Manchester United

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

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England's attacking style in their opening World Cup win against Croatia in Dallas created a stir of excitement but still left head coach Thomas Tuchel with questions to ponder.

In attack, substitute Marcus Rashford scored the final goal in England's 4-2 victory after replacing new Barcelona buy Anthony Gordon, making a powerful case for his inclusion from the start with a lively 18-minute cameo.

England's World Cup campaign now moves to Boston, where they face Ghana on Tuesday, and where Tuchel must decide whether to stick or twist with his line-up.

The pair fought for a place on England's left-flank before the tournament started, with Rashford excelling in the pre-World Cup friendly win over New Zealand and Gordon confirming his place with his contribution in the 3-0 triumph over Costa Rica.

The sub-plot to this World Cup between the two has taken place in Catalonia, where Rashford enjoyed a loan spell at Barcelona during the 2025-26 domestic season. While he is still waiting to see if they will negotiate with Manchester United to keep him, Barcelona paid £69.3m to take Gordon from Newcastle United.

Gordon, however, has been short on match action after being left out of games towards the end of last season by head coach Eddie Howe, who was planning for the future after accepting Gordon was leaving.

He was bottom of the BBC Sport's player ratings for the Croatia game, scoring 5.54 out of 10.

Former England striker Chris Sutton told BBC Sport: "It is going to be a squad game at the World Cup. We could even have a debate about the other flank, where Noni Madueke started, with Tuchel managing Bukayo Saka's minutes.

"On the left, though, I would go for Rashford. Gordon's form suffered towards the end of the season. He didn't play much for Newcastle and he just doesn't seem quite up to speed.

"This is not to say he won't have a big part to play as the tournament goes on, but Rashford took his goal well and looked good. It is close but, at the moment, I'd go for Rashford. I think he deserves an opportunity."

Read the full article here

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We asked for your views on Manchester United's 2026-27 fixtures and how many points you expect from the first 10 games.

Here are some of your comments:

Colin: 30 points, no problem.

James: Pretty decent fixtures, should be a good start to the new season.

Neil: I would predict United taking 25 points from first 10 games this season. Europe adds new pressure to the squad resilience so looking for a strong recruitment charge this summer.

Mark: It won't be 30 unfortunately, or that gentleman will have two haircuts! Anything up to 24 points we can be very happy with a third of the way through the season. Anything less than 20 and questions need to be asked.

Cayden: I think United will lose against Hull City on the opening matchday which will shock the league, but then we will pick up some points and we will have 22 points after 10 games.

Nick: United finished the season strongly, and need fear no-one next season - a nice couple of relatively easy looking games to start and then an early test of United's title credentials against Manchester City - bring it on!

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Amid all the talk of central midfield signings, the future of Toby Collyer is an interesting talking point.

Collyer came out of the 2024-25 campaign having made a big impression and the intention was for the England youth international to go out on loan to further his footballing education and, potentially, fight for a first-team berth this term.

Frustratingly, a calf injury wrecked the end of what had been an encouraging spell at West Brom in the first half of the season, then a hamstring problem prevented him from making an early impact at Hull City, before an ankle injury ruled him out of the end of the season and the play-off final victory over Middlesbrough.

Clearly, the 22-year-old impressed Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic when he was available though, because the Bosnian is keen to have him back, believing if Collyer gets a full pre-season behind him, he can have an impact in the Premier League.

Collyer signed a contract in 2024 at Old Trafford that runs to 2027, with the option of a further year.

Given his status, it would be no surprise if United sanctioned a permanent move away from the club, be it to Hull or somewhere else.

Now you have seen the list, what are your feelings on how Manchester United's 2026-27 Premier League fixtures have fallen?

How many points do you see Michael Carrick's side picking up after the first 10 games?

Get in touch with your views here

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It is slightly unusual that Manchester United open the new Premier League season with matches against two newly promoted sides – but after starting with a Saturday lunchtime trip to Hull City on 22 August, they entertain an Ipswich Town side who could be managed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the week after.

The first Champions League game comes between a trip to Everton and the first Manchester derby of the season at Old Trafford.

United's fourth Champions League game comes between tough league matches at Chelsea and at home to Aston Villa. Another trip to Liverpool straight after the international break that follows is immediately before another Champions League match.

United will play Nottingham Forest at home on Boxing Day and among the midweek games, there is another trip to Newcastle, as there was in the season just finished, and Sunderland. The last game is at home to Fulham.

And to remind, the September and October international breaks are now combined, so United have no game between Fulham away on 19 September and Tottenham at home on 10 October.

How many points do you think United should expect from their opening 10 games?

Let us know here

• Read more on the matches and rule changes for 2026-27

Manchester United will kick off their 2026-27 Premier League campaign - a first full season under Michael Carrick - with a trip to Hull City.

The match will take place on Saturday, 22 August at 12:30 BST, with United's first home fixture against Ipswich Town on the weekend of 29-30 August.

Carrick's side face Nottingham Forest (H), Sunderland (H), Brighton (A) and Newcastle (H) over the Christmas and New Year period.

And they end their league season against Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday, 30 May, when all games will kick off at the same time.

See United's Premier League fixtures in full here

How do you feel about the fixture line up? Are you pleased to see a number of home games over Christmas and New Year?

Send us your thoughts here

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United expect their new stadium plans to be unaffected by Andy Burnham's departure as Greater Manchester mayor.

Burnham has been heavily involved in the plans for a new ground close to the current Old Trafford site, which is intended to be the centre piece of a 'multi-billion-pound masterplan' to regenerate the entire area.

However, while Burnham's Makerfield by-election victory means he must stand down as Mayor, triggering an election the most likely date for which is 30 July, the Old Trafford project is covered by a Mayoral Development Corporation, chaired by Lord Sebastian Coe.

Multiple sources have told BBC Sport the MDC is legally binding and has been constituted by Parliament, so only the Government can scrap it.

United feel no matter who the new Mayor is, or which party they come from, their work on a stadium that is likely to cost in excess of £2bn, can continue.

While club sources have said work has been going on behind the scenes, they hope to make a breakthrough in their negotiations with Freightliner over the land needed to build the new stadium this summer.

A deal with Freightliner is understood to be the key to unlocking the project. Until United know what land they can use, they cannot settle on a final design, which is needed to establish how much it will cost and to work out the best way to fund it.

Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe unveiled his grand vision for a 100,000-capacity stadium in March 2025.

United want to continue playing at Old Trafford until the new stadium is built.

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With the countdown to the 2026-27 Premier League fixture release well and truly on, we asked for your stories of opening-day games - both good and bad - that have stuck in your minds most. And you delivered.

Here are some of your replies:

Miles: Saturday, 19 August 1989. I was standing in the Stretford End and watched Michael Knighton showboating prior to us tearing Arsenal, the reigning champions, apart. Neil Webb also showed what he could do but, sadly, it didn't work out.

Ethan: I remember the first day of the season when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was still in charge. We played Leeds United at Old Trafford- what a performance that was! The score was 5-1 and Bruno Fernandes got a hat-trick. I was on holiday and I woke up at 6am specifically to watch it. Every minute was life-changing.

Paul: I remember a certain teenager coming off the bench for his debut against Bolton at Old Trafford in 2003. The game ended 4-0 and I remember driving home thinking I've seen the perfect replacement for David Beckham. Yes, it was Cristiano Ronaldo's first appearance.

Mark: From recent memory, my two favourites would be against Fulham in 2001-02, when Ruud van Nistelrooy scored two goals on his debut in a 3-2 win, and against Fulham in the 2006-07 season, after the infamous Ronaldo 'wink' which set the tone for a title-winning season. My least favourite has to be the first Premier League game against Sheffield United away, which we lost 2-1 and weren't very good in, but it was another season to remember as it was the year we won our first Premier League title.

Keith: August 2014 - the start of the Louis van Gaal era. A home defeat by Swansea City and no discernible improvement from David Moyes' time in charge. I remember thinking: maybe Van Gaal isn't the answer?

Come back to this page at 10:00 BST to see how United's 2026-27 Premier League fixtures have fallen.

Tyler Fletcher's call-up to the Scotland World Cup squad is likely a dream come true, says Manchester United academy director Stephen Torpey.

Fletcher received a late call-up when Napoli's Billy Gilmour pulled out through injury, and the 19-year-old will be hoping to make his first appearance against Morocco on Friday.

"Having known the family and having known Tyler for a very long time, I feel super proud on a personal and professional level for him and for us," Torpey told BBC Radio Manchester.

"We know there have been a lot of people who would have been working for many, many years to support him and hopefully this is just another milestone of a long career that he has.

"Super proud and it does make you realise that the dreams that some of these young players have when they're growing up can sometimes come true. I'm sure that's the case here with Tyler."

Fletcher has been following in his father Darren's footsteps by playing for Scotland, while his twin brother and fellow United team-mate Jack, has represented England at youth level.

"It's a situation that is pretty unique to him," Torpey said. "Your father is an ex-player but also your twin brother is a player.

"He's always handled it with calmness and a quiet confidence in his ability and also recognises that he's going at his own pace in his own world and we don't have to increase or slow that pace down at any point.

"We just have to have that strong belief and work together and collaborate to help him achieve his potential."

Click play above to hear the full clip or listen on BBC Sounds here

Tottenham are firmly in the mix to sign Anderlecht and Belgium midfielder Nathan De Cat, with Manchester United among the 17-year-old's other admirers from the Premier League. (Teamtalk), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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We asked you which players you have watched at the World Cup that you think would be a great fit at Manchester United.

Here are some of your comments:

Nick: Morocco's Yassine Bounou would be a great signing for us. With Andre Onana and Altay Bayinder possibly leaving, we need another reliable goalkeeper to compete with Senne Lammens (who, by the way, deserves the number one shirt next season). Bounou would be the perfect choice.

Arif: Aurelien Tchouameni. We need a world-class defensive midfielder with sheer physicality and bite as well as aerial presence. Tchouameni has the experience at the highest level, is still relatively young and can serve us for many years.

Josh: It's no secret we need midfielders and Ayyoub Bouaddi was fantastic for Morocco against Brazil. I fear his price will be too high but I would definitely keep an eye on him. I was also impressed by Folarin Balogun for USA, and I think he could provide strong competition for Benjamin Sesko. Plus, that would definitely wind up Arsenal fans! Finally, I thought Zion Suzuki had a solid game in goal for Japan against the Netherlands, despite conceding two. If he's happy to be second choice for Lammens, then I'd definitely take him.

Bob: No question - Scott McTominay. A midfielder who scores Scholes, sorry goals. Superb attitude and work ethic.

Spotted someone you want for United? Let us know who and why he'd fit

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United are putting padding around the bricks that go around the Old Trafford pitch to help protect players.

United have completely dug up the surface this summer for the first time in 14 years.

When the new pitch is laid it will be slightly bigger than before so it does not immediately become a synthetic surface as has been the case before.

United feel that will help with player safety as it gives them more control when they leave the pitch.

The padding around the brickwork should also reduce the potential for players hurting themselves if they end up skidding down the slope around the pitch. The slope itself is remaining.

Scoring a goal and making a pretty positive impact when he came on as substitute for England won't have done Marcus Rashford any harm.

On 1 July, Rashford will revert to being a Manchester United player after Barcelona opted against triggering a £26m clause to buy the 28-year-old.

United say they want £40m for Rashford, who has two years left on his £325,000-a-week contract.

They also say they will not entertain another loan deal with Barcelona, which is what the La Liga giants want.

Clearly, United can't force Rashford to go anywhere he doesn't want to - and his salary rules out all but a few clubs anyway.

As it stands, United are expecting the player to return to them after the mandatory three-week post-World Cup break, which would be just in time for a training camp in the Republic of Ireland.

There is a lot of time yet for Rashford's club future to be resolved, but impacts like Wednesday's have to be viewed as a positive.

Manchester United and Tottenham have made moves to sign Netherlands forward Crysencio Summerville, 24, from West Ham. (Teamtalk), external

United have no plans to negotiate a new loan agreement with Barcelona for England forward Marcus Rashford, 28. (ESPN), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

The World Cup may be in full flow, but there's no rest for The Devils' Advocate team as they turn their attention to the 2026-27 campaign.

On the latest podcast, BBC Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater and Joe McGrath disagreed on who they believe needs to be a priority during the summer transfer window for Michael Carrick's side.

McGrath said: "Noussair Mazraoui hasn't come into his own at United. That right-back position is up there with one of the priorities."

Mazraoui featured in 21 games in all competitions for the Red Devils during the 2025-26 season.

Drinkwater believes United should strengthen the left-back position to allow Luke Shaw to be rested for some games.

Carrick's team will have an increase in games for the new season, due to qualifying for the Champions League.

"I agree that Shaw is better than Dalot, but Dalot is always available. We are going to play Champions League football next season, and I don't trust Luke Shaw to do it all season," added Drinkwater.

Newcastle's Lewis Hall has been linked with a move to Old Trafford but Drinkwater suggested he still wouldn't start Hall over Shaw in the left-back position.

He added: "If they're both fit and available, do I start Hall over Shaw? No, I don't.

"You're going to have to spend a lot of money on Lewis Hall."

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

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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New Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick says he is optimistic about the future and wants to bring "winning and exciting" football to Old Trafford.

Carrick was given a two-year contract to take charge at United after doing an outstanding job after being appointed as interim boss following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim in January.

United have qualified for the Champions League after a two-year absence and fans are looking forward to Friday's release of next season's Premier League fixtures with confidence.

Carrick shares the feeling.

Asked in an interview with the United We Stand fanzine if he was optimistic for the new campaign, he replied: "Yes, big time."

Carrick, who won 12 out of his 17 games in charge of Manchester United last season, outlined the kind of football he is looking for.

"Winning, exciting football is what comes to mind," he said.

"There are all sorts of different ways to get there but a version of winning and exciting football. There's a responsibility to try and produce both."

United have already agreed a deal with Brazil midfielder Ederson to join the club from Serie A outfit Atalanta when the World Cup comes to an end.

They also hope to agree a deal with West Ham for Mateus Fernandes who, along with Crysencio Summerville is regarded as the most likely to leave London Stadium this summer following relegation to the Championship.

United have prioritised strengthening the midfield positions this summer and Carrick understands why.

"It's essential to have a strong midfield and a strong spine on top of that," he said. "We're certainly conscious of that."

Although United begin their pre-season campaign against Wrexham on 18 July, the day before the World Cup final, Carrick does not feel the tournament itself will have a major impact on preparations for the new season, providing "everyone comes back fit".

And he is thankful for the trust placed in him by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, outlining the relaxed relationship between the pair.

"Nothing crazy formal," he said. "It's just chatting.

"Him picking my brains on a few things. General conversations about the players or club or feelings. It's not maybe how you think it would be. He's been good with me to be honest and left me to do a lot of the work and trusting me."

Manchester United have valued Marcus Rashford at £40m but ruled out the possibility of the England forward, 28, joining Liverpool or Manchester City. (ESPN), external

United are interested in West Ham pair Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville, but the relegated Hammers want a combined £140m for Portugal midfielder Fernandes, 21, and Netherlands winger Summerville, 24. (Mail), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The deadline Barcelona agreed with Manchester United to trigger a £26m clause to turn Marcus Rashford's loan into a permanent deal passed without it being activated.

No-one expected any different.

On 1 July, when Rashford will hope to be preparing for a World Cup last-32 encounter in Atlanta, he will officially return to being a United player, with a £325,000-a-week contract that still has two years to run.

So, what happens now?

In theory, Rashford could return to his boyhood club and resume his career there.

Head coach Michael Carrick knows him well. Carrick has been a team-mate, coach and - for three games following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dismissal in 2021 - hands-on manager of one of the recent star graduates of the academy.

When Carrick was asked about Rashford in April, he said no decision had been made about the forward's future.

He added: "Whoever's here, I want to work with them and help them to improve."

It is not quite as simple as that.

Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to bring wage costs down and that is not easy when the highest earner is on such a huge sum.

In addition, United gave Rashford's number 10 shirt to Matheus Cunha last season and are hardly likely to take it off the Brazilian.

The summer squad rebuilding plans are being pieced together in the belief Rashford will not be part of them.

Yet it is tricky. Twelve months ago, Ruben Amorim placed Rashford in his 'bomb squad' and told him to train at different times to the main group. He did the same with Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia.

Last week, world governing body Fifa announced a memorandum of understanding with global players' union Fifpro. Within the detail, it was confirmed any player exiled from the main group can demand to be released – and to have their contracts paid up.

It is fair to assume ostracising Rashford this season is off the agenda.

Read more about the options for Rashford here

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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For the past couple of seasons there have been demonstrations by Manchester United supporters sitting in front of the directors' box at Old Trafford complaining at the fact they were being relocated to other parts of the stadium.

An email sent to fans on Tuesday confirming Elevate as United's first "official hospitality partner" goes some way to explaining why.

United say the partnership "expands our official hospitality offering".

There are four packages listed (there are a lot more besides these).

One offers a meet and greet with a current first-team squad member; another a photo with the team captain before kick-off; a third helps with "planting the corner flag"; and another is the "dugout club experience".

All offer padded seating behind the team dugout as part of the overall package.

The basic reality is United knew they could make far more money from the seats between the directors' box and the dugouts than they had been generating.

The World Cup may be less than a week old but the 2026-27 Premier League fixtures will be released on Friday.

And to get in the mood as Manchester United prepare for a first full season under Michael Carrick, we want your stories of opening-day games that have stuck in your minds most - both the good and the bad.

Get in touch with your memories here

And make sure to come back to this page on Friday to see how United's league fixture list has fallen.