Manchester United

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has spoken to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Arsenal at Old Trafford (kick-off 16:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He said his side "need to survive Sunday", so "everybody can start" against the Gunners if they have trained on Friday.

• Forward Chido Obi-Martin, 17, "is on the list so he can play".

• On being anxious before welcoming Mikel Arteta's side: "You have to sell them the idea. We have to work and show them the image. If they score more, it is going to be so much easier."

• He said it has been a challenging start, but he "will be ready for everything after this season, so it is a good thing".

• On the reported fan protest at Sunday's game: "For everyone in our club, it is a tough moment. People have the right to protest. It is part of our club, and everybody has a voice - but my job is to improve the team and give them something in this moment because they deserve it and they're amazing."

• In response to it being the worst time to play the Gunners: "Any fixture in the Premier League is important. We need to win. The biggest problem is to not have all the players."

• He said Europa League "is so much harder than Champions League", adding: "Not the games, but the recovery to play Premier League on the weekend." He said that remains his ongoing challenge as the injury list grows.

• Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte are expected to return before the end of the season, with Harry Maguire in contention to do so as well if they are "careful".

• Amorim also expects long-term absentees Luke Shaw and Mason Mount to feature before the end of the campaign and he said he hopes Amad Diallo can rejoin them in the final month.

• On Arteta making Arsenal "a big force again" since his arrival: "I will not have the time that [Mikel] Arteta had. I feel that it is a different club."

Listen to full commentary of Man Utd v Arsenal on BBC Radio 5 live at 16:30 on Sunday

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

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Manchester United have lost their past four Premier League games against Arsenal - their longest losing run against the Gunners in their league history.

United, who beat Ipswich last time out, are yet to win consecutive league games this season. This is their longest wait for back-to-back league victories since 1968-69 (games 32 and 33).

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Crystal Palace forward Jean-Phillipe Mateta could emerge as a summer transfer target for Manchester United.

United head coach Ruben Amorim has already said he will have to sell before he buys this summer.

However, yet again after the 1-1 Europa League draw with Real Sociedad, Amorim admitted goalscoring was a huge problem for his team.

Mateta could be the answer. The 27-year-old has scored 15 goals for Palace so far this season and while the France forward could propel the Eagles to an historic first FA Cup triumph, he is ambitious and hoping to be part of France's 2026 World Cup squad. A move to United might help that.

Rasmus Hojlund drew another blank in Spain. The 22-year-old has not scored since December and it would be a surprise if Amorim did not try and reinforce his striking options this summer. Mateta appears to fit the right profile.

Mateta, whose contract expires in 2027, is currently sidelined after having 25 stitches inserted in the wound created by a red card challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts in the FA Cup at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

However, he is expected to be on the club's short break to Marbella and could return for the FA Cup sixth round tie at Fulham on 29 March.

Image source, Daily Mirror and Daily Express

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

Here are some of your comments:

Christian: At least it is a draw, that is really important. A Zirkzee goal too that he really needed. There are clearly some positives to take to the second leg.

Christine: It is not a loss and there were some signs of improvement in the game. Hojlund is not up to it, and he needs time out of the team. His confidence is shattered and he is simply not good enough. The positives are United did lose and it is another step in the right direction.

Ruzzle: Dare I say, we looked like we had an identity. We looked comfortable for the most part and only a penalty that only VAR saw threatened to derail us. Dorgu and Zirkzee are looking more settled in the side. With Dalot, we have to remember he is a full-back playing as a winger. He did create another good chance for Bruno but you can see some patterns of play that look promising. We need some players back as we tired at the end but maybe a glimmer of hope (again).

Pete: Usual display. Unable to find team-mates with simple passes, forwards don't understand how to hold the ball further up the pitch, and we don't shoot enough at goal. We prefer to walk it into the penalty area mostly!

Izzy: Mostly dominated the game. Nice goal from Zirkzee. The ref made the right decision on the penalty. Well played and probably deserved a win. We will have to do better in the second leg.

Mark: Another fairly abject performance. The Zirkzee goal was the only highlight. Dorgu was awful, as was Dalot. United are getting worse not better. I blame Amorim's system - the players are not as bad as he is making them look.

Tom: Considering how the season has unfolded I think any fan would have taken a 1-1 draw before the match started. We still looking fragile defensively and you are just waiting for the opponent to score. Big couple of games coming up in the next week, so hopefully a few of the injured players will start to return.

Bob: Slightly less bad, but terrible decisions on the pitch as usual and the same collapse of what little confidence we had as soon as we conceded.

Manchester United are considering a summer move for Crystal Palace's French forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, 27. (Sun - subscription required), external

United and Liverpool have asked about the availability of Atalanta's Brazil midfielder Ederson, although Manchester City also have a strong interest in the £50m-rated 25-year-old. (Caught Offside), external

Manchester United hope to make summer sales before activating the 80m euro (£67m) release clause in the contract of RB Leipzig and Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko, 21. (Caught Offside), external

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

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Manchester United goalscorer Joshua Zirkzee, speaking to TNT Sports: "I think we were unlucky with the penalty. It shows we have to be relentless with our chances. We had enough of them today. In the end a draw, away, they have to come to Old Trafford."

On deserving more from the game: "I think if you look at the chances and the opportunities we had, I think, yes. Of course, it is not easy. In the end I think we should have had one more."

On his goal: "The team needed it. That's the most important thing. In the end we have to win, and we didn't win today, so we will focus on the next games."

On the penalty: "Obviously, if you see the way the stadium reacts to the penalty it is obvious they needed it. I feel like we can do better and remain calm."

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Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, speaking to TNT Sport: "It could be better, but it could have been worse. When the momentum changed, we got tired more easily."

On if United were anxious: "One thing that I am sure - they're anxious to score goals and win games. They are doing their best and sometimes when they want to do their best, but they're not deciding the best way in their position."

On the game: "I felt until the penalty we had control of the game and the penalty changed the momentum. Our team in the last minutes were really tired. We take this stage to Old Trafford and it is going to be a different game. The pressure will be on us in that stadium.

"We will be surviving physically to get to Sunday. The momentum changed, but I think it was clearly fatigue."

On attacking tactics: "We look at the opponent and the way they try to press. Which player is going to follow the run? And we try imagine the right characteristics for that game.

"I think until the penalty we had good possession. We know that they jumped strong to our press. Our decision in the last third is not the better decision. We have to move on to the next game."

On Rasmus Hojlund: "He is trying really hard. He made the runs, we know that Real Sociedad has a high line and he used his pace to win and fight.

"He has to continue playing and not being anxious."

On Joshua Zirkzee: "He deserved it, he is working well and he is improving a lot of things in his game. He deserves this moment and he was important for us today."

On Alejadnro Garnacho: "He was tired and you see it because we did a lot of transitions in the second half. Sometimes he was late to defend [in the second half]. I felt like he was tired to recover and do the same things."

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

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Manchester United were 1-0 up and cruising towards a first-leg win in Spain, before Real Sociedad were awarded a penalty after a review by the video assistant referee.

It was given for a handball by Bruno Fernandes, although the replays suggested the decision was a bit harsh, while no Real Sociedad players had appealed for a penalty.

"It was harsh," former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Karen Carney told TNT Sports. "But it is the rules and we can't argue with that."

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes added: "It was a penalty. You can understand why they gave it, he stopped the lad from scoring from there."

The penalty shifted the momentum of the game and in the end Manchester United were fortunate to leave with a draw.

They will, however, back themselves to get the job done at Old Trafford on 13 March.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Manchester United's performance

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

There are two matches involving Premier League clubs on Thursday and BBC Sport will bring you all the action.

• AZ Alkmaar v Tottenham

• FCSB v Lyon

• Fenerbache v Rangers

• Real Sociedad v Man Utd - Listen to live commentary on Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times: 17:45 GMT

• Ajax v Frankfurt

• Bodo/Glimt v Olympiakos

• Roma v Athletic Bilbao

• Viktoria Plzen v Lazio

Kick-off times: 20:00 GMT

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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Matthijs de Ligt says Manchester United are taking their Europa League campaign "step by step" and not looking too far ahead at potentially qualifying for next season's Champions League by winning the competition.

United finished third in the League Stage of the Europa League and were the only one of the 36 teams to go through their eight fixtures undefeated.

But, with United out of both domestic cups and 14th in the Premier League, winning the Europa League may be their best chance of qualifying for Europe next season.

"Thursday is another chance to show our worth in a European competition," said Netherlands international defender De Ligt, previewing the first leg of their last-16 tie against Real Sociedad (17:45 GMT).

"Until now we haven't lost a game so hopefully we can keep it that way and get a good result.

"If you win the tournament, you go into the Champions League [next season], but that is not our main goal at the moment. Our main goal is to win the game on Thursday and get a good result.

"We're watching it step by step, game after game.

"The Europa League is not a tournament where you can win it without effort. We know we have to fight and put everything on the line to win the game. That's our first concern. We'll be ready and hopefully we can get a good result."

Manchester United have looked at Burnley's 22-year-old English goalkeeper James Trafford and Espanyol's Spanish number one Joan Garcia, 23, as possible replacements for Cameroon international Andre Onana, 28. (Teamtalk), external

Manchester United and Brazil winger Antony, 25, has expressed a desire to stay at Real Betis when his loan spell at the La Liga club ends. (Canal Sur, via Mail), external

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

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Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist

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

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte, who have not travelled because of "small" injuries: "We are being careful because at the moment we cannot afford to lose more players for a long time. We are taking care of them at Carrington and they cannot play this game because it would be a risk."

• Asked about the challenge of facing Sociedad, having taken a small squad to Spain: "We have a lot of experience and we are ready. The good thing about playing in the Premier League is we are ready for everything. It's a big challenge. We are going to face a good team who are very intense and have a lot of experience and international players."

• On the importance of winning the Europa League: "It's not the crucial thing for the future of the club, but I understand that it would make a massive difference in our season, especially because we are out of the cups and in a bad position in the league. It could change a lot of things, even the way they see the coach, so I know there is massive pressure."

• He continued: "Manchester United can call all of the best players, even without the Champions League in the future. We have to change a lot of things and we're trying to do that. There are more important things than winning cups at this moment, that is my feeling, but I understand that winning the Europa League can change everything for us in the next season."

• Amorim said he thinks of turning United around as a "long project" that will not be solved by one cup success: "I'm really confident on the big goal of this club. I'm trying to show the big picture to our supporters."

• On how the team can unlock the best from its strikers, who have struggled for goals recently: "There are things that are hard to explain. Before the last match, we had some games without opportunities and it's impossible for them to score, so it's a team thing. Sometimes it's luck. One thing is to create situations. We created [chances] in the last game, but in certain moments we need a little bit of luck to score one. Then when you score one, you take away the big pressure and score two or three in the next games."

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Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil says people calling his side favourites over Manchester United "don't know anything about football".

United travel to San Sebastian for the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday.

"For me, Manchester United are favourites to win the Europa League. We need to acknowledge who we are up against," said Alguacil, whose side are ninth in La Liga.

"It's true that in the Premier League they are not getting the results they want, but they are a very good team with an excellent manager."

Samuel Luckhurst, chief Manchester United writer for the Manchester Evening News, speaks to the latest episode of The Football News Show about the upcoming Europa League tie with Real Sociedad.

United are on course for their lowest league finish since the inception of the Premier League in 1992 and boss Ruben Amorim has intimated that there will be changes made to the squad in the summer.

"Whether these players have a long-term future or a short-term future at the club, they have got the chance to be involved in a victorious European campaign with Manchester United," Luckhurst said.

"If they're not [successful], they're going to be remembered as members of the worst United side since the team that was relegated in 1974."

Watch the Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof is a target for Portuguese club Benfica.

Lindelof spent five years with Benfica after joining them as a youth player in 2012. He joined United in a £31m deal in 2017.

In total, the Sweden skipper has made 270 appearances for Manchester United and scored four goals but now aged 30, his contract expires on 30 June and it is thought unlikely he will be offered an extension.

He made his 11th appearance of the season on Sunday when he came on as a substitute in the FA Cup fifth-round tie against Fulham, but missed a penalty in the shoot-out defeat at Old Trafford, and has only started 28 Premier League games since the start of the 2022-23 campaign.

Lindelof won three Portuguese league titles and three domestic cups during his initial time with Benfica, who want him to replace veteran Argentinian defender Nicolas Otamendi.

Borussia Dortmund are preparing for the departure of English winger Jamie Gittens, 20, with Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham all interested. (Sky Germany - in German), external

United and Sweden defender Victor Lindelof, 30, wants to leave the club this summer and return to former club Benfica. (Record - in Portuguese), external

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

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Professor Rob Wilson, a football finance expert, speaks to the BBC's latest episode of The Football News Show about the importance of progression to the latter stages of this season's Europa League for Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

If either club should win the competition, they would qualify for next season's Champions League.

Watch the Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Manchester United fan and BBC Radio Manchester presenter Joe McGrath believes Ruben Amorim is to blame for Manchester United's exit from the FA Cup.

Speaking on The Devils' Advocate, he said: "I really do think we're out of the FA Cup because of Amorim. He's made his bed, and it's an uncomfortable bed to lie in.

"His formation at the minute doesn't provide us with hardly any good football. We've not scored a goal in the first half from open play for 17 games.

"We're not breaking through defences. We need set pieces and we need one-off moments of magic like Bruno Fernandes gives us.

"I see some of the players we have and I think we've actually got some talent. But this season is just a sacrifice now.

"As Man Utd fans, what do we do? What are we supporting this team for if the whole season is sacrificed?"

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Alex Turk
Fan writer

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Manchester United's FA Cup defence is over. Dreams of a third consecutive final ended with a whimper against Fulham on penalties in the latest Old Trafford defeat of Ruben Amorim's early reign.

But if there was any encouragement from the fifth-round exit, it was that this writer's reluctance over Chido Obi's readiness to start senior matches dissolved.

Rasmus Hojlund struggled to make any sort of impact again, as his goal drought extended to 18 games.

Amorim introduced Obi to turn the tie in United's favour, which in itself was a damning indicator of his confidence in Hojlund.

And in the 52 minutes he played, the 17-year-old had three big chances.

Should he have sent the hosts through to the quarter-finals? Probably. But, boy, was it refreshing to see a striker fashion opportunities for himself.

Debate service all you like, but that is what elite goalscorers do.

In comparison, Hojlund has had the same total of big chances in his past 22 league games.

Now, it is Bilbao or bust, and he has to step up.

The Basque city will host the Europa League final on 21 May, and that now represents United's final pathway to Champions League football next season. Real Sociedad await in the last 16.

Obi will not be playing a part though. United did not include him in their revised squad list last month.

The Red Devils had three slots for new eligible players in their 'A' list but only added January arrivals Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven. He cannot feature in the 'B' list having only joined from Arsenal last summer.

In hindsight, that could be a potentially costly blunder. The talented teen made his senior debut 10 days after the deadline.

However, despite his woes in domestic competition, Hojlund's goal record in Europe since joining United should offer a glimmer of hope.

Find more from Alex Turk at Stretford Paddock, external