🎧 'Man Utd need to act'published at 14:43 BST 10 August
14:43 BST 10 August
The Devils' Advocate has dropped a new episode with presenter Gaz joined by the Stretford Paddock's Jay Motty as they discuss the summer window, Jose Mourinho, and an outside shot at the title.
The pair think Manchester United "need to act" in the market swiftly though if the season is going to fulfil its potential.
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
He is undoubtedly one of the most talented players to emerge from the Leicester City academy in recent years.
In his very first appearance, a pre-season friendly win over Peterborough last year, he scored twice and set the tone for what went on to be his breakthrough season into the first team.
He is an elegant footballer, a modern-day number eight and a player that is powerful on the ball.
He features a brilliant trait that many managers look for now; the ability to travel through the lines with the ball at his feet and the vision to also find a killer pass.
Not to mention his mindset. He is driven, he has an older head sat on his young shoulders, and he no doubt knows what he needs to do to make it to the very top.
He almost certainly has the ceiling to go on and become a top quality, Premier League level, midfielder.
'A decision I made with my heart' - Mourinho on Man Utd U-turnpublished at 12:01 BST 10 August
12:01 BST 10 August
Ciaran Varley BBC Sport Journalist
Image source, Getty Images
After years of speculation, Jose Mourinho has confirmed he agreed to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, before changing his mind and rejoining Chelsea instead.
When Ferguson retired in 2013, after 26 years at Old Trafford, he recommended then Everton manager David Moyes be appointed as his successor.
That led to Moyes being labelled 'The Chosen One' - including on a banner that hung at the Stretford End of Old Trafford.
Speaking in a new Netflix documentary series about his career, Mourinho said: "When I left Real Madrid, I signed to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex."
Ferguson, who won 13 Premier League titles as United manager, confirmed Mourinho was "offered the job".
"I sat him down and explained the situation," Ferguson added. "As far as I was concerned, he was accepting. And then, within hours, it changed."
What changed was that Mourinho felt he could not turn down a return to Chelsea, where he had won consecutive Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006.
Ferguson said: "One night, he phoned me and he was crying. He said: 'Alex, I can't take it. I've given my word to Chelsea and I'm not going to break my word.'
"The reason he gave to me I could understand, but I was disappointed."
Mourinho said he was "very flattered" to be offered the job of replacing Ferguson "because Manchester United has an incredible appeal".
"But one thing is love for football, another thing is love for a certain club," he explained. "I think this is more powerful than love for football and, fundamentally, after Real Madrid I needed to feel that I'm loved.
"For me to lose the chance to be the coach to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson was dramatic, but I don't regret it because it was a decision that I made with my heart."
After returning to Stamford Bridge in 2013, Mourinho went on to win his third Premier League title as well as the League Cup. Moyes, meanwhile, was sacked after just 10 months as Manchester United manager.
Over a two-and-a-half-year spell at Old Trafford, Mourinho won League Cup and Europa League titles before being sacked in December 2018 following a slump in results.
Gossip: Man Utd chase left-back Seyspublished at 08:15 BST 10 August
08:15 BST 10 August
England forward Marcus Rashford, 28, is committed to reviving his Manchester United career after returning to the club following his loan spell with Barcelona. (Sun), external
Meanwhile, United and Arsenal are among the clubs chasing Club Brugge's Belgium left-back Joaquin Seys, 21. (Sun), external
Santos ready to replace 'legend' Casemiropublished at 12:05 BST 9 August
12:05 BST 9 August
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter in Gothenburg
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United new-boy Andrey Santos feels he is ready to step into Casemiro's shoes and be the club's new number six.
Santos completed a £48m move from Chelsea in the middle of last month.
At the time, it was anticipated he would be one of three new arrivals in midfield.
So far, he has only been joined by Youri Tielemans, but one of the reasons for the inaction has been the smooth transition Santos has made and the ease with which he has settled into life at United after leaving Chelsea.
The Brazil international is a confident presence and doesn't find it daunting replacing a legendary figure like Casemiro.
"I prefer playing deep like a number six," he said after the 1-1 pre-season draw with Paris St-Germain in Gothenburg.
"I try help my teammates without the ball and with the ball I love breaking the lines.
"For me Casemiro is a legend. Now he's gone and I'm here. I feel that I can do like Casemiro did last season."
Santos struck up a fluid partnership with Mason Mount in the first three pre-season games, then shepherded Tyler Fletcher against PSG in Gothenburg after Mount had been replaced.
It is expected the 22-year-old will partner Mount or Youri Tielemans if United don't sign an additional midfielder, although Kobbie Mainoo is due to return from his frustrating World Cup experience in the forthcoming week-long training camp just outside Dublin.
"I feel so comfortable here," said Santos.
"I was so happy when my agent called me. I told my wife and she said 'we have to go'.
"I know Chelsea is a big club as well, and I thank them for everything they did for me. But this is my home now.
"I'm so happy to be here. I want to be here for a long time and win so many trophies."
Mbeumo scores as United draw with PSG in Gothenburgpublished at 19:20 BST 8 August
19:20 BST 8 August
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United came from behind to draw their pre-season encounter with Paris St-Germain in Gothenburg.
Ibrahim Mbaye opened the scoring for the European Champions after just two minutes.
Following his brace in Stockholm last week in the victory against Atletico Madrid, Bryan Mbeumo added another to equalise after good work from Amad Diallo.
New signing Youri Tielemans impressed on his first outing since his summer move from Aston Villa, while there will be worries over the injury sustained by Mason Mount which forced him off early on.
Armer keeps making his casepublished at 16:04 BST 7 August
16:04 BST 7 August
While Youri Tielemans' likely debut for Manchester United is the big news from a travelling squad to face Paris St-Germain in Gothenburg, in Michael Carrick's 22-man travelling squad, there is another less well-known name that sticks out.
We are down to five academy players now; with JJ Gabriel and Jim Thwaites among those to drop out.
As expected, Shea Lacey and the Fletcher twins Jack and Tyler are included, as is Harry Amass, who continues as back-up left back to Luke Shaw.
But last season's Under-18 skipper Dan Armer also keeps his place.
The Scottish youth international was the one player United's academy coaches felt enhanced their reputation in a disappointing FA Youth Cup final defeat by Manchester City in May.
Very much like Harry Maguire in the way he carries the ball, there is a maturity about Armer on and off the field.
We are approaching the point where Carrick will have all his players back and his squad will be more settled.
Where that will leave Armer is unclear but he has done himself a lot of good over the past few weeks.
Bayindir has struggled for first-team minutes since making his debut in Manchester United's FA Cup win over Newport County in January 2024, but he will now gain valuable La Liga and Europa League experience with Celta Vigo.
"Thank you for every chant, every message and every moment we have shared," Bayindir wrote on X, external. "Your support means a lot to me and I'll carry it with me throughout this next chapter of my life.
"I will miss Old Trafford, but this is not a goodbye.
"Wishing a successful season to everyone at the club, my heart and support will always be with you. See you soon, Reds!"
The Red Devils and Arsenal sent scouts to watch 20-year-old striker Kaua Elias score a hat-trick in a pre-season friendly for Shakhtar Donetsk, while AC Milan and Porto are also interested in the Brazilian. (Sun), external
Vitek and Bayindir exit deals closepublished at 16:38 BST 6 August
16:38 BST 6 August
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
It's all change on the goalkeeping front at Manchester United.
With Senne Lammens back at pre-season training and expected to be involved in Saturday's encounter with Paris St-Germain, United have sanctioned the exit of Radek Vitek and Altay Bayindir.
Vitek made it perfectly clear when he spoke to the media after the first pre-season game against Wrexham in Helsinki nearly three weeks ago that he expected to leave, and wasn't bothered whether it was a permanent deal or a loan.
Well, it is permanent, to Championship side Middlesbrough, for a fee that could reach £14m.
United have also included a buy-back clause and also a sell-on if, as they expect, Vitek continues to impress. The 22-year-old scooped all the Bristol City player of the year awards last term, after previously impressing during loan stints in Austria and with Accrington Stanley.
He featured for half a game for United against Wrexham and started in Norway against Trondheim last month and didn't concede a goal.
Meanwhile, Bayindir is going to La Liga outfit Celta Vigo.
His replacement has already been brought in, although Karl Darlow is yet to play after having what club sources describe as a small procedure.
Bayindir had hoped to join Besiktas in January but United blocked that move.
It was inevitable the Turkey international would leave this summer.
A midfield conundrum and left-back shortfallpublished at 13:16 BST 6 August
13:16 BST 6 August
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
There has been an air of mystery over Manchester United's transfer dealings this summer.
The will they-won't they go for a third midfielder is complicated by Mason Mount's outstanding form in pre-season, which is tempered by his poor injury record.
If United went with Mount and he stays fit, it could work quite well. If he doesn't, they have a problem.
If they bring in a third midfielder, when does Mount play?
A similar debate could be had around 19-year-old Shea Lacey, although the futures of Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee might shape discussion around reinforcing the forward positions.
The clear area that needs solidifying is left-back.
Partick Dorgu's pre-season appearances have been exclusively further forward, suggesting Michael Carrick doesn't view him as back-up to Luke Shaw.
Diogo Dalot has switched sides and Noussair Mazraoui has played there as well, so there are options.
But the number of games United have to play and, until last season, Shaw's patchy injury record – and the knowledge he is entering the final year of his contract – suggests someone else needs to come in.
United do like Newcastle's Lewis Hall, but the likely fee may well put them off.
Left backs and midfielders needed - your views on squad improvementspublished at 13:15 BST 6 August
13:15 BST 6 August
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on the areas of Manchester United's squad that you feel can improve the final month of the transfer window. You can see United's options and BBC Sport's Simon Stone's take on things on the post above.
Here are some of your comments:
Robert: Joshua Zirkzee and Manuel Ugarte have had their chances but failed to deliver. They must move on to free up space for youngsters to have a go at it this season. Benjamin Sesko is still a question mark for me, and although he looks like he has potential he must make the most of this new season if he is to wear the shirt for more seasons after that.
Chris: We can't count on Matthijs De Ligt or Lisandro Martinez to be fit enough to play a full season and Luke Shaw has also had his issues so another centre back and left back should be prioritised. Mason Mount always impresses in pre-season but then unfortunately suffers an injury that keeps him out so another centre midfielder is needed too. If I'm getting greedy, an experienced striker to help Sesko too!
Paolo: United desperately need another high-quality midfielder. Although we've already signed Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, those two players technically only replace a leaving Casemiro and an injured Ugarte. United need squad depth this season to compete in all four competitions, and we need a proper number six. I also think another left back is due because Shaw is injury prone and Patrick Dorgu is shaky defensively, and maybe a backup striker if Zirkzee goes.
Christine: Sell or loan out Marcus Rashford and buy a new left winger and a new left back. Spend the money on Lewis Hall who will be the best left back for the next 10 years. Don't be deluded by Mount playing well in pre-season games in midfield, as soon as he sees a green blade of grass when the season starts he will be injured. United need to sign a top-quality midfielder and go for Eduardo Camavinga or Aurelien Tchouameni from Real Madrid. If there is any funds left a striker would be a positive to support Sesko. Ollie Watkins or Ivan Toney would be good options, giving a lot of experience to the squad.
Gossip: Rodri move could bring Man Utd transfer boostpublished at 08:31 BST 6 August
08:31 BST 6 August
Real Madrid could make two Manchester United targets available - French midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni, 26, and Eduardo Camavinga, 23 - in order to free up funds so they can sign 30-year-old Spain midfielder Rodri from Manchester City. (El Nacional - in Spanish), external
What are the new financial rules Premier League clubs must stick to?published at 06:46 BST 6 August
06:46 BST 6 August
Katharine Sharpe and Simon Casson BBC Sport senior journalists
The 2025-26 Premier League and Championship seasons included the introduction of squad-cost ratio rules on a shadow basis, testing to see how a spending cap for squad costs set at a percentage of a club's total revenues might work.
These SCR regulations have now been permanently implemented for the 2026-27 season, replacing previous profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
Uefa has a 70% SCR cap for European competitions, so Premier League clubs who qualified for Europe fall in line with this limit.
Clubs who did not qualify for Europe, and so are only taking part in domestic competitions, are capped at 85% of their total revenue.
However, clubs can spend above the 85% limit by using a multi-year rolling allowance of 30%. This allows them to invest ahead of revenue and variance or sporting underperformance.
Every club will start this coming season on 85% + 30% allowance, so effectively 115%.
If a club spends 105% on their squad in 2026-27, it means they have used 20% of their allowance, and for 2027-28 their maximum spend before potential sporting sanction is 95%.
If a club spend less than 85%, they can increase the allowance again to the maximum of 30%.
Spending above 85% but under the allowance results in a financial penalty, whereas going over both the 85% and the allowance will land the club a fixed six-point deduction which increases by one point for every £6.5m spent over the 115%.
'Anchoring' was also trialled in 2025-26, which meant any club's spending could not exceed a multiple of income earned by the bottom-placed club - however this was rejected at a vote of Premier League clubs.
SCR was approved by a vote of 14 clubs to six, and was introduced alongside sustainability and systemic resilience (SSR) regulations.
SSR involves three tests that are applied throughout the season:
Working capital test - assesses short-term cash resources
Liquidity test - assesses medium-term liquidity and resilience
Positive equity test -assesses long-term financial health
The aim of the SCR and SSR regulations is to stop the richest owners providing endless funds to their clubs to sign new players, as any money injected this way does not count as seasonal revenue.
They will also aim to prevent clubs from overspending and accruing unmanageable losses.
