Manchester United

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Manchester United are cautioning against expecting too much, too soon from returning full-back Tyrell Malacia.

The Netherlands defender returned to action with a 45-minute outing in the EFL Trophy defeat at Huddersfield Town on Tuesday.

It was Malacia's first appearance in 17 months, after having knee surgery following the Nations League final in June 2023.

The 25-year-old had two major knee operations and now is understandably keen to make up for lost time.

Malacia's presence could answer a significant question for new Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim, who favours using wing-backs. Malacia's natural game fits that profile, although he played within himself on his reappearance.

But United's coaching staff are determined not to push Malacia too quickly. They have privately pointed out that while the player himself might feel fit, after so long out it is imperative that he takes a steady approach to his return.

The Under-21s have a National League Cup game at Altrincham on 19 November and it is possible Malacia could be involved in that, providing he shows no ill effects from his initial return.

"He has worked so hard to get back," said United's under-21 coach Travis Binnion. "He looks strong, he looks fit and his attitude is first class.

"Hopefully he kicks on now because he deserves a bit of good fortune and we could do with him."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United Under-21 coach Travis Binnion says the EFL Trophy provides a great experience for Premier League academy players, even though only one club out of 16 has made it through to the last 32 of this season’s competition.

Defeats for United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest in the final round of matches mean Aston Villa will be the only top-flight representatives in the knockout stages.

No Premier League academy side has reached the final of the tournament since academies were first allowed to enter in 2016-17, amid huge controversy. Chelsea came the closest in 2018 when they were beaten on penalties by Lincoln in the semi-final.

A single academy side reaching the last 32 is the lowest number there has been, but Binnion is adamant the concept is a significant positive in the development of young players.

"They are our best games," he said. "We have come up short, but that is the whole point. If we came into these games and won them easily, something wouldn't be quite right."

With no weekend game looming, due to international call-ups, Huddersfield Town manager Michael Duff opted to play his strongest available side against Manchester United. The Terriers eventually ran out 4-1 winners to move to the next stage of the competition.

The Under-21s are still involved in the new National League Cup – a similar competition to the EFL Trophy but featuring clubs from the National League – and the Premier League 2 International Cup, which includes Benfica, Sporting, Hertha Berlin and Ajax.

Binnion feels this is the best way of creating a programme of meaningful games in the absence of genuine B teams being allowed to compete within the EFL structure, as happens in other European countries.

"When you don't have the B team system that they have on the continent, we are desperate for these games," he said.

"Our International Cup games against Hertha and PSV felt like the EFL Trophy games. We play Altrincham next week, then Rochdale in the National League Cup, then Sparta Prague at the start of December - so, by this side of Christmas, we will have had nine games that are very different to the Under-21 programme.

"We want those games and the lads will get plenty out of them."

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Referees' chief Howard Webb says West Ham should not have been awarded a penalty during Erik ten Hag's final game in charge of Manchester United.

Julen Lopetegui's side were given the decision on the recommendation of video assistant referee Michael Oliver, after reviewing the footage of Matthijs de Ligt's challenge on Danny Ings.

Jarrod Bowen scored the penalty to seal a 2-1 win for the Hammers, with United boss Erik ten Hag sacked less than 24 hours later.

"I thought it was a misread by the VAR," Webb told Sky Sports' Mic'd Up programme. "A VAR that is normally really talented and reliable but gets uber-focused, in this situation, on De Ligt's leg.

"His leg coming through onto Danny Ings, not making any contact with the ball. The ball is already past De Ligt as he makes contact with Danny Ings - and the VAR sees that as a clear foul.

"I think he was too focused on that aspect. I don't think he should have got involved.

"I think this is a situation where we would leave the on-field decision as it is, probably whichever way it is called. On balance, I don't think it is a penalty kick."

On-field referees are not required to follow the recommendations of the VAR official.

"They are told that they are absolutely within their rights to keep their decision when they go to the screen," added Webb.

Ruben Amorim has all the characteristics to succeed as Manchester United manager but Ipswich away is "a nightmare first game" for him.

That's the view of The New York Times' soccer correspondent Rory Smith who told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, the new United boss "needs a good start".

"The one game most Ipswich fans will have looked at when the fixtures came out was United at home," Smith said. "No matter how bad Manchester United are, that is the Premier League fixture.

"Portman Road will be up for that game and Amorim has two weeks with a third of a squad to get some of his ideas across - he needs a good start."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

The agent of Canada striker Jonathan David has told potential suitors - including Manchester United, Liverpool, Juventus and Inter Milan - that the 24-year-old wants a contract worth £5m a year if he is to join on a free transfer when his deal at Lille expires next summer. (Tuttosport - in Italian), external

Juventus want to take 23-year-old Netherlands forward Joshua Zirkzee on loan from Manchester United in January. (Tuttosport - in Italian), external

United have also been exploring the buy-back option they have for 21-year-old Spanish left-back Alvaro Carreras, who they sold to Benfica in the summer. (Marca - in Spanish), external

Finally, Liverpool have been impressed by 22-year-old Sweden international Daniel Svensson, with United and Arsenal also among the clubs interested in the FC Nordsjælland left-back. (Teamtalk), external

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

Henry Brownsey
BBC Sport journalist

There were plenty of memorable numbers across the weekend's Premier League football...

1 - How many games it took Brighton's Matt O'Riley to open his account in the top flight.

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250 - How many appearances Bruno Fernandes has now made for Manchester United, registering a combined 155 goals and assists in this time.

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4 - Consecutive defeats for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side, and the first time he has had such a losing run in his managerial career.

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28 - Points Liverpool boss Arne Slot has earned in the Premier League in his first 11 games in charge - the joint-most of any new manager.

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80 - Seconds between Bournemouth going 2-1 up and Mikkel Damsgaard equalising for Brentford.

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1:48 - How long into the game Pablo Sarabia put Wolves ahead against Southampton - becoming the club's earliest Premier League goalscorer.

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22 years, six months, two weeks and three days - The amount of time Ipswich Town had gone without a Premier League victory before Sunday's win at Tottenham.

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Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Leicester defender Conor Coady speaks about the positive impact made by Ruud van Nistelrooy as interim boss of Manchester United.

United won three and drew one of their four games under Van Nistelrooy, who has now left the club following the arrival of new head coach Ruben Amorim.

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Leicester City defender Conor Coady speaks to BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club about the differences between playing in a three-man defence or as a back four.

Coady began his career as a midfielder, but was pivotal to Wolves' rise into the Premier League by playing in the middle of a back three and eventually earned England honours as a centre-back.

Incoming Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim preferred to operate with a three-man defence during his time in charge of Sporting, although it is unknown how he plans to initially set up his United team.

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Alex Turk
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

Ruben Amorim touched down in England on Monday and as the new Manchester United boss stares at a daunting in-tray, I have pinpointed what I believe to be his three most important assignments.

Committing to his vision

If United travel to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town on 24 November and Amorim's team is not in a three-at-the-back system, I would be concerned.

The 39-year-old cannot afford to fall into the same trap as predecessor Erik ten Hag, who lost his first two games and abandoned his vision for short-term success. He never rediscovered it and now he is out of a job.

Amorim must retain faith in the only philosophy he has ever abided by until it clicks, or he can justify an adaptation.

More unpopular decisions

United supporters' love for Ruud van Nistelrooy grew during his short-lived Old Trafford return. But Amorim was correct in wishing him the best and parting ways. There was no room.

For too long, the Red Devils have been stifled by their own nostalgia and chasing a repeat of past successes. A new dawn has to be a new dawn.

The Ineos era has given birth to a more ruthless environment, and that must continue. More unpopular decisions by Amorim may not be welcomed, but they will be required.

Reigniting Rashford's flame

Marcus Rashford's display in the 3-0 win over Leicester City was worrying and left fans praying that Amorim's arrival has the same impact on him as Ten Hag's did.

Rashford has four months until the March international break to impress Amorim and a new England manager in Thomas Tuchel.

If he cannot be reinvigorated with a 2026 World Cup spot on the line, Rashford could be left behind by club and country.

Find more from Alex Turk at Stretford Paddock, external

The New York Times' chief soccer correspondent Rory Smith says he is not surprised by Ruud van Nistelrooy not continuing at Manchester United but thinks it was a "weird" situation.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club he said: "He came in as an assistant in the summer, with this sense that if it all went wrong for Ten Hag - which we all thought it would - then he would take the job for a while.

"He did, and then he immediately leaves. The whole thing just has a weird vibe about it."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Manchester United are considering offloading striker Joshua Zirkzee in January, with clubs in Serie A monitoring developments. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external

Juventus are frontrunners in the battle to sign Canada striker Jonathan David, 24, from Lille, with Manchester United, Liverpool and Inter Milan also interested. (Footmercato - in French), external

Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies is open to a reunion with former boss Hansi Flick at Barcelona, despite interest in the 24-year-old Canada international from United and Real Madrid. (Teamtalk), external

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

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Ruud van Nistelrooy's time at Manchester United is over after it was confirmed he would leave his coaching role as Ruben Amorim arrives.

Here are some of your comments:

Mick: Terrible decision by Amorim. Ruud van Nistelrooy has steadied this ship and would have been a valuable asset to the backroom staff. His knowledge of the culture of the club and his obvious tactical knowledge has been dismissed out of hand. It has left me with a uncomfortable feeling about our new manager when he disregards the positive attributes Van Nistelrooy can input.

Iain: I think this club are masters of treating loyal staff appallingly, Ruud should at least have been given a coaching role for the strikers. Given their performances so far, we need one!

Christine: Van Nistelrooy was a legend, one of the very best players for Manchester United. I am sure he will want his own manager job, but now is not his time at United and I think he should move on. There will be plenty of big clubs that would want him. Onwards and upwards for Van Nistelrooy and Manchester United - let's hope Amorim has the answers.

Neil: While it is sad that there is no role for Van Nistelrooy going forward, maybe for too long Manchester United have been living off past glories. The old saying 'a new broom sweeps clean' is what is needed to take the club back to the top.

Les: What a joke! After 37 years of supporting this club, enough is enough. They bring in someone who knows nothing about English football and let a legend like Ruud go, someone that all the players and fans would have been much better off with! Shame on them!

James: Keeping Ruud on, even until the end of the season, would be a smoother move for the players and the fans. He also would have been a great intermediary between new staff and players while relationships are formed over the first few months into Amorim's spell.

Ruud van Nistelrooy's time in temporary charge at Manchester United has come to an end having won three and drawn one of his four games at the helm.

Erik ten Hag's permanent successor, Ruben Amorim, arrived at Carrington on Monday to begin his new head coach role, and it has now been confirmed Van Nistelrooy will leave the club.

In this week's The Devils' Advocate podcast, before the news was revealed, Gaz Drinkwater and Joe McGrath looked back at the Dutchman's short reign and what his future might now hold.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Ruud van Nistelrooy "will always be very welcome" back at Old Trafford after it was confirmed he would be leaving Manchester United.

The 48-year-old former striker re-joined the club in the summer as an assistant coach to Erik ten Hag.

Van Nistelrooy took over as interim head coach following Ten Hag's sacking on 28 October after defeat by West Ham United.

In his four games in charge, the Dutchman has led the side to three wins and one draw, including Carabao Cup and Premier League wins over Leicester and United's first Europa League victory of the season against PAOK.

With Ruben Amorim taking over on a permanent basis on Monday, there were question marks over Van Nistelrooy's future with the Red Devils.

In a statement, the club said: "Ruud is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend.

"We are grateful for his contribution and the way in which he has approached his role throughout his time with the club. He will always be very welcome at Old Trafford."

It was also confirmed that backroom staff Rene Hake, Jelle ten Rouwelaar and Pieter Morel have also departed.

How do you feel about the club legend leaving, United fans?

Is it the right decision or should he have been kept?

Let us know, external

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Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt has conceded it has been "quite difficult" to deal with the departure of Erik ten Hag.

Ten Hag managed De Light at Ajax for a season and a half between 2018 and 2019 where they won the Dutch Eredivise and reached the Champions League semi-final together.

"It's always quite difficult in general if a manager gets sacked," De Ligt said after United's 3-0 win over Leicester on Sunday.

"I have a really good relationship with Erik. I really like him as a person as well as a human being. That way I felt the most bad for him because I know what he does every day to get the team performing so that's quite difficult.

"In the end, you know what football is about. If the results are not there everybody needs to be questioned - the trainer, the players. In the end the trainer gets sacked, the players can stay, so we always have to look at ourselves.

"So, I feel really bad for him. In the end you have to keep going, you can't stay in the past, it’s over now with him."

De Ligt has begun to find his feet after his summer move from Juventus, starting each of United's past four Premier League games including helping keep a clean sheet against the Foxes.

"For me personally, I feel quite well," he said. "I think the last seven games I start to feel really into my rhythm, feeling important for the team. If you combine it with wins,it's really nice."

After caretaker manager Rudd van Nistelrooy signed off his temporary time in charge with a second win over Leicester, The Devils' Advocate team have been reacting to a result that leaves them just four points off the top four.

They also discuss whether the club legend should stay on as part of incoming boss Ruben Amorim's backroom staff when he begins his new job this week.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

@CF3Loyal asked: Does Ruud van Nistelrooy’s success at Manchester United as interim manager, in addition to his relationship with the club, fans and players, cause a potential issue for Ruben Amorim when he takes over - assuming that he remains as part of his management team?

Phil answered: Well, we should find out the answer to whether he will be part of that management team very soon.

Van Nistelrooy could not have done much more in his spell as interim manager. He clearly loved the role and seems to want to stay at United. The fans who adore him will have no objection to that.

The problem is that Ruben Amorim has a tried and trusted, very close-knit, support team and it is hard to see where Van Nistelrooy would fit into that.

It is also difficult to see a powerful, opinionated personality such as Van Nistelrooy wanting to be a silent partner in that group simply to stay at Manchester United.

It is a very delicate situation and one of the first tasks Amorim has to address.

Follow Phil's Q&A and the rest of Monday's football news here

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Manchester United and Leicester.

Here are some of your comments:

Man Utd fans

Warren: Manuel Ugarte is looking better and better and he made a huge difference to Casemiro, which was also very good. The midfield looked solid but the defence never looked safe with Diogo Dalot poor. Marcus Rashford was sadly anonymous again.

Eric: We played great, with Amad Diallo as man of the match. We closed them down and were on the attack in the first half. The second half was slack but Leicester didn't score. Two great goals and I enjoyed it. I hope Ruben Amorim keeps Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Peter: Not the best game ever but three goals and three valuable points will do. Some good performances: Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Ugarte... but poor from Dalot and Rashford. There is much work for Amorim to do but 100% effort is a minimum for every player.

Leicester fans

Nigel: Once again we were outplayed. Every Leicester ball was either over hit or passed to no one. It's one thing to play well on the training ground but another when you play your opposition. all in all a very disjointed performance. Feel we might be going down now.

JC: Passive and disappointing. I didn’t expect us to win but I expected us to compete against a very average Man Utd side. I’ve been a supporter of Steve Cooper but today I could not see what the team were trying to do.

Stephen: A shocking performance. No fight, no closing down and the defending was shocking. Not doing the basics right.

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Manchester United midfielder Casemiro says "it's been a good season" for him personally so far, despite the Red Devils' lowly league position.

After being urged to leave the club, external by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher after a 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace in May, the 32-year-old has bounced back and started seven of United's 11 Premier League games this campaign.

After Sunday's 3-0 win over Leicester City, he said: "Well, everyone can see, can't they? "I only had the Liverpool game, right [the 3-0 home defeat in September]? The whole team was not good in that game, or this season.

"Individually, when the goals are missed, of course it ends up hurting the team more, but I think it's been a good season for me."

The win over the Foxes marked the end of interim manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy's time in charge before Ruben Amorim assumes control over the international break.

"He was a legend at Manchester United, he was a legend at Madrid," Casemiro said. "He is a legend of number nines.

"It was a pleasure to share that moment with him. We do not know if he will stay or not, but it was a pleasure to share the dressing room with him."

The five-time Champions League winner believes Amorim can bring success back to Old Trafford, after he secured Sporting's first Portuguese title in 19 years.

"He has already proved he is a coach that has won a lot," Casemiro added.

"There is going to be a good template that everyone wants to grow, everyone wants to learn."

On Sunday's episode of Match of the Day 2, ex-Watford striker Troy Deeney highlighted the performances on Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro in central midfield as one area which has been much improved under Manchester United interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy in recent games.

"It's been a small tactical tweak of just not allowing the game to be so expansive," said Deeney.

"They were looking after each other and were right in the middle of the pitch. They were never too far away from each other so if one of them made a mistake, the second one is there to help him out. They worked as a partnership.

"In weeks gone past they were 30-40m away from one another. Now they're playing little passes with each other and controlling things.

That's what Casemiro and Ugarte bring to your team. There's a reason they were at the clubs they were at before."

Watch highlights and analysis on Sunday's Premier League games on BBC iPlayer