Manchester United

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter in Maynooth

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United fans were out early again at the Carton House Hotel in Maynooth this morning to catch a glimpse of their heroes when they went out to train.

United are in the middle of a three-night stay, partly to build-up to their Premier League game against Leeds at Old Trafford on Monday but also to promote a pre-season game against the same opposition in August.

Leeds have told their fans they will not fulfil the fixture if they have either been relegated or qualify for the Community Shield by winning the FA Cup. However, United are committed to making the trip and it is understood alternative opposition will be found if Leeds are unable to play the match at Croke Park, in Dublin.

Club officials have confirmed Michael Carrick has been putting his team through one session a day on the excellent training pitches at Carton House, and there has been an opportunity to play on the golf course, which is also part of the site.

"I think there is a little bit of freshness and a little bit of focus again, of getting everyone back together and spending some time here," Carrick told club media.

"Having a bit of lunch and dinner and a few activities where we can have that connection and spirit again between players and staff."

United are currently in a 24-day break between matches, since their 2-2 draw at Bournemouth on 20 March.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United's Premier League International Cup campaign came to a disappointing end at Old Trafford.

United were beaten 4-2 in extra time by Real Madrid's junior side, despite taking a two-goal lead in the first half through Jack Moorhouse and Shea Lacey.

It leaves Adam Lawrence's team with just the remainder of their PL2 campaign to deal with.

They face Newcastle at Leigh Sports Village in their final regular-season game on Friday, knowing they are already guaranteed a top-two spot in the table, which will ensure home advantage throughout the play-offs until they reach the final - if they get that far.

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League will have at least five teams in the Champions League next season after securing a European Performance Spot for the second straight year.

The extra place was confirmed on Tuesday as Arsenal beat Sporting 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

Uefa awards an additional place to the two leagues with the best overall performance across the three European competitions.

The race for fifth place in the Premier League, currently held by Liverpool on 49 points, is exceptionally tight.

Just seven points separate Arne Slot's side from 13th-placed Bournemouth.

Chelsea (48) sit in sixth followed by Brentford (46), Everton (46), Fulham (44), Brighton (43), Sunderland (43), Newcastle (42) and Bournemouth (42).

If Aston Villa, who are fourth on 54 points, win the Europa League and finish outside the top four, the Premier League would have six teams in the Champions League.

The same logic applies to Liverpool, who face Paris St-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.

If either win a European trophy and finish fifth, then sixth would qualify for the Champions League via the EPS place.

If both win European trophies and finish fifth and sixth, that would put seventh into the Champions League.

Nottingham Forest are in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. They could emulate Tottenham by winning the competition and finishing in the bottom half of the table.

Just like last season, that would create a sixth team in the Champions League for the Premier League too.

Image source, Getty Images

In the latest episode of The Devils' Advocate podcast from BBC Radio Manchester, Joe McGrath and Gaz Drinkwater were full of praise for England centre-back Harry Maguire and said his contract extension announced on Tuesday is a "positive" for the club.

McGrath said: "He is always there trying to get the best for United on and off the pitch, so I see that as a real positive move for the club to make."

Since Maguire's £80m move from Leicester City to United in 2019, the centre-back has featured in 185 Premier League games for the Red Devils and been involved in 13 goals, scoring eight times.

There have also been struggles at times for Maguire, who was replaced as captain by Bruno Fernandes and almost left the club to join West Ham, but he has been a regular starter since interim boss Michael Carrick took charge earlier this year.

Drinkwater said: "It is an amazing redemption story.

"He became an internet meme. It became this ongoing joke because he made a few errors here or there in a very shaky Manchester United team.

"You know what you're going to get from Harry Maguire and what he brings in experience and leadership, it is invaluable," added Drinkwater.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Manchester United will sell midfielder Manuel Ugarte this summer with Galatasaray, Newcastle and Tottenham all interested. (Fabrizio Romano, external)

United look like missing out on England midfielder Elliot Anderson, though, with the 23-year-old preferring to move to Manchester City from Nottingham Forest this summer. (Mirror, external)

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Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter in Maynooth

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United have flown to the Republic of Ireland to promote a pre-season game that may not happen.

Organisers have confirmed United will play Leeds at Croke Park on Wednesday 12, August.

It promises to be the first time any English side has played at the 82,000-capacity venue in Dublin, the historic home of the Gaelic Athletic Association, which until 2005 banned 'foreign sports' being played there.

Both Manchester United and Leeds have sizeable followings on the island of Ireland and the game is sure to be popular - if it goes ahead.

United held a training session at the Carton House hotel in Maynooth on Tuesday and forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo were asked about the pre-season match in a press conference afterwards.

However, while Manchester United have no issues as the game forms part of a rare exclusively European-based pre-season campaign, for Leeds there are two potential complications.

The Community Shield takes place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on 16 August. In addition, the opening matches of the 2026-27 EFL campaign will be played between 14-16 August.

Leeds have advised supporters on their official website, external if they are relegated or win the FA Cup to secure a place in the Community Shield, the Croke Park encounter will be called off.

When the match was announced last week, the club said: "Please note, this fixture is subject to Leeds United retaining Premier League status. This fixture is also subject to the club not participating in the 2026 FA Community Shield.

"The club will not offer refunds on travel expenses in the event of relegation or participation in the 2026 FA Community Shield. The ticket operator will offer refunds on tickets sold for the match."

Has Harry Maguire's tenure at Manchester United been "an amazing redemption story"?

Listen to the latest Devils' Advocate podcast from BBC Radio Manchester as Gaz Drinkwater and Joe McGrath review Maguire's career so far with the Red Devils, following news of Maguire's new contract at Old Trafford.

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

Explore all Manchester United content on BBC Sounds

The latest news and views on the Red Devils in two minutes, every weekday afternoon.

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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We asked for your views on Harry Maguire signing a contract extension with Manchester United until June 2027, with the option for a further year.

Here are some of your comments:

Fred: Harry has shown resilience during his tenure at Man Utd, surviving awful treatment by some of the fans, and has gone on to prove his worth. His experience will be valuable for the next season, and for the development of Yoro and Heaven.

Charlie: Until a younger prospect comes along Harry is our best central defender and gets the odd goal too. He's a good professional. Head down and gets on with it.

Conor: I am so happy to see this, woke up and it put a smile on my face. Maguire is instrumental to the team and as a fan you can't help but love him. The resilience and determination he showed to get through that rough patch and all that criticism makes him a legend and a role model.

Norman: Harry being offered and signing a new contract has to be seen as a plus. When the time comes to hang up his boots he should join our backroom team and use his leadership skills to bring on the academy players as United move on to the future.

Pete: Maguire is a solid defender. It is of no coincidence to me that United have been doing a lot better with Big H in the side. Bit disappointing the deal is only one guaranteed year unless that was his own idea. I get his age may come into it but I would have pushed for two years with an additional year extension, but I suppose that's how it all plays out these days.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It has been clear for months now that it suited both Harry Maguire and Manchester United for their partnership to be extended beyond the end of the season, when his contract was set to expire.

Maguire and his family are settled in the north west and United valued the 33-year-old's experience, a factor that has taken on more importance this summer given the impending exit of Casemiro.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was determined to sign Maguire from Leicester in 2019, which is why United ended up paying £80m for him. It was not long before he was installed as captain.

Erik ten Hag had a different view of Maguire's qualities, took the armband away and was willing to let him join West Ham in the summer of 2023.

Even though United accepted a £30m offer from the Hammers, Maguire said no. He has played 91 times for the club since, under four different managers, which underlines how highly rated he is.

With Maguire, critics tend to focus on the aspects of his game he is not so good at. His managers - generally - look at what he can do: calm under pressure, strong in the tackle, good passing range, positional awareness, superb mentally, a leader in the dressing room.

Maguire may not be at quite the same levels as when he arrived at Old Trafford, but most United fans will delight in the news he is staying around for a bit longer at least.

Image source, Getty Images

Harry Maguire says playing for Manchester United is the "ultimate honour" after signing a new contract extension until June 2027, with the option for a further year.

The 33-year-old central defender's current deal was due to expire at the end of this season.

Maguire has made 266 appearances for United since signing for £80m from Leicester in 2019 - then a world-record transfer fee for a defender - and has since won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup with the club, as well as having a spell as captain.

"Representing Manchester United is the ultimate honour," he said on signing his new deal.

"It is a responsibility that makes myself and my family proud every single day.

"I am delighted to extend my journey at this incredible club to at least eight seasons and continue to play in front of our special supporters to create more amazing moments together.

"You can feel the ambition and potential of this exciting squad. The determination throughout the whole club to fight for major trophies is clear for everyone to see and I am confident that our best moments together remain ahead of us."

United director of football Jason Wilcox added: "Harry represents the mentality and resilience required to perform for Manchester United. He is the ultimate professional who brings invaluable experience and leadership to our young, ambitious squad.

"Harry, like everyone at the club, is completely determined to help Manchester United to achieve regular and sustained success."

United fans - are you happy with Maguire's new deal? How important is he to this current side? And how do you view his time at Old Trafford as a whole?

Let us know here

Alex Turk
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United's impending busy summer of business has been widely documented. But they might also be about to address an area which they would prefer not to.

The club are expected to back their new permanent head coach - Michael Carrick or not - with at least two midfielders, a left-winger and a left-back.

But while Carrick is currently well-stocked at centre-back, a big problem is looming and there is a sense that United are about to take action.

Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire (new contract pending), Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez and Ayden Heaven make up a sufficient centre-back department for the return of two games a week next season.

Worries about the severity of De Ligt's back problem, which has ruled him out for the past five months, rumble on. Maguire and Yoro provide alternative right-sided options, though.

Martinez's situation is a more pressing matter. There is no doubting that the Argentine is United's best centre-back when fully fit. Elite ball-playing, tenacity, aggression and strong leadership.

However, he is about to finish his fourth season as a Red Devils player and he has not surpassed 30 Premier League games in any of them.

Martinez is about to return from his latest lay-off, forcing him to miss five matches. But there is growing noise of United scouring the left-sided centre-back market and that can only be bad news for the 28-year-old.

Heaven, 19, is already showing signs of top-class potential. He has made 14 league appearances this season, the same total as Martinez.

If United were to go out and sign, say, Jarrad Branthwaite or Nico Schlotterbeck - two names linked with an Old Trafford switch in the past week - they would not be replacing Heaven.

The club's dream of a Premier League title in 2028 to mark its 150th anniversary in style is no secret. In order to achieve that audacious aim, they need players they can rely on.

When he is on the pitch, Martinez ticks that box. But he is not on the pitch enough.

Find more from Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC, external

Juventus believe that qualifying for the Champions League will put them in pole position to sign Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who is valued at around £35m by his current club. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian, external)

Meanwhile United and Liverpool have stepped up their interest in Monaco and France winger Maghnes Akliouche, 24. (Teamtalk, external)

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Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United's absence from European competition has been well documented this season - but below first-team level, the club are still making an impact on the continent.

Tuesday's Premier League International Cup tie with Real Madrid at Old Trafford is one of the marquee games left for United's under-21 side, offering the opportunity to join Borussia Dortmund, Real Sociedad and the winner of the remaining last-eight tie between Dinamo Zagreb and Valencia in the semi-finals.

It is a chance for United's academy prospects to show they are ready to take the next step on their pathway to becoming a professional player.

"It's an amazing occasion," said under-21s coach Adam Lawrence.

"You try to be humble, but to be involved in this type of fixture and for the players to experience this type of game at Old Trafford, it's fantastic."

Friday's win at Leeds means United are guaranteed a top-two finish in PL2, which means they will be at home until the final, should they get there, in the 16-team play-offs.

However, the chance to extend their run in Europe offers a different type of challenge, even if the first team's four-day trip to Dublin clashes and United also have to look ahead to forthcoming FA Youth Cup semi-final and Premier League under-18 final matches with Crystal Palace later this month.

"People talk a lot about development versus winning," said Lawrence.

"This is one we want to win but we're also trying to do it in a developmental way and looking at individual players in terms of what they will benefit from most in the programme to then perform.

"If we were to just pick the same players, the rest wouldn't get any exposure.

"But there are players in that middle bracket who you're not quite sure what level they're going to end up at. They would miss out on some of those opportunities."

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick will be hoping Lisandro Martinez comes through training unscathed in Dublin this week to avoid a central defensive selection headache for next Monday's Premier League clash with Leeds.

Harry Maguire will definitely miss the Old Trafford encounter following his red card just before the international break at Bournemouth that could yet land him with a two match suspension.

There is no sign of Matthijs De Ligt returning from the back problem that has kept him out for over four months. De Ligt was missing from the 25-man squad United took to Dublin for a four-day camp and it is understood he is still to start meaningful training.

Martinez was in the United travelling party though. The Argentina international has missed five games with a calf problem.

If Martinez is not fit enough to face Leeds, Carrick will likely pair youngsters Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven in central defence against the FA Cup semi-finalists.

Full-back Diogo Dalot and goalkeeper Tom Heaton have both been ruled out of the Dublin trip due to illness but Patrick Dorgu, who has missed eight games with a hamstring problem, did travel.

United have left behind most of their Under-21 players, including Shea Lacey and the Fletcher twins, Jack and Tyler, to allow them to play in the Premier League International Cup quarter-final against Real Madrid at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Fifteen-year-old JJ Gabriel also misses out, although Under-18 pair Jim Thwaites and Yuel Helafu are involved.

United stay in Dublin until Thursday before returning to Manchester to continue their preparations for the Leeds game.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United under-21 coach Adam Lawrence is looking for midfielder Jack Moorhouse to use the final games of the season to show he can perform at an elite level.

The 20-year-old was named on the first-team bench four times last campaign without getting on to make his senior bow.

He then seemed to be impressing on loan at League One Leyton Orient until a series of winter deadline day moves triggered Moorhouse's return to United after 24 appearances for the east London outfit.

Moorhouse has been picked on the bench twice by Michael Carrick since his return and frequently gets called into first-team training.

However, it is in games, including the Premier League International Cup quarter-final with Real Madrid at Old Trafford, where Moorhouse will really have a chance to shine.

"He's not a staple [at training] as a Jack Fletcher or a Shea Lacey, but he's over there often enough," said Lawrence.

"There's always got to be a bit of room to say to the player 'go and perform - and your performances pick teams or get you a loan or get you in the first team'.

"It's the club's part to create the pathway. It's the player's job to force the pathway and make that final part. That's where Jack sits at the moment.

"There's no bigger fan of Jack than me. He's a lovely player. He receives the ball on the back foot, the way that he can travel and glide with the ball.

"What we're looking for him to do between now and the end of the season, in those under-21s games, like against Madrid, 21s play-offs, is show he can perform at the elite level and make the difference. We feel he can."

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United Under-21 coach Adam Lawrence says it is "too early" to know if he will remain at the club beyond the end of the current campaign.

Lawrence, who led United's under-18s to the Premier League national title in 2023-24, left his role at the end of last season to take up a position at Newcastle.

However, he left the club at the beginning of January, which meant he was able to return to United a couple of weeks later to fill the gap left by Travis Binnion's elevation to Michael Carrick's senior coach set-up.

Carrick's future is still to be determined, which means Binnion is yet to discover what job he will be doing.

That clearly has an impact on Lawrence, although he is quite relaxed about the situation before Tuesday's Premier League International Cup quarter-final match with Real Madrid at Old Trafford.

"I've not really thought longer than the end of this current season," he said. "It's too early anyway and I've not put too much time and energy into that, to be honest.

"At the moment, everyone is just really concentrated on what we've got coming up between the first team and the academy programme.

"It's my job to put energy into the players, keep supporting them and work together with the staff to maximise their last two months.

"Things will just happen organically over time."

Manchester United could look to offload midfielder Manuel Ugarte, 24, this summer, with Newcastle, Aston Villa and Juventus among the clubs interested. (Caught Offside), external

United, along with Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal, are among the clubs who have been contacted about the potential availability of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, 25. (Teamtalk), external

Manchester United are among clubs who are interested in Aston Villa midfielder Amadou Onana, 24, who could be set for a big money move away from the club. (Football Insider), external

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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been awarded the Premier League player of the month award for March.

The midfielder has now equalled former Red Devils team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo with six of the awards and sits just one behind the joint-record of seven shared by Harry Kane, Sergio Aguero and Mohamed Salah.

Fernandes has won the prize after an impressive month in which he produced two goals and four assists in just four matches.

He came out on top across the league for chances created (23), big chances created (six), combined goals and assists (six) and total assists (four).

In taking his overall assists tally for the season to 16, the 31-year-old beat a club record previously held by David Beckham, who provided 15 in 1999-00.

Fernandes also has the opportunity to match - and possibly break - the record for number of assists in one Premier League campaign, which is currently jointly-held by Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne with 20.

Manchester United are next in action at home to Leeds United on the 13 April.

Morgan Rogers would be open to leaving Aston Villa this summer, with Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea all in the mix to sign the 23-year-old England midfielder. (Sun), external

RB Leipzig have put a £87m price tag on 18-year-old Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, who is a target for Manchester United and Liverpool. (Sky Sports), external

Atletico Madrid are closing in on a deal for 26-year-old Atalanta and Brazil midfielder Ederson, who is also of interest to Manchester United and Manchester City. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Manchester United will look to add two new central midfielders to their squad this summer, with Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton and Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali all under consideration. (Givemesport), external

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