Manchester United

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?

Image source, Getty Images

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."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

This week, we are asking you to share your stories and photos for why you fell in love with Manchester United.

Here is a selection of your submissions:

Darren: It's May 1976 and as a seven-year-old who liked football, it was time I picked a team.

Red has always been my favourite colour so Manchester United became my team. Steve Coppell is still my hero to this day. His signed shirt takes pride of place on my wall.

From trying to celebrate quietly in 1999 while my baby son slept, to middle-naming youngest son Roy after Keano, United will always be in my blood, through the good times and the bad.

Send us your pictures and stories here

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United want £50million for winger Alejandro Garnacho, who is attracting interest from Chelsea.

Garnacho is set to leave Old Trafford this summer and United have now set their asking price for the Argentina international.

Having already signed Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha this summer, United look set to complete a move for striker Benjamin Sesko from Red Bull Leipzig.

Given Garnacho is likely to find his game time limited at Old Trafford next season, he could leave this summer.

Chelsea registered their interest in Garnacho earlier this summer.

Image source, Getty Images

Ruben Amorim's first summer transfer window at Manchester United was always going to be important for his and the club's future, but the way they have conducted their business this season has also been new.

It was first demonstrated in the Bryan Mbeumo deal, as United made an agreement with the then-Brentford forward as he said he wanted to join them.

United then started negotiating with Brentford and "it all got a bit fractious", which is why it took so long to complete.

This approach of confirming what the player wants first seems to be a new approach from United, and it is continuing with current targets.

"There seems to be a negotiating tactic," BBC Sport's chief football news reporter Simon Stone told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"United held off putting a bid in for Benjamin Sesko until they understood that the player wanted to join them. "Then they put the bid in and it has caused haggling.

"They have to match, or better, the number Newcastle have bid.

"It raises all kinds of questions about how they can afford him, given Sir Jim Ratcliffe's apocalyptic warnings about the club going bust as recently as March. Plus, they finished 15th last season and are bidding against a club in the Champions League.

"There are all kinds of discussions around those talking points and this deal is not done until it's done.

"But we are working at the assumption that Manchester United have been given a very strong indication that Sesko wants to come to Old Trafford and that is why they have started bidding."

Listen to the full discussion on the Football Daly podcast

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Danielle Sarver Coombs

When it comes to our love for a football club, the answer to why we do lies in "both psychological and societal" reasons.

In the first part of her chat with BBC Sport, researcher and co-writer of the Routledge Handbook of Sport Fans and Fandom Danielle Sarver Coombs spoke about the part that identity and tradition play.

And yet when we are caught up in the emotions of a tough defeat or nerves of an important match, we can often ask why we put ourselves through it.

"There are psychological processes at work and physiological ones in terms of how we respond and engage," Sarver Coombs said.

"An example that I always give is when I take the train to work, I go past Arsenal's stadium and I feel literally nothing other than: 'Oh, that's a big building'. Whereas on a train to Manchester, I went by Villa Park and my heart started pounding. I got all excited and was trying to take pictures out the window.

"I had a visceral reaction to this place. We can't pretend we don't have that sort of physical reaction because we do.

"When someone is talking about a controversial decision and I feel myself getting wound up, even though I intellectually know that I can't control it and that it's just a game, my body doesn't know that.

"My gut doesn't know that and so I have this really emotional response and we can't control that."

A 2023 book titled 'Football on the brain: why minds love sport, external' suggests it comes down to 'an understandable and logical consequence of the human mind's natural inclination to find meaning through beliefs... It's a religion as far as the brain is concerned'.

But it not just about what is going on inside the mind but outside influences too.

"There is a sociological element to it because the community part is such a huge driver and benefit for us," Sarver Coombs explains.

"Sociologically, we are driven to be part of communities. We are driven to find our groups that we can be members of. Sport provides a way to do that - this sense that I was chosen to be part of this community and it's something bigger than I am."

As the game expands, unrest among supporters seems to be increasing, but how does that impact this ingrained love for a club?

"You always go through these cycles when the game is changing," Sarver Coombs said.

"Despite all the changes, the traditions remain so strong and it's such a huge draw that it becomes really hard to actually separate yourself from it. Even if you do, it tends to be a short-term separation. You get sucked back in because something happens.

"People don't want that change, but then we adapt to it and continue moving forward."

Browse this page to see lots of fan stories for how you fell in love with your club.

And check out those from other Premier League teams over here

Image source, Getty Images

During Brighton's pre-season fan forum on Wednesday, club chairman Paul Barber was asked about the rumours surrounding Carlos Baleba.

Manchester United are interested in the 21 year-old who has three years left on his contract at Amex Stadium.

"There's always going to be interest in our players." Barber said. "Manchester United have not been in touch with me. Speculation is speculation."

"Carlos is a fantastic talent. We hope he'll be here for years to come - but its subject to the dynamics of the football world, which isn't always predictable."

Listen back on BBC Sounds now

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United are on the lookout for someone who could strengthen their midfield and skipper Bruno Fernandes has called for new signings.

And they like Carlos Baleba.

The problem is Brighton's desire to sell, which is non-existent, and owner Tony Bloom's negotiating tactics. Hard line.

That is not to say United could not get Baleba - it is just that it would cost an enormous amount of money, probably in excess of anything United have spent so far this summer.

It is not obvious where the money would come from, because even if they can sign Benjamin Sesko without selling players first, eventually they will have to.

And it would take more than getting rid of the 'bomb squad' which even the club accepts is likely to be later in the window.

The key point is whether United look for an alternative or keep their powder dry for Baleba, either in case circumstances change dramatically in this window, or, more likely, for next summer.

Manchester United have contacted Brighton through intermediaries to explore a potential move for Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba, 21. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Inter Milan could consider a move for United and England winger Jadon Sancho, 25, if they fail to sign Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman, 27, from Atalanta. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

This week, we are asking you to share your stories and photos for why you fell in love with Manchester United.

Here is a selection of your submissions:

Duncan: My Dad named me after Duncan Edwards - I am Duncan Edward Hall. When I was at school in the 70s, I was the only United fan as most people supported Leeds. Relegation was devastating and I came close to giving them up, but I heard an incredible radio broadcast with a posh voice saying: "Man Utd, we'll support you evermore." I cried my eyes out.

Tommy Doc's team was my team, with Merlin [Gordon Hill],Steve Coppell and the Greenhoff bros. I had cup final tickets to the Brady cup final in 1979 when United made defeat taste as sweet as victory. Red forever.

Send us your pictures and stories here

Watch German football expert Constantin Eckner break down Manchester United target Benjamin Sesko's determination to move to the Premier League.

"Benjamin Sesko is very much convinced of his abilities and essentially forces his move to the Premier League because he told his club and also his team-mates that he will leave, he is determined to leave, and will join a big club in England," Eckner told BBC Sport.

"If he can score 15 or 20 goals, I think he has already proved some of the doubters wrong."

Opta's Supercomputer has once again predicted the upcoming 2025-26 Premier League season by using a model to simulate every match 10,000 times.

Image source, Opta

Manchester United only reach the Champions League in 6.7% of simulations, while Thomas Frank's new-look Tottenham only do so in 5.7%. These numbers will obviously largely be based on their underperformance last time around.

Both are therefore predicted a mid-table finish.

However, United are also relegated in 11.1% of simulations, meaning currently Opta's computer suggests they are more likely to go down than make the top four.

Both Everton and Fulham are both predicted to have slightly disappointing seasons with lower mid-table finishes simulated most often by the Supercomputer.

The latter had a productive 2024-25 campaign so may not be happy by 14.8% of simulations having them as relegated.

For the Blues' first season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, David Moyes' side are relegation in 12.5% of the computer's simulations.

Read Opta's full Supercomputer breakdown here, external

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport Researcher

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United appointed Christopher Vivell as the club's director of recruitment in 2024.

Vivell previously worked as a scout at RB Salzburg before joining RB Leipzig as their technical director.

Vivell crossed paths with Benjamin Sesko at both Leipzig and Salzburg, and in the past has been clear about his admiration for the 22 year-old.

"Benjamin Sesko is among the game's top young talents and has enormous potential to become a top player." Vivell told the Bundesliga website, external.

"Benjamin is a real goalscorer who, despite his 1.95m (6'4") height is mobile and technically strong. His abilities make him a special player with a special profile."

United made a £74m bid for Sesko on Tuesday after identifying him as their top choice as striker.

It begs the question how much of a say Vivell had in that decision.

Image source, Getty Images

Slovenian football journalist Izidor Kordic says Manchester United transfer target Benjamin Sesko has a "10 out of 10" mentality and is "perfect for the Premier League".

United have tabled a £74m bid for the RB Leipzig striker with reports on Wednesday suggesting the Red Devils are "closing in" on a deal with Sesko amid interest from Newcastle.

"He has the potential to be as influential for Manchester United as [Erling] Haaland is for Manchester City," Kordic told BBC Radio Manchester's Total Sport about his countryman.

"He's the biggest footballer we've ever had in Slovenia but the best thing about him is the best is yet to come. We can only be happy about his future.

"The problem for Manchester United is they have Rasmus Hojund at the moment who is the same age as Sesko and was also put in the fire when he came a few years ago. It will be big pressure for Sesko but I think, besides his athleticism and fantastic football skills, his character and mentality is 10 out of 10.

"This is something that makes a difference at the highest level. I think he is ready to be the number one striker at Man Utd or at Newcastle.

"I would say Man Utd is his preference because of the stature of the club."

Sesko has 39 goals in 87 appearances for RB Leipzig and is the top scorer aged under 23 in Europe's biggest five leagues over the past two seasons.

"I think he is made for the Premier League," Kordic added. "I don't know if this season he would score 20 or 25 goals - probably more about 10, 12, 15 - because he is not the finished article yet.

"But I think his athleticism and his heading of the ball, build-up play and speed makes him perfect for the Premier League."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

Both Manchester United and Newcastle have earmarked Chelsea's Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson, 24, as a contingency plan if they miss out on RB Leipzig's Slovenia forward Benjamin Sesko, 22. (The Athletic - subscription required), external

Aston Villa are also bracing themselves for interest from Manchester United in England striker Ollie Watkins, 29, if the Red Devils fail to complete a deal for Sesko. (Teamtalk), external

Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho will leave Old Trafford this month, with Chelsea, Aston Villa and Tottenham all interested in the 21-year-old. (TBR Football, external)

Finally, United have rejected five offers from clubs in the Premier League and Italy for 32-year-old England defender Harry Maguire. (Mail) , external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport