Manchester United

Manchester United have told Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes, 31, that they want him to stay at Old Trafford. (Sun), external

Barcelona want Marcus Rashford, 28, to stay on loan next season rather than pay Manchester United the previously agreed £26m to sign the England forward permanently. (Mirror), external

The Red Devils are also keeping tabs on Bournemouth's English midfielder Alex Scott, 22. (Mirror), external

United are also keen on Benfica's Richard Rios, with the 25-year-old Colombia international an option in midfield. (Caught Offside), external

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

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter at Selhurst Park

Image source, Getty Images

Darren Fletcher's decision to swap his goalkeepers for the penalty shoot-out backfired as Crystal Palace lifted the Premier League Under-18 cup by beating Manchester United 6-5 on spot-kicks.

United thought they had won it as they led with the game in stoppage time thanks to Noah Ajayi's first-half effort.

However, the entire contest turned on its head as Palace striker Ben Casey, who had already gone close twice earlier in the contest, got the wrong side of the visitors defence, and Albert Mills panicked and brought him down.

Casey drove home the equaliser from the penalty spot, with Mills watching on in despair from the mouth of the tunnel in the corner of the stadium, his dismissal forcing United to play through extra-time with 10-men.

United held firm for the additional 30 minutes, although it needed a brilliant save from Cameron Byrne-Hughes to keep Palace out.

Byrne-Hughes has been first choice all season but with two minutes of injury-time shown, Fletcher elected to bring on Shrewsbury-born Freddie Heath, who went to Maynooth with the senior squad earlier this month for the four-day training camp.

Sadly for the visitors, Heath was unable to get near any of Palace's penalties and, in sudden death, Lucca Benetton's save from Godwill Kukonki proved decisive.

United, who beat Palace in the FA Youth Cup last Friday, to set up a final clash with Manchester City, only had themselves to blame.

They had numerous chances to get a second, with Chido Obi hitting the bar with the best opportunity, while Jay McEvoy also failed to convert a glorious chance to win it in extra time.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United Under-18s captain Dan Armer says the club's academy players definitely get a boost knowing Michael Carrick takes such a keen interest in them.

Unlike Ruben Amorim, who only watched United's Under-21 side once - when they were playing a match at Carrington while he was present anyway for a first-team training session - Carrick has been a regular at youth matches at Leigh Sports Village and Old Trafford this season.

His son Jacey was on the bench for the Under-18 match against Newcastle earlier this season that Armer started and the Scotland youth international says Carrick's presence is welcome.

"It's really good," said the central defender.

"Obviously, he's got Jacey in the 16s, so he's been in and around it for a while watching all the 18s and 16s games.

"For us it's really good. It makes everyone push a little bit more to try to impress. It definitely helps when he comes and watches."

It remains to be seen whether Carrick will be at Selhurst Park when Armer skippers United in their Premier League Under-18 cup final against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

United beat Palace in extra-time in their FA Youth Cup semi-final on Friday.

Star midfielder Jim Thwaites praised Armer's captaincy, saying he is "the one everyone listens to", adding: "I can see why Darren (Fletcher) has chosen him as captain."

For Preston-born Armer, taking responsibility is something that comes naturally.

"Throughout all the ages, I've tried to be a leader within the group," he said.

"Being captain gives you a bit more responsibility, whether it's in the dressing room saying a few things or pulling people to the side and giving them bits of info. I try as much as I can to do things like that."

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United have got their eyes on some big prizes at under-18 level this season - but even their players know that, at this age, development is key.

Midfielder Jim Thwaites and central defender Dan Armer cut relaxed figures as they looked ahead to Wednesday's Premier League Under-18 cup final with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Both were part of the United team that beat Palace on Friday to book an FA Youth Cup final showdown with Manchester City. Both have impressed enough this term to be called into senior training sessions. Thwaites was on the bench for the first time at Chelsea on Saturday.

Yet both have also proved their adaptability in United's youth squads.

Thwaites has tended to play deeper than the number 10 role he previously occupied. Armer spent the first half of the season as a regular starter for the Under-21s before dropping back to the 18s, something head of academy Stephen Torpey previously explained helped when it came to working on specific aspects of his game.

"From a young age you get taught to play in numerous positions, so playing number six, eight or 10 is just helping me for the future," said Thwaites.

"Stephen Torpey has helped with my understanding of all three positions. I just want to take little bits of advice from all the coaches to keep improving and playing all three really."

Armer added: "Maybe in the 18s you get away with a bit more, probably because the second-years are more physically developed.

"There are some things you can work on and you can take more risks, which the coaches have said to us.

"Although we want to be playing 21s, with the 18s, you can just go and prove yourself and try to stand out."

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It's been a crazy few days for Manchester United youngster Jim Thwaites.

On Friday, he played the full 120 minutes in central midfield as United beat Crystal Palace at Old Trafford to reach the FA Youth Cup final.

On Saturday morning, he was on his way to London so he could be named as a substitute in the Premier League for the first time as Michael Carrick's side beat Chelsea.

Tonight he will be back in the capital as United try to beat Palace again, this time at Selhurst Park, in the Premier League Under-18 Cup.

Sitting at Carrington, alongside Under-18s skipper Dan Armer, Thwaites admitted it had been a lot to take in.

"I was delighted, over the moon, obviously, to hear the news," he explained.

"On Friday I was concentrating on the game and getting the job done there. It was later, after the game, I was told I was on the bench for the first team."

Travis Binnion, who was in charge of United's Under-21 team until he was elevated to the senior ranks following Ruben Amorim's dismissal in January, gave Thwaites the good news and travelled down with the youngster, whose family are based in Cumbria, the following morning.

"I had to tell my family and stuff like that," said Thwaites.

"I'm just trying to learn as much as possible from the pros because that's where you want to be realistically, so just grasp it all in."

Thwaites was part of the senior squad that travelled to Maynooth for a four-day training camp less than a fortnight earlier.

He and Armer were part of the group that went to Malaysia and Hong Kong at the end of last season. Both have regularly been called into the senior group for training.

"You can take bits from the first-team and even the staff will come up to you and give you little bits of advice you can focus on," said Armer.

Both players highlight skipper Bruno Fernandes as one of the most welcoming players in the seniors group.

"All of them are really good to be fair, but Bruno will take you to one side and make sure you're alright," said Thwaites. "But also, on the pitch he will encourage you and let you know that the standard here is the standard you should be aspiring to get to. But he is also helping you to get to that level."

Thwaites has been likened to David Beckham because of the way he takes free-kicks.

Armer has an uncanny resemblance to Harry Maguire in the way he runs and passes the ball.

"I've seen the comparisons," he laughs. "And they've been brought up [within the group]."

The main comparison is with Scott McTominay though. Both are born within 20 miles of each other in the north-west but chose to represent Scotland, who they qualify for through their parents.

Armer added: "You see what McTominay is doing for Scotland now and think that's just what I want to do, play at the highest level internationally."

England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, 21, has verbally agreed a new five-year contract with Manchester United. (Sun), external

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson and Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni are being eyed by the Red Devils, as they look to replace the departing Casemiro. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Manchester United are also ready to battle it out with Galatasaray for 28-year-old Juventus and Netherlands midfielder Teun Koopmeiners. (Tuttosport - in Italian), external

Barcelona are leading the race for Eduardo Conceicao, with Manchester United, Manchester City and Newcastle also interested in the 16-year-old Palmeiras forward. Any move to Europe could not happen until he turns 18 next year. (TeamTalk), external

Manchester United and Chelsea are among the clubs keeping tabs on 22-year-old Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott.

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

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On this week's episode on BBC Radio Manchester's Devils' Advocate podcast, Gaz Drinkwater, Michael Clarke and Jay Motty discussed whether Michael Carrick should be given the Manchester United manager's job on a full-time basis.

United have won eight of their 12 games since Carrick took control of the team in January.

Drinkwater said: "At this point, you can't not give him the job with that sort of ratio and getting United into the Champions League as well.

"If it does tail off a little bit - because we have seen some dodgy performances - that momentum does seem to slow, in terms of him being guaranteed to get the job.

"What I will say - if it somewhat continues but he beats Liverpool at Old Trafford [on 3 May], I just think you can't not give him it."

Clarke argued: "Isn't that a big problem though, that we still think Manchester United's owners are going to do this on a PR exercise basis, rather than what they think is a long-term good idea?

"If he delivers Champions League football, that is an objective met. Then you should be saying: 'Do you think he's going to be good enough in the Champions League?' In my opinion, they need to be looking beyond these games."

Motty said he thought Carrick's relationship with the United hierarchy would be a key factor in whether he gets the job full-time and added: "If it was up to me, I'd give Carrick the job.

"I think he's done a great job since he has come in. The fans love him for what he did as a player and as two stints as the caretaker."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Alex Turk
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

On 11 November 2014, Louis van Gaal's Manchester United travelled down to London to face a "Big Six" rival with a makeshift defence.

Academy duo Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett lined up alongside Chris Smalling at the Emirates Stadium as United beat Arsenal 2-1.

That season was the last with no European football on the calendar. United went on to seal a top-four finish and a Champions League return.

So it feels fitting that Michael Carrick - who started in midfield that day - all-but sealed a Champions League return with a makeshift defence in London on Saturday.

Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, Ayden Heaven and Luke Shaw made up the back four at Chelsea.

With Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez harshly suspended and Matthijs de Ligt stricken with a long-term back injury, the fragility of that defence dominated the build-up.

Yet, the quartet was anything but fragile. I believe a social media dweller would say "the football scriptwriters cooked with this one".

United's three full-backs and 19-year-old centre-half overcame the adversity to keep a rare clean sheet and secure a season-defining three points.

Dalot needed to be at his best and he was. He pocketed starboy-turned-villain Alejandro Garnacho.

Shaw showcased his experience to keep possession and win smart fouls when United fell under the cosh.

Mazraoui had a particularly torrid night against Leeds five days prior. But he bounced back and his versatility is why his £17m acquisition was so shrewd.

And Heaven? Somewhat rash at times on the edge of United's box, but that's to be expected of a teenager who hadn't even played 30 minutes under Carrick before being thrown in the deep end at Stamford Bridge.

His physicality, his composure on the ball, his consistency at such a young age… Heaven shouldn't be bottom of the centre-back pecking order.

Arsenal's inability to see things through has become a common topic of jest in the football world.

United can be thankful that the Gunners also couldn't see Heaven's development through, instead handing him over for just £1m. There is no ceiling to his potential.

Find more from Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC, external

Manchester United, who are looking to sign at least two midfielders this summer, are keeping a close eye on 26-year-old France international Aurelien Tchouameni's situation at Real Madrid. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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

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A new episode of The Devils' Advocate podcast is available to listen to and download now on BBC Sounds.

Gaz, Michael and Jay Motty discuss the victory at Stamford Bridge, Bruno Fernandes' pursuit of a Premier League record, Ayden Heaven's performance and Brentford next week.

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

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

Here are some of your comments:

Chelsea fans

Evan: To be fair I thought Chelsea played quite well throughout and were the better team but when you can't score a goal this is what happens. A big change needs to be done at this club as four Premier League losses in a row without scoring is unacceptable. Too much of a step up from Strasbourg to Chelsea for Rosenior.

Colin: Absolutely abysmal. I am actually thinking as a Chelsea supporter that I want Leeds to win next week in the semi final as I don't want the embarrassment of getting thrashed by Man City in the final as that is what will happen if we get through. We have already lost the last three cup finals.

Chris: When are the owners going to stop this failed experiment with Rosenior, who only seems capable of coaching a team to go sideways or backwards, slowly?! I don't know what it would cost but they need to get Iraola from Bournemouth asap, before another forward thinking, ambitious club grabs him for next season! We will go absolutely nowhere with Rosenior!

Keith: A shambles and an absolute shambles. This club is going nowhere under this ownership and management. Some 64 years I've supported Chelsea and I have never seen so much disconnection between the team and supporters

United fans

Jerry: Mainoo's recall to the squad provided a much needed stability. Ayden was so solid at the back - begging the question why Yoro is preferred over him. Bruno Fernandes is magical as always but united have to not only rely on him to create chances. Why is Benjamin Sesko preferred at the front when he can't hold onto the ball as a lone striker? The trio of Mbeumo, Amad and Cunha attacking is much more ruthless with Fernandes supporting them. Ugarte should be sold off. The performance was solid and disciplined. Everyone kept their places and defended solidly.

Stewart: Ground it out and took their chance. Great team performance capped by Mainoo and Heaven - such composure and maturity while so young. Dalot can take Garnacho out of his pocket now.

Ayaz: It was indeed a great win even though it wasn't the best performance I have seen from Manchester United this season. The first half wasn't really the best but Cunha's goal was excellent and Fernandes' assist was really good too. Second half was better but there was close attempts from Chelsea hitting the crossbar twice.

Bob: I have no idea what match most supporters and journalists watched, but the one I saw was United grimly hanging on throughout the game against a very, very average Chelsea. The standout was Heaven - well done lad!

Bournemouth are prepared to sell 19-year-old French forward Eli Junior Kroupi, who is wanted by Manchester United. He is valued at more than £50m. (Football Insider), external

Meanwhile, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is on the radar of United and Real Madrid, although Villa remain confident of keeping him. (Teamtalk), external

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

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Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens loved the feeling of victory at Chelsea on Saturday night.

Despite having less possession, far fewer shots, only one of them on target, an expected goals (xG) of 0.29 compared to Chelsea's 1.55 and just 10 touches in the opposition box, United secured only their third win at Stamford Bridge since 2002 thanks to Matheus Cunha's first-half goal.

It went down well with the 3,000 travelling fans, who celebrated enthusiastically at the final whistle, their glee contrasting sharply with the disappointment of former United winger Alejandro Garnacho, who was ineffective after being introduced as a substitute in the first-half.

"It's very special," said Lammens. "You can feel the support, especially in the first half when you're playing in front of them.

"We had to fight for it. It wasn't the prettiest. But that's sometimes the most beautiful thing, when you deserve a hard-fought win and celebrate with the supporters as well."

The result was more notable because United went into the game with only one recognised central defender, 19-year-old England youth international Ayden Heaven, who was partnered by Noussair Mazraoui, who is normally a full-back.

The victory means United now require a maximum of eight points from their final five games to secure a place in next season's Champions League; and in all likelihood won't even need that given the number of matches between the other sides in contention.

Not that Lammens sees qualification as being an end in itself.

"We did a good job but we're not finished yet," he said.

"Even if we get it, we still want to win those last remaining games. Of course that's the first goal, but the next goal is also to keep looking up, and you never know."

Listen to Lammens on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens loves the way Bruno Fernandes is driving the dressing room towards a higher level.

Fernandes claimed his 18th Premier League assist of the season when he set up Matheus Cunha for United's winner at Chelsea.

The Portugal international is now two short of equalling the record, jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne.

It makes him a genuine contender for the various player of the year awards, which will be handed out over the coming weeks and, as a relative newcomer, Lammens is thriving off Fernandes' influence.

"I can't praise him enough," said the Belgium international.

"I mean it's the way I like it; he's not always the most vocal but he is when he needs to be, especially before big games or when we have more difficulties.

"He is very hard on himself and everybody else. That's why maybe sometimes he can look a little bit frustrated when it's not going our way.

"But that's the way it has to be at this level. He wants to win Champions Leagues and the Premier League.

"He tries to give us that as well and take us to his level."

Fernandes' latest assist involved a driving run down the right and a cut-back that was perfect for Cunha to apply the first-time finish.

It was not a surprise for Lammens, although he says the 31-year-old's abilities are not restricted to creating chances.

"It's no surprise because we see it in training every day," he said. "He wants to be an example for us.

"You think he cannot be any better, but then, in these big moments, in these big games, he delivers with the ball and without as well.

"Most of you only see the assistance with the ball, but it is also the way he fought for us, trying to help the team and trying to keep that clean sheet as well."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Given only Ole Gunnar Solskjaer of all the post-Sir Alex Ferguson bosses had experienced the feeling of winning at Stamford Bridge, style was a secondary element.

Chelsea may have hit the woodwork three times. They may have carried the more consistent threat. But Michael Carrick's team was the one that delivered.

"It was a game for a result," he said. "And we managed to find it."

There was overcoming the adversity of knowing that on top of the three central defenders he knew would be missing (Matthijs de Ligt through injury and Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire due to suspension), Carrick then lost a fourth, Leny Yoro, to a training ground injury.

That came so late in the week his chosen pairing, Noussair Mazraoui and Ayden Heaven, could only prepare with walk-throughs.

"I love when you see players thrive in those moments," said Carrick.

Heaven, 19, had not started a game under Carrick, having first been given his chance by Ruben Amorim and then his immediate replacement Darren Fletcher.

"Ayden has not played a lot of football recently, and to come into that environment is not something that you can take for granted," said Carrick.

"We say the same things to young players all the time. Sometimes they look at you as if to say, 'yeah, good one' but in terms of training every day and looking after yourself and being ready 'because you never know when that chance comes', he probably wouldn't have thought it would come at that moment.

"But he was there, he was prepared, and he took it in his stride magnificently well."

If Heaven felt any pressure, he didn't show it.

Read more on United's impressive win at Chelsea

Pundits Ashley Williams and Joe Hart join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Leeds 3-0 Wolves

• Newcastle 1-2 Bournemouth

• Tottenham 2-2 Brighton

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick, speaking to TNT Sports: "I can't play that one down, that was massive, that was a big win for us. They had some opportunities but to keep a clean sheet and defend like we did, there was a lot of work that had to go into the last day or so in terms of prepping the team with a new back four.

"I thought Ayden Heaven and Noussair Mazraoui coming in were incredible, Ayden being such a young age and Noussair not really playing centre-back in a back four. I have to give the coaching staff a lot of credit on getting the boys ready for that. I thought the boys put a magnificent performance in tonight."

On changes coming into the club: "Make them understand and appreciate playing for this club. It's easy to forget the position that we're in. We can play better, there's lots of layers to come, but we've got results to build momentum and a foundation."

On Bruno Fernandes: "His impact has been immense for a period of time, he's carried that all the way through. He plays most games, he's fit, he's hungry. He had a big shift to do in the middle, but he was willing to do that for the team. He's a big personality, he's the captain for a reason. Sometimes it's leading by example and showing the way. He's vocal, he's a big presence on the pitch. He's been a big part of this club over the last few years."

Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes, speaking to TNT Sports: "It's an amazing feeling for us. We had to bounce back, not just about Leeds. We had two games that we didn't win. We knew we had to make a great performance because Chelsea are a good side. It's important for us because our aim is to be top four, making distance is perfect for us."

On the travelling fans: "They were amazing, already in the warm-up I felt they were on it. Every away ground we go, we feel at home and that was no different today."

On his own performance: "I say every time I want to do better than the season before. I want to improve my game overall. I need to improve every week because I want to become a better player and end my career as the best as possible."

On being close to securing a Champions League position: "I feel three points closer, we have another game that we have to win. We know we need points to get that place secured, and we will do everything possible to be as quick as possible."

• Listen to more from Carrick on BBC Sounds here

Did you know?

• Manchester United have done the Premier League double over Chelsea for only second time, previously doing so in 2019-20.

• 10 of Bruno Fernandes' 18 assists in the Premier League this season have come away from home, he's one of four players to do so in a campaign in the competition after Muzzy Izzet in 2003-04 (10), Cesc Fàbregas in 2014-15 (11) and Mohamed Salah (11).

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick went into this game with so many questions to answer.

His side had won once in four games and suffered a shock home defeat by Leeds last time out.

Carrick discovered in the build-up to the game that, in addition to the injured Matthijs de Ligt and suspended Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez, he would be without a fourth central defender in Leny Yoro, who suffered a minor problem in training.

It meant pairing 19-year-old Ayden Heaven with Morocco international Noussair Mazraoui, normally a full-back, in central defence.

They both responded magnificently in a team performance that could not be described as aesthetically pleasing but contained all the togetherness, solidity and determination needed in a run-in.

Yet again, though, Bruno Fernandes made the decisive contribution.

The skipper has his detractors, but the people who are paid to pick the teams he plays for would not be without him.

His awareness is unmatched in this incarnation of United and it is not a stretch to say his impact on the club exceeds that of any single individual since manager Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Indeed, it would now be a surprise if Fernandes did not break the Premier League assists record and, with his contract about to enter its final year, the pressure will soon come on the club's powerbrokers to come up with a deal befitting his status.