Manchester United

Beth Tucker
Fan contributor

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Napoli boss Antonio Conte has been offering his view on two former Manchester United players before his side meet Manchester City on Wednesday.

On Scott McTominay - who is now flourishing at Napoli - Conte said: "I knew him when he played at United because I coached two times in England. I saw a great potential in this player and in my mind was 'why he was not dominant in England?'

"He has great potential and when the possibility came up to sign him for Napoli, honestly at the first moment I didn't believe it could happen. It happened and now he is enjoying it. For a player like him, he was born as a footballer for Manchester United but there is a point in your career and life you need to change and to try another experience. It happened with us and we are really happy for him. We are not only talking about a fantastic player but a good person."

On Rasmus Hojlund, who is on loan at Napoli from United, Conte said: "Rasmus, I knew him because he played with Atalanta then came to Manchester United. We are talking about a player with great potential. He is only 22 years old. He has a whole career ahead of him. When we spoke with him, I felt he was really happy to get this new experience. He said 'OK I am ready, I want to play for you and Napoli'. Now it is upon me to improve him and to grow him to become a really top striker."

Manchester City are considering a shock move for Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo, but they are likely to face competition from Newcastle United and Chelsea for the 20-year-old midfielder. (Teamtalk), external

A clause in Ruben Amorim's contract means he would receive a £12m pay-off if Manchester United sack him before the first anniversary of his appointment on 1 November. (Mail - subscription required), external

Manchester United's recent financial results have given them a greater chance of signing 21-year-old Brighton and Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba. (Mirror), external

Birmingham City are keen to tie 14-year-old England Under-15 goalkeeper Alfie Smith down to new deal to fend off interest from Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool. (Mail), external

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Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United began their National League Cup campaign with a defeat at Brackley on Tuesday.

A young United side went down 2-1 in front of 2,942 - more than double Brackley's previous highest attendance of the season - with Rhys Bennett scoring an injury-time consolation for Travis Binnion's side.

There was no place in the squad for Paraguay Under-20 international Diego Leon, who has not played a competitive game in front of fans since coming on as a substitute in the pre-season win over Bournemouth in Chicago on 30 July.

The intention had been for Leon to feature in Binnion's squad at some point in his adaptation to the English game, but Ruben Amorim has been keen to keep the youngster in his first-team training group.

That is viewed internally as a positive because Leon benefits from that, although there is a feeling he will drop down to play games at some point.

United's U21 side has three games over the next week, including their opening Premier League International Cup match against Athletic Bilbao, which is being played at Old Trafford.

Newcastle are considering a January move for Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. (Talksport), external

Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim is facing a critical period as United boss, with the next three matches effectively determining whether he will remain in charge at Old Trafford or not. (Express), external

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, former England boss Gareth Southgate, Fulham head coach Marco Silva and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola are among the potential replacements for Amorim. (Star), external

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Watch Manchester United legend Paul Scholes discuss what the club's goals should be for this season.

"It's very difficult to say what the ambition should be when they've got four points from four games," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"I don't know how you can be ambitious watching what you're watching.

"I think they just have to try and get in the top half of the table somehow."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Sophie Brown
BBC Sport journalist

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With just four goals in four league games this season, Manchester United might not feel they have had much value yet from the almost £200m they spent on attacking players over the summer.

The most expensive purchase was Benjamin Sesko, who was brought in to replace underperforming centre-forward Rasmus Hojlund. Sesko made his first Premier League start against Manchester City on Sunday, but had just one shot in the match and did not touch the ball in the City penalty area in the 80 minutes he was on the pitch.

The Slovenia international looked an isolated figure up front and struggled to link up with other United players. He finished with an average position just on the edge of the centre circle behind several of his team-mates, while his passing accuracy of 53.8% was the lowest of any outfield player on the pitch.

Sesko, who averaged over a goal every three games for RB Leipzig last season, is still only 22 and adapting to the Premier League after the German top flight will take time - but some fans felt Sunday's display had echoes of Hojlund's time at the club.

That ended with the Dane's confidence taking a massive hit - he scored just four goals in 32 Premier League games last season for United and was offloaded in the summer.

And it will have gone unnoticed among United fans that Hojlund scored on his debut for Serie A champions Napoli at the weekend.

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On The Devils' Advocate podcast, Gaz Drinkwater questions Ruben Amorim's continued omission of midfielder Kobbie Mainoo from Manchester United's starting line-up: "There are certain decisions Ruben Amorim makes that I kind of respect, and there are certain decisions where I think it is stubbornness beyond belief.

"I respect that this is his formation, this is the way that he wants to play and he's sticking by that. I respect that in a way.

"What I don't respect is a player, who I think is Manchester United's most talented player, Kobbie Mainoo, still not being involved in these games from the start.

"He came on and instantly things changed for United because he's a fabulous footballer. He's so good at getting the ball, even if he plays deeper.

"I said I'd like to see him as a number 10. You can play him deeper. You saw him picking the ball up on the halfway line, go around a couple of men and driving forward."

Umir Irfan
Football tactics correspondent

For Manchester City's first goal on Sunday, Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte were back in defensive positions, but the hosts were able to pick up the loose ball in the penalty area uncontested.

Late runs into the box had already resulted in goals against United this season, with Fulham's Emile Smith Rowe scoring in that manner last month. For both that goal and Phil Foden's on Sunday, Fernandes failed to track the midfield run.

Fernandes plays in midfield for Ruben Amorim for his engine, industry, direct passing and ability to switch play. As a naturally attacking midfielder, his relative strengths do not include defensive awareness and tracking late runs.

Should he do better here? Probably. But it raises a bigger question as to whether United have platformed their individuals according to their strengths, while minimising their weaknesses.

Comparatively, Pep Guardiola's use of Foden - as somebody who is capable of well-timed runs into the box - behind Erling Haaland was an intelligent choice that paid off.

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Alex Turk
Fan writer

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Ruben Amorim must go back to basics if he is to drag Manchester United, and himself, out of this mess.

I am not asking him to change the system. He has made it abundantly clear that he will not be doing that. But he has to take action.

It sounds ridiculous, but that could simply be to use players in their best positions. I have had enough of watching the opposite.

Selecting a talking point from Sunday's 3-0 defeat by Manchester City was difficult, so consider this a lucky dip of the multiple qualms I felt during the derby.

Bruno Fernandes is one of the world's best attacking midfielders. He has made top spot in the Premier League's 'chances created' metric his own since arriving in 2020.

So, against City, why was I seeing Fernandes dropping as deep as the back three to receive the ball while Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu were often United's most advanced outlets?

Amorim must at least pause the midfield experiment when Chelsea visit Old Trafford on Saturday.

With Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount missing the derby through injury comes a prime opportunity to push Fernandes into his preferred number 10 position.

Amorim can help himself by pairing the United captain with Bryan Mbeumo on either side of Benjamin Sesko.

That would allow two natural deeper midfielders in Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo to start together and likely offer elusive balance.

Mainoo only featured for about 30 minutes against City and instantly looked like United's most comfortable player.

Amorim can also keep it simple by returning Mazraoui to his back three, replacing Luke Shaw, who is the inferior of the two.

That would, in turn, leave the second number 10 spot free for Fernandes, with Amad Diallo moving back to right wing-back.

If he should change anything, Amorim must stop nullifying his own captain.

Find more from Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC, external

Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton, 21, is keen to sign for Liverpool despite interest from Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Scouts from United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid have all been watching Ajax's 17-year-old Belgian midfielder Jorthy Mokio. (Caughtoffside), external

Benfica presidential candidate Joao Noronha Lopes wants to bring Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim back to the Lisbon club, where he spent nine years as a player. (Times - subscription required), external

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We asked for your views on whether Bruno Fernandes is undroppable from the Manchester United team, and whether the captain fits into Ruben Amorim's preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.

Here are some of your comments:

Dave: When Kobbie Mainoo came on and Bruno Fernandes pushed up into the number 10 position he was more comfortable and looked more dangerous. Apart from his passing accuracy, which was poor throughout the match. As a defender it's easy to see that he's a liability, not strong in the tackle and doesn't see danger. It's very simple - play him in an advanced position.

Andrew: Fernandes is the most consistent player United have. There is no way he can be dropped. Amorim has not been able to get the best out of rest of the players in the team.

Richard: In hindsight, we should have taken the huge offer for Bruno [from Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal] and run to the bank with it. It's sad it's come to this but he's holding us back, as opposed to leading us forward. Each passing game only highlights further that once again our midfield is in dire need of support.

Barry: If you have a player who is world class in his favoured position then why would you, unless you do not understand the fundamentals of football, play him out of position?

Graham: Fernandes needs to be dropped. He was very poor on Sunday, as he has been for a long time. Why can't United make any dead balls count, or for that matter any crosses?

Stephen: We do not have a squad that suits Amorim's preferred formation and, given the recent transfer window, that is shocking. Manuel Ugarte is the closest to the type of mobile midfielder needed, but he isn't quite good enough. Fernandes can't play that role. Amorim has to accept this and play a style that suits his squad. If he can't change then I'm afraid he must go.

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A new episode of The Devils' Advocate is available now.

Gaz Drinkwater and Joe McGrath reflect on Sunday's derby defeat by Manchester City and pay tribute to Ricky Hatton.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Matthijs de Ligt feels hard work is the only way for Manchester United to get out of their current cycle.

In terms of margin of defeat, United have not suffered a heavier derby loss than Sunday's 3-0 defeat by Manchester City since they were hammered 6-1 at Old Trafford in 2011.

It was yet another day when improvement in their overall play was overshadowed by the result, caused by a toxic combination of a failure to take chances and being too easy to score against.

"Do you see the difference? Do you feel like we're on the brink of that?" said De Ligt, when asked if the United squad were on the brink of gaining more confidence. "Hopefully, in the next game.

"We're working hard every day, so hopefully we can get there quickly.

"We have to improve as a team and hopefully get better but we have to prove it, otherwise it's no use."

United officials have repeatedly stressed they regard Amorim's appointment as a long-term project and nothing communicated in the aftermath of Sunday's loss is at odds with that.

However, with each damaging defeat, belief is undermined.

Few United supporters remained in the stadium to respond to the appreciative applause from the visiting players, who, it is clear, are hurting.

"I am feeling bad," defender Noussair Mazraoui told MUTV.

"I am disappointed in myself, in the team and disappointed for the fans that we couldn't bring the performance we did lately.

"A derby makes it more special and more emotional, so if you lose but you have played well and created the chances we have done in the last games, you can accept it.

"But this was just not good enough.

"It is hard to say [where specifically it went wrong] because you are always full of emotion straight after the game.

"I always try to calm down and try to analyse the game, otherwise, I will just point fingers and probably eventually it is not the guys or something that I point out now."

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BBC Sport columnist Danny Murphy believes Manchester United's problem is not the system being employed by Ruben Amorim, but the personnel being used in that system.

And although former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker partially agrees, in the sense that Amorim does not have the players needed to play his 3-4-2-1 formation, he also thinks the United boss needs to change.

"It is not good enough and it is Amorim who puts the spotlight on himself," said Reo-Coker on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "Amorim is not getting the performances, but he is also upsetting more players in the dressing room and club.

"Imagine how Kobbie Mainoo feels now? He could have gone out on loan.

"How does he think these players will want to come together and unite for him?

"They lost the Manchester derby without Manchester City even being at their best.

"City were, at the most, in second gear and didn't really have to push themselves.

"They played through United way too easily and that is because the back three does not work. He does not have the right defenders for it to work.

"It makes them too easy to score past and run through.

"From what I can see, I don't think the players are buying into it any more.

"Amorim has had long enough and he has been given opportunity, but no one sees progression.

"There are high standards at Manchester United because of the history but he is not even meeting decent standards, so where do you go from here?

"The responsibility always falls on the manager."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

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Former Manchester United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen says it "surprises" him that the club have kept faith with head coach Ruben Amorim despite continued poor results.

"It's not working and it hasn't been working for a long, long time," Meulensteen told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"It just baffles me.

"For me, there's only one way this is going to end and that's straight to the exit.

"It already surprises me that they have been carrying on for so long. You get the same messages all the time - it is like a broken record.

"United doesn't perform, they keep losing, and the manager says he doesn't want to change so how long do you want to go on for?

"I find it really baffling."

Kobbie Mainoo again did not start for United in Sunday's derby loss to neighbours Manchester City and Meulensteen believes he would have offered more in the midfield area than Casemiro did.

"He brings a lot of energy in that midfield but Amorim makes the decision to play Casemiro there," he added.

"He doesn't have those legs to cover that area in midfield so it would be sensible to put someone like Mainoo in there.

"We all know what he can do and what he has showed previously for United."

Listen to the full interview from 07:53 on BBC Sounds

Is Bruno Fernandes undroppable or does Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim have to bench his captain if he is to stick with his favoured formation?

Fernandes, who is arguably one of the best number 10s in the world, is playing in a deeper centre-midfield role as a number eight this season.

Questions have already been asked over his ability to play this position, but have resurfaced after he lost Phil Foden when he ran off the back of him and Foden found the back of the net to open the scoring in Manchester City's 3-0 win over United on Sunday.

"It was not the best performance we have seen from Manchester United," said former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "It was mediocre.

"It was Fernandes against Foden and if you look at Foden's goal, he basically walked past him and had a free header in the box. Fernandes made it easy for Foden to score and be good.

"This is the ongoing debate about Fernandes in the deeper role because he doesn't have the instincts to be a defensive midfielder.

"It is not necessarily Fernandes' fault and more Ruben Amorim for insisting that he must play in this deeper role where there are clearly flaws and weaknesses.

"We all seem to know he plays as a number 10 other than Amorim."

Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney, speaking on the latest episode of his BBC podcast, added: "The problem with this system is having two in midfield. One is Bruno Fernandes, who is a fantastic player and scores so many great goals.

"But you do want to see him further forward. The players have not got the energy and legs to cover the full width of the pitch and go up and down. They're getting overrun and overpowered in that midfield."

If Amorim insists on his 3-4-2-1 formation then does Fernandes have to be sacrificed? Or is he undroppable?

Get in touch with your views here

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

Here are some of your comments:

Man City fans

Anurag: Much-needed win! Terrific performance from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden as they have also done against United in the past! Loved it from the first minute, and shoutout to Donnarumma and Khusanov for their great defensive work.

Brian: Stunning performance. City found their mojo and the return to form of Foden inspired the whole team to play with passion and show that will to win. On this form, City will be a force to be reckoned with in both the Premier League and in the Champions League. This was an amazing watch. The tide has turned. Confidence in all areas of the pitch.

CF: Manchester is blue! Some incredible saves from Donnarumma, a beautiful goal from Foden, who has finally returned, a near perfect performance from Haaland both defensively and in attack, and gorgeous assists from Doku. A masterclass team performance worthy of the Manchester derby.

Andy: A good performance, but still some work to be done. City gave the ball away too often and might have been punished if playing more accomplished opponents. On the plus side, Haaland and Foden were outstanding, Khusanov showed just how good he can be and Donnarumma had a flawless introduction to life in Manchester. If City carry this into Thursday's encounter with Napoli the signs are promising.

Man Utd fans

Mark: No point spending £200m on forwards when you defend like that! Back three too slow. Where is the the passion?

Andy: United will start to score goals. They have bought wisely up front, but are completely at sea defensively. They have to go to a flat back four to steady the ship. And if that works, it will make Ruben Amorim look tactically naive for not doing it sooner. I like Amorim and would like him to be given time, but he's digging a hole for himself.

Rob: Same old story. Amorim always states "we have to do better" - we know that! But it doesn't get any better. The frustration is killing me. Get rid and go back to a classic formation of play.

Graham: We were rubbish - again. We just don't have the quality. We're kidding ourselves about Ugarte, and Shaw looked pedestrian. The manager is getting away with being clueless. All must go.