Manchester United

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag on Rasmus Hojlund's first season at the club: "He has had three injuries this season but still, as you say, he scored 14 goals this season. I think that's a very good record for a young player.

"When we decided to go for him we talked about earlier we buy a player for this season and for the future. He has to develop, he has to progress, he needs time, sometimes it goes up and down.

"Before winter he struggled to get his first Premier League goal, but he is a very strong character. He is very eager for every match so it can be every match to return his form. I am more confident, he's close."

On whether the club should have signed another striker, as cover for Anthony Martial: "So last season, we had the goalscorer with 30 [Marcus Rashford], so we add one extra striker to the squad and on financial resources more was not possible. So we were quite confident when you are third, in two finals, win one final. When you add one striker the transfer policy is right."

Manchester United

More from Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag on challenging Wednesday's opponents Newcastle for a European spot: "It's a very important game. You get the ranking, so it's very important to get the win, we have to do everything in it to get the win and we have to fight hard for it."

On the support his side have received from fans, despite recent defeats: "What they did in the last games. At Palace, they were so magnificent, they were brilliant. You say the mood is low, maybe the expectations are lower but I don't want to say the mood, the vibe they create is lower. They back the team at Palace and last Sunday [against Arsenal]."

Manchester United

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag gave another rebuttal following reports linking Bruno Fernandes with a move away from the club: "It's the same question as last week. So I answered. The same answer.

"Now in all the years he was here, he has been a tremendously important player for Manchester United - creating the most chances across the Premier League. So many assists, so many goals. It's clear he's a very important player for us."

Fernandes is the club's leading scorer this season with 15 goals across all competitions, along with 11 assists, more than double the next best players, with both Alejandro Garnacho and Diogo Dalot on five each.

Manchester United

Image source, Getty Images

We've already had it confirmed today that Raphael Varane is leaving but will captain Bruno Fernandes be joining him and heading for the Manchester United exit?

The 29-year-old Portugal international has been linked with a move away in two separate reports in the last 24 hours.

Bayern Munich are interested in the attacking midfielder, who is said to be "frustrated by the sense of drift" at Old Trafford, according to the Independent, external.

Meanwhile, The Telegraph, external are reporting that Fernandes and team-mate Casemiro are among a number of Premier League players wanted by Saudi Pro League clubs.

Manchester United

Erik ten Hag on the likelihood of Raphael Varane featuring again for Manchester United before he leaves at the end of the season: "We are planning, definitely, for the last games. Not tomorrow but we hope for Sunday and then, of course, for the last game."

The 31-year-old former France international has not played since 4 April, when he was substituted at half-time in a 4-3 defeat at Chelsea after picking up a muscle injury.

He has made 30 appearances this season across all competitions.

Manchester United

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez is expected to return for tomorrow’s game against Newcastle at Old Trafford.

The Argentina international has made just 11 appearances this season.

He has had three significant injury absences this term due to foot, knee and calf complaints and has not featured since the 1-1 draw at Brentford on 30 March.

“I think he will return,” said Ten Hag. “He had some sessions and if everything is OK in training he will be involved.”

Ten Hag said skipper Bruno Fernandes, striker Marcus Rashford and young defender Willy Kambwala will be assessed before it is decided whether they will be available following recent injury problems.

FA Cup

BBC Sport has announced details of its new four-year deal with TNT Sports to continue as free-to-air broadcaster of the FA Cup.

The deal will start from the 2025-26 season, and will include:

• 14 games per season
• Two live matches each round up to and including the quarter-finals
• Coverage of one semi-final and the final.

The deal also includes highlights and digital clips across the BBC's platforms.

Philip Bernie, interim director of BBC Sport, said: “The BBC has a proud history of bringing fans across the nation together for all the magic and drama of the FA Cup. This partnership for the next four years is brilliant news and, alongside our recent Premier League extension and UEFA Champions League highlights coming this year, means that BBC Sport will deliver fans top class analysis, commentary and coverage of the biggest football competitions free to air and accessible for all.”

BBC Sport’s existing audio rights and commentary deal with The FA covering the Emirates FA Cup and home England internationals continues until 2026.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Raphael Varane was announced to Manchester United fans to some acclaim three years ago.

It was pre-match, before a 5-1 win at Leeds, in a summer that also marked the arrival of Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo. It seemed United were ready to really push for the top.

But Varane, like United as a whole, failed to match the hype.

He clearly is a class player. But he didn’t look a good fit for the Premier League.

Varane is yet to start 60 Premier League games across his three seasons and whilst his partnership with Lisandro Martinez was the anchor of United’s third-place finish last term, injury to both has robbed them of continuity and untimely played a significant role in the club’s collapse.

United had already decided not to trigger the option of a year’s extension in Varane’s contract but the reality it, the former Real Madrid man probably didn’t want to stay on.

With a £34m fee, at top wages, United have spent around £85m on that deal. The reward has not been worth it.

Whilst they will get no fee, it does create a gap which will be handy in Profit and Sustainability terms as in all likelihood, his replacement will not be a serial Champions League winner from one of the world’s biggest clubs, so their salary will not be as high.

Manchester United

Presenter Joe McGrath discussing Erik ten Hag's future at Manchester United on the latest episode of The Devil's Advocate podcast: "If we do lose both of our games, say by a goal each, we'll finish the season on minus six goal difference and finish eighth place.

"How can any manager keep their job at the biggest football team in the world with that?

"It's a disgrace. It's a disgrace and people coming after me for some of this - I get aggravated by it.

"I get it - Ten Hag's had his difficulties with the injuries but that is still disgraceful."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is due to speak to the media shortly.

Ten Hag is staring at an eight-placed finish, which would be United's lowest since Sir Alex Ferguson won the FA Cup after finishing 13th in 1990.

They also need four points to match the 58 they reached two seasons ago, when Ralf Rangnick ended up in charge.

It will be interesting to see what positives Ten Hag can find from that situation ahead of Newcastle's visit.

Image source, BBC Sport

Manchester United

Raphael Varane won 18 trophies with previous club Real Madrid - including the Champions League and Club World Cup four times and three La Liga titles - but managed just one piece of silverware in his three seasons at Manchester United.

He helped Erik ten Hag's side to the Carabao Cup last season, but hopes to bow out with victory over rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final on 25 May.

"When the fans go to Wembley it's something they remember for life," he said.

"To share that moment with them [winning the Carabao Cup last season] was absolutely amazing."

And he added: "Despite the fact we have had a difficult season, I am very positive for the future. The new owners are coming with a clear plan and a great strategy."

Manchester United

Image source, Getty Images

Raphael Varane joined Manchester United from Real Madrid in August 2021 for a fee of £34m, potentially rising to £42m.

He arrived having won three La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies during a 10-year stay in Madrid.

Add to that a World Cup winner's medal with France and the then 28-year-old was seen as someone who could help Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side challenge at the top of the Premier League.

It hasn't quite worked out like that with Varane's time in Manchester plagued by injury.

There have been spells where his form has been exceptional - he was superb last season as United finished third and won the Carabao Cup.

However, all told, it is hard to argue that the centre-back has lived up to expectations.

Manchester United fans, let us know how you would assess Varane's time at the club...

Manchester United

Raphael Varane said he expected a "very emotional day" as he prepared to say goodbye to the Manchester United supporters in their final home game of the season against Newcastle on Wednesday.

"To you guys, supporters of Manchester United, it has been an amazing few years to play for this special club and wear that shirt," the former France international said in a message to fans on X, external.

"The first time I went to Old Trafford as a Man United player was insane. The atmosphere was amazing.

"I fell in love with the club, with the fans. You have to play for Manchester United to understand what that represents."For my kids, it's home here. It is going to be a special place for me for life."

And he added: "I will see you at Old Trafford to say goodbye in the last home game this season. And it's going to be a very emotional day for me, for sure."