Meanwhile, United are stepping up their interest in Aston Villa and England striker Ollie Watkins, 29, and have held tentative talks with the Midlands club who want a fee of about £60m. (Mirror), external
'That's why Sir Alex was so good - it was never personal'published at 17:57 2 July
17:57 2 July
Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole says he "loved" the dressing room at Old Trafford and that Sir Alex Ferguson's criticism used to gee him up.
Cole spent six years at United, winning five Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League in 1999.
"Seriously, I loved it [the dressing room]," he told the Sacked in the Morning podcast. "I'm an individual. I never mind if people are screaming and shouting at me. You get used to that. My dad was always telling me off, so I can't lie, I got used to that.
"So when I played with Sir Alex, I remember the boys said to me 'whatever you do, don't make a mistake like five minutes before the first half ends or five minutes before the end of the game because that's all he'll remember when you go in the dressing room'.
"I appreciated what they were saying because that's all he'd remember for about five minutes and he'd go absolutely crazy at you and then he's starting someone else. But he only ever did it to get the best out of each us you know. Nothing was ever personal.
"I think that's why he was so good."
Cole scored 121 goals in 275 appearances for United and still ranks fourth in the all-time top scorers in the Premier League.
"I never understood just how big Manchester United was," Cole added, referring to before he moved to Old Trafford from Newcastle United.
"I walked into a dressing room like that and two years before I'm playing for Bristol City in League Two watching Manchester United. Two years later I'm actually playing for Manchester United with these players.
"I think everyone would think that I was a seasoned pro in the Premier League. Well, I wasn't. I'd had one and a half seasons! Then you move to Manchester United and everyone looks at you as if to say, 'gotta hit the ground running'."
Gossip: Bayern interested in Rashford published at 07:07 2 July
07:07 2 July
Bayern Munich are considering a surprise move for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford after being impressed by his form on loan at Aston Villa last season. (Sun), external
Meanwhile, United have approached Inter Milan about signing Italy midfielder Davide Frattesi, 25. (Caught Offside), external
🎧 Do Man Utd need players to stay this summer?published at 07:06 2 July
07:06 2 July
On this week's episode of BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast, the team discuss whether Manchester United should be trying to convince players to stay, or if it is time for a clean break.
With a new era potentially on the horizon, Gaz Drinkwater, Joe McGrath and Jay Motty unpack the implications of holding on to underperforming stars, explore who is worth fighting for, and whether sentimentality still has a place at Old Trafford.
'If you want to go and play somewhere else, you know where the door is'published at 11:05 1 July
11:05 1 July
Former Manchester United defender David May speaking on The Devils' Advocate podcast about summer transfer activity: "I really like the signings we have made so far. [Matheus] Cunha is a fantastic player. He is a Manchester United fan so he is already in love with the club. When Eric Cantona played for Man Utd, he changed the way we played. I'm not saying Cunha will do that, but he will bring that little edge, which Eric had as well. He can do things that other people can't and hopefully Cunha can follow in Eric's footsteps.
"[Bryan] Mbeumo would be a brilliant addition. Rasmus [Hojlund] struggled last year at times playing centre-forward on his own, it took its toll on him. He does need help and Mbeumo is a top player. The fact that he doesn't want to go to any other club is a bonus for Manchester United because you have players that want to play for this club. It is one of the biggest clubs in the world and to say you've played for it is something special."
On Alejandro Garnacho: "I want all the good players to stay at Manchester United but it comes down to whether they themselves want to play here. If you want to go and play somewhere else, you know where the door is. The manager will make the decision on Garnacho, on Rashford, on Sancho. If you don't want to play for this club, you shouldn't be at the club. These fans will back you 100%, but as soon as you start drifting, well, I wish you well.
"Ruben Amorim will be judged by the way we play. We played really well against Villa and City last season. There were six or seven really good games where we thought, this is it. This club needs European football. It's tradition to play in Europe so we want that, and to get a trophy.
"The main thing for us is to start playing the way Manchester United play, and that's attacking. Goals have been a problem and if you take Bruno [Fernandes] out of the equation, who knows where we would have been. The addition of three or four players and the club will be in the right direction.
"It is a tough start to the season, but bring it on. The Premier League is not easy at all but we don't have to worry about Europe as well, we can concentrate on each game as it comes. It doesn't matter who it is, the main focus for Amorim now is to get as many points on the board as possible and get back into Europe."
United are watching 24-year-old Genk and Nigeria striker Tolu Arokodare, who is also being targeted by Fulham and AC Milan. (Sun), external
West Ham would be open to offers of about £60m for 24-year-old Ghana forward Mohammed Kudus, who has attracted interest from Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle.(Guardian), external
Finally, United are struggling to offload Tyrell Malacia, with PSV Eindhoven having rejected the chance to sign the defender after a spell on loan. (Mirror), external
Rashford returns after Aston Villa loanpublished at 18:33 30 June
18:33 30 June
Image source, Getty Images
Marcus Rashford has officially returned to Manchester United following the conclusion of his short-term loan at Aston Villa.
The 27-year-old forward joined Villa in January after a challenging first half of the season at Old Trafford.
During his time at Villa Park, Rashford made 17 appearances across all competitions, scoring four goals and providing six assists.
United's players return to training next Monday before their first pre-season game against Leeds United in Sweden on Saturday, 19 July.
'I'm not sure this United team can be rebuilt quickly' - McNultypublished at 14:40 30 June
14:40 30 June
Phil McNulty Chief football writer
Image source, Getty Images
Our chief football writer Phil McNulty has been taking your questions.
James asked: What do you think of Manchester United's transfer strategy? Cunha, trying to sign Mbeumo and heavy links to Gyokeres. Seems like it's just trying to buy players who had a good season last year as opposed to scouting and confirmed long-term ability and/or potential.
McNulty replied: It seems to be a move towards signing players who have proved they can cut it in the Premier League, and I think that is a sound start on what has to be a massive rebuild.
I'm not sure this United team can be rebuilt quickly, considering how mediocre it is, but those two players – and we are still waiting on the Mbeumo deal to progress – will certainly give them more quality and threat right away.
I feel they need an upgrade on Andre Onana in goal and a quality central striker, but how much of that can be done this summer remains to be seen.
Manchester United remain interested in Fiorentina's Moise Kean but the 25-year-old Italy striker's 52m euro (£44m) release clause expires on 15 July. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian), external
Manchester United are ready to accept a cut-price deal for Tyrell Malacia after PSV Eindhoven opted not to turn the 25-year-old Netherlands full-back's loan into a permanent switch. (Mirror), external
Fletcher in talks over Man Utd U18 coaching rolepublished at 19:53 28 June
19:53 28 June
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Darren Fletcher (left) talks to Manchester United's 18-year-old defender Harry Amass
Former Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher is in talks to take over as the club's Under-18 coach.
Previous U18s coach Adam Lawrence left United at the end of the season, part of a major summer upheaval at youth level that also includes academy chief Nick Cox taking a job at Everton as technical director.
United feel former Scotland international Fletcher, 41, will provide continuity as the search for Cox's successor continues.
Fletcher initially returned to Old Trafford in a non-playing role during Ed Woodward's time as chief executive.
He was appointed as technical director in 2021 but moved roles following Sir Jim Ratcliffe's arrival as minority shareholder, when Jason Wilcox took the job after leaving Southampton.
He was a first-team coach under Erik ten Hag and, in more recent times, has been a link between the first-team and academy and travelled to Malaysia and Hong Kong at the end of the season, when a number of young players were selected.
Fletcher has long-term management ambitions of his own and this would be a positive first step.
He has previously been reluctant to take on an academy role as his twin sons Tyler and Jack were both excelling as players.
However, they have now moved out of the Under-18 age group, which leaves Fletcher to take the job if he wants.
It is understood he will work closely with Travis Binnion, United's Under-21 lead coach.
'I am ready to support the team' - Heaton signs new dealpublished at 11:00 27 June
11:00 27 June
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United goalkeeper Tom Heaton says he is "extremely proud" after signing a new contract with the club.
The 39-year-old's one-year extension commits him to Old Trafford until the end of 2025-26, having joined in 2021.
Heaton, a United academy graduate, has played a supporting role in the squad since arriving from Aston Villa.
Making over 350 senior appearances across his club career, Heaton also has three England caps and was called into the Euro 2024 squad to support the group as a training goalkeeper.
"As a group, we are all really excited for the season ahead," Heaton told club media.
"I am ready to support the team in every capacity as we prepare to get back to challenging for the biggest honours."
Director of football Jason Wilcox added: "Tom's leadership and experience are really important.
"His mentality and excellent preparation to ensure that he is always ready to perform when called upon makes him the perfect complement to our goalkeeping group."
Gossip: Man Utd back in front for Gyokeres signature published at 07:43 27 June
07:43 27 June
Napoli and Juventus are willing to pay Manchester United £25m for Jadon Sancho, 25, but cannot meet the £250,000 weekly wages of the England winger. (Metro), external
United are exploring an ambitious move for Paris St-Germain and France midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery, 19. (Teamtalk), external
The Reds are also back in pole position to sign Sporting striker Victor Gyokeres with the 27-year-old Sweden international reportedly ready to reunite with his former manager Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford (Mirror), external
Who would be the winners if Nkunku and Garnacho swap clubs?published at 12:25 26 June
12:25 26 June
Tom McCoy BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Rumours of Chelsea and Manchester United considering a swap involving Christopher Nkunku and Alejandro Garnacho have circulated recently, but which club would get the better deal should it come to pass?
Nkunku, 27, tore knee ligaments barely a month after joining the Blues in summer 2023 and has yet to regain top form, starting just 11 Premier League games.
However, United may be mindful of what 'peak' Nkunku looked like and reflect on his outstanding record during his final two seasons at RB Leipzig. Between August 2021 and May 2023, he scored 36 times in 59 Bundesliga games, converting almost a quarter of his chances and outperforming his xG by 5.3.
While Nkunku has been kicking his heels in west London over the past two years, Garnacho has been a regular for United, starting 53 league matches in that time. Yet speculation over his future has intensified since being dropped from the starting line-up for May's Europa League final defeat by Tottenham.
More winger than forward, Garnacho does not possess the same goalscoring pedigree as Nkunku, albeit he has reached double figures in all competitions in each of the past two seasons. He tends to dribble and cross more, though his total number of assists is disappointing.
Nevertheless, despite fall-outs with both Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, he is tenacious off the ball, and winning possession in the final third more than any of his United team-mates last term.
The Argentine is also nearly seven years younger than Nkunku and has an excellent record of being available, having not missed a single game through injury in 2024-25.
The below table shows Nkunku's record in the Bundesliga between 2021 and 2023 and Garnacho's in the Premier League alone over the past two seasons.
Who gets the best end of any deal probably depends upon what they are looking for. A winger ticks boxes for Chelsea while United are need a goalscoring striker. If both play at their best, they will be assets.
But that is a big if.
Would Cunha-Zirkzee-Mbeumo work as a front three at Man Utd?published at 09:46 26 June
09:46 26 June
Image source, Getty Images
On the latest episode of The Devils' Advocate podcast, BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater pondered Manchester United's improved bid for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo and how he could fit in at Old Trafford.
"I thought £50m plus £10m based on add-ons would be the end amount but I think the fact that Spurs are sniffing around now, means it just becomes a bidding war," he said.
"It becomes whoever is going to bid more rather than however much I think he's worth, but £60m seems about fair for a bloke who has scored 20 goals last season.
"You watch the way he plays and he would fit well in United's system. Interestingly, I think Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha could work really well with Joshua Zirkzee as a number nine.
"I'm not saying I want Zirkzee to be United's number nine next season because I do think we need a proper one, but I think that could work really well.
If we don't end up getting a number nine, I'd be interested to see how that one formulates."
Gossip: Man Utd want quick Garnacho salepublished at 07:31 26 June
07:31 26 June
Manchester United may accept bids of around £45m to secure a quick sale of 20-year-old Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho. (Star), external
Meanwhile, United are struggling to sell Netherlands left-back Tyrell Malacia, 25, who helped PSV Eindhoven win the Eredivisie title while on loan last season. (Athletic - subscription required), external
'Nothing less than £80m' or '£60m is a risk'? Rival fans on Mbeumo's valuepublished at 11:36 25 June
11:36 25 June
Image source, Getty Images
With Manchester United having submitted an improved offer for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, we asked both sets of fans on our club pages how much they thought he was worth.
Here are some of your comments:
Brentford fans
George: Nothing less than £80m. The reason why is simple - the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United have shovelled out far, far more for players who are far, far worse. While he is at his most effective alongside strike-partner Yoane Wissa, only Mohamed Salah is more deadly when cutting onto his left foot at the edge of the box.
Brian: £60m might be the lowest option, but I think £40m-50m would be closer to his price. He's had a good season but I think he's never going to do it again. He's a good player but not a great one - take the money and run.
Vince: More than £60m compared with other market deals. He's a talented forward who runs and works so hard for the team. He has a brilliant temperament and doesn't see red mist and get sent off like Matheus Cunha. He has one year left with a further one-year option on his contract.
HerzyBee: Mbeumo's overall contribution puts him in the top five for most relevant stats for a striker - he works incredibly hard and defends well, and scored 20 goals - five more than £62.5m Cunha. Pay up, United.
Barry: Leave it at £60m and if they say no then walk away. We have fallen into this trap lots of times and we pay far too much just for flops.
Tony: He's a slightly-better-than-average player worth about the £50m mark. Then, as with every other player United are interested in, the selling clubs apply an erroneous 'United tax', increasing a player's value by about 20%. The £50m player suddenly becomes a £60m player.
Jacob: For a man who has scored 20 goals in the best league in the world, £60m would be a steal. Anything there or thereabouts would be a good deal on United's part.
Chris: Proven in the Premier League makes him worth £60m, but having just one big-return season so far makes any more a risk. Also, he is out for critical period at Africa Cup of Nations - potentially a month.
Matthew: I feel £60m is more than enough for Mbeumo. He's brilliant for Brentford, but part of me feels he got a little lucky last season and scored more goals than he should have (20 goals from 12.3 xG). It may be another case of a player underperforming at United compared with their old club.
United fans: £60m - 54%; £60m-70m - 27%; Wouldn't buy him - 16%
'Coachable, hungry, really hungry to learn all the time'published at 11:36 25 June
11:36 25 June
Image source, Getty Images
Bryan Mbeumo would "fit exactly what Ruben Amorim wants as a player" if he joins Manchester United, says the forward's coach at Troyes, Rui Almeida.
The 25-year-old began his career with the French side before he moved to Brentford in 2019.
He could now make the switch to Old Trafford after United submitted an improved offer of more than £60m for the forward.
"I coached him in his first year as a senior player and he was a really nice boy," Almeida told BBC Radio Manchester.
"The first point is, the human values of Bryan - coachable, humble, really hungry to learn all the time. After that was potential, because he gave the first steps with us that season and he finished the season with lots of goals and passes for goals also.
"He was not quick only with his feet, with his mind also. Each training session for him was like a final. In that time, he want to to learn, improve and go as far as he could. Of course he didn't know at the time he could be as far as he is now, but his mindset - it separated him from the others."
Asked whether Mbeumo can handle the pressure at Old Trafford, Almeida said: "I think so. I saw him jump from us at Troyes to Brentford in the Championship and then to the Premier League. He handled it really well.
"I know he is a little shy but, at the same time, he trusts himself. So he knows how strong is he, what capabilities he has, how strong he is as a player. Of course, Manchester United is a different level club, but I am trustful he will do it well.
"If he is going, it is because Ruben wants him. He will fit exactly what Ruben wants as a player. Not only in offensive way but also in defensive way because Ruben demands that from the players - always."
'Bigger goal threat... but Mbeumo cannot be the end of squad reshaping'published at 08:46 25 June
08:46 25 June
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Ruben Amorim spoke often enough last season about Manchester United's failure to make the most of their opportunities.
They need to score much more than the paltry 44 league goals they managed in 2024-25.
Bryan Mbeumo's arrival should help address that shortfall but, as with Matheus Cunha, the Cameroon forward will offer more than that.
He has the power and strength to carry the ball forward. Too many of United's attacking players are the nippy variety, who find it easier to operate in small spaces.
The theory is Mbeumo, allied with Cunha and a strong number nine who can play with his back to goal and hold the ball up effectively, can force the opposition back, creating greater depth to the game, more space for United to play in and greater opportunities.
United are trying to mitigate their recruitment plan going wrong previously by bringing in players who are used to the Premier League and do not require settling-in time, which, after how last season ended, is in short supply.
Mbeumo cannot be the end of the reshaping of Amorim's squad - and the former Sporting boss said at the end of last season that it might take a few transfer windows to get what he wants.
But it does appear United will be a bigger goal threat next term. And from that, significant improvement should come.
'I don't want to see him cramped behind the striker'published at 08:14 25 June
08:14 25 June
Image source, Getty Images
Former Cameroon defender Sebastien Bassong spoke to BBC World Service's Sport Today about Manchester United target Bryan Mbeumo: "His main asset is football IQ. The way he moves himself in the spaces means he can get himself out of situations, out of trouble. He's not a stubborn player who just runs into people so that's what makes him so unpredictable and difficult.
"He's quick - but when I say quick, I mean the way he moves. He's always on the move and he's very resilient to go and hurt people. That's what makes him a very, very dangerous player.
"For me, I see Mbeumo really on the wing because he needs space. I don't see him being cramped in the middle of the traffic, in the middle of the park, which would be the case if he plays behind the striker.
"I don't see him fitting that system from the start but, on the other hand, he's a very clever player and Ruben Amorim is a very forward-thinking coach. So if he's really keen on him, he knows exactly where he wants him to fit in his system.
"I think they would have had some conversations. So if he goes there, they're both going be able to make it work."
Gossip: Man Utd keen on Ndidipublished at 07:29 25 June
07:29 25 June
Everton and Manchester United are interested in Leicester City's 28-year-old Nigeria midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, who has a £9m relegation release clause in his contract. (Talksport), external
Barcelona are considering a loan move for United forward Marcus Rashford. (Guardian), external
And Fenerbahce are interested in United winger Jadon Sancho, who is valued at £25m. (Talksport), external
The Red Devils already had a bid rejected for the striker earlier this month of £45m plus up to £10m in add-ons.
United could be facing competition from elsewhere, with it being understood new Tottenham manager Thomas Frank was keen to be reunited with Mbeumo, while there has also been interest in the Cameroon international from other Champions League clubs.
With one bid rejected and a higher one now being put forward, and having already made one key signing in Matheus Cunha, what is the maximum United should offer for the Cameroon international?
