Sutton's predictions: Man Utd v Arsenalpublished at 11:01 9 March
11:01 9 March
I was in Eindhoven on Tuesday to cover Arsenal in the Champions League for 5 Live, and it's a lovely place.
Eindhoven is the design capital of the Netherlands, known for being a city of innovation and creativity - two of the things Manchester United are sorely lacking at the moment.
Arsenal have struggled to score in the Premier League but the goals were flowing freely for them against PSV and this feels like it is going to be another rearguard action for Manchester United, similar to the way they got past the Gunners in the FA Cup.
United do seem to, somehow, raise their game against the better teams and that is the only way they are going to make this close.
I still think Arsenal will win it, though.
Tuesday was the first time I have seen Ethan Nwaneri play in the flesh and I was really impressed with his performance for Mikel Arteta's team.
Declan Rice was immense in midfield and Martin Odegaard was excellent too. There has been some criticism of his form recently but he really delivered in that game.
So, although United might try to make things hard for them, I definitely think Arsenal will find a way through.
They won't score seven again, but this game has got all the hallmarks of ending up 1-0 to the Arsenal.
Why the table does not lie for Man Utdpublished at 22:55 8 March
22:55 8 March
Joe Bradshaw BBC Sport Senior Journalist
For Manchester United, it has been an historically miserable season, marooned in 14th place, still waiting to win back-to-back games and contemplating their worst Premier League points record.
And yet according to the underlying numbers, they cannot have any complaints.
First of all, their goal difference demonstrates their position is correct:
United's goal difference of -6 is 15th in the league.
The difference between their xG and xG against is -5.9 (15th).
They are 14th in the Premier League with 33 points, but level with West Ham in 15th
In fact, when looking at the attacking numbers, only Southampton, Crystal Palace and West Ham have a poorer shot conversion rate than United's 9.3%.
Problems in attack are mirrored at the back even though there has been partial improvement this season.
United have actually faced far fewer shots than this stage in 2023-24 – and a smaller number than high-flying Nottingham Forest, Newcastle and Aston Villa.
However, a higher percentage of those shots are going in as United have conceded the same number (39) as they had by this point last season.
'Our voices will be heard' - fans plan Man Utd protestpublished at 18:45 7 March
18:45 7 March
Media caption,
Manchester United fan Steve Crompton has been speaking on the latest episode of The Football News Show about the planned protests at Old Trafford this Sunday, which are set to challenge the Glazer family's ownership of the club once again.
Speaking at his pre-match news conference about the situation, Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim said: "For everyone in our club, it is a tough moment. People have the right to protest - it is part of our club and everybody has a voice."
Crompton, who is part of The 1958 supporters' group, echoed Amorim's thoughts and added: "It is certainly not about the football, it never has been. It is about the Glazer ownership and the debt that is looming over us that we cannot seem to get away from.
"It is just bad news after bad news, whether it is staff redundancies, hikes in ticket prices or concessions being taken away. Your match-going fans and your local workforce seem to be copping for it, but we seem to be getting nothing in return."
'Total happiness' - Casemiro on his future and desire to play morepublished at 15:13 7 March
15:13 7 March
Image source, Getty Images
Casemiro says he would like to be playing more under Ruben Amorim but is still in a place of "total happiness" at Manchester United.
The 33-year-old has been consistently linked with a move away from Old Trafford in recent months, with his form also questioned for a sustained period.
When asked after playing the whole of Thursday's 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad whether he would like more minutes, Casemiro - who has featured in 29 matches this season - said: "Of course I want to play.
"But I always say, and these are my values, I respect the coach a lot, I respect the club. Every day I go to Carrington or Old Trafford, I try to do my best.
"If a player is on the bench and is happy, that player is not worth anything for any team.
"I want to have more minutes, but the coach is the one who makes the decisions, and I have a lot of respect for him and for the club."
Casemiro joined United for £65m in August of 2022 and is the club's highest-paid player. His contract is due to expire next year.
"It's too soon to talk about next season, but of course I have another year of contract and then an option," Casemiro said.
"We have important games, and on Sunday we have Arsenal.
"I'm here, I'm available, with total happiness, and I'm ready for the coach and the club. As everyone knows, I'm a big character for the club."
Amorim on 'needing to survive' Arsenal, fan protest and team newspublished at 13:32 7 March
13:32 7 March
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has spoken to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Arsenal at Old Trafford (kick-off 16:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
He said his side "need to survive Sunday", so "everybody can start" against the Gunners if they have trained on Friday.
Forward Chido Obi-Martin, 17, "is on the list so he can play".
On being anxious before welcoming Mikel Arteta's side: "You have to sell them the idea. We have to work and show them the image. If they score more, it is going to be so much easier."
He said it has been a challenging start, but he "will be ready for everything after this season, so it is a good thing".
On the reported fan protest at Sunday's game: "For everyone in our club, it is a tough moment. People have the right to protest. It is part of our club, and everybody has a voice - but my job is to improve the team and give them something in this moment because they deserve it and they're amazing."
In response to it being the worst time to play the Gunners: "Any fixture in the Premier League is important. We need to win. The biggest problem is to not have all the players."
He said Europa League "is so much harder than Champions League", adding: "Not the games, but the recovery to play Premier League on the weekend." He said that remains his ongoing challenge as the injury list grows.
Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte are expected to return before the end of the season, with Harry Maguire in contention to do so as well if they are "careful".
Amorim also expects long-term absentees Luke Shaw and Mason Mount to feature before the end of the campaign and he said he hopes Amad Diallo can rejoin them in the final month.
On Arteta making Arsenal "a big force again" since his arrival: "I will not have the time that [Mikel] Arteta had. I feel that it is a different club."
Man Utd v Arsenal: Did you know?published at 13:19 7 March
13:19 7 March
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United have lost their past four Premier League games against Arsenal - their longest losing run against the Gunners in their league history.
United, who beat Ipswich last time out, are yet to win consecutive league games this season. This is their longest wait for back-to-back league victories since 1968-69 (games 32 and 33).
Palace's Mateta on Manchester United radarpublished at 11:12 7 March
11:12 7 March
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Jean-Philippe Mateta has scored 15 goals for Crystal Palace this season
Crystal Palace forward Jean-Phillipe Mateta could emerge as a summer transfer target for Manchester United.
United head coach Ruben Amorim has already said he will have to sell before he buys this summer.
However, yet again after the 1-1 Europa League draw with Real Sociedad, Amorim admitted goalscoring was a huge problem for his team.
Mateta could be the answer. The 27-year-old has scored 15 goals for Palace so far this season and while the France forward could propel the Eagles to an historic first FA Cup triumph, he is ambitious and hoping to be part of France's 2026 World Cup squad. A move to United might help that.
Rasmus Hojlund drew another blank in Spain. The 22-year-old has not scored since December and it would be a surprise if Amorim did not try and reinforce his striking options this summer. Mateta appears to fit the right profile.
Mateta, whose contract expires in 2027, is currently sidelined after having 25 stitches inserted in the wound created by a red card challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts in the FA Cup at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
However, he is expected to be on the club's short break to Marbella and could return for the FA Cup sixth round tie at Fulham on 29 March.
'Zirkzee goal the only highlight' - fans' verdict on Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utdpublished at 08:20 7 March
08:20 7 March
Image source, Daily Mirror and Daily Express
We asked for your thoughts after Thursday's Europa League game between Real Sociedad and Manchester United.
Here are some of your comments:
Christian: At least it is a draw, that is really important. A Zirkzee goal too that he really needed. There are clearly some positives to take to the second leg.
Christine: It is not a loss and there were some signs of improvement in the game. Hojlund is not up to it, and he needs time out of the team. His confidence is shattered and he is simply not good enough. The positives are United did lose and it is another step in the right direction.
Ruzzle: Dare I say, we looked like we had an identity. We looked comfortable for the most part and only a penalty that only VAR saw threatened to derail us. Dorgu and Zirkzee are looking more settled in the side. With Dalot, we have to remember he is a full-back playing as a winger. He did create another good chance for Bruno but you can see some patterns of play that look promising. We need some players back as we tired at the end but maybe a glimmer of hope (again).
Pete: Usual display. Unable to find team-mates with simple passes, forwards don't understand how to hold the ball further up the pitch, and we don't shoot enough at goal. We prefer to walk it into the penalty area mostly!
Izzy: Mostly dominated the game. Nice goal from Zirkzee. The ref made the right decision on the penalty. Well played and probably deserved a win. We will have to do better in the second leg.
Mark: Another fairly abject performance. The Zirkzee goal was the only highlight. Dorgu was awful, as was Dalot. United are getting worse not better. I blame Amorim's system - the players are not as bad as he is making them look.
Tom: Considering how the season has unfolded I think any fan would have taken a 1-1 draw before the match started. We still looking fragile defensively and you are just waiting for the opponent to score. Big couple of games coming up in the next week, so hopefully a few of the injured players will start to return.
Bob: Slightly less bad, but terrible decisions on the pitch as usual and the same collapse of what little confidence we had as soon as we conceded.
Gossip: Man Utd could go for Matetapublished at 06:53 7 March
United and Liverpool have asked about the availability of Atalanta's Brazil midfielder Ederson, although Manchester City also have a strong interest in the £50m-rated 25-year-old. (Caught Offside), external
Manchester United hope to make summer sales before activating the 80m euro (£67m) release clause in the contract of RB Leipzig and Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko, 21. (Caught Offside), external
Manchester United goalscorer Joshua Zirkzee, speaking to TNT Sports: "I think we were unlucky with the penalty. It shows we have to be relentless with our chances. We had enough of them today. In the end a draw, away, they have to come to Old Trafford."
On deserving more from the game: "I think if you look at the chances and the opportunities we had, I think, yes. Of course, it is not easy. In the end I think we should have had one more."
On his goal: "The team needed it. That's the most important thing. In the end we have to win, and we didn't win today, so we will focus on the next games."
On the penalty: "Obviously, if you see the way the stadium reacts to the penalty it is obvious they needed it. I feel like we can do better and remain calm."
'The penalty changed the momentum'published at 20:59 6 March
20:59 6 March
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, speaking to TNT Sport: "It could be better, but it could have been worse. When the momentum changed, we got tired more easily."
On if United were anxious: "One thing that I am sure - they're anxious to score goals and win games. They are doing their best and sometimes when they want to do their best, but they're not deciding the best way in their position."
On the game: "I felt until the penalty we had control of the game and the penalty changed the momentum. Our team in the last minutes were really tired. We take this stage to Old Trafford and it is going to be a different game. The pressure will be on us in that stadium.
"We will be surviving physically to get to Sunday. The momentum changed, but I think it was clearly fatigue."
On attacking tactics: "We look at the opponent and the way they try to press. Which player is going to follow the run? And we try imagine the right characteristics for that game.
"I think until the penalty we had good possession. We know that they jumped strong to our press. Our decision in the last third is not the better decision. We have to move on to the next game."
On Rasmus Hojlund: "He is trying really hard. He made the runs, we know that Real Sociedad has a high line and he used his pace to win and fight.
"He has to continue playing and not being anxious."
On Joshua Zirkzee: "He deserved it, he is working well and he is improving a lot of things in his game. He deserves this moment and he was important for us today."
On Alejadnro Garnacho: "He was tired and you see it because we did a lot of transitions in the second half. Sometimes he was late to defend [in the second half]. I felt like he was tired to recover and do the same things."
Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd - harsh handball?published at 20:10 6 March
20:10 6 March
Gary Rose BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United were 1-0 up and cruising towards a first-leg win in Spain, before Real Sociedad were awarded a penalty after a review by the video assistant referee.
It was given for a handball by Bruno Fernandes, although the replays suggested the decision was a bit harsh, while no Real Sociedad players had appealed for a penalty.
"It was harsh," former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Karen Carney told TNT Sports. "But it is the rules and we can't argue with that."
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes added: "It was a penalty. You can understand why they gave it, he stopped the lad from scoring from there."
The penalty shifted the momentum of the game and in the end Manchester United were fortunate to leave with a draw.
They will, however, back themselves to get the job done at Old Trafford on 13 March.
Real Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd - send us your thoughtspublished at 19:41 6 March
'We have to put everything on the line' - De Ligtpublished at 08:59 6 March
08:59 6 March
Image source, PA Media
Matthijs de Ligt says Manchester United are taking their Europa League campaign "step by step" and not looking too far ahead at potentially qualifying for next season's Champions League by winning the competition.
United finished third in the League Stage of the Europa League and were the only one of the 36 teams to go through their eight fixtures undefeated.
But, with United out of both domestic cups and 14th in the Premier League, winning the Europa League may be their best chance of qualifying for Europe next season.
"Thursday is another chance to show our worth in a European competition," said Netherlands international defender De Ligt, previewing the first leg of their last-16 tie against Real Sociedad (17:45 GMT).
"Until now we haven't lost a game so hopefully we can keep it that way and get a good result.
"If you win the tournament, you go into the Champions League [next season], but that is not our main goal at the moment. Our main goal is to win the game on Thursday and get a good result.
"We're watching it step by step, game after game.
"The Europa League is not a tournament where you can win it without effort. We know we have to fight and put everything on the line to win the game. That's our first concern. We'll be ready and hopefully we can get a good result."