While Everton are considering a move for 28-year-old Manchester United and England forward Marcus Rashford. (Football Insider), external
United, Chelsea and Arsenal are among the clubs eyeing Como midfielder Nico Paz, although the Serie A side have no intention of selling the 22-year-old Argentina international. (Teamtalk), external
Will 'truce talks' be a step in the right direction?published at 16:15 GMT 28 October
16:15 GMT 28 October
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on the 'clear-the-air' talks between head coach Michael Carrick and captain Bruno Fernandes before Saturday's match against Chelsea.
Here are some of your comments:
Ratheesh: I may be one of the few who thinks that the Man Utd hierarchy did the right thing to keep Michael Carrick rather than bowing to the player power. Still remains to be seen how the players respond - but first the fans and now the ownership have sided with Carrick, not the players. A truce talk is certainly a step in the right direction.
Nigel: When players come out and make the kind of pointed comments Bruno did last week it is usually with an ulterior motive. I think Bruno is trying to force his way out of the club and maybe any peace talks centred around him being allowed to leave as early as the January transfer window. If United are going to improve their current situation then they will need all their players, including Bruno, to pull together and fight for the club.
Peter: He's been United's best player for years. In their present position they can't afford to leave him out. I'm sure he's regretted his comments. Why make the situation worse by leaving him out?
Steve: I don't think Bruno should play for United again. He threw his manager under the bus. If he had a problem with the tactics, have a chat behind closed doors with him. It undermines the manager's authority, no player should be above the manager. I think Bruno disrupts the balance of the team, we won't have harmony in the dressing room until he goes.
Christine: Would this have happened with Sir Alex Ferguson? Definitely not. Carrick I hope made it very clear who is boss - but unfortunately I am not sure he would have done that. When Fernandes performs on the pitch, then he may have an opinion.
'We all want to put it right' published at 10:55 GMT 28 October
10:55 GMT 28 October
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
The predicament at Manchester United is viewed by the club as not being entirely Michael Carrick's fault.
Senior figures feel Manchester United's players - a squad they think are capable of qualifying for the Champions League - are underperforming badly and should shoulder some of the blame.
There does seem to be a general desire to help Carrick out. One player told BBC Sport: "The feeling is that we all want to put it right. Players, staff, everyone."
It is not known if the "we" includes Fernandes, and BBC Sport has not been made aware of what, if any, conversations have taken place between the captain and his boss.
Obviously, it is easier to get rid of one manager and his backroom team than an entire squad of players - and if results do not turn around, Carrick will pay the price.
One former senior United official told BBC Sport: "Ordinarily, Michael would have gone. The last two performances were unacceptable and team discipline is broken. Not doing it is fascinating and risky."
Cynics may argue the main reason Carrick is still in a job is because of the inability to secure a replacement before the Chelsea game.
Additionally, some of the coaches that Under-18s boss Darren Fletcher called on to help him during his spell as interim manager in January are now part of the senior set-up.
As highlighted by BBC Sport on Monday, Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann were among the options explored by United as they weighed up whether to make a change.
Any decision to appoint Howe would trigger a multi-million pound compensation payment to his former club Newcastle.
Some observers think compensation payments may be a factor in United's reluctance to make a change, given the sums that have previously gone on hiring and firing coaches.
BBC Sport has also been told former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is willing to have a conversation about the job, although there has been no direct contact.
That trio are all out of work - as is Kieran McKenna, who worked with Carrick as part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's coaching team at United and then left for Ipswich.
Manchester United would have to pay Newcastle about £3m in compensation if they choose to appoint Eddie Howe in the event of a managerial vacancy at Old Trafford. (Guardian), external
Man Utd stars bring joy to fans on Dream Daypublished at 18:57 GMT 27 October
18:57 GMT 27 October
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes with Michael (right) and his son Oscar
It may be a difficult time at Manchester United just now but the club were still able to offer some joy to fans attending the club's Foundation's latest Dream Day at their Carrington training ground.
Supporters with life-limiting illnesses were at the twice-yearly event, which was attended by head coach Michael Carrick, skipper Bruno Fernandes and other first team stars.
"It's always a very proud moment for us to make their day," said Fernandes.
"They are always so positive and have such kind words. That energy goes both ways and this is what Manchester United is all about. It is part of the culture of the club."
One supporter, Michael, travelled with his son Oscar, who was born with a rare condition, tracheo-oesophageal fistula, from Scotland for the event.
"It's hard to put into words, it's really emotional," said Michael.
"Oscar is still in disbelief at meeting the players, but it means the absolute world. It's probably the best experience of my life to be honest."
Rooney scores four for under-18spublished at 15:33 GMT 27 October
15:33 GMT 27 October
Image source, Getty Images
Kai Rooney scored four goals for Manchester United under-18s as they beat Burnley 6-0 on Tuesday.
The 16-year-old forward, who is the son of Wayne Rooney, completed his hat-trick just after the hour mark before getting his fourth just three minutes later.
It takes Rooney's tally to five goals and one assist in three appearances.
Earlier this month, he made his debut for the club's under-21 team in their 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
'Surprised' Carrick is still Man Utd boss - Suttonpublished at 12:26 GMT 27 October
12:26 GMT 27 October
Media caption,
Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton says he is "surprised" Michael Carrick is still Manchester United boss after winning just two of their first 12 games in all competitions.
Carrick's side have had a wretched start to the season with only one league win from eight and they currently sit one point above the relegation zone in 16th.
Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club: "I think the question that Jason Wilcox and [Omar] Berrarda will have been asking each other is, 'will we get any better under Michael Carrick if he stays on?'
"And that's hard to say based on what we've seen this season. And that isn't to say that's all Michael Carrick's fault.
"I'm surprised right now that he is still in the job based on performances this season."
On the fans at Old Trafford applauding Carrick off after the defeat by Bournemouth but booing the players, he said: "That was very unusual. I'm trying to rack my brain on managers I've got sacked over the years and thinking of occasions like that where a manager who's under the pump was applauded off and the players were booed. I can't think of another one.
"I don't necessarily think that has bought him time because you would like to think the decision-makers would have to see through that and look at what is going on on the pitch and also within the dressing room. And when I say that, it's clearly not a happy and harmonious dressing room."
Squad 'struggling' with being at huge club - Townsendpublished at 12:09 GMT 27 October
12:09 GMT 27 October
Media caption,
Former Tottenham and England forward Andros Townsend believes the current crop of Manchester United players are "struggling with being at one of the biggest clubs in the world" because of a lack of mental strength.
The performances of the squad have been questioned in recent weeks and the fans booed the team off the pitch after their latest disappointing display in the 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth on Sunday.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Townsend said: "I think the problem is now Man United are still one of the best clubs in the world and still have have that massive expectation, but at the moment they're not able to attract that level of player that have that mental strength that are able to be 2-0 down against Bournemouth and have that mental strength to get on the ball and still play.
"I think they're caught in a situation where now you look at their team, they don't have the world-class players with the world-class mentality and they're struggling with being at one of the biggest clubs in the world and being expected to win every game."
'Fine coaches have been made to look ridiculous' - Nevinpublished at 08:52 GMT 27 October
08:52 GMT 27 October
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
In Pat Nevin's latest newsletter, he was asked - Manchester United have a tough-looking run of games coming up. Is it farcical to think they could find themselves in a real relegation battle this season? (Mark)
Mark, I will be totally honest with you and say that I was pondering the very same question just as Evanilson curled in the third goal on Sunday.
In the Premier League, if you do not do better than a point a game, you are officially in a relegation fight. United currently have seven points from eight games. It is of course early days but as you correctly note, even on good form, the run of games coming up would not be comfortable.
Away at Chelsea is tough, even if they wobbled at the weekend without Joao Pedro. Chelsea are also not encumbered by European football so could be fresher. After that it's Aston Villa, who, having beaten Man City, clearly have their mojo back after a difficult start. Liverpool at Anfield is the last thing United need while struggling to get any spirit together in the group. You do not win at Anfield unless you have a spirited performance and a team willing to fight from start to finish as a unit.
On top of this, they have Roma and Sporting Lisbon to face, and considering the lashing they got from Como, those aren't going to be straightforward and will drain them whatever happens.
So could they drop into the bottom three? The answer is yes they could, they are only a point above the zone just now. Once you are down there, it can be extraordinarily hard to dig yourself out, especially if fear grows and confidence withers.
Will it happen? Will they be in and around the bottom three next April and May? I suspect not, but unless they fix the ethos within the entire club structure, unless they remember how to run and fight for every point, unless they make the right decision regarding the manager, then it is not beyond the bounds of possibility.
Everyone else around them will be fighting tooth and claw and sometimes that is enough to save you.
There is a phrase within business – responsibility without control or authority leads to failure. That is what too many football managers have to live with now. Meanwhile, control without immediate responsibility and consequences sits in the comfy boardroom seats above them.
The first seeds of a changing landscape were sown when West Ham fans saw through this nonsense for what it was and turned on their sporting director.
Five years in, irate Chelsea fans have adapted their club's philosophy in a similar way, so Xabi Alonso gets more control than the previous coaches, for the moment anyway.
I am saddened for Michael Carrick today but there is a large part of me that also thinks 'you are probably better away from there mate'. Fine coaches have been made to look ridiculous under their methodology.
Maybe they will finally give the next coach a decent level of control, especially regarding signings, and also some time to build.
Somehow, I doubt it though. People with power tend to grimly hold on to it.
Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.
'Total ineptitude from above' - Man Utd should 'stick with' Carrickpublished at 08:29 GMT 27 October
08:29 GMT 27 October
Image source, Getty Images
"I can't see a way that this gets better for Manchester United," admitted BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater on the latest episode of The Devils' Advocate podcast following Sunday's 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick's side, who have taken just one win and four draws from their opening eight Premier League games of the season, are currently one point above the relegation zone.
"I don't think it has ever been as bad as it is right now for Manchester United in the modern era," Drinkwater said.
"The club has sacked managers in the past when things weren't going well.
"Going back to the final days of Ruben Amorim, we all know he deserved to get sacked. We were watching his team, thinking: 'If we could just play Kobbie Mainoo and change the system, things will change' - and things did change because those things did happen.
"But this is a situation where I can't see a way that this gets better for Manchester United. What are they going to do? Sell all the players and buy a load of new ones? That isn't going to happen.
"Every team around us strengthened massively in the areas they need to, whereas the people who make the decisions have refused to spend money on a defence which clearly needs improving.
"It is total ineptitude from the people above making the decisions.
"No manager fixes this."
United fan Jordan Smith added: "Do you know what I miss? The joy of watching a game. We are in the Champions League for goodness sake, for the first time in years, we should be buzzing!
"It's got to a point where us fans are left questioning when it got to a point where we didn't expect to beat, or at least compete, against Bournemouth at home.
"The fact Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez were left out, it was almost like Michael Carrick was saying: 'This is probably going to be my last game so I'm going to show them what they need to be shown'.
"They need to stick with someone like him. You could see he was nearly in tears walking around the pitch at full-time, that isn't a normal thing."
Gossip: Man Utd would have to pay Newcastle for Howepublished at 07:58 GMT 27 October
07:58 GMT 27 October
Former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe may insist on bringing his complete backroom staff should he receive an approach from Manchester United over their manager's position. (Express), external
Manchester United would have to pay a hefty £6m in compensation to Newcastle to land Howe under the terms of his departure from St James' Park. (Telegraph - subscription required), external
Manchester United have been told they will have to pay more than £70m to sign Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall, 22. (Football Insider), external
Man Utd will likely change manager - but will it change their fortunes?published at 19:06 GMT 26 October
19:06 GMT 26 October
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
True football fans may well be thinking: is it fair that Michael Carrick carries the can for Manchester United's long-term incompetence?
He found himself in a no-win situation, and I'm not just talking about the previous six games.
He had to make a decision about Bruno Fernandes after the midfielder's blatant insubordination following the Como match. There were no good options open to the head coach, but he dropped his captain against Bournemouth.
He knew that another defeat would then leave him defenceless in the board's eyes.
On the other hand, if he had started Fernandes or even brought him on as a substitute, any respect in the dressing room would have evaporated.
I'm sure he had many thoughts the night before Sunday's capitulation, but one must have been: what is the right thing to do? The next question might have been: what would Sir Alex Ferguson have done? The answers are clear.
It doesn't matter if you're David Beckham, Jaap Stam, Cristiano Ronaldo or Bruno Fernandes, player insurrection is a flag of a deeper red than any fluttering in the Stretford End.
It didn't help Carrick but, if and when he is sacked, he will know he did the right thing not the expedient thing.
Last week, Erik ten Hag was telling the world about the shambles at Manchester United while he was there. The players he desired weren't acquired because those above him knew so much better than him, apparently.
So it would seem years of this control from above has left the club in a tailspin.
Happily, we are in a new era and fans understand that the days of the manager being nothing more than a flak catcher to cover the deeds of the real culprits above are now gone.
There's a phrase within business: responsibility without control or authority leads to failure. That's what too many football managers have to live with now. Meanwhile, control without immediate responsibility and consequences sits in the comfy boardroom seats above them.
I'm saddened for Carrick, but there is a large part of me that also thinks: 'You are probably better away from there, mate'.
Fine coaches have been made to look ridiculous under their methodology. Maybe they will finally give their next coach a decent level of control, especially regarding signings, and also some time to build.
Somehow, I doubt it though. People with power tend to grimly hold on to it.
Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.
Why is Wilcox under pressure at Man Utd?published at 18:00 GMT 26 October
18:00 GMT 26 October
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Jason Wilcox joined Manchester United in April 2024 - initially as technical director after 15 months in a similar role at Manchester City, where he had previously been in charge of the academy.
At City he worked with current United chief executive Omar Berrada and also Stephen Torpey, who was appointed United's head of academy in August 2025.
When he arrived, it was said by United officials that Wilcox would work across all technical areas of the club to achieve "highest standards of performance" and would be answerable to the sporting director.
Ten months on, a poor series of results and dissatisfaction with transfer business has put Wilcox in the spotlight.
There are some who have sympathy with the position Wilcox finds himself in. The 55-year-old is not in charge of transfer budgets, which are set at a higher level.
Both issues affected the amount United could spend in the summer - both on transfer fees and wages.
Wilcox rarely speaks to the media, and a general lack of communication means we don't know why United decided to focus exclusively on strengthening their midfield in the summer, rather than bring in competition at left-back for Luke Shaw and striking support for Benjamin Sesko.
With both players injured, that looks like a major error.
The general consensus is Michael Carrick has been sold badly short, and Wilcox's job title - and the fact he is often photographed with United's new signings and quoted in official press releases - means he is being blamed.
'Carrick has to be backed at all costs'published at 16:04 GMT 26 October
16:04 GMT 26 October
Image source, Getty Images
We asked you whether Michael Carrick should remain as Manchester United manager or if a change is the only option for the club.
Here are some of your comments:
Brian: I think Carrick should go. It took until Como for him to say we were poor. We've been poor in most games this season when we haven't shown passion or desire. I didn't want an ex-player to be manager after the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer time. The owners and players are also to blame, but it's the manager that picks the team and motivates them.
Norma: Not much point in endlessly changing managers as it's the players who are the problem. I don't think Carrick should go, but I wouldn't blame him if he actually wanted to! Must be soul destroying for him.
Chris: Carrick deserves so much more than this. He came in last season and got this lot playing. I say get rid of Bruno Fernandes, Lisandro Martinez, Marcus Rashford, etc as they will throw any manager under the bus. Stick by your manager and get rid of the bad apples.
Vicki: He should stay. Changing managers at every bump unsettles the team and costs the club millions in payments. Give him a chance to turn things around like he did last season.
Oliver: Stick with Carrick. We have a man who cares about the club and is immensely proud to be manager. The players have to think that way as well or leave. Enough is enough!
Ken: Carrick has to be backed at all costs. He is absolutely the right man. Back him unequivocally as he roots out the toxicity from the likes of Fernandes, who is an utter disgrace for undermining a manager who helped him win the individual awards last season.
🎧 The Devils' Advocate: 'No manager fixes this'published at 15:54 GMT 26 October
15:54 GMT 26 October
Joe and Gaz are joined in the studio by Manchester United fan Jordan Smith to discuss the latest, with Michael Carrick's position is under major threat.
The team reflect on yet another disappointing defeat and contemplate what may happen next.
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
