Manchester United

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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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

Image source, Getty Images

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.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Harry Maguire has revealed England boss Thomas Tuchel told him his World Cup dream was over on a FaceTime call.

Maguire's omission from Tuchel's 26-man squad was one of the most contentious and led to a stinging rebuke from the Manchester United defender at the time as he said he was "shocked and gutted".

Speaking on Gary Lineker's Rest is Football World Cup podcast, Maguire says he still believes he should have been picked – and revealed the method Tuchel chose to deliver the bad news.

"He FaceTimed everyone," said Maguire. "It was quite an awkward call.

"I received a text saying can I speak to you about 4pm. It is quite a unique way of doing it and it must be quite hard because he can see everyone's reactions.

"I said straightaway I was really disappointed. I thought I did enough to be in the squad and thought I could have helped and had a part to play on and off the pitch.

"He said he can't give me an excuse but he had gone with the four lads who got him through the autumn.

"It was tough to take. I did think I would be in the squad after being selected for the March camp under him for the first time. I did really well in both games and then went back to Manchester United and finished the season really strongly."

At the age of 33, Maguire accepts he probably will not get the chance to play in another World Cup.

However, he has been in touch with long-standing friends in the England camp, including skipper Harry Kane, midfielder Declan Rice and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to wish them good luck.

And, despite the setback, and the knowledge Tuchel will lead the team into Euro 2028, Maguire will not quit the international scene.

"I don't think I would retire from England," said Maguire, who won his 66th cap in the friendly defeat to Japan in March.

"I still feel I have something to offer. There will be a time and a place where I don't deserve to get picked but I probably still wouldn't come out and retire.

"If I got one more cap it would be worth it."

Barcelona's option to sign Marcus Rashford for 30m euros (£35m) is set to expire without them choosing to make the 28-year-old England forward's loan move from Manchester United a permanent switch. (ESPN), external

Real Madrid have made contact regarding a move for West Ham's Mateus Fernandes but Manchester United remain frontrunners for the Portugal midfielder, 21. (Teamtalk), external

Manchester United are not prepared to meet West Ham's asking price for Fernandes, which is about £80m, but he is also a target for Paris St-Germain as well as Real Madrid. (Mirror), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

On the latest The Devils' Advocate podcast, BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater, Joe McGrath and Michael Clarke discuss United's best starting XI for next season if they were in charge of transfers.

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

Manchester United's Amad Diallo scored a 90th-minute winner against Ecuador to secure Ivory Coast three points in their opening game of the 2026 World Cup.

Diallo's goal ensured his nation go level on points with Germany in Group E, but the four-time World Cup winners sit first with a superior goal difference.

Visit our World Cup index to keep up with all the latest from the tournament

Brazil midfielder Ederson was scheduled to have a medical on Sunday as the 26-year-old closed in on completing his move to Manchester United from Atalanta. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian, external)

United sacked manager Ruben Amorim in January and could make a significant saving on the £15.9m compensation package following his departure if the Portuguese takes over at AC Milan. (Mirror, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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We asked for your views on who you would like Manchester United to keep, loan and sell from the squad this summer.

Here are some of your comments:

Mehdi: Keep - Johsua Zirkzee. A solid squad player who can provide support for Sesko, he brings something different to the team. Loan- Harry Amass. Sorry, I know he's popular as an academy graduate, but I don't have faith he'd be enough for a title push. Sell - Diogo Dalot. I feel like he just slips under the radar, but he is generally mediocre. Time for an upgrade!

Rob: Keep - Mason Mount. The squad clearly love him and when he is fit and playing he can make a real difference. Loan - Leny Yoro. Send him to Europe to play every week. Not a regular starter but potential with Ayden Heaven to be an amazing pairing in years to come. Sell - Zirkzee. Won't play enough but would get a good transfer fee and they love him in Italy.

Faisal: One player to keep is Shea Lacey, as he can definitely provide cover for Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo. One player to sell is Altay Bayindir as he's just not that good. A player to loan out would be either Amass, Diego Leon or one of the Fletcher twins as they'd benefit more from some more first-team game time.

Dermot: Keep Mount as he has great attributes if he can stay fit. Loan out Zirkzee but don't sell him yet. Sell Dalot... just not good enough. Buy Adam Wharton!

S Liv: Keep Radek Vitek. Quality young keeper who deserves to be number two and be given game time. Loan Zirkzee. There is definitely a player in there but if you ask me his best position, I have no idea. Needs games. Sell Andre Onana. If I have to explain why, you've not been paying attention!

Seth: Keep Zirkzee - I know a lot of people have large doubts about his quality - fans tend to either laugh or cry when he gets subbed on, including me - but he's so important for team spirit and morale it would crush the dressing room if he leaves Loan Onana out - need an explanation? Sell Manuel Ugarte - again, no reason needed for this one!

Christine: I would keep Zirkzee he has loads of ability but not the muscle that a forward requires and he needs to work hard at this. I would loan out Marcus Rashford even if we cannot sell him. I don't like the way Barcelona have gone about the Rashford deal but it proves he is not at elite level. I would sell Ugarte as he is simply not good enough, and Onana, because I still have nightmares with him in goal, especially against Grimsby.

Mark: Keep - Amass as cover for Shaw. Loan. Loan - Shea Lacey to allow him to develop playing regularly. Sell - Onana. Don't care how much for, just don't want him back at United.

Ratheesh: Keep - Mount. He is industrious and I strongly believe he can provide cover for Bruno Fernandes in a busy calendar ahead. Loan - Chido Obi . He needs to get the experience playing regularly in a competitive league, preferably in the Premier League or Championship. Sell - Ugarte. There may be other candidates, but given the reinforcements planned for the midfield, he may be surplus to requirements. Honourable mention to keep - Rashford.

Manchester United are interested in Newcastle and England defender Lewis Hall, 21, who wants to leave the Magpies. (Sun), external

Fulham and United States left-back Antonee Robinson, 28, is also being viewed by Manchester United as a possible signing for next season. (Sky Sports), external

Barcelona are set to reject the chance to sign Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, 28, for his £26m release fee, with the clause set to expire on Monday. (Daily Mirror), external

Manchester United may also move for Lens midfielder Mamadou Sangare, 23, having been priced out of a move for Nottingham Forest's England midfielder Elliot Anderson, 23. (Teamtalk), external

Trabzonspor are eager to secure the permanent transfer of Manchester United and Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana, 30, this summer. (Mirror), external

Manchester United are also looking to offload Turkey goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, 28, and Czech stopper Radek Vitek, 22, who was on loan at Bristol City last season. (Sky Sports), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Change is inevitable at football clubs during the summer months and we want to ask you something specific about Manchester United's squad.

Tell us:

• One player who should be kept who may be on the fringes and why?

• One player who should be loaned out

• One player who should be sold

We would love names and reasons for all three - get in touch with your views using this form

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BBC Radio Manchester's Joe McGrath and Jay Motty from The Stretford Paddock have reflected on Rasmus Hojlund's permanent departure to Napoli after he spent the season on loan at the Serie A club.

"I feel a little bit sorry for Rasmus Hojlund because he never should have been the main striker," Motty told The Devils' Advocate podcast.

"As a young lad who scored nine Serie A goals at Atalanta the season before he arrived at Old Trafford, he wasn't ready to be the main man. He was made the main striker because we didn't buy anyone else and the other attackers were lacking,"

Hojlund joined United from Atalanta for an initial £64m in the summer of 2023 and scored 26 goals in 95 appearances, winning the FA Cup, despite struggling at times for form and consistency.

"I don't think it really worked out, he had some good moments, he had a little purple patch. I wish him well, I think he will get a good reception if he returns to Old Trafford, it's not his fault he wasn't quite good enough."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds here

Explore all Manchester United content on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your views on Manchester United's decision to take a step back in their pursuit of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.

Here are some of your comments:

Deborah: We should only be interested in players that are interested in signing for us.

Peter: Anderson is a real class player and I understand why he is highly in demand. I think we should still 'keep tabs' on him while looking at alternatives. I also agree with a more guarded approach to our disastrous past player purchasing and wage bills.

Terry: Absolutely the right decision. No point wasting two months of the transfer window when they could be going for players they actually have a chance of getting. I'd like to see them go for Adam Wharton and Mateus Fernandes.

Jason: The board not wanting to fight for a player shows a lack of ambition. Saying they don't want to overpay and then overpaying for a player with less quality hardly makes sense. For example, Ederson is nearly £40m for a player in the last year of a contract.

James: I would love to see Anderson in a United shirt as his potential is frightening. But we've been through the days of paying stupid transfer fees and wages for players to join just for the pay day. If Anderson doesn't want to join United, or his costs are too prohibitive, fine - move on to the next.

Maz: Definitely right to back away. Why pay over the odds for a lad who doesn't believe in the team?

Charlie: Good call turning away from Anderson. United's retained list includes a healthy selection of academy talent eager for first-team opportunities. If purchasing, coachable players like Hayden Hackney or Cammy Devlin could enhance the midfield without breaking the bank. Whoever comes in needs to fit Carrick/team/organisational culture, not just show up well in matchday stats.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United are backing away from their pursuit of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.

The England international had been United's prime target as they look to address their issues in the centre of the pitch.

However, they also went into the summer determined not to overpay for any player and equally keen to avoid being dragged into a bidding war. They also wanted to be sure any player they did go for was keen to play for the club.

On all three counts, United currently feel continuing to push for Anderson would be a mistake.

The Manchester club have already agreed a deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta, although his arrival will be delayed due to his late call-up to the Brazil World Cup squad, and are keen on West Ham's Matheus Fernandes.

Anderson was the marquee name. It remains to be seen whether United switch their attentions to the likes of Brighton's Carlos Baleba, a player they were keen to sign last summer but whose valuation may now have dipped below the £100m-mark they were quoted 12 months ago.

Another player of interest is Bournemouth's highly-rated Alex Scott, who has been with the England squad for their pre-World Cup preparations despite missing out on selection for the tournament itself.

Do you think Manchester United are doing the right thing by backing away from Anderson? Does this show a change in strategy? Or is the midfielder worth the chase and price tag?

Get in touch with your views here

Arsenal remain firmly in the hunt to sign Athletic Club and Spain winger Nico Williams, with Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City also interested in the 23-year-old. (Teamtalk), external

United are also monitoring Everton's 26-year-old Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye as they look to bolster their squad for a Champions League return next season (Sky Sports), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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In the final part of our special Q&A, Manchester United reporter Simon Stone focuses on Old Trafford redevelopments and the club's ownership.

Ryan asked: What is the latest regarding the redevelopment of Old Trafford? When will planning start and construction actually begin?

Simon answered: It does seem to have gone quiet since Sir Jim Ratcliffe unveiled that distinctive trident/circus tent design in March last year.

For the points you make, you may have to be patient but my understanding is something may happen around the land deal with Freightliner at some point this summer.

From there, United can work out what they can build, then they can work out costings, raise the money and submit the plans.

The last conversation I had was that once spades are in the ground, it could be done in two years, with significant segments being shipped in. That is a longer way of saying 'I don't know', but the land deal is needed before anything else.

• Explore all Manchester United content on BBC Sounds

Michael asked: Are all, or some of the Glazers actually contemplating a sale? What will that mean for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos? Will Manchester United get new investors or new owners? Or will Ineos launch a full takeover of the club?

Simon answered: The latest rumours around a potential sale of some Glazer shares received short shrift when I asked about it. I suppose it can never be totally ruled out because the Glazer family are notoriously secretive and could be thinking of anything.

I do remember, though, until an hour or two before, there was no inclination they were planning anything before they launched their search for investment in November 2022 that led to Sir Jim Ratcliffe buying a minority stake.

In theory, the Glazers could now sell the club to a third party and Ratcliffe would have to go along with it. I am not getting the sense that is likely though, and all I keep hearing is that the two sides of United's ownership group are aligned.

Also, I am not entirely sure who would buy it. I got the strong impression the Qatari bid fronted by Sheikh Jassim last time around were unimpressed by the whole process and wouldn't be keen to go through that again.

Check back further down on this page to find the rest of Simon's Q&A

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In the third part of our special Q&A, Manchester United reporter Simon Stone looks at defenders Luke Shaw and Harry Amass, and what success would look like in a first full season under head coach Michael Carrick.

Haydn asked: A lot of people say we need to sign a left-back as cover for or succession to Shaw but Amass is almost never mentioned in either conversation. Why do you think this is and could next season be a big opportunity for him?

Simon: The first point with Amass is he needs to prove his fitness after suffering the hamstring injury almost straight after joining Norwich on loan in January that was so severe it ended his season.

I don't know this for certain but I would have thought he is likely to be involved in the first stages of pre-season and United will take it from there. I do like Amass and he did really well in the first half of the campaign at Sheffield Wednesday.

However, you have to recognise the levels we are talking about here. Ideally, United need someone to challenge Shaw for his place and at the very least be able to deputise in the Premier League and/or Champions League.

It is possible Shaw doesn't even start as many games as he did this season because of a lack of preparation time - and there are more matches. I am not sure even a fully recovered Amass is up to that standard just yet.

• Angry Ginge and Usain Bolt talk Man Utd on The Wayne Rooney Show

Nigel asked: What do you think would constitute a successful first full season for Carrick?

Simon: I honestly think another third-place finish with a decent run in the Champions League and at least going close in a domestic cup would represent a superb season - and a big improvement on last term.

I don't think the benefit of playing one game a week - and not even that sometimes - can be overestimated, and Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle all benefit in 2026-27.

More games means more travel, which means less preparation time, more rotation, greater risk of injury and more stress on the players. I don't see Arsenal regressing massively, I assume Liverpool will improve and Manchester City will want to hit the ground running under their new manager.

Third may seem like treading water but, under the circumstances, I feel it would be a significant step forward - and a platform to challenge for the title in 2027-28.

Keep across this page on Wednesday for the final part of Simon's Q&A, which will look at subjects including the Glazers and Ineos.