Manchester United

In the third and final part of Monday's Manchester United Q&A, BBC Sport's Simon Stone addresses the Red Devils' transfer approach under Jason Wilcox and what areas Michael Carrick needs to strengthen.

John: At what point does the focus on Manchester United's transfer approach put Jason Wilcox under a microscope? I cannot think of any elite team ever that has publicly set out to buy only players for particular areas across three years. Firstly, you're advertising your intent, so those selling will introduce a buying premium. Secondly, availability of players doesn't work on a three-year cycle. Lastly, some players don't work out and need to be sold, which requires flexibility and not a panicked reaction in January.

Simon: A well-reasoned argument, John. My only counter is that it is a lot easier to be wise after the event, and the general consensus when the window closed was that United had done well.

A year ago, I was one of those who felt the club should have targeted midfield rather than off-load Rasmus Hojlund and bring in Benjamin Sesko to lead the attack. I am still not entirely convinced the strategy United went for was the right one, but they did finish third – and Sesko, when fit, though his latest problem is a big worry, is better than Hojlund.

I was sure United would bring in a left-back to compete with Luke Shaw as it was inconceivable he would stay fit across such a long season.

A bit like the issue up front, though, a plan has been derailed, this time by the poor form of Noussair Mazraoui, who I think was the first-choice back-up.

I wouldn't want to put all the blame on Wilcox, the recruitment department as a whole must share responsibility, but United do seem short in a couple of areas – and you are right about flagging key areas in advance.

Image source, Getty Images

Nigel: Which areas of the squad do you think Manchester United should be looking to strengthen in the January transfer window?

Simon: Left-back seems to me to be an absolute priority, Nigel.

However, United have been down this road before. Remember Sergio Reguilon? Getting a player is the easy bit, getting the right one is harder.

If they had wanted, United could have signed Rayan Ait-Nouri from Manchester City this summer, but clearly didn't see him as a permanent solution.

I do come back to the well-made point that United's present first-choice defence is Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw - just as it was on the opening day of the 2022-23 season. That is a worry.

Find the rest of Simon's Q&A, and more Red Devils content, on your Manchester United page

In the second of a special three-part Manchester United Q&A, BBC Sport's Simon Stone looks at Marcus Rashford's squad impact and the midfield balance within the side.

Teck: Has Marcus Rashford's inclusion caused an imbalance in terms of the dynamics of the team, especially the forward line?

Simon: Hi, Teck. I'm reluctant to go down this route. Rashford has been one of United's biggest threats in attack this season.

I am more inclined to believe the combination of Benjamin Sesko and Amad Diallo both being injured has caused the major issue as it has prevented Bryan Mbeumo being used in a central attacking role, which I am pretty sure would have been the preference.

Mbeumo was used as the main striker in pre-season and did quite well. If I refer back to Paul's question previously, with Sesko and Amad out, Michael Carrick has a choice.

Does he stick with Mbeumo as the front man, then use Shea Lacey on the right, and then pick Rashford or Matheus Cunha on the left, and leave the other player out? Or, does he use Cunha or Rashford as the centre forward, and Lacey is then on the bench?

Cunha and Rashford both played at the World Cup. It would be a huge call to leave either out for an untested 19-year-old. With Sesko back on the injured list, Carrick needs Amad back pretty soon.

Image source, Getty Images

Tony: Is the midfield balance right or did Kobbie Mainoo need an experienced defensive midfielder to complement his skills and learn from?

Simon: Another good question. I am one of Kobbie Mainoo's biggest fans, but I do feel care needs to be taken over the formation of the midfield, because it is a reality United get overrun in the middle of the pitch.

In pre-season, Andrey Santos dovetailed well with Mason Mount. Santos seems to have a lot of energy, Mount has confidence on the ball and an eye for a pass. It was pre-season, but that combination was good.

When the Premier League campaign began, Mainoo and Youri Tielemans were the preferred partnership, but I'm not sure that balance works.

Santos has been away with Brazil, but it seemed Carrick was reluctant to trust him. In profile terms, it left United without someone who can instinctively smell danger before problems arise.

Carlos Baleba was fit enough to feature in a behind-closed-doors game against Lausanne-Sport on Friday and will presumably be in contention for the Tottenham game on Saturday.

It is very harsh to think the former Brighton man can solve all United's issues on his own, but he needs to hit the ground running.

Come back to this page later on Monday for the final part of the Q&A, which will focus on the Red Devils' transfer approach under Jason Wilcox and what areas Carrick needs to strengthen

We asked you to send in your questions for BBC Sport's Manchester United reporter Simon Stone. In the first of a three-part Q&A, he addresses behind the scenes information at Old Trafford and Michael Carrick's possible reluctance to offer younger players minutes.

David: When former Manchester United players talk about 'things happening behind the scenes' that can affect players' performances, what kind of things do they mean?

Simon: Hi David. I'm not entirely sure what the specific example you are referring to here, but the basic reality is that fans and the media do not know everything that is happening at a football club.

Generally, that could be injuries managers are trying to keep under wraps, or play down the extent of, that affect match preparation in training. But there could be other things.

It is sometimes forgotten players are human beings and have the same personal issues as everyone else. Their relatives get ill – and they are often a long way from home – their children get sick.

Everyday problems can divert attention. The truth is though, that once a match starts, a club is judged by the performance of the 11 players on the pitch at any given moment in time and the coaching staff directing them.

Image source, Getty Images

Paul: Why is Michael Carrick reluctant to offer our promising academy prospects, like Harry Amass and JJ Gabriel, minutes since the senior players seem to be sleeping on their jobs?

Simon: This is an interesting one, Paul.

I am pretty sure Amass would have either been sold or loaned out had United been able to get another left-back as the view at the club is that he is not at the required level right now.

I feel a mistake was made in not registering JJ Gabriel for that Champions League tie with Sabah FK as it would have been the best opportunity to give him his debut, and that might have kept him at the club.

However, he is 15. Would it have been fair to expect either player to come in and try and elevate the overall performances of a struggling team?

Michael Carrick sees players in training every day, he frequently watches academy matches. I am sure he would pick players if he felt they were good enough.

He obviously doesn't think the time is right – and with JJ Gabriel, the chance has gone now, sadly.

Come back to this page later on Monday for part two of the Q&A, which will focus on Marcus Rashford and the Red Devils' midfield balance.

Image source, Getty Images

Content creator and Manchester United fan Beth Tucker believes "moments have been taken away" from the Red Devils' fanbase after the Premier League found Manchester City guilty of breaching financial rules between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.

At the start of this period, United were at the peak of their powers under the stewardship of the great Sir Alex Ferguson and won their third title in a row in 2009.

However, City quickly surged to the summit of English football and snatched the title away from United in 2012. Tucker now thinks City striker Sergio Aguero's famous last-gasp title winner could be remembered as the "Aguer-no" moment, after he scored deep into added time on the last day of the season to take the title to the blue side of Manchester for the first time in 44 years.

"We spent years watching City break trophies, break records, and become the most dominant club in Manchester... on the pitch," Tucker told BBC Radio Manchester.

"They will never have our fanbase, global appeal and our history but on the pitch they have been the most dominant club in Manchester and the Premier League. They have signed players we have wanted to sign and lifted trophies we have wanted to lift.

"Moments that have been taken away from us. That Aguero moment might turn into the Aguer-no moment. Jose Mourinho, could he be entitled to a trophy? Champions League money we have missed out on and players we have missed out on signing because of the butterfly effect of this.

"When an independent commission finds serious breaches, naturally you start looking back and asking, did these change the competitive landscape? I don't want Man Utd fans to use this as an excuse, I'm not going to, because ultimately Manchester United have got to fix United and that's the part that hurts me most. Even if Manchester City were punished tomorrow, United don't automatically become a great football team."

Listen to Tucker in full on BBC Sounds here

Former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Antonio Conte is enjoying time relaxing away from the game despite being linked with a return to management at Manchester United and Juventus. (Football Italia), external

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Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

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Sir Alex Ferguson won the lot during his time in charge of Manchester United between 1986 and 2013, including 13 Premier League titles.

He transformed them into a winning machine, and the history and tradition of United ran red through his veins.

As well as delivering two Champions League titles, Ferguson masterminded five FA Cup triumphs, won the League Cup four times and added the Club World Cup, European Super Cup, European Cup Winners' Cup and the Intercontinental Cup to the Old Trafford trophy cabinet.

In his new book, Ferguson has picked standout games in his career, from winning his first cup final playing for Govan High School in Glasgow in 1955 at the age of 13 through to his retirement as a manager in 2013.

"That was my starting point," he says, holding the medal he received after that cup win 71 years ago.

"I played for Glasgow Schools, Scotland Schools and the Scotland youth team. The starting point of my career was there and I can look back with great satisfaction."

Ferguson describes growing up in Govan as "the making of me". He says he developed his inner confidence from his mother, Elizabeth, and a drive to succeed from his father, Alexander, who worked in the Govan shipyards on the River Clyde.

"He was a hard taskmaster because whenever I scored a hat-trick or a goal, my mother would say: 'That's great, son.'" His father, meanwhile, offered tough constructive criticism, however many goals Ferguson had scored.

• Ferguson on brain haemorrhage and games that shaped his life

After making his debut as a 16-year-old striker for Queen's Park, Ferguson ended up at St Johnstone, where he endured a frustrating spell and nearly quit football for a new life in Canada.

"I wasn't enjoying it. I wasn't playing first-team football; I was in the reserves all the time," he says.

"I filled out all the forms and phoned my aunt in Canada, because you needed a sponsor then, and never told my mother and father."

The next day, St Johnstone, decimated by a flu bug in the team, arrived at Ibrox to take on Rangers. A 21-year-old Ferguson was promoted to the starting XI and scored a hat-trick.

That life-changing performance in 1963 revived his playing career and set him on the path to becoming one of football's greatest managers.

"I would say this to young people - don't miss the biggest opportunity in your life. It's recognising it."

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United midfielder Carlos Baleba made his first appearance for the club in a behind-closed-doors game with Lausanne-Sports at Carrington on Friday.

Baleba is yet to feature in a competitive game for Michael Carrick's side since his £70m summer move from Brighton due to an ankle injury he suffered in pre-season.

The Cameroon midfielder was on the bench for the 1-1 draw at Fulham last month but was an unused substitute.

Baleba was fit enough to play against the Swiss League outfit, who are also part of the Ineos group.

The 22-year-old was included in pictures United published around the game, which also included Harry Maguire and Matheus Cunha.

However, there were no shots of Matthijs de Ligt, who it has been claimed was also involved as he continues to recover after having back surgery to correct a problem that has kept him out since last November.

De Ligt also travelled to Fulham but was not included in Carrick's matchday squad.

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

"I was terrified," says Sir Alex Ferguson, one of the fiercest, most explosive and most decorated managers in football history.

The legendary former Manchester United boss is recalling the day he returned to Old Trafford for the first time after suffering a brain haemorrhage in May 2018.

Four months after emergency surgery, Ferguson - famous for his 'hairdryer treatment' when United dominated English football - was back to watch his beloved club take on Wolves in the Premier League.

The man responsible for making the dreams of United fans around the world come true for once was unsure of the reception he would receive from supporters.

"I wish I could say I was comfortable. I wasn't," Ferguson tells BBC Breakfast.

He need not have worried.

Ferguson and his wife, Cathy, received a standing ovation when they took their seats in the directors' box before kick-off.

"My wife was with me, and she was nearly crying. When we sat down, she said 'that's fantastic'."

Ferguson had been retired five years - after winning 38 trophies during 26 years in charge of United - at the time of his brain haemorrhage, aged 76.

Now three months short of 85, he says: "I'm feeling quite good despite small injuries."

The Scot has a new book coming out - Games Of My Life. It tells the stories of 21 defining matches in his playing and managerial career, revealing fresh insights into his journey from working-class Glasgow to dominating the English game - and Europe - as United boss.

Ferguson is thankful he is able to talk about the games that helped shape him.

"I had lost my voice; I couldn't speak," he says about the days immediately after brain surgery. "That was a frightening moment.

"Then they brought in a therapist and she started doing things like asking me to write down the names of birds, names of animals, names of rivers.

"That way my voice came back."

Read more from BBC Breakfast's interview with Ferguson here

Image source, Getty Images

A very special interview in which legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson speaks with Nina Warhurst for BBC Breakfast is available to listen to and download now on BBC Sounds.

In a wide-ranging chat, Ferguson talks on topics including his upbringing in Glasgow, making his debut for St Johnstone, the Class of '92, and his recovery from a brain haemorrhage and return to Old Trafford in 2018.

The 84-year-old opens up about his health struggles in recent years, while reminiscing on some of the stories that defined his life, both personally and in football.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - or you can read a write-up on Ferguson's chat here

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Manchester United have had a tricky start to the season.

One win in the opening five league games means the Red Devils were 12th in the table heading into the three-week international break.

A disappointing Carabao Cup third-round exit against Brighton, and a 1-0 derby loss to Manchester City, both at Old Trafford, has heightened scrutiny and pressure on boss Michael Carrick.

So what questions do you have about Unitedd? They could be on the squad, injury concerns, Carrick's tactics, the boardroom or a topic of your choice.

BBC Sport's Manchester United reporter Simon Stone will be on hand to answer a selection next week.

Get in touch with your question here

Brentford forward Kevin Schade has been linked with Manchester United but Liverpool have also emerged as contenders to sign the 24-year-old Germany international. (Teamtalk), external

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Football finance expert Kieran Magiure, has been answering your questions after Manchester City were found guilty of all charges related to breaches of financial rules.

Gary: Is there any chance this could be resolved by the end of the season?

Kieran: There is a very high chance it will be resolved by the end of the season. Because if it is not, we could end up in another situation very similar to that of Burnley and Everton where a club could be relegated and Manchester City are not given a deduction. And next season, a club that finished in 18th could say had that deduction been applied earlier, we wouldn't have been relegated. So that would add to the complications.

Certainly looking at the Premier League's press release itself, it does seem that it is very keen to resolve it as quickly as possible. If you take a look at the length of time that it took the commissions in respect to Nottingham Forest and Everton, once they have heard the evidence, applying the sanctions is the quickest part. It's listening to evidence that is the torturous process.

• Listen to a special Q&A podcast by hitting play above or on BBC Sounds

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Dappy: Based on everything you read, what is the most likely punishment going to be for Manchester City?

Kieran: I agree that it could be a very hefty points deduction and a transfer embargo at the very least. On top of that, I believe there will be a very significant financial penalty added into the equation. The logic behind having a transfer embargo is that it then becomes a multi-season issue.

If we go back to 2013 when City were in breach of Uefa rules, they had a transfer ban, wage and squad caps, it did impact the club in the subsequent season.

Rehan: If Manchester City get a huge fine, what would the FA do with that money? Where would it go?

Kieran: It would be shared by the Premier League clubs, including Manchester City. And it will be offset against the league's legal bill. Discussions with lawyers suggest they think City could be liable for about two-thirds to three-quarters of Premier League's legal costs, which is estimated to be in the region of £50-60m.

Get more reaction here

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League has opened a Pandora's box of problems which cannot be closed. However well-intentioned, however morally upright they mean to be, the way the product is perceived around the planet by fans will be negatively affected.

This looks like a gigantic mess, but could also become a bit of a joke, especially if they attempt to rewrite history, and change the winners' names on the Premier League and cup trophies over these past 15 years. I wouldn't want the engraver's job.

I believe financial rules brought in to prioritise financial sustainability were also aimed at limiting the money being spent by the clubs, especially the staggering, ever-inflating sums spent on sometimes fairly average players. It could lead to a de facto salary cap, which many fans would approve of.

The long-term problem for the league is easy to see here: if the top players are then offered significantly more money to play elsewhere, they will be off before you can say 'man on'.

I always thought the Premier League had taken a huge risk going down this regulatory road. As with Manchester City's future, nobody knows what the real long-term ramifications will be.

I have a suspicion it could end up being the greatest own goal in the sport's entire history.

The big take: If City are cast out of England's top leagues, what might the owners do – hang around the lower reaches, or find something else? Wasn't there the idea of a Super League? Keep that thought in the back of your mind.

Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Most of the time it is not that big a deal if you go into the international break having just lost a club game if I am honest, as teams lose games frequently.

That is just the life of a professional footballer. You have to be able to cope with disappointment as an individual and as a team.

‌Admittedly, players will sometimes say that they want another domestic game quickly, but it is almost always specifically after a 'bad' defeat as opposed to just a run-of-the-mill loss.

‌However, if the team has genuinely played terribly, or lost a game they were expected to win comfortably, you will commonly hear the phrase "we want to have a chance to get back out there and put it right quickly".

‌Players who have had a stinker, even if their team won, might also want to get out again as soon as possible to put it right in front of their fans, or 'reset'. The 'reset' argument is just current football jargon to say, "we will try to get it right next time, and we blew it this week, sorry".

‌The international break can also have the beneficial effect of taking your mind away from a bad defeat. This is not to say that you don't care, it is just that you must compartmentalise your thoughts and feelings. Footballers are among the best at this.

‌You simply cannot go to play for your national team and spend the time brooding about what happened against Brentford last week. That way lies madness and another poor performance, only this time in front of the entire nation.

Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.

Crystal Palaceand France striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, 29, is a target for Manchester United as they look to strengthen their attacking options. (TeamTalk), external

United are also planning to offer new terms for English defender Luke Shaw, 31, who is out of contract at the end of the season. (Football Insider), external

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It's been a busy few days on the blue side of Manchester.

On the latest episode of The Devils' Advocate podcast, BBC Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater and Joe McGrath react to Manchester City being found guilty of breaching the Premier League's financial rules.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

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Manchester United and Arsenal are both keeping a close eye on Porto's 22-year-old Portuguese right-back Alberto Costa, but face competition from Paris St-Germain. (Caughtoffside), external

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Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Unbelievably, sensible and well-informed people are seriously discussing Manchester City getting a huge points deduction or being demoted or kicked out of the English leagues completely.

‌There is also reasonable talk about them being sued by just about every other major club in the domestic game, and a few beyond that. That is before you get to the concept of titles being stripped and trophies retrospectively re-awarded to others.

There is still an appeal to be heard, but they have been found guilty already. Serious consequences must be considered. Following the draconian punishments handed to Everton and Nottingham Forest, among others, City might find they don't just have the book thrown at them, it is the entire British Library lobbed in their general direction.

Those other clubs cooperated in the process. City have faced more charges and they involve larger sums and over a longer time period. In short, things are not looking good for the club that dominated English football for almost a decade.

This may be the biggest story in the Premier League's history and it is going to run and run.

Other serious considerations will follow hard on the heels of the Blues' dilemmas – specifically what long-term effects will this have on the Premier League? They will not all be good ones.

Some reasonably argue that the financial rules City have been found to have broken shouldn't have been put there in the first place. They were brought in to safeguard the financial security of the clubs and the league, but try telling that to many City, Everton and Nottingham Forest fans just now.

Newcastle and Aston Villa have plenty of financial backing, but these rules have hurt their ability to grow and stay competitive with the legacy clubs. This all feels unfair if you are a supporter of those two.

The money that will now be frittered away by the English game on lawyers and legal fees is eye-watering, and it will grow exponentially as the litigation increases.

Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.

Chelsea are monitoring Crystal Palace's England left-back Tyrick Mitchell, 27, but may face competition from Manchester United and Liverpool. (Caught Offside), external

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