Why Martinez move makes sense for Man Utdpublished at 11:37 BST 1 September
11:37 BST 1 September
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
The social media videos doing the rounds on Emi Martinez's mistakes are missing the point around why Manchester United are considering signing the Aston Villa goalkeeper.
The problem at United is not mistakes - they realise every goalkeeper makes them. The problem is the impact they are having.
Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana both seem to be struggling with the weight of the criticism being directed at them.
United staff are also aware their other target, 23-year-old Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Sanne Lammens, is untested at the highest level.
Martinez has vast experience. Crucially, he also has the kind of personality that means he will not be affected by external noise. Indeed, he has given the impression of thriving on it.
Edwin van der Sar was 34 when Sir Alex Ferguson signed him. That proved to be a masterstroke.
'It is not one person, we are a team' published at 11:36 BST 1 September
11:36 BST 1 September
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Manchester United striker Bryan Mbeumo, speaking to BBC Sport after beating Burnley 3-2 at Old Trafford: "Every game is hard in the league. We had the game with us in the first half but we had to fight every minute in the second half.
On getting his first Premier League goal: I am very happy. It is important to get confidence as a striker with goals, so I am really happy.
On the loss at Grimsby: "We need to go forward. In sport there can be high and low moments, so we need to not think about the past and keep going.
On Ruben Amorim: "We are all a team. It is not down to one person. Everyone brought a lot [against Burnley] and we are all very happy."
Mainoo unlikely to get desired loan published at 08:46 BST 1 September
08:46 BST 1 September
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
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Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo seems unlikely to get his desired loan move before the transfer window closes later on Monday.
Mainoo wants the opportunity to spend the season away from Old Trafford because he fears his time on the pitch will be limited after head coach Ruben Amorim said he was in competition for a start with captain Bruno Fernandes.
The 20-year-old is eager to maximise his chances of making Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad after starring in England's run to the Euro 2024 final.
Amorim said on Friday he wanted Mainoo to stay at Old Trafford and those views have only strengthened since Saturday, when both Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount suffered injuries.
While the extent of the respective problems is not known, even sources close to Mainoo understand the potential for a deal is slim.
Numerous clubs are interested in Mainoo, with a switch to Serie A thought to be the easiest to complete at this late stage in the window.
'Plenty of quality goalkeepers to choose from'published at 07:01 BST 1 September
07:01 BST 1 September
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We asked for your views on what is still needed by Manchester United on transfer deadline day.
Here are some of your comments:
Shaun: The signings in the forward position have been a needed strengthening. However, the same glaring weaknesses are showing. We need desperately a new goalkeeper, right wing-back and a ball-winning midfielder.
James: We need a goalkeeper. Whether it's Donnarumma, Lammens or Martinez - at this point I don't care and they can't be picky. That's the most urgent position. A midfielder would be nice for depth too but they're at a premium right now. United don't have crazy cash to spend and don't have time to thrash out a tough deal so go with what's available: goalkeepers.
Kevin: It would be great for both a midfielder and a goalkeeper, but in reality who are we going to get at the last minute? Even more crucial is to get the bomb squad out. Remove that toxicity and good riddance!
Phill: We need a goalkeeper. Plenty of quality out there to choose from. This needs to be the number one priority for transfer deadline day!
Lee: A confident GK and an established striker that can feed experience to Sesko.
Carlos: A mobile midfielder is more important than a goalkeeper at the moment. Surely whoever is in net can't give away a goal every game? However, the way teams just waltz through our midfield is massively worrying. Casemiro is far too slow.
Follow transfer deadline daypublished at 06:45 BST 1 September
06:45 BST 1 September
Today is the second transfer deadline day of the summer following a brief closure in June because of the Club World Cup.
In a change to previous windows, clubs only have until 19:00 BST to complete deals, bringing the Premier League in line with the EFL, Italy's Serie A, France's Ligue 1 and Germany's Bundesliga. The window in Scotland and Spain remains open until 23:00 BST.
It has already been a hectic window - with a number of storylines still to be resolved - but whether it turns out to be a day of transfer action or a pretty quiet one for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.
'I can see Onana staying and fighting for his place' published at 20:22 BST 31 August
20:22 BST 31 August
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Former Cameroon defender Sebastien Bassong spoke to BBC Sportsworld about Andre Onana's future at Manchester United: "He's got such a character that I wouldn't be surprised if he would stay and fight for his place. He is one of those guys with such a strong personality.
"They're not really happy about his performances or what he's been putting in, Whether they're right or wrong, he has his own self confidence - that's not the debate, for me.
"He can reassure people, he can make some saves and win games.
"The beauty of football is things change overnight. At this moment of time, he's in a difficult situation. He's got to look at his contract offers and what is important for him."
Baumann agrees Norwich dealpublished at 18:58 BST 31 August
18:58 BST 31 August
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
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Manchester United youngster Zach Baumann is joining Norwich on a permanent deal.
The Championship side are not paying a fee for Baumann but the deal contains a number of performance clauses which will ensure United generate a decent amount of money if the 18-year-old does well.
Baumann has played for Ukraine at under-19 level and was a key member of United's Under-18 Premier League title-winning side.
However, he has opted to take the opportunity to progress his career away from Old Trafford.
Ennis closing in on Fleetwood movepublished at 18:50 BST 31 August
18:50 BST 31 August
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United youngster Ethan Ennis is edging towards a loan deal with League Two Fleetwood Town.
Ennis was among the players to be left out of United's 2-1 Premier League 2 victory over Manchester City at Leigh as he secures a move away from Old Trafford.
The 20-year-old has been in excellent form so far this season, with Plymouth Argyle among the other clubs to have enquired about him.
Man Utd 3-2 Burnley - the fans' verdictpublished at 14:43 BST 31 August
14:43 BST 31 August
Media caption,
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Manchester United and Burnley
Here are some of your comments:
Man Utd fans
Anthony: Nothing has really changed as we are still the same situation in the sense chances are not taken and yet another goalkeeping mistake. Something has to give.
Andrew: United were very lucky to win. Missed opportunities to score goals and defensive errors that cost goals. Nothing has changed over the years. There have been some glimpses of quality football but, overall, nothing has changed. After being a fan for 55 years, I once could not wait to watch Manchester United play a game. Now, with the exception of a few games over the past years, I watch and cringe at the football that is being played. Manchester United have lost their way and are getting it wrong year after year. I'm starting to believe that they will never find their way back to consistently playing quality football.
Paul: United played some good football, particularly in the first half, but the game should have been won by half-time. Then we saw, once again, the need for a quality keeper!
Danyal: Finally a win that we can celebrate. It should have been easier than it actually was, but that's United's style nowadays. Sad to see Matheus Cunha get injured as he is definitely what makes the team click. We need to find that consistency now with the Manchester derby coming up. Hopefully after the international break we can continue. Ruben Amorim still needs time - let's back him!
Burnley fans
Bruce: Better second-half performance, but gutted about the penalty decision. Yes, it was a foul, but it was outside the penalty box. If you do a mistimed sliding tackle outside of the box but slide into the box, it does not mean it's a penalty. It's a foul and the shirt pull should have been a free-kick on the edge of the box.
Graham: Dogged! Burnley fielded a scratch team with very little game time among most of the players - and it showed. A low-key performance demonstrating little urgency, but showing some nice touches leading to both goals. A decent, solid performance overall.
Andy: The lads played well, especially in the second half, but VAR is a disgrace! It's ruining the game. The ref had a good game but, unfortunately, VAR ruined all of that! Is there any point in having a referee any more?
Ian: Took an injury time penalty to beat us. Up the Clarets!
Players to blame for Grimsby loss - De Ligtpublished at 14:09 BST 31 August
14:09 BST 31 August
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt says the players must take responsibility for the Carabao Cup defeat at League Two Grimsby Town.
United emerged from a difficult few days with a last-gasp victory over Burnley on Saturday, thanks to Bruno Fernandes' penalty at Old Trafford.
Head coach Ruben Amorim refused to look, knowing the intense pressure he had been under would only have increased had his side failed to beat the newly promoted Clarets.
Amorim has been left to explain his emotional reactions, with much of the focus being around whether he is the right man to lead United.
De Ligt, who was introduced at half-time at Blundell Park when the visitors were already two goals down, says that is unfair.
"They always speak about the manager, but as a player you are responsible for the results," he said.
"It's really bad to say that it's the manager's fault. It's mostly us - and we know that.
"We are the ones who looked at each other in the eye after Grimsby and said: 'Guys, the performance of this week is not acceptable.'"
Amorim keeps saying his players cannot control results, only their performances.
Yet after failing to win any of their opening three matches, De Ligt says victory was the only thing that mattered against Burnley.
"I don't think there's much been said about Grimsby because everybody knows how the feeling was," he said. "Everybody from outside could also understand what the feeling is if you lose a game like that.
"We were really disappointed. That is why a win [over Burnley] was the only cure."
Man Utd's problems aren't all down to Amorimpublished at 13:36 BST 31 August
13:36 BST 31 August
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Media caption,
Ruben Amorim finally had something to celebrate at the end of a turbulent few days at Manchester United.
However, when he takes a step back, the last-gasp 3-2 win over Burnley has left him with plenty of puzzles to solve and issues to deal with - and some are quite pressing.
Amorim gave the game away as he explained the difficulties his side were having in the opening weeks of the new campaign.
"We are in a moment where, with every possession near our box, they can score," he reflected.
This is clearly not a great situation to be in, but one of the reasons for it is his goalkeepers keep making big mistakes.
"It is hard to be a Manchester United goalkeeper in this moment," said Amorim.
"They are humans. At Manchester United, everything is in the news.
"Everybody talks about the goalkeeper. I can change the goalkeeper and situations happen. We are in that moment.
"The players are struggling a little bit with all the things around the club. That is normal. It's not just the goalkeepers. I think everybody has to improve."
That is fair. Yet it is also clear if the goalkeepers continue to make mistakes it will have a significant negative impact.
De Ligt praises Fernandes' bottlepublished at 12:13 BST 31 August
12:13 BST 31 August
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt has admitted he would not have had the nerve to take the decisive injury-time penalty that sealed Saturday's 3-2 win over Burnley at Old Trafford.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes stepped up even though he had sent his last spot-kick high over the bar at Fulham six days previously.
After starting their Premier League campaign with a defeat and a draw, and following that up by getting knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League Two Grimsby Town, if Fernandes had failed again, head coach Ruben Amorim would have been under massive pressure.
But despite a delay approaching four minutes from the moment referee Sam Barrott was told to go to the screen by VAR Stuart Atwell to the point when Fernandes took the kick, the Portugal star still found the bottom corner - which is just as well given Burnley keeper Martin Dubravka went the right way.
"I couldn't do it, I think, as a penalty taker," said De Ligt.
"I am really happy with Bruno that he stepped up to the penalty and that he scored a goal. It was really important for us."
Man Utd's 'breathing room' won't last long if performances continuepublished at 08:01 BST 31 August
08:01 BST 31 August
Sarah Mulkerrins Final Score reporter
Image source, Getty Images
As the game edged towards stoppage time, I watched some home fans leaving.
Twice they had watched their team let the lead slip against Burnley in a match that Ruben Amorim said they had to win. There were shakes of heads, hands in pockets; the familiar conversations flowing.
I wondered then how the roar of Old Trafford would have sounded, as it rippled out from the stands to concourse and the streets around Stretford, when Bruno Fernandes slotted home their stoppage-time penalty.
The desperation of United's attack and beleaguered fans in the stands gave way to pure elation as they secured their first win of the season.
But it should never have come to that after their first-half domination, spurning numerous chances.
Burnley exposed their defence after the break and, again, Manchester United put themselves under all sorts of pressure.
They found a way to win and, crucially, to create some breathing room heading into the international break.
But that won't last long if the victories continue to be this hard to come by.
Image source, Getty Images
