Manchester United

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The Devils' Advocate podcast co-host Gaz Drinkwater has been speaking about what Manchester United might need to do in the January transfer window: "Let's remember the importance of the Africa Cup of Nations.

"Seven Premier League games, one of them being Manchester City, that Bryan Mbeumo is going to miss. Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui are also going to miss it. So we would be well suited to strengthening in January.

"I think we will buy now. I don't think we will buy a striker - we would maybe loan one in. But are there any experienced strikers out there that can come in and just fill in and do a job for a little bit?"

United fan Sam Horsfield of LIV Golf's Majesticks GC team added: "Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo are playing great. Hopefully, in January, we can sign a couple more players to help that midfield area. But I'm really liking the look of us so far.

"It's a midfielder we need. Casimiro is definitely not the fastest guy on the pitch and you have got Bruno Fernandes playing out of position to help him.

"I would experiment a little bit. With Benjamin Sesko being out, you can put Cunha up top, and then put Bruno back into the position he thrives in and plays his best in, up there with Mbeumo. Then, hopefully bring in a good, defensive, holding midfielder to link up play.

"Hopefully the board and everyone gets behind Ruben Amorim and gives him what he wants."

Listen to the latest episode on BBC Sounds

Sin bins? Bonus points? Two goals if you score from distance?

Imagine a world in which you could reinvent football.

It's a dream, of course. Just a bit of fun. But stick with us.

What if you had the power to change any of the game's laws and potentially bring to an end countless hours of discussion about handball, offside, video assistant referees, or anything else you want to?

Some of BBC Sport's familiar football faces have offered their own potential rule changes.

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Manchester United have joined clubs including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris St-Germain and Bayern Munich in the battle to sign teenage German midfielder Kennet Eichhorn. The 16-year-old has a £8.8m to £10.5m (10m to 12m euros) release clause at Hertha Berlin. (Florian Plettenberg), external

United manager Ruben Amorim is open to keeping Brazil midfielder Casemiro at the club beyond his current contract, which expires at the end of the season, as long as the 33-year-old takes a pay cut. (Talksport), external

However, United still want to sign a midfielder in January and have identified six possible options including three Englishmen in Atletico Madrid's Conor Gallagher, 25, Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, 21, and Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, 23. (Fichajes - in Spanish, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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We asked for your views on who will replace Bruno Fernandes as captain when he eventually leaves Manchester United.

Here are some of your comments:

Davood: Matthijs de Ligt is the ideal candidate to succeed Bruno Fernandes because he offers a captain's pedigree that is both rare and proven. De Ligt wouldn't just wear the armband - he would personify the resilient, winning foundation upon which a new Manchester United era can be built.

Freddie: Casemiro. He has proved he can win trophies at the top level and is back at his peak in terms of performance. A proper player and Ruben Amorim has shown faith in him before. He is nearing the end of his playing days but what's to stop him being given the armband?

Steve: Given another year, it could be Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo or Senne Lammens. However, De Ligt is starting to look like he will run through brick walls for United. We have missed that attitude from everyone but Bruno.

Christine: Definitely De Ligt as the next captain. He shows the character, personality and has the world-class quality that will drive Manchester United and his country to win trophies. De Ligt has been so underrated by pundits and the media. He is arguably the best centre-back in the Premier League.

Paul: Harry Maquire should be vice-captain and captain when Fernandes is not playing. Some fans will say he is injured a lot. I think two seasons ago he had a jaded campaign, but last season and this one he has shown leadership.

Daz: De Ligt is the most obvious and suitable candidate. He has been arguably our player of the season so far and he is a natural born leader.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Former Manchester United and England defender Wes Brown helped raise £30,000 on Friday night in the latest Old Trafford sleepover.

The club say over 120 people took part in the event, the fourth time it has been arranged, which is aimed at raising awareness around poverty and homelessness and raises money for United's Foundation to help with their community projects.

Brown completed the full night on the stadium floor, while former team-mate Michael Carrick and another ex-United defender Phil Jones also took part in a question-and-answer session.

"I've worked with the Foundation for a long time, so I've seen the difference they make in the community," said Brown.

"This kind of event is so important to help support that work and it's obviously an amazing opportunity for fans to have this experience of sleeping out at Old Trafford."

Alex Turk
Fan writer

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Who succeeds Bruno Fernandes as Manchester United captain if he leaves in the next couple of years is a genuine dilemma. Have you ever thought of that?

Now this may seem like a random topic of discussion on a random Tuesday in November, but stick with me.

In the wake of Saturday's chaotic 2-2 draw at Tottenham - just as the 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest a week earlier - there is only one logical answer.

Matthijs de Ligt stole the headlines with one of the final kicks (headers) of the match, salvaging a point to end United's losing streak against Spurs and maintain a five-match unbeaten run.

But it was what he did in the 95 minutes before that clutch moment that left me in awe, as he has done on so many occasions this season.

In the week he finally received the Netherlands recall he deserves, boosting his World Cup hopes, De Ligt was everywhere.

If he wasn't completing the defensive action himself, it seemed the Dutchman was in the near vicinity for every tackle, block and interception in United's third.

His pressing was relentless and his leadership undisputed. De Ligt has played every minute of all 11 Premier League games so far this season.

He is essential, the current frontrunner for the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award, and, for me, the next United captain.

Harry Maguire, Casemiro and Luke Shaw will be likely to set sail around the same time. Diogo Dalot is a prime candidate given his longevity and relationship with Ruben Amorim, but surely not.

De Ligt is still only 26, somewhat surprisingly. You forget he captained Ajax at the age of 18.

He has all the credentials to lead United into a daunting new era once Fernandes bids farewell.

Does De Ligt have the capacity to be a future United captain?

Let us know your thoughts here

Find more from Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC, external

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is open to a January loan move to Napoli but the Red Devils will not allow him to leave on a permanent deal. (Teamtalk), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko will miss Slovenia's World Cup qualifiers but club officials do not think the forward suffered a major problem in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Tottenham.

The 23-year-old left United with 10 men after sustaining the knock following Ruben Amorim already making all five of his substitutions.

He has two goals in 11 appearances since his £74m move from RB Leipzig in the summer.

Meanwhile, defender Lisandro Martinez will train with Argentina ahead of their game with Angola on Friday but will not take part in the actual match.

A new episode of The Devils' Advocate has landed.

This week Joe McGrath and Gaz Drinkwater are joined by golfer and United fan Sam Horsfield to reflect on the 2-2 draw at Tottenham, the injury to Benjamin Sesko and to what extent Ruben Amorim should be backed in January.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Manchester United showed "good character" to come from a goal down to get a point against Tottenham on Saturday, believes former striker Wayne Rooney.

Matthijs de Ligt scored an equaliser deep into stoppage time to earn a dramatic point and Rooney told his BBC podcast The Wayne Rooney Show how key it was to avoid defeat.

"It's important to try and get something out of each game," Rooney said.

"I think they would have been a little bit disappointed with going 1-0 up and then conceding the two goals. But I think it has shown really good character to come back and then a good header from De Ligt at the end to get a point.

"I know Tottenham haven't been great at home this season, but it's always a difficult place to go.

"So, if you'd have said before the game about getting a point, I probably would have taken it. It was good to keep the unbeaten run going going into the international break"

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Tottenham and Manchester United.

Here are some of your comments:

Tottenham fans

Herman: The first half was awful, the second half a bit better. Destiny Udogie, Tel and Wilson Odobert were much better than the players they came in for. Some substitutions could have come earlier. We've got no-one in front to hold the ball. Why doesn't Dane Scarlett get a chance?

James: Frustrating first-half display. We got into some decent positions and just lacked quality in the final third. Then for the goal it was reminiscent of so many goals we conceded last season where we'd just try to play out no matter the context. I feel like sometimes our players don't read the game well. Glad we managed to get back into it and take the lead, only to then not close the game out. Again, a similar theme to last season. At least we scored from open play.

Andrew: Poor first half and poor goals - but good second-half display. Xavi Simons is getting better and more influential. Two point-blank saves kept Manchester United in it but we sat way too deep after taking the lead.

David: Mediocre performance overall but relieved by a fine goal from Tel. This squad has more to offer than we're seeing at the moment.

Man Utd fans

Andrew: Happy with the draw but United lacked any urgency to win the game. I was hoping that the first goal it would spark some quality football to be played but it didn't. When we had possession, United did not find the spaces that were there to attack the goal. There was no proactive play. Luckily for United, the opposition were just as bad.

Noel: Another inconsistent performance by United. They lack the physicality as a team to play a full 90 minutes, particularly in midfield and defence. Desperate for a holding midfielder with legs to complement Casemiro. More positively, we came back well and the keeper looks like a big improvement on the previous two.

Matt: That result sums up perfectly where we are right now. We're not strong enough to get over the line in a close match, but we are more resilient than last season, so therefore we're drawing matches we would have otherwise lost.

Dean: United actually controlled the game without having too much of the ball. For 80 minutes I couldn't see Spurs scoring. We miss the pace of Rasmus Hojlund up front. United should have taken all three points. Too many subs all at once and the team lost focus.

Manchester United want to sign a central midfielder in January, with Atletico Madrid's former Chelsea player Conor Gallagher, 25, and Germany international Angelo Stiller of Stuttgart, 24, top of their list. (Give Me Sport), external

United are also keen on Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra, with Atletico and AC Milan also watching the 22-year-old. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Meanwhile, United are unable to recall striker Rasmus Hojlund from his loan spell with Napoli in January. (Star), external

Finally, ex-United midfielder Scott McTominay wants Napoli to sign Kobbie Mainoo. (Sun, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

A dramatic - or drab - Saturday lunchtime Premier League match with as many questions as answers, and for Manchester United a major injury scare.

United striker Benjamin Sesko was introduced into the game for Noussair Mazraoui after 58 minutes.

The Slovenian had already wasted a couple of opportunities when he suffered an injury three minutes from time chasing down a long ball. It was immediately obvious Sesko could not continue, and as United had already used all five substitutes they had to complete the game, which stood at 1-1, with 10 men.

Head coach Ruben Amorim confirmed afterwards Sesko had sustained a knee injury, but did not know how serious it was. However, in connection to a question about the January transfer window, Amorim said "because it's the knee you never know" - the inference being it might be.

That would be a major issue, particularly as United will lose two of their main offensive threats - Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo - to the Africa Cup of Nations in December.

"We have to check, it's something in his knee," said Amorim.

On the transfer situation: "We have to check everything. We have to check what has happened with Ben.

"Of course, we are going to have a problem there, but we already knew."

Losing Sesko would be an unhappy postscript to a very strange game.

You an read more analysis on Man Utd's draw with Tottenham here

Pundits Alan Shearer and Theo Walcott join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Everton 2-0 Fulham

• West Ham 3-2 Burnley

• Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Amorim's face was a picture at the end, that of someone who couldn't compute what he had just seen.

A coach who likes to control everything had just been put through the Premier League washing machine by one of those games where little seems to make sense.

On the plus side, United are now five games unbeaten. On the negative, for the second week in succession they failed to win after leading at the break, this time after they had been in control of a game against opponents who, unlike them, were not benefiting from having had a full week to prepare.

They also conceded two goals for the third game in a row - Amorim said on Thursday the leaky defence was a concern and that something has to be done about it. The question is, what?

On Saturday his side suffered after Harry Maguire and Casemiro had gone off. Given neither man seems to be able to complete a full 90 minutes a solution must be found.

As at Forest, United were also undone by crosses, a failing which Amorim said his players had been working to correct this week.

Evidently, there is much more still to do.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the 2-2 draw with Tottenham: "It was a complicated match, especially in the end. If you look at the game the three points were there to take. I think we can be so much better to understand more what's happening in the game.

"We lacked a little bit in the final third, the quality was not perfect. We fight in every adversity. We lost Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Benjamin Sesko and we lose two goals, but we still managed to score.

"That lack of quality in the simple things of the games, it wasn't there. We move on."

On the international break: "All the players are internationals. We are going to use that space of time to improve not just the team, but the club.

"We have to check [our injured players]."

Listen to Amorim's post-match interview on BBC Sounds

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Tottenham's performance

What did you make of Manchester United's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Tottenham XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Paulinha, Spence, Sarr, Johnson, Simons, Richarlison , Kolo Muani.

Substitutes: Kinsky, Danso, Tel, Odobert, Udogie, Bentancur, Scarlett, Akhamrich, Rowswell.

Manchester United XI: Lammens, De Ligt, Maguire, Shaw, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Dorgu, Amad, Mbeumo, Cunha.

Substitutes: Bayindir, Yoro, Dalot, Mount, Zirkzee, Sesko, Ugarte, Heaven, Fletcher.

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Tottenham v Manchester United (12:30)

• Everton v Fulham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• West Ham v Burnley - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Sunderland v Arsenal (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Chelsea v Wolves (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Everton v Fulham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Sunderland v Arsenal", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds