five years, although that was clarified to 'five years from when work starts'.

Since then, there has been a lot of talk, some important groups put in place around a wider regeneration programme for the local Trafford area, but precious little in terms of concrete movement.

I don't know for certain but suspect when we are told 'a lot is happening behind the scenes' that is around funding – both how much the stadium will cost and what vehicle will be used to pay for it. That is not straightforward when you consider United is already £1bn in debt and a significant portion of that is guaranteed against the stadium.

There is also the land situation close to Old Trafford, where the stadium is planned to be built. That needs a deal with the owners, who have just changed.

Once the funding is sorted, then there has to be a plan for paying it back and what that looks like in terms of ticket costs and revenue generation. It's only when the number crunching has been done that Manchester United know whether the project is financially viable and plans can be formalised.

United have said hosting the 2035 Women's World Cup final is an aim.

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Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

The season so far has been memorable for many of the wrong reasons for Manchester United fans.

Yet, despite the manager sacking and early exits in both domestic cups, it could yet prove to be a step in the right direction if the club were to secure Champions League football.

And Michael Carrick's side are well-placed, sitting third, above Aston Villa on goal difference and three points ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool.

But is the reason they could yet rescue their season be down to one player?

Summer arrivals Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have impressed since donning the United shirt, and Benjamin Sesko is finding his feet slowly, but it has been the side's captain Bruno Fernandes who has again proved his importance to the team this campaign.

The midfielder's relationship with the club and fans has been somewhat complicated over the past season or so, with question-marks over his future surfacing on more than one occasion.

He turned down a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in the summer, which in an interview since has said he was "hurt" by the club's stance on it, but also said in October last year he will not discuss his future with anyone until after this summer's World Cup - when he will enter the final 12 months of his deal.

Despite all the background noise, he has consistently stepped up on the pitch.

With fewer than 10 league games remaining this season, Fernandes currently tops the charts for assists with 14 - six more than closest challenger Rayan Cherki of Manchester City.

The Portugal international also leads the way in both chances created (92) and big chances created (22), as well as successful passes into the penalty area (61), which is showing the level of opportunities he is providing for team-mates.

How he has been conducting play from the middle of the park and providing that link between midfield and the frontline shows in how he ranks second in the league for through balls completed and final-third passes completed, while sitting third completed passes into the final third.

And, with seven goals to his name, his 21 goal contributions this term leave him only behind City striker Erling Haaland.

Within in all the these numbers, what emphasises Fernandes' importance all the more is that no other United players features in the top 10 for these nine metrics.

A defeat at Newcastle - Carrick's first in his spell in charge - last time out may have put a dent in their Champions League place hopes, but if their midfield talisman can keep up his form, he could be the one to get them over the line back to the European promise land come May.

How important is Fernandes to United's chances of Champions League football next season? Are the side too reliant on their captain?

Get in touch with your views here

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

The biggest mistake Manchester United have made post-Sir Alex Ferguson. That's a tricky subject but it's one you've asked about via our 'Ask about Manchester United' form.

It is such a huge question it is virtually impossible to answer.

You also have the unknowns and projections of the unknowns, so if Rene Meulensteen and Mike Phelan had stayed at the club when David Moyes came in, it might have helped – but then it might not. To coin a Mick McCarthy answer to 'it can't get worse', it could have been.

I would prefer to say the area the club has got wrong that would have had the most impact if they had got it right is recruitment.

There was not enough change in the summer Moyes came in. Louis van Gaal wanted Gonzalo Higuain in the summer of 2015 and got an injured Radamel Falcao. Jose Mourinho wanted Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial out in the summer of 2018 and the club wouldn't do it. Cristiano Ronaldo coming back in 2021 and altering the shape of a squad that had finished second the season before. Going for Rasmus Hojlund not Harry Kane as Erik ten Hag wanted. Forcing Ruben Amorim to leave Sporting in mid-season, against his wishes.

We can't know what effect going down the alternative route would have had, but there are enough question marks to suggest at least a couple would have made a significant difference.

In the end, recruitment is key in football. The teams with the most 'best' players, playing to the right system, motivated and pulling in the same direction tend to win. Pep Guardiola couldn't make a National League team challenge for the Premier League title.

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Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are all keen on Freiburg's 20-year-old Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi. (Teamtalk), external

A return to Serie A also appears unlikely for Sandro Tonali after Newcastle put a £77m (90 euros) price tag on the player, which will put off Juventus, but Manchester United and Manchester City still remain keen. (Matteo Moretto via Football Italia), external

Barcelona are lining up alternatives to Marcus Rashford should they they be unable to agree a deal to make the 28-year-old England forward's loan move from Manchester United a permanent one. (Marca - in Spanish), external

Tottenham, Crystal Palace and Manchester United are all interested in Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola. The 43-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season. (i paper), external

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Alex Turk
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

The Newcastle defeat was a sickener, but it also served as a timely reminder.

Watching Manchester United pick up a point, in the circumstances, would have been tough to take, given how tight the battle for Champions League qualification is.

Despite losing at St James' Park in the previous three seasons, United were facing a team in torrid home form and playing with 10 men for the entirety of the second half.

Yet, rather than building on Casemiro's late first-half equaliser, the Red Devils flopped to another loss on Tyneside. As I say, sickening, but perhaps an important lesson.

Because don't get me wrong, Michael Carrick is doing a fantastic job. He has lifted the team away from the prospect of another woeful Premier League campaign, in turn, handing fans hope of an unlikely Champions League return.

That said, talk of Carrick getting the United job permanently is wildly premature. As every game of his 10-match unbeaten start as interim boss passed, that talk only got louder.

But there has always been a crucial element that I won't have been alone in anticipating. We are yet to see how Carrick's United respond to defeat.

Now, after William Osula's 90th-minute sucker-punch, we're about to. And the occasion couldn't get much bigger in the current setting.

A match against Aston Villa at Old Trafford awaits on Sunday, at the end of an 11-day build-up.

Unai Emery's side are level with United on 51 points and, therefore, a direct rival for a top-five finish, in case you needed reminding.

Any judgement on Carrick must wait until the end of the season, because momentum in football is a phenomenon and is capable of changing the picture entirely.

If United can instantly get back on track and conquer a direct rival - who are currently in free-fall as it is - it will be full steam ahead.

If not... the wheels could very easily fall off, with the only match in the following month a tricky test at Bournemouth.

It's no understatement to suggest the Villa result could shape United's season, and future.

Find more from Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC, external

Manchester United will will not rush into appointing a permanent manager despite interim boss Michael Carrick advancing his case. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Newcastle are determined to hold on to midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, 28, and are engaged in contract talks with the Brazil international despite Manchester United's interest. (Caughtoffside), external

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Paul Scholes has addressed his recent criticism of Michael Carrick and says comments made about Manchester United's interim manager have been interpreted in the wrong context.

The ex-Man Utd midfielder criticised recent performance levels, despite United winning six of their last eight games.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad And The Football, Scholes explained: "It was in no way intended to be offensive towards Michael. Michael is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. He would be the last person that I would want to offend.

"I messaged Michael anyway, I said look, I was never intending to upset you and I don't think I needed to say that and he told me himself he wasn't upset by it. I think people have just taken it differently from what was meant.

"The only thing I was saying was, that I don't think they played that well the last four games and they are still managing to get results.

"We had the greatest manager in the world and he always said, sometimes you need a bit of luck. So with sending offs and different things that happen through games, sometimes you do need a bit of luck, that's all I was saying."

Joe McGrath discussed Paul Scholes' criticism of Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick after their 2-1 defeat by Newcastle, on The Devils' Advocate podcast: "Paul Scholes coming afterwards talking about how United have been rubbish for the past four games. I think what Paul's said, when you look at it, he's probably right - United haven't been that great the last four games. But that doesn't matter, as long as you're getting results. But why highlight it as soon as United trip up once? I don't get it."

Gaz Drinkwater added: "The tone of that was very strange. It was almost like he'd had this agenda against Michael Carrick, and finally, he had the opportunity to criticise Michael Carrick, and it seemed a little bit barbed. It seemed a little bit like there was something festering there. And I'm like, you guys used to die for each other on the pitch.

"I'm not saying that you should blindly back your man... but it seems so weird the way these pundits, at times, thrive off the negativity of Man Utd.

"It's unfortunate. It was Michael Carrick's first defeat in charge of Manchester United and it was at Newcastle... We've had such a good run of form that we could afford to lose a game and still be third place in the league."

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Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Sean Pollock

Sir Alex Ferguson is to reveal the 21 matches that mean the most to him in a new memoir, to be published in October.

During a recent house move, Ferguson discovered photographs he had not seen for a long time. These have been combined with the 84-year-old's personal archive, containing photographs, notebooks and personal memorabilia to help create 'Games of My Life'.

The book has been written with Ferguson's long-time friend, author and venture capitalist Sir Michael Moritz.

The Scot thinks fans will be in for a surprise in what the publishers say will be a 'profound and intimate' walk through of the career of one of the most successful and notable football figures of all time.

"I've selected 21 football games for this book which are particularly meaningful to me," he said.

"The choices may surprise you because, rather than dwelling on the matches I've written about previously or those that might immediately register in the minds of fans, I've chosen games that take me back to different points in my life and which, even after the decades have passed, count for so much.

"Some of these games are not in any television archive. They are just memories. But, in my mind, I am watching them now – in vivid colour."

Ferguson retired in 2013, ending a career in football that spanned almost 60 years.

One of the new pictures shows Ferguson as a 15-year-old in a Drumchapel Amateurs team photo.

From there, Ferguson moved in the Scottish League with Queens Park, before playing for St Johnstone, Dunfermline and Rangers among others, winning four caps for Scotland, which were not awarded until 2021 when the matches he featured in were recognised as full internationals.

However, it was as a manager, primarily at Aberdeen and Manchester United, that Ferguson is primarily remembered, winning 38 major trophies at the two clubs, including the Champions League, in 1999 and 2008.

In another photograph released to publicise his new book, Ferguson is shown in the home dressing room at Old Trafford at Paul Scholes' testimonial match against New York Cosmos in August 2011.

The fully illustrated memoir will be published in hardback, eBook, and audio on 8 October.

Image source, Courtesy of Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United have added Nottingham Forest's Ivory Coast midfielder Ibrahim Sangare, 28, to their transfer shortlist for this summer. (CaughtOffside), external

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Beth Tucker
Fan contributor

The honeymoon period for Michael Carrick is officially over.

Every single manager knows that the inevitable loss will come and that honeymoon period will finish, but it's how Carrick will react to that, how the team reacts to that under his management which will show Manchester United fans if he's up for the job full-time.

He came flying out of the blocks with the Manchester City and Arsenal games, and even the Fulham and the Spurs games. We had goals, the football was exciting, the momentum was there, the points were stacking up and, even though we continued to pick up points in the West Ham game and Everton games, it did feel as if the performance levels were starting to dip.

With the Crystal Palace game, the red card really got Manchester United out of trouble. I think we finally got what we deserved in that Newcastle defeat. I never want to lose a game ever, ever, ever - especially not to 10 men - however, I think this will be a wake-up call to Carrick and the squad and it's all about how they react.

Can they get their form back up to the levels that we saw when Carrick initially came in? Because, despite the unbeaten run and seemingly picking up points from everywhere, it just shows after one loss how unforgiving the Champions League race really is. I still think United will get Champions League football, I think we're still in it, but there's no better game to bounce back than Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

It is a true Champions League race and our club are up for it. It's a cup final and I think Carrick needs to play on one of his key strengths that he's shown since coming into the job - and that is his composure.

He needs to instil in the squad that it's just one loss, it doesn't dismantle the progress we've seen. It doesn't dismantle this run we've been on. It's one loss. We go again and we continue to win games. Don't let this be a spiral.

We want to pick up points. Champions League football is the main thing. But how are we going to play from now until the end of the season? I believe in Carrick to get us Champions League football and I do think we will beat Aston Villa.

Find more from Beth Tucker at The United Stand, external

Image source, Getty Images

A 5% increase in season ticket prices at Old Trafford will help to return Manchester United to "the top of domestic and European football", say the club.

It is the the fourth year in a row United have increased season ticket prices by that percentage, with chief executive Omar Berrada saying in 2025 that it "would not be right to keep prices unchanged while costs rise and the club continues to face financial issues".

The Red Devils sit third in the Premier League under interim head coach Michael Carrick and hope to return to the Champions League for the first time in three seasons.

"We have a clear objective to return Manchester United to the top of domestic and European football," the club said in a statement.

"We want to keep investing in the team and improving our facilities so fans get the best possible experience. We also need to make sure the club stays financially sustainable taking into account inflation and rising costs.

"It is within this context we have made the decision to increase season ticket prices by around 5% across all areas of Old Trafford."

The Manchester United Supporters' Trust pointed to the the Football Supporters' Association appeal to clubs in November to halt ticket prices for the next two seasons and the relocation of 600 more fans for hospitality seats in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand as reasons for frustration at the decision.

"It is disappointing that the club has ignored our call, as part of the FSA's league-wide campaign, for a ticket price freeze," MUST said in a statement.

"Supporters are paying more and more to watch their team, and as the FSA campaign said: enough is enough.

"We've also learned that 600 more loyal fans are being moved for ever more hospitality.

"Those people will be understandably furious, and need to be better treated by the club than those who went through the same thing last year were."

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

What happened to Shea Lacey since his sending off against Brighton in the FA Cup has been the subject of questions sent in via our 'Ask about Manchester United' form - and it's a good question.

Lacey scored six goals in three Premier League 2 appearances following that FA Cup tie.

He was also on the bench for the Premier League home game against Fulham on 1 February, but didn't come on, presumably because Marco Silva's side mounted a late fightback.

However, he has not been involved in any game, at any level, since 2 February and hasn't featured in any of the training images the club put out a couple of times a week.

There have been suggestions Lacey has been suffering from a minor calf complaint, although United have not confirmed - or denied - that officially.

Lacey has suffered so much with injury in the past couple of years, United will not want to take any chances. It will be interesting to see if he is named in any England age-group squads for the forthcoming internationals.

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England midfielder Elliot Anderson favours a move to Manchester City over Manchester United, but Nottingham Forest value the 23-year-old at more than £70m. (Talksport), external

United, Arsenal, and Chelsea are set to battle to sign England Under-19 centre-back Samuel Amissah, 18, from Fulham. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Meanwhile, United plan to hold contract talks with midfielder Bruno Fernandes after this summer's World Cup. (Football Insider), external

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Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

This is definitely not exclusive to Manchester United after a loss but their players, politely, declined to speak to the wider media after last night's defeat at Newcastle.

Defender Noussair Mazraoui looked particularly uncomfortable as he hobbled to the team bus after getting caught in a tackle and picking up an injury that forced him off before the end at St James' Park.

At least United chief Michael Carrick has 11 days before his side face Aston Villa at Old Trafford to try and get some of his injured players fit.

But goalkeeper Senne Lammens summed it up when he spoke to host broadcaster TNT after the game.

"Nowhere near good enough," said the Belgium international.

"It was a collective off day."

We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Premier League game between Newcastle United and Manchester United.

Here are some of your comments:

Newcastle fans

Keith: This was the best performance by Newcastle for a long time and it should motivate the team to perform in this fashion for the rest of the season.

Phil: Only a few things more satisfying than beating Man United, but a last minute winner with 10 men vs 12. This can be the momentum builder for a big end of season finish.

David: Absolutely outstanding 10 men win. Bankes has got previous several times for us, no way was that a dive by Ramsey, poetic justice in the end.

Michael: Tremendous resilience to be even level on 90 minutes. Terrible red card decision and then the equaliser in "Fergie time". Despite being one man down and the top class Ramsdale saves we were the better team in the second half and then Osula scores a worldie!! Sweeter than Apple pie.

Robert: Newcastle looked like the were hungry for the win tonight. Trippier, Linton and big Dan burn looked possessed tonight. Sending off seemed to make us want the win more. Eddie Howe is a man who is calm in everything he does and says and that keep the team together. Howay the lads.

Man Utd fans

Graham: Defeat has been coming when you look at the previous games poor individual performances and woeful passing pressing and covering leaving huge gaps for the opposition let's see how Carrick responds.

Jonathan: This was always going to happen, so in that no need to panic. However, once again showed the bench to be nowhere near good enough. Malacia and Ugarte in particular were awful. Still 4-6 players away from really competing.

John: Too much 'booting' the ball around, not enough strategic passing. Goal keeper constantly putting the ball back in play directly to a Newcastle player.

Bernard: Lacking in energy. A common complaint. Far to slow in build up and coming out of defence. Not enough running off the ball. Sharp contrast in how Newcastle players received the ball in space whilst United received the ball in tight situations.

Steven: This has been coming the last three matches no energy can't pass to one another play so slow which surprises me because Carrick has been in utd team's that play with pace we use to get the ball out quickly now it's passing from side to side and backwards even when we are behind there is just no urgency what so ever anybody would have thought we was playing with 10 and been playing in the midweek from the start of the season for me Carrick should not be the new manager at all.

Image source, Getty Images

Most Manchester United fans would acknowledge last night's defeat had been coming.

The fluidity of the first few games under Michael Carrick was missing at West Ham, when they nearly lost, and didn't get picked up against Everton or Crystal Palace, despite the victories achieved in those matches.

There are a couple of basic realities around Manchester United that should not be forgotten.

Given the Premier League as a whole seems to be a bit of a grind, it is probably unrealistic to expect them to deliver free-flowing football.

There must also be an acceptance that Carrick's squad is not deep and given Matthijs de Ligt, Mason Mount, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu were all injured by the end of last night's game and Casemiro and Luke Shaw had been substituted as they played their second match in four days, there was not enough cover to cope.

However, after a defeat, more scrutiny will be placed on Carrick's in-game decisions; the timing of his changes, his tactical flexibility.

This is not a bad thing. He needs positive answers to show he can do the job on a full-time basis.

As Carrick said, a defeat, against 10 men, hurts. But it need not be any more than that. The meeting with Aston Villa on 15 March may offer a true picture of what kind of Manchester United Michael Carrick is capable of creating.

Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal are weighing up a move for 24-year-old Juventus and France midfielder Khephren Thuram. (CaughtOffside), external

German club RB Leipzig will want about 80m euros (£70m) if they are to sell 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, who has been linked with Liverpool and Manchester United among others. (Football Insider), external

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Pundits Micah Richards and Danny Murphy join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from the midweek Premier League fixtures.

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