Manchester United

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Sean Dyche takes charge of his first Premier League home game as Nottingham Forest head coach against a Manchester United side who have won three games in a row for the first time under head coach Ruben Amorim.

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes ahead of Saturday's clash at the City Ground.

United winning with confidence

Amorim puts United's upturn in fortunes down to one of football's most valuable commodities – confidence.

Following the 4-2 win against Brighton at Old Trafford last weekend, Amorim said: "I think (the players) are more confident.

"I think the best game we did this season was against Arsenal (a 1-0 defeat) but then, when you are a little bit more confident, when you have a different spirit, sometimes you have a little bit of luck in certain moments of the game that help you to win."

From matchday three onwards, only Arsenal have picked up more points than United's 15, while Amorim's side are the leading scorers in the division during this period with 14 goals.

A switch in focus to more direct attacks has helped United's cause in recent weeks – particularly utilising long balls from goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who has replaced Altay Bayindir over the last three matches.

Bryan Mbeumo's return to form has also underpinned United's rise to sixth in the Premier League table.

The £65m summer signing's brace against Brighton made it three goals in two matches following one in his opening seven league appearances since joining from Brentford.

Only Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah have been involved in more Premier League goals in 2025 than Mbeumo's 20 and the forward's form is another example of the increasing confidence at Old Trafford.

Dyche lost his first Premier League game as Forest boss 2-0 at Bournemouth last Sunday.

While Dyche later said that Forest had been unable to live with Bournemouth physically, his side's approach at the Vitality Stadium reflected tactics typically associated with the former Everton and Burnley manager.

Forest played 16.9% of their passes long against the Cherries, far higher than their average of 8.5% under Ange Postecoglou, while goalkeeper Matz Sels played 25 long passes versus Bournemouth, the most by a Forest player in a game this season.

Since the start of 2024-25, Dyche's teams (Forest and Everton) have played more long balls than any other Premier League side and recorded the fewest sequences of 10 passes or more.

Such an approach may well suit a squad used to playing direct football under former boss Nuno Espirito Santo to great success, but Forest's failure to score in Dyche's opening league outing is a familiar problem for their manager.

Dyche has now seen his teams fail to score in 10 of his last 14 Premier League games, including nine with Everton.

Among managers to take charge of 150 games in Premier League history, Dyche's goals-per-game ratio of 0.97 is the lowest of them all.

Image source, Getty Images

Following comments from director of football Jason Wilcox about investing in the Manchester United squad, we asked you what areas of the pitch should be a priority in the transfer market.

Here are some of your comments:

Andrew: There are still many areas in the squad that need to be filled in my opinion, the obvious answer would be a central midfielder who has an engine to protect the back four and boss the midfield. I'd also like to see competition bought in the full back positions. Dorgu for me is still raw talent and I feel an upgrade on Dalot is required.

Nick: Has to be central midfield! I think we need two as Casemiro will probably leave next summer. Ideally we sign at least one Premier League proven central midfielder. Wharton is probably our number-one target but if a deal can't be done, I think bringing Ruben Neves back to the Premier League could be a smart move.

Graham: I feel Dalot is our weakest link and we need a replacement for him.

Killian: Central midfield and right back. Adam Wharton should be first in the door followed by and explosive right back (someone in the vain of Antonio Valencia would be perfect for this team) with another central midfielder to follow.

David: Fernandes and Casemiro can only be regarded as a temporary solution to United's midfield problems so there needs to be investment in more mobile, aggressive players in that area. A replacement for Dalot and cover for Sesko would be on my agenda also.

Hrundi: Wingbacks. As simple as that.

Some of Friday's newspapers have focused on Ruben Amorim being backed financially at Manchester United.

Director of Football Jason Wilcox has said: "We have got a clear plan.

"We know what we have got to do, we know the areas of the team that we have got to improve.

"For us to get in the top four and consistently challenge for Champions League places, win Champions Leagues, win Premier Leagues, we have got to invest in the squad.

"We have got to buy the right players. The right players who are talented but also who can deal with the pressure, who can take the squad forward."

So where should the spending take place? Tell us here

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim and Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche both respond to the Englishman's comments from earlier this year that he would win more games as Red Devils manager using a 4-4-2 formation.

In the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, the former Manchester United and England captain answers a selection of questions sent into the podcast.

Rooney was asked which of the following was his favourite strike partner: Carlos Tevez, Dimitar Berbatov, Cristiano Ronaldo or Robin van Persie?

He answered: "Tevez - I really enjoyed playing with Carlos, although I enjoyed playing with all of them.

"With Carlos, there was a big thing in the papers when we were signing him that we were too similar and couldn't play together. For the both of us, we were both like: 'OK, we'll show you'.

"We were aggressive, worked hard and tackled, but then we bounced off each other - one of us plays the nine, one as a 10 and we'd change it up."

Image source, Getty Images

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

This - it seems - is the season of the set piece.

The Premier League debates are more about dead balls than ever before, with some sides enjoying immense success from corner kicks, throw ins or well-worked free-kicks.

What fine timing then for BBC Sport to launch a column with former manager Tony Pulis, a man who seemed to finely extract the fine margins from the game.

You can take in Tony's column on set pieces here

Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal are in the running to sign 22-year-old Cameroon and Levante forward Karl Etta Eyong, who wants to resolve his future in January, with Barcelona and Real Madrid also interested. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external

Manchester United are not currently pursuing AIK's Kevin Filling, despite reports they are in negotiations to sign the 16-year-old forward. (Manchester Evening News), external

AC Milan could join the clubs interested in 24-year-old Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee, if the Netherlands international is available on loan in January. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

Chelsea have emerged as favourites to sign 20-year-old Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz, after tabling an exciting proposal for the Turkey international, but Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool are keen as well. (Teamtalk), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, PA Media

There are a few one-year anniversaries looming for Ruben Amorim.

He was officially confirmed as Manchester United's new head coach on 1 November, 2024. Amorim arrived in Manchester on 11 November after presiding over a final few games for Sporting and his first game was at Ipswich on 24 November.

There are three games in that period, which means the current upbeat mood around Old Trafford could change significantly.

Regardless, Amorim has reached a point many had felt was unlikely given the significant number of defeats he has suffered during that 12-month period. For that, he deserves credit.

It also means some of his critics' most stinging comments can be thrown back at them, as happened on Thursday with Sean Dyche.

Amorim says he wants to be at United for a long time. Results will determine whether he is. But the past 52 weeks have certainly been memorable, if not always for the reasons he would want.

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest at The City Ground (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Defender Lisandro Martinez, who has returned to training, "wants to go" to Forest but "won't be going to this one because it's going to take time" for him to be back to full fitness.

• Amorim said he does not know if Harry Maguire will be in contention.

• Saturday marks one year since Amorim was appointed manager: "It was a journey - a big journey! It was really tough, good moments and bad moments. I learned a lot like how even in my lower moments, I can stick with the things I believe. It is one of the biggest honours of my life to be here and I want to stay here for many years."

• He said he "more or less" knows what to expect from a Sean Dyche-coached team and "it will be a different game" to last weekend against Brighton, when United "had space to play."

• On it being away from home: "We are not being the same team away and at home, so we need to improve the way we control the environment. Every tackle is a big moment for the opponent's fans, so we need to play better away. We are prepared for a very tough match."

• Acknowledging Amad and Bryan Mbeumo's partnership and how they will both be going to Afcon, Amorim said: "We are going to struggle a little bit, but we already knew it's going to be an opportunity. When I watch training, there are players that should be playing, but it's hard with one game to take some players from the team, because they are doing well also during the training in games."

• On Dyche saying he could have won more games as manager of United: "First of all, maybe it's true if we play 4-4-2. I can look at Sean Dyche as a manager and then as a pundit. If you are a pundit and you don't say very strong things, I don't want to watch you! I'm the same. So I can understand that it's a completely different job."

• More on Dyche's comments: "I know that Sean Dyche is really smart and he knows how to play the game. He also understands that one thing is when we are seeing the game and talking about the game, the other thing is to coach a team. So I understand that, I have nothing to say, I just want to win the next one [game]."

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

Listen to part of Amorim's news conference here

Roma are interested in signing forward Joshua Zirkzee from Manchester United in January. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

Rob asked: I'm a Manchester United fan keen to know if you think Ruben Amorim's coaching/tactics deserves credit in light of recent results - my opinion is that another decent coach (eg Thomas Frank, Oliver Glasner) would have got defensively solid wins sooner (and beaten Grimsby) given the excellent summer transfer additions.

Phil answered: We will never know what Frank or Glasner would have achieved but, yes, I do think Amorim deserves credit for the recent turnaround, especially for the decision to leave Benjamin Sesko on the bench at Liverpool and use the very mobile front three of Matheus Cunha, Mason Mount and Bryan Mbeumo.

Amorim has had enough criticism, so let's not shy away from giving him credit when he gets it right.

In the wider context, I think United have signed two really top-class forwards in Cunha and Mbeumo. They have made plenty of very bad buys in recent times, but not here. Two very good acquisitions.

Read the rest of Phil McNulty's Q&A here

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

Think of what you could have done had you owned a crystal ball. Investing in Apple or Google when they were start-ups would have made a fortune and putting £100 on Leicester winning the Premier League at 5,000-1 in the summer of 2015 would also have been a nice earner.

‌I think getting a bet on Manchester United being above Liverpool and level with Manchester City with a quarter of the season gone would also have delivered astronomical odds. Even a few short weeks ago, this would have sounded like delusional deranged ramblings.

‌There are a multitude of reasons for this incredible short-term turnaround in the fortunes of both United and Liverpool. United beating Chelsea in a bizarre game a few weeks back helped, but not as much as their 2-1 win at Anfield.

‌This has led to a team spirit finally becoming visible from space, when you couldn't see it from 10 yards with a telescope beforehand. It has given them that other secret ingredient too: confidence.

‌For the opener against Brighton, Benjamin Sesko, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Matheus Cunha were flicking balls to each other just outside the Brighton 18-yard box. There is no way they were trying such intricate moves just a few weeks back.

‌Ruben Amorim has to keep the work-rate up and retain that spirit, but if he can keep them as relaxed as they looked against Brighton, the nightmare might just be over for the Red Devils.

Sign up to read more from Pat Nevin in his Football Extra newsletter

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Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter at Crown Oil Arena

Image source, Getty Images

Chido Obi and James Scanlon were on target as Manchester United's under-21 side got their first win against senior opposition by beating Rochdale in the National League Cup.

United's youngsters have a 100% record in Premier League 2 this season. However, they lost to Brackley in their only previous outing in this competition and have also been beaten by Lincoln City and Barnsley in the EFL Trophy.

Their task against National League leaders Rochdale was made easier by home boss Jimmy McNulty taking off Ryan East and Tobi Adebayo-Rowling after 30 seconds, having only selected the pair to comply with competition regulations.

Chido's goal came after just 11 minutes as 17-year-old midfielder Jim Thwaites nicked the ball inside the Rochdale area, allowing it to break to the Denmark Under-21 international, who found the corner with a first-time finish.

Gibraltar international Scanlon wrapped up the victory with a neat finish in stoppage time.

The game was preceded by a minute's silence in recognition of the sudden passing of the father of United player Rhys Bennett, who was present at the game after being given compassionate leave by his club.

Italian champions Napoli will make another attempt to sign midfielder Kobbie Mainoo from Manchester United in January. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

United are in negotiations over a transfer for AIK's 16-year-old Swedish forward Kevin Filling. (Florian Plettenberg), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Alex Turk
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

On the back of a third consecutive win - which feels good, right? - I was going to assess Manchester United's burning need for another wing-back.

Ruben Amorim needs to upgrade on Diogo Dalot while also easing the pressure on Patrick Dorgu, who proved with his shaky substitute cameo against Brighton that he is still a raw, developing talent.

The substitutions changed the game at Old Trafford, and not in United's favour. What was a 3-0 lead and could have been four, five or six became, in the blink of an eye, a 3-2 advantage with seven minutes of stoppage time to play.

Upon reflection, it would be easy to draw attention to Dorgu's mistake that led to Danny Welbeck's opener. However, there is something, or someone, more important to discuss.

Because it seems like United's most important player is not Bryan Mbeumo, it's not Matheus Cunha, it's not Amad, it's not even Bruno Fernandes.

It's Casemiro.

The Red Devils have conceded 16 goals in all competitions this season and Casemiro was only on the pitch for three of them. It's not a coincidence, it's the truth staring us in the face.

Masses of supporters have clamoured for Kobbie Mainoo to play more regularly while ignoring the fact that Amorim's system demands a midfielder who lets his partner flow with the attackers.

While Fernandes was dancing with Mbeumo, Cunha, Amad and Benjamin Sesko against Brighton, Casemiro held down the fort - as well as contributing a goal and an assist.

If there are any beneficiaries of United's one-game-a-week schedule this season, it's the 33-year-old Brazilian.

United won't extend Casemiro's contract beyond next summer on his current salary. He will be 34 by that point. But the priority must be to identify a younger player of the same profile to replace him.

Find more from Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC, external

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

I wrote an article in September about how Manchester United's performances just prior to that were better than their results suggested, and that they would not "cheat" their xG forever.

And, sure enough, their goal difference now almost matches their expected goal difference over the past 10 games.

This does not mean they should have been winning games all along or that they are really good now - just that they probably deserved more from their earlier games and have probably got more than they deserve in their past two games against Liverpool and Brighton.

Manchester United and Newcastle are closely monitoring England midfielder Elliot Anderson, with Nottingham Forest demanding a fee between £100m and £120m for the 22-year-old. (Florian Plettenberg), external

Jobe Bellingham has no interest in joining Manchester United, who had been weighing up a potential loan deal for Borussia Dortmund's 20-year-old English midfielder. (Mirror), external

United will block transfer requests from England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, 20, and Netherlands forward Joshua Zirkzee, 24, if they ask to leave in January. (Sun), external

The Red Devils have given Napoli the green light to exercise their obligation to buy Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund, 22, in January. (Mirror), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

A new episode of The Devils' Advocate is now available on BBC Sounds.

Joe McGrath and Gaz Drinkwater are joined by Manchester United fan Sue to discuss the 4-2 win against Brighton and look forward to Saturday's game against Nottingham Forest.

Drinkwater spoke of his admiration for summer signing Bryan Mbeumo: "I think he's got better and better while he's been at Manchester United. And he's growing into this shirt and he doesn't seem too emotional either. Obviously, he enjoys himself when things are going well, but even his celebrations are cool aren't they? The arms outstretched, the little shrug, I'm all about it. I really love him and and he's a lethal finisher as well.

"He just doesn't stop all game. I'm not saying he's out of shape, obviously he's not. But you almost don't expect him to be as fast as he is and as hard-working as he is.

"And he's not just a workhorse, is he? He's got incredible finishing ability, as he showed. He nearly took the net off with that last one. We needed that goal. And he needed that goal. The whole squad needed it. The fans needed it.

"I'm just so delighted that we signed a load of players, and they're actually all looking decent."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Some of you have been in touch using our Manchester United 'ask me anything' form and have queried what's going on with the club's stadium proposals.

To say nothing is happening with the stadium plans would be untrue.

Lots of discussions are going on behind the scenes, Lord Coe – who led Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Taskforce that concluded a new stadium was the way forward for United – has begun work as chair of the wider Old Trafford Regeneration project, which includes new homes and transport links and is intended to become a hub for businesses as well as a 'destination' football fans will want to spend time at.

However, the core issues are unresolved.

Firstly, there has been no agreement over the purchase of the land adjacent to Old Trafford that is intended to be used for the new stadium. United do have options – revised plans have already made their way into the public domain that wouldn't require the land – but chief operating officer Collette Roche recently said she was confident an agreement over the land would be reached.

However, until it is – and a price determined – United cannot settle on a design, let alone ask for planning permission to begin the construction process.

Then, there is how the stadium will be paid for – or how much it would cost.

The initial estimates were £2bn and Ratcliffe did deliver improvement to United's Carrington training ground within the £50m budget.

However, for projects of this size and length of construction, the final cost is often well in excess of initial expectations (see HS2).

It is not expected the Glazer family will be contributing, which would mean any payment by Ratcliffe would reduce their shareholding, which is thought unlikely.

United already owe around £1bn through a combination of the historical debt the Glazers used to buy the club, a rolling credit facility and outstanding transfer fees. Simply borrowing on top of that – even in stages – also seems unlikely, especially as global interest rates are higher than they were in the calmer, pre-pandemic, pre-Russia-Ukraine war days.

More likely is the funding being arranged through some kind of separate company that effectively owns the stadium until such time as the debt is reduced and another funding mechanism found or paid off.

In theory, this splits the club from the stadium but the general idea is that, with a 100,000 capacity and a significant percentage of corporate seats, United will generate even more money than it does now. That is how the payment will be made – and no-one can be sure what percentage will be charged on the money, which is another topic for negotiation.

Whatever it is, in order to fill those seats and sell those corporate packages – the club recently sent fans indicative prices which in many instances, ran into thousands of pounds - United need a good team, which costs more money, with no guarantee of success.

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