Manchester United

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Andre Onana's loan move to Trabzonspor was confirmed last night.

After initially being told by Ruben Amorim he was going to be first choice this season, the Manchester United goalkeeper has now found himself surplus to requirements.

The hamstring injury he sustained right at the start of pre-season training, which meant he had no warm-up games prior to the first Premier League game against Arsenal, and the mistake he made in the EFL Cup defeat at League Two Grimsby have not helped in that regard.

While the rights and wrongs of Senne Lammens' arrival can be debated, the Belgian has clearly been bought with an eye on the future.

It means Onana - whose United contract runs to 2028 - has almost certainly played his last game for the Old Trafford outfit.

The Trabzonspor move may be a loan - but I doubt he will return to United in any meaningful capacity.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

There has been a lot of talk around Ruben Amorim's style of play at Manchester United but many of the questions sent in via our 'Ask about Man Utd' form have been about what Bruno Fernandes' best position is.

The United captain is facing a new challenge this season, as Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha occupy the attacking roles.

This is a big debating point. Amorim was very clear in the summer he wanted Fernandes in a deeper position because he wanted him on the ball more often.

His rationale was that Fernandes will find more room and that will allow him to have more impact on the game.

The secondary element of that is squeezing out Kobbie Mainoo as Amorim feels the Stockport-born midfielder is best suited to that position.

The alternative view is that Fernandes is more of a danger in one of the number 10 roles in Amorim's system and rather than spending most of his available resource this summer on attacking players, United should have bought a holding midfielder.

My personal feeling is Erik ten Hag got it spot on in the 2024 FA Cup final, when he effectively used Fernandes as a false nine as his football intelligence takes him into areas where he can be a danger and flanked by quick players, it causes opposition defences a major problem.

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It is one of the biggest fixtures of the season for City and United fans - the Manchester derby.

Pep Guardiola and Ruben Amorim's sides will be going head to head at Etihad on Sunday as they look to get the early upper hand in this Premier League campaign.

BBC Radio Manchester's Total Sport team will be discussing team news, tactics and talking points in a special preview programme from 18:00 BST.

Watch live here or streamed on this page later on

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The Premier League returns this weekend and so does the Manchester derby.

There have been some corkers over the years, but Wayne Rooney's favorite derby day was when Manchester United beat Manchester City 1-0 in the penultimate game of the 2006-07 season.

"Cristiano Ronaldo scored the penalty and the next day we won the league so we almost won the league at the Etihad," said Rooney on The Wayne Rooney Show. "It came down to Chelsea, who played Arsenal the next day and they drew 1-1.

"That was mad because I remember being sat at home and I had literally got my clothes ready to go out. I had a couple of beers watching the game and was thinking 'right if Chelsea don't win then we've won the league'.

"But Chelsea's Dutch centre-back Khalid Boulahrouz got sent off early, so Arsenal went 1-0 up.

"I'm then ironing my clothes and Chelsea equalised with roughly about 10 minutes to go and they hung on.

"We obviously then all met up and went out. But I think we knew if we won that game against City then we won the league. That was the first title I would have won. So I'd say that game is my favourite Manchester derby.

"But I also remember the other one with the Mario Balotelli 'why always me?' top.

"I'm sure it was that game when Ben Foster played and he messed up, and I've never seen the manager go at someone like he did!

"You know where someone's getting it and you feel like saying 'come on, leave him now' but there was no way Ben Foster could have played for United ever again.

"It was a bit too far I think."

Rooney scored one of the most iconic Premier League goals in a derby.

His overhead kick gave them a late 2-1 win in February 2011 and it won the Premier League Goal of the 20 Seasons award in 2012.

"I was so bad in that game," he laughed. "It's one of the worst games I've ever played. I couldn't control a ball.

"I think it's more of an iconic goal because it's the derby, you score and win the game 2-1. But you don't practise overhead kicks."

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

England defenders Harry Maguire, 32, and Luke Shaw, 30, are both under assessment at Manchester United as the club look to bring in possible defensive reinforcements next summer. (Teamtalk), external

Juventus are looking at Atalanta's 27-year-old forward Ademola Lookman as a leading candidate to succeed 25-year-old Serbia international Dusan Vlahovic, who is expected to leave the Serie A club. Manchester United and Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee, 24, is also an option. (Tuttosport - in Italian), external

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

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Beth Tucker
Fan contributor

The United Stand, external presenter Beth Tucker gives her thoughts on giving new goalkeeper Senne Lammens an opportunity to prove himself in a high-stakes Manchester derby at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

"There is no easy game in the Premier League" says Beth.

"Get him straight in - the same way Sir Alex Ferguson did with David de Gea."

Find more from Beth Tucker at The United Stand, external

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Sheffield Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen has said he is "really happy" with new signing Harry Amass.

The 18-year-old joined on a season-long loan from Manchester United on transfer deadline day and could be in contention to make his debut as the Owls host Bristol City on Saturday.

Amass' arrival is a significant one because, given transfer restrictions, the left-back was the only senior outfield player brought into the club over the summer window.

"He feels really well, when I speak with him and see him on the pitch, I see a concentrated and happy boy, who likes his new life in Sheffield and he's doing really well." Pedersen told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"You always have expectations before when you're choosing players, but it feels like he feels really well and I'm really happy that he's in," he said.

Pedersen also expressed his gratitude to Manchester United for seeing the potential for Amass at Hillsborough.

Amass had made seven senior appearances for United and been capped from England Under-15 through to U18 level.

"I think we have to be proud, and we have to be very thankful, because what they have done for us is fantastic and big respect for what they have done," he added.

"I'm proud because they could see that Sheffield Wednesday could be a good space and a good club for Harry and the trust they have in this direction, and on the other hand what that has done for us, it's a big respect, and thanks."

Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana will travel to Turkey from Paris today to complete his loan switch to Trabzonspor.

Onana agreed the deal during the international break after United signed Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp for £18.1m.

The Cameroon international had been told during the summer he would be Ruben Amorim's first choice at Old Trafford this season but clearly that situation has changed.

His only appearance so far this season came against Grimsby in the EFL Cup, when he was at fault for the League Two side's second goal in their shock win.

It is not expected Onana will return to the United fold at the end of his loan stint and his exit does mean Amorim won't have to manage the 29-year-old's mid-season departure to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Meanwhile, defender Tyrell Malacia is the one remaining member of Amorim's 'bomb squad' who is yet to find a club.

Turkish club Eyupspor have inquired about the full-back but it is not clear whether Malacia is keen on the switch.

The Turkish transfer deadline is on Friday night, as is Greece's.

Serbia remains open until 17 September.

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has an interesting call to make this weekend regarding who starts in goal.

It appears a straight choice between Altay Bayindir and new signing Senne Lammens, with Andre Onana set to join Trabzonspor.

Lammens arrived from Antwerp for £18.1m on deadline day could potentially get the nod ahead of Bayindir, who has failed to impress so far this season.

The 23-year-old would become just the sixth player to make their Premier League bow for United in this fixture and the first goalkeeper.

Legendary forward Eric Cantona made his league debut against Manchester City almost 33 years ago and he and Phil Neville are the only two debutants to finish on the winning side.

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Alejandro Garnacho's future at United has been the subject of major conjecture from the moment he was exiled from the squad to face Manchester City last December.

Manager Ruben Amorim felt he was not paying attention to instructions when the Argentina international was about to come on late in a Europa League tie with Viktoria Plzen.

At that point, unlike Marcus Rashford, Garnacho's exile only lasted a single game. However, he didn't start again for another month. By that time, interest from Chelsea, which included a visit to Stamford Bridge from the player's agents for their game against Wolves, was already apparent.

The uneasy situation erupted when Garnacho was left out of the Europa League final starting line-up, prompting a critical social media post from his brother Roberto and then a post-match interview from the player, who questioned why he had been omitted by Amorim.

The United coach's response was to tell Garnacho to find another club.

Manchester United are eyeing a January move for Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson, 22. (Teamtalk), external

Liverpool are among a host of top clubs tracking Ajax's teenage Dutch defender Aaron Bouwman, 18. (Teamtalk), external

Meanwhile, Andre Onana, who is close to a loan move to Trabzonspor, turned down offers from a number of clubs - including Monaco - in the summer as the 29-year-old was told he would be Ruben Amorim's first choice this season. (The i Paper - subscription required), external.

Brazil midfielder Casemiro, 33, had been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia but United could keep him until his contract expires next summer as he has become an important part of Amorim's team. (Caught Offside), external

Finally, United and Netherlands left-back Tyrell Malacia, 26, could be set for a season-long loan at Turkish Super Lig side Eyupspor. (Sun), external

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

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Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

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With just two Premier League wins since the start of April, it seems only a fool would say that Manchester United have been improving under Ruben Amorim…and yet that's exactly what the stats suggest.

While only Tottenham have taken fewer points in their past 10 games, United's underlying numbers suggest their performances have deserved more and, if anything, it's the players who have underperformed more than Amorim and his much-maligned formation.

We have even excluded penalties to show how good United have been at creating and restricting chances themselves, rather than relying on opposition clumsiness or shirt-pulling like they did to score the winner against Burnley.

As you can see, United have taken the most shots in the Premier League in the past 10 games, while only rivals Manchester City - Sunday's opponents - have faced fewer among the 17 sides ever-present during the time frame.

The big problem has been scoring and saving them.

While it is worth mentioning that those 10 games include 65 minutes against 10-man Bournemouth and Aston Villa, it is not a given that teams easily dominate games when an opponent has a man sent off.

Only six sides have been more dominant than United in their past 10 Premier League games and if they'd been as efficient as other teams, United would have around double the points than the paltry eight they have actually managed.

Read more over here

Alex Turk
Fan writer

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Ruben Amorim is no stranger to facing problems at Manchester United. He has seldom enjoyed a week without one since arriving in November.

Now, a dilemma is brewing before Sunday's derby at Manchester City. However, on this occasion, it is a positive one in an area of the pitch that was the source of plenty of pain last season.

When is Benjamin Sesko going to start matches? It is a fair question on the everlasting carousel of many queries among United fans.

He has arrived as one of Europe's hottest young strikers in a £74m transfer. Yet, the 22-year-old's only start in four games came at League Two club - and Carabao Cup conquerors - Grimsby Town.

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While Amorim insists he is carefully managing Sesko's adaption to English football, there is another prominent reason for his bit-part role thus far.

Mason Mount is currently enjoying his best run of form and fitness since his £55m switch from Chelsea in 2023.

Amorim loves the 26-year-old, who suits the demands required to operate in a 3-4-3 system, as he did under Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge.

Mount's first two years in Manchester have been plagued by injury woes, but brighter days could be here.

Along with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, he makes up the Portuguese coach's first-choice front three, which Sesko is battling to breach.

Who starts against City is anyone's guess and is likely to depend on Mount's fitness after his precautionary half-time substitution in the 3-2 win over Burnley.

The answer could be both, should Cunha miss out with a minor hamstring issue.

But after spending the first several months of his reign watching United - Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund and Antony et al - struggle to conjure up 40 Premier League goals, it is proof there is such thing as a welcome headache.

Find more from Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC, external

Manchester United have set their sights on signing Belgium centre-back Zeno Debast, 21, in January from manager Ruben Amorim's former club Sporting but Arsenal and Aston Villa are among the other sides interested. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

United and England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, 20, may seek to resurrect a loan move to Napoli in January if he does not get more game-time at Old Trafford. (ESPN), external

Liverpool and Newcastle are the latest clubs to join the race to sign England and Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, 21, with United and Chelsea also among interested parties. (Teamtalk), external

United are hoping goalkeeper Andre Onana can perform well on loan at Trabzonspor this season so they can sell the 29-year-old Cameroon international for a sizeable fee next summer. (Football Insider), external

Finally, United's 21-year-old English winger Sam Mather might leave for a club in Turkey before their transfer window closes either on loan or permanently. (Manchester Evening News), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney says Louis van Gaal was the best manager he worked under from a tactical perspective.

United's all-time top goalscorer played under the likes of David Moyes, Jose Mourinho and of course Sir Alex Ferguson, but the Dutch coach tops the list.

"The best I've worked with was Louis van Gaal," Rooney told the Wayne Rooney show. "That might sound strange, Alex Ferguson knew exactly what he was doing and was a genius at what he'd done, but in terms of tactically, Louis van Gaal was streets ahead of anyone I've ever worked with.

"I'm talking tactically. I used to just watch him, take everything in and watch how he prepared the team, how he set the team up defensively. The only one thing was you lost that little bit of freedom when you're attacking. But Van Gaal was incredible. His attention to detail - his training sessions were quite boring at times - every player knew exactly what we were doing. It was tough as an attacking player, but I think defensively how we set up, it was so good."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Watch BBC Football tactics correspondent Umir Irfan break down new Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens' ability to play with his feet below.

"Lammens is a safe passer over short distances," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"He can use both feet. In the Belgian Pro League whenever he has been pressed with more pressure he's gone long.

"From his right foot to the left wing he's a decently accurate long passer. Other than that he usually hits general balls."

Below, BBC Sport's chief football reporter Simon Stone tells the Monday Night Club Manchester United's rationale for signing Lammens over Emiliano Martinez and discusses whether the new addition will start in Sunday's Manchester derby.

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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David De Gea, Edwin Van der Sar and Peter Schmeichel are widely acknowledged as United's modern-day great goalkeepers.

Yet there were others in between who helped the club win Premier League titles.

Mark Bosnich and Raimond van der Gouw featured in 37 of the 38 games in the 1999-2000 championship-winning campaign. World Cup winner Fabian Barthez was in goal for 30 matches of the 2000-01 title triumph. He did the same in 2002-03, when Roy Carroll played 10 times.

The Northern Irishman, who is currently working as an academy coach in Saudi Arabia, has first-hand experience of what it takes to be a goalkeeper at United.

"It's not easy playing for Manchester United at the moment, but it was hard back then because everyone was expecting the new Peter Schmeichel." Carroll said.

"Even then, if you made a mistake, it was big news. You had to be mentally strong and that is still the case.

"But we are not robots; we are all human beings. It is not so much what you do on the pitch as what you do off it."

Carroll knows the impact one moment as a United player can have.

He won a league title for the club and came on as a substitute in the 2004 FA Cup final victory over Millwall. He made 72 United appearances in total as part of a career than spanned nearly 500 senior games for 11 clubs across five countries.

Yet mention his name and the chances are the Pedro Mendes shot he dropped over the goalline and scooped to safety before the assistant referee had noticed is the moment that springs to mind.

"I made a big mistake against Spurs and that is what people talk about," he said.

"I take it. I laugh about it. At the time, I wasn't laughing because I was upset, but as you get older you get more relaxed."

Carroll is wary of pushing the mental toughness message too far because he knows repeating the message and adopting it are very different.

He talks openly about the depression - injury-related rather than down to mistakes - he suffered during his career, which is why he talks about off-field support, not just for United goalkeepers.

"Nobody taught me how to control the mental side," he said. "All I was bought to do was be a goalkeeper - train every day, play every weekend.

"I played in all the English leagues and, no matter if you are at the bottom or the top, you have to be mentally strong.

"You can be the best keeper in the world but, once you lose the mental side of it, it can break you, like it did with me for quite a while.

"That's why I try to help the young goalkeepers because the pressure now is a lot more intense."

Read Simon's full analysis of Man Utd goalkeepers

Watch BBC Sport chief football news reporter Simon Stone and The Observer's Rory Smith discuss and analyse Andre Onana's Manchester United career as the goalkeeper nears a loan move to Turkish side Trabzonspor.

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds