Manchester United

Watch BBC Senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel discuss the potential outgoings from Manchester United in the remaining week of the summer transfer window.

"They've done a lot of business bringing players in but getting players out is proving very difficult," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"That will be the priority for Manchester United between now and Monday - trying to recalibrate the finances. But, its easier said than done."

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

Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo will consider leaving Manchester United in the final week of the transfer window if the club receive a suitable offer. (Talksport), external

United forward Rasmus Hojlund will get a sizeable pay rise should he agree to join Napoli. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

No-one could accuse Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu of setting conservative targets for the club.

Asked for United's targets as he spoke before Sunday's 1-1 draw at Fulham, Dorgu's message was clear: "One hundred percent we are aiming to win the Premier League. We are Manchester United, so that's always going to be our goal."

It could be argued United's chances of winning the title were not reduced by the result at Craven Cottage as they had no realistic chance of being champions anyway.

Yet Dorgu's comments underline the aspirations at Old Trafford remain the same, even though it is over a decade now since United last won the Premier League – and they have not even challenged for the title since.

The stated aim this season – privately and publicly – is to secure a return to European competition.

And while one point from two games is not an ideal start, there is a genuine sense of optimism, helped partly by the £50m training ground revamp.

"The facilities help," said Dorgu. "I think new signings have helped as well.

"They bring a lot of good energy and quality into the group.

"Everyone has a point to prove this season. We need to get back to Europe, so we need to stick together, be happy and positive and try to do what the coach asks."

Image source, Getty Images

Former striker Wayne Rooney has been speaking about Manchester United's early season struggles and positional changes on The Wayne Rooney Show: "There's a lot to be worked on... Manchester United really needed to hit the ground running this season and one point from six now is bit of a worry.

"Players are getting moved around the pitch and into different positions. You see Mason Mount playing two or three positions, Cunha, Mbeumo, Amad... the players are moving into different positions and then from that you can't get settled.

"It can be very frustrating. And then all of a sudden you get fed up with it and that shows through body language as well.

"I just hope that doesn't start to happen with these new players because there's a lot of ability in there. And already early on, the worry is there are three centre-backs but it's too easy for forward and midfield players to get on to the centre back.

"You should see United at the start of a new season saying: 'Right, last season's gone. Let's make sure we have a good start and let's stick together.' Already, though, we're starting to see those gaps, so that's a big concern for me.

"We're seeing things we were seeing last season. I hoped all the mistakes, players walking and being easy to play against at times would have gone, but that was a bit of a worry.

"There are no excuses now for the manager this season. He's got to start getting results and get the results quickly because once you start getting into October and November, if the results don't change drastically, then that's where the pressure comes."

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It will be fascinating to see how the next week plays out for Manchester United.

Of the 'bomb squad', most expect Alejandro Garnacho to end up at Chelsea and Antony to secure a return to Real Betis - but negotiations for both will not be straightforward.

Tyrell Malacia has been attracting interest from Serie A, while there is a suspicion Roma might come back in for Jadon Sancho.

Napoli are expected to make a renewed attempt to bring in Rasmus Hojlund, who was again left out of Ruben Amorim's squad for the Premier League draw at Fulham.

And then we have Senne Lammens, who United are negotiating with Royal Antwerp over but with uncertainty remaining over whether the deal will happen or who, if anyone, will leave if it does.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Matheus Cunha arrived at Manchester United from Wolves this summer with a warning for Patrick Dorgu – don't kick me.

The Denmark defender was 12 games into his own United career when he faced Cunha in the Premier League at Old Trafford.

He was booked for what the BBC live text commentary described as "a bad foul" on Cunha 11 minutes into the second half of a match Wolves went on to win thanks to Pablo Sarabia's 77th-minute goal.

Cunha has not forgotten the clash and when the pair met at the start of pre-season training this summer, the Brazilian offered some gentle advice.

"I played against him [Cunha] and he had me once, when I got a yellow card," said Dorgu. "When he came he was like 'don't kick me in training'.

"He is a really public guy. He talks a lot and he's really funny - he's trying to engage with everyone so it's easier to talk with him because he has a lot of energy."

Cunha's relationship with Dorgu is going to be crucial for United as the season rolls on given the pair must link together on the left side of their attack.

"He's really good at driving with the ball and getting past players," said Dorgu.

"I feel my runs will help him to get more space to play.

"Obviously, it's not only on the left side, we need to attack on both, but we do need to connect well."

Match of the Day pundits Rob Green and Troy Deeney criticised the "dubious" VAR decisions that the officials got "the wrong way round" in Fulham's 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

United were awarded a penalty on Sunday when Calvin Bassey dragged Mason Mount to the ground in the 33rd minute at Craven Cottage.

The foul was not given on the field but referee Chris Kavanagh was sent to the screen by the video assistant referee and the decision was overturned.

Bruno Fernandes blazed the spot-kick over the bar, but the penalty award left some watching perplexed, given United full-back Luke Shaw appeared to commit a very similar foul just yards away on Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz at the same time.

Ruben Amorim's side went on to take the lead in the 58th minute from a corner, with Leny Yoro's header deflecting off Muniz.

As the ball came in, though, Yoro appeared to push Bassey in the back with both hands, but this time VAR did not intervene.

At first glance, the penalty decision is a simple one with Bassey grabbing Mount and throwing him to the ground.

Given the Premier League's stated aim to crackdown on pulling and holding at corners this season, in part brought in to help avoid time being wasted by referees delaying set-pieces being taken to warn the players involved, it was no surprise it was given.

The complication comes from the fact Shaw also seemed to be grabbing Muniz, just behind the Bassey and Mount incident.

The United left-back had both arms wrapped around the Fulham forward and both ended up on the ground.

But the penalty was still awarded because Bassey was deemed to have committed a foul first.

Read more on why United's goal and penalty was given here

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Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo was an unused substitute on Sunday as Manchester United drew with Fulham at Craven Cottage.

When United boss Ruben Amorim made changes during the game, the first was to drop Mason Mount into a deeper role for Casemiro as Benjamin Sesko came on. Then Manuel Ugarte replaced Mount as United looked for a winner.

Mainoo seems to have slipped back quite a way since his 2023-24 breakthrough campaign under Erik ten Hag, when he scored in the FA Cup final and started for England in the Euro 2024 final.

Judging by who the 20-year-old is in direct competition with in the United squad, according to Amorim, the midfielder might be in for a frustrating few weeks.

"He's fighting for the position now with Bruno [Fernandes]," said the Portuguese.

"I changed two midfielders. I left Mason Mount there because we wanted to score a goal - and when I changed again, I felt the team needed to return to one holding midfielder near Bruno.

"He just needs to fight for the position with Bruno, as it should be at Manchester United. He will play with Bruno [as well] but, at the moment, he's fighting in training with Bruno for the position."

Unless Fernandes is moved into one of the number 10 roles new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo presently occupy, it is difficult to see Amorim dropping his captain.

• Not a Man Utd fan? Find your team here

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

Here are some of your comments:

Fulham fans

Paul: Even though Fulham are hampered by the uncertainty of the ongoing transfer window, they gave a good account of what they are about. They need to be more direct in their transition and always take the attack to the opponents.

Simon: Their goal should have been disallowed for a shove in the back. For the last 70 minutes we were the better side. Nobody fears Manchester United any more - we just needed a winner!

Bill: Played much better after conceding the first goal. Much better organised than United.

Man Utd fans

Mark: After a bright first 15 minutes, we descended into our usual woeful self. No passion, style, determination - just a clueless mess of hoping for the best. There are players who don't deserve to be in the starting line-up and it looks like we've wasted our money in the transfer market yet again. The simple fact is we're just a poor mid-table team with no signs whatsoever of the descent ending soon.

Stephen: Is it just me or are there no wide men who can put crosses in the box? It seems they prefer to pass it backwards rather than cross it first time. I feel sorry for the front men.

Srikanth: Performance against Arsenal was not seen against Fulham. The first half was decent but, otherwise, Fulham fully deserved to draw or win. Based on this display, I'm not sure if we can get above 10th place this season.

Pundits Troy Deeney and Rob Green join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest

• Everton 2-0 Brighton

• Fulham 1-1 Manchester United

Chelsea will press ahead with a move to sign Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho if they are able to offload some of their unwanted players. (Sky Sports), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United's goalkeeping situation is the subject of huge debate because there is so much uncertainty about it.

United have kept abreast of Senne Lammens' situation at Royal Antwerp for most of the summer. They have advanced talks over the past few days to the extent Antwerp opted to leave the 23-year-old out of their Belgian Pro League victory against Mechelen a couple of hours before United took the field against Fulham.

The precise reason for that is not known. Neither is it clear if anyone will leave to make way for the former Belgium youth international.

It had been assumed Andre Onana would return at Craven Cottage, but when the teams were confirmed it emerged that Altay Bayindir had kept his place.

The Turkey international duly showed both sides of his character. Calm with the ball at his feet, it was Bayindir's superb 70-yard floated pass downfield that went straight towards its intended destination, allowing Matheus Cunha to brilliantly control on the run first time and get a shot off with his second touch, which Bernd Leno did well to save.

But Bayindir also looked weak when dealing with corners. He tended to pick the wrong time to come for them and also allowed himself to be crowded out, just as happened against Arsenal seven days previously when another positive United performance failed to bring any reward.

Even with his saves, there were good and shaky moments.

Bayindir had to be alert to deny Josh King with an excellent feet-first save. Less convincing was the manner in which he shoved a low Iwobi shot from the edge of the area round the post.

Ruben Amorim spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live after Manchester United's draw against Fulham: "I think we scored the goal and then we forgot about how we play. We want to win so badly, and that is a good feeling, that we scored a goal and everyone on the pitch was thinking, 'Let's hold onto the advantage and try to win the game'. For me that is the moment that we have to enjoy more and push the opponent. We tried to press the opponent super high and left a lot of space.

"We have to grow up a lot as a team. For me the most important thing is that during the week they were working really hard, today we worked really hard, and we are going to improve. The moment that changed the game was our goal."

On how the team goes about 'growing up': "Training, in the game. You need to win to have the feeling to relax a little bit, not in the intensity and the way we play, but maintaining our mind. We suffer a little bit in the end because the momentum changed more with the goal of Fulham.

"In the first half we were there, we missed a penalty...Fernandes has so much responsibility with him that I felt the lack of joy [when he missed] and he was thinking in the past. Now we have to move forward no matter what happens."

United captain Bruno Fernandes spoke to BBC Match of the Day after the draw: "We cannot be satisfied with one point. We came here to win the game. We were defending very well, but in one of them they got their goal. For us, it is very disappointing to not win the game today."

On his missed penalty: "As everyone has their own routine. I missed the penalty because I kicked the ball very badly."

"We are very disappointed. Obviously, we were into the game. We should have controlled it better after our goal and made them run.

"We were controlling well runs into the box from their midfielders."

Did you know?

Since the start of last season, Genoa (30) are the only team in Europe's big five leagues who have failed to score a first-half goal in more games than Manchester United (29).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Fulham's performance

What did you make of Man Utd's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Fulham boss Marco Silva makes three changes from the opening weekend draw at Brighton.

Timothy Castagne, Ryan Sessegnon and Rodrigo Muniz come in, with Jorge Cuenca, Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez dropping to the bench.

Fulham are aiming to end a run of eight straight home defeats in the Premier League to today's opposition.

Fulham XI: Leno, Tete, Anderson, Bassey, Castagne, Lukic, Berge, Sessegnon, King, Iwobi, Muniz. Substitutes: Lecomte, Reed, Jiménez, Wilson, Cairney, Adama, Cuenca, Smith Rowe. Robinson.

Altay Bayindir retains his place in goal for Manchester United in a side showing one change from last weekend's defeat by Arsenal.

Amad Diallo comes into the right wing-back slot in place of Diogo Dalot.

Andre Onana is named on the bench, along with new striker Benjamin Sesko. Rasmus Hojlund misses out completely.

Manchester United XI: Bayindir, Dalot, De Ligt, Shaw, Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu, Mbeumo, Mount, Cunha. Substitutes: Onana, Dalot, Maguire, Zirkzee, Ugarte, Heaven, Sesko, Fredricson, Mainoo.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United target Senne Lammens was left out of Royal Antwerp's squad in their Belgian Pro-League game against Mechelen on Sunday.

United ramped up their interest in the goalkeeper this week.

No deal has been agreed yet and there is interest elsewhere, including from Inter Milan, but it is looking increasingly likely Lammens will end up at United.

What is not so clear is what that means for United pair Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir.

United sources have previously indicated Onana will remain at the club this season despite some inconsistent form.

However, Bayindir started last weekend's Premier League opener against Arsenal and was at fault for the Gunners' winner.

It is possible Inter may try to sign Bayindir if Lammens joins United.

Inter veteran Yann Sommer is on Galatasaray's list of alternatives if they fail to secure the capture of Manchester City's Ederson - which would leave a space for a new number one at Inter, where Onana excelled.

There are three games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest (14:00) - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Everton v Brighton (14:00) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Fulham v Man Utd (16:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times BST

Follow the 14:00 games here

And get Fulham v Man Utd here

Like a lot of people, I try to be balanced about Manchester United. They lost last week, but I do think they will be better this season. Well, they can't be any worse.

I really like Bryan Mbeumo, and I especially like Matheus Cunha - I think he's got loads going for him.

Fulham were fortunate to get something against Brighton but I think they'll improve in front of their own fans.

Fulham don't play with any fear and will take the game to Manchester United, which gives me a sneaking feeling United will exploit them and win this one.

But then again, I always predict Manchester United games wrong. I want to be positive about them, but I'm not sure I can be. Plus, I think I predicted Fulham wrong for every one of their matches last season.

I'm leaning towards a Manchester United win, so, because of that, I'll go for a draw.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United's players are more able to match the physical demands made of them this season, according to head coach Ruben Amorim.

The former Sporting boss struggled to implement his style of play after he replaced Erik ten Hag last November, which was a major reason why United ended up in 15th, their worst league performance since the 1973-74 relegation campaign.

While the new season got off to a losing start at Old Trafford last weekend, Amorim felt there were clear signs a full pre-season has enabled him to get the work into his players to allow them to compete in the way he wants.

"It is a fact because you can see the data," he said.

"Against Arsenal, we were sometimes building up but we had to kick the ball. Then you can see the reaction of our players to the second ball. In the duels, we are stronger. We are recovering position faster.

"I remember at least two times in the corner, one time with Odegaard running with the ball and you can look at our players and we are sprinting full power - even Casemiro!"

United's players should gain greater benefit as the season goes on given they have no European football to distract them for only the second time since 1990.

Amorim knows he cannot promise positive results. But he does feel his players now fully understand what is required of them.

"When we are playing we are more confident," he said.

"I feel the team is more free playing the game. That is a good thing.

"When you have more time to train, you have more time to understand the way we play.

"You don't need to think all the time 'what do I do in these situations' because it's already in their minds."

Tom White
BBC Sport journalist

Fulham were one of just three clubs that Manchester United completed a Premier League double over last season, with the other two coming against relegated pair Southampton and Leicester City.

Marco Silva believes their task this term has been made all the harder because of United's acquisitions in this summer's transfer window.

"Last season, they had a lot of great players," said Silva before the game. "This season, they've kept almost all of them [and] they have been able to spend heavily in the market. Two they signed from Premier League [sides]. And they signed a striker that all the market was looking for."

By contrast, the Whites have made just one senior signing this summer with goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte joining from Montpellier, and they were once again indebted to their substitutes against Brighton on the opening day when striker Rodrigo Muniz scored in the 96th minute to rescue a point.

Silva's compatriot and counterpart Ruben Amorim suffered his 15th loss in his 28th Premier League game as manager of Manchester United last weekend. However, the green shoots of optimism were on show against Arsenal at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils dominating their visitors and new signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha both impressing.

Amorim said he was "proud" of his team despite the defeat, highlighting the fact that they were creating more chances. "We have more options, so you see that we play in a little bit of a different style with Cunha - and then at the end with [Benjamin] Sesko, because he is a different player and we can use that."

Despite the positivity, United are seeking to avoid losing their opening two games of a Premier League season for a third time. They did so in the inaugural campaign in 1992-93 but went on to win the league that year, and most recently in the 2022-23 campaign under Erik ten Hag, when they ended up third.

Proof, perhaps, that defeat on Sunday may not yet prove fatal for Amorim.