Manchester United

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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When Michael Carrick was asked about 15-year-old JJ Gabriel last month, he navigated the narrow path between high praise for a young player with immense talent and the knowledge he will ultimately be the one who decides when it is time for first-team exposure.

"JJ is one of the boys," he said. "He has obviously got really big talent. He has trained with us quite a bit and he is getting experience all the time. He is physically adapting to each step and we are just continuing his development."

Ryan Giggs, Manchester United's record appearance holder, was 17 years old when he made his club debut in 1991.

Like Carrick with Gabriel, Sir Alex Ferguson saw Giggs playing youth football in the flesh, initially in a trial game at the Cliff training ground.

Giggs can't assess what he looked like, but he knows what it felt like. In an insightful chat with his former team-mate on Rio Ferdinand Presents: The Debrief, external, Giggs offered this assessment: "Sometimes you have to be patient. Sometimes it gets to a point where you can't not pick him or have him train in the first team.

"It is that in-between time where he thinks he should be in the first team squad every week, when Michael [Carrick] sees it a different way.

"He is probably thinking: 'No, you need to play games. It isn't really going to do you any good travelling here, there and everywhere, getting five to 10 minutes on the pitch."

Aside from the first game in Helsinki, Gabriel featured in all of United's pre-season trips this summer. Yet he played just once, as a late substitute against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm.

United have posted plenty of footage of Gabriel training with the first team this season and there is a view he may be given his first-team debut in the Carabao Cup third round, which would make him the club's youngest ever player.

However, as United have had a tricky start to the season results wise, is it practical for him to play against Premier League opposition Brighton on 16 September?

Champions League games offer 11 substitute places, rather than nine in domestic competition, so does that mean he could be involved against Sabah on Thursday? Given he did not train with the first team on Wednesday, possibly not.

Read the full article here

Newcastle could still sell Lewis Hall next summer despite the 22-year-old England left-back, recently linked with a move to Manchester United, reportedly agreeing a new contract with the Magpies until 2031. (TalkSport), external

Manchester United and Tottenham both had representatives in Belgium on Tuesday to watch Club Brugge's German striker Nicolo Tresoldi, 22. (Teamtalk), external

Centre-back Lisandro Martinez will be offered a new long-term contract by if he stays injury-free and has an impressive 2026-27 season at Old Trafford. (Football Insider), external

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Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Debate around Manchester United's left-back position has been raging all summer.

The fundamental point is that while Luke Shaw started all 38 Premier League games last season, and the first three this, it was going to be stretch to imagine the 31-year-old would navigate through a 60-game campaign.

Now United head coach Michael Carrick has given an insight into how Shaw played so often.

Last season, Carrick's team only had two midweek games, neither of which was followed by a weekend fixture.

Now they play Sabah FK in the Champions League, followed by Manchester City on Sunday, then Brighton in the EFL Cup next Wednesday and finally a trip to Fulham before the next international break.

There is no point Shaw pushing himself to play tomorrow because it risks his involvement in the other games. So he didn't train.

"We just gave him an extra recovery day today" said Carrick.

"We'll see by tomorrow how he is, but it's not an ongoing thing or a plan or anything like that.

"It was just off the back of the game the other day. So, as normal, each individual has different little things that we manage."

Matthijs de Ligt's back injury cannot be described as a 'little thing' as it has kept him out for nine months now.

Like Shaw, he was absent from training despite recent posts on United's social media accounts showing the Netherlands defender in a session.

"I think when you're out for such a long period of time, you've got to manage that last stage," said Carrick.

"It's important. We've got to get that balance right for when to take the next step.

"But he's on a good track. He's in a good place, and it's great to have him back around us, and hopefully it'll be sometime soon."

Tasnim Chowdhury
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Champions League fixture against Sabah at Old Trafford (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Defender Luke Shaw has been given an extra recovery day and they will know by Thursday whether he will be in the squad. Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt has trained well and is "on good track" to make a return soon but United have to "get the balance right" for the next steps.

• Slovenia forward Benjamin Sesko is "in a good place" and will be part every game. Carrick added: "It's just a case of when he takes that next step".

• Carrick said the Champions League is a "magical competition" and where the club wants to be, adding: "When you're out of it, you realise how special it is and when you're in it, you want to make the most of it. It's the best competition to challenge yourself and to push against the best."

• On progressing in the Champions League, he said: "We're capable of achieving it. It's up to us to take the step of doing that. We've got to be humble enough and realistic enough to know where we're coming from and where we want to get to. We're capable of some really, really good things and especially on our day, we feel that we can go up against anybody and come out on top. It's up to us to bring that over a consistent period and consistency through games. In the end, that gets you the results and hopefully puts us in the stages that you're talking about."

• Carrick said the Champions League means "an awful lot" and winning it as a player was "the ultimate" and "the best feeling I've had". He added that it would be nice to feel that again one day.

• On the approach to selecting players: "It's always a balanced view. That's why we're pushing to have as strong a squad as possible to be able to adapt to certain games and certain strengths and different ways of playing and different circumstances. It's about managing the group and having the trust in everyone who's able to play and will play."

• On Sabah: "I think they're a very well-coached team. You can see that quite clearly, their ideas, the principles that they have that are repeatable. I think they've obviously won a lot of football matches over the last 12 months or so. They're playing with a lot of confidence and you can see the way they play and take the ball and play through the pitch. They have some really good connections and press well as a team. So, we are fully aware of what we're up against and the challenge that we face."

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Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

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Manchester United's second goal against Ipswich Town was rightly awarded despite the ball coming off the arm of Harry Maguire, the Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel has ruled.

Any accidental handball by a player before they score should mean the goal is disallowed.

But Maguire, who had his arms raised to his chest under pressure from Chuba Akpom, saw his shot deflected into the net off Ipswich defender Jacob Greaves for an own goal, meaning the United player was not actually the goalscorer.

The game was 1-1 at the time of the goal, with United going on to win 5-2.

The video assistant referee, Jarred Gillett, told match referee Craig Pawson: "It's an own goal and the accidental handball is not punishable, so we recommend you award the goal."

If the handball had been deliberate then the goal could have been ruled out, a view that was held by Match of the Day pundits Shay Given and Ellen White.

Given said: "It is a clear handball. His hands are not in a natural position. It is a deliberate handball and a deliberate motion towards the ball."

White added: "It is a very unnatural position to be going to protect your face. It does feel like a handball and it does feel deliberate."

The five members of the KMI panel backed both the on-field and VAR decision by a vote of 4:1.

The panel noted that "Maguire's arms are within his bodyline meaning that the contact with his right arm was accidental", with one panellist considering the handball to be deliberate.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Carlos Baleba's arrival at Old Trafford has been the subject of several questions sent in via our 'Ask about Manchester United' form.

Twinomugisha asked who will Baleba most likely forge a midfield partnership with at the Red Devils and how long is the Cameroon international ruled out for?

Manchester United made the signing of Carlos Baleba a pretty big deal by parading him onto the pitch before last month's Premier League victory over Ipswich.

At £70m, he is one of the most expensive players in the club's history – within the top 10 at any rate – and the biggest fee they paid this summer.

That suggests very strongly to me he is viewed as a starter in Michael Carrick's best team.

I was told before Baleba completed his move from Brighton his ankle injury is only minor and would just keep him out for a couple of weeks or so. On that basis, I would expect to see him before the international break.

The partnership aspect is interesting. I did a piece about that last week. Man Utd made midfield recruitment a summer priority, so what happens now?

On the early evidence, it will be either Kobbie Mainoo or Youri Tielemans, with either Tielemans or Bruno Fernandes in the number 10 role.

However, Fernandes is certain to feature in the biggest games, which suggests Michael Carrick might occasionally play a different formation as I don't think Tielemans has been bought as a back-up either.

There is also the potential for Baleba and Andrey Santos playing together in a more defensive formation.

Carrick will rightly argue it is good to have options and competition is healthy.

It needs managing though because no-one likes continually being left out.

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Manchester United and Liverpool are monitoring Germany defender Malick Thiaw, but Newcastle have no intention of selling the 25-year-old. (Caught Offside), external

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Manchester United and Portugal attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes has been named in the 30-player shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d'Or.

The 32-year-old made 37 appearances across all competitions last season, scoring nine goals and contributing 22 assists, as Manchester United secured Champions League football for 2026-27.

He has already been crowned the PFA Men's Player of the Year and the Football Writers' Association Men's Footballer of the Year for his exploits last season.

It is the second Ballon d'Or nomination he has received throughout his career - and the winner will be announced on Monday, 26 October during a ceremony at The London Palladium.

BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club panel have discussed negativity around Manchester United.

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton questioned whether there is a mentality issue within the squad, while former Premier League defender Conor Coady defended Harry Maguire's comments about negativity surrounding United.

"Maguire has lived it and he's right what he's saying for me there," Coady said.

"Every time Manchester United get beat we sit on these programmes and we say, 'Man Utd have been beat again.' We're playing into his hands of what he's saying."

Sutton questioned why Maguire should be concerned about outside criticism.

"But why is he thinking about what people say?" he said.

Coady replied: "Because it's right."

Sutton, reflecting on United going a goal behind before beating newly-promoted Ipswich last week, added: "He shouldn't be viewing that as a player. He shouldn't be thinking like that. He should be taking great confidence from the way they finished last season. So all of a sudden you're losing the game, you go behind a newly-promoted club and you're thinking negatively?

"He should be looking around and thinking 'I've got total faith in the players, in this team, that we're going to turn this around,' and they did. But that says a lot about Manchester United if one of your most experienced players is saying that."

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Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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The 1958 Manchester United fans' group is organising a protest ahead of Sunday's derby clash with Manchester City in protest at the club's handing of its ticket touting crackdown.

United identified numerous instances of what they felt was ticket touting and in July placed restrictions on a large number of accounts and demanded details for why single devices were being used for multiple accounts, amid a threat of them being withdrawn.

The club subsequently admitted to the Fans Forum they had underestimated how many fans shared account details. However, they also defended their initiative, pointing out in one instance, 1,088 accounts had been accessed on a single device.

However, complaints are still being made.

Club sources accept the wording around a message sent to a fan stating firmly 'please do not come to Old Trafford' as they don't have a ticket for Thursday's Champions League game with FK Sabah could have been better.

The message warned the fan their season ticket could be deactivated for a Premier League game if they didn't buy a ticket.

One post on X claiming it is evidence of 'greed' by the club has been viewed 5.1m times and liked over 5,000 times.

The club argue the case was a clear issue of a fan opting into their cup scheme, then the registered account declining a payment. The message was only sent after several attempts to follow up via email.

Nevertheless, there is a growing disconnect between United and some sections of their support.

"Manchester United supporter groups are being called upon to all stand together following reports of bans and season ticket sanctions without clear and compelling evidence always being presented," said the 1958 Group.

"For generations, match-going Reds have given their time, money and loyalty to Manchester United, home and away. That loyalty deserves to be treated with respect.

"This is not about one group or one individual. It is about how Manchester United treats its match-going supporters. It may not affect you today, it may not next time but that day is coming for all of us.

"If there is clear, substantive evidence of serious wrongdoing or organised ticket touting, show it. No loyal supporter should be treated as guilty without being given a fair opportunity to understand and challenge the case against them."

United have previously said they won't be in a position to release information about their actions until it is completed.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United's academy recruitment drive is gathering pace.

Liverpool's Isaac Konde is set to be the latest addition, with Manchester City duo David Eze and Karim Cassim, just waiting for official clearance before their moves are confirmed.

Konde, 16, made six appearances for Liverpool's Under-18 side last term and is set to go into Darren Fletcher's Under-18 squad once his move is completed.

Capable of playing on either wing, or through the middle, Konde is said to have blistering pace and excellent close control.

Eze and Cassim's impending arrivals at United have been known about for some time.

Cassim was spotted on the bench for a game at Carrington recently, but he was not allowed to play.

Both players are also 16, and prefer to play in central midfield.

United have made a youth recruitment a priority in recent months. After bringing in striker Chido Obi and defender Ayden Heaven, both of whom have since played for the first-team, from Arsenal, they targeted Tynan Thompson in July.

The 18-year-old, who has already featured in Premier League 2 this season and was given a 45-minute appearance in the pre-season friendly with Leeds in Dublin, cost United £4m, with the fee potentially rising to £8m.

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The Devils' Advocate podcast co-host Joe McGrath says head coach Michael Carrick looked like a fan after Manchester United conceded in the final seconds to draw 2-2 at Everton on Sunday.

It has been a mixed campaign so far for United supporters, who have watched their team put five goals past Ipswich Town at Old Trafford but also lose at Hull City and let two points slip away at Hill Dickinson Stadium courtesy of Ainsley Maitland-Niles' stunning stoppage-time strike.

"I've never seen a manager's face like it," McGrath said on this week's episode. "He looked gutted.

"You can tell he's a Manchester United fan. Managers we've had in the past, when they get beaten they are upset but there is a slightly different look to their face because their life will be all right whatever happens.

"They are getting paid X amount of money and this is just a job for them.

"When that full-time whistle went, Carrick is walking down the tunnel and the camera pans to him and you see a Manchester United fan there thinking: 'We could and should have won that - the players have let me down.'

"I hope those emotions he has work in his favour rather than him being too emotional and it working against him. We don't know what he is like in the dressing room."

Listen to the full episode of The Devils' Advocate from BBC Radio Manchester

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Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United have announced a multi-million pound, multi-year shirt sleeve sponsorship deal with British financial technology company SumUp.

United had been without a sleeve sponsor since the four-year partnership with DXC Technology came to an end in the summer.

The SumUp branding will be seen for the first time on Thursday, when United return to the Champions League with an Old Trafford encounter with Azerbaijan champions Sabah. It will be worn by the club's men's, women's and academy teams across all competitions.

United also say they will launch a "co-branded payment card" with SumUp, "which will offer fans special offers and rewards when used with official club outlets, as well as businesses across the UK".

The club's chief business officer Marc Armstrong said: "SumUp is a rapidly growing global business and we are delighted to welcome them to Manchester United as our official sleeve partner.

"The new agreement supports our commercial growth strategy and reflects the continued appeal of Manchester United as a platform for ambitious brands looking to connect with audiences around the world."

The news comes five weeks after it was confirmed United had agreed a £20m-per-year deal with gambling company Betway to sponsor their training kit.

Manchester United remain keen on Leicester City midfielder Louis Page after missing out on a deadline-day move for the 18-year-old England youth international. (ESPN), external

United and Liverpool have made direct contact with Wolves over a move for 18-year-old winger Matheus Mane.

(Ekrem Konur), external

Meanwhile, United have completed a deal to sign Liverpool's 16-year-old midfielder Isaac Konde. (Fabrizio Romano), external

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

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We asked for your views on whether Manchester United have issues defensively at the beginning of a new season.

Here are some of your comments:

Bob: United are forever playing their full-backs too narrow. They give far too many chances and goals from out wide. Everton's first is a prime example, what was Luke Shaw supposed to be doing?

Desmond: We're paying now for the unnecessary overload in midfield at the expense of the defence. With Kobbie Mainoo in such reliable form, we didn't need three more, plus Mason Mount.

Tony: Conceding two goals in each of the first three games is a terrible start. I'm afraid a lot of the blame is on Lisandro Martinez and Shaw, who are both guilty of leaving United's left side exposed. As for Harry Maguire, say no more. Taking Marcus Rashford off and replacing him with Patrick Dorgu was a big mistake. Rashford was doing the bizz on the left, only to be swapped for a player incapable of putting a decent cross in.

Christine: It is like Groundhog Day. United's issues defensively are the same as they were in 2021 with Dalot, Maguire and Shaw. These players would never play in any top United side yet continue to play, and make the same mistakes, and be given new contracts. Too old and simply not good enough.

TC: The defence is untrustworthy at the moment. They should have got a strong centre-back to form a partnership with Matthijs de Ligt.

A fresh episode of your Manchester United podcast talks Marcus Rashford, Benjamin Sesko and "scared" defending.

Listen to The Devils' Advocate 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

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Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko has encouraged his team-mates to look forward with positivity despite a "painful" draw at Everton.

"We're disappointed, of course, because we were very close yet so far," Sesko told MUTV.

"To concede a goal like this, especially in those last, last minutes, is painful for everyone because everyone was giving everything trying to win the game. We really want [to win].

"Every single person here wants that.

"It's really important to take everything positive, even though it's not the best option from today.

"See the game in a good light, try to improve and focus for the next game and try to win the next game. That's the way it is."

Manchester United fan Beth Tucker says Michael Carrick substituting Marcus Rashford at Everton on Sunday was the reason the game ended as a 2-2 draw.

She called the substitution a "big mistake" - though Carrick explained the change was precautionary after the forward had "felt something" - but also went on to say it "was one of many" and that, at the moment, "we cannot trust Manchester United to see out a game of football".

Added to that is the view of former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison, who has pointed to issues in defence for United, who have conceded six goals in their opening three games.

In the post immediately below this one, he argues that the Old Trafford side needed to buy cover for Luke Shaw in the summer window, and that a centre-back pairing of Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire is no upgrade on last season.

So, what do you think? Is it just teething problems that are easily solved, or do United have real issues defensively?

Get in touch with your views here

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Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison says Manchester United have "problems at the back" after twice letting a lead slip to draw 2-2 at Everton on Sunday.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles' stoppage-time equaliser was the sixth goal Michael Carrick's side have conceded in the three games so far.

This is the first campaign in five years where United have let in at least two goals in each of their first three league matches.

"Manchester United have strengthened well in the midfield and up front but they needed to strengthen at the back as well," Morrison told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"There's problems at the back.

"They needed to buy cover for Luke Shaw - he had a good game against Everton but he's the only recognised left-back. Noussair Mazraoui can play there but he wants to play right-back.

"I still thought they could have gone out and got a quality centre-back as well. I know they have Matthijs de Ligt to come back and young Ayden Heaven, but there is a lack of depth.

"A partnership of Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire again is not an improvement on last season.

"That could be the difference between them finishing in the Champions League places or not this season. I don't think they're title contenders."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Everton and Manchester United.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Thomas: Excellent battling to secure a point in the end, but let's face it, this Manchester United side are very average. We can't rely on players scoring screamers every week and need to create more chances in the box.

Greg: We hung on in there and struck two cracking goals. Brennan Johnson should have been hooked at half-time because he gave us nothing, and neither did Thierno Barry or Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Jack Grealish came on and changed the game. Within two minutes he created two opportunities. As long as he stays fit, he has an awful lot to offer.

Dusty: A great ending but we weren't at our best. The start was good and we were tight, but we started slipping. The subs caused a reaction and the goals were deserved through persistence. David Moyes has a job on his hands with this squad, though.

William: I'll take a point against Manchester United, who were the better team for most of the first half and aren't an easy side to get a result over. Nice to see Grealish back. He showed his class and we can now look forward to our next game with some degree of hope.

Man Utd fans

Bob: Anyone who watched the pre-season could have predicted these first three performances - excellent attacking, slightly fragile midfield and Keystone Cops defending. Hopefully things will calm down as the new signings bed in.

Matt: Really poor game management by United at the end of the match. In the 94th minute, Senne Lammens hits it long from a goal-kick into touch, which led to Everton getting the ball. We can just go short. Prior to that, Leny Yoro tries to pick out Benjamin Sesko and loses the ball, instead of going to Bryan Mbeumo to run it into the corner. Heads aren't screwed on.

Nigel: Three points in the bag, two of them thrown away. Why? Too slow in the build-up, too many simple passes going astray and not clinical enough in front of goal. We will rue the decision not to strengthen the striker options in the transfer window. Difficult week coming up with the Champions League on Thursday and Manchester City next Sunday. This will test our resources.

Terry: Another slow and ponderous performance. Manchester United are just not moving the ball about quickly enough, nor paying attention to what's around them when defending.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Luke Shaw was one of Manchester United's better performers against Everton.

The defender got forward with regularity and it was encouraging to see him provide the cross for Benjamin Sesko's late header.

"He was really good," said former United striker Wayne Rooney on Match of the Day.

"Defensively he was leading and he was good going forward as well. He looked more of a threat in his connection with Marcus [Rashford]."

To that end, Michael Carrick will hope the "something" Rashford felt that led to his second-half exit is not serious.

"Marcus and Luke were particularly dangerous down that side," said Carrick.

"They've played together for quite some time now and have an understanding. We're trying to build partnerships and combinations throughout the team."

Shaw has been ever-present in United's Premier League starting line-up since the beginning of last season.

"It was great to see that left side and the connection they have had for years, it was like Luke Shaw when he first came to the club," ex-United winger Ashley Young told Match of the Day.

"He goes so quick, overlaps and gets balls into the box, gets the defence on the back foot."

Now, though, Carrick must navigate through a tricky spell of four games in 11 days.

It is the busiest period he has had as United boss. Last term, neither of his two midweek games were followed by weekend matches.

How involved will Shaw be? If he does not play, who starts? Does Joshua Zirkzee really have a meaningful role?

Sesko, presumably, has put himself in line to start against Sabah on Thursday? Or does Carrick prioritise Sunday's Manchester derby instead.

These are the unanswered questions that would always come in a campaign that could feature 60 games.

The tricky bit is navigating through, while delivering positive results.

Watch Sunday's episode of Match of the Day on BBC iPlayer