Manchester United

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  1. 'You can see some progress'published at 21:49 16 March

    Bruno Fernandes leaps into the arms of Diogo DalotImage source, Getty Images

    Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes, speaking to Sky Sports: "Very pleased and very important to get the job done today.

    "We knew it would be difficult and we had to be at our very best level. First half, we committed mistake in the transition, but second half we were better at getting control of the game and getting the goals.

    "We can feel that [progress]. Against Arsenal we were a little bit more deep on the pitch, we felt they didn't have much upfront in terms of pace.

    "I think you can see some progress, but that has to go on and on. We have important games.

    "I want to score many goals as I can as it's a big part of my game and I need to assist my teammates. I need to get onto the edge of the box and get goals as it is one of my qualities."

    On Rasmus Hojlund scoring: "It was important for us, as I said for strikers it is about scoring goals. They want to be involved in the main things. They need to feel important and that they're getting onto the scoresheet. For his own feeling it is important to score goals."

    On criticism from Roy Keane: "You're talking about Roy Keane, I have a huge respect for Roy Keane.

    "One of the best captains the club had. Won basically everything for this club. That's the way he thinks, and I have to respect that. I do things in my own way.

    "I respect everyone's opinion from everyone."

  2. 'They gave everything'published at 21:47 16 March

    Ruben AmorimImage source, Getty Images

    Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim, speaking to BBC MOTD: "I felt a lack of energy, but that is normal after so many games. They gave everything, we scored three goals and I think we should be better defending our box. We always want more. After these two weeks with a lot of games I think they performed quite well."

    On Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho breaking their respective goal-droughts: "The most important thing for me is the work they are putting in, especially defending. They live for assists and scoring goals. Rasmus really good control right foot and then Garnacho is always trying to score a goal and he deserved that feeling."

    On Bruno Fernandes: "He is a very good player, he is in a good moment, but what I like most is the way he works in every position to help the team."

    On Ayden Heaven's injury: "We have to evaluate during the week. He's a young kid and he doesn't know how to explain what he's feeling - it is hard for us to know.

    "He's a bit calm now, but we have to assess in the week."

    On Harry Amass' debut: "First of all it's his birthday so it is a special day. They have to understand they're so lucky to play for Man Utd. At the same moment I have so much fun putting young kids to play."

  3. How may I assist you?published at 21:41 16 March

    Bruno Fernandes celebratesImage source, Getty Images
    • Since Bruno Fernandes' Manchester United debut in February 2020, only Kevin De Bruyne (90) has recorded more assists across all competitions for a side in Europe's big five leagues than his (80), moving above Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller (79).

    • With his goal and two assists against Leicester, Fernandes reached 112 Premier League goal involvements for United - the 10th-most for the club after moving above Foxes boss Ruud van Nistelrooy.

    • The Portugal international also became the sixth Red Devils player to reach 50 assists Premier League after Ryan Giggs (162), Wayne Rooney (93), David Beckham (80), Paul Scholes (55) and Eric Cantona (51).

  4. Fernandes could have played with United greats - Van Nistelrooy published at 14:28 16 March

    Nick Mashiter
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Ruud van Nistelrooy shakes hands with Bruno FernandesImage source, Getty Images

    Leicester boss Ruud Van Nistelrooy believes Bruno Fernandes would have been an asset to Manchester United's greatest sides.

    The Foxes head coach worked with Fernandes as assistant and interim manager while at Old Trafford between July and November last year.

    They reunite at the King Power Stadium on Sunday evening with second bottom Leicester now nine points from safety in the Premier League.

    Van Nistelrooy scored 150 goals in 219 games for United between 2001 and 2006 - winning the Premier League in 2003 - before leaving for Real Madrid and feels Portugal midfielder Fernandes, who has 15 goals this season - would fit in even the best Old Trafford teams.

    "Yes, no doubt. It's the quality, it's the character, it's the work rate, it's the discipline. That's the full package," he said.

    "It was crucial [to United] that he stayed though."

    Yet, Van Nistelrooy's attention is elsewhere with Wolves' 2-1 win at Southampton on Saturday pushing Leicester - who have lost 12 of their last 13 games - closer to the drop.

    "Of course, I have other things on my mind. I am working with my team. I am working on performing, on winning games, on preparing the game, also the games after," he said.

    "There are 10 games left. There are 30 points there to get the most out of it. We are still in it. We are still in this fight.

    "We want to push. We want to put the teams above us under pressure. Also, the teams we are level with, like Ipswich and Southampton, we are in that battle. That is where my mind goes.

    "That is what I want to get the maximum out of myself and the team."

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  5. Sutton's predictions: Leicester v Man Utdpublished at 12:34 16 March

    Sutton's predictions graphic

    Leicester have struggled defensively all season but their current lack of goals is an even bigger problem - they have not found the net in their past five league matches, and have lost all of them.

    You could look at the Foxes' 1-0 defeat by Chelsea last week and think that result was not too bad, but they never looked like scoring - the closest they got to a goal was when a cross came off Blues defender Tosin Adarabioyo's shoulder and hit the bar.

    Mind you, Manchester United are far from prolific either. They did improve in the second half of their draw with Arsenal, but they still don't have much of a cutting edge.

    That makes me think this is going to be close. Leicester gave United a good game in the FA Cup at Old Trafford a few weeks ago and were beaten by Harry Maguire's controversial stoppage-time winner.

    This time it is going to be just as tight, and I think the points will be shared.

    Sutton's prediction: 1-1

    Read the full predictions and have your say here

  6. 'Always emotions when clubs move grounds' - Hughespublished at 16:55 15 March

    Mark Hughes walks out at Old TraffordImage source, Getty Images

    Former Manchester United forward Mark Hughes described the club's new stadium plans as "quite radical," but the current Carlisle manager understands a desire to upgrade from Old Trafford.

    On Tuesday, Sir Jim Ratcliffe unveiled his plan to build the biggest stadium in the UK,an "iconic" new 100,000-seater ground close to Old Trafford.

    It has had mixed reaction partly as it would mean Manchester United leaving the home that they have held since 1910.

    Now Carlisle manager, Hughes told BBC Radio Cumbria: "From an ex-player's point of view, I have fantastic memories [of Old Trafford] and that's something that will never leave me.

    "The stadium itself clearly needs to be updated. I think that's a given and I think everybody accepts and understands that. They look quite radical plans but I'm sure it would be a fantastic stage to ply your trade.

    "There will always be emotions when clubs decide to move from grounds. As long as the feeling within the ground is replicated, which they try and do now. They're more aware of the acoustics and the dynamics of the place so that will be built in, I'm sure. It's not like the soulless new grounds that have been the case on occasions when other teams have changed.

    "It will be interesting. Let's hope they [complete] it in five years. It took me five years to build my house, so who knows how they're going to do it!"

  7. 'There was a change in mood at Old Trafford'published at 17:56 14 March

    Manchester United fansImage source, Getty Images

    Have Manchester United turned a corner?

    It is a question that has been asked multiple times this season already, but in light of their display against Real Sociedad on Thursday, things are looking more positive for Ruben Amorim's side.

    "They were much better," said BBC Radio 5 Live's Conor McNamara on The Commentators' View podcast. "It felt like how Old Trafford used to feel like back in the day.

    "There was a buzz, an energy and a performance from the team that, quite frankly, hasn't been there.

    "It felt like they were all on the same page and it has obviously come off the back of talk of a new stadium. There has been a lot of doom and gloom around the club and some of the players might have wondered if they were going anywhere, but then they see the plans for a new stadium and they then think: 'I want to be part of it.'

    "It felt like there was a change in mood at Old Trafford."

    Listen to the The Commentators' View podcast on BBC Sounds

  8. Van Nistelrooy wary of Man Utd's improvementpublished at 17:25 14 March

    Nick Mashiter
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Ruud van Nistelrooy issues instructions during Leicester's game at ChelseaImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Ruud Van Nistelrooy faces former club Manchester United for the second time this weekend

    Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy believes Manchester United are in a "better place" than when they beat the Foxes in February.

    Harry Maguire's injury-time header - which should have been ruled out for offside - gave United a 2-1 FA Cup win.

    Since then, United have lost once in the Premier League and reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League, after a 5-2 aggregate win over Real Sociedad, although were knocked out of the FA Cup by Fulham on penalties.

    They go to King Power Stadium on Sunday 14th in the table.

    "It's a great boost [for them] they are in the quarter finals of the Europa League," said Van Nistelrooy.

    "Bruno [Fernandes] is in great form, so he is very decisive in that team. It's a team which has some momentum going, so they are in a better place than when we played them in the FA Cup."

    Former United striker Van Nistelrooy left Old Trafford after a spell as interim manager in November after Ruben Amorim's appointment - having rejoined the club as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag last summer.

    He was unbeaten in his four games in charge - which included two wins over Leicester.

    The Foxes have lost 12 of their past 13 games in the Premier League, leaving them second bottom and six points from safety.

    They have also not scored a home league goal since 8 December, when they drew 2-2 with Brighton in Van Nistelrooy's second game.

    "I wouldn't go into that particularly and blow it up. It's one of the things we work on. We are conceding too many goals and we are trying to improve," he said.

    "The chances we create and the chances we missed, we have spoken about it before. It's also knowing from experience. I didn't score every game and I missed some chances, or I didn't score for a couple of games. When you start scoring you get momentum and the goals will come."

  9. The answerpublished at 16:58 14 March

    Paul Scholes celebratesImage source, Getty Images

    Earlier we asked you who is second behind Ryan Giggs when it comes to winning Premier League games for Manchester United (407)

    The answer is Paul Scholes, who chalked up 321 league victories for United.

  10. Amorim on Mount's return, impressive Heaven and his ideas showingpublished at 13:30 14 March

    Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has spoken to the media before Sunday's Premier League game at Leicester City (kick-off 19:00 GMT).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • He said they have "tried not to risk" centre-back Harry Maguire but he will be assessed before Sunday's game.

    • Mason Mount is likely to be on the bench, with Amorim adding: "We need him and every player. He cannot play too many minutes but just five minutes of Mason Mount is perfect."

    • More from Amorim on Mount: "I really love Mason Mount. I see him and know how he suffered. I know how he does everything right - he eats right, his physical aspect is perfect. When a player does everything like he does, he will always have the support of everybody here at the club. We will try to manage the load."

    • On his ideas starting to show in performances: "We are better at understanding the plan for the games. We are not conceding a goal and losing our minds and suffering another goal."

    • He said in "different competitions we have to rotate" because of fatigue and injuries, but he is hopeful Kobbie Mainoo "will return in a few weeks" and Manuel Ugarte is also close.

    • On 18-year-old Ayden Heaven: "If he continues like that he is going to play. He is young but I really like his confidence. I like his pace and he is good in defending the box. I think he is quite complete but he has a lot of work to do - and in the Premier League he will be tested in a different way [each week]. We are trying to manage all this because he is still really young."

    • He said sticking to Thursday's selection may not be possible because "against Lyon the physicality is going to be more demanding and we have a lot of difficult games in the Premier League".

    • On opponents Leicester, who are fighting relegation: "We have to be humble and forget the table and face Leicester like we faced Real Sociedad. We just need to win to improve our position in the table. The most important thing is continuing with this feeling of winning and we are improving as a team."

    • Amorim said he "is really proud to coach a player like Bruno Fernandes" and, despite criticism in recent weeks from former players, "he is always the guy who scores and he is always there" in the big moments.

    • More on Fernandes: "When you play for this team you have to be prepared for the critics. I understand that former players had a lot of success here and the standard for them was so high. They see things like that in black and white. Life is sometimes not black and white - there are other colours and you have to understand that context. He is always there, trying his best."

    Listen to live commentary of Leicester v Man Utd on BBC Radio 5 Live from 19:00 on Sunday

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  11. Leicester v Man Utd: Did you know?published at 13:25 14 March

    Alejandro Garnacho scores for Man Utd against Leicester at Old TraffordImage source, Getty Images

    Manchester United have lost just one of their past eight Premier League away games against Leicester - a 4-2 defeat in October 2021.

  12. Who must Man Utd play to reach the Europa League final?published at 10:55 14 March

    BBC Europa League graphic

    Manchester United and Tottenham both reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League with vital home victories in the last 16 on Thursday.

    United will face French side Lyon with the second leg taking place at Old Trafford. If they progress, they will play the winners of Athletic Bilbao or Rangers, the latter who they beat in the group stages.

    Meanwhile, Spurs host Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals, with the winner of that playing either Lazio or Bodo/Glimt of Norway in the final four.

  13. Dorgu shines under Old Trafford lightspublished at 10:27 14 March

    Josh Lobley
    BBC Sport Journalist

    Patrick Dorgu playing for Manchester UnitedImage source, Getty Images

    Bruno Fernandes' hat-trick heroics rightly grabbed the headlines after Manchester United's victory against Real Sociedad, but Patrick Dorgu's performance should not go unnoticed.

    The Dane caused the Spanish side havoc from minute one, winning his side a penalty and drawing a red card from Jon Aramburu. He could have won his side another penalty on the evening but, in an act of class, Dorgu encouraged the referee to overturn his decision after he was tackled fairly in the box.

    He found himself in excellent positions in the final third throughout the match, leading the United team (alongside Alejandro Garnacho) for touches inside the opposition box and only being bettered by Bruno Fernandes for shots taken. Playing with this much confidence in attack, Dorgu's first goal for the club should be right around the corner.

    The 20 year-old also put a shift in defensively, winning more duels than any player on the pitch and often tracking back to support youngster Ayden Heaven on his first start for the club.

    It felt like a quintessential wing-back performance from Dorgu, dominating the left flank and linking up intelligently with his new team-mates. Finding a similar player to play in the opposite wing-back position would be a huge step in the right direction towards Manchester United playing the Ruben Amorim way.