Simon Stone
BBC Sport reporter

Prospective Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is willing to commit millions immediately for stadium infrastructure improvements if a planned deal to buy into the Old Trafford outfit is approved.

The search for ‘strategic alternatives’ for United, launched by the Glazer family almost 12 months ago, is still to be completed, despite a widely held belief that Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group is going to secure a 25% stake.

Numerous sources close to United have told BBC Sport the process needs to be speeded up in order to allow clarity over manager Erik ten Hag’s position as currently, Ratcliffe cannot be consulted over the Dutchman’s future.

It is thought Ratcliffe will pay about £1.25bn to buy a quarter of the club but many fans, uneasy at the prospect of the Glazer family remaining in control, have questioned where the money will go.

However, it has now become apparent that in addition to paying for a quarter stake in United, Ratcliffe would provide an additional sum, to be used for urgent work on the stadium.

It is accepted the sums involved would not cover all the work needed, which some have estimated will cost £1bn, but it is seen as a sign of Ratcliffe’s intentions for United.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says his "philosophy hasn't changed" this season despite successive home defeats by Manchester City and Newcastle.

Fulham

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham boss Marco Silva, speaking to TNT Sports: "If you get a good result the noise is not the same. At a big club like Manchester United it is much, much bigger.

"We have reacted since losing 3-0 at home to Brentford [19 August]. I would love to see the Cottage bouncing. We need them [fans] behind us. We have felt the support from the first minute in our recent away games. We are going to give our maximum and play for the shirt. We want to write a different story against Manchester United from last season [Fulham lost 2-1 after conceding a 93rd minute winner]."

On Brazilian forward Rodrigo Muniz making his first Premier League start: "He is a strong lad and a very good player. if you can deliver for him he can finish in certain ways. It's his moment to start."

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe admits he's "fearing the worst" as he waits for the results of a scan on Matt Targett's hamstring injury.

The left-back's absence means Newcastle are without eight senior players.

Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe faces several weeks out because of the knee injury he sustained during last week's 5-0 win over Sheffield United.

Martin Odegaard could return to the starting XI after being restricted to one brief outing in the past two games.

Tim, York: RE Kit @ 11:39 - Just imagine getting paid £200k a week or whatever, and being asked to both perform and be professional about it? Poor Marcus.

Kevin, Leics: RE Kit 11:39 - From their performances it looks like Rashford and quite a few of his work-mates quit weeks ago! Injury after injury, players only fit for the bench, feels like the rest are throwing sickies to avoid playing. 100% mess from top to bottom, shameful.

Image source, Getty Images

Marco Silva challenged Rodrigo Muniz to become Fulham's first-choice striker after his goal against Ipswich on Wednesday.

In his seventh appearance of the season, the 22-year-old scored his first Fulham goal since January 2022, and now pips Raul Jimenez in the starting XI.

"He is always a candidate and he had a very good pre-season," said Silva.

"We don't have a number one, two or three. It is for me to decide for each game regarding the strategy and what I want from the game.

"It is up to [the forwards] to show the quality they have and to show they are able to play."

Image source, Getty Images

Now is the time for fans to unite in supporting Erik ten Hag, according to former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.

He said players must take responsibility for recent below-par performances, though admitted it is down to the manager to help with that.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, Schmeichel said: "At times it looks like there are certain players who play with some players and not others.

"Players have to step up, there’s no doubt about that. We can talk about ownership of a football club and management of a football club, but the people doing the job on the pitch are the most important ones.

"They have to go out there and fight. The minimum you can do is run and fight, but at times it’s not even happening. It needs a change in mentality and approach to everything and that is something the manager has got to help players with."

BBC Radio 5 Live

Steve Crossman presents build-up to today's Premier League matches from 12:00 GMT, including updates from Fulham v Manchester United.

We've got full commentary of Everton v Brighton at 15:00 GMT, then Newcastle v Arsenal later this evening.

Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji is available after serving a suspension last weekend.

It means manager Pep Guardiola has a full squad at his disposal with the exception of long-term absentee Kevin De Bruyne.

Lewis Cook serves the final game of a three-match ban for Bournemouth.

Alex Scott's fitness will be assessed, with the midfielder having started three successive fixtures since his return from a lengthy knee injury.

Manchester United

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, speaking to TNT Sports, confirms Marcus Rashford is not involved because of injury.

"We tested it this morning and it was not good enough," he adds.

Asked if Rashford would have started if he had been fit, Ten Hag said: "Yes. I have said everything about it."

On the Fulham game: "It starts with team spirit from the first whistle and we have to make it our game. We have to do the hard work, do it together and find a way to win. We have seen the performances have not been good enough.

"Don't look back. Of course we take the lessons, but look forward."

Everton have no fresh injury concerns and Ashley Young, who scored in the midweek Carabao Cup win over Burnley, is available after serving a one-match league ban.

Seamus Coleman is set to step up his comeback from a knee injury by playing for the under-21 side on Saturday.

Tariq Lamptey is fit to return for Brighton but Pervis Estupinan is still sidelined with a thigh problem.

Long-term absentees include Jakub Moder, Solly March and Danny Welbeck.

Image source, BBC Sport

Sammy James, Fulhamish:

It was a great point for Fulham on Sunday against Brighton at Amex Stadium. After a terrible first half, Marco Silva's second-half substitutes paid off and it was great to see us dig in once again to claim crucial points on the road.

All in all, it's been a good week for the club with, of course, Silva signing a contract extension until 2026.

The fact that his contract was expiring at the end of the season was a big black cloud over the club, but it's great that now Fulham can draw up plans for the future knowing he will be boss for some time to come.

Fulham's business in the summer was OK, but there are big holes, notably up-front and on the left-wing. There is no doubt that the uncertainty over Silva's future would have been a factor in some players not wanting to join the club, but fingers crossed we can go back into the market with a stronger hand.

Finally, I wanted to end by saying that there is a planned protest during the Manchester United game against Fulham's ticket price policy.

The Fulham Supporters Trust will be handing out yellow leaflets for fans to hold up in a visual display on 18 minutes, to signify last season's 18% minimum season ticket price increase.

Brentford's Mikkel Damsgaard, Josh Dasilva and Keane Lewis-Potter are back in training but are not yet ready for a first-team return.

Rico Henry, Kevin Schade and Ivan Toney are long-term absentees.

West Ham are without Lucas Paqueta and Edson Alvarez, who both serve a one-match suspension.

Emerson Palmieri is available after a ban but Kurt Zouma faces a fitness test on the injury that saw him miss the win over Arsenal in midweek.

Kit Beaupre: Imagine having a bad day at work, going out afterwards, making it into work on time the next day then being expected to apologise to your manager and being told it was unacceptable, I’d quit on the spot.

It's not been a great birthday week for Marcus Rashford, who seems to have picked up an injury which forces him out of today's game.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said earlier this week that Rashford was "motivated" despite criticising the forward for going to a nightclub after the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City.

Ten Hag said Rashford's behaviour was "unacceptable" but the forward has apologised.

The party last Sunday night was pre-planned, and attending the gathering did not prevent Rashford from arriving on time for training on Monday.

"I am aware of it and I spoke with him about it," said Ten Hag. "It is unacceptable. I told him. He apologised and that is it."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport reporter

Understand Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford took a heavy knock to his leg in training and couldn't finish the last session.

He failed a late fitness test this morning.

The Cottage. A beautiful place to play football on a Saturday lunchtime.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images