Manchester United

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The picture painted of a financial crisis at Manchester United seems to have been overplayed by part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

United had the highest EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) profit of any Premier League club, as well as the second highest revenues in 2023-24.

Given this cash profit is generated by the day-to-day operations of the club, it only underlines United's appeal at the turnstile to sponsors and broadcasters - despite their poor performance on the pitch.

Despite missing out on Champions League football and the additional riches it provides, by losing to Tottenham in the Europa League final, Wolves forward Matheus Cunha is heading to Old Trafford in a £62.5m move.

Ipswich forward Liam Delap was in United's sights, at a price of £30m, but has chosen Chelsea, and further spending power looks to hinge on the futures of a host of players they are looking to offload.

The club will hope the likes of Tyrell Malacia, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony can depart permanently this summer, but when and for how much will be a key consideration.

Read more about the early transfer window and what each Premier League club can spend this summer

As the dust settles on the 2024-25 Premier League season, we have been taking a look at some of the alternative ways the the table could have finished...

Many of us will have been there in school.

It was not always about being the best, but about being better. Not trying to beat the others' scores or times, but about beating your own.

In sport too, it is why personal bests exist. It is a way of measuring your own improvement against what has gone before - we can't all be Usain Bolt and Florence Griffith-Joyner.

So if the Premier League season was all about how you compared to the campaign before, who would have come out on top?

Well, there is one clear winner.

With 29 points more than they had in 2023-24, Nottingham Forest would have been lifting that trophy.

They may not have finished the season quite as they hoped having spent so much time in the Champions League spots, but having narrowly avoided relegation a year ago, this shows the sheer scale of the improvement this term.

Their nearest challenger on this basis would have been Brentford.

With 56 points, they were three points short of their best ever Premier League tally, but having flirted with relegation last time out, it made for a more enjoyable season this time around.

Brighton, Bournemouth and Fulham may have just missed out on European adventures in the real league, but they are also teams who can be happy with the improvements they are showing as now well-established top-flight sides.

And despite the chaotic nature of Chelsea since the new ownership came in, they too can look to steady progress.

At the other end of the scale (or table), it is a very different picture.

Many question whether the traditional 'big six' teams is still relevant, given how others have broken that mould in recent years.

But if the season was based on improvement, four of those six would have been at the bottom.

Tottenham dropped-off in the league nearly as much as Forest improved. Manchester City had a high bar to reach, but a torrid spell proved costly. Manchester United have set multiple unwanted club records, while Arsenal struggled to maintain a real challenge for the title.

They say beware the wounded tiger, and it is hard to see all these sides having the same difficulties next season, but they will not have it all their own way with those teams that are on the up.

*All data from Opta and only teams who were in the league in 2023-24

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Given Matheus Cunha's success as the left sided attacking midfielder in Vitor Pereira's 3-4-2-1 system, it is a fair assumption that he will play in a similar role at Old Trafford.

Ruben Amorim has used multiple players as his attacking midfielders since moving to Manchester United, but Alejandro Garnacho is perhaps the most direct comparison to the Brazilian.

Last week, BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater said that Matheus Cunha is a "better footballer than Garnacho" and the stats tend to agree with him. Cunha is superior in lots of key aspects of an attacking midfielder including goal scoring, chance creation and dribbling. Although Garnacho completes a lot more progressive carries than his new team-mate.

Perhaps the most interesting take away from the numbers is Cunha's dribbling. Not only does he attempt more take-ons than Garnacho but he does so with much more efficiency. For context, Cunha's take-on success is in line with Amad Diallo (47%) who is one of the most gifted players on the ball at Manchester United.

Of course it is important to remember that Cunha is six years Garnacho's senior and the Argentine has plenty of time to develop his game. But it is pleasing to know that if the 20 year-old were to depart this summer, the club have recruited someone more than capable in his place - at least statistically.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Matheus Cunha signing for Manchester United.

Here are some of your comments:

Nick: I'm happy with this. We're creating, but not scoring, so getting someone in who has experience scoring in the Premier League can only be a good thing.

Christine: I think it is a fantastic signing in this struggling Manchester United era. I see hope because he can play in so many positions in Ruben Amorim's 3-4-3/3-4-2-1 and United need goals, that's all they need.

Salty: Cunha has the skills but does he have the temperament for the most 'under the microscope' and 'under pressure' club currently in the world? I hope so but so much needs to change around him to get the best from him. Let's hope Amorim's plan gets the support from the boardroom. I'm still holding my breath...

Graham: At last; the right player, at the right price and at the right age. What could go wrong?

Karl: Definitely a step in the right direction. His stats say he has everything we've been missing - awareness, speed, balance, a finishing edge and above all, confidence. Can't wait to see how he works alongside the likes of Amad, Fernandes and Zirkzee.

Bob: Yes, he's renowned for his 'bad attitude' but that's just because he wants to win, which is an attitude sadly lacking in quite a few of our current squad. I seem to recall a certain Mr Cantona was slated for his attitude when we signed him!

Image source, Getty Images

So, Matheus Cunha is set to become Manchester United's first signing of the summer.

The forward will join on a five-year contract with the option of another 12 months.

Cunha has scored 72 goals in 270 club appearances, including 33 in 92 during two and a half seasons with Wolves.

The deal, which is subject to visa approval and registration procedures, is expected to be completed once the 26-year-old returns from Brazil duty later this month.

How excited are you by this signing? And will Cunha be a success at United?

Have your say here

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter in Hong Kong

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt feels the work Ruben Amorim is doing around the first-team group will pay dividends - despite being set to start next season under intense pressure.

"I've experienced many managers and he's one of the most easy to talk to as a player," said De Ligt.

"He's really into details. Before signing new players, first he's looking at the culture, what needs to change and what can be improved to become a better football club. From next season, we will see more of that.

"He wants to build a team of players who are together, fighting for each other and making the most out of what they have.

"Maybe before, you had the best players, but you're not a team."

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for you to tell us what Manchester United need to do in the summer transfer window.

Here are some of your comments:

Mark: A goalkeeper who can command his area and have good distribution is my first choice and an absolute must buy. All other positions we can tweek and develop to get back on track.

Don: I'd like Manchester United to sign both Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres Those two alone give more than enough pace, stability and deadly goal threat, and also they'll be role models for the youth strikers (Hojlund, Obi and potential academy strikers).

Matt: Need a mix of youth and proven talent. Amorim is already proven to make good decisions with the transfer of Cunha essentially done. Now we just need to further boost the squad with talent, leaving behind the egos on the way. Titles in 10 years? Probably.

Stephen: United need to sign an out-and-out proven goalscorer like Osinhem. If a swap deal can be done with Napoli for Hojlund, they should do it.

Ben: While Bruno Fernandes has been one of United's better player at times (although never consistently) I think selling and cashing in is unfortunately the best option for all parties.

Lee: A keeper and a striker MUST be the primary areas of the pitch to target. We have problems in both boxes and that has caused a lot of the issues we have seen over the past couple of seasons.

Thank you for the feedback you submitted on the Premier League club pages.

Our aim is to contain all of the BBC's in-depth coverage of that team in one place, so it is helpful to hear from you - you are who the pages are for after all.

We are going through all your responses and will take suggestions on board for next season.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It was hard not to feel some sympathy for Ruben Amorim as he trudged across the pitch at half-time of Manchester United's second post-season tour match against Hong Kong.

United were losing to an international side gearing up for a match against Nepal and who their manager, former Sheffield Wednesday defender Ashley Westwood, said afterwards had a really big game against Singapore later in the year.

After a ridiculously bad introduction to the Premier League, a Europa League final loss to Tottenham and an embarrassing defeat by a South-East Asia select XI in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, Amorim must have been wondering if anything would go right for him at United.

As it turned out, there was a glimpse of the future.

Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven were both signed from Arsenal this season as part of a recruitment drive focused more towards developing players than established stars.

This is the way United feel they will get out of the mess they are in.

Chido is 17 years old. He is raw and a bit inconsistent. He is still to properly fill out. But, he does know where the goal is - and too many have failed at that basic task for Amorim's liking this season.

Heaven is 18 years old. He made such an impression following his ascent into the first team, Amorim kept him there and was genuinely disappointed when he got injured at Leicester in March.

It is far too early to think either player will get to the level United require, but the signs are good.

This has not been an easy trip. But it ended with some genuine hope for the future.

Image source, Getty Images

Questions around the future of Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes continued on Friday after it emerged he is giving serious consideration to leaving the club to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

Head coach Ruben Amorim has previously said he wants Fernandes - who earlier this month was crowned the club's player of the year for a joint-record fourth time - to stay at Old Trafford, he also knows a rumoured £80m transfer fee might be the best way of being able to reshape his squad.

Speaking after the Portugal international helped United come from behind to beat Hong Kong 3-1 in the final match of their tour, Amorim said "nobody knows" for sure what will happen.

"He is saying no to a lot of things," added the United boss. "He needs to be in the best league in the world.

"Of course I talk to him, I explain things and I just have that feeling. When you talk to someone you have that feeling if he wants to stay.

"The feeling I get every time I speak with him is that he wants to continue for sure with Manchester United. You never know."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim says he has a "clear idea" of what he wants the squad to look like when they regroup for pre-season.

Before then, the transfer window will open and some players will depart Old Trafford to make way for Amorim's first signings.

"As you know, we are bit limited and we can't do it all in one summer," Amorim said. "But there is a clear picture for what we want.

"They know we underperformed badly this season. The important thing is that we have to be ready.

"We have to use every minute in every week of pre-season. We need to arrive in shape. We had meetings about that. That is the only way to take action.

"Everybody knows next season will be massive for everybody. I have been sending messages every week. They know next year - it is clear - we need to be so much better."

One player who is expected to be brought into the fold is academy youngster Chido Obi.

The 17-year-old forward scored twice in Friday's 3-1 friendly win over Hong Kong and is a promising prospect for Amorim.

"He proved already in the U18s he can score goals," added Amorim. "The Premier League is a completely different world, but he has made a good start. He is working really well.

"I was really pleased with all the kids. Comparing this game to the last one and the way we faced the game, we were losing in first half but that was completely different from the last game. That was a good thing."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard still has love for his boyhood club, despite now playing over 5,000 miles away in South Korea.

The attacker last played for the Red Devils in 2022, spending a year with Nottingham Forest and now plying his trade for FC Seoul.

"I had to watch the [Europa League] final," Lingard told BBC Sport. "It was on 4am my time - so I went to bed at 9pm and set my alarm.

"My love and support will always be with United. I still watch their games or catch highlights.

"They will always be one of the biggest clubs in the world and supporters will support them through thick and thin.

"It might be a long-term project with [Ruben] Amorim. He knows what he wants to do.

"It's tough when you're not in the Champions League to attract players, so he was relying on winning the Europa League.

"It's harder to recruit when you're not in the Champions League. It's 100% a factor."

Want to know more about Lingard's career since leaving Old Trafford? Read the full story here

Alex Fletcher
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The perfect mix of ability, athleticism and an occasional ill temper. Manchester United have been here before.

Just like the days of Eric Cantona at Old Trafford, where quality and chaos were often close by, Matheus Cunha has had both good and bad days in the Premier League this season.

But as his transfer to Manchester United looks set to be confirmed, the qualities that have put him on Ruben Amorim's radar are there in plain sight.

And while a move to Manchester would mean swapping one side in the bottom six for another, the Brazilian seems ready to challenge himself to put United back on course.

An ability to score and create

Image source, Opta

Much has been made of United's attacking struggles, but whether it be through creativity or his devastating finishing, Cunha has had an extraordinary season with Wolves.

Despite missing six games through suspension, the 26-year-old scored 17 goals and got six assists.

His 15 Premier League goals would put him way ahead of anyone in the United squad from last season - with Bruno Fernandes' eight the closest competitor.

But what's even more remarkable is his outperformance of his xG.

According to Opta, Cunha attempted 120 shots in the league, with an xG of 9.3. Meaning he scored almost double the amount of goals he was expected to.

This demonstrates his maverick-like ability to create something out of nothing.

United themselves were on the receiving end of that in December, when Cunha scored directly from a corner in a 2-0 win for Wolves at Molineux.

Image source, Getty Images

Ideal for the system

Image source, Opta

If his goals weren't enough, is no secret that Cunha fits perfectly in to Amorim's system.

During his time in the West Midlands, Cunha has consistently played as the left-sided number 10 in a 3-4-2-1 formation - an approach favoured by his potential new head coach.

Both Gary O'Neil and then Vitor Pereira used this set-up at Wolves and it has allowed the Brazilian to flourish in the past two seasons.

Cunha's football intelligence, combined with his 6ft frame, often helps to drive his team forward in to attacking positions.

Add that to the fact that he can also play in any of the positions in the front four and you create quite the threat.

According to Opta, Cunha had 25 chance-creating carries in the Premier League this campaign, with four of them converted by his team-mates, and no other player at Wolves created more opportunities.

Image source, Getty Images

The transfer window opens on Sunday - albeit for 10 days initially, mainly so sides competing in the Club World Cup can get early business done - before reopening for the rest of the summer on 16 June.

Manchester United are prioritising the signing of a new out-and-out centre-forward this summer, but appear to have lost the race to sign Ipswich's Liam Delap to Chelsea.

Meanwhile, the Old Trafford future of captain Bruno Fernandes is in doubt with interest from the Saudi Pro League.

Are there certain players you are desperate for United to sign, or an area of the squad that needs improving? Or maybe holding on to a key player is your biggest priority.

And what about sales - who needs to go?

So over to you... what names need bringing in and shipping out?

Let us know here

We asked for your views on Bruno Fernandes, who is considering leaving Manchester United to sign for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

Here are some of your comments:

Ian: Massive respect for Bruno. He has had a difficult five years at Old Trafford with all the negativity surrounding the club but has shown his quality time after time. If he wants to move on who can blame him? Blame the people who run the club. United could sign three players with the money who fit into the manager's system. If they are sticking with the manager, that would be a positive way to go.

Daniel: For what he's given to the club over the past five years I think we owe him the choice to either stay or leave. He has literally carried the club since he was signed. I wish him all the best if he does leave.

Steve: If Fernandes goes, we will surely be relegated next season.

Russ: £80-£100m for a player who will be 31 in a few months is a no-brainer for a club needing to rebuild and with limited finances due to PSR.

Tayta: Thumbs up for the deal. First, Bruno gets to reset his career away from physical and mental stress of the Premier League while earning loads of money. Secondly Manchester United get money to reinvest. The rumoured money would be a godsend to help rebuild the team with players fit for the rigours of the Premier League. United are never going to get this kind of money for any player of this age profile in the next 20 years.

David: The Mainoo goal v Manchester City in the FA Cup final was assisted by Bruno. The move started with a beautiful pass from Rashford to Garnacho, then on to Bruno and finally Mainoo. Rashford is all but gone,. Garnacho is all but gone. Now we're talking about Bruno going, and possibly Mainoo. That move should have been the start of something special. Just what has gone wrong at Old Trafford?

Image source, Getty Images

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea are in contract talks to sign winger Jadon Sancho on permanent basis from Manchester United.

The 25-year-old is keen to stay at Stamford Bridge but it will require him to take a pay-cut from his deal at Old Trafford.

The Blues had already agreed an obligation to buy worth between £20m-£25m, as long as Chelsea finished above 15th place, which they easily achieved when finishing fourth and qualifying for next season's Champions League.

However, there is a way out of the deal through a £5m penalty clause payable to United should a failure to agree personal terms cause the move to collapse.

United are keen to let Sancho leave after signing him for £73m from Dortmund in 2021.

Sancho scored in the 4-1 win over Real Betis on Wednesday to help Chelsea win the Conference League, ending the season with five goals and 10 assists in 42 games.

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

As the dust settles on the 2024-25 Premier League season, we have been taking a look at some of the alternative ways the the table could have finished...

A Premier League season can sometimes be a tale of two halves.

Some come flying out of the blocks, while others are more sluggish starters.

The busy Christmas period can be a turning point with the arrival of the January transfer window feeling like a fresh start.

So what might have happened if the league season only start on 1 January?

Well, Pep Guardiola's title-winning machines would have picked up their fifth Premier League trophy in a row.

Playing one game fewer than actual champions Liverpool - who secured the title with four games remaining - they would have finished one point clear of the Reds, not withstanding Arne Slot's side slowdown in form after sealing the title.

City always seem to come good after January, but this time it was not enough to outweigh the torrid time they had from late autumn.

The rest of the top six is not too dissimilar to the final placings, although in this case, Aston Villa would have secured Champions League football and Brighton a Europa League spot in the absence of Chelsea - whose form nose-dived at the very beginning of the year.

And while the new year is a new start for some, it is less so for others.

That was the case for many of those down the bottom of the league.

The relegated trio would still have been relegated and Manchester United and Tottenham would still have ended up in the bottom six. West Ham find themselves one place lower after Wolves picked up form under Vitor Pereira.

So what does this tell us? If you wan to achieve your Premier League ambitions, it is about making sure you are there for nine months and not just from January.

*Table data from Football365