Manchester United

Alex Howell
Football news reporter

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England manager Gareth Southgate has a few selection headaches going into the final group match against Slovenia on Tuesday.

The performance in Thursday's 1-1 draw with Denmark in the second group game was criticised and Southgate described Trent Alexander-Arnold playing in midfield as an "experiment".

Should he be left out, that would mean one of Conor Gallagher, who has featured in both games so far, Kobbie Mainoo or Adam Wharton coming into midfield as Southgate looks to improve the level of control his side has during matches.

Kieran Trippier, who has been filling in at left-back for the injured Luke Shaw, missed nine games towards the end of the Premier League season and has played more during the tournament than was initially planned.

Trippier was seen to be drinking pickle juice during the first group game against Serbia as he went down with cramp and there had been hope that Shaw would be fit enough to have featured by now.

Shaw has not been on the training pitch with his team-mates for the past two sessions and has been following an individual programme, but was back on the pitch on Monday.

If Trippier is to be rested for the final group game, BBC Sport understands there is a strong possibility that Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa could come into that position.

Joe Gomez has also played in that position for his club side Liverpool and has played there in the matches leading up to the tournament for England.

Manchester United and Liverpool have both made bids for Lille's Leny Yoro but the French defender, 18, wants to join Real Madrid. (Marca - in Spanish), external

Meanwhile, former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has been approached to be part of the new coaching staff for manager Erik ten Hag. (Fabrizio Romano), external

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

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Defending champions Argentina kicked off their Copa America campaign with a 2-0 win over Canada on Thursday night.

A number of Premier League stars featured in their line-up, Manchester City's Julian Alvarez opening the scoring from Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister's assist before Inter's Lautaro Martinez sealed the win late on.

Aston Villa's Emi Martinez kept a clean sheet with Cristian Romero of Tottenham and Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez in front of him.

Giovani Lo Celso also of Spurs came on for the last quarter but United's Alejandro Garnacho and Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez remained unused.

Read the match report here

Manchester United will walk away from talks with Everton for England defender Jarrad Branthwaite, 21, unless the Toffees lower their £70m asking price (ESPN), external

Lille defender Leny Yoro, 18, favours a move to Real Madrid over Manchester United or Liverpool. (Marca - in Spanish), external

Manchester United are preparing to trigger the £33.8m release clause in the contract of Bologna's 23-year-old Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport journalist

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As Denmark fans descended on Germany for Euro 2024, sporting viking hats and red wigs, there was one name that featured heavily on the backs of their shirts - Rasmus Hojlund.

The 21-year-old is set to spearhead the attack as the Danes take on England in their second group game on Thursday.

Seen as his country's rising star, the Manchester United forward signed from Atalanta for £72m last summer has the hopes of a nation riding on his shoulders.

But, despite showing glimpses of his threat in their 1-1 draw with Slovenia, he has now scored just once in his past nine international matches.

Before Denmark's opening group game, fans chanted Hojlund's name and cheered loudly when he was announced as part of the starting XI.

Slovenia fans had admitted concern at his goalscoring threat. "I would be worried too," Danish fan Morten joked.

But Hojlund was denied from close range by goalkeeper Jan Oblak in his biggest chance and came away having not scored in five matches for Denmark.

"Hojlund has been criticised a little bit too much," Brentford's Danish manager Thomas Frank told BBC Sport. "He is working hard and ending in the right positions so it is just a matter of time [until he scores]."

England fans will hope the time is not now for Hojlund, who continues to receive praise from team-mates and staff at Denmark.

Read more about Hojlund and Denmark here

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Luke Shaw's injury situation always meant his inclusion in Gareth Southgate's England squad was a roll of the dice.

Shaw has not played since 18 February when he was substituted at half-time in Manchester United's 2-1 win at Luton Town.

Southgate confirmed at a news conference on Wednesday that the left-back will not face Denmark on Thursday.

"Luke won't be involved. He’s on track for what we thought originally," Southgate said.

"He needs a bit more work. There are days when he needs to do more than the rest and needs to recover.

"He's still in and out with the others and operating on his own programme as well."

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England play their second group game of Euro 2024 against Denmark on Thursday (17:00 BST) and one of the questions around Gareth Southgate's selection is in the centre of midfield.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, used primarily at full-back by Liverpool, started in midfield alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in Sunday's 1-0 win over Serbia.

However, three Premier League legends would be keen to see Manchester United teenager Kobbie Mainoo given an opportunity to start.

"There is still a question mark about Trent," former England midfielder Frank Lampard told BBC Sport. "I am a massive fan, but to come in at this level and play there when there are so many different elements of the game to understand is difficult.

"I would look at Kobbie Mainoo and getting him in. Some kids come along that just settle into the team.

"You need to be able to find the pass at the right time. He sees it and nothing fazes him."

Spain's 2010 World Cup winner Cesc Fabregas said: "Mainoo is so young and so unpredictable but he has this potential to play in-between the line. He's a special player.

"I would love to see England play more offensive and on the front foot, I think it's the perfect opportunity."

Ex-England and United captain Wayne Rooney is another in favour of Mainoo starting, adding: "I would play Mainoo before Trent in midfield, 100%.

"It's not that Trent can't play there. But I think to play in midfield you need that discipline, especially when you come up against the bigger teams, and [Alexander-Arnold] might get found out a little bit."

Watch BBC One, listen to Radio 5 Live and follow text coverage of England v Denmark live from 17:00 BST

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Scott McTominay's eight Scotland goals since the start of Euro 2024 qualifying in March 2023 is more than twice as many as any international team-mate.

Lazio have opened talks with Manchester United over a £30m move for forward Mason Greenwood. (Mail), external

Juventus and Napoli also are competing to sign Greenwood. (Independent), external

Liverpool aim to beat Chelsea and Manchester United to the signing of French winger Michael Olise, 22, from Crystal Palace. (Football Transfers), external

Manchester United are stepping up their search for squad reinforcements, with Lille’s Canada striker Jonathan David, 24, high on their shortlist. (inews), external

Talks were advanced over a move for France defender Jean-Clair Todibo, 24, from Nice to Manchester United but the deal is currently off because of Uefa rules over multi-club ownership. (Fabrizio Romano), external

United do not see agreeing a contract extension with Bruno Fernandes as a priority this summer despite the midfielder being linked with Bayern Munich and Inter Milan. (Manchester Evening News), external

Morocco midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, 27, has told Fiorentina he does not want to return to the club after spending last season on loan at Old Trafford. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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

The fixtures for the new Premier League season are out and we asked you for your predictions on where Manchester United will be after 10 games.

Here is a selection of your comments:

Matthew: First. I have a serious feeling this young side will start the season with a burning hunger to rectify the mistakes of last season!

Clive: If they get a striker, centre-back and midfielder, I predict second. Without the transfers they need... seventh.

Colin: I would love to say top of the league but, in all honesty, probably fourth if all the right cogs are available and clicking.

Greg: I see the games against Liverpool and Tottenham as must-win games for Ten Hag and United, if they want to show they mean business this year. I say we could be fourth or fifth if they go our way. Most likely going to drop points in games we realistically should win.

David: 10 games, 10 wins, top of the Premier League.

Zareh: Manchester United will be in seventh or eighth position as I have no faith in Ten Hag. Will be another disappointing season and we will not be in the top four positions.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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It had been thought Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee would make a summer move to AC Milan.

However, Manchester United are also interested and considering whether to make a bid, and there has been communication with the player's advisor Kia Joorabchian.

United want to improve their attacking options and the 23-year-old, who is part of the Netherlands' squad at Euro 2024, impressed with his overall performances for Bologna, who secured Champions League qualification under Thiago Motta.

Zirkzee scored 12 goals.

United are keen to do business early in the transfer window and are expected to improve their £35m offer for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, which was rejected at the weekend.

Manchester United remain interested in Bologna's 23-year-old Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee, but the high commission involved in any deal is complicating the situation. (Sky Germany), external

United are evaluating whether to make an approach for Genoa's Spanish goalkeeper Josep Martinez, despite Inter Milan having already agreed personal terms with the 26-year-old. (Rudy Galetti), external

Winger Amad Diallo is set to remain at Old Trafford and is a key part of Erik ten Hag's plans. (Football Insider), external

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

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Kobbie Mainoo says he is "so grateful" to Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag for the opportunities afforded to him so far in his fledgling career and is pleased with the news that the Dutchman will remain in charge at Old Trafford.

Teenager Mainoo's fine breakthrough season at United concluded with a goal and player of the match performance in the FA Cup final win over Manchester City.

Ten Hag went into the game against City at Wembley amid a backdrop of reports claiming he would be sacked no matter the outcome.

However, it was confirmed he would remain in charge following a post-season review by the club's board and it is now understood he and the club are in talks about extending his contract, which is about to enter its final season.

The Red Devils 'Premier League season was hugely disappointing - an eight-placed finish the worst in their Premier League history.

Mainoo, 19, said: "I'm obviously happy to be building with him.

"He's already got two trophies so hopefully there is more to come. It is nice to have that peace of mind that we know which manager we are going back to next season.

"I'm so grateful to him that he put so much trust in me to play in the team and I can't thank him enough."

Mainoo made his Euro 2024 debut for England as a late substitute in Sunday's 1-0 opening win over Serbia.

After Manchester United conducted a two-week long post-season review to evaluate the campaign, in which they won the FA Cup, and the future of manager Erik ten Hag, they decided that they would stick with the Dutchman.

A number of names had been linked with the club, with former Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel thought to have spoken to new United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe before ruling himself out, while the club's interest in Mauricio Pochettino cooled even though he was available after his exit from Chelsea.

Brentford were never contacted about boss Thomas Frank, while appointing Gareth Southgate this summer was understood to be impossible because of his commitments with England.

Ten Hag has since spoken to Dutch TV channel NOS, where he discussed the process the club went through in deciding whether to keep him or not.

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Manchester United will get their 2024-25 season under way at home to Fulham on Friday, 16 August.

It will be the 10th time in the past 11 seasons that the Red Devils will begin their Premier League campaign with a home match, including their past eight seasons in a row.

In fact, they are now the first side in Premier League history to start a season with a home game in eight seasons consecutively.