Gossip: Rashford and Zirkzee targets for European sidespublished at 07:30 22 October
07:30 22 October
Bayern Munich and Marseille have joined Paris St-Germain in the race to sign 26-year-old England forward Marcus Rashford from Manchester United. (Teamtalk), external
Manchester United are prepared to entertain loan offers in January for Brazil winger Antony, 24. (Football Insider), external
Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee, 23, could leave on loan in January, with Juventus interested in the Dutchman. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external
Gossip: Alonso identified as potential Guardiola replacementpublished at 07:26 22 October
07:26 22 October
Bayer Leverkusen are preparing for manager Xabi Alonso's departure next summer, with the Spaniard interesting Real Madrid and Manchester City, should Pep Guardiola leave. (Sky Germany), external
Man Utd post photos of Yoro in trainingpublished at 18:37 21 October
18:37 21 October
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United have posted pictures of defender Leny Yoro ‘on the grass’ as he continues his recovery from a broken foot.
United paid Lille £52m for Yoro in July but the 18-year-old was injured almost immediately in a pre-season game against Arsenal in Los Angeles.
The Old Trafford club said at the time Yoro would be out for around three months.
United said Monday was Yoro’s ‘first day back out on the grass’.
However, they also say the centre-half has ‘plenty of work to do’ before he is ready for a return to action.
🎧 Pressure eased after Brentford winpublished at 18:13 21 October
18:13 21 October
After Manchester United won in the Premier League against Brentford on Saturday, BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast reflects on whether the victory has eased the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.
The team are also joined by United YouTuber, Nick McCabe, to preview their Europa League trip to against Fenerbahce and a reunion with Jose Mourinho on Thursday.
Man Utd win 'will have calmed some nerves'published at 16:57 21 October
16:57 21 October
Image source, Getty Images
The BBC's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your Premier League questions.
Mick asked: If there had been a suitable available candidate, would Manchester United have replaced Erik ten Hag?
Phil answered: Hello, Mick. I think if we are framing this question in the summer then the answer would have been “yes”, because it is accepted they spoke to candidates such as Thomas Tuchel, which suggests they were looking for alternatives.
When the question arose recently, we must accept United stuck by the decision they made in the summer to stick with Ten Hag – and the win over Brentford on Saturday will have calmed some of the nerves around Old Trafford.
Mike: Much better performance, we need to produce that level every game. We were robbed at the end because whether or not there was an offside the corner should not have been given. There was a clear foul on the Wolves player.
Matthew: Defensively, we were solid. Bueno and Dawson kept Haaland quiet, and Semedo had a really good game. However, it's clear that we have forgotten how to win games.
Malcolm: Yet another VAR directive going against Wolves. This one costing us a valuable point. Changing to a 3-5-2 set up worked and should be continued with in forthcoming games. Jose Sa made three great saves and kept us in the game until the 95th minute. I believe Gary O’Neil will prevent us being relegated and should be supported to turn things around soon.
Man City fans
Jeff: I was at the game and we lacked creativity in central midfield. Pep preferred to go down both flanks but Savinho and Doku were poor. It didn’t improve much when Foden and a Grealish were brought on, but the subs allowed us to put Wolves under pressure which eventually resulted in Stone’s winner.
Stella: City were slightly off it today, but ground out a result. Defensively we don’t look safe and quick to transition teams can exploit us too easily. That said, great display by Gvardiol and thought we just about deserved to win. The winning goal debate is vacuous: Arsenal have been scoring plenty with backing in tactics yet no complaints for theirs?
Mark: City looked aimless at times, devoid of their usual leader Rodri. Passing was crisp but looked laboured at times. There also didn’t seem to be many smiles on the City faces during the game, until that final game changer from John Stones. City need to improve quickly to keep the title within their grasp. De Bruyne, Rodri and Bobb were visibly missed!
Man Utd 2-1 Brentford - the fans' verdictpublished at 12:30 21 October
Marcus: This was the first match that I've enjoyed watching United play for a long time. Still a little confused by the lack of intensity in the first 15 minutes but the rest of the game was a real pleasure to watch.
Jonty: Miles better today, especially second half. Rashford worked really hard on the right and didn't sulk when filling in at full-back when Dalot made his runs. Looked like there were some tactics in play, while De Ligt and Evans were great. Martinez looked comfortable at left-back. Zirkzee looked asleep, but Rasmus played a great number nine game. Onwards and Upwards.
Terry: Second half was easily the best performance of the season. De Ligt looking like the class act we were told he is. Garnacho outstanding but good performances all over the pitch including the much maligned Casemiro and Eriksen. Question is - can they keep this up into the coming weeks?
Brentford
Kyle: We played well, but overall I think Mbeumo’s sloppy performance maybe cost a goal or two. I think Schade played well at centre forward, and we missed Wissa (until the last 20 mins or so). We also missed Jensen with his creativity. Overall, our defence was at times scrappy and made a few mistakes, but it was expected to not get all three points against Man Utd.
Jason: I took my mate Jim to his first away game and it was disappointing for all of us. United were ripe for the picking and we let them off again. I hate to say it but it could be time to look for a new manager. Come in Mr Frank, your time is up!
Mikey: Brentford need a goalkeeper not a converted full-back. When Raya left I don’t understand why Brentford didn’t just trade contracts for Ramsdale. Massive blunder.
Manchester City are unbeaten in 31 Premier League matches (W25 D6), their longest ever unbeaten league run in their entire history.
Gvardiol 'can do everything'published at 08:45 21 October
08:45 21 October
Image source, Getty Images
Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Re-Coker says Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol "can do everything" and provides a real threat to opponents defensively with his striking ability.
The Croatia international added another goal to his tally on Sunday with a beautifully strike.
"He has been a scoring threat since he arrived," said Reo-Coker on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast. "He has great technique and is a great striker of the ball, so he will get you goals.
"I was looking at his goal and he is actually a better technician than half of the strikers in world football right now. Yet he is a defender.
"There are some strikers who wish they could get one goal like that a season!
"He is a threat and a danger, while also being defensively brilliant. He can do everything."
