Manchester United

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United host Chelsea on Saturday aiming to arrest a run of just two wins in 13 league matches.

Chelsea's nine-game unbeaten run was ended in the Champions League by Bayern Munich on Wednesday, but the Blues are so far unbeaten domestically.

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes ahead of the meeting at Old Trafford.

Groundhog Day for Manchester United

"Manchester United just have to try to get into the top half," were the words of former midfielder Paul Scholes earlier this week.

If such fatalism feels a little premature only a month into the season, United fans could be forgiven for feeling trapped in their very own version of Groundhog Day.

The Reds have recorded just two victories from their past 13 top-flight matches and produced another lacklustre display in Sunday's 3-0 loss to neighbours Manchester City.

Club sources insist that on most statistics United are performing better than last season, despite sitting in 14th place. It remains a hard sell for fans who have witnessed the club's poorest start to a league campaign since 1992, accumulating just four points from four matches.

It follows a 2024-25 campaign in which United amassed their lowest top-flight points total since being relegated more than 50 years ago.

Manager Ruben Amorim remains open and honest in the face of increasing criticism but the former Sporting boss now has the second-worst win percentage of any manager in United's league history.

Home comforts

The likeliest place for a corner to be turned remains Old Trafford.

Despite scoring only five times, the Red Devils have had 94 shots in their past four home Premier League games, attempting at least 20 in every game. Only Manchester City have a higher expected goals tally this season.

Amorim may also be boosted by the prospect of facing Saturday's opponents. United are unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League home games against Chelsea (W5, D7), since a 1-0 defeat 12 years ago.

Chelsea's Premier League win rate of 18% at Old Trafford is their lowest at any side they have visited at least 10 times in the competition.

The importance of Palmer

The Blues' 3-1 defeat at Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday ended their nine-game unbeaten run, although there were plenty of encouraging signs for Blues boss Enzo Maresca, not least another good performance from Cole Palmer on his 100th appearance for the club.

The 23-year-old scored a well-taken goal to briefly give his side hope and also had a late effort ruled out for offside.

Palmer made his return from a groin issue in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Brentford, in which he scored his first league goal from open play since January.

Ensuring the talented Englishman is fit and firing will be crucial to Chelsea's hopes this season. He has been directly involved in 73 goals since his Blues debut two years ago, a record bettered by only Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah among Premier League players.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

You cannot accuse Ruben Amorim of not being able to laugh at himself.

The Manchester United head coach is under huge pressure after his side managed just one win from their opening four league games and got knocked out of the EFL Cup by League Two Grimsby.

There has even been suggestions he could be sacked during the October international break unless results turn swiftly.

Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe flew into United's Carrington training ground on Thursday. The visit was pre-planned but there was a 'crisis' meeting with Amorim.

I asked the former Sporting coach what the pair spoke about.

"A new contract," Amorim smiled.

He was joking. It is good the 40-year-old has not lost his sense of humour.

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Chelsea at Old Trafford (17:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Amorim confirmed Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha are fit enough to return to the squad but Diogo Dalot remains out.

• Lisandro Martinez also remains sidelined and on the Argentina defender Amorim added: "We missed Licha a lot. Especially in this moment, we miss his aggression, how aggressive he is in everything he does. We miss him but he's always there in every meeting and we need him in this team."

• On Alejandro Garnacho returning to Old Trafford: "Garnacho is not our player, I'm focused on our players. I'm really happy with Mason [Mount] and [Matheus] Cunha returning, the rest you need to talk about with the Chelsea manager."

• Tyrell Malacia will return to team training with the under-21 squad.

• Amorim joked that part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was offering him a new contract during their meeting this week, before saying: "No, it is normally things to show support, explain that it is a long project. I spoke with him, with Omar [Berrada], Jason [Wilcox] just trying to see all the data around the team. A normal meeting and we've had several."

• Asked how United used the week without a match, Amorim said: "We used the time to analyse the last game and the next game and prepare different things. To win more games we have to maintain the way we are playing but improve in the opponent's box and our box. That has been the focus of the week, especially when you are playing Chelsea."

• On his side's start to the season: "This is a club with more pressure maybe than any in the world. Last year I was very critical of the way we play. Now I think we are playing well until the boxes. We need to be more clinical. We are in a better place compared to last year but we need to win."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to Amorim's news conference on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

There is an uncomfortable sense of deja-vu around Manchester United.

This time last year it was Erik ten Hag who was under pressure after a disappointing start to the season, which culminated in him getting sacked last October.

Now Ruben Amorim is in strife after one victory in four Premier League games and an EFL Cup exit to League Two Grimsby.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe flew to Carrington yesterday for a number of meetings, one of which was with Amorim, whose side entertain Chelsea at Old Trafford tomorrow.

Amorim is bound to be asked about that when he speaks to the media this afternoon but there are so many other issues to discuss as well, not least who will be in goal and whether he is going to continue with Bruno Fernandes in a deeper central midfield role.

Al-Nassr are targeting a move for 33-year-old Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, with the Brazilian's contract at Old Trafford coming to an end next summer. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external

Meanwhile, United are competing with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona to sign 25-year-old Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic, whose contract at Juventus is up next summer. (La Gazzetta dello Sport, via Teamtalk), external

Finally, United will allow 24-year-old forward Joshua Zirkzee to leave the club, with 22-year-old striker Benjamin Sesko now their first choice up front. (Teamtalk), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe met head coach Ruben Amorim at the club's Carrington training ground on Thursday.

As first reported by The Athletic, Ratcliffe flew into Manchester for talks, which were said to be pre-planned.

Ratcliffe had other meetings in addition to the one with Amorim. However, it is understood the 72-year-old is keen to help Amorim work through his current issues.

Ratcliffe did not accompany chief executive Omar Berrada to Leigh this evening to watch the club's women's side reach the Champions League main draw for the first time.

Amorim has come under huge pressure following a dismal start to the season.

Despite spending more than £200m on new players, United have won once - thanks to a stoppage-time penalty against Burnley last month - and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League Two Grimsby.

While sources close to Ratcliffe have insisted he remains supportive of the former Sporting coach and point to massively improved data as a reason for their continued belief in the 40-year-old, others argue the statistics mask chronic underperformance.

United have privately dismissed a report Amorim has three games to save his job, although it is clear defeats by Chelsea, Brentford and Sunderland before the October international break would test their faith to the maximum.

Beth Tucker
Fan contributor

Find more from Beth Tucker at The United Stand, external

Image source, Getty Images

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

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

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

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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

Image source, Getty Images

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.

Image source, Getty Images

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.

Image source, BBC Sport

Alex Turk
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

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