Manchester United

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  1. Man Utd v Everton: Team newspublished at 19:11 GMT 24 November

    Graphic showing Manchester United's starting XI

    Joshua Zirkzee starts for the first time this season for Manchester United as Matheus Cunha misses out after suffering a blow to the head in training.

    The incident forced the Brazil international to pull out of switching on the Altrincham Christmas lights on Saturday.

    Benjamin Sesko is out with a knee injury, so 18-year-old forward Shea Lacey is named on the bench for the first time.

    Leny Yoro replaces Harry Maguire in defence while Lisandro Martinez returns to Ruben Amorim's squad for the first time since February after major knee surgery.

    Manchester United XI: Lammens, Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu, Amad, Mbeumo, Zirkzee.

    Substitutes: Bayindir, Dalot, Martinez, Mount, Malacia, Ugarte, Heaven, Mainoo, Lacey.

    Veteran Everton skipper Seamus Coleman returns to David Moyes' side in the only change to the team that beat Fulham 2-0 a fortnight ago.

    Tim Iroegbunam drops to the bench as Everton look for their first away win since August.

    Everton XI: Pickford, Garner, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko, Coleman, Gueye, Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish, Barry.

    Substitutes: Travers, King, McNeil, Beto, O'Brien, Dibling, Alcaraz, Aznou, Iroegbunam.

    Graphic showing Everton's starting XI
  2. 6,000 more rail seats opened at Man Utd for Everton gamepublished at 15:59 GMT 24 November

    Simon Stone
    Manchester United reporter

    Manchester United were part of an initial experiment with rail seats within the English gameImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Manchester United first opened rail seats at Old Trafford in 2021

    Tonight's game against Everton will mark a significant milestone for Manchester United.

    The club has been given clearance by the safety authorities to open another 6,141 safe standing places in the Stretford End.

    That will take the number of rail seats at Old Trafford to 13,577, 18% of the total capacity of 74,412.

    Meanwhile, Karen Hirst has been appointed as Project Director for the Old Trafford Regeneration.

    Previously development director at Salford City Council and Central Salford Regeneration Company, Hirst is a chartered surveyor who has spent 35 years in property and development.

    Hirst will be responsible for delivering the strategic vision for Old Trafford Regeneration, including working with United as a new stadium is viewed as a central component of the plans.

    Local authority sources say a housing development in Old Trafford has already been allocated a significant share of the £1bn Good Growth Fund and it is anticipated huge public and private sector investment will "accelerate transformational regeneration, creating a world-class, sports-led visitor destination, rich in culture and entertainment".

  3. Amorim keen to drag Ugarte out of his slumppublished at 12:12 GMT 24 November

    Simon Stone
    Manchester United reporter

    Manchester United midfielder Manuel UgarteImage source, Getty Images

    Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is determined to help Manuel Ugarte out of his current slump.

    Amorim worked successfully with the Uruguay midfielder during his time at Sporting. However, Ugarte has failed to hit the same levels at Old Trafford, scoring two goals in 55 appearances since his £42m move from PSG in August 2024.

    His performances have attracted greater scrutiny as his intended arrival was the reason why United opted to sell Scott McTominay to Napoli.

    Amorim accepts Ugarte is struggling, but he feels the 24-year-old has the capability to make a greater impact than he has so far.

    "You can sense a lot of very good players come here, and sometimes they struggle," he said. "He is struggling at the moment but it is our job to try to help and help him to feel like I felt when he was a Sporting player.

    "But it is a different world. He needs to adapt, and he needs to improve, especially in training."

  4. Last season 'too soon' for Chido; Amorim 'really happy' with Laceypublished at 09:52 GMT 24 November

    Simon Stone
    Manchester United reporter

    Manchester United forward Shea Lacey with other players during a Manchester United training sessionImage source, Getty Images

    Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has made some very interesting observations around the club's academy - and the players in it - before Monday's Premier League game against Everton.

    With Benjamin Sesko ruled out, and Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo due to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations next month, attention has been turning to who might replace them.

    Amorim has not started a 'homegrown' player in the league this season. He was asked about 17-year-old forward Chido Obi, who made eight first-team appearances last term, and 18-year-old Shea Lacey, who has recovered from injury and has impressed at age group levels for club and country this season.

    But he was also asked about the link between his senior squad and the club's academy.

    "He [Chido] played last year, but I think it was too soon," said Amorim.

    "We didn't have a team we could put a young kid of 16 into and him not struggle.

    "He's one of the guys but he started too soon. Sometimes it's hard to deal with that, with the kids, because they think that 'I'm already here'. We need to be careful with that.

    "I'm really happy with him [Lacey]. He struggled a little bit with injuries but they did a very good job balancing his body and you can sense he can manage more load during training.

    "He has a lot of talent but when they come here they can sense the speed is completely different, so they need to spend more time with us to be prepared because our training is hard. In Premier League games the pressure is harder, so they need to be ready.

    "When you call a kid up to the first team, they need to behave really well.

    "This connection is really important. We are putting everything in place - a nutritionist for the academy starts now - in our club. That is something that should be basic.

    "All these things we are doing, so I have more time with them and I'm more confident with them. When we put these kids in to play in the Premier League, they will struggle, but will struggle less I think."

  5. Sutton's predictions: Man Utd v Evertonpublished at 07:58 GMT 24 November

    Chris Sutton smiling on a yellow and black background with 'Sutton's predictions' written below his face

    You would be forgiven for thinking Manchester United have morphed into Real Madrid from the reaction to their recent results.

    But, although all the excitement around them has been a bit over the top, they have definitely improved - and especially at home.

    David Moyes will make things difficult for United on his return to Old Trafford and his side will be resilient as usual, but I don't think they will hold out.

    If Everton had a goalscoring number nine then the outcome would be more in doubt, but I do not see them causing United problems at the other end of the pitch, either.

    I am keeping Beto in my fantasy team, because you can guarantee that if I took him out he would start this game and score, but - with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha - United carry far more of a threat.

    Sutton's prediction: 1-0

    Read the full predictions and have your say here

  6. Gossip: Man Utd keen to pursue Semenyo in Januarypublished at 07:28 GMT 24 November

    Gossip graphic

    Manchester United could offer Antoine Semenyo his preferred number 24 shirt in a bid to lure the 25-year-old Bournemouth and Ghana forward to Old Trafford during the January transfer window. (Manchester Evening News), external

    Wolves boss Rob Edwards maintains there has been no official approach from United for £44m-rated Brazil midfielder Joao Gomes, 24. (Express, external)

    Finally, the Red Devils want to keep Casemiro at the club by offering him a new contract, but they want the 33-year-old Brazil midfielder to accept a reduced salary as part of the extension. (Fabrizio Romano), external

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

    Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

  7. Rate Solskjaer's time as Manchester United managerpublished at 16:01 GMT 23 November

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer banner at Old Trafford Image source, Getty Images

    We've mapped out the storyline of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's ultimately doomed spell in charge of Manchester United.

    So now it's over to you. How do you rate his time as manager?

    Choose here

  8. Solskjaer's near misses and the unravelling that followedpublished at 16:00 GMT 23 November

    Simon Stone
    Manchester United reporter

    Ole Gunnar SolskjaerImage source, Getty Images

    After a sixth-place finish in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's initial season, United ended the next two full campaigns in third and second - the highest consecutive league positions since Ferguson retired. They reached five semi-finals out of six in cup competitions.

    Crucially though, they did not win any. The nearest they came was losing on penalties to Villarreal in the 2021 Europa League final when goalkeeper David de Gea's missed spot-kick proved decisive.

    The lack of silverware was a problem.

    "It was like an albatross he carried," said an insider. "Particularly in the second full year, people kept saying 'will he win something?'"

    Despite this, internally there was belief in Solskjaer and his team. In July 2021 he was given a contract extension to 2024. Woodward said the foundations were now in place "for long-term success".

    Cristiano Ronaldo's return was added to the big-money arrivals of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane - and the Portugal superstar then scored twice on his second debut against Newcastle to send Manchester United top of the Premier League. The mood was euphoric.

    It proved to be the ultimate false dawn.

    BBC Sport has been told the United dressing room, almost exclusively, was thrilled by Ronaldo's arrival. Solskjaer felt the returning forward would set standards and show team-mates what was required to reach the top.

    Ferguson wanted him. Woodward wanted him. The fans wanted him.

    "The problem was the way Ole and Kieran McKenna set the team out - you couldn't carry too many players who didn't track back," said a dressing room source. "It needed legs - it needed press.

    "The system had to change, which is fine to accommodate a big player, but Ole couldn't make it work. Ronaldo was effective but his arrival took something quite major out of a system he had been working on for two and a half years."

    It unravelled in the space of six defeats in 11 games over two months, including that astonishing 5-1 home defeat by Liverpool. Losing at Watford - United conceded twice in stoppage time - proved to be the end.

    There are those who think that was unfair.

    As it turned out, first under the interim charge of Michael Carrick, then Ralf Rangnick, with the same group of players United won 10 and lost just two of their next 18 games.

    Could Solskjaer have engineered that same turnaround in fortunes?

    No-one will ever know. But, looking back, maybe his time in charge was not so bad after all.

    Read Simon's full piece

  9. 'An optimist to the limit' published at 14:03 GMT 23 November

    Simon Stone
    Manchester United reporter

    Manchester United's final position each season in the Premier League since 2012-13

7th |
4th|
5th |
6th |
2nd|
6th| Solskjaer's era starts 
3rd|
2nd|
6th| 
3rd| 
8th| Solskjaer is sacked 
15th|

    Manchester United's league positions since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 tell a stark story. From finishing seventh in the immediate aftermath of the legendary manager's departure to tumbling to 15th last season, the line on the graphic is as jagged as the club's search for stability.

    Across that period, United have cycled through managers of contrasting philosophies, profiles and temperaments. David Moyes lasted less than a season. Louis van Gaal delivered an FA Cup but never convinced. Jose Mourinho brought trophies and turbulence in equal measure before his departure in December 2018, with United drifting and disconnected once more.

    It was into this turbulent landscape that executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward turned back to a familiar face. In the wake of Mourinho's dismissal during the 2018-19 season, he called Ole Gunnar Solskjaer back to the club he had served so memorably as a player and a coach with a simple brief - bring a smile back to Old Trafford.

    He did it almost by instinct.

    When Solskjaer walked back into the Carrington training ground he knew so well and where he was so popular, he headed straight to beloved receptionist Kath Phipps and gave her a hug and a kiss and some of her favourite chocolates.

    The impact went further and deeper.

    By nature, Solskjaer is a positive person.

    "An optimist to the limit," said a former colleague. "He sees good in everything.

    "It was tiny things, like saying 'good morning, how are you doing?' Being human basically. Everything had been on a downer and was very flat. People weren't being themselves. He opened the door and got them to smile again."

    The general mood became lighter and more upbeat, helped by a sensational run of eight wins in a row at the start of his reign, which extended to 14 victories, two draws and one defeat in his first 17 games

    Solskjaer, it is stressed, was not turning the club back to the Ferguson era. But he felt there were elements of the Scot's regime that could work in the modern era.

    He was big on standards. Dress code on away trips was altered as blazers and ties returned. Carrington became more inclusive. Access to the club canteen was widened.

    He led United to the Champions League quarter-finals, something they have only managed twice since they were beaten by Barcelona at Wembley in the 2011 final.

    That helped him secure a three-year contract as permanent manager.

    Read more here

  10. Man Utd v Everton: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:30 GMT 23 November

    Matthew Hobbs
    BBC Sport journalist

    Manchester United aim to continue their strong home form against an Everton side managed by former Red Devils boss David Moyes.

    BBC Sport examines some of the key themes going into Monday night's meeting at Old Trafford.

    Home comforts

    Manchester United return to Premier League football unbeaten in five matches and their home form has particularly impressed during the mini-revival under head coach Ruben Amorim.

    The Red Devils have won all four Premier League home fixtures since a 1-0 defeat by Arsenal on the opening weekend of the season, scoring 11 goals in total, and they next face an Everton side who have won just one of their past 32 Premier League visits to Old Trafford.

    United have clearly improved in recent weeks, an upward curve underlined by their current tendency to get into good positions during matches.

    They have held the lead for a total of 496 minutes and five seconds in the Premier League this season in just 11 games – already 140 minutes and 25 seconds longer than in 27 matches under Amorim in 2024-25.

    Jekyll-and-Hyde performances

    United do, however, remain vulnerable because of an apparent inability to sustain performances over 90 minutes.

    They have failed to 'win' a second half in the league this season, conceding a league-high 14 goals after half-time in comparison to just four before the break.

    A table of data showing the Premier League teams who concede the most goals in the second half of matches in 2025-26

    United's failure to last the distance across 90 minutes cannot be blamed on a congested programme.

    With no European football this season, United will have played only 12 games by 23 November (the day before this game) - their fewest during this period of any season since 1904.

    And yet the substitutes' bench has repeatedly failed to make an impact.

    A resurgent Casemiro has completed 90 minutes just once in this campaign and his withdrawal often has a negative impact, while subs have collectively provided one assist and no goals in the Premier League so far this season.

    Everton's woeful Old Trafford record

    The net result is that Everton may make the short trip from Merseyside with hope of springing an upset, despite a wretched record at Old Trafford.

    The Toffees have won just once at United in the Premier League in the past 32 years, a 1-0 triumph in 2013 under Roberto Martinez - during which current manager David Moyes was in the home dugout.

    Moyes has never won in 17 attempts as a visiting manager to Old Trafford in the Premier League (D4, L13) and righting that awful run may well depend on his strikers finally finding a way to fire this season.

    Young centre-forward Thierno Barry received a standing ovation for his efforts after being taken off in the second half of Everton's 2-0 win over Fulham before the international break, but the 23-year-old remains goalless in 11 Premier League outings.

    Beto, Everton's other option at number nine, has scored once in 11 games in the league this season.

    Creative Everton struggling to score

    Such struggles in front of goal are not down to a lack of creativity.

    On-loan winger Jack Grealish remains joint top of the Premier League's assist charts with four, despite the fact they all came in his first three top-flight appearances for Everton.

    The 30-year-old has since created 19 chances in seven matches but, crucially, none of them have been taken.

    Fellow winger Iliman Ndiaye has been equally creative, with the duo leading the Premier League for expected assists from open play this season.

    A table of data showing the Premier League players with the highest expected assist tallies in 2025-26 - Grealish and Ndiaye are the top two, above Jeremy Doku, Bukayo Saka and Cody Gakpo

    If Everton's strikers can find their feet in front of goal, a rare win at Old Trafford may await.

    If the visitors waste further chances, it is perhaps more likely that United's revival under Amorim continues to gather pace.

  11. Does Solskjaer deserve more respect for his time managing Man Utd?published at 11:11 GMT 23 November

    Simon Stone
    Manchester United reporter

    Ole Gunnar SolskjaerImage source, Getty Images

    After two woeful seasons, optimism is growing around Old Trafford that United are moving in the right direction, yet it is only just over four years ago they finished second under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, scoring 73 goals, the most in a single campaign since Sir Alex Ferguson's era ended in 2013.

    It leads to the question: is it time to reappraise Solskjaer's time as Manchester United boss? The topic feels relevant given that Friday marked four years since Solskjaer was sacked on 21 November 2021.

    There is a narrative around Solskjaer that he was lucky to be appointed after Jose Mourinho's dismissal, that he should never have been given the permanent role and that his shortcomings were exposed after a terrible sequence of results.

    But speaking to people involved in Solskjaer's appointment and dismissal, there is a more positive view.

    "He is absolutely far better than many people give him credit for," said a source.

    Solskjaer brought a smile back to Old Trafford, created a lighter mood, and delivered a sensational run of results at the start of his reign.

    Against that backdrop, Solskjaer became permanent manager. His critics say this was a mistake, but those involved argue otherwise.

    Read the full article here

  12. Financial Fair Play rules in Premier League to change next seasonpublished at 18:10 GMT 21 November

    Premier League flagImage source, Getty Images

    The Premier League will from next season move to a new system of Financial Fair Play (FFP) based on squad costs.

    The clubs met in London on Friday to vote on three possible methods of replacing Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

    Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) got 14 votes in favour and six against, which is the minimum number that is required to exact a rule change.

    Overall squad costs from next season will have to be limited to 85% of a club's revenue, although teams competing in Europe will have to adhere to Uefa's maximum of 70%.

    Squad costs comprise player and manager wages, transfer fees and agents' fees.

    Rules around sustainability, which set out a club's financial spending plans over the medium and long term, were passed unanimously.

    Read more about the news and what it means here

  13. When does the 2026-27 Premier League season start?published at 18:10 GMT 21 November

    Tasnim Chowdhury
    BBC Sport journalist

    A silhouette of the Premier League trophy against a blue sky backgroundImage source, Getty Images

    The Premier League has announced the start and end dates for the 2026-27 season.

    The first round of fixtures will take place across the weekend of 22 August 2026 - a week later than previous seasons.

    The later start allows rest time for players - 89 clear days from the end of this season, and 33 days from the 2026 World Cup final.

    The Premier League said the delay was a "priority" for player welfare in an "increasingly congested global football calendar".

    The final matches of the season will be played on Sunday, 30 May 2027, with all fixtures kicking off simultaneously as usual.

    The season will end a week before the 2027 Champions League final, which will be on Saturday, 5 June.

    There will be 33 weekend and five midweek fixtures - the same as the current season.

    For the festive period, the Premier League have said no two match rounds will take place within 60 hours.

    It has not been confirmed if there will be any fixtures on 24 December 2026.

    However, as Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, the Premier League has said there will be more matches scheduled than this season, when there is only one.

  14. Amorim on Sesko injury, losing players to Afcon and being competitivepublished at 14:47 GMT 21 November

    Craig Nelson
    BBC Sport journalist

    Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Everton at Old Trafford (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • Benjamin Sesko and Harry Maguire will miss the Everton game, while Kobbie Mainoo is a doubt after missing training.

    • Sesko is expected to be out for a few weeks, but Amorim added: "It is not that serious. He is doing the recovery and he is feeling better, so in a few weeks I expect to have Ben."

    • Amorim expects to have Sesko back "about the same time" as Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo leave the squad to join up with Cameroon and Ivory Coast respectively for the Africa Cup of Nations, which starts on 21 December.

    • Mbeumo and Amad are due to leave Old Trafford two weeks before the start of the tournament, but Amorim added: "We are doing our job to try to maintain the players a little bit longer, but it is not just in our hands. We will try to do everything to protect the club, protect the players and protect the national teams."

    • On whether United can capitalise on a run of games against teams outside the top six: "If you know the history of our team you never know when it is the difficult games, so that is completely irrelevant in the Premier League."

    • Asked whether defender Lisandro Martinez could step into a midfield role when he returns to full fitness, Amorim said: "A smart, intelligent football player can play in a lot of positions, but it is not the right position for him. I feel Licha is becoming close to be ready able to play. We need to be careful, but he is clearly in a better position."

    • Amorim cast his mind back to his first game as Manchester United manager a year ago, saying it was clear to him the Premier League was the "best league in the world and Manchester United were maybe the best team in the world, but it was a big job with a lot of work".

    • In the present day, he says the team is now "more dominant, playing the better football and more competitive in every way".

    Hear more from Amorim on BBC Sounds

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

  15. Apologetic Amorimpublished at 14:12 GMT 21 November

    Simon Stone
    Manchester United reporter

    Ruben Amorim sitting at a news conference tableImage source, Getty Images

    Ruben Amorim was full of apologies when he arrived for his news conference 25 minutes later than scheduled on Friday.

    The assembled journalists had already been told the planned 13:15 GMT start time would be delayed as training had started late.

    But Amorim even missed the second deadline.

    He said sorry a few times, then, jokingly, blamed the club official who sits with him at the news conference table.

    When he was leaving, he asked the journalists not to write it was the official’s fault.

    The Premier League does not like clubs to hold their media conferences after 13:30 on a Friday, even if, as in this instance, they are playing on a Monday.

    I doubt United will get into trouble.

  16. Man Utd's long wait for a gamepublished at 12:08 GMT 21 November

    Simon Stone
    Manchester United reporter

    Ruben Amorim squats on the touchline with his head downImage source, Getty Images

    It has been a strange season at Manchester United, with long gaps between games because of due to no European football.

    Now, when the Premier League is gearing up to start again, United must wait until Monday - when they face Everton. They do not have another Saturday game in the league until the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on 17 January.

    Still, head coach Ruben Amorim is speaking to the media later on Friday.

    I wonder if transfers are on the agenda - in particular whether reinforcements are likely in midfield.

    United are sticking to their mantra of no big-money signings being likely in January, but midfield is clearly a priority and no-one should be surprised Elliott Anderson is on their radar - he very much put himself there with an outstanding performance in the 2-2 draw with Amorim's side at the City Ground at the start of this month.

    I do think it would take a significant sale - Joshua Zirkzee for instance - for United to really make a move - and everyone is aware of Kobbie Mainoo's desire to play regularly to give himself the chance of making England's World Cup squad.

    There are two issues. The first is Benjamin Sesko's injury, which Amorim should update on later.

    The other is the impending departure of Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui to the Africa Cup of Nations.

    I cannot see Amorim wanting to lose anyone before those three return from Morocco towards the end of next month.

    Come back to this page later on Friday for all the key lines from Amorim.