Manchester United

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Carrick is glad Manchester United are at the centre of the Champions League qualification debate.

While United had never been detached from the group trying to secure access to European football's elite competition, their results were so inconsistent under Ruben Amorim that few thought it was realistic they would end their two-year absence.

But four wins and a draw in five games under Carrick mean United go to Everton knowing victory will put them clear in fourth and just three points adrift of third-placed Aston Villa.

It is almost certain fifth will be enough given the Premier League is so far clear of its European rivals in the battle to claim one of Uefa's two additional slots.

Carrick is taking nothing for granted, though.

"It's good everyone's asking that question," he said of United's hopes of a return. "It shows we've put ourselves in a good position to start with.

"We're not getting too carried away after a few weeks. But we're in a good position and we're positive, which we should be.

"There's a lot of good things to take and it's possible. It's up to us to take the opportunity."

Manchester United lost at home to Everton in November despite the Toffees going down to 10 men in the 13th minute, when Idrissa Gueye was sent off for striking his team-mate Michael Keane.

Ruben Amorim's United just could not find a way of breaking Everton down that night, but there is a very different feel about them now Michael Carrick is in charge.

They needed a stoppage-time equaliser to get a point at West Ham last time out, but they seem much more confident and have been playing well.

This will be a tough game for them but, as I've mentioned previously, Everton have picked up more points on the road this season than they have done at home.

That's another reason why I fancy United to get something here, and stop David Moyes doing the double over his former club.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick says he has not spoken to co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the wake of his controversial comments on immigration.

Ratcliffe offered a partial apology in public after saying the United Kingdom had been "colonised by immigrants" in a TV interview earlier this month.

On Friday, Carrick said he was "proud" of United's heritage, which is partially built on players from overseas.

However, he has not heard from Ratcliffe directly.

"The last time I saw Jim was at Arsenal [on 25 January]," he said.

"I'm fine with that, I don't think there's anything really, in terms of constant communication from above, that I need.

"My role is to create the environment within the group, and obviously lead in terms of the first team and beyond."

As the United employee who has to talk to the media more often than anyone else, Ratcliffe put Carrick in an unenviable position with his comments.

However, the former United midfielder, who has been placed in charge until the end of the season, says his squad are unified and moving in the right direction before Monday's Premier League trip to Everton.

"We're definitely all pulling together," he said. "It's clear as it could ever be that we are pretty strong as a group."

Manchester United and Arsenal are favourites to sign Eintracht Frankfurt's 22-year-old Germany defender Nathaniel Brown this summer. (Caught Offside), external

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Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist

A resurgent Manchester United have the chance to add to Everton's poor recent home form in the final fixture of the Premier League weekend on Monday at Hill Dickinson Stadium (20:00 GMT).

Having been eliminated from the FA Cup in the third round, both sides have had nearly a fortnight to reflect on their previous results in the top flight.

Everton were undone by eight minutes of chaos at home to Bournemouth to lose 2-1, while United salvaged a point at West Ham United in stoppage time.

No Mersey paradise for Moyes

Everton are in a curious position at the moment. After numerous seasons of flirting with relegation, the table looks a lot rosier - they started the weekend in eighth position - yet there is still some frustration around recent performances at home.

The calamitous manner in which they threw away a winning position against Bournemouth left supporters angry, as a chance to consolidate a spot in the European positions was tossed away.

It's now six games without a win at Hill Dickinson Stadium in all competitions; they have lost five of their last nine Premier League home games, as many as they had in their previous 28.

That run is in stark contrast to the team's away form; they've won five, drawn four and lost one of their last nine.

Manager David Moyes will be hoping a visit from a big-name opponent can ignite the mood at the new 52,000-seat arena. The number of midweek games and Monday night matches have been a big factor in a number of low-key atmospheres at their new home.

United playing favourites

United have 19 away wins and 42 wins overall against Everton in the Premier League, more than any team has against another team in the competition's history.

The Toffees did get the better of the Red Devils previously though, as they rallied from an early Idrissa Gueye red card to win 1-0 at Old Trafford thanks to a Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall goal. A win for Everton on Monday would give them just their second Premier League double over United, the first coming in 2013-14 when Moyes was in charge of the Red Devils.

That defeat in November was arguably the nadir for former boss Ruben Amorim. Plenty has changed since, with Michael Carrick in charge and the team playing with a renewed sense of freedom.

The draw at West Ham may have ended Carrick's winning start, but the team will take heart from the manner in which they fought to the end.

Benjamin Sesko's stoppage-time goal - his second in three games - was enough to extend the team's current unbeaten streak to nine. The improved form of the £74m summer transfer will be a big relief at Old Trafford.

Overall, United have been the best team in the division in 2026, with no side able to better their haul of 15 Premier League points for the year; they have also scored more open play goals than any team since Carrick took charge.

Against a muddled opponent - their favourite opponent - they will be confident of adding to that on Merseyside.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The likelihood of Manchester United playing an overseas friendly at the beginning of April is receding.

With no European football this season, it had been expected the club would try to recoup some money by playing a midweek friendly.

The idea gathered momentum once United were knocked out of the FA Cup at the third round stage as it opened up three free weekends.

However, the first of those has now passed and while there remains a slim chance United could go somewhere immediately after the March international break as they have no game until 11 April, the window for arranging something is narrowing.

In addition, there are concerns about potential disruption to United's target of securing qualification for next season's Champions League, with fifth now virtually certain to be enough following the latest round of European fixtures.

"There is not a black and white answer with that one," said interim boss Michael Carrick. "We will make a call.

"It is not straightforward. It would depend on where the game is, what it is like, what time it is and when the fixtures fall."

United made around £8m from their two-match post-season tour of Asia in 2025.

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Carrick confirmed midfielder Mason Mount is "getting closer" to a return but they have had to be "patient" as they "don't want to push anything". Meanwhile, defender Matthijs de Ligt is "a bit behind" Mount in his recovery.

• On his reaction to part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's recent comments on immigration: "I think Sir Jim has made a statement, external and the club has made a statement, external on the back of it. For me to add to that is not my place. Enough has been said in that regard. I have been around this club for many years, we make a huge impact globally and we are responsible for that."

• He continued: "Throughout the years as a player, a member of staff, a supporter, we are really proud of the culture we have at the club and equality and diversity and respect for each other is something we look to carry forward every day."

• Asked about the impact this could have on the team, the United interim head coach responded: "We have got a really strong group, whether that is the players and the staff, and around the club, I think we are in constant communication anyway and speak to each other and help each other."

• He added: "Part of being at this club is we understand what it is like globally and the responsibilities we have. I can only speak from my experiences, I have been here for a long time with various managers, various staff, all backgrounds, different backgrounds and it is something I am fully aware of. I am proud of what the club stands for."

• After their 2-2 draw with West Ham, Carrick said they need to be "balanced" and not get "carried away" whether they win or drop points, insisting it was an "important point for us" and "not all negative".

• On 13-day break since their last match: "We tried to make it useful, the break we had. When there is change [in manager] and the month we had together, it was important to have a couple of days to digest that... the fixtures have thrown up a mixture of gaps between games so it is just adjusting and adapting to that."

• With United and Carrick set to face former boss David Moyes at Everton, he knows it is "going to take a lot" as it is "hard to play against" Moyes teams, but he feels they have "a good base, foundation and spirit" to get something from the game.

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

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Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It's just over a week since Sir Jim Ratcliffe came out with his claim that the United Kingdom had been "colonised by immigrants".

Ratcliffe offered a qualified apology amid the storm of protest at his comments, with United themselves issuing a statement highlighting the inclusivity work they are engaged in.

As United were knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round by Brighton and are not in Europe this season, today is the first time Michael Carrick will sit in front of the media since then, and he is bound to be asked about it.

While many may feel it is not a subject for a football manager to discuss given they were Ratcliffe's personal views and Carrick's job is to win matches – United are at Everton on Monday – there is the issue of his squad, which comes from players from so many countries and differing backgrounds.

They have not always earned huge sums of money and I remember former winger Antony talking about growing up in acute poverty in Brazil, when he lived in a favela.

It is fair to think United's players have a view on Ratcliffe's comments and to ask Carrick about it.

Navigating through controversial subjects is standard for modern day elite managers and, as Jose Mourinho has experienced this week, it can lead to huge criticism.

We asked for your views on where Manchester United will be in five years' time after our fan vlogger Beth Tucker offered her predictions - which you can find lower down this page.

Here are some of your comments:

Andrew: This is a very difficult prediction only because of the ongoing reactionary decision making which has plagued United in recent years. There is a danger of the plans for the new stadium overshadowing the need for a clear development plan on the field. United have lurched from poor manager to poor manager and their recruitment of players and development of youth has been disappointing. I hope this changes. There was talk about DNA and the United way. This can only be achieved with someone who understands United and the rigour of the Premier League. I hope Carrick is given the job and Fletcher allowed to develop the youth team. Honestly, I don't mind if big money isn't available. I'd rather see youth team players brought in and a much better scouting system spotting raw talent in Europe and South America without spending over the odds. I hope there is less reliance on signing huge stars and not Afcon players because this competition is damaging to the Premier League. You can't have your best players missing for six weeks of the season. I can't see United challenging for the Premier League for many years to come unless radical change happens. Unfortunately, United have shown little in the way of vision or strategic thinking. I hope I am wrong.

Christine: United are are in the midst of a massive rebuild, and it's going to take a world class manager and at least three or four summer transfer windows to get anywhere near winning the Premier league or European Cup. I see United being back at the top of world football but a lot of hard work in getting there.

Sohail: Manchester United will be in the Champions League next season, but we need a top manager in the summer who will take us to the next level.

Chris: Man Utd will be in a new stadium and top of Premier League in 2031.

Alex: In five years time, United should regularly be getting into the top four, hopefully having more homegrown talent in the starting team and keeping a manager for more than a season.

Sai: Beth's spot on! United have got to sign the right players, rather than the Ugartes, Mounts and Zirkzees. But first thing first, United have got to bring in the right manager/coach who will play attacking football, substitute early based on on-the-pitch form and play a youthful team with lots of chances for academy lads. Elliot Anderson must be United's number one target for the summer to line up alongside Mainoo in the middle after the departure of Casemiro, Ugarte, Bruno, Mount and Zirkzee.

Fred: I see United playing in the Champions League, with a world-class squad competing for the title and possibly even Europe as well. Also, with (hopefully) new owners and a renovated Old Trafford.

Michael Carrick says leading Manchester United is his "ultimate" role and has vowed to look after the long-term future of the club despite his interim status.

Carrick has had a stellar start since taking over from the sacked Ruben Amorim, prompting inevitable questions about him becoming the club's permanent boss in the future.

In a special episode of The Football Interview for BBC Sounds, Carrick sat down with BBC Sport presenter Mark Chapman and said: "I love what I am doing. I feel privileged to be in the position I am. I said when I came in, there's the sentimental side of understanding the club but I am here to do a job and to make a good team and be successful. I don't decide how long that is gong to be but I love being here and while I am, I'll give everything I can and plan for the long-term future and benefit of the club. That's how I believe it should be.

"I know what really matters to the football club and the people around it. I just think it is what should be done in my position."

In an interview which discussed punditry, managing Middlesbrough and his approach to young players, Carrick discussed the reintroduction of midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who had been largely frozen out by Amorim.

He added: "I have known Kobbie a long time. I think I started working with him when he was 13 or 14, when I started my coaching badges.

"Knowing him and having experience with him, and seeing him perform at such a level on such big occasions - to be able to cope - what he's done at such a young age is quite incredible. We forget how young he still is.

"I was a big fan of watching him play and what he was capable of. So it wasn't really a big decision to play him. It's not easy when you've not played to find your rhythm and form - he's come in and done fantastic. I have not had to help him an awful lot.

"I think he has shown he can do a bit of everything. He has been wih Casemiro a lot. He takes the ball everywhere, Kobbie. There are things he can improve on. But we haven't really got started on any of that as we have let him find his flow of playing again. I have been really conscious of not giving him a lot. A few pointers, positional things, but trust in what he is, a fantastic footballer with huge talent."

While shaping the club's future and giving youth a chance point back to the Sir Alex Ferguson era, Carrick also spoke about not being able to live up to the famous Scot's hairdryer treatment when anger takes hold.

"I'm not sure I could replicate that and I wouldn't try to," he joked. "A couple of times I've seen it and it puts you on the back of your seat."

Listen to The Football Interview

Beth Tucker
Fan contributor

The United Stand's Beth Tucker discusses where Manchester United could be in five years' time and whether the club could return to becoming serious challengers for the Premier League title.

Where will Manchester United be in 2031 - five years' time from now? Well, hopefully with a couple more trophies and in a better position, but could they be serious competitors for a Premier League title?

Look, a lot of people would say United are very far off winning the league as of now, and if you look at it, we haven't won the Premier League since 2013. That is a lot of years of no title wins. However, I am an optimistic Manchester United fan.

Something that could play into United's favour is the Premier League being more open and I do expect that to happen within the next five years and United need to capitalise on this. They've got to do it by signing the right players. It feels like for the past decade United have needed to sign a striker every single window, a winger every single window, a centre-back every single window, full-backs etc and it's because we've not signed correctly.

We've started doing so, though, recently and Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha were massive steps in the right direction. Investing in potential like Leny Yoro and Benjamin Sesko for the future, you need that mix of Premier League experience players ready to go now alongside the potential. That's how you build a successful team, a team that still has leadership and experience but also has longevity.

But, I do think there will be a shake-up in the league and I do think it will give teams like Chelsea and Manchester United a real opportunity to have a crack at the title if they make the right decisions. Like we've seen at Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp leaving has had a massive impact and I think Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City in this time.

Despite how well City are run, Guardiola leaving your football club is going to have a big, big impact and they might go through a transition period. Arsenal with Mikel Arteta - the nearly men - are they going to be able to keep going every single season?

So we have to get Champions League football this season. I think it's such a swinging doors moment for United. The right manager has to be brought in in the summer. Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, if he came in the summer, being alongside Kobbie Mainoo, I think could be transformative for our next few years.

There are a lot of things to get right but, if the right decisions are made, I do think the Premier League will be more open and there is scope for United to be successful in the next five years and, who knows, maybe they will compete for a title. Football can change very, very quickly, everyone.

Find more from Beth Tucker at The United Stand, external

United fans, where do you see the club in 2031? And what would need to happen over the next five years to get you there?

Let us know here.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United are to provide free return coach travel from Manchester for fans attending the club's Premier League match at Bournemouth on Friday, 20 March.

Precise details are still to be determined and fans will be contacted about how to take advantage once they have been told if they have been successful in getting one of the 1,300 visiting allocation at Vitality Stadium.

United have already voiced their frustration with league officials at the number of times their games have been moved to Fridays or Mondays this season.

The club believe it is correct to offer a gesture of goodwill for what, in mileage terms, is their furthest away match - a round trip of 500 miles from Old Trafford.

Partly because of their early exit from the FA Cup and also the March international break, United are in a period where they play on just two weekend dates in eight weeks. They are yet to learn which of their matches after that will be moved for live TV coverage.

Their next game is at Everton on Monday night, another of the six weekend leagues games in 15 that has been moved to a Friday or a Monday.

There are no public transport options that would allows supporters to get back to the north-west after the Bournemouth game has finished.

Manchester United are interested in Chelsea striker Liam Delap, who is likely to leave Stamford Bridge this summer. Newcastle and Everton are also keen on the 23-year-old. (Caught Offside, external)

United are prepared to let winger Jadon Sancho leave for free at the end of the season. (Sun, external)

The Old Trafford side are regretting the price they agreed to sell Marcus Rashford to Barcelona for because they believe the forward is now worth about £50m. (Star, external)

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

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Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United remain on course for a record 12th FA Youth Cup triumph after a comfortable 4-1 win at Oxford United to reach the quarter-finals.

Defender Albert Mills powered Darren Fletcher's side in front with an early header.

Fifteen-year-old JJ Gabriel doubled Manchester United's lead with a long-range finish before half-time.

Chido Obi scored a third early in the second half before substitute Noah Ajayi rounded off the scoring near the end.

Fletcher elected to drop back down to the under-18s, who he has coached since the start of the season, rather than remain part of the senior coaching team after Michael Carrick was installed as head coach for the remainder of the campaign.

The former Scotland midfielder had taken interim charge of the first team following Ruben Amorim's dismissal, and used the opportunity to bring Kobbie Mainoo back into the Manchester United starting line-up.

Mainoo was part of the club's last FA Youth Cup-winning team in 2022.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Marcus Rashford's future has been the subject of several questions sent in via our 'Ask about Manchester United' form.

There is no clarity on Rashford's long-term future just yet.

However, as Barcelona have just lost the two games he has been injured for, it may start to focus minds at the Nou Camp.

On the face of it, the decision is an easy one.

They simply could not find a forward with so much experience and so much talent anywhere else for £28m, the buyout figure agreed in Rashford's summer loan deal.

There are complications though.

First, Barca's financial issues are well documented. For a player like Rashford, the fee is only part of the financial commitment. Even a two-year contract on the salary he was getting at Old Trafford would eclipse the fee, which United are not prepared to reduce.

It seems the 28-year-old is enjoying himself with the Catalan giants. He has scored 10 goals and forced his way back into the England squad. But 14 of his 34 appearances have come off the bench. Will that be enough?

Then there is United's view.

It might be some time before we find out who the club's manager will be next season. What will they think?

We do know Sir Jim Ratcliffe is keen to drive down the wage bill and when Casemiro leaves in the summer, Rashford will be one of the club's highest earners, regardless of the fact he won't have featured for them in 18 months.

With his contract not due to expire until 2028, would they try to reintegrate a player who had zero intention of returning to the club if Ruben Amorim remained in charge?

There is also the knowledge United could sell Rashford to a different club, where the £28m clause does not apply. That, however, would need the player's agreement.

A return to Barcelona remains the most likely outcome next season but, as it stands, no-one can be sure where Rashford will be once the World Cup is over.

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BBC Radio Manchester presenter Gaz Drinkwater is unclear on what role Joshua Zirkzee has to play at Manchester United.

Speaking on a new episode of The Devils' Advocate podcast by BBC Sounds, Drinkwater explained: "I struggle to see where Joshua Zirkzee fits into this United team.

"He's not good enough to start games.

"On the bench, the only situation I'd bring him on if if we're winning 1-0 and you need someone who is good with playing with the ball.

"Maybe it could work with fast wingers either side of him?

"I want my front man to have a lot more impetus to cause problems for defenders - and that's what [Benjamin] Sesko is."

The conversation continues on the Devils' Advocate, which you can listen to below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

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Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

This has not been the best of seasons for Manchester United midfielder Sekou Kone.

The 20-year-old was hoping to kick on after making the United bench for three Premier League games over the second half of last season.

But it just has not happened.

Initially, Kone suffered concussion during a National League Cup tie at Tamworth in August that effectively ruled him out until the middle of November.

The Mali youth international started two Under-21 games in the space of four days in December but then headed to Lausanne, the Swiss club owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos Group, for a trial before eventually signing a loan deal before the February transfer deadline.

Unfortunately, Kone has made just one substitute appearance of 10 minutes from the three Swiss league games he has been on the bench for and will not be involved in the Conference League play-off with Czech Republic outfit Sigma Olomouc because he has not been registered for the remainder of the tournament. Playing in it was cited as one of the benefits of the move when United announced it on 3 February.

It is not clear why there has been such a major breakdown in communication over how Kone would be used but unless he returns to United – as happened with England Under-20 striker Ethan Wheatley last season when he failed to play during his loan at Walsall, it looks like being a very frustrating campaign for Kone.

Manchester United have no intention of lowering their £26m asking price for 28-year-old England forward Marcus Rashford, who is on loan at Barcelona. (Mail), external

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On the latest episode of The Devils' Advocate, Gaz Drinkwater joins Joe McGath from Tenerife as they look ahead to Manchester United's first trip to Everton's new stadium and another meeting with former manager David Moyes.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

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