Manchester United

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Manchester United defender Harry Amass is in talks over a loan move to Sheffield Wednesday

The Championship side have had an embargo lifted meaning they can sign players and it is understood United would not be looking to get a fee for what would be regarded as a development loan.

It is not clear yet whether Amass will join Wednesday or look at his other options and it remains to be seen whether he will be involved at Tamworth on Wednesday when United's under-21 side open their National League Cup campaign.

Amass was part of the squad that went to Malaysia and Hong Kong at the end of last season, but following the summer arrival of Paraguay Under-20 international Diego Leon, Old Trafford chiefs have decided to let him leave on loan.

The 18-year-old won United's young player of the year award last season, as he made seven first-team appearances at left wing-back under Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese's predecessor, Erik ten Hag, had felt Amass was not yet physically strong enough to play in the Premier League.

The Devils' Advocate team at BBC Radio Manchester have dropped a fresh episode for your Monday.

This week there's chat about Benjamin Sesko's arrival, the latest transfer speculation and the start of the brand new Premier League season.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Adam Cottier
Final Score reporter at Bramall Lane

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Goalkeeper Radek Vitek made his debut for Bristol City on loan from Manchester United on Saturday - and it could hardly have gone any better.

Vitek played 18 league games in a loan spell at Accrington Stanley in 2024 and, before Saturday, they were his only senior appearances in English football.

The 21-year-old was loaned out by United again last season as he gained more experience playing in the Austrian top flight.

But it was in the early evening sunshine in Sheffield where Vitek appeared to come of age. A commanding figure in his area, he repaid boss Gerhard Struber's faith with an eye-catching display.

With his side leading 2-1 he made a fine one-handed save to deny Sheffield United's Louie Barry, also keeping out Sydie Peck before the break. At the time, they felt like significant moments in keeping his new team ahead at half-time.

And so it proved as Bristol City veered out of sight with the two goals they scored in a rampaging start to the second half.

However, even at 4-1, Vitek was still alert to make smart interventions on the occasions home side had sight of his goal. One late save in particular - keeping out a point-blank range Peck header - had the Bristol City fans chanting his name even louder.

Vitek was encouraged to be front and centre of the post-match celebrations, waving his arms with glee in front of the travelling support.

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We asked for your views on whether Manchester United are ready for the new season as they prepare to kick off at home to Arsenal on Sunday.

Here are some of your comments:

Bob: Frankly, no! We have shown occasional glimpses of what Ruben Amorim wants in pre-season, but we still regress to negative passing far too often. We desperately need a midfielder with legs and a new keeper.

Paul: Good that we have bolstered our attacking options. We just need them to form partnerships that work, but I'm just not convinced that our midfield and defence are quick enough to respond or get the ball forward to them. As for Onana, he's definitely on borrowed time before he gets replaced. We really need a positive attitude - and to start the season by beating Arsenal!

Ernest: United are almost ready. The attack of Cunha, Sesko and Mbeumo should intimidate any opposing manager and the rearguard of any rival team will have to be at its best to tame potential breaches. The team's pre-season exploits may be accurate indicators of desirable progress. Goalkeeping and holding midfielder remain huge concerns and Amorin's tactical rigidity in all situations could be Manchester United's undoing.

Alex: I'm seeing flickers of hope. It's easy to get too excited, but the players are looking happy. We are moving the ball well and we look like we have a plan. If Sesko can hit the ground running this could be a good season. I would like to see us strengthen up in the defensive areas, though.

Clifton: I hope we are ready. We are light in midfield and I'm not totally convinced about the defence. However, I recall when people thought we were not ready when Sir Alex's youngsters surprised Alan Hansen and the football world.

Gareth: It's the hope that kills you.

AC Milan are in talks over signing Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund, 22, but they want a loan with a buy option, whereas Manchester United would prefer a permanent sale. (Sky Sports), external

After signing Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko, Manchester United have shifted focus to offloading England winger Jadon Sancho, 25, Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho, 21, and Brazil forward Antony, 25. (Standard), external

Manchester United are considering signing free agent Dominic Calvert-Lewin after the former England striker, 28, left Everton at the end of last season. (Caught Offside), external

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

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Alex Turk
Fan writer

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And so another blossoming young forward from across the continent lands at Old Trafford, immediately shouldered by the burden of Manchester United.

Many a starlet has fancied their chances across the past decade of despair. All have failed. Memphis Depay, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Rasmus Hojlund have come and (almost) gone.

It is Benjamin Sesko's turn now. Another eye-watering transfer fee worth £74million only intensifies the pressure, especially coming off United's worst-ever Premier League season.

But there is reason for optimism that this time, finally, it will be different.

Sesko is entering a superior environment than immediate predecessor Hojlund. He follows Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo through the door, two Premier League-proven attackers who should be relatively low-risk.

Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo are also creators, while Patrick Dorgu looks primed for a breakout campaign. Sesko should receive service from all angles, and he has already proven his ability to take chances in a variety of manners.

The 6ft 5 frontman also should be the right profile.

United emphasised their use of data in the announcement, pointing out that Sesko had scored more than every other player aged under 23 in Europe's top five leagues during the past two seasons.

Physically and athletically, he promises to meet the demands of the Premier League adequately. I think comparisons to Hojlund are justified (it's been a scarring year), but also lazy.

At 22, Sesko is two years older than the Dane when he arrived in 2023. He is also a much more established goalscorer, already netting 82 career goals across five seasons. Hojlund had 22 across two.

It is a risk and Ollie Watkins was Ruben Amorim's initially preferred option for a reason. His Premier League goal tally has never failed to reach double digits.

But United's decision to go for the 'project striker' whose ceiling exceeds that of their alternative options is the definition of high risk, high reward.

Find more from Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC, external

Pre-season is completed and the countdown to the 2025-26 season is on.

It's been a busy summer at Old Trafford with three big-name arrivals to bolster Ruben Amorim's attack.

Manchester United start the season at home to Arsenal on Sunday - but are they ready?

Get in touch with your views here

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Former Mancheseter United goalkeeper David de Gea enjoyed his return to Old Trafford with Fiorentina for a pre-season friendly on Saturday.

"It has been a long time since coming back here so it was a special day seeing old friends. It was amazing. Seeing the crowd and players was emotional. It was a game I will never forget for sure."

On meeting up Sir Alex Ferguson earlier in the week: "He is the reason why I came here and he is very important for me. He is a legend of the club and I was so happy to see him."

On whether he held any regrets about how he left the club in 2023: "Sometimes football is how it is - you cannot control everything. I was here for 12 years and it was the best period of my life. Playing for this club was unbelievable. I will always be grateful for this club."

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Manchester United defeated Italian side Fiorentina on penalties after a 1-1 draw in their final pre-season friendly at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Simon Sohm gave the visitors the lead early on with a fine unmarked volley from a corner before Robin Gosens scored an own goal past former United goalkeeper David de Gea to level the scores midway through the first half.

The second half had no further scoring but both sides netted their first four spotkicks in the shootout. Then, after Altay Bayindir saved from Fabiano Parisi, Kobbie Mainoo smashed home to give the Red Devils the win.

Summer signings Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko were presented to the Old Trafford crowd before the game with both Mbeumo and Cunha in the starting XI.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Ruben Amorim's system involves two deeper midfield players, wing-backs who push high up the pitch, two inside forwards and a striker.

It is assumed Sesko will be the striker, with Matheus Cunha playing behind him on the left and Bryan Mbeumo on the right.

That would mean skipper Bruno Fernandes taking on one of the deeper midfield roles.

Now, Fernandes is many things but a box-to-box midfielder is not one of them.

Fernandes likes to roam. He likes to get on the ball. He likes to find pockets of space to take a pass.

But the 30-year-old Portugal international is not someone you would rely on being alert to danger. He is not someone who is going to make a 10-yard run in anticipation of closing down space.

This seems to be a problem, even if it was something Amorim dismissed when I asked him on the specific point about his midfield in Chicago a couple of weeks ago.

"Bruno runs a lot," he said. "Maybe in the sprint he's a different player, but he runs a lot. He has a lot of endurance. He's smart. So it's not about that. Bruno's physicality is not the concern. He's ready for the physicality, playing deep or as a midfielder."

If that was accurate, why would United be making discreet inquiries about Baleba?

After all, the Brighton player is very much a box-to-box midfielder, someone with energy and endurance, who can tackle and pass.

More pertinently, he is precisely the kind of player Amorim does not have in his squad.

Read Simon's full analysis on United's midfield here

You have been sharing your stories and photos about why you love Manchester United.

Here is a final selection of your submissions, but do make sure you scroll down this page to see all the best responses from throughout the week:

Jason: I'd been playing American football as a teenager and didn't watch our game. When I stopped, I needed to pick a team. I remember Fergie, I think, saying that it didn't matter how many they scored because we'd score more. That was it. Just go for it football. That was in 1989 I think, so hardly our best. Then, it was 1999 Champions League final and we won in the dying seconds. Bayern were distraught. How could you not keep loving that sort of never-say-die drama?

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What does Rasmus Hojlund's future at Manchester United look like if they sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig?

"I think it means he won't be the starting striker," said BBC Sport's chief football news reporter Simon Stone on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "People have said that they would be better off keeping Hojlund because he has looked quite good during pre-season so far and has scored a few goals but I think there is an acceptance that he could leave.

"Hojlund came out after the game against Bournemouth and he sought journalists out in the mixed zone - which is unusual - to say hat he wants to stay at the club no matter what happens.

"It is OK saying that, but when you look at United's forward options, how often is he going to play?

"Especially when he is one of the players that they might be able to raise some money from. They paid £72m for him so they have got to be careful that they don't put a big loss on that, but I don't see the point of them keeping Hojlund.

"They signed him as a young striker to develop and they are now hoping to sign another young striker, who has the potential to develop.

"I think that will be articulated to Hojlund over the coming weeks and I will be surprised if he is still at the club by the 2 September.

"Whether they will look beyond the players they clearly don't want anymore and into the squad that went to the United States we don't know - but they will raise more money."

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United defender Harry Amass was left out of the club's recent trip to the United States as a decision had already been taken for the 18-year-old to go out on loan.

Now, with leagues over Europe starting, European qualification campaigns in full swing, the Championship kicking off tonight and the Premier League next week, decisions are starting to be made around which clubs need what for their squads.

Amass played for United in a closed doors match on Thursday.

His next scheduled appearance would be in the National League Cup at Tamworth on Wednesday.

However, whether last year's United Young Player of the Year is involved remains to be seen.

There are numerous clubs interested in Amass and a decision on his short term future could be made next week.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

I spent 12 years covering Manchester United for a different organisation - 11 of them when Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge.

Any particularly memorable moment for me has to involve him - and them.

The day that sticks out is his last one.

The Premier League title had been won, Ferguson's Old Trafford farewell had been completed but there was still one game to go - at West Bromwich Albion.

I have spoken to people involved for United that day and it is fair to say Ferguson's notoriously high demands were missing. His drive for victory was not quite the same.

What transpired was almost a fitting epitaph for Ferguson's career. An amazing 5-5 draw, including West Brom scoring three times in the final 10 minutes to snatch a point.

It denied Ferguson victory in his final game but the crazy manner of the match and the goals scored - it remains the highest scoring draw in Premier League history and only one Premier League game has contained more goals - was in keeping with the Scot's philosophy.

Ferguson was applauded by West Brom fans and pushed to the front of the United players to take the acclaim of the visiting fans. The mutual respect was evident and I can still picture the images. A truly unforgettable day.

Join the conversation and tell your story about why you love United

AC Milan are interested in taking Rasmus Hojlund from Manchester United. The 22-year-old is available for about £30m but Milan are keen on a loan move. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

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

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