Gossip: Man Utd prepare move for Forest's Andersonpublished at 07:48 BST 14 May
07:48 BST 14 May
Chelsea have Real Sociedad's 24-year-old Spain forward Ander Barrenetxea on their list of potential signings this summer. (Marca - in Spanish), external
Meanwhile, the Red Devils are looking for a permanent home for 30-year-old Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana, who has been on loan at Turkish side Trabzonspor. (ESPN), external
Manchester United are also ready to offer a new deal to 40-year-old third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton. (Caught Offside), external
Man Utd set to begin formal talks with Carrickpublished at 15:30 BST 13 May
15:30 BST 13 May
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Michael Carrick is expected to be recommended to Sir Jim Ratcliffe as the permanent boss of Manchester United by the club's senior executives.
The 44-year-old has been viewed as favourite for the job since securing qualification for next season's Champions League during a successful period as caretaker head coach.
The club intended to delay making a decision on appointing a successor to Ruben Amorim, who was sacked in January, until the end of the season.
However, as first reported by The Athletic, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are thought to have concluded Carrick is the right man for the job and will tell Ratcliffe of their choice this week.
Providing minority shareholder Ratcliffe agrees, United will begin formal talks with Carrick before his future is confirmed.
United have been assessing other options, but some, such as England boss Thomas Tuchel, have decided to stay where they are, while Luis Enrique remains committed to PSG.
No conclusive proof of Sesko handball v Liverpool - Webbpublished at 15:03 BST 13 May
15:03 BST 13 May
Dale Johnson Football issues correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Benjamin Sesko's goal for Manchester United against Liverpool was allowed to stand because there was no definitive proof of handball, according to referees' chief Howard Webb.
Sesko scored United's second goal in a 3-2 victory at Old Trafford on 3 May.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot voiced his frustration that the video assistant referee did not intervene to disallow the 14th minute goal.
The Slovenia international had bundled the ball home from close range, and it looked like his fingertips may have brushed it before it went in.
"I think it probably does hit the hand," Webb said on Match Officials Mic'd Up.
"But of course, the VARs need [to see] that conclusively. They need to be absolutely certain that it does.
"Clearly, Sesko doesn't deliberately handle this. He doesn't make himself bigger. It's all very natural.
"But, of course, the laws of the game require any goal that comes off the hand immediately to be disallowed.
"That means the VAR has no option but to start looking for that.
"Sometimes it looks like they're being a bit too forensic, and you hear, in this situation, the VAR looking from various angles.
"They want to get it right.
"They need to be absolutely categorical to get involved, and they weren't able to find [the evidence], and hence the reason that the on-field decision stood."
Does Rashford think he's 'proven too much' to not start for Man Utd?published at 11:22 BST 13 May
11:22 BST 13 May
Image source, Getty Images
Does Marcus Rashford lack the "graft" needed to return to Manchester United and feature prominently in the Premier League?
That is the question raised by BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater on the latest episode of The Devils' Advocate podcast.
Rashford scored a fine free-kick as Barcelona defeated rivals Real Madrid to secure the La Liga title on Sunday, taking his tally to eight goals and nine assists in the league and 14 in all competitions.
"Based on what I've heard, I don't think they want to keep him," said Drinkwater.
"I would welcome him back at United if he's going to come back and accept he's not going to be in the team week-in-week-out.
"He wasn't in week-in-week-out at Barcelona, he was helped by certain players being injured. That's what got him in the team. He's not the player who will win you a league and he didn't win them the league.
"I'm sure he'd be happy to play that role at Barcelona but I think maybe he, in his own head, thinks that he's proved too much at Man United to not be given the starting position.
"But, that is not necessarily going to be the case and you need more than just little moments in the Premier League, you need constant graft. It's different to La Liga.
"I don't think at times Rashford was showing that constant graft, and that's not me saying he doesn't care about Manchester United. That's not me insinuating he doesn't try enough, it's me insinuating he is not that kind of player.
"He's a moments player. He's not your player to get stuck in and track back and put those tackles in. He's not Wayne Rooney, which is fine - not every player can be like that.
"But I think, just at United right now we need more players who are willing to graft, graft and graft. We have that in [Matheus] Cunha, [Bryan] Mbeumo and [Patrick] Dorgu. They may not have the ceilings of Rashford but they have those other things."
Would a corner rule change work?published at 11:18 BST 13 May
11:18 BST 13 May
Media caption,
Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann has outlined his idea to improve how corners are officiated in future.
In the aftermath of weekend controversy over players grappling in the penalty area, he has told BBC Sport a rule whereby attacking players cannot enter the six-yard box until a corner has been taken would be his preference.
Ex-Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha backed the idea and thinks it will add "creativity" to corner kicks and the move would force "people to think in a different way".
You can watch a clip of the debate above, with Onuoha stating:"Twenty players standing in the six-yard box, you have to ask yourself, is that what you want to see? And is that the best version of the game?"
Man Utd offered to host Youth Cup clash - Fletcherpublished at 08:26 BST 13 May
08:26 BST 13 May
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Manchester City's Joie Stadium (near) will host the FA Youth Cup final against Manchester United
Manchester United's Under-18 coach Darren Fletcher has confirmed the club offered hold the FA Youth Cup final at Old Trafford.
Manchester City say they cannot host the game at the Etihad Stadium due to ongoing construction works. Instead, the match will be played at the Joie Stadium on their training complex, which holds around 7,000.
City are the only club since 2000 that has hosted finals away from the club's main stadium and this latest move has meant a scramble for tickets and limitations on the number of family members players can have at the game.
"We tried, because we really wanted a big stadium, and Old Trafford would have been an amazing occasion for the players, for everyone," said Fletcher.
"Obviously we're disappointed, because I think part of this competition is about playing in these big venues.
"This competition has a special history. Players who have gone on and won Premier Leagues still talk about how amazing it was to win with their youth team and their friends.
"We're disappointed for everyone, the Man City players, our players, coaches on both sides and the fans."
United played all their home games in the competition at Old Trafford.
Their one away game, at Oxford, was held at the Kassam Stadium.
"It is a learning for the players; how they feel it and how they find it difficult at times," Fletcher added.
"Everything in youth football is about developing them to be the best players they can be to go and have futures in the game. So, exposing them to that (stadiums) is a part of it.
"Usually, the Youth Cup is the first stage in that, and the one time you probably do expect it is in the final."
JJ Gabriel nets PL Under-18 best player awardpublished at 08:20 BST 13 May
08:20 BST 13 May
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United youngster JJ Gabriel has scooped the Premier League Under-18 player of the year award.
Gabriel, 15, has been honoured for his outstanding campaign, which saw him score 21 goals to finish second in the top scorer standings.
United, coached by former midfielder Darren Fletcher, finished second in the Premier League North table and will take on champions Manchester City in the Youth Cup Final at the Joie Stadium on Thursday.
"I'd say [the Academy] helped me mature a lot," Gabriel told MUTV in his first media interview. "They help me to be very humble and keep my feet on the ground.
"I'm delighted to be working with him [Fletcher], he's an amazing coach and has helped me so much this season to become a better player and the best version of myself.
"My family have helped me a lot, through tough times and good times. They come to all my matches, no matter how far or close, and I love them to bits."
Gossip: Carrick edges closer to permanent Man Utd jobpublished at 08:05 BST 13 May
08:05 BST 13 May
Manchester United are weighing up a shock move for Real Madrid's Uruguay midfielder Federico Valverde, 27. (Star), external
United have stepped up their interest in Atalanta's Brazil midfielder Ederson, 26, and West Ham's Portugal midfielder Mateus Fernandes, 21. (Sky Sports), external
Did some players enter the 'not good enough' category?published at 17:52 BST 12 May
17:52 BST 12 May
Image source, Getty Images
BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater says Saturday's goalless draw at Sunderland showed the hierarchy at Manchester United that some players "are not good enough".
Michael Carrick made five changes to the side that beat Liverpool the previous weekend and United were threatening not to have a shot on target in a Premier League game for the first time since January 2015 until Matheus Cunha's injury-time effort was saved by Robin Roefs.
"It's always a concern when a team wants it more than Manchester United, especially when this isn't a Sunderland team that is fighting for anything themselves," he told BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast.
"They looked liked a better team than us. We shifted things around in the pack and what it did prove was there were a few players out there who had question marks over their head as to whether they can be used at Manchester United as squad depth and those question marks are turning into big crosses against their names.
"One game isn't going to fully convince me of that but there are concerns around the likes of Joshua Zirkzee and there are now around the likes of Mason Mount who didn't cover himself in glory.
"Maybe this was done deliberately by Michael Carrick and he's looking to next season and thinking 'let's give these a chance to prove themselves' or show the hierarchy they are not good enough. Some of them fell into that second category."
'It's time to be ruthless' - fans on Man Utd transferspublished at 17:52 BST 12 May
17:52 BST 12 May
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on how you would revamp the Manchester United squad in the summer, after fan contributor Alex Turk urged the club to "get aggressive in the transfer market".
Here are some of your comments:
Graham: Totally agree - it's time to be ruthless. The Sunderland game and the first half against Leeds United shows how poor this side can be. Players like Amad Diallo, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee are just not good enough to play well on a regular basis and find the magic needed to win games.
Gordon: Totally agree with Alex Turk's comments regarding players surplus to requirements, and on signing sufficient new players for a rigorous campaign next season. I didn't agree with Michael Carrick's selections against Sunderland. Mount and Zirkzee are simply not good enough. Pick the best team available to keep momentum going until the season's end. And why not give some of the young lads like Shea Lacey a chance for half an hour?
Callum: I wouldn't say a radical overhaul of the squad needs to happen, rather than shrewd business that increases the quality and squad depth. Both Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo show that bringing in players who are adapted to the Premier League will provide a more lasting impact than making a number of high-profile signings from across the leagues that are not carefully considered. Players like Amad and Martinez will be able to play their part if outgoings are replaced with genuine quality. If we fail to do that, next season could see yet another regression - and that would be very much in keeping with our experience post-Ferguson!
Gerry: In midfield, I'd get Ederson and Joao Gomes. I'd look at bringing James Garner back, he's in his last year of contract at Everton. In defence, I'd sign Michael Keane on a free for a similar role to that played by Jonny Evans in case Matthijs de Ligt and Martinez continue to be injury prone. Axel Tuanzabe could also be considered for that role - he's free.
Mike: As good as a job Carrick has done, if we don't sign a minimum of five players in key roles we don't stand a chance of competing in Europe or the Premier League. If you look at the games we drew this season, at least half of them should have been wins. I believe that Carrick was also to blame for the team he picked for a few of them - the latest at Sunderland had me thinking why Mbeumo didn't start the game instead of Zirkzee.
Antony: They need to bring up the youth. The Class of '92 never would have been as successful had they not been given the chance. Get a central midfielder to support and a central defender, then bring some up from the youths.
Alan: Acquire a new, seasoned manager first, then a top-class central defender, holding midfielder, wide player and striker.
Richard: This all very well but United need to have a full-time manager first. Players need certainty and know they are wanted. Personally, I'm not sure how much more Carrick can do. Appoint him and get on with it.
Man Utd youngster Ibragimov gets Russia callpublished at 14:31 BST 12 May
14:31 BST 12 May
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United youngster Amir Ibragimov has been picked by Russia for their forthcoming matches against Egypt, Burkina Faso and Trinidad and Tobago.
The 18-year-old midfielder has just returned from five months out with a broken foot and is expected to be part of the United squad for their FA Youth Cup final against Manchester City.
Ibragimov is one of the most highly rated young players in United's academy.
His elder brother, Ibragim, is a professional mixed martial arts fighter and regarded as one of the top prospects in the Professional Fighters' League.
Ibragimov qualifies for England and his native Russia.
It is not known whether Ibragimov intends to accept the call-up and United sources say they are still to be informed by Russia of the squad selection, which has been confirmed on social media.
Rashford 'statistically the best British player' in debut La Liga seasonpublished at 13:45 BST 12 May
13:45 BST 12 May
Media caption,
Marcus Rashford is currently recording better average goal-contribution numbers than Barcelona team-mates Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, according to Spanish football expert and BBC Sport columnist Guillem Balague.
Rashford, who is on loan from Manchester United, scored a free-kick as Barcelona beat rivals Real Madrid to seal their 29th La Liga title at the weekend - however, his loan club are reportedly hesitant to splash £30m on a permanent deal.
"His average goal contribution, which include goals, assists and penalties, is every 86 minutes - compared to Lamine Yamal's 103 minutes and Raphinha's 96 minutes," Balague explained on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.
"When you're using that metric, he is actually statistically the best British player in their first season [in La Liga] - ahead of Gareth Bale and Jude Bellingham.
"Among foreign strikers that have played for Barcelona this century, only Luis Suarez did better in his first season there.
"When you put it like this, you would assume Barcelona want to keep him. But, even though their perception has changed a bit in the past two or three weeks, the ideas of paying £30m for him is a lot for Barcelona.
"It will cost £30m to keep him, plus £30m more for his package of wages and so on, so it will cost around £60m for a player who is 28 years old with no real return.
"This is what is installing the doubt really, but I don't think it should be a debate."
'The time to get aggressive in the transfer market is now'published at 08:11 BST 12 May
08:11 BST 12 May
Alex Turk Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Saturday's drab draw at Sunderland served as a timely reminder that Manchester United cannot solely target starters in the summer transfer window.
If United are to avoid another Champions League capitulation, they must vastly improve the squad as a whole.
All confidence of a result at the Stadium of Light vanished when Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko's absences emerged.
It is fair to say that if the 0-0 stalemate was an audition for a role next season, their replacements would not be receiving callbacks.
Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee join Altay Bayindir, Tyrell Malacia and Manuel Ugarte in being blatantly surplus to requirements.
Worryingly, several other players who are regulars in matchday squads and starting line-ups cannot be considered untouchable either.
Ruthlessly speaking, among those who featured at Sunderland, that includes Lisandro Martinez and Amad Diallo.
It is a time to be positive. And, realistically, United rotated in the North East because their job is all-but done. Champions League is sealed, soon third place will be too.
But we cannot pretend like seeing a startling drop-off when a few key players are missing is not something new. With one eye beyond the summer, that is a concern.
A busier schedule is on the agenda next season, thankfully. No-one is complaining about the Champions League anthem returning to Old Trafford.
Yet, can United expect the likes of Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and even Bryan Mbeumo, who has never played in European football, to start every match?
The answer is no. If United are actually internally aiming to challenge for the Premier League title by 2028, the time to get aggressive in the transfer market is now.
I understand that is made harder this summer by the World Cup, uncertainty over the head coach and many players who need replacing potentially being difficult to shift.
But if the Red Devils fail to prepare for the demands that come with their Champions League comeback, they risk crumbling back to square one.
So, over to you. How would you revamp the squad in the summer? Who has to stay, who goes and who do you bring in?
🎧One eye on next season?published at 07:18 BST 12 May
07:18 BST 12 May
The Devils' Advocate presenters Gaz Drinkwater and Joe McGrath are joined by Michael Clarke to discuss Manchester United's goalless draw at Sunderland, their squad depth and Marcus Rashford winning the La Liga title with Barcelona.
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
Gossip: Ederson move may form part of busy Man Utd summerpublished at 06:47 BST 12 May
06:47 BST 12 May
Manchester United are expected to be busy in the transfer window as they target at least five signings, including three central midfielders, a left-back and a striker. (Sun), external
United are considering a move for Atalanta and Brazil midfielder Ederson, 26, who could be available for around £40m. (Manchester Evening News), external
West Ham have put a price of £84m on 21-year-old Portugal midfielder Mateus Fernandes, who has attracted interest from Manchester United and Paris St-Germain. (Football Insider), external
Jacky: Good game. Sunderland by far the better team on the day. We were unlucky not to score, receive a pen and we hit the post. A point before the game would have been nice but disappointed not to win after such a good performance. No wonder their keeper got man of the match.
Peter: This game represented Sunderland's season. Solid in defence with some top-class interplay. But sadly clinical finishing has cost us a European spot. A great season that could have been fantastic.
Michael: Excellent all-round except the finishing. That is the last piece of the jigsaw for this team. Get that right and we will be a real force in the Premier League. Much better than United by far.
Jura: Another wasted opportunity to get maximum points because we struggle to score goals.
Man Utd fans
Andrew: Poor display by United, there was no urgency in trying to win the ball or win the game. United did not start to play until the last five minutes. I hope this effort was just a one-off or the Champions League is going to be short-lived.
Paul: Again a very under-par performance and couldn't have complained if the result had gone against them. Very poor forward play and midfield were always being pressured by a team who seemed more up for the challenge.
Mark: Sunderland certainly deserved a win. United were overrun by a team who fought better and had chances to win. United unfortunately were lethargic.
KB: United played like a team that had reached its objectives and it didn't really matter any more. Not a great watch.
Could players still 'let Carrick down'?published at 09:35 BST 11 May
09:35 BST 11 May
Image source, Getty Images
The Telegraph's Luke Edwards believes Manchester United's performance against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light was "a reminder of how bad and limp" the Red Devils can be at the moment.
Having already secured Champions League for next season, Michael Carrick's side failed to find a breakthrough away from home, with their only shot on target coming in second-half stoppage time.
"Michael Carrick said the suggestion that there is nothing to play for offended him in his post-match news conference," Edwards added on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily.
"The suggestion offended him because they are playing for a magnificent football club etc - but I do think they had switched off mentally.
"Sunderland should've won because they were the better team. They were sharper, hungrier and stronger. I do think Carrick might've just wanted to take a look at a few of his fringe players though.
"He had a little look at Mason Mount, who was neat and tidy with a few flashes but was outmuscled. He also got a look at Joshua Zirkzee up front, who has probably come to the end of being a viable option to lead the line for Manchester United.
"Their mentality is still worrying to me, if not only a slight worry because they have had a fantastic run and they are back in the Champions League.
"They just looked flaky against Sunderland and if there's still that mentality in the dressing room, it raises the question of whether they are going to let Carrick down as well.
"It showed me they are still capable of throwing up the performances they did earlier on in the season."
Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison said: "I would agree. When you are Manchester United boss, you cannot be saying a point at Sunderland is good. I still don't understand what they are waiting for to give him this job, though."
