Manchester United

Manchester United "can't keep taking punts" on young players with potential, says ESPN senior writer Mark Ogden.

The Red Devils have invested in talented forward prospects like Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in recent seasons, but these players are yet to show significant returns for the outlay.

They appear to be approaching this transfer window differently with the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo who both already have Premier League experience.

The question is whether they will continue this through pursuing experience in Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins or if they will opt to move for 22-year-old Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.

"United over recent years have taken too many gambles on young players," Ogden told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. Rasmus Hojlund being one and Joshua Zirkzee being another. They had a very, very young strike force last year and it could barely score a goal.

"It is a dilemma, though. They go for a guy [Watkins] who is 29, you probably get a season or two out of him, but if he has a good season and gets them back in the Champions League then it is a return on the investment, however, I think United's view is they would rather play the long game.

"They have signed two players in their mid-20s in Cunha and Mbeumo and I think with Sesko, the worry is that he could be another Rasmus Hojlund. Although, I feel Sesko is more developed and he has had more time in a top league than Hojlund. He basically had one season at Atalanta, whereas Sesko has had a couple of years in the Bundesliga, plus Champions League experience when playing for Salzburg, so he is the better option.

"What I think United need is a proven, seasoned goalscorer, but their view is that the investment in Sesko is a better, more long-term option. However, you need to win today and tomorrow rather than just the long-term and United can't keep taking punts for four or five years down the line, they need to be winning now."

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter in Chicago

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Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot intends to keep only good memories of his Portugal team-mate Diogo Jota, someone he regards as a role model for life.

Along with United team-mate Bruno Fernandes, Dalot attended the funeral of Liverpool forward Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva, 25, who were killed in a car crash in Spain on 3 July.

Like Jota, Dalot was born in northern Portugal. The pair were at Porto at the same time and also overlapped in the Portugal Under-21 set-up before becoming international team-mates at senior level in 2021.

Dalot says he will never forget Jota.

"When you are talking about the personal side, I don't look at the shirt he represents," said 26-year-old.

"I played a lot of years with him in the national team and spent time with him, so you create a connection and memories. That's what I want to keep, the good memories.

"I don't think there are any words to describe it when such a tragedy happens like that. It hits you.

"I felt the whole world felt it, even if they didn't know him personally."

Dalot said he had seen shirts during Manchester United's Premier League Summer Series encounter with Bournemouth at Chicago's Soldier Field dedicated to Jota.

"He was someone who was a role model for me. I always like to see a player's behaviour when they play and when they don't play," Dalot added.

"He was always putting the team first."

RB Leipzig are among several clubs looking at Rasmus Hojlund and Manchester United could use the 22-year-old Denmark striker as part of a swap deal to sign Slovenian forward Benjamin Sesko, 22, from the Bundesliga side. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Meanwhile, United outcast Jadon Sancho is ready to accept a 50% pay cut as the 25-year-old England winger eyes a return to Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund. (Bild - in German), external

Finally, Chelsea are expected to make an offer for Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho, 21, before the transfer window shuts and have no concerns over his character after a series of background checks on the Argentina winger. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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

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Image source, Steve

On Monday, we asked you to tell us why you fell in love with Manchester United and some of your favourite moments supporting them.

You have already been getting in touch with your photos and stories and here is just a taste from Steve:

"United isn't just a club in my family - it's practically a family member. My grandad started supporting after the Munich Air Disaster in 1958, moved by the courage of a club that had lost so much. Just three months later, a patched-up United team made it all the way to the FA Cup final and that spirit of resilience sealed his loyalty for life.

"My mum grew up in a City household but jumped ship thanks to Best, Law and Charlton - and casually bumping into Sir Bobby Charlton in Lymm like it was a normal Tuesday.

"My first game? February 1995, an FA Cup tie against Leeds. I was desperate for a Kanchelskis number 14 shirt, but back then you paid per letter, so I settled for a scarf instead. We won 3-1 but I vividly remember Tony Yeboah scoring their consolation and the Leeds fans chanting his name like he'd just won the cup. I could barely see the pitch but I was hooked.

"Top memory though? The 1999 Champions League final. I was hosting a German exchange student, Andreas - a diehard Bayern Munich fan. He'd spent the day sightseeing in London and returned at half-time with Bayern 1–0 up and a smug grin plastered across his face. I couldn't cope with the gloating so I stormed off upstairs and listened to the second half on Radio 5 Live, sulking in the dark.

"With time running out, I decided to go back downstairs - if only to show a bit of grace in defeat. Just as I re-entered the room, Sheringham equalised. A stunned silence. Before we could even breathe, Solskjaer scored the winner. I leapt into the air. Andreas sank into the sofa. My living room exploded.

"I did visit him in Germany later that year. The welcome? Let's just say it wasn't quite as warm as that May night in England."

Join in the conversation and send your best photos about why you love United.

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Premier League officials had been hoping for an attendance of just under 50,000 for the second game of their three-match Summer Series.

However, there were far fewer in the stands by the end as the awful conditions soaked the fans who had remained.

Heavy rain was swept across one end of Soldier Field to the other. There is no cover at the 61,500 arena, which is a surprise given the freezing temperatures this city experiences in the winter and the fact the stadium hosts the Chicago Bears NFL team.

Locals attending tonight's game suggested it was a source of pride for Bears fans that they brave such conditions but evidently, that view is not shared by league chiefs who have never hosted a Super Bowl in Chicago.

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Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim believes he has seen a "completely different intensity" from his players during pre-season, as his side moved into pole position in the Premier League Summer Series with a 4-1 win over Bournemouth.

Rasmus Hojlund, Patrick Dorgu, Amad Diallo and youngster Ethan Williams were all on the scoresheet, as the Red Devils moved one point from winning the tournament.

"I think we played a good game," Amorim said post-match. "We played with intensity and we were aggressive - two things we needed to improve on from last season. I think we also had better possession compared to the last game, so they are listening.

"The same players are playing and we look like a different team, so that is a good sign. I think they are playing better because they are also connecting with each other, not just on the pitch but off the pitch.

"They are stronger and faster - the intensity is completely different."

Amorim also explained Harry Maguire's absence was because the club is "being careful" with the centre-back's fitness.

"He had an issue during the holidays and he came back a little bit late, so we are having to be careful with him," Amorim said.

"It is just a little bit of fatigue with all the training, so we are just trying to control everything."

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Manchester United have opened talks with Paris St-Germain for 26-year-old Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, after an earlier enquiry this summer, but Chelsea and Manchester City remain interested. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Chelsea are still pushing to sign Alejandro Garnacho, but United are holding out for at least £40m for the 21-year-old winger. (Talksport), external

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

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter in Chicago

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Rasmus Hojlund delivered the perfect response to fresh question marks about his future as he opened the scoring and claimed a second in Manchester United's 4-1 pre-season victory over Bournemouth in Chicago.

The past 48 hours have seen intense speculation over United's desire to sign another centre-forward.

Initially, it was established Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko were at the top of the list before it emerged the Slovenia striker was the clear first choice, even though United know they are likely to face opposition from Newcastle to sign the 22-year-old.

That places a huge question mark over Hojlund, whose form has been very patchy since he arrived from Serie A side Atalanta in a £72m deal two summers ago.

Hojlund had failed to score in the opening two games of United's pre-season campaign against Leeds and West Ham.

But it took the Denmark international just eight minutes to find the target against Bournemouth at a rain and windswept Soldier Field in Chicago, rising to meet Patrick Dorgu's left wing cross with a combination of his head and his shoulder.

Hojlund seemed to be claiming United's third as well, although that was more contentious given Amad's low second-half shot was heading into the net and if it did touch the Dane, it was the faintest flick.

However, it was certainly Hojlund's physical presence which created the uncertainty in the Bournemouth penalty that led to Amad having the space to shoot in the first place.

"I am really happy with Rasmus," said United manager Ruben Amorim after the game.

"The important thing is he is scoring goals and he's connecting really well with the team. He's improving."

However, on the future, there are no guarantees.

"I don't know what is going to happen until the end of the market," said Amorim.

Hojlund was replaced, along with nine other team-mates, 20 minutes from time, after which 19-year-old local boy Ethan Williams scored a memorable first goal for the senior team. Patrick Dorgu scored United's second before the break.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter in Chicago

Image source, BBC Sport

Tonight promises to be a big night at Soldier Field for one particular set of Manchester United fans.

Members of the club's Chicago Supporters Group will be out in force to see their heroes at close quarters when they take on Bournemouth in the Premier League's Summer Series.

Usually, the group has to meet at the Theory bar in the city – lunchtime kick-offs are at 0630 in Chicago – to see Ruben Amorim's side in action.

For the past week, they have been able to wait outside the team hotel to get selfies and autographs from United players and some were allowed full access to training on Friday and were introduced to Amorim and some of his players.

The president, Jason, is initially from West Yorkshire but moved to the United States seven years ago.

"There are a growing number of United fans in Chicago," he said.

"For the Europa League final in May, both floors of the bar were packed even though the game started early afternoon our time.

"It's not just about the history, people are genuinely interested. Some people didn't see us in the glory days.

"It would be nice if we were better at the moment but even in our darkest times we have won trophies and reached finals. And the fans are so excited to see the team in Chicago."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United have confirmed two appointments in key areas of the club's leadership.

Mike Sansoni has joined the club as director of data after 11 years with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team.

"Sansoni will be responsible for transforming the club's capabilities in data and artificial intelligence, drawing on his experience in machine learning and advanced modelling in Formula One," a club statement said.

Elsewhere, Kirstin Furber has been named as the club's people director where she will "take the lead in developing and evolving the club's workforce and people culture".

Furber will join in the Autumn following spells at Channel 4, BBC Worldwide and 20th Century Fox.

Sophie Brown
BBC Sport journalist

At present Rasmus Hojlund is Manchester United's first-choice centre-forward, but United have been linked with moves for both Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins.

While Hojlund scored just four goals in 32 Premier League games last season for United - and is yet to find the net in pre-season - both Sesko and Watkins posted much healthier 2024-25 figures. Sesko scored 13 in 33 top-flight appearances in Germany for RB Leipzig, while Watkins netted 16 in 38 for Aston Villa.

When Hojlund signed for United in the summer of 2023, then-boss Erik ten Hag described him as "a real frontman" but both Watkins and Sesko offer more all-round games.

Watkins has an excellent assist record, while there is more to 6ft 5in Sesko than just a classic number nine. He is fast, comfortable receiving the ball to feet with his back to goal or hanging on the shoulder of the last defender and racing onto a through ball. Plus he can score goals of all types from all sorts of distances. He has outperformed both Watkins and Hojlund in several key metrics so far in his elite-level career.

Indeed, of the three, Sesko has the best shot conversion rate and, at 22, offers equal longevity to Hojlund. If Ruben Amorim is looking for a player who provides a focal point and can compete in aerial duels, Sesko is also probably a better fit than Watkins, who is six inches shorter than the Slovenian and whose game is more about movement and runs into space.

On BBC Radio 5 Live's Big Transfer Show, the Independent's Miguel Delaney says Manchester United's interest in RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko may prove futile.

"Manchester United have nowhere near the PSR headroom that Newcastle do," Delaney said.

"I don't think they could even dream of doing a deal for Sesko no matter how much they like him, because of Leipzig's asking price."

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Manchester United have been dragged into the unfortunate mess surrounding Morecambe and their future.

While the club's fans hope some kind of positive resolution can be found which will save Morecambe, they have definitely been booted out of the National League Cup, a competition which pits clubs against Premier League and Championship Under-21 sides.

Boreham Wood have replaced Morecambe. But they have been put into a different section, with Brackley switching to the one United are in.

Travis Binnion's side open their campaign against Tamworth on Wednesday 13 August. The Brackley trip is on 16 September.

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Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has backed head coach Ruben Amorim's hard line approach to improving the "toxic" and "unhealthy" culture at the club.

"Ruben brings demands. Mentality is a big thing. He talks a lot about it," Shaw said.

"He demands 100% and doesn't want anything less. If someone's doing 85-90%, it's not enough. I think, especially this year, if you're not doing the right things, you won't play.

"The more experienced ones need to be demanding more, day in, day out.

"The levels in training, keeping to the times of when we're doing this or that and making sure no-one's coming late.

"The manager's not bothered. He doesn't care who the player is. That's how it should be. Whatever he wants, as players, we have to be delivering – and we are fully behind that."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter in Chicago

Image source, Getty Images

Joshua Zirkzee is feeding off the example set by Manchester United team-mate Lisandro Martinez as he battles back from his latest injury.

Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui are the only senior outfield players on United's current trip to the United States still not able to train with the main group.

Having rushed back from a hamstring injury to feature in the Europa League final, he has been restricted to running and weight training so far in the United States.

While the 24-year-old is adamant his current issue is not serious, it is a setback in his efforts to make an impact at the start of the new campaign.

However, watching Martinez push himself in his rehabilitation from a major knee injury he suffered in February has been a source of inspiration for Zirkzee.

"This is not a serious problem but obviously it's pre-season, so it is not like last season where I wanted to push myself to be there for the final," he said. "Now I just want to be there for the start of the season.

"Someone who has motivated me a lot is Lisandro Martinez who has been out for quite some time.

"To see how mentally he keeps himself ready and the way he works to be back in the best way he can is something I'm thankful for.

"It's part of life and I am thankful to have team-mates around me to help me with those types of obstacles."

England goalkeeper Nick Pope, 33, might be a target for Manchester United if Newcastle United complete a deal for 27-year-old Southampton and England stopper Aaron Ramsdale. (Talksport), external

United also have an interest in Paris St-Germain's Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, but are reluctant to get involved in a bidding war with Chelsea and Manchester City for the 26-year-old's services. (Sun), external

Meanwhile, United have ended their interest in Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, 24, with the Senegal forward demanding too much in wages. (Mirror), external

The Red Devils are also willing to accept a reduced fee in the region of £17m for Jadon Sancho, 25, with Borussia Dortmund and Juventus interested in the England winger. (Mail), external

Napoli have Argentina forward Alejandro Garnacho, 21, on their list of targets. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

United are keen to offload Garnacho and have spoken to Aston Villa and Chelsea about the possibility of striking a deal. (Independent), external

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

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter in Chicago

Image source, Getty Images

It was fascinating to sit down and talk to Bryan Mbeumo at Manchester United's team hotel on Monday.

He is not outwardly a massive character, quite quiet in many respects, certainly to the media sat opposite him round a small table. Neither is he the biggest in size.

But he lit the room up when he started to talk about his piano-playing and his love of chess.

There is clearly far more to Mbeumo than meets the eye.

It was interesting to liken the strategy of chess to playing football. Evidently, he puts quite a lot of thought into what happens on the pitch, which is why he has made steady improvement during his time at Brentford and his time there ended with an impressive 20 Premier League goals last season.

This is no guarantee of future success but it did make you feel he is giving a lot of thought to his career and that, as Ruben Amorim pointed out last week, there is more to his move to Manchester United than money.

• Read more from Mbeumo's interview

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter in Chicago

Manchester United trio Joshua Zirkzee, Noussair Mazraoui and Andre Onana were again missing from training in Chicago on Tuesday.

They all arrived in the United States with injury issues and are working on their rehabilitation while Ruben Amorim and his squad training in the heat.

New £65m signing Bryan Mbeumo joined the main group - having to do the traditional run through two lines of team-mates who slap him on the back as he goes.

Mbeumo did not return for pre-season with Brentford until a week after United had been back and then only did gym work.

The Cameroon international is not expected to be involved at Soldier Field on Wednesday when United take on Bournemouth in the second Premier League Summer Series fixture round.

Meanwhile, Zirkzee and team-mate Patrick Dorgu attended a Premier League Summer Series event in Chicago on Monday.

In addition to meeting fans, Zirkzee was also invited to print his own shirt.