Manchester United

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim spoke to the media before Sunday's Premier League game at Manchester City (kick-off 16:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines:

• Amorim dismissed suggestions he had ever spoken with City about replacing Pep Guardiola: "Never. This was my only option. When Manchester United talked to me, I had no doubts because I had already something in my mind that it could be a possibility."

• The United boss is also not concerning himself with City's stuttering form: "No, I never think about these things. We will face a great opponent and I'm more focused on our problems. So we have a lot of issues here, so I'm more focused on what we should do on Sunday to win the game."

• The importance of the derby is not lost on Amorim, although this one is slightly different for him: "Yeah, I'm really focused on the details. I just want to improve the team so I cannot live it like a normal derby, like it should be – two great teams fighting for the title. And it's not that in this moment. So it's just one more game with a very good opponent."

• Amorim has already beaten Manchester City this season, but he insisted the 4-1 win he enjoyed when in charge of Sporting will have no bearing on preparations for this one: "No. The great teams can respond at any moment - and I think they are in a better place than us in the type of understanding the game, the way they play and the confidence they have. We will have a strategy: try to win the game with the strategy like it should be."

• Jonny Evans missed Thursday's win against Viktoria Plzen but is back in training: "I think everyone is going to be fit and ready to win the game."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to full commentary of Manchester City v Manchester United from 16:30 GMT on Sunday on BBC Radio 5 Live

Commentators spend hours and hours preparing for each match they cover, writing pages upon pages of notes in order to be prepared as well as possible.

But what happens if those notes suddenly vanish?

"It's never a good idea to go into a commentary under-prepped, but it can be dropped on you," BBC Radio 5 Live's Alistair Bruce-Ball told the latest episode of The Commentators' View podcast.

"I remember a few seasons ago at West Brom for the opening game of the season. it was a lovely sunny day and I was sitting in the commentary position there with all my notes in front of me.

"Then, a gust of wind took the notes off the gantry, down into the fans below, and all the notes I'd done all week for the game had completely gone. I was just doing the commentary without any notes at all! Actually, it sharpens you up in a way, and you've really got to switch on - you've not got that crutch to lean on."

"That happened to John Acres last week," said fellow commentator Conor McNamara. "I was at the Manchester United-Nottingham Forest game, which he was doing for 5 Live, and it was very stormy.

"So when he got out of the car in the car park, apparently his notes fell from his hand, and in that classic if you've got buttered toast it's always the buttered side that lands down way…

"So whatever way he'd been doing his notes in the car, when he got out of the car, the wind blew, it turned onto the inked side and landed face down. It totally smudged.

"He showed it to me - totally indecipherable!"

As the two reflected on shared pain, Bruce-Ball suddenly remembered what exactly happened at West Brom: "t wasn't a gust of wind, it was a wasp that flew into my mouth while I was talking, and I panicked and swished my hand at the notes.

"So, I actually flipped my notes, and honestly just watching them fly in the air and just disappear. I can't remember who the summariser was sitting alongside me, and we both just looked at each other like… eek!"

Listen to the full episode now

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Thursday's Europa League game between Viktoria Plzen and Manchester United.

Here are some of your comments:

Gary: Chaos, lack of urgency, poor passing and disjointed. Manchester City will batter us if we are like that again. Got away with one.

Mark: Tough going in the first half on a strange, unwatered pitch. After another Andre Onana error (you would think he would be getting better by now) we finally got into the swing of it and deserved the win by the end. I did think Ruben Amorim's bench was stronger in a lot of positions than his starting XI. we need to get a couple of goals in front with the strongest team first before bringing lesser players on much later.

Nigel: Absolute rubbish! Apart from Amad Diallo the majority of the rest would have trouble getting into a Championship side.

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Tom: In the first half, we were very wasteful in possession and lacked desire and penetration. The second half was much better with plenty of drive, imagination, and excellent substitutions. The manager needs to have a serious word with the goalkeeper towards his judgement on short play goal-kicks as it's not good viewing.

Peter: Can see a little more effort in the team, but a long way to go. But, an away win is always good. I am so pleased that Marcus Rashford could be moved on, but with a price tag of £40m, it could be a very big stumbling block. Who would pay that for a misfiring forward?

Trevor: Still trying to score goals from our penalty area... what has happened to proper attacking football?

Winning at Viktoria Plzen on Thursday puts Ruben Amorim in esteemed company at Manchester United.

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Andre Onana was brought in to replace David de Gea in July 2023 by former manager Erik ten Hag, with the Dutchman aiming of moving towards a possession-based style of play that started with the goalkeeper.

But the Cameroon international has been criticised for mistakes while in goal for United, most recently against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on Thursday.

Meanwhile De Gea, who was at Old Trafford for 12 years, spent a while out of the game before joining Italian side Fiorentina in the summer.

Comparisons with Onana are to be expected - given the latter was brought in to replace De Gea - and even more so with the 34-year-old former Spain goalkeeper having an excellent season so far, keeping seven clean sheets in 14 appearances.

He has a better shot save percentage than Onana (80 compared to 67.1) and has yet to make any big errors leading to goals, compared to two for Onana.

But De Gea has faced fewer shots (55 to 82), perhaps highlighting the strength of the defence in front of him, as Fiorentina sit fourth in Serie A.

Most crucially in Onana's favour, the Manchester United goalkeeper has not only played considerably more passes than De Gea, but he has done so with much better accuracy.

Onana's pass completion stats this season also compare favourably to De Gea's final campaign at Old Trafford, when his accuracy rate was down at 72.6%.

His ability on the ball is a key reason why he was brought in 18 months ago - and a key reason why he could still be vital for new boss Ruben Amorim's style of play.

"Onana is one of the best ball-playing goalkeepers," added former Arsenal midfielder Karen Carney on TNT Sports. "He is better with the ball at his feet than some of the centre-backs at Manchester United, being brutally honest."

Read the full post-match feature here

Manchester United want Girona's 23-year-old Spanish defender Miguel Gutierrez in January, as they look to bolster their options at left-back. (TeamTalk), external

Ruben Amorim only views nine players in his squad as "unsellable", with 30-year-old Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes and 20-year-old Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho among the names at risk of being sold. (Mail), external

Finally, United and Sweden defender Victor Lindelof, 30, is attracting interest from several clubs in Serie A, including AC Milan. (TeamTalk), external

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

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

There has been plenty of speculation in recent weeks that Swedish forward Viktor Gyokeres may follow Ruben Amorim to Old Trafford next summer.

But on this evidence Manchester United's Portuguese boss already has a hungry, young and dynamic forward at his disposal.

United were facing a third consecutive defeat when Rasmus Hojlund was introduced off the bench and he helped spark a turnaround on a freezing evening in Pilsen.

With Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkee ineffective in attack, the Denmark international, 21, made the telling contributions with Mason Mount and Antony also impressing.

Antony linked well with Amad Diallo as Hojlund levelled the match for a United side who had fallen behind after another Andre Onana error.

And Mount's movement off the ball and Hojlund's willingness to run in behind gave their previously static attacking play a new dimension.

Hojlund's second goal and his fifth in the competition this term, ensured that Amorim became only the third United manager to win his first two European games after Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, speaking to TNT Sports: "We improved during the game. We controlled the game in the first half, but without any great chances.

"We lacked speed and movement and we didn't control the ball because the pitch was difficult to make the connections with the strikers. Viktoria didn't have chances either.

"In the second half, we gave a goal away but we reacted well. We pushed the opponents to their own half and we managed to score. The win is important at the moment and it's good to prepare for the next game."

On improvements in the second half: "The speed improved. I told the players we need more movement in front because they have to feel we are a danger. We changed a little bit of our game and the players from the bench also helped. We improved not just the way we play, but also the speed of the game."

On Rasmus Hojlund: "He is improving. He is more near the goal now. He knows better the movement he has to do. He could score more this evening, but he is scoring, working and controlling the ball better."

On Amad Diallo: "He can be a good player in that position. We need left-footed players in this team to play that role. In the first half, he was coming for the ball too much. He needs to play near the opposition defence more. He will improve in the future for sure."

On progress: "We are improving in some details. We controlled the transitions very well. We were aggressive when we lost the ball. We need to spend more time near the opposition goal."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund, speaking to TNT Sports: "It was a bit difficult out there. It was very cold today and the pitch was a bit boggy as well, but we solved it in the second half.

"I think we didn't play too direct in the first-half. We needed to play over them and behind them more because there was space to run into. Especially with the boggy pitch I was talking about, if we won the second balls, you can play from there."

On the winning goal: "I have watched Bruno [Fernandes] do that before. I remember the goal with Anthony Martial when he did the chip for him. I just thought I had a good opportunity because I am strong, I could push the defender and spin him and finish."

On progress under Ruben Amorim: "We still need more time. It's still very early days. It's about getting our routines together and it's getting there. But it still needs practice and time.

"I know it sounds odd, but we don't get enough time on the training ground, so we have to train it during the matches. But it's getting better and better."

Image source, Getty Images

Ruben Amorim became only the third Manchester United manager to win both of his first two matches in major European competition in charge of the club, after Matt Busby and Alex Ferguson.

Meanwhile, Rasmus Hojlund has been involved in half of United's goals in the Europa League this season (six of 12), with the Danish forward scoring (four) or assisting (one) each of United's past five goals in the competition.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on United's performance

Come back to this page on Friday to find a selection of your replies

Three Premier League clubs are in European action on Thursday:

• Astana v Chelsea (Conference League, 15:30)

• Viktoria Plzen v Manchester United (Europa League, 17:45)

• Rangers v Tottenham (Europa League, 20:00) - Listen live on BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times GMT

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United are in talks to sign Cerro Porteno defender Diego Leon.

The deal for the 17-year-old, who has made 19 appearances and scored two goals in the Paraguayan top flight, is reportedly worth around £6m, including add-ons, according to his selling club in South America.

Both Leon and his entourage are believed to be in England looking to finalise the deal.

Although a youngster, Leon could represent the first signing of Ruben Amorim's tenure at Old Trafford.

Amorim is switching from a back four to three at the back, while introducing wing-backs, a role Leon is comfortable playing.

Arsenal have also previously been linked to the young defender.

Manchester United want £40m for Marcus Rashford but accept there are unlikely to be any bidders for the England forward, in January. (Mail), external

The Reds have added Juventus' Serbia international Dusan Vlahovic, 24, to their striker shortlist. (Football Insider), external

The club are in no rush to bring in a high-profile replacement for Dan Ashworth as sporting director and believe they have capable executives who can take on his responsibilities. (Teamtalk), external

In Ashworth's absence, United's technical director Jason Wilcox could oversee the club's transfer plans in the January window, while looking for a replacement. (Mail), external

United are also in talks over signing 17-year-old Paraguayan left-back Diego Leon from Cerro Porteno. (Talksport), external

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

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League game at Viktoria Plzen (kick-off 17:45 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Amorim confirmed that Tyrell Malacia will start having recently returned from a long injury lay-off.

• The United boss praised the support he received from the club's hierarchy since he arrived, including that of outgoing sporting director Dan Ashworth, but added: "This is football and sometimes this happens, happens with players, with coaches. I know it's not the best situation but the important thing is we continue in our way. The path is really clear for everybody and I think this can happen in football."

• On if the club is now more unstable than when he joined: "I don't think so. I felt since day one the support from everybody. One person leaving doesn't change anything."

• He continued: "Of course, it's a bad situation. Like I said, we are talking about a human being, a professional, that supports us as a team, but I think the most important thing is the vision is really clear and that doesn't change if one person leaves."

• Amorim said he could not talk about United's "vision at just a press conference" but that they "want to take this club to winning the Premier League and to be an elite club like this club should be".

• He added: "In this way, we have to make changes because of the context. Because you don't have results, you could change the coach... So you can have a vision but sometimes you make a slight change of direction to find the same goal, so this could happen in football. We are focused on winning the Premier League, that is the main goal."

• On if they have to sell players to buy others in the transfer window: "I'm really focused on my players, to understand my players. I think that was one of the problems of the club. We have to focus on what we have, focus on the academy and have the clear profile when you sign players. It's a lot of details you have to manage."

• "This is a massive club," Amorim said, adding: "If you don't win, the coach goes and the players go."

Image source, Getty Images

Viktoria Plzen midfielder Pavel Sulc says Manchester United "have a star-filled team" and he expects it to be a "very difficult match" at the Doosan Arena on Thursday.

"Yes, they are in the bottom half of the table, but it's still the Premier League," Sulc said.

"We will stick to our plan. We will play as we do in the Europa League. We will try to be unpleasant, we will run a lot, we will put a lot of pressure on the opponent.

"We will probably need a little bit of luck, but we are hoping that the luck will be on our side."

Sulc, who has scored four goals in his past four appearances, took inspiration growing up from former United striker Wayne Rooney.

"I used to watch them a lot when I was younger," he added. "I used to really admire Wayne Rooney.

"I admire Wayne's style, and he always tries to put his all in the match. I kind of try to channel his energy too, so that's my inspiration.

"As for other players, of course I respect them. It's impossible not to respect them. Right now, I focus on my people, on myself."

Image source, Getty Images

On the recent episode of BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast, presenter Joe McGrath discussed the sacking of sporting director, Dan Ashworth: "It's bizarre. I think there's more to the story that they are showing. My main worry when Ineos took over was you can get all the minds in the room all at once, but if something doesn't click there's going to be difficulties. We can't sack a guy for having ideas and visions, especially when he's seen success in the past.

"We stand here with Ineos raising ticket prices for everyone. We stand here with job cuts. We stand here and talk about Kath the receptionist, who sadly passed away this week. We don't know the ins and outs of the 250 redundancies at the club. There would have been people there who worked 10, 20, 30 years at the club and they would've had a relationship with United and that was in an instant took away to save them money.

"In saving money, they have cost us so much in other elements of their business. For example, bringing someone from Newcastle, paying a fee and then sacking him after five months. And the extension of Erik ten Hag's contract to then sacking him eight Premier League games in. I'm like: 'Come on, figure this out'.

"I don't think Ineos realised how difficult Manchester United was going to be."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds