Manchester United

There have been many standout free-kicks in the FA Cup over the years, so BBC Sport has wound back the years and selected a few to celebrate all over again.

Look no further than the specialist, David Beckham.

"Oh, it's another classic from young David Beckham," says the commentator about his strike against Tottenham on 5 January 1997.

His 10th free kick goal of the season was just as effortless as all those that had come before - and would follow after - and was completed with a smiling thumbs-up from Sir Alex Ferguson on the touchline.

Fast forward to 01'42:00 to watch - and stay on for a bonus free-kick from Juan Mata.

A special episode of The Devils' Advocate podcast has landed.

BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater is joined by his Total Sport co-presenter Emily and fellow Manchester United supporters to review the club's season so far - both on and off the pitch.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho, currently on loan at Chelsea, is keen to return to the Bundesliga - re-joining Borussia Dortmund is his "dream" - but Bayer Leverkusen are also interested in the 25-year-old Englishman. (Bild - in German), external

Chelsea, who have an obligation to buy Sancho, are considering whether to sign the England international permanently, before immediately selling him. (Football Insider), external

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

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

In the final section of chief football news reporter Simon Stone's four-part Manchester United Q&A, he looks at what Ruben Amorim's team could look like next season and what kind of players the club can attract.

Josh asked: United have a broad mix of raw, young talent, dead wood and ineffective squad players. Other than Bruno Fernandes, there is no player who has been consistent for a long period of time. Heading into the summer transfer window, which players do you see as nailed down in Amorim's starting XI?

Simon: Crumbs! That is a tough one - and my answer would be different if we were starting with a blank sheet of paper.

For instance, given a free choice, I would probably want a different goalkeeper. However, given his contract runs to 2028 and there are other areas of the field more in need of surgery, I would stick with Andre Onana. Patrick Dorgu at left wing-back and Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes, either alongside the Uruguayan or further forward, are the others certain to play.

Diogo Dalot on the right on the basis he is always fit. Beyond that, you are talking about Mason Mount in an inside forward spot, and either Lisandro Martinez or Luke Shaw in the left-sided position in defence. However, the latter trio have a big asterisk by their names because of chronic injury issues.

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Martin asked: Do you think people need to start being realistic about expectations at United? I read all these stories of management being accused of not bringing in certain managers or certain players - Harry Kane, for example. Why do people assume these people want to come to the club? Surely this isn't all down to management failing to secure targets, some has to be down to people not wanting to come to Manchester United any more?

Simon: There is some truth to this. In fairness, I think they could have got Kane - but there are others out of reach. United tried to sign Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham earlier in their careers but couldn't land either.

Let's face it, when Haaland and Bellingham came to leaving Borussia Dortmund for Manchester City and Real Madrid, United weren't even in the conversation. They were not signing Kylian Mbappe from Paris St-Germain last summer, so when you take out Mohamed Salah, whoever they had as their main goal threat was going to be at least a step down from the very highest level if you concluded, as they did, Kane was not value for money.

What United must get out of is the cycle of paying too much to persuade top quality but reluctant players it is worth making the move. Angel di Maria is one example, but there are lots of others.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport chief football news reporter Simon Stone has been answering your questions on Manchester United. In this third of a four-part Q&A, he looks at United's finances and how they will affect Ruben Amorim's squad planning.

Dawn asked: Do you think the penny has dropped with the owners and they have realised they have no choice but to invest in the squad in order to compete?

Simon: It is pretty clear significant investment is needed to get Ruben Amorim's squad into the kind of state he needs to even be competitive in the Premier League.

The issue is twofold - how much are the club willing to spend and how much are they allowed to spend? The brutal truth, as outlined by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is that too many of United's players are either overpaid or not good enough. Their league position confirms that. It will take years to unravel this situation. Then United need to spend well, accepting no club gets everything right, not even Brighton, and that all their rivals will be trying to move forward at the same time.

Leo asked: Are United going to sell young talents such as Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo?

Simon: We could go down a rabbit hole here. Let me be clear, I think it is better for Manchester United - or anyone for that matter - to nurture their own players and turn them into first-team stars. But the bottom line is they have to be good enough.

The Class of 92 weren't given an opportunity because they were young, it was because they were excellent and Sir Alex Ferguson had faith in them. The same is true of Sir Matt Busby and his Babes. Ayden Heaven isn't homegrown but he showed signs of genuine promise prior to getting injured at Leicester before the international break.

The same is true of another arrival from Arsenal, Chido Obi - who scored loads at youth level but hasn't quite adapted to the first team. They will both take time to come to terms with what is being asked of them.

Garnacho and Mainoo have potential. But that is what it is. I felt too much was asked of them last season, which gave a false impression of their development. I don't like the idea of Mainoo leaving because he is a local lad. Garnacho, I suspect, will leave eventually because he grew up in Spain.

But if either is to stay, their performances have to merit it.

Come back to this page later for the final part of the Q&A in which Simon will look at what Ruben Amorim's team could look like next season and what kind of players the club can attract

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport chief football news reporter Simon Stone has been answering your questions on Manchester United. In part two, he looks at the state of Ruben Amorim's squad.

Phil asked: As United try to clear the big wages off the balance sheet – Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony, Casemiro, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw all on £200K and over - is it the end of big money signings and star names at Old Trafford? Are we looking a youth-based recruiting model like Chelsea but on a smaller scale?

Simon: To be honest, I recoil from the idea of simply following an established path because those ahead are moving forward as well. I don't actually view the Chelsea squad as being balanced, so I am not sure that is the route to go down.

United will always be attractive because of the size of the club and the history. But, it will take time to move players like Casemiro on.

There is also an argument that once United have jettisoned their really big earners in Casemiro and Rashford, they can create a more manageable wage structure. I would hope their recruitment is far better, and more balanced, than it has been.

Jon asked: Do you think Sancho would succeed in Amorim's formation?

Simon: It depends on your definition of success. Given he prefers to play wide on the left - just like Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho - he doesn't seem an obvious fit.

Would he be willing to play as a wing-back? There has to be a doubt about that - aside from the fact it is a pretty difficult position to play anyway, Sancho has never really been a defender.

That leaves one of the two attacking slots behind a main striker. I just think - as I felt in the summer - it was time for Sancho to play somewhere else and rediscover his best form. His chance at United, I feel, has gone.

Come back to this page later when Simon will be looking at United's finances and the affect they might have on squad planning

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport chief football news reporter Simon Stone has been answering your questions on Manchester United. In the first of a four-part Q&A, he looks at the club's ownership, hierarchy and expectations for the coming years.

Mark asked: Are there any rumblings that Ineos/Sir Jim Ratcliffe are unhappy with what they have come into?

Simon: Ratcliffe has already said the scrutiny is probably more than expected – and he has stopped reading newspapers because of the adverse publicity against him.

However, that doesn't mean he is not determined to sort the situation out. I think there are question marks over how he is going about it - making ordinary staff redundant while a squad costing hundreds of millions of pounds is underperforming to such a huge degree is not a good look.

He believes, though, that it is the right way forward and he is the one who spent over £1bn to buy a chunk of the club. Time will tell whether he is right. But, for now, Ratcliffe is as keen as he was on day one to turn Manchester United into the club it once was.

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Joe asked: Omar Berrada said that we would try to aim to win the league by 2028. Do you think this is realistic? If so, what transfers and decisions off and on the pitch would we have to make to have a squad ready for glory?

Simon: Realistically? Not a chance.

By definition, winning the league in 2028 means you need a title-winning squad by the summer of 2027. With what United have at the moment, and the financial constraints they are working with, I don't see how that is possible.

I do recall a depressed feeling hanging over United in 2005-06 when it felt like they were going nowhere. But that squad had Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, who were developing into true world-class talents, plus a host of brilliant back-ups in the likes of Edwin van der Sar, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra. Michael Carrick was about to join.

The current squad is simply not at the same level. I will answer the second part of your question, along with a connected one, next.

Come back to this page later on Wednesday when Simon will be looking at the state of Ruben Amorim's squad

Manchester United will only pursue a summer deal for Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite if Harry Maguire leaves Old Trafford. (Yahoo), external

Atalanta have put an asking price of £50m on 27-year-old forward Ademola Lookman, amid interest from Manchester United and Newcastle United. (Tuttomercato – in Italian), external

Barcelona's buy-back clause with Sporting for winger Francisco Trincao - who has been linked with Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle - ended in June 2024. (Record - in Portuguese), external

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

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United supporters' protest group The 1958 will join forces with breakaway club FC United on Saturday in an effort to repair a "fractured" fanbase.

The 1958 group has been at the forefront of growing protests against the majority Glazer ownership of Manchester United, most recently before the Premier League game against Arsenal at Old Trafford earlier this month.

FC United was born out of a protest against the Glazer ownership when the American family bought United in 2005 and is led by fans who refused to go back to Old Trafford until they were gone. It currently plays in the Northern Premier League.

Organisers from both groups are calling on fans to get to FC United's home game with Stockton on Saturday two hours before kick-off, with a planned "show of solidarity", with flags and banners, taking place inside Broadhurst Park at 14:30 GMT.

"The 1958 reached out to us and our discussions have affirmed that our goals are aligned," said FC United in a statement. "Manchester United has no future whilst the Glazers retain control of the club.

"The interests of supporters must be the key priority at Manchester United, as they must be at every football club.

"In an age where it is all too easy for supporters to believe that they are powerless and simply keep their heads down, The 1958 have continued to stand up and demonstrate their opposition to the Glazer occupation at Old Trafford. We are proud to stand with them and say: enough is enough."

In a recent interview with the Sunday Times, United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said he would "walk away" from the club if he received as much abuse as the Glazer family has been subjected to.

BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater believes it might be time for Manchester United to offload two of their players, not for a lack of talent, but as a result of the amount of time they spend injured.

Speaking on the latest episode of The Devils' Advocate podcast, presenter Joe McGrath mentioned Luke Shaw was back training on the grass. But Drinkwater was quick to cast doubt about whether the defender will be playing again soon.

"He won't be available - it's a non-start conversation," said Drinkwater. "He should go in the summer - I am not having a go at Luke Shaw, he can't help being injured.

"Phil Jones, if he was fit and available for much more of his career he would have been a fantastic defender. Often maligned despite the fact he would put his body on the line and he was a fantastic cultured defender - he would have been amazing.

"Luke Shaw is the best left-back in the Premier League, but injuries are getting in the way. He's one of the players I'd look at and think he needs to go in the summer just because of the injuries.

"And another name that I'm going to throw in that hat and I hate to say it because I love him and think he's brilliant - Lisandro Martinez.

"If you're injured all the time, at some point you've got to say, 'we can't be having this'.

"It's a shame because I love both of those players."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Manchester United are planning to let as many as 10 players - including forward Marcus Rashford and midfielder Casemiro - leave the club this summer. (Manchester Evening News, external)

England defender Jarrad Branthwaite, 22, is considering his future at Everton amid interest from Manchester United and Liverpool. (Mirror, external)

United are also looking at Fenerbahce's Yusuf Akcicek in their search for another centre-back, though Tottenham, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Napoli and RB Leipzig are also interested in the 19-year-old Turkey international. (Mirror, external)

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

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There hasn't been as much to talk about at Manchester United over the past week - for once. But we know you will still have plenty on your minds.

So we have lined up BBC Sport's chief football news reporter Simon Stone to tackle your questions.

It could be about the new stadium, summer plans, future of existing players, the Old Trafford hierarchy - or something totally different.

Send them in below and he will dive into a selection.

Submit your questions here

Come back later in the week to see his answers

Alex Turk
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

If you thought the apparent award-winning TV drama that is post-Sir Alex Ferguson Manchester United had already thrown up every possible storyline, you'd be mistaken.

United appear to be involved in the first deal including an obligation to buy that is not actually an obligation to buy.

The volume of reports suggesting that Chelsea are about to send Jadon Sancho back to Old Trafford with his tail between his legs is impossible to ignore.

He landed at Stamford Bridge last summer in a loan deal that featured a buy obligation worth up to £25 million.

However, United are believed to have permitted Chelsea to pull out of a permanent transfer for a set fee.

It is claimed that this fee is worth £5m, just 20% of the agreed obligation. Supporters are rightfully questioning its rectitude because there is nothing obligatory about it.

Is it more ineptitude from a new-look United hierarchy that has already made a plethora of blunders during their hasty efforts to revamp the club?

Or will the club be trying to paint this as a win-win scenario?

United are adding £25 million to the transfer kitty and removing Sancho's seismic wages from the books - or they are pocketing £5m and gaining the 'freedom' of where to send him next.

But that is just it. You cannot knock those sceptical about the level of interest in a winger with just three goal contributions in his past 20 league games.

If Sancho is to return, Ruben Amorim must take the same stand as he did with Marcus Rashford until he finds his next destination.

The United boss exiled Rashford over concerns with attitude and application that are dwarfed by those of Sancho since his 2021 arrival.

There is not a chance another go is worth anyone's time.

Find more from Alex Turk at Stretford Paddock, external

Chelsea must pay Manchester United £5m if they opt against turning 24-year-old England forward Jadon Sancho's loan into a permanent deal. (Athletic - subscription required, external)

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Image source, Getty Images

I would imagine this will be Manchester United's worst Premier League season.

They could potentially finish in the top 10 if they start to pick up some points, but the teams that will finish from third down to eighth are in better form and have more to fight for.

I do not see United breaking into that and equalling or bettering their lowest finish of eighth.

Ruben Amorim will definitely use the remaining league games to experiment with the players he wants to keep, the players who have the mentality he wants at the club to build and move forward with.

Regarding whether there is anything to play for, there is always huge pressure that comes with wearing the United badge. Even though, from the outside, everything hinges on the Europa League, there is still huge expectation and the players have that whether they are fighting for anything in the league or not.

Amorim will be testing players' mentality and trying to develop them where he can for next season. You can slowly start to see that some are getting the way he wants them to play.

You can see those small changes.

Casemiro - although I do not think he will be there long term - has started pressurising and winning the ball higher up. Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are joining attacks from either side and the ball is going from wing to wing.

In patches in games, you can see Amorim's style and I am sure he will be trying to build on that for 2025-26.

But results will always matter at United and the pressure is greater than at any other club.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

Image source, Getty Images

It was a big night for Rasmus Hojlund on Thursday.

Not only did he net the winner for Denmark in a 1-0 victory over Portugal, the Manchester United striker celebrated his finish with a trademark Ronaldo 'Siuuu' celebration.

Ronaldo was on the pitch when Hojlund's moment arrived and watched the heroic Dane revel in the moment.

Manchester United are ready to go all out to sign Everton and England defender Jarrad Branthwaite, 22, this summer for around, but a deal may hinge on Champions League qualification. (Sun - subscription required), external

Manchester United are chasing Borussia Dortmund and Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha, 24, who they hope to recruit for around £40m. (Bild - in German), external

Aston Villa have the option to make their loan deal for Manchester United and England forward Marcus Rashford, 27, permanent this summer for £40m. (Teamtalk), external

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We asked for your views on what nobody is talking about at Manchester United but should be.

Here are some of your comments:

Peter: The long list of injuries. Manchester City, Tottenham and Newcastle all have injuries and pundits mention them. But not United. The biggest problem is there are too many games, so players get injured - but because of the injuries, the players not hurt play every game and are therefore exhausted.

Andy: Despite the the hideous situation Ruben Amorim inherited on his arrival at Old Trafford, I've noticed that he does actually know a good player from a bad one. His comments make sense about the type of players he wants to attract and he is slowly weeding out the players who don't fit the new template. Give him time and he'll get the right players in.

Phil: Everyone says it has been hard for Amorim joining mid-season. I think that will turn to his advantage as he is effectively having a very long pre-season. This season was already gone when he joined.

David: The new feel-good factor at United is mainly down to City not being able to win the league, and Liverpool being knocked out of the Champions League and losing the Carabao Cup final. There is nothing to get excited about on our own footballing front.

Lighty: Ayden Heaven has shown signs of a future Rolls-Royce centre-half. Sent to us from... ?

Image source, Getty Images

The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) have called on the club to "listen to the voice of the fans" after the club detailed a 5% rise of season ticket prices for the third year in a row along with a number of other measures.

A survey by MUST, which 3,300 fans responded to in 48 hours, found that 13 per cent of season ticket holders say they are "not at all likely" to renew their season tickets. The supporters' trust said this could result in nearly 6,000 fans walking away "if they follow through with it" and that this should be a "wake up call for everyone".

According to the survey results, the top three areas of concern for fans are the reduction of the senior discount, the general 5% increase and the increase in minimum season ticket usage.

In a statement, MUST detailed: "If they will not reverse this decision then at least phase in the reduction of the senior discount. Rather than going from 50% to 25% in one leap, which results in a near 60% rise in season ticket prices for 7,000 senior supporters, the change should be phased in over three seasons, going to 40% in year one, 30% in year two, and reaching 25% in year three."

Based on the findings, MUST have called on the club to take a number of steps such as phasing in the reduction of the senior discount if they are not prepared to reverse their decision.

A spokesperson from MUST said: "What the reaction to these recent changes should tell the club is just how important it is to conduct proper fan consultation when it comes to proposed policy changes.

"These are tough times at Manchester United, both on and off the field. We will only pull out of this slump if the whole club comes together. That means listening to the voice of the fans"

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United fan groups have protested against a 5% season ticket price increase administered for a third successive season, with some outlining further "stealth" price hikes, notably faced by pensioners.

As part of further changes at the club, some fans have also been notified that their season ticket seats will need to be moved next season to make way for more hospitality seating.

Speaking on BBC Radio Manchester about the situation, Red Devils fan Geoff said: "I don't think the guys in the boardroom know the meaning of loyalty. I've been a supporter since 1950 - that is 75 years.

"I've been sat in my seat for the last 40 years and they just sent me an email to say they are going to move my seat to somewhere else in the Theatre of Dreams.

"Where else are they going to put me? We already got moved during COVID up to the top corner of the Stretford End - and I couldn't even see who the players were because they were so tiny.

"I'm sick and disgusted - and I hope everyone else thinks it is a disgusting move by those in the boardroom.

"They have raised my seat price by 25% because they have not only put it up a couple of quid, but they have also chopped my concession price by half. If they want to fund the under-16s at the cost of pensioners and loyal supporters, then so be it.

"They could have waited until they had built the new tent, which is when everyone will have to move seats anyway."

Fellow season ticket holder Mike added: "They said they appreciate the disruption and inconvenience it will cause and apologised for having to move me. I've been sat there for over 30 years and to say that is the one line I get from the club is disgusting.

"We all know what 'hospitality tickets' mean. They aren't proper fans. They come in, sit down, go for their prawn sandwiches at half-time, and then they come back about 15 minutes after the second half has kicked off.

"They just aren't real fans - and that is what's making me angry."

Listen to the full debate on BBC Sounds

Manchester United have added two Bundesliga strikers - 21-year-old Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig and 22-year-old Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt - to their list of summer targets. (Sky Sports), external

Manchester United are also interested in 21-year-old RB Leipzig and Netherlands midfielder Xavi Simons, who was a target before he moved to Germany on a permanent deal in January. (Sky Sports), external

Real Betis will meet with Manchester United to discuss the future of 25-year-old Brazilian winger Antony, who has impressed during his loan spell in La Liga. (ABC - in Spanish), external

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

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