Manchester United

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The most significant moment of the season - good or bad - was...

Ruben Amorim's dismissal. No-one can know for certain what would have happened if he had stayed, but Manchester United had drawn two games against relegation candidates and could have slid into the bottom half of the table. Instead, Michael Carrick came in and secured a return to the Champions League.

The season has been a success or failure because...

In August, virtually every United fan would have accepted a place in the Europa League next season. That was the target from the hierarchy but, instead they finished third. There is no way to describe it other than a job well done.

The unsung hero of the season is...

Senne Lammens. The opening weeks of the season were dominated by a debate over United's goalkeeping position. Altay Bayindir wasn't up to it, Andre Onana made mistakes at Grimsby, but then in came Lammens and everything settled down. The Belgian was a huge calming influence.

If there is a player or staff member with more to do in future it is...

Amad Diallo. He flourished under Amorim and adapted to his preferred wing-back role really well. Under Carrick, he hasn't impressed. He had registered no goals or assists until he created a goal for Bryan Mbeumo on the final day. He must do better.

The major club issue or talking point lurking is...

Apart from getting summer transfers right, it is what's happening with the new stadium plans. United insist work is continuing behind the scenes and the wider regeneration project will continue, even if Andy Burnham no longer continues as Manchester mayor. It has all been a bit quiet.

The reason for hope going forward is...

The sense of calm settling on Old Trafford. After years of upheaval and discontent, it all feels quite serene. It is most unusual.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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There were a couple of interesting bits of additional information in the wider third quarter statement that was released by Manchester United on Thursday night.

First, the club confirmed that since the reporting period ended on 31 March, they had paid off £110m on their revolving credit facility.

That is important because the facility is a key method of paying for transfers. It means they have £250m left to spend.

Then, United confirmed they had received £31.36m for a player sale, which is assumed to be Rasmus Hojlund, whose permanent move to Napoli was triggered by their qualification for next season's Champions League.

Also, within the accounts, United say they owe £405.75m in outstanding transfer fees, £171.14m of which is due after more than one year. Most clubs run transfer deficits like this these days. United's is at the top end of the list.

All this means the club are moving into a position where they can be active in the transfer market, albeit they are determined not to overpay for players.

Also, after a couple of years when revenue was reduced because of their absence from the Champions League, it would not be a surprise if the club were posting overall revenues in excess of £800m for the 2026-27 financial year.

Increases in broadcast revenue would be the major reason for this, but a new training kit sponsorship with Betway is expected to be announced. The previous deal with Tezos ended last summer.

Manchester United and Chelsea are considering a move for Bournemouth and England midfielder Alex Scott, 22, in the summer transfer window. (Teamtalk), external

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

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The curtain has officially come down on the 2025-26 Premier League season.

Players will depart and squads will be strengthened when the summer transfer window opens on Monday, 15 June.

With Wolves, Burnley and West Ham United all heading down to the Championship - would you be keen to poach any of their players?

Who would be good value for money and why? Which name would be best to avoid?

Let us know your thoughts here

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BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater says he does not believe Roy Keane "could care less" about the success of modern day Manchester United.

It comes in the wake of current United captain Bruno Fernandes firmly defending his character and achievements and accusing former Red Devils captain Keane of telling a "lie" about his pursuit of the Premier League assists record.

Keane described Fernandes as being at the centre of a "circus act" following United's 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest on the penultimate weekend of the season, suggesting he was prioritising individual assists glory over the team's interests.

"Roy Keane has no affiliation to Manchester United," Drinkwater told The Devils' Advocate podcast.

"The difference between him and Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and then Roy Keane is that I don't think Keane now at this stage actually wants United to do well.

"I don't think he could care less to be honest. When he had that shirt on he would have died for the club, but now why should he want Man Utd to do well? I know we gave him so much but he gave us so much. It's transactional, he grew up a Spurs fan.

"I just think he says things purposefully for a reaction."

Co-host Joe McGrath added: "Keane got that out of context, he got it completely wrong. Fernandes responded in a very calm and very mature way to those comments."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Explore all Manchester United content on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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What does Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon's impending move to Barcelona mean for England team-mate Marcus Rashford?

After all, the La Liga champions also had the option - and still do - of making the 28-year-old's loan move from Manchester United permanent for £26m.

However, Barcelona have prioritised a move for Gordon, who offers versatility on the left as well as through the middle, but is three years younger and on a lower wage.

Not that Gordon's arrival rules out a Rashford return - sources close to the United forward say the situations are separate.

There is a 15 June deadline for Barcelona to activate the transfer clause. However, sources feel it is unrealistic to think United could sell Rashford for more money to another club he would be prepared to join.

Barcelona have been trying to renegotiate the terms of the clause, something United are unwilling to do.

It is, therefore, not beyond the realms of possibility that the deadline could pass without agreement, but negotiations could continue anyway.

Rather than an arbitrary point after the World Cup has started, the key period is the gap between the end of England's time in the United States, whenever that is, and Rashford's planned return to training, which will be about three weeks later.

That is the point at which some kind of deal needs to be done to avoid manager Michael Carrick having to decide if he is willing to bring back a player who club chiefs would far prefer was not there.

Read the full article here

Beth Tucker
Fan contributor

Hi Casemiro,

I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you. Thank you for everything you have done, and everything you have given to Manchester United.

It has been an absolute pleasure to watch you play on the Old Trafford pitch.

I still remember when you got announced as a signing, and I thought, 'wow, I'm going to see one of the best central defensive midfielders in my lifetime play at Old Trafford.'

You have brought so many amazing qualities to this Manchester United side - leadership, experience, quality, but the most important is character. Your character has been absolutely immense.

No matter what happens, you will always come back stronger. You have set an example to everyone in that dressing room and to fans as well.

You have been much more than a midfield signing. You have stepped up in massive moments - anyone would have thought we'd signed you as a striker with the amount of headers you've scored and goals in clutch moments.

You played a massive part in us winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, and what you'll be remembered for is an unbelievable final season where you've gone out on a high getting Manchester United Champions League football.

You have been pivotal, even though you've known you won't be playing those games for United, you gave your all every single week.

That shows how much of your heart is at this football club. For that, we all love you.

Thank you for never turning your back on us. Thank you for always demanding more for Manchester United and for knowing deep down the club deserve more. Thank you for always standing tall and never shying away. Thank you for the memories and for always wearing that shirt with pride.

This isn't just a goodbye, it's a thank you.

So thank you for everything and I wish you nothing but the best for the future, because you deserve it.

Once a Red, always a Red.

Find more from Beth Tucker at The United Stand, external

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Statisticians Opta have conjured up their Premier League team of the season based on data collected throughout the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has made the cut after playing a key role as the Red Devils improved markedly under Michael Carrick to comfortably secure third place and a return to the Champions League.

On Fernandes, Opta said: Without doubt the easiest inclusion for this season's best team, Bruno Fernandes broke the Premier League record for assists in a season with 21, overtaking Thierry Henry in 2002-03 and De Bruyne in 2019-20 (both 20) as the most creative player in a season in the history of the competition. The underlying numbers behind it were even more extraordinary.

Fernandes created 136 chances, which was far and away more than the next best (Dominik Szoboszlai, 78). That is a record gap between the two most creative players in a Premier League season Opta has on record since 2003-04.

And in that time, only Mesut Ozil for Arsenal in 2015-16 has created more chances in one season (146), with Fernandes' 136 the most in any of Europe's big-five leagues since De Bruyne also created 136 in 2019-20.

He led the way for open-play chances created (98), big chances created (33), expected assists (12.3), open-play expected assists (9.1), passes into the box (326), through balls (39), successful final third passes (662) and line-breaking passes in the final third (210). He also ended the season fourth for shots attempted (85).

From Michael Carrick's first game on 17 January until the end of the season, Fernandes created 37 more chances than any other player (80) and his per 90 minutes total of 4.7 chances created under Carrick is the best ratio of any player under one manager on record since 2003-04.

• Read about the rest of Opta's picks here - and cross-reference it with Troy Deeney's team of the season here

Manchester United are in advanced talks to make Atalanta's Brazil midfielder Ederson their first summer signing.

Multiple sources have told BBC Sport a deal is close to completion, with a fee £35m, plus £3m in add-ons, likely for the 26-year-old.

United are prioritising strengthening central midfield this summer after the exit of Casemiro and uncertainty over Manuel Ugarte's future.

Meanwhile, United have confirmed it cost them £16.7m to dismiss former manager Ruben Amorim.

United sacked the former Sporting boss in January, less than 14 months after they paid £11m to bring him to the club from Portugal.

The exact figure was contained within the latest accounts.

Read more on Ederson and Man Utd's accounts

Alex Turk
Fan writer

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Season score out of 10 and overriding emotion?

7/10. It feels like years since I was sat in stunned silence after watching League Two Grimsby Town dump Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup. That's ironic, given that this season only featured 40 matches after also exiting at the FA Cup's first hurdle. Two serious lows, as was a first Premier League defeat by Leeds United at Old Trafford. However, the past 10 months have largely been a refreshing yet necessary step in the right direction.

Best moment and why?

Ruben Amorim's exit. My 7/10 season rating is because the first half of the season was 5/10 and the second was 9/10. United showed slight improvement under Amorim, but his commitment to the unsuitable 3-4-3 and bizarre blindness to Kobbie Mainoo's talent were his downfall. Michael Carrick's return delivered new life and made what felt like the impossible - a Champions League return - possible.

Player of the season and why?

Bruno Fernandes. You know why.

Unsung hero and why?

Luke Shaw. In a season that was all about United's improved attack following last summer's overhaul, Shaw has been a stalwart. After a decade of injury-plagued campaigns, the 30-year-old was one of just five Premier League players to start all 38 matches. That's something to be proud of.

Biggest disappointment?

Cup performances. If there was ever a season when United fans needed a cup run… I have seldom felt more deflated than I did after the third-round FA Cup defeat by Brighton at Old Trafford, confirming a pathetic 40-match campaign. No head coach, seemingly no real plan, then Carrick arrived. He deserves all the flowers he's getting.

What needs to change this summer?

The midfield. United have neglected a midfield rebuild for too long. Given the foundations laid since January and the sense of opportunity next season, that cannot continue. Whether the recruitment team nails this summer's business will determine whether Carrick succeeds or fails. Three quality midfielders. Nothing less.

Major hope for next season?

Sustainability. No-one should expect a Premier League title challenge, but United have to become top-four mainstays again and avoid repeating the humiliation of our last Champions League appearance in 2023-24. Improve the squad, develop a clear style of play, eye domestic cup glory and qualify for Europe's elite competition again.

Find more from Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC, external

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Manchester City are leading the race to sign Elliot Anderson, with the Nottingham Forest midfielder leaning towards a move to Etihad Stadium instead of rivals Manchester United.

There is a growing expectation Anderson will leave the City Ground this summer.

United are unwilling to overpay, or get drawn into protracted negotiations.

No deal has been struck between Forest and City and the clubs are far apart on their valuation for the 23-year-old, meaning the situation could still change.

• Read the full news article

The latest episode of The Devils' Advocate podcast has landed.

BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater and Joe McGrath are joined by fan Jordan Smith to discuss Manchester United's final performance of the season, debate the Bruno Fernandes and Roy Keane fall-out, and analyse Michael Carrick's permanent appointment.

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

Steven Sutcliffe
BBC Sport Journalist

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Bruno Fernandes was a key figure for Manchester United during the 2025-26 campaign, helping the club secure a third-place Premier League finish and a return to the Champions League after a two-season absence.

As well as laying on 21 goals, the skipper also scored nine times in the top flight.

His efforts were rewarded in May, when he collected the Football Writers' Association men's player of the year and the Premier League player of the season awards.

Fernandes has defended his character and achievements after ex-United captain Roy Keane described him as being at the centre of a "circus act" following the victory over Nottingham Forest on the penultimate weekend of the season.

He suggested the Portugal international was prioritising individual assists glory over the team's interests in his eagerness to set the single-season record.

Speaking on podcast The Overlap, Keane had said: "After the [Forest] game he got interviewed and he said, the captain of Manchester United said: 'A few times, I probably should have shot but I made them passes.' Wow. How can your mindset of a footballer be going into a match to be about an individual record? He won't be winning trophies, not with that mindset of the team."

Fernandes' actual post-match comments were: "There were probably moments today when I should have passed instead of shot. I'm very happy for the assist, but more than that, I'm happy for the win and to finish the season on a high."

Fernandes says he has contacted former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to ask for Keane's phone number so he can confront the issue.

"I've always showed a lot of respect for Roy Keane and for everything he has done for this club and for everything he has always said," Fernandes said.

"I've never ever had something to say, I've never said something wrong. I've even asked Ole for his number to text him, to have a word with him, to say that I don't mind the criticism but I don't like when people lie about things that I say.

"Because this goes a little bit over the top of the things that I think are acceptable."

Keane appeared to have misinterpreted Fernandes' comments rather than sought to distort the truth.

The former Republic of Ireland international posted a drawing of a braying donkey on Instagram on Monday, following Fernandes' response, with the caption: "Too much attention makes a donkey think he's a lion". It sparked speculation the comment was retaliation aimed at Fernandes, but Keane did not specify that.

Read the full article here

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Now the curtain has come down on the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, here is my end-of-season review - with a look back to what I predicted in August.

Prediction: 7th

A big achievement, especially by Michael Carrick, who seamlessly cleared up the wreckage of Ruben Amorim's ill-fated time in charge and took Manchester United back into the Champions League.

Bruno Fernandes was the inspiration, the player United simply cannot do without, while summer arrivals Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo added quality in attack.

Belgium keeper Senne Lammens has been a masterstroke signing, while the rehabilitation of Kobbie Mainoo is more credit in Carrick's ledger.

What I said in August: "They surely cannot be as bad again, can they?"

Check out the rest of my review here

Barcelona will hold fresh talks with Manchester United before the World Cup to try to sign Marcus Rashford, with the Spanish club already agreeing personal terms with the forward. (Talksport), external

Roma are keen on United striker Joshua Zirkzee as they gear up for the Champions League next term. (La Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

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

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