Manchester United

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Manchester United would be prepared to let Harry Amass and Toby Collyer join Sheffield Wednesday on loan despite the Championship club's much-publicised off-field problems.

Both youngsters are set for spells away from Old Trafford this season despite breaking into the United first-team last term.

Interest in the pair is high and no decision has been made yet around either player.

However, eyebrows were raised when it was confirmed Wednesday were interested in signing Amass, while it has also been established the South Yorkshire outfit are one of the options Collyer is assessing.

Earlier this month, the Football League said it was speaking to Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri about potentially selling the club following a succession of late wage payments.

There was uncertainty over the club's ability to fulfil their opening league game of the season at Leicester, although that did eventually go ahead, with Wednesday supporters refusing to enter the stadium until five minutes into the 2-1 defeat in protest at Chansiri's running of the club.

However, there are concerns over the depth of the first-team squad and while Premier League solidarity payments have finally allowed wages to be paid, there is no guarantee of any external funding that would ensure future salaries are not missed.

It would be against that backdrop United would release Amass and Collyer if that was the choice of the players.

Their rationale for that is that the key point for both players this season is to further their careers by building on their United appearances and being exposed to regular first-team football, which there is more chance of at Wednesday due to the lack of depth in their squad.

The wage issues are not felt to be a specific concern as United could carry on paying the players, with Wednesday fulfilling any agreement reached at a point when either Chansiri's financial commitments change or new owners come in with access to greater funding. As a development loan, there would be no fee involved either.

It is also felt the general situation at Wednesday could have an additional positive element in terms of exposing Amass and Collyer to experiences that do not exist at United, taking them out of what is accepted to be a 'first-class bubble' at one of England's richest clubs.

It is being stressed both players have a number of options. Although there has been mentions of PSV Eindhoven, it is felt Amass' loan will be a domestic one.

Neither player was involved in the National League Cup opener at Tamworth on Wednesday, which was abandoned due to lack of ambulance cover after United midfielder Sekou Kone had to be taken to hospital after taking a hefty blow to the head that required lengthy on-field treatment.

As the game was a competitive fixture, it would have prevented either Amass or Collyer going out on loan and then being recalled in January and sent elsewhere as no player is allowed to play competitive matches for more than two clubs in a single season.

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has offered up his annual predictions:

7) Manchester United

Last season: 15th

This prediction may raise eyebrows even among some fervent Manchester United fans, but it is based on Ruben Amorim having had an entire summer to get his entrenched three-man central-defensive system firmly fixed in his players' minds and also because of some serious strengthening in attack.

Amorim has spent in the region of £200m on Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, and the capture of RB Leipzig's prized striker Benjamin Sesko in a deal that could be worth £74m. This will, or at least should, carry some serious threat.

They surely cannot be as bad again. Can they?

One rider, though - if they do not improve and United look as lost and hopeless as they did under Amorim at stages last season, he will swiftly be under a very unforgiving microscope.

Read the full piece

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Manchester United midfielder Toby Collyer is on the verge of joining West Bromwich Albion on a season-long loan.

The 21-year-old former Brighton academy player made 13 first-team appearances for United last season.

He also went on the club's pre-season tour of the United States this summer.

However, with increased competition for places in Ruben Amorim's squad, and no European football this season, the United hierarchy decided with Collyer it would be better to further his education away from Old Trafford.

Collyer has received a number of offers, including from Sheffield Wednesday, and it had not completely been discounted that he could move on a permanent basis.

But it has been decided a loan to West Brom is the most favourable option and Collyer is expected to complete the move imminently.

Brighton will demand more than £100m for Carlos Baleba after Manchester United expressed an interest in the 21-year-old Cameroon midfielder. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Meanwhile, United expect Chelsea to bid for Alejandro Garnacho, but the Blues hope to get the 21-year-old Argentina winger for significantly less than United's asking price of £50m. (Sky Sports), external

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Manchester United Under-21s midfielder Sekou Kone is conscious and stable in hospital after sustaining a head injury in his side's National League Cup tie at Tamworth.

The match was abandoned at 0-0 in the first half after Kone clashed heads as he headed the ball out of the penalty area from a corner.

The 19-year-old Mali youth international initially got up but United medical staff quickly told him to go back down as they assessed him.

Referee Ross Martin blew for half-time while Kone was still being treated on the pitch before he was carried off on a stretcher.

In a statement, United said: "Sekou Kone is conscious, stable and communicating with United's medical team. He has been taken to hospital as a precaution for further checks."

A statement on Tamworth's X account said: "We wish Sekou Kone a speedy recovery."

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The draw for the second round of the Carabao Cup has been made.

The EFL Cup remains regionalised in the early rounds, with the draw split into Northern and Southern sections until round three.

Here are the ties involving Premier League clubs:

Northern section

Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds United

Burnley v Derby County

Everton v Mansfield Town

Grimsby Town v Manchester United

Sunderland v Huddersfield Town

Southern section

Bournemouth v Brentford

Fulham v Bristol City

Oxford United v Brighton

Wolves v West Ham United

The 23 second-round ties will take place during the week beginning 25 August.

See the full draw over here

Have you got a question about Manchester United or is there a topic you want more information on? Have you spotted a Red Devils theme or trend that needs further investigation?

Well, this season we're making it easier for you to get in touch and ask - and we will do our best to use our expertise here at BBC Sport to give you direct answers.

Our team can call upon a network of contacts - including our reporters, pundits and other experts - to find out everything you need to know.

No question is too big or too small, so fire away using the link below and we will answer the best of them throughout the campaign.

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Serie A outfit Roma are interested in Manchester United's unwanted England winger Jadon Sancho.

United are sticking to their desire to sell Sancho, who returned to the club in the summer after Chelsea paid a £5m penalty to get out of an obligation to buy the 25-year-old after he spent last season on loan at Stamford Bridge.

Juventus have long been interested in Sancho but Roma are also looking at whether a move is possible.

Strangely, Sancho's latest social media post received more than 5m responses, many of them urging him to join Turkish club Besiktas, currently managed by his old boss at United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Norwegian was manager at United when the club paid Borussia Dortmund £73m for him in 2021.

However, Solskjaer quickly discovered Sancho wanted to play on the left of his attack, when he had been bought to play on the right.

He eventually fell out with Solskjaer's successor Erik ten Hag, initially being told to train on his own to rediscover his fitness and address around his focus late in 2022, before then reacting badly to the Dutchman's public criticism of his performances in training at the start of the 2023-24 season.

Besiktas have not said whether they have any interest in signing Sancho.

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Styles have always shifted in football.

The fashion was once to find a centre-forward, usually a big one, and build a team around him - and for him. Times moved on and the number 10 became the godlike figure to be worshipped.

Recently, even defensive midfielders have had their day in the sun, but there has never been a better time to be an out-and-out winger than now, specifically one who can dribble and attack defenders.

But despite the likes of Paris St-Germain, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City and many more wanting wily wingers, one club not only does not want them, it is doing everything it can to get rid of them.

Ruben Amorim at Manchester United is so completely spellbound by his system that wingers are consigned to the so-called 'bomb squad', not worthy of even training with the main group.

He certainly is not being affected by the current fashion for flash on the flanks.

Does this mean he is behind the times? It has been a long time since any team that played with a back three and no wingers was truly successful in England. Antonio Conte managed it at Chelsea for a short while but even he evolved away from it.

Then again, Amorim could also be ahead of his time; wing wonders may be little more than a passing fad. I hope not because they are so exciting when at their best - even though they are just as infuriating at their worst.

We will find out about Amorim by Christmas at the latest. If his team is still in the bottom half of the Premier League by then, the owners will lose patience as will the fans.

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Marcus Rashford says Manchester United "were hungry to win" but that it was "reactionary".

The forward, who was speaking on the Rest Is Football, external podcast, completed a loan move to Barcelona earlier this summer as he looks to reignite his career on the pitch.

Rashford struggled for game time under Ruben Amorim and spent the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign on loan with Aston Villa before injury cut his season short.

The 27-year-old did not look to be part of the United's boss' plans this term, asking to leave in July, and his season-long loan move can be made permanent with the La Liga giants for £30.3m next summer.

"Any team that has been successful over a period of time, they have principles that mean that any coach or player that comes in has to align to or add to the principles," Rashford said.

"At times, United were hungry to win... but it was reactionary. If your direction is always changing, you can't expect to win the league."

The England international came through the United academy, making his debut in 2016, and has scored 138 goals in 426 matches, winning five major trophies.

He is 15th on the club's all-time scorers list, but has had his ups and downs as the club tried different managers and approaches to try to reach the same heights as they did under Sir Alex Ferguson.

"People say we've been in a transition for years but to be in a transition you have to start a transition. The actual transition has not started yet," Rashford added.

"We've had that many different managers, different ideas and different strategies to win that you end up in no man's land."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Rasmus Hojlund is not being forced out of Manchester United but they will help him find a new club if he decides he wants a move.

It is a fortnight since Hojlund sought out journalists in Chicago after scoring in United's pre-season victory over Bournemouth to insist he wanted to stay at Old Trafford.

However, since then, United have signed Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig in a deal worth £73.7m and Hojlund was left on the bench throughout the final pre-season friendly with Fiorentina.

While sources deny Hojlund has specifically been told he will not feature for United this season, given the club has spent over £200m on a new-look strike force and have no European football this season, it is clear opportunities for the Dane will be limited.

Therefore, it is understood he is now considering his situation.

Serie A giants AC Milan head a queue of clubs keen to sign Hojlund and the indications are United would be willing to accept a loan deal for an initial fee this season, with an option to buy next summer in order to give the 22-year-old a chance to find his form.

As yet, there is no agreement on either element as Hojlund has still to make a firm decision about his short-term future.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Manchester United's new six-man leadership group has already delivered its first 'mild' rebuke – but Tom Heaton says it will offer support as much as the occasional telling off.

Heaton, Harry Maguire, Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui and skipper Bruno Fernandes have been appointed to the group by Ruben Amorim.

United's head coach wants the dressing room to run itself to take some of the strain away from the coaching staff.

As the elder statesman of Amorim's squad, 39-year-old Heaton is a natural fit for the group.

But the aim is not just to maintain order and keep discipline, even if that side of the job has already been in evidence.

"Yes, but only naturally," said Heaton, when asked if a telling off had already been handed out.

"I think it's important that it's both sides.

"It's also about supporting people that need it, trying to make sure we're guiding it and channelling it in the right way.

"He (Amorim) feels quite strongly about having a group of players that have a strong influence on the dressing room and provides a little bit of support to Bruno.

"I am obviously honoured as ever to be part of that and will try to have as much influence on it as I possibly can."

Alex Turk
Fan writer

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Here we go again, then. Another season of Manchester United is creeping over the horizon.

With fixtures against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City among the club's first five in the Premier League, use this week as your last chance to take a breather...

So, what is my United hope for this campaign?

There is reason for optimism. It would be almost impossible to endure a worse time of things than last term, for starters.

That could be a blessing in disguise for Ruben Amorim. A return to Europe would be viewed as progress. And that has to be the aim.

Goals were the Red Devils' kryptonite last season. They notched up just 44 in the league but have responded impressively this summer.

The arrivals of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, who scored more league goals combined than Amorim's entire squad in 2024-25, should solve that issue.

United have also shown ambition to fix their glaring midfield problem before the deadline, too. Carlos Baleba, or a similar alternative, could prove transformational.

What about my United fear?

Amorim got a free pass last campaign, given the mess he inherited and the credit in the bank from his impressive reign at Sporting.

He will immediately be under scrutiny this time around, which makes United's difficult Premier League start all the more daunting.

I like Amorim and believe he is the right coach to spearhead this project. Thomas Frank and Oliver Glasner have proved that a three-at-the-back system can thrive with the correct personnel.

But if United are languishing in mid-table by the winter, I do fear for his future. And then all the current optimism and hope would vanish as yet another rebuild begins.

Patience is crucial over the coming months, unless the suffering extends into the new year and relegation actually is on the agenda this time around.

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BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater and Joe McGrath have been discussing Manchester United's hopes for the upcoming season on the latest episode of the Devils' Advocate podcast.

After the signings of attackers Benjamin Sesko for £73.7m, Bryan Mbeumo for £65m with £6m in add-ons, and Matheus Cunha for £62.5m, optimism for an improved campaign at Old Trafford is high.

"You look at Liverpool, Arsenal who are looking good now they have [Viktor] Gyokeres, and City will always be Man City," said McGrath.

"You then look at the other spot in the top four - it's up for grabs I think this year.

"Chelsea will crumble this year. I think it would be mad us looking at this league and not thinking we can get that fourth spot. I know last season was so bad but there's something about this year - the way we've gone out and bought these three players. We've beaten rivals to them.

"You have to look at fourth spot because that money should get you a couple of places higher in the league.

"Fourth brings what the Manchester United board are investing in - Champions League football. I think it's all about that."

Drinkwater, added: "It's a big if but if United can bring in two more signings then they have to push for top four.

"If they don't and they go into the season as they are now, I still want to see us pushing that top six.

"I think this season is all about Europe, maybe not the Champions League. If United were to get top four I would be absolutely buzzing."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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I am not getting the impression Brighton's stance on midfielder Carlos Baleba is weakening.

Manchester United are prioritising their midfield now they have strengthened their striking ranks, which suggests no immediate move for Paris St-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who has been left out of the squad for Wednesday's Super Cup final against Tottenham and seems certain to leave the French club.

Brighton have been keen to stress they have no desire to or interest in selling Baleba, who has made 77 appearances for Albion since arriving from Lille for £23.2m in 2023 and has a contract that runs to 2028. They are sticking to their mantra.

Whether the 21-year-old Cameroon international accepts that fact is another matter.

United believe their signing of striker Benjamin Sesko was done on favourable terms, which felt like an indication they could do more business before the transfer window closes on 1 September.

However, they do need to sell players.

There is still no sense Rasmus Hojlund has changed his mind about being determined to fight for his place, while Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrrell Malacia remain in limbo.

Real Betis president Angel Haro Garcia has confirmed they are still trying to bring Antony back to the club after his successful loan stint last season, but there has been no breakthrough in talks.

"It's the same as it was," said Garcia. "It's a complicated operation. I'm optimistic about Betis and Antony's willingness, but I don't know what Manchester United's final position will be."

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How Benjamin Sesko settles in at Manchester United is one thing I am looking forward to finding out this campaign.

I was disappointed he chose to go there over Newcastle but, at the same time, I saw him live several times last season and he is a player with potential, rather than offering guaranteed goals.

I see what Sesko's strengths are, but £74m is a lot of money for a player with room for improvement. At 22, he is no way the finished article, but there will still be big pressure on him to perform.

With Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo, Manchester United have spent more than £200m on their forward line, but I still don't see them getting in next season's top four.

It is almost impossible for them to go from 15th to the Champions League places, even if fifth place is good enough again.

Instead, I have them finishing anywhere between sixth and 10th, but no higher.

Read the full Shearer column here

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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The 1958 group of Manchester United fans has called off its planned protest before Sunday's Premier League opener against Arsenal at Old Trafford.

The group drew criticism when they announced their plans for including minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in their action against the Glazer family's control of the club.

Many felt it was too early to judge whether Ratcliffe's involvement has been a success or not. The Ineos owner has put money into the club, paying for the major £50m upgrade at United's Carrington training ground, which was unveiled last week.

The group says it has reflected on a survey conducted in the wake of the criticism received and has opted to step back for now.

"However, the fight against the current ownership model and accountability for decisions impacting United supporters will continue," the group added.

Inter Milan, Roma, Juventus and Napoli have joined AC Milan in expressing an interest in Rasmus Hojlund, with Manchester United ready to consider bids of £30m-£40m for the striker. (The i - subscription required), external

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has sacked his agent as he attempts to find a new club. The 28-year-old England striker has held talks with Manchester United, Newcastle and Leeds. (Talksport), external

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