Manchester United

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The grand masterplan for the Trafford Wharfside area was unveiled at Old Trafford yesterday.

At its heart is a new stadium for Manchester United, with the project itself predicated to create 15,000 new homes and 48,000 new jobs.

Afterwards I asked Trafford Council leader Tom Ross, of the Labour Party, if there was any danger to the entire project due to Andy Burnham – who was a vocal supporter – stepping down as Greater Manchester Mayor, triggering an election on 30 July.

• Listen to Simon discuss the stadium plans

He said: "If there were a different mayor, we would be fine here because the mayoral development corporation is something that Trafford Council oversees and are very much the driving force of. The new mayor will be able to sit in the meetings but not be part of the development corporation itself."

I messaged all the Mayoral candidates to gauge their thoughts.

Phil Eckersley (Conservative): "In principle, I am supportive of regeneration around Old Trafford. If handled properly the wider project could bring real benefits in terms of jobs, investment, transport improvements, public realm and local economic growth. However, I would be very clear that Greater Manchester taxpayers should not be overburdened by this project. My approach would always be to look carefully at cost vs value. I would also want affordable housing to be a serious consideration as part of the wider regeneration. Major schemes of this scale must deliver for local people, not simply create a bigger stadium or a more attractive visitor destination."

Marcus Farmer (Independent): "Like all these things in 20 years it will have created thousands of jobs and brought much needed revenue into the city. An extra 30,000 people in Manchester every match day not to mention all the spin offs such as concerts brings people into the city spending. Small businesses are knackered at the moment so the more support they get from a project like this the better. World class facilities show aspiration and put Manchester on the world map. Currently The Man Utd ground is an embarrassment to the Premier League and the city."

Richard Kilpatrick (Liberal Democrats): "The Old Trafford redevelopment is a significant investment, and it is only right that the decision is scrutinised closely. All football fans can agree that Old Trafford has suffered from under investment for decades and Manchester United needs a home worthy of its stature in English and world football. But if we are to accept large public sector investment in projects like this, it is only right that it also provides much needed infrastructure that local residents need like a GP surgery, highway improvements, public transport improvements and more."

Reform UK, The Green Party and Restore Britain did not reply.

The full list of candidates for the election is:

- Sian Astley, Reform UK

- Geraldine Coggins, Green Party

- Bev Craig, Labour

- Phil Eckersley, Conservative

- Marcus Farmer, Independent

- Richard Kilpatrick, Liberal Democrats

- Marlon West, Restore Britain

Image source, Getty Images

"An incredible period in my life to play for a club like that."

That is how Edwin van der Sar describes the six years he spent at Manchester United between 2005 and 2011.

He may have only arrived aged 34, but the legendary former Netherlands goalkeeper won four Premier League titles, the Champions League, and two League Cups during his time in England to add an incredible array of silverware in the twilight of his stellar career

Speaking on the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sounds, Van der Sar reminisced on the time they spent together at Old Trafford.

"I came at the later stage of my career," he said.

"I was 34 and I was able to play there for six years.

"When I came in, what the manager asked you to have is authority. When building up from behind, making sure that there's authority in the back four.

"I think Rio [Ferdinand] was still developing towards a world class defender. We had still some other players before. [Nemanja] Vitis came in, Patrice [Evra] came a little bit later.

"I think the way Ferguson built up the puzzle towards a Champions League winning team, a Premier League winning team again - they added three or four pieces and that's gelled together.

"I think the quality combined with the youth and the energy that the younger players gave, looking at Wayne and [Cristiano] Ronaldo, made it an incredible period in my life to play for a club like that."

• Listen to the Wayne Rooney Show in full on BBC iPlayer and on BBC Sounds

United fans, we want to hear from you on a club legend.

What are your best memories of Van der Sar? And where does he rank among the great United goalkeepers?

Let us know here

Nottingham Forest defender Neco Williams is attracting interest from several Premier League clubs, with Newcastle among the teams interested in the Wales international.

Williams is currently in talks over a new deal with Forest - but a number of top-flight rivals are keen on the 25-year-old.

It is understood Newcastle and Manchester United are among the clubs to have registered an interest in Williams while talks over a new contract continue.

Forest remain confident of securing a new deal but the interest in the full-back does create a potential obstacle to a successful conclusion of talks.

Williams still has three years to run on his current deal but Forest want to reward him for his impressive displays last season with an improved contract.

Williams joined Forest in July 2022 for a fee of £12m and has since gone on to make over 150 appearances for the club.

Manchester United are preparing to make a move for France midfielder Manu Kone, who is keen to test himself in the Premier League, plus Juventus would be willing to sell the 25-year-old for the right price. (Teamtalk, external)

Barcelona have opened talks with Borussia Dortmund over the signing of Germany winger Karim Adeyemi, 24, raising further questions about Marcus Rashford's chances of returning to the Nou Camp following his loan. (Sky Germany, external)

Meanwhile United target Aurelien Tchouameni has committed his future to Real Madrid, with the 26-year-old France midfielder set to extend his contract for five years. Madrid refused to entertain United's approaches. (AS - in Spanish, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Scorching temperatures and bright sunshine were the order of the day as Manchester United's senior players returned for the start of pre-season training.

None of United's World Cup contingent were involved, including Tyler Fletcher, who earned a surprise call-up to the Scotland squad after making his international debut against Bolivia in a pre-tournament friendly but didn't play a minute in the tournament itself.

However, nine experienced players were pictured at Carrington, including forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, plus Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount, who all missed out on England selection.

Midfielder Toby Collyer and full-back Harry Amass, who both spent last season out on loan, were pictured, plus 19-year-old Shea Lacey, who is set to be part of Michael Carrick's first-team squad this season.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on whether expected Manchester United arrival Andrey Santos is a good signing who will improve Michael Carrick's midfield.

Here are some of your comments:

Dale: My concern is that if he is any good, why would Chelsea sell him - and, secondly, sell him to a rival?

Fred: Not what anyone was calling for. He is a player supposedly with Premier League experience, but he has clearly had very little of it. I hope we don't leave our midfield overhaul at this and sign a world-class one to bolster the starting XI.

Mark: It could be the unexpected signing that works. Not the sexy name or player who yourselves and other media outlets had been briefed on, and Chelsea have made a profit. Not seen much of him as I rarely watch other Premier League teams unless they play United. Unfortunately, he was sacrificed at Old Trafford last season after the Roberto Sanchez sending-off and got injured in first 20 minutes at Stamford Bridge. Therefore, I can't judge him till he has played several games in a United shirt.

Mike: Santos is a sensible move for the longer term and financially. He is still young enough to show a lot of development potential, which will add financial value to a future sale. I know a lot of fans are wanting a proven big name, which comes at a higher price and higher wages... I feel this move makes more sense.

Matt: Two very underwhelming signings to replace Casemiro so far. We need a midfielder with more experience and know-how rather than unproven players with 'potential'.

Arif: I am cautiously optimistic. He is a player with bags of potential, but will probably need someone more established to dampen the expectation on him that might ruin his fledgling career. I would still like us to sign a more established one, with preferably huge Premier League experience. Could be Tomas Soucek.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United officials reacted to missing out on Mateus Fernandes last week with a sense of calm, insisting players would be bought and expressing their faith in a recruitment team that delivered for them last summer.

Fans have been getting more edgy, though.

Andrey Santos wasn't a name many were talking about as they focused on Aurelien Tchouameni, currently part of France's World Cup squad, and others.

However, he ticks a lot of boxes that are important to United.

Twenty-eight Premier League appearances - including one during a loan spell at Nottingham Forest - means he knows the league. At 22, there is clear room for development and Santos should bring the energy United's midfield lacked during Casemiro's final few seasons.

Had he gone elsewhere in the summer and done well, his transfer value would have shot up.

The concern for some supporters will be that Chelsea were happy to sell before a campaign when they have no Europe and new boss Xabi Alonso is shaping a new midfield around Moises Caicedo - and possibly Enzo Fernandez.

The big question is: what happens now? With Ederson and Santos deals agreed, United have gone some way to addressing their midfield issues.

But is there one more new face to come? And if so, who will it be?

Barcelona are competing with a host of Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City for Colorado Rapids and Australia defender Lucas Herrington, 18. (Teamtalk), external

United will aim to arrange a transfer for forward Marcus Rashford before their pre-season training camp in Dublin in August. (Sun), external

However, plans are also in place to reintegrate Rashford into the squad under Michael Carrick. (Guardian), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Manchester United are closing in on a deal for 22-year-old Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos. Is this wise move and will the Brazilian improve Michael Carrick's midfield?

Get in touch with your views here

Manchester United have agreed a £50m deal with Chelsea for their Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos.

The deal has progressed quickly in the past few hours after United made their initial interest known over the weekend.

United will pay an initial £48m for Santos, with an additional £2m in what are described as 'achievable' add-ons. Chelsea have also negotiated a 10% sell-on clause.

• Read more

Santos has been cleared for a medical, with fellow countryman Ederson also scheduled to have one before completing his £35m move from Italian side Atalanta following Brazil's elimination from the World Cup.

The news comes as United's senior players prepare to return for pre-season training on Thursday and goes part way to addressing what was becoming a major issue.

United prioritised central midfield this summer following the exit of Casemiro when the veteran former Real Madrid man's contract came to an end. Manuel Ugarte was set to be sold but the Uruguay international has been ruled out for an extended period with cruciate knee ligament damage.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Adam Lawrence is expected to continue as Manchester United's Under-21 boss this season.

Lawrence quit as United's Under-18 boss at the end of the 2024-25 campaign and eventually took up a role at Newcastle in charge of their Under-21 side.

However, he lasted just three months before he quit, returning to United a matter of weeks later when Under-21 coach Travis Binnion was called up to the first-team coaching team in the wake of Ruben Amorim's dismissal.

After initially assisting interim boss Darren Fletcher, Binnion remained in place when Michael Carrick got the job and will stay as part of his coaching team for the forthcoming Premier League campaign.

Talks have been continuing with Lawrence, who is well regarded at United, and while there has been no official announcement on his future yet, he returned to Carrington this week and has been planning for the new PL2 season.

Last term he led under-21 side to the PL2 play-off final where they were beaten by Brighton.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Manchester United have confirmed Jacey Carrick and Kai Rooney are among 15 youngsters who have signed first-year scholarship contracts with the club.

The duo posted pictures on social media over the weekend of them together as young boys when their dads were United players.

Rooney was pictured with father Wayne, United's record goalscorer, at a ceremony at Old Trafford to mark the occasion. Newly installed United head coach Michael Carrick was also present.

Carrick was pictured with another of the new intake, Gazik Ibragimov, brother of Amir, who started last season's FA Youth Cup final defeat by Manchester City and then went on to make his senior debut for Russia at the end of last season.

In addition, Edson deJonge-Seiros extends a proud tradition of the Fletcher Moss club in Didsbury getting players with a connection to them into United's academy, following the likes of Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford.

Former United and England defender Wes Brown spoke at the event, which is the first since Stephen Torpey became academy director.

"I feel privileged to carry the baton forward as the next custodian of this football club's great academy," said Torpey.

All 15 are part of a Professional Development Phase squad trip to Germany.

United's academy is a source of huge pride for the club. A 'homegrown' player has been in every matchday squad since October 1937.

Twelve former United academy players were picked for a total of eight countries at this summer's World Cup.

Full list: Jaume Camacho Sidos (midfielder), Jacey Carrick (midfielder), Edson de Jonge-Seiros (forward), Harley Emsden-James (defender), Idris Fabiyi (defender), Jake Ford (goalkeeper), Gazimagamed Ibragimov (defender), Connor Laurie (defender), Harlem McLaughlin (midfielder), Camron Mpofu (forward), Jodie Nganga (midfielder), Samuel O'Brien (defender), Kai Rooney (forward), Pharell Silvester (midfielder), Emmanuel Ziro (midfielder).

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Carrick's message to Manchester United's fans in the club's Yearbook was written well in advance of a first phase of his squad's return to training on Thursday.

It means the comments are general, not specific and do not reference the ongoing search for midfielders that has vexed many fans after United missed out on England's Elliot Anderson, who joined Manchester City for £116m and Mateus Fernandes, who opted to leave West Ham for Tottenham in an £85m deal.

Carrick is certainly talking a good game.

After steering United to third in the Premier League and a return to the Champions League after replacing Ruben Amorim, who was sacked in January, Carrick is demanding further improvement.

"I know it can't always be plain sailing, because the standards are so high," he explains. "(But) we know we need to keep improving.

"We have a huge responsibility here to win and play exciting football. That never changes, and we should always be striving to compete for the biggest trophies.

"There are steps to take but we are in a good place to take them.

"We've got a fantastic group of players, and we believe they have the required standards of talent, commitment and determination to be successful here. They love being at the club and we can see how badly they want it; that gives us the confidence to know we're really building something and moving in the right direction."

Some would argue United need more of those players given the increased demands of Europe and the domestic cups, where they failed badly last season.

Bournemouth's Alex Scott remains a prime target, while United have most recently been linked with Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni, another Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams and Felix Nmecha of Borussia Dortmund. Last summer they were keen on Brighton's Carlos Baleba.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United Women's Under-21 side will train at Carrington this season in what club officials believe is a landmark move that shows the commitment of the club to youth development.

While United's senior squad moved back into their bespoke £7m facility at Carrington following the completion of a wider £50m upgrade in August 2025 that temporarily saw them moved into portable buildings, the Under-21 group have trained at Leigh Sports Village, 15 miles away.

United finished last season in fourth place behind Arsenal in the Under-21 table but won the Professional Game Academy Plate by beating Durham in the final.

The club's commitment to the women's side has been questioned, particularly over a perceived lack of investment into Marc Skinner's senior squad.

However, they feel this move, which they say will allow for closer integration with the first-team and mean the players can use state of the art equipment, will have huge benefits.

"Embedding our Under21s squad at Carrington Training Complex is another significant milestone in the evolution of Manchester United Women," said director of women's football, Matt Johnson.

"Providing our players with an elite environment, surrounded by the highest standard of facilities and expertise, reflects our ambition and vision for the Academy and is a further sign of the importance that we are placing on our commitment to developing outstanding homegrown talent.

"The increased alignment with our first-team operations will optimise performance and serve as a significant source of motivation for our young players."

New episodes of Women's Football Weekly podcast drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed

Image source, Getty Images

On the latest episode of The Devils' Advocate, Joe McGrath and Gaz Drinkwater discuss Kobbie Mainoo's lack of minutes for England at the 2026 World Cup.

The 21-year-old is yet to feature for the Three Lions. He has not won a competitive cap since September 2024 but played in each of England's last four friendlies.

Gaz said: "It's a joke but we can't really complain when England are getting into the situation they are in.

"I thought there were times in the group stage when I much would have preferred Kobbie Mainoo to play.

"I think it's a joke that he's not been included at all in any minutes and at the minute I'm thinking the only way he's going to play a game of World Cup football is if England lose the semi-final and play in that stupid third place game, which is sad."

Listen to the full episode of the Devils' Advocate on BBC Sounds

Liverpool have joined Chelsea and Manchester United in the race for West Ham's Dutch attacker Crysencio Summerville, 24. (Caught Offside, external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Gaz Drinkwater and Joe McGrath hear from Amber Haque in Mexico City after England's epic win in the Azteca - is this the year a Manchester United player wins the World Cup?

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Manchester United content on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on which free agents Man Utd could target this summer and whether there is one player the Red Devils are linked with but you hope they never sign.

Here are some of your comments:

Michael: Idrissa Gueye from Everton would be a perfect fit. Free agent, central defensive midfielder that is very good defensively and can control play. He would be the perfect Casemiro replacement! I pray we don't sign Baleba who hasn't done much to impress me and costs £100m.

Tim: Given Ugarte's injury, surely Goretzka for free with a couple of other central midfield signings brings a bit of experience and squad depth.

Milton: United fans do not want Carlos Baleba.

Richard: We could do with a backup striker - I assume Vlahovic still thinks highly of himself so would ask for an outrageous salary but if not would he a good option. Other than that, no one really fits the bill. Nmecha seems like an obvious failed transfer for us. Over priced hyped player from Dortmund? When will we learn?

Adam: I don't think we need to sign Tchouameni, because I don't think he is that good, and there are also way more players in the world that can play a six. I would want Bouaddi though, a clever young midfielder.

Oliver: We could take Solly March if we need another more experienced midfielder in the team. Fabinho might not want to leave the Saudi league but if he does want to, it would be a good signing as he can also drop into a CB position, possibly towards the end of games.

Ste: There's no freebies that I would be looking at, we had the brains to go for quality Premier League players last year and the word quality is what needs to be involved with any incomings this year. Any two or three of the following would be nice - Tchouameni, Rodgers, Scott, Sarr, Summerville, Hall or Kounde.

Eric: In reality, we shouldn't be going anywhere near the free agent market. I'd take Stones but his injury record is woeful, as is Bissouma's, so in reality we should be prioritising a young central defensive midfielder in the mould of Casemiro as we now currently have only three fit midfielders in the squad. Tchouameni signing is what it would take to bring us back to title contention.