Manchester United

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We asked for your views on what one thing needs to change at Manchester United before the new campaign and why.

Here are some of your comments:

Kevin: United cannot allow Man City to sign Elliot Anderson. To do so signals a lack of ambition and intent and that we don't want to compete at the top. To be the best, we need the best, not second best.

Anthony D: We need a box-to-box midfielder who is good in both defence and attack. Fernandes is a brilliant attacking midfielder but is vulnerable defensively.

Andrew: I think the club need to be strong enough to bring through academy players. United have the youth to take the club to more success, only if they get the opportunity.

Jacob: We need to change the over-reliance on Bruno Fernandes, he's pretty much carried this team since he arrived. I'm yet to see anyone step up the same way he has. With him getting older, he can't play every game.

Graham: A good foundation to build a team that can win the Premier League but needs more steel in midfield and the ability to win the ball back quickly and attack at speed.

Simon: Same as last summer. Get business done as early as possible, don't overpay and try some league experience in the midfield! Casemiro is a huge loss and if he isn't replaced smartly, then it could be one step forward and two steps back.

Anthony W: Manchester United need two in midfield. Top quality players with experience. Up front, a world-class striker to play alongside what United currently have. Lastly, two defenders of world-class quality to work with what United have. To compete at the level the fans want, the club has to invest properly, signing the best.

A new episode of The Wayne Rooney Show is available to listen to and download now on BBC Sounds.

Rooney is joined by Soccer Aid team-mates Danny Dyer, Angry Ginge and Usain Bolt, with the latter two talking about their fandom for Manchester United as part of their discussions.

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It seems a lifetime ago that Kobbie Mainoo was seriously considering his future at Manchester United.

Mainoo was left on the bench by Ruben Amorim for the first two games of the season against Arsenal and Fulham and then only introduced for the second half of the victory over Burnley at the end of August.

Mainoo feared for his World Cup place and asked to leave on loan, with Napoli keen to snap him up.

United said no - but Mainoo still did not get picked to start as the season continued.

When we entered January, there was a feeling he would push again to be allowed to leave.

As it turned out, it was Amorim who left, and with it went the system which created the issue in the first place as it left Mainoo battling for a midfield slot with skipper Bruno Fernandes.

Aside from a single game against Leeds, when he was injured, Michael Carrick picked Mainoo in every starting line-up to the end of the season.

It was enough for the 21-year-old to force his way into Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad. Now it has been confirmed he is one of six nominees for the PFA Young Player of the Year award, the winner of which will be announced in Manchester in August.

If Amorim's system could not get Mainoo in the team, maybe the system was the problem.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United officials are hoping to make a breakthrough in their negotiations with Freightliner over the land needed to build their proposed new stadium this summer.

Whilst the club have stressed work has been going on behind the scenes, there has been little evidence of movement on the project since minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe unveiled his grand vision for a 100,000-capacity ground close to the current stadium at Old Trafford last March.

A deal with Freightliner is understood to be the key to unlocking the project. Until United know what land they can use, they cannot settle on a final design, which is needed to establish how much it will cost and to work out the best way to fund it.

United want to continue playing at Old Trafford until the new stadium is built.

They could wait for the Mayor's office to trigger a compulsory purchase order on the site, but BBC Sport has been told that is not the preference as it could take a couple of years to take effect.

Chief executive Omar Berrada was asked about the present situation when he spoke to the club's 'Inside Carrington' podcast.

"Hopefully we'll have some news to share in the next weeks or months," he said.

"Once we've secured the land and we know the exact location of where the new stadium could be, then we will proceed to finalise the design at the stadium, which will then lead us to have a very good understanding of what the potential cost is."

United do not believe the current uncertainty over the Mayoral position will have any effect on the plans.

If Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield by-election on 18 June, he would have to stand down as Greater Manchester Mayor.

However, the belief is the because the wider Old Trafford regeneration project is a legal entity, it won't be scrapped even if there was a change of Mayor.

Despite the apparent lack of progress, officials are confident the stadium could be built relatively quickly, potentially within two years of the first spades being put into the ground.

It is still envisaged significant parts of the stadium can be brought in from various parts of the world by ship, as INEOS are currently doing at their Project One construction site in Antwerp.

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Arsenal trio Declan Rice, Gabriel and David Raya have been nominated for the Professional Footballers' Association men's player of the year award alongside Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes and Manchester City duo Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki.

Midfielder Rice, defender Gabriel and goalkeeper Raya were all key players as Arsenal won the Premier League for the first time in 22 years.

Striker Haaland netted 27 goals to end as the division's leading scorer, while Cherki enjoyed a successful first season in the Premier League.

Fernandes won the Football Writers' Association's men's footballer of the year award for the 2025-26 campaign.

The winners will be honoured on Tuesday, 25 August at the 53rd annual PFA Awards Ceremony in Manchester.

Cherki has also been nominated for the PFA young player of the year award, alongside City team-mate and England international Nico O'Reilly, who was named as the Premier League's young player of the season last week.

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, another England international, is also among the nominees after playing a key role in Michael Carrick's side.

Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi is another on the shortlist after he scored 13 goals in 33 matches in his debut Premier League campaign.

Max Dowman and Rio Ngumoha, who have represented England at under-19 level, complete the list of nominees thanks to their performances for Arsenal and Liverpool respectively.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada has praised former boss Ruben Amorim even though he was sacked in January.

Amorim left with the team faltering in their efforts to reach the Champions League after the previous season's 15th-place finish and Europa League final defeat.

While results were generally poor, Amorim took the bold decisions to axe Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho from his squad.

The quartet, plus full-back Tyrell Malacia, who was eventually welcomed back into the fold, were exiled from Amorim's first-team squad at the start of pre-season training last summer and told to train at different times to the main group.

Garnacho eventually joined Chelsea, Antony moved to Real Betis in Spain, Rashford went to Barcelona on loan and may yet return, while Sancho spent his last season as a United player at Aston Villa.

While the move didn't improve United's results, many feel Michael Carrick benefited from the decision because he walked into a less toxic environment at United's Carrington training ground when he took over in January.

"Ruben Amorim deserves a lot of credit," Berrada told United's Inside Carrington podcast.

"In a very difficult season he helped raise standards in the dressing room.

"I am sure he will go on to be a successful coach."

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

With all 48 World Cup squads now confirmed, we look at how they shape up and compare with each other leading into the tournament.

Which clubs have the most players?

Looking just at the 20 clubs that made up the 2025-26 Premier League, only this season's top three have more players at the World Cup than Conference League winners Crystal Palace (12).

Including players out on loan over the season, Sunderland remarkably have as many representatives on the global stage as Chelsea and Liverpool (11), showing just how globe-trotting their recruitment was following promotion last summer.

The majority of Brentford, Everton and Leeds' squads can put their feet up and recharge their batteries for next season, with those clubs sending just four players each.

• Get more key stats on participation

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Tyler Fletcher's unexpected World Cup call-up by Scotland further underlines Manchester United's commitment to youth, according to academy director Stephen Torpey.

Nine former United youth team players have been selected for the 48-team tournament, including the likes of Hannibal Mejbri for Tunisia and Zidane Iqbal for Iraq.

Three members of Thomas Tuchel's England squad – Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford and goalkeeper Dean Henderson – came through Old Trafford's youth ranks.

Fletcher was the least expected selection given he had played just 17 minutes across two substitute appearances in senior football before making his Scotland bow against Curacao at Hampden Park at the weekend.

Torpey feels it proves United's desire to develop players is more than just words.

"Ultimately, what Manchester United does is give an opportunity to every young player in our environment," Torpey told BBC Radio Manchester.

"Our fans demand it. The history and heritage of the football club has been built on youth.

"It is something of a higher power for all of us in the club. It will outlive me and any other staff member, I am sure. It should give great confidence to any young player that this club believes in youth."

That belief has been fuelled by Michael Carrick taking over as head coach, initially on an interim basis.

Carrick has been a regular at under-21 and under-18 games in the second half of the season and handed Fletcher his United debut against Tottenham in February.

"You couldn't wish for anything more than we have right now with Michael," said Torpey.

"It goes without saying he attends games along with the rest of his first-team staff; plus Jason Wilcox, our director of football. It just shows how aligned our football club is and how important youth development is.

"What you don't see are the training sessions they attend. We are all on the same site and Michael and the team will often wander over and watch our under-12s or under-14s.

"It is not just the latter stages of the academy they are interested in. It is something that makes me really happy and proud."

Listen to BBC Radio Manchester's interview with Torpey on BBC Sounds

And subscribe to get all Man Utd audio content, including The Devils' Advocate podcast, here

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Tom Heaton has extended his Manchester United contract for a further year and says he can "feel the determination and ambition of everyone throughout the club to keep pushing for success".

The club said Heaton, who will enter 21st season in professional football, will continue "playing an important leadership role in the dressing room".

Heaton, 40, came through the ranks at United but returned to the club after over a decade elsewhere in 2021.

"It is a huge honour to continue to represent Manchester United," he said.

"I am really excited to play my role in driving us forward and helping the group to compete for the biggest honours."

Director of football Jason Wilcox added: "Everyone is well aware of the importance of his leadership and professionalism within the group.

"Tom has played a key role in helping to support Senne [Lammens] throughout his first season in the Premier League.

"His constant dedication and mentality set a fantastic standard for our goalkeeping group."

The 2026-27 Premier League season will be here before we know it, with the first matches taking place on Saturday, 22 August.

We have a simple question for you - what one thing needs to change at your club before the new campaign and why?

It can be a player, manager, ticketing issue, owner, or wider change.

Let us know in detail here

Manchester United have shelved contract talks with midfielder Bruno Fernandes after being assured the club captain wants to stay at Old Trafford for the long term. (Mirror), external

Meanwhile, Roma are interested in Marseille forward Mason Greenwood, with former club United set to benefit from a sell-on clause in the deal that took him to France. (Teamtalk), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United's academy director Stephen Torpey has spoken of the immense pride felt at Old Trafford over Tyler Fletcher's shock World Cup call.

Fletcher was picked in the Scotland squad by coach Steve Clarke despite having just 17 minutes' experience of senior football prior to making his international bow in the friendly victory over Curacao at Hampden Park on 30 May.

Regardless of whether he plays at all in the United States, it means the 19-year-old will get this major tournament experience his dad, Darren, missed out on despite winning 80 caps for his country.

Fletcher elected to play for Scotland, while twin brother Jack has plumped for England, where the pair were born.

It means instead of going to the World Cup as a fan, Tyler will be among the United contingent playing in it – and Torpey couldn't be more delighted.

"There is an obvious pride there," he told BBC Radio Manchester. "As a parent myself, anytime your children do something they desire, you feel immense pride.

"But I am sure the family are as proud of Tyler today as they were before this opportunity came around because he is a lovely young person and great to have around our training ground, which is a credit to the family.

"Of course, it is not something you take for granted. It is a fantastic opportunity for him but hopefully, it is not the last one.

"How he conducts himself is really important but how he represents his family, his nation and his football club is something we are very confident about.

"Hopefully he gets a chance to show what he is about."

Hear more of BBC Radio Manchester's interview with Torpey below or listen on BBC Sounds here

Tim Vickery
South American football writer

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Ederson was part of Carlo Ancelotti's World Cup long list of 55 players, but the midfielder - who turns 27 in July - did not make Brazil's final 26.

With only five midfielders in the squad, the Selecao could yet regret not taking him to the tournament - although his country's loss could be his possible new club's gain.

Ederson would seem to have plenty to add to Manchester United, who are looking to bolster their midfield options.

His Brazilian compatriot Casemiro is leaving the Red Devils - and Manuel Ugarte could follow. Ederson offers more on the ball than the Uruguayan and is more dynamic around the field.

He is a midfielder in the mould of Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes. After three splendid seasons in Italy with Atalanta, Ederson would seem overdue for a move - and may blame his final season in Serie A for missing out on the World Cup.

Old Trafford calls for big personalities, and the good news for United fans is Ederson has dealt well with difficult circumstances.

He made his name in Brazil's first division with Cruzeiro, a huge club who - after a highly successful few years - were imploding under the weight of debts and off-the-field scandals.

The midfielder made his mark as a 20-year-old in 2019, standing out in a side that was hurtling towards relegation towards the second division.

More recently Ederson has been part of an Atalanta side that have consistently punched above their weight. Two years after their fine Europa League triumph the time has surely come for him to go in search of a bigger stage.

Read more here

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United have made the decision to try to get some deals over the line early this summer, following up what they did last summer when they got Matheus Cunha in from Wolves quite quickly and also managed to push through a move for Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford before the start of pre-season.

Ederson's deal isn't actually going to be completed until the beginning of next month. He still needs to have his medical but he will be around for the start of pre-season training, which I've been told is the second week of July.

Manchester United have their first pre-season fixture against Wrexham the day before the World Cup final, so they are starting their matches early and they want some of their new signings in place for then.

Ederson was clearly a deal they knew they could do and that is why they have moved as quickly as they have. They have been looking at him for quite a while.

When Sir Jim Ratcliffe came into the club, he was very critical about the data and metrics the club used. He didn't believe it was up to modern-day standard. That has changed now because Michael Sansoni, who used to work for Mercedes F1, has come in as head of data.

I assume his team are assessing all of the information, having chats with the recruitment department and director of football Jason Wilcox, before bringing the manager into the equation.

Michael Carrick has already made it perfectly clear that he has been involved in lots of recruitment meetings since being appointed in January. That is probably why Manchester United have ended up with Ederson as the first deal of what I suspect will be a number of deals this summer.

I would be surprised if the deal for Mateus Fernandes didn't get done. I believe the club are in a bit of a stand off with West Ham United at the moment, who are adamant they don't have to sell and want £80m.

However, that seems to be another deal that could be done reasonably quickly because Fernandes, like Ederson, didn't actually make the cut for the World Cup.

I also get the sense that if Manchester United could do a deal which would see Manuel Ugarte leave the club in some way, shape or form, then that would suit all parties.

People behind the scenes certainly feel that he isn't quite up to it and the reality is that he didn't play any football from the home defeat to Leeds United right to the end of the season.

Depending on how much money Manchester United can raise for him, they will then look to put it towards someone like Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson or Brighton's Carlos Baleba.

We asked for your views on the news that a deal has been agreed for midfielder Ederson as well as Manchester United's recruitment priorities for the summer ahead.

Here are some of your replies:

Tony: Ederson, 26, only three caps for his country, not even in the World Cup squad. Is he as good as Man Utd seem to think he is? You only have to look at the likes of Antony, Jadon Sancho and Manuel Ugarte to be reminded of the money wasted on over-rated and over-priced misfits that the club lumbered itself with. Time will no doubt tell. The players brought in this transfer window have got to be real quality and consistent.

Nick: Happy to have some midfield reinforcement with Ederson over the line early, it's certainly a change to the long sagas we were used to in previous years. As with any transfer from a European league though, it's pretty much a 50/50 as to whether he can perform in the Premier League, you can never be quite sure. The main target for me, if you can get him, would be Elliot Anderson. Do anything to get him to United. He is a ready-made replacement for Casemiro and I cannot see anyone else as a better replacement!

Fred: Great to be finally getting this deal over the line, he looks like a promising player and we now need to make sure we get two more solid midfielders as well as a left back, striker and back-up goalkeeper. Would love to see Marcus Rashford back, however not sure that's going to happen. Lewis Hall would be an amazing addition to our defence. A move for Ivan Toney would surely be a great move in terms of a striker - he's very good, still young and nobody else is after him so should be relatively straightforward as long as we can agree a deal. Finally, Robin Roefs as back-up/rotation goalkeeper for Senne Lammens, they've both had such a great season and he isn't expensive.

Kevin: May not be the most exciting signing but seems a good price for someone who will bring energy and decent technical skills to our midfield. No World Cup for him gives him some time to settle over here and a full pre-season. Nice to get our first signing done so early.

David: Feels like a good move for all parties. He arrives without the pressure of an inflated fee, and his energy and ability on the ball could be pivotal - will be interesting to see if he has been signed as a starter, or a desperately needed Ugarte replacement.

Phil: If Ederson is worth £40m, why isn't he in the Brazil World Cup squad? Same with Mateus Fernandes - £80m for a player relegated in successive seasons with two different clubs and omitted from the World Cup. It looks like United are paying way over the odds again.

Taylor: From what I've seen he's a talented footballer, hopefully he can settle in and adapt to the Premier League quickly. Definitely a couple more midfielders needed and some players to leave!

Nathan: Will we ever learn? Buying from Serie A does not work. We need to buy proven Premier League performers.

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Rasmus Hojlund has completed his permanent move to Napoli.

The 23-year-old forward spent the 2025-26 campaign on loan with the Serie A side who had on obligation to sign him for a fee of £38m should they qualify for the Champions League

Hojlund joined United from Atalanta for an initial £64m in the summer of 2023 and scored 26 goals in 95 appearances, winning the FA Cup despite struggling at times for form and consistency.

He has enjoyed life more since returning to Italy, scoring 16 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions for Napoli as they finished second in Serie A.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo says he was focusing on his "dream" of playing in the World Cup, despite struggling for game time under previous head coach Ruben Amorim.

Mainoo was not fancied as United toiled under Amorim and did not start a Premier League match until Michael Carrick took charge in January. Since then he started all 16 games he was available for, playing the full 90 minutes on 15 occasions as the Red Devils stormed to a third-place finish.

"At the time it wasn't coming as often as I'd like so when I was getting a game for United that's all my focus was on," Mainoo told media from England's pre-World Cup training camp.

"Obviously you know the World Cup is at the end of the year and that is a big dream and big goal for any player.

"But, I try to just keep my focus on the games ahead of me."

Asked what he has learned over a difficult campaign at times, Mainoo added: "I think patience, just trying to take things a day at a time and just doing the best at controlling the things I can control and now worrying about the things that are out of my control. Keep my head down and keep working."

The 21-year-old played a key role in the Three Lions' run to the Euro 2024 final, and believes he can carry his fine late season club form into the summer with his country.

"Try and do what I've been doing for my club, trying to control games and dominate games," he responded when asked what he brings that sets him apart from the other midfielders at Thomas Tuchel's disposal.

"It's my dream to be here so I'm going to be working as hard as I can and hopefully I can get on the pitch."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

Manchester United have agreed a £35m (40.5m euros) deal with Italian side Atalanta for Brazil midfielder Ederson.

The 26-year-old will sign a four-year deal at United, with the option to extend it by a further 12 months.

It is the first of what could be up to three central midfield additions to Carrick's squad this summer.

United are prioritising that area of the field, which has been weakened by the exit of Ederson's compatriot Casemiro, 34, whose contract expires at the end of the month.

Ederson, who has three internaional caps, was named in Brazil's 55-man expanded World Cup squad but missed out on manager Carlo Ancelotti's final selection.

United are also keen on West Ham's Mateus Fernandes, although the relegated London outfit are looking for a substantial profit on the Portugal midfielder who cost them in excess of £40m when he joined from Southampton last summer.

United also covet England's Elliot Anderson, although the Nottingham Forest player would prefer to join Manchester City.

In addition to strengthening their midfield, United are also looking to bring in a left-sided player, with Newcastle's Lewis Hall among the players on their radar, and striking support for Benjamin Sesko.

What do you think about the Ederson deal and recruitment priorities?

Get in touch with your views here

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick, sporting director Deco and president Joan Laporta remain keen to sign Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford on a permanent basis amid interest from Bayern Munich, Newcastle, Tottenham and Aston Villa in the 28-year-old England international. (The I), external

Meanwhile, Manchester United have scouted Juventus and France defender Pierre Kalulu and the Turin club might be forced to sell the 25-year-old to balance the books after failing to qualify for the Champions League. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian), external

Also, Portugal midfielder Mateus Fernandes, 21, has been cleared to leave West Ham after contact from Manchester United and Arsenal, while Liverpool and Paris St-Germain are also monitoring developments. (Teamtalk), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Wayne Rooney has picked his Premier League team of the season.

You can listen to his reasoning for selections and find out who he thought was the Premier League's best player by tuning into The Wayne Rooney Show.

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