Manchester United

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has won the Football Writers' Association's men's Footballer of the Year award.

Midfielder Fernandes has scored eight goals and provided 20 assists in 34 games across all competitions for the Red Devils this season.

There is no doubt United have given Bruno Fernandes a push to get this award.

They have been talking up Fernandes' claims and also ensured the Portugal playmaker was promoted through some recent media engagements.

However, this would have been pointless had Fernandes not delivered at a time in the season when United needed him to deliver.

In October, when Fernandes spoke about qualification for the Champions League, few thought it was likely.

In January, when technical director Jason Wilcox told the United squad that was the aim despite Ruben Amorim's dismissal, it seemed a tall order.

That they have achieved it with three matches to spare and could yet end the campaign nearer in points terms to the eventual champions than in any other season since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement 13 years ago, owes a huge amount to Fernandes.

Since returning from a rare injury against Burnley, Sunday's victory over Liverpool was only the third match out of 16 in all competitions when Fernandes has not either scored a goal or created one.

His performances across the season have been consistently high and worthy of wider recognition.

Twelve months ago, when the debate over Fernandes' United future raged, the question being asked was simply this: where would they be without him? The suspicion was they would have been much closer to relegation than they actually were.

The same could be asked now. The answer? They surely would not be looking forward to a Champions League return.

Read more on Fernandes' fine form

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Manchester United's attack has been running blisteringly hot under Michael Carrick, which is obviously fantastic in the short term, but slightly worrying for the future when it inevitably cools down.

Eight teams have been better at creating chances based on expected goals since Carrick took charge at Old Trafford, but having the best shot conversion rate in the league means United have scored seven more goals than a team historically would from the chances they've had - more than any other side.

Looking at attack and defence overall, the only side to have overperformed their xG numbers by more than United in this time are Nottingham Forest, who are enjoying their own "new manager bounce" under Vitor Pereira.

Of the six players who've been the most clinical in the Premier League since Carrick took over in mid-January, three of them play for his team.

Only Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White has been more ruthless with his finishing than Matheus Cunha, while Benjamin Sesko and Casemiro have also been enjoying a hot spell in front of goal recently.

While Carrick deserves credit for getting his players firing, will the six players below remain the best finishers in the Premier League for ever? It's unlikely.

Read more on Carrick's time in charge at Old Trafford here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Sunderland after they celebrated on that day in May 2012 when Manchester United found out Manchester City had won the league with a last-gasp Sergio Aguero winner as Sir Alex Ferguson and his team waited to celebrate at the Stadium of Light.

Read Simon Stone's recollection of the day here but for now, here are some of your comments:

Christine: It could have been any club, not just Sunderland, they had an opportunity to mock Man Utd as they had just lost the league to City. Manchester United are a club that everyone wants to beat, and that's as it should be - as United are the biggest club in the world.

Brian: It goes back further than that, Sunderland beat us at Old Trafford in the 60s, on the last day to hand City the title. Len Ashurst was brilliant that day!

Keith: Never given Sunderland any thought before then or since. I am unable to understand how they played any part in the outcome. Mere bystanders. Still, if it gives them joy, then so be it.

Lynda: The match was screened at Old Trafford. We were celebrating winning when the news came through that City had snatched it. It was so painful, probably the worst day in our history since Denis Law's back heel.

James: Shock horror, opposition fans cheering United's misfortune, that's never happened before.

Shaun: One minute we were ready to celebrate, the next, we were slumped back in our seats. It was a sickener. I drove back to Manchester, and when I got near my house, City fans were doing the conga up the main road in Didsbury. Our worst nightmare had come true - City were champions, I never thought I would see the day.

Joe: When it comes to United and Sunderland, I only have two strong memories. An away defeat in the League Cup in 2000, getting home exceptionally late after extra time, and Eric's exquisite chip at Old Trafford in 1996! Serious rivals of ours? Nah.

Mark: I'm a United fan and don't care about Sunderland at all. Their fans only reacted as any other small club's fans would have done.

Image source, Getty Images

The Sunderland fans remember 13 May 2012, judging by the song they sang at Old Trafford during their 2-0 defeat by United in October.

"You thought it was yours, you thought it was yours, we heard you singing, then Sergio scored."

It is the kind of harmless banter commonplace at football grounds across the country and is bound to be given a few renditions on Saturday, for what is only United's sixth Premier League visit since that famous day.

What makes this trip stand out is that Michael Carrick was one of those to suffer, along with Jonny Evans, who is now part of his coaching team.

The pair are part of the video footage of the aftermath, both applauding the away support, Carrick in discussion with Ashley Young, trying to dissect what had happened.

Time heals of course. Carrick was part of the side that won at Sunderland the following year on the way to a historic 20th title.

But come Saturday, one suspects the gnawing memory would make winning there again just that little bit more satisfying.

"Obviously, it was a one-off kind of feeling," said Carrick. "It wasn't during the game, it wasn't until after.

"I didn't really know exactly where the land was lying at that point. It wasn't until we walked towards the edge of the pitch and had to deal with what was thrown out.

"It's in the past, but, yeah, it definitely sticks in the memory."

• Read about the Sunderland rivalry

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Carrick was part of the West Ham side that won the FA Youth Cup in 1999.

He has been to most Manchester United games in the competition this season and revealed in his news conference on Thursday he was part of a 67,000 crowd that watched a side containing Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho beat Nottingham Forest in the 2022 final at Old Trafford.

In addition, his son Jacey is in the United academy and made his debut for the under-18 side earlier this season.

It was not surprising Carrick had an opinion about the decision to host next Thursday's final against Manchester City at the 6,000-capacity Joie Stadium.

"I'm disappointed," he said. "The Youth Cup final always seems to have been a thing where you play at the main stadium. It's such a showcase event for players of that age group.

"I've had some amazing memories in that competition of playing with your close mates.

"It's a shame it hasn't worked out for whatever reason. It's a fantastic game, a great opportunity and I'm looking forward to going and supporting the boys."

The Manchester United Supporters' Trust has written to FA chief executive Mark Bullingham imploring him to make a venue switch.

Carrick says it is too late now.

"It is what it is," he said. "There's nothing that can be done about it. Hopefully, in years [that] go by, it can be played in the [main] stadium."

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Sunderland at Stadium of Light (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• The United interim head coach said securing Champions League football next season "is a really good step" for the club, but it's "not the end at all" so they won't be downing tools for the remaining three games.

• On what their motivation is now: "Pride, responsibility, playing for this great club, great supporters and really good togetherness in the group. It's about improving and evolving all the time."

• Carrick insisted "nothing has really changed" on where his future lies, but "clarity is important." He added: "I've said all along that I'm calm about it and it will get sorted out when it gets sorted out."

• He praised his squad for their strong "togetherness" despite some players having significantly less game time this season.

• On opponents Sunderland, who are pushing for a European spot: "It's really tight. They've had a fantastic season. It's not easy to come and get promoted and stay in the league, so to be in the top half and within touching distance of Europe is full credit to the season they've had."

• He said he has "not forgotten" playing the Black Cats and their supporters' reaction to United missing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City in 2012. Carrick said: "It's in the past, but it definitely sticks in the memory."

Hit play above to hear more from Carrick or listen on BBC Sounds

Listen to live commentary of Sunderland v Manchester United on BBC Radio 5 Live from 15:00 BST on Saturday.

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Man Utd? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Any Manchester United visit to Sunderland brings back memories of 13 May 2012.

It is a day etched into Premier League history thanks to Sergio Aguero's injury-time winner for Manchester City that won them the title.

United were on the pitch at Sunderland when it happened. Their game was finished. Wayne Rooney had scored the goal that brought the victory they needed.

Then, as news of Aguero's goal swept across the Stadium of Light, United's players had to listen to Sunderland's fans cheering their misfortune as well.

Sir Alex Ferguson was unhappy. Rooney too.

Black Cats fans reminded United of their misery earlier this season when they sang about it at Old Trafford.

The old rivalries with Liverpool, Manchester City and Leeds are well known. But Sunderland is a rivalry Manchester United fans didn't know they had – until May 2012.

Does facing Sunderland bring back memories of that day? What do you remember about it? And how does their reaction - on the day and earlier this season - make you feel?

Send us your comments here

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

The biggest story in Manchester United circles this week has been Manchester City's decision to host next Thursday's FA Youth Cup final at the 6,000-capacity Joie Stadium.

It is a move that has not gone down well within United's academy, with coaches, players and their families voicing their displeasure in public and private.

Carrick has been at all United's FA Youth Cup games since taking charge in January. His son, Jacey, is part of the club's under-16 squad and one of the players who has 'liked' criticism of City's decision on social media.

I wonder what Carrick will have to say about the decision himself at his news conference later on Thursday.

Carrick (second left in the image below) played in the 1999 final for West Ham - a team that also included Joe Cole beat Coventry City 9-0 across two games.

The games were played at Highfield Road and the Boleyn Ground, where over 20,000 fans turned up.

Come back to this page later on Thursday for all the key lines from Carrick.

Image source, Getty Images

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Sir Dave Brailsford's position on the Manchester United board has been ended.

Brailsford was appointed on 19 February 2024 in the wake of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's part-purchase of the club.

He was largely responsible for the wide-ranging changes that took place around the structures at United and also heavily involved in the £50m revamp of the Carrington training ground.

However, it was confirmed last summer Brailsford would step away from club duties to concentrate on his wider role as director of sport at Ineos and he has not been spotted at any United games this season.

Although Brailsford was still listed as a director in the match programme for the victory over Liverpool on 3 May, Companies House has confirmed Brailsford was "terminated" on 30 April.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

A leading Manchester United fans group has written to FA chief executive Mark Bullingham imploring him to switch the venue of next week's Youth Cup final.

Manchester City are hosting the game but say it cannot be held at Etihad Stadium because of construction work taking place around their three remaining home Premier League games.

City rejected an offer by United to host the final at Old Trafford and have arranged the match for their Joie Stadium, which has a capacity of 6,000.

United have received 968 tickets for the game. BBC Sport has been told the allocation means they will not be able to accommodate all the requests from players' families for tickets.

It is known United academy staff and players are annoyed at the decision, which they feel potentially denies some players of the biggest match of their entire careers.

This is one of the points outlined by the Manchester United Supporters' Trust in their letter to Bullingham.

"We implore you to personally intervene in respect of the venue choice and/or scheduling of the FA Youth Cup Final," it says.

"The FA Youth Cup is one of your great competitions. Legends of the game have played in its final. For others, is the biggest match they will ever play in and a source of pride for life.

"In recent years, attendances have regularly been 20,000-30,000 or more, and when Old Trafford last hosted the game we saw a record crowd of 67,000 people.

"It is a shame beyond words that this year's match is set to be played in front of just 6,000 spectators. This lets down the players and lets down the supporters.

"This is your competition. We implore you to personally intervene to protect it, and bang heads together to allow this game to be played at a suitable venue. Whether this involves changing the date to allow City to host, forcing City to allow United to host on the original date, or going to a neutral stadium in the north-west.

"All three options should be considered."

Manchester United have no plans to reintegrate Marcus Rashford into their first-team squad next season if he returns from his loan at Barcelona. (Sun, external)

Meanwhile, Rashford remains determined to continue his spell with the Spanish club and play under manager Hansi Flick, despite uncertainty over his long-term future at United. (Teamtalk, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Carrick can lead Manchester United "for however long he wants if he gets it right", says the club's record goalscorer Wayne Rooney.

United beat rivals Liverpool on Sunday to secure their return to Champions League football and strengthen Carrick's claim to be appointed head coach on a permanent basis.

"It's when rather than if I think," Rooney told The Wayne Rooney show.

"In my opinion it wouldn't be a bad decision.

"The one thing we're hearing is that there's Champions League football next season and more games so how is he going to deal with that.

"He's been in the Championship with Middlesbrough where squad rotation is actually even more difficult than it is in the Premier League because normally you've got about 14 players with a bit of quality and the rest beyond that haven't.

"He's been there, he knows how to do that. If you brought in a Luis Enrique or Thomas Tuchel and they won 10 of of their first 14 games you would say that's incredible. So, just because he's a young, English manager it means it's not the right place to look in a lot of people's eyes.

"Michael Carrick is a clever person, he's a really good coach, and I think he can lead the team for however long he wants if he gets it right.

"It will be an interesting summer. For the first time in a long time Manchester United seem like they have a bit of calmness around the whole place and that's a good thing."

There isn't a single Premier League side that has picked up more points since Carrick returned to Old Trafford on 17 January, so no wonder Rooney is backing his former team-mate for the long-term job.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

It has been an incredible period for exciting games with plenty of goals. It is also no surprise considering what is at stake. Many clubs are needing wins as opposed to just wanting them, and of course there is the tiredness at the end of the season which top players will always take advantage of.

Everton 3-3 Manchester City might just have outshone Manchester United beating Liverpool 3-2 on Sunday, but that win by Michael Carrick's men was another hi-octane nailbiter that had the emotions overflowing from the start. It wasn't quite the spectacle of PSG 5-4 Bayern Munich last Tuesday, but we are currently seeing classics on a more than weekly basis just now.

There were also a whole bunch of schoolboy errors on show, though to be fair Marc Guehi's bizarre, you-wouldn't-expect-that-in-an-under-eights-game backpass, did steal the show at the weekend.

The two big take aways were that first, Liverpool have a lot of work to do over the summer particularly with their defence. Second, if Manchester United do not give Michael Carrick the job full-time, then they will probably get what they deserve – more of the mayhem they have endured for the past 13 years.

I have never understood why they got rid of David Moyes, who I was convinced would have built a dynasty given a modicum of time and indeed due respect. Carrick is in the classic United mould, has done an exceptional job with 32 points from 42 available, that is league-winning form in many seasons.

Napoli say they will sign on-loan Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund on a permanent deal. The Serie A side are close to securing a Champions League spot, which would trigger a £38m fee for the forward. (Mirror, external)

Major League Soccer sides LA Galaxy and Inter Miami are leading the race to sign Casemiro, when his Old Trafford contract expires, despite interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia and Turkey. (Talksport, external)

Casemiro's desire to play with Lionel Messi means he is willing to reduce his salary demands to join the 38-year-old Argentina forward at Inter Miami. (Sky Sports, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Alex Turk
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United are back where we belong. Michael Carrick has completed his mission. Champions League nights are returning to Old Trafford next season.

I couldn't think of many better way to seal it than by beating Liverpool to complete a first double over our rivals since 2016, a landmark win coming via a Kobbie Mainoo winner in front of the Stretford End in the same week he signed a new contract, no less.

But now the job is done, and this unique season can be considered a successful one, all focus must now go towards getting the summer transfer window right.

United can enter the business period with confidence, given how 2025 included some of the club's best recruitment of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Patrick Dorgu, Ayden Heaven, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, Senne Lammens - all hits, in my book, and a major factor behind the spring from 15th last season to third in the Premier League.

The positions United must address have, naturally, dominated the talk about this summer. The Red Devils need at least three midfielders, support for Sesko and another left-wing option.

But I want to discuss the player profile, which is crucial to avoid repeating the horrors of our last Champions League campaign under Erik ten Hag in 2023-24.

Only eight United players who are likely to be in the squad next season have more than 15 Champions League appearances to their name. Seven have two or fewer.

The seven? Lammens, Heaven, Leny Yoro, Dorgu, Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Mbeumo. Most could easily be regular starters next term.

Of course, if you play for this football club, you must be ready to perform on the biggest stage. But Champions League experience has to feature on the criteria for at least some of this summer's targets.

Find more from Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC, external

Image source, Getty Images

We gave you a hypothetical scenario and asked you to choose between appointing Michael Carrick or Andoni Iraola as Manchester United's next permanent manager.

This followed the team on Monday Night Club discussing how tricky the balance is when picking a new boss - you can watch that clip further down this page.

Here are some of your replies to us:

Jonathan: It has got to be Carrick. It may not be that he wins the Champions League within the next 2-3 years, but it sends a message that the team and the culture comes first. Bringing in a new manager disrupts that, and it makes the players question what more they can do. Carrick has progressed this squad from 15th to third. Over time he will consolidate the squad, make our goals clear and settle a club which has been in turmoil for more than 10 years. Stability first and then, if needed, more experience can come in.

Christine: I wouldn't have Carrick. He has done a fantastic job, in the same way Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did, but I hope we don't make the same mistake. Let's be honest, it is painful to watch us when teams are pressing and playing better football, when we are defending for our lives on the counter-attack. He's not for Man Utd in the long-term. I would have Julian Nagelsmann, as I don't think Luis Enrique will leave PSG. If we don't get Nagelsmann, I would go for Iraola - but that wouldn't be my first choice. We have to get it right and Carrick is not it.

Paul: It is a no-brainer. Give Carrick a one-year contract, after what he has achieved in just four months, and then make a decision based on the results of Carrick v Iraola. Remember, Carrick has the Manchester United DNA and he could grow into the role with the support of all of those around him. Iraola may have a case for consideration or not at the end of next season. Either way, I believe the best decision lies here.

Mohamed: The decision is simple: who have the players performed for? Carrick. He is United through and through. He has brought us back from the wilderness to Europe. It is a no-brainer, it has to be him. He does need to be backed with fresh legs as well, though. The board needs to make a footballing decision for once, not a monetary one.

Gerry: It is as clear as the nose on your head. Carrick has the DNA. Listen to what the players are saying about him, Mainoo said he'd die for him and Cunha, Sesko and Mbeumo have raved about his coaching sessions. We need to appoint him before the next home game, any later and it will start affecting our ability to bring in new players this summer. We've tried experienced winners in Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho. We've tried young guns in Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim. Let's give Carrick the same chance.

The Observer's football correspondent Rory Smith has been pitting Michael Carrick and Andoni Iraola, who have both been linked with Manchester United's permanent managerial job, against each other on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

Either way, he believes the Red Devils' football executives will have a "really difficult" decision to make this summer, when it comes to appointing their next manager.

"The football executives will have to weigh up three years of Iraola at Bournemouth in the Premier League against sticking with Carrick," Smith said.

"Iraola has played wonderful football throughout, brought through talented players like Milos Kerkez and Eli Junior Kroupi. Iraola has become a cog in the machine, and definitely improved the club.

"They are all big ticks, but the club will have to work out if he can take his style of play and training methods to get the best out of players who won't just be playing once a week.

"Or do they stick with Carrick, who has a much smaller sample size, he hasn't done all the things Iraola has done, but knows the club well, the fans and the connection to history.

"It is a really difficult decision to make, and too often we treat it as if it is obvious or easy."

Would you pick Carrick or Iraola? What's the reason for your decision? Tell us here

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds