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Mount returns to trainingpublished at 12:42 12 March
12:42 12 March
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount was involved in the open section of training before Thursday's Europa League last-16 tie with Real Sociedad at Old Trafford.
The £55m signing from Chelsea has endured a second injury plagued campaign.
He has started just four league games and has not featured since injuring his hamstring against Manchester City on 15 December.
Manuel Ugarte was also involved after missing two games with a 'knock'.
However, defensive pair Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro were both missing.
Realistically, United need to win the Europa League to qualify for European football next season. They drew the away leg in San Sebastian last week and are likely to play French club Lyon if they get through.
Sociedad tie 'massive' for United - Eriksenpublished at 09:24 12 March
09:24 12 March
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Christian Eriksen admits it is "not fun" to look at the Premier League table and acknowledged Thursday's Europa League clash with Real Sociedad is "massive" for Manchester United.
United produced one of their most effective performances of the season in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Arsenal, even though head coach Ruben Amorim is uncomfortable with the counter-attacking approach.
However, it still left them 14th in the table. With 10 games of the campaign remaining, United are eight points off Fulham, who are 10th.
Any chance of qualifying for European football next season through their league position has virtually disappeared, which means United have to win the Europa League.
As they did against Arsenal, Amorim's side drew their last-16 first-leg encounter with Real Sociedad after taking the lead. Now they have to beat the Spanish side at Old Trafford on Thursday to reach the last night.
"It's massive," said Eriksen. "We know the pressure because we know the situation we are in.
"To get into Europe next season we have to win a lot of games in the league or go through the Europa League."
Only once since English clubs were allowed back into Europe in 1990 following their ban have United failed to qualify, in 2014 under David Moyes.
Unless their present situation improves they are heading for their worst league finish since the 1973-74 relegation campaign.
"It's not fun," said Eriksen, when asked what it is like looking at the table.
"We want to be higher. We are at (Manchester) United so we have to be higher. Hopefully at the end of the season we end up higher and we can forget about this but at the moment we have to fight for it."
'It's really sad to say it but the Glazers don't care'published at 08:09 12 March
08:09 12 March
Image source, PA Media
On the latest episode of BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast, presenter Gaz Drinkwater spoke about thousands of United fans protesting against the club's ownership on Sunday:
"It was a big protest and it's United fans putting out the message about the Glazers and they want the full sale of the football club. I know they're frustrated at ticket prices as well, and what Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have done since they've come in.
"However, and this is the sad thing - and this isn't me saying there's no point in protesting because there's always a point in making your voice heard, no matter what it is - we had these protests in 2005. A load of blokes went and set up their own football club in 2005, who are still going strong to this day. There were bigger protests in 2009.
"There were protests again the other year when some United fans broke into the stadium and got the biggest game in English football called off - I know it was behind closed doors and I know there was the Super League surrounding that - but nothing changed.
"I know it's really sad to say it, but the Glazers don't care. They don't care about the average Manchester United fan, they don't care about those kids who were on that peaceful protest the other day with banners saying 'Save my football club'. They don't give one iota of a thought to those fans."
Gossip: Man Utd could get Vlahovic at cut pricepublished at 07:53 12 March
07:53 12 March
Manchester United might make a move for Dusan Vlahovic as Juventus are willing to lower their £35m asking price for the 25-year-old Serbia striker. (Givemesport), external
Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are interested in a summer move for Manchester United and Portugal defender Diogo Dalot, 25. (Teamtalk), external
Manchester United are leading the race for Rosario's 18-year-old Argentina Under-20s defender Juan Gimenez. (Football Insider), external
Man Utd stadium plans revealed - a recappublished at 19:18 11 March
19:18 11 March
Media caption,
Manchester United have announced plans to build a new £2bn stadium over the next five years.
You can find reaction from key figures, experts, fans and more on the page below.
In summary:
Sir Jim Ratcliffe said the new ground "will be the world's greatest football stadium".
Sir Alex Ferguson stressed United "must be brave and seize this opportunity".
The head of the architecture firm overseeing the plans - Lord Norman Foster - said the stadium will be "the beating heart of a new sustainable district".
But fan groups were torn, with Manchester United Supporters Trust stating it will show "caution" while questions are answered and the 1958 fan group stating the new design was a "soulless corporate structure, more akin to a modern entertainment venue than a football cathedral".
Read what fans, key players and BBC Sport readers had to say below.
The Football News Show: Manchester United unveil new stadium plans
'Our fans deserve to see a team that they can be proud of'published at 19:05 11 March
19:05 11 March
Image source, Foster + Partners
Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada has been answering questions following the club's announcement of plans to build a new £2bn stadium.
How do we go from the club running out of money to a new £2bn stadium?
The way the club was tracking, with all the losses that have been accumulated - more than £300m in the past five years - was not sustainable. So all the plans we've been putting in place over the last months really address the short-term issue, which is that the club was losing money.
Once we stop losing money, we then put ourselves in the best financial position to continue investing in our team and also to allow us to be able to have the ambition to build a new stadium.
Arsenal and Spurs weren't competitive while or after building new stadia - is there a danger that you can't deliver the stadium and a world-class team?
That is a risk. Clearly it's something we want to avoid.
We don't want to inhibit our ability to invest in the team, for us to continue being competitive while we are building a new stadium.
There's various ways around that and one of the things we are looking at is to shorten the construction timelines so we can have a new stadium within five years. That's our ambition.
In the meantime, by getting our finances back in order and becoming profitable, we believe that we can be very competitive.
The big, big benefit that this club has is that it has the biggest fanbase in the world and therefore the ability to be the number one in terms of revenues that it generates.
Could this project unlock the future for the club to be the richest one in the world all over again?
It's clear that our ambition is to have the best team in the world with the best stadium and most iconic stadium in the world. We want to have some of the best players in the world playing in front of our fans.
Our fans deserve to see a team that they can be proud of, that they can connect with, and to be able to do that in an amazing venue, like the one that we've shown today.
On Sunday, thousands of fans joined the biggest anti-ownership protest since Sir Jim Ratcliffe took a near 30% stake in the club, singing against the Glazer family and Ratcliffe, with reference made to the recent £66 ticket price rise.
In a statement following the stadium announcement, The 1958 group, who arranged the protests, said: "Manchester United's new stadium design fails to reflect the club's deep-rooted heritage, traditions, and connection to its supporters.
"Instead of embodying the gritty, historic essence of Old Trafford - a fortress built on generations of passion, emotion and belonging. The design resembles a generic, soulless corporate structure, more akin to a modern entertainment venue than a football cathedral.
"Its circus-like aesthetic disregards the club's working-class origins and the identity of a fanbase that spans generations. Rather than honouring the past and strengthening the bond with the local community, it prioritizes spectacle over substance, alienating those who have defined United's legacy for decades.
"It's an events stadium over a football stadium. It's a visitor experience over fan opinion and needs.
"Football, dignity and traditions need to be upheld and from what we can see they aren't.
"It should be a cathedral for fans to go and worship our team and not a circus like tourist attraction.
"Once again football taking a backseat."
In a wide-ranging interview with BBC sports editor Dan Roan on Monday, part-owner Ratcliffe talked about the financial difficulties the club has had having implemented a number of cost-saving strategies.
In their statement, the fan group also went on to question if any consultation with supporters had taken place and who would be funding the estimated £2bn stadium.
Image source, Manchester United
How can Man Utd afford a new stadium?published at 14:57 11 March
14:57 11 March
Media caption,
Football finance expert Professor Rob Wilson speaks to The Football News Show about how Manchester United can fund their new stadium.
New stadium - key points and viewspublished at 12:49 11 March
12:49 11 March
Image source, Foster + Partners
There is plenty of information circulating about Manchester United's new stadium plans, but here are the key facts you need to know:
The ground is set to hold 100,000 fans - making it the biggest stadium in the UK.
The project is set to cost around £2bn.
Leading architect Lord Norman Foster says the stadium can be built in five years - half the time it would usually take to build one from scratch.
The project is expected to create 92,000 new jobs, more than 17,000 new homes as well as drive 1.8 million visitors annually.
Here are some more of your comments about the plans...
Nigel: It is extremely ambitious and befits Manchester United but the best aspects are the focus on building with sustainability at the core and developing a thriving community around the stadium along the lines promoted by Brentford.
Matt: Absolutely gutted. Manchester United not playing at Old Trafford, not playing attacking football with width, not supporting the foundation staff of the club - that's not my team or club anymore I'm afraid, after being an active supporter for over 40 years.
Michael: Stunning, for the fans, club and surrounding area.
Billy: A club with so much debt, that just paid off hundreds of employees and more before that. I cannot fathom where the money is coming from.
Media caption,
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire on BBC Radio 5 Live discussing how Manchester United can afford the stadium build:
It can be done. Tottenham borrowed a huge sum of money to fund their new stadium, but they have tripled their matchday and commercial income.
It will be a multi-functional stadium and will more than outweigh the additional interest costs.
Part of the payment will have to come through shares or some form of equity payment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe himself.
United successfully dealt with the takeover in 2005 and their interest charges went initially over £100m-a-year and that was when United were a far smaller operation.
My big fear is that some of those costs will be used to put up prices for fans, especially season-ticket holders.
New stadium: An 'amazing concept' or does it 'look like a circus tent?'published at 11:13 11 March
11:13 11 March
Media caption,
We asked for your views on Manchester United's plans for a new stadium.
Here are some of your comments:
Chris: The concept stadium plans look amazing, as part of wider regeneration of the whole area I'm fully supportive. With the state of the club at the moment however, I'll believe it when I actually see it!
Dave: Looks silly! All for a new stadium but that looks like a circus tent!! Very disappointed!
Steven: It's a smack in the face to the hundreds of people who have lost jobs in the recent cuts. But on a sporting front, I am pleased we will finally have a new ground fitting of the club's history. I just hope that in the five years projected for the build we can put together a team worthy of playing in such arenas.
Colin: Stadium looks fantastic- all they need now is to develop a quality team to play in it.
Jenny: Awful! The new stadium looks like Butlins!
John: Well that certainly brought tears to my eyes. At almost 68 years old, I pray that I get to see it. It would be a dream come true.
Simon: Old Trafford has been in need of something for a while, and as much as I love the stadium I don't feel like we're the same United anymore that played in there. That United was a sports team, this one is a business and this decision just reflects that.
Supporters Trust 'restrained by caution' over new stadiumpublished at 11:13 11 March
11:13 11 March
Image source, FOSTER + PARTNERS
Lord Norman Foster, founder and executive chairman of architecture group Foster + Partners, says Manchester United's proposed stadium "is at the very heart of a new neighbourhood" in an area "steeped in history".
He explained: "It's welcoming, it's open, it's at the very heart of a new neighbourhood. And then it's part of the city of Manchester, the fastest growing city in the United Kingdom. A city again like no other.
"It's a powerhouse, steeped in history. Trafford Park was the industrial heartland of the nation, a heritage which I have personal connection to. My father was a factory worker at Metropolitan Vickers.
"And then the three masts, the trident, visible from 40kms, 200 metres high. So, this becomes a global destination.
"Normally a stadium would take 10 years to build, we halved that time - five years. How do we do that?
"By pre-fabrication, by using the network of Manchester ship canal, bring it back to a new life, shipping in components, 160 of them, Meccano-like.
"And then we rebuild the Old Trafford station and that becomes the pivot. The processional way to the stadium, welcoming at the heart of a new sport-led neighbourhood. It's walkable, it's well served by public transport. It's endowed by nature.
"It learns from the past, it creates streets, it's a mixed-use mini city. It's teamwork, it's the best brain, the civic leaders, the owners, the consultants, the engineers, the architects, the fans."
But the outlined plans do also create questions around ticket prices and fans being priced out, as well as the financial cost when the club is in such a difficult moment on and off the pitch.
A spokesperson for Manchester United Supporters Trust said: "We look forward to further consultation with supporters discussing these vital questions with the club.
"If they are able to produce a new stadium as stunning as the plans suggest without harming the atmosphere, without hiking ticket prices and without harming investment elsewhere, then this could be very exciting.
"But until the questions are answered, our optimism about plans to make Old Trafford the biggest and the best again will be restrained by caution about what the consequences for fans might be."
The club has announced its intent to work with the government on what it says will become the "centrepiece of the regeneration of the Old Trafford area".
The build is expected to cost in the region of £2bn.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, said: "Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world's greatest football stadium, at the centre of a regenerated Old Trafford.
"Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport. By building next to the existing site, we will be able to preserve the essence of Old Trafford, while creating a truly state-of-the-art stadium that transforms the fan experience only footsteps from our historic home."
What do you make of these concept images, United fans? Are you more optimistic about the new stadium or are you not convinced? Tell us here
Sir Alex Ferguson commented: "Manchester United should always strive for the best in everything it does, on and off the pitch, and that includes the stadium we play in. Old Trafford holds so many special memories for me personally, but we must be brave and seize this opportunity to build a new home, fit for the future, where new history can be made."
Lord Norman Foster, founder and executive chairman of architecture group Foster + Partners, said: "This has to be one of the most exciting projects in the world today, with incredible regional and national significance. It all starts with the fans' experience, bringing them closer than ever to the pitch and acoustically cultivating a huge roar. The stadium is contained by a vast umbrella, harvesting energy and rainwater, and sheltering a new public plaza that is twice the size of Trafalgar Square. The outward-looking stadium will be the beating heart of a new sustainable district, which is completely walkable, served by public transport, and endowed by nature. It is a mixed-use miniature city of the future – driving a new wave of growth and creating a global destination that Mancunians can be proud of."
The Ratcliffe interview: Extractspublished at 08:24 11 March
08:24 11 March
Media caption,
The BBC's sports editor Dan Roan sat down with Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe less than a day after fans marched to Old Trafford in protest against those leading the club, including majority owners the Glazer family.
Here are some extracts from the interview with Ratcliffe, who bought a stake in the club in 2024.
Is the challenge facing you greater than anticipated?
Ratcliffe: Yes, I mean the nature of the challenge is what we thought it would be. But the scale of it is probably slightly bigger. We are sort of in the moment in the process of change because United has obviously, since Sir Alex [Ferguson] retired, not performed at the level that has been expected of the club. There are reasons for that, clearly. Unless you want that to continue there has to be a period of change. We are in the middle of a period of change at the moment. Nobody likes change, it's uncomfortable, and we are in the midst of it.
Do you accept you have contributed to the predicament the club finds itself in?
Ratcliffe: We are not perfect, and we are on a journey, and there have been a couple of errors along the way, but I think in the main all the things we are doing are the right things for the club. And the club's going to finish up in a very very different place in three years' time to where its been in the past, in my view. I think it will become the most profitable club in the world. In three years' time Manchester United will be. That will be my prediction for Manchester United – it will be the most profitable club in the world. I think we may well finish up with the most iconic football stadium in the world, and I think we will finish up winning silverware again.
How close was the club to being bust?
Ratcliffe: It's a simple equation. If you spend more than you earn eventually that's the road to ruin. So for the last seven seasons, if you include this season, the club would have lost money. Seven consecutive seasons. I think that totals about £330m, so about a third of a billion of cash that's gone out of the club in the last four or five seasons. The costs of running the club in the last seven years have increased by £100m. The cost of the player wage bill in the last seven years or so is £100m. The increase in the revenue during that period is £100m. And that sum doesn't work. If you are losing money every year, and at the same time you are increasing your costs of running the club, it doesn't work and it ends in trouble. And that's where this club would have finished up at the end of this year. All of the things that we are doing are essential, are necessary to the club. They are not easy things to do, but we'll get through that process and we will come out of the other side in the summer. Some of that is all finished and done with now.
Some would say the money you will make from ticket price increases is dwarfed by the debt payments as a result of the debt the club is saddled with.
Ratcliffe: I understand the comment, but the issue isn't really the debt. The issue is we are spending more than we are…if you spend 100 million more than earning every year then that dwarfs [interrupted].
Tens of millions of pounds go out of the club to service that debt.
Ratcliffe: It's about 35. But the 35 was only 20 four or five years ago because the club hadn't lost £330m in the last five years. So if you lose £330m in five years the debt goes up by £330m. That's the biggest issue in Manchester United. I know the interest costs money, but in the great scheme of things our salary bill for the players is £250m a year, you know. So interest is one of the costs but it isn't the biggest cost in this club. And the club needs to get its house back into order so it's on a good financial footing for the future, and can survive years maybe where it's not as successful as other years and doesn't get Champions League.
Gossip: Chelsea keen on Mainoopublished at 07:43 11 March
07:43 11 March
Chelsea are preparing to step up their pursuit of Manchester United's England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, 19, as doubts grow over the long-term fitness of the Blues' Belgium midfielder Romeo Lavia, 21. (CaughtOffside), external
Manchester United are considering a summer move for Porto's 20-year-old Spain forward Samu Aghehowa, who has a release clause of about £84m. (GiveMeSport), external
Image source, Getty Images
