Manchester United

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Following the news that Manchester United had submitted a bid to RB Leipzig for Benjamin Sesko, we asked for your views on a possible deal for the striker.

Here are some of your comments:

Charles: Sesko is a player with huge potential and Manchester United should take a risk on him because there are no better, affordable, young and established strikers out there. Rasmus Hojlund should be either sold or sent on loan to ease the deal financially.

Mark: Could be quite a gamble having not played in the Premier League. If he is given a good enough ball supply then he will score, but you could say that about any half-decent striker. I think the money should be spent on trying to improve the defensive unit.

Christine: Sesko is a top striker in the same mould as Alexander Isak - height, strength and skill that would fit with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to interlink for attacks on goal. An exciting player who has age on his side to turn out to be the world-class player he could be.

Paul: If we are to be serious moving forward then we need top-class players like Sesko. If we want them, we've got to pay the going rate. As long as our legendary scouting network have done their jobs properly, then I'm good with it. That's a big if, however, looking back at previous purchases in the recent past.

Danyal: Are we doing another expensive buy like we did with Hojlund? Is Sesko going to be the game-solver? I do think he will bring something different to the attack and compliment Mbeumo and Cunha. But, personally, I think we should target a midfielder before a striker. It's all good to have strikers but when the midfield is empty we wont be scoring much. But still, it will be an exciting signing after a busy transfer window.

Mathias: Sesko is a young player who is over-priced. The Premier League is difficult and he would need to adapt to it. It would be a bit hard for him, especially the first season. I would prefer Ollie Watkins because he is used to the Premier League and mature.

Kevan: Would be a great signing but we don't want to get into a bidding war. £74m is enough.

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This week, we are asking you to share your stories and photos about why you fell in love with Manchester United.

Here is a selection of your submissions:

Dan: I fell in love with Man Utd due to my uncle. When I was nine year old, I moved from England to Northern Ireland and lived close to my uncle who was a lifelong fan. He would get me shirts, programmes and memorabilia and we would sit and watch as many of the matches together as we could.

He shared stories of the great Man Utd players and teams from the 60s to 90s so I learned the heritage and history of the club . He took me to Old Trafford for the first time in 2004 and we witnessed some incredible matches together over the years, including a 2-0 win against Arsenal (2006), a 3-2 win over Liverpool (2010) and the 7-1 win over Roma (2007).

All the memories I have of Man Utd are because of my uncle and I am so thankful for that.

Send us your pictures and stories here

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Manchester United have now made a bid for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko - who is also a target for Newcastle United - and we want your views.

The offer is worth as much as 85m euros (£73.8m), with a guaranteed payment of 75m euros (£65.2m).

United are yet to get a response, so would Sesko want to join the Red Devils?

The forward would be a likely starter at one of the world's biggest clubs if he ends up at Old Trafford.

Rasmus Hojlund, also aged 22, has only scored 14 Premier League goals in two seasons since his £64m move from Atalanta.

By contrast, Sesko has scored 27 Bundesliga goals in that time, having joined Leipzig from Red Bull Salzburg in the same summer.

"Although many external United observers feel any spare income would be better spent on a physical, energetic central midfielder, Ruben Amorim spent most of last season moaning about his side's inability to score often enough," said BBC Sport chief football news reporter Simon Stone.

"Clearly he feels an upgrade is required on Hojlund at the top of the pitch. To that end, United are willing to listen to offers for Hojlund."

And he could be part of an all-new frontline, with Matheus Cunha, a summer signing from Wolves, and ex-Brentford man Bryan Mbeumo joining for about £130m in total this summer.

He could get plenty of service from the three players nearest him if he was the focal point up top.

Bruno Fernandes created more chances than any other Premier League player last season - 91 - with his team-mates scoring 10 of them.

Mbeumo was fifth on the list, creating 70 chances for Brentford team-mates, and Cunha was 15th, with 57 opportunities laid on for Wolves players.

How do you feel about United's offer for Sesko? The right player for the club to go for? Is he worth that fee?

Get in touch with your views here

And read more from BBC Sport's Emlyn Begley on Sesko's choices here

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A Manchester United supporters' group will march to Old Trafford for the opening fixture of the season in protest against the club's ownership.

The 1958 has organised the protest on 17 August when United host Arsenal and will march with banners referring to minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

A spokesman for The 1958 said: "It's a new season but the same old ownership issues. Twenty years of the Glazers and their debt mountain is 20 years too long. Enough is enough.

"We won't allow some natural optimism and a couple of shiny new signings to deflect from the bigger off-field picture.

"Jim Ratcliffe chose to get into bed with the Glazers and, in our opinion, is helping keep them in charge.

"We protest not just against the Glazers, but now also against Jim Ratcliffe - a man once seen by many, including ourselves, as a possible saviour, a beacon of hope but now revealed as complicit in the ongoing erosion of everything that makes our club what it is.

"This is no longer just about ownership; this is about survival - the survival of our identity, our community, and our values."

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Ruben Amorim suggested in an interview with BBC Sport's Simon Stone that he wants "to stay 20" years at Old Trafford and the team at The Devils' Advocate podcast have no problem with such a prospect.

Amorim oversaw one of the worst seasons in Manchester United's history when he took over from Erik ten Hag last November.

However, things are off to a more positive start this campaign with the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, alongside pre-season success in coming out on top in the Premier League Summer Series.

BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater said: "I hope he is here for 20 years as well.

"On last week's podcast, I said I don't want to hear this word 'suffer' anymore, because he [Amorim] literally said in his post-season announcement to the crowd on the pitch that the good times are coming now.

"So it is good that he knows he is on his last chance."

Co-host Joe McGrath agreed, adding: "Staying 20 years would mean he is a success.

"It is interesting that he himself says he has used all the credit, so he knows that he really, really needs to kickstart the season with wins - with big wins as well.

"It will be why he is working really hard to push through the transfers. I hope we don't work so hard that mistakes are made and we regret certain things or spend certain money in the wrong way. He knows the pressure is on him.

"Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] might have suggested he wanted to manage United for 20 years but you never thought that about Mourinho or Ten Hag, but Amorim has come out and been quite vocal and said it.

"It is exciting because if that is the case then you have a got a very hungry manager who speaks very well, speaks so honestly and is managing Manchester United in what is going to be an interesting time for the club."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

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'Why did you fall in love with your club?'

This week, we have asked hundreds of football fans across the world that very question and got hundreds of different answers.

Yes, the themes might be similar - born near a ground; family supported the team; watched a certain player - but the individual story will be unique to each supporter.

The relationship between a fan and their club should not be underestimated, with people ploughing uncountable amounts of money, time and emotional energy into their support for their team.

But what is that makes us love our clubs the way we do?

"A lot of it comes down to our identity," researcher and co-writer of the Routledge Handbook of Sport Fans and Fandom Danielle Sarver Coombs told BBC Sport.

"We become part of this group that means so much to us. It becomes a way to find a community that you're a part of and to find a group of people that, no matter where you are, you could find a pub with other fans of your team. You have that kinship.

"In a world that's increasingly quite lonely, this provides one of the ways that we can have connections so we can have the feeling that we're part of something bigger."

Connection and identity plays a big role in someone's love for their club - particularly when it is a family link.

Many fans talk of being born into who they support - that the connection is so strong there was no other team they could, or would, have chosen.

"The great thing with football is that there's such a strong heritage component to it," Sarver Coombs said. "Often, your grandfather, father, mother or whomever was a fan of the team, so it's part of your family's tradition.

"It's handed down from generation to generation."

The uniqueness of football fandom is something researchers are increasingly investigating.

An article, external published earlier this year in psychology journal Frontiers discusses how football fans often follow follow teams with 'significant attachment and commitment, sometimes to the bewilderment of those outside of the game'.

"With football clubs, you have decades of tradition that you can tap into and it's going to keep coming," Sarver Coombs added.

"Players come and go, managers come and go, shirts change, badges change, but the club itself - the heart and soul of it remains constant. You always have that piece that you're tied to, so the longevity of clubs is a really important part.

"But also, that constant in-person opportunity to be present in a community space really sets football apart from other passions that may be transient or do not have that constant engagement."

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On BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, the panel discuss the problems in Ruben Amorim's side.

Former Chelsea and Everton winger Pat Nevin said: "Every time I have ever seen a team that plays three at the back, the wing-backs are the most important players to some degree. They end up being your creators.

"The wide players are alright for Manchester United but that is not good enough. They need to be absolutely fantastic. They need to create and defend to a high level. Before they get that, they won't get top four."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater says he is cautious of reading too much into pre-season - despite Manchester United winning the Premier League Summer Series - but there have been some positive signs.

Injuries have plagued United in recent seasons but Ruben Amorim seems to now have a variety of players at his disposal.

Reflecting on the USA tour on The Devils' Advocate podcast, Drinkwater said: "It matters in terms of getting the players together off the pitch and implementing tactics, but the rest doesn't really.

"The good thing is that we don't have any injuries, and those that are - like Luke Shaw - look as fit as a fiddle and ready to go.

"I'm not sure there are any new youngsters that are going to make themselves known this season.

"There will be the existing ones that we have already seen play for Manchester United like Chido Obi, who I hope improves, and Toby Collyer, who could also have a decent season.

"But we are after the experience and you can see that from the two signings we have made this summer. That has got to make the difference this season.

"Everyone is fit and ready to go."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

RB Leipzig's Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko, 22, is playing Newcastle and Manchester United off against each other in a game of transfer poker. (Bild - in German), external

Bayer Leverkusen want Rasmus Hojlund, 22, but face competition from AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus for the Denmark striker. (Caught Offside), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter in Atlanta

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Manchester United defender Leny Yoro says his team-mates are determined to prove the doubters wrong.

United are unbeaten during their pre-season programme so far, with Sunday's 2-2 draw with Everton in Atlanta proving enough to secure silverware in the form of the Premier League Summer Series trophy.

However, after their unprecedented 15th-placed finish last season, Yoro knows it will take more than that to convince anyone life at Old Trafford will be better this time around.

Indeed, many are willing the situation to get even worse.

"There are a lot of people that want us to fail, we know that," said Yoro. "But there are also a lot of people that want us to do great things.

"We don't care about what they say outside - the media, everyone.

"I understand that because we didn't do well.

"I think what they did last season was a mistake for us. When you're Manchester United, you cannot be at this position. The fans know it - everyone knows it. We understand this.

This season will be different. It will be like a revenge from last season."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter in Atlanta

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Manchester United defender Leny Yoro could not have had a bigger change in pre-season fortunes this season.

Last July, just two weeks after from his £52m move from Lille last summer, Yoro suffered a foot injury in a friendly against Arsenal last July that prevented him from making his debut until 4 December, by which time the man who bought him – Erik ten Hag – had been sacked and replaced by Ruben Amorim.

Yoro has enjoyed better fortunes on United's pre-season trip to the United States this time around and looks nailed on to start the Premier League opener against Arsenal on Sunday, 17 August after some assured performance in his side's victorious three-match Summer Series programme.

"Last season was not easy," he said. "When you start with an injury and then have to come back during the season, it's difficult.

"But today I'm good. I did a good pre-season and I'm not injured. Hopefully, I will continue like this and try to play as many games as I can."

The Devils' Advocate team have dropped a fresh episode for your Monday.

This week there's chat about Ruben Amorim staying 20 years, there's views on the US tour and plenty on the regeneration of Old Trafford.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

We know the relationship between a football fan and their club is a special one so, as we gear up for the new season, we asked you to share why you fell in love with Manchester United and some of your favourite moments supporting them.

Here are some of your submissions:

Wycliffe: I became a Manchester United fan the day we demolished Arsenal 8-2. I wasn't even watching the game at first, just flipping through channels until I saw the scoreline - 4-1 then 6-2 then 8-2. I thought it was a glitch! But no, it was real.

Rooney's hat-trick, Young's screamers and that unstoppable swagger. It felt like watching football magic. That day I didn't just see goals - I saw dominance, history and heart.

Arsenal fans were speechless, and I? I was converted. From that moment on, it was the Red Devils all the way.

Send your pictures and stories here

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter in Atlanta

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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has called on the club to sign more players to help improve fortunes at Old Trafford.

Fernandes snubbed a huge offer to play in the Saudi Pro-League this summer and committed himself to dragging United out of the mess they landed in last season.

The club has already spent almost £130m this summer on forward players Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, and also brought Paraguay Under-20 international Diego Leon to the club.

But Fernandes believes more is required.

"It was crystal clear we needed more competition for the players that were here and more quality to get everyone to step up to get into the starting XI," he told host broadcaster NBC after United won the Premier League Summer Series thanks to a 2-2 draw with Everton in Atlanta.

"That's what the club and the manager are trying to do and hopefully we can get one or two players more to help with that."

In a separate interview with Manchester United's own media channel, chief executive Omar Berrada said the club was working "round the clock" to make the most of any opportunities that arise.

United's interest in RB Leipzig's Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko remains high, which also means they would listen to offers for their Danish front-man Rasmus Hojlund.

However, judging by their performance against Everton, central midfield should also be a priority.

Uruguay international Manuel Ugarte was at fault for the first Everton goal and no matter what combination of players was paired up in the midfield positions, gaps appeared for David Moyes' side to exploit.

In addition to his comments on potential signings, Fernandes also demanded more from his current team-mates, saying their performance without the ball had been "lazy".

He added it was not good enough in a period of time where 450 staff members had lost their jobs and ticket prices had risen sharply as part of a drive to cut costs and maximise revenues to plough back into the first team.

"I'm happy for the players to have that feeling," said Amorim. "It's saying they understand the situation. That is good."

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Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim says new signing Bryan Mbeumo "delivered" everything he expected of him in his club debut against Everton.

The 25-year-old helped United win the Premier League Summer Series overnight with a 2-2 draw against the Toffees in Atlanta.

"I think he played well," said Amorim. "He needs to understand the position, the movements, but I think the first touch, the way he connects with one touch, opened a lot of space.

"You can see that he's not in the perfect condition physically, but he makes a lot of runs and that can stretch one team.

"So everything I was expecting, he delivered."

Amorim is also aware that despite winning the trophy, there is still work to be done when they return to Carrington this week.

Captain Bruno Fernandes described the team performance as "lazy" in a post-match interview with American broadcaster NBC and wants his team-mates to give more ahead of the start of the new season.

He said: "We need to be really consistent. We already knew that we had two weeks, this will not change in two weeks, but we are better.

"I think it's the perfect feeling to go back to Carrington. I think the momentum of the tour was perfect.

"We are going with the feeling that we need to do a lot of things."

Manchester United are ready to match Newcastle's opening offer for RB Leipzig and Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko, 22. (Sky Sports Germany), external

Paris St-Germain and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, 26, is interested in joining Manchester United. (Teamtalk), external

Manchester United and Brazil winger Antony, 25, is not interested in a move to Saudi Arabia and wants to join Real Betis, where he was on loan last season. (Sport - in Spanish), external

Manchester United and Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho, 21, has given total priority to Chelsea and is waiting for talks to begin over a move. (Fabrizio Romano), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter in Atlanta

A 'sit down' on tour with travelling UK media is a bit of a tradition at Manchester United.

It hasn't happened every summer, Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho both scrapped them at short notice, but generally it is a chance to ask questions in more depth, when the pressure on the manager is not as intense as when the season actually starts.

It also allows a manager (or head coach) and the journalists to show their human side and, in theory, sustain a healthy rather than confrontational relationship.

We may never get to the point with Ruben Amorim that Ferguson reached, where he knew the first names of the reporters who covered the club extensively and, in many instances, what they wrote or said, but even the Scot was never as open as Amorim was in Chicago when we spoke last Friday.

He was full of smiles, was happy to chat - briefly - about matters other than football and seemed to be enjoying himself.

There have been explosive 'sit downs' in the past but I can't recall any United boss being quite so open and this is the 19th trip I have been lucky enough to be part of for various organisations.

It was impossible not to warm to Amorim on a human level and he does genuinely seem convinced Manchester United are on the right track.

Everyone – including him – is acutely aware of the chances of the feelgood factor being wrecked by a testing start, which includes meetings with Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea in the first five Premier League games.

But if Amorim's mood is any guide, United fans have reason to be optimistic for what lies ahead.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter in Atlanta

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Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim says his club cannot afford to spend time worrying about their rivals when there are so many issues to sort out at Old Trafford.

United will take their summer spending to around £200m if they can persuade RB Leipzig and Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko to join them ahead of Newcastle.

Yet champions Liverpool have already spent £250m to bolster Arne Slot's squad, a figure that will rise substantially if they bought Alexander Isak from Newcastle, while Manchester City took their 2025 spending to around £350m when they bought goalkeeper James Trafford from Burnley.

Those sums suggest the pair will be even further out of United's reach over the coming campaign.

Amorim says there is no point thinking about events outside Old Trafford.

"If we were in a different moment, I would be more concerned about that," he said.

"I'm just focused on what we need to improve here.

"I'm really happy with the players that we bought because they proved (themselves) in the Premier League. I'm not concerned about the physical aspect, and I'm really happy with the character.

"I can guarantee if you bring any manager here, they will say, Bryan (Mbeumo), thank you. Matheus Cunha, thank you."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter in Atlanta

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In his wide-ranging chat with the UK media in the United States, Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim offered a surprising response when he started talking about what things he wanted from his team.

You would expect him to say he wants more calmness in decision making, for his players not to rush their decisions and execution.

No. He wants more emotion - and he thinks competition for places will help.

"We need to be a little bit more emotional in this team," he said.

"With the emotion, we make more sacrifice, we have more pace, more energy. We are improving on that.

"Competition is going to help. So if (Matheus) Cunha is playing and Mason (Mount) is on the bench. Bruno (Fernandes) and Kobbie (Mainoo) are in the same position. Of course, Bruno can do different positions and even Kobbie.

"These things are going to help us. It's a perfect year to do that without European competition.

"We need to put in the standards, then I think we'll be ready next season, and in other seasons, to cope with less training because the culture is already here."