Manchester United

Nathan Edwards
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Ander Herrera may have left Manchester United seven years ago but the Spanish midfielder played with current Old Trafford boss Michael Carrick for four years.

The 37-year-old saw traits even then that he believed would help Carrick become a top coach in the game, especially with his mindset.

Herrera said: "As a team-mate, he didn't talk too much, but when he used to talk, he said the right words and it was fantastic. He was a very charismatic person and he's so calm.

"He's not impulsive, he knows what to say in every single moment, and I think he can he can reach the player with that. He can touch the heart of the player.

"He has done great in Championship and he has done great with United, bringing back the team to Europe.

"I wish him all the best because I love the club and I want to see Manchester United fighting for the Premier League and for Champions League."

Herrera, now playing for Real Zaragoza in the Spanish third tier, spent five years at Old Trafford, winning the FA Cup, Europa League and EFL Cup.

He was also part of the squad that finished second in the league under Jose Mourinho, the best finish the club has had since Sir Alex Ferguson left, but Herrera believes the quality of competition has only improved.

He said: "We used to fight for trophies with Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and that's it.

"Arsenal sometimes, but they were not so consistent. Tottenham were not in the top six.

"But now you have to add Aston Villa, you have to put probably also Newcastle. It's so difficult. So the job has to be really well done.

"But United have everything. They are so big. The club is huge. You have everything to perform, but you are also playing against six or seven teams that are prepared to be champions."

Image source, Getty Images

The Commentators' View trio of John Murray, Ian Dennis and Ali Bruce-Ball have been previewing the new Premier League season as they return for series three of their podcast.

Murray asked his co-hosts: "What is it that is most capturing your imagination about the season of Premier League commentary that lies ahead?"

Dennis responded: "After watching the Community Shield, Arsenal have already laid down a marker.

"I remember the time when Erling Haaland made his debut in the Community Shield at the King Power in Leicester and people were quick to jump to conclusions because he made nine touches or something like that.

"He soon put that to bed but Manchester City, on the evidence of the 90 minutes in Cardiff, didn't look quite up to speed - but that is maybe not surprising given players are still coming back from the World Cup and might not have got the minutes in from pre-season.

"To have lost Pep Guardiola would have been impactful enough, but to have now lost Rodri, as well as Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Nathan Ake - all of that experience - is a massive change for City.

"We'll have to see what happens between now and the end of the transfer window."

After Bruce-Ball agreed about Arsenal's strength, Dennis added: "You could also argue that Liverpool will be in transition this season as well given a new manager in Andoni Iraola.

"There's also no Mo Salah so potentially I'm thinking, could Manchester United look to take advantage of that and be the closest rivals to Arsenal given the impact that Michael Carrick had at the end of last season?"

Murray replied: "The thing I'm most looking forward to is exactly that - to see which one of those teams is going to be able to make a fast start when there's been so much change at so many different clubs."

Listen to the full episode of The Commentators' View on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

The last time Manchester United visited Hull City in an away fixture in the Premier League, the Red Devils counted on a stoppage time winner from Marcus Rashford to claim the three points.

Of the 18 players involved for United on that rainy August evening in 2016, only Rashford and Luke Shaw are still at the club.

Shaw, United's longest serving current player, is set to embark on his 13th season at the club, which will also lead to him being the longest serving Premier League player at a single club.

Shaw told club media: "That's very special. I feel extremely privileged to be here for so long. It is kind of home now really. Hopefully, I can continue that."

Throughout Shaw's 12-year career at Old Trafford, including interim managers, he has played under nine different bosses, but the full-back believes this is the best mood he has experienced while being at the club.

He explained: "I have been here for a long time, so I have experienced different groups, different atmospheres, but I would certainly say this is the most positive, happiest, and probably talented group that we have had."

Although Shaw has endured an injury-stricken career at United, he started all 38 league games last season, something which he puts down to a new Pilates regime.

"The season before was one of my toughest seasons," Shaw added. "I couldn't find a way to be on the pitch and help my team. Last season was good for me. I found a new way in Pilates which I felt really helped me keep in really good condition throughout the whole season."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United youngster Jacob Devaney is in talks with Hibernian over a loan move back to the Scottish Premiership.

Devaney was captain of United's Premier League 2 side for the first half of last season, before moving to St Mirren for his first extended stint in senior football.

The 19-year-old impressed in his time at the club, making 18 appearances, including 16 starts.

Devaney returned to United for pre-season and featured in the first two matches, against Wrexham and Norwegian side Rosenborg, scoring in the latter, despite appearing in central defence rather than his preferred midfield role.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international said this summer his main aim was to play first-team football for United, but accepted he may have to spend the season on loan to gain further experience.

It is understood there has been huge interest in Devaney. Talks with Hibs have reached an advanced stage, although the deal is not done.

Hibs drew 0-0 with Belgian side Gent in the away leg of their Conference League play-off last night. The Edinburgh club are bidding to reach the league phase of a European competition for the first time.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United were very much the third-best side in the Premier League last season, not just in terms of points but goal difference and expected goal difference too.

Only Arsenal and Manchester City scored more goals and United fans will deem it fitting that their team took the most shots in the league, although 10 teams created better chances on average.

At the back, five teams conceded fewer goals and again it was the quality of the chances that mattered. Eight sides let in a lower percentage of their opponents' shots but that is because eight sides gave up chances that were harder to score on average. Senne Lammens was actually the best shotstopper in the league, preventing more goals than any other keeper based on the quality of chances he faced (6.5).

As a result, United scored and conceded goals at around the same rate last season - something they are likely to need to change if they are to challenge for the title.

Bayer Leverkusen's Burkina Faso centre-back Edmond Tapsoba, 27, has emerged as a leading defensive target for Manchester United, Newcastle and Tottenham. (Teamtalk), external

Manchester United are concentrating on signing a new left-back, with Racing Santander's 19-year-old Spaniard Jorge Salinas a candidate as Newcastle are not inclined to sell England left-back Lewis Hall, 21. (CaughtOffside), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

In the Premier League last season, 13 of the 20 teams finished with between 40 and 60 points - the most in an English top-flight campaign since 2003-04 (also 13).

Was the Premier League so competitive in 2025-26 because the quality of the 'lesser' teams got better or the top teams got worse? It is hard to know for sure.

Given how savvy clubs like Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth are, the vast amounts of money that enable even bottom-half sides to sign the best talent from abroad and the Premier League's current dominance of the Europa League and Conference League, it would seem to be the former.

However, the fact that promoted play-off winners Sunderland were able to finish above 13 teams in their first season back suggests the league was maybe not as strong as we think.

What we do know is that whether because they got worse or their opponents got better, four of the sides that finished in the top seven in 2024-25 - champions Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest - took 79 points fewer between them last season.

While Forest's decline was perhaps expected given their incredible seventh-place finish in 2024-25 and their journey to the Europa League semi-finals last season, the others were far more surprising.

Sunderland and Leeds smashed the recent run of promoted sides struggling to compete by taking 64 more points than the teams they replaced in the top flight.

As a result, this season will be a bit of an upside-down one in that Bournemouth, Brighton and Sunderland have European campaigns to navigate while Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle do not.

Will we therefore see a bounce-back to the more 'traditional' order in 2026-27 or are we truly entering a new, fiercely-competitive era of the Premier League?

Read more on the Premier League's competitiveness

George Booth
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Hull City at the MKM Stadium (kick-off 12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Marcus Rashford returned "fantastically" to the side and the forward "looks strong, sharp and ready to play football". Carrick added that Rashford, who has not played a Premier League fixture for United since December 2024, is "enjoying his football" and could be an option "through the middle".

• In terms of injuries, Carrick confirmed that Matthijs de Ligt will not be involved against Hull, Benjamin Sesko "is back training" and Mason Mount is "very close" to returning to the matchday squad.

• Carrick added that Mount was one of United's "best players" during pre-season and "there are no dramas" surrounding the 27-year-old, who has endured injuries throughout his Red Devils career.

• United are "looking to strengthen the squad" as they continue to be linked with Brighton's Carlos Baleba. Carrick added: "Certainly we're trying to make the most of the opportunities to finish the window stronger than we went into it."

• Carrick said the 2026-27 campaign is about "making the most of everything" as United look ahead to a season with Champions League football. Although he believes United can "achieve great things", being title contenders would be a "jump" in playing standards for his side.

• On facing newly promoted Hull City: "It is a tough start. I think a newly promoted team away from home is a tough, tough game. I have been involved in them in the past, so I am fully aware of what's at stake and what's coming at us on Saturday, and what we have to be ready for. It's not favourable. It's an easy thing to throw out there but it's pretty ridiculous. I'm not taking it that way at all."

Hit play above to hear more from Carrick or listen on BBC Sounds here

All the key lines from Thursday's Premier League news conferences

Got a question about Man Utd? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Umir Irfan
Football tactics correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

"First and foremost, we want to win," said Michael Carrick when asked what style of football he wanted his Manchester United team to play this season.

But he quickly clarified: "We want to be excited - that's why we love this club. I'm fully aware that we need to do it in a certain way."

Out of possession, United have looked to press high. Starting in a 4-2-4 formation again, players hold their positions before springing to press certain opponents when the moment is right.

We have established that Carrick is keen to embrace United's front-footed DNA, looking to be proactive in their set-up this season rather than giving the opponent too much respect by sitting deep. Their defensive tactics feed into this.

The 4-2-4 leaves four attackers high and narrow. This is for a number of reasons. First, defending in this way blocks the centre of the pitch making it difficult for opponents to find players through the middle. Generally coaches, including Carrick, are more willing to concede possession in wide areas, considering the middle of the pitch more dangerous.

Secondly, the front four are positioned with United's counter-attack in mind. If United are able to win the ball back, they can quickly find four attackers closer to goal against fewer defenders. Their press becomes a method of chance creation.

This paid dividends in the 1-1 draw against Paris St-Germain, resulting in their equaliser. After winning the ball, United found themselves four against four in PSG's final third, before Bryan Mbeumo scored.

Read more on Manchester United's possible tactics for the 2026-27 season

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

There is a bit of movement within the academy ranks at Manchester United, with a number of their older players set for moves to rival clubs.

Winger James Scanlon and full-back Habeeb Ogunneye, who spent time on loan in League Two with Swindon and Newport respectively last season, are both in talks with Arsenal.

Although the pair only made a handful of appearances in senior football, it is felt, at 19 and 20, they have further development in them.

Neither were involved in United's pre-season campaign under Michael Carrick, even though 15 academy players were picked in the 25-man squad for the opening game against Wrexham in Helsinki on 18 July.

Ogunneye started for United's Under-21 side in a pre-season match against Altrincham on 31 July. Scanlon, who has 24 caps for Gibraltar and featured in the Premier League 2 play-off final defeat at Brighton in May, missed the game with a minor injury.

It is understood other players with significant experience at Under-21 level, who have also had periods away from United on loan, could move before the transfer deadline on 1 September.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sussex journalist Johnny Cantor has said Brighton will "probably be looking for £70m" for midfielder Carlos Baleba, who is set to join Manchester United..

"There's certainly no surprise in terms of everybody on the south coast has known of the interest in Carlos Baleba from Manchester United and I think people know that the player himself is quite determined to get to Old Trafford as quickly as possible," Cantor told BBC Radio Manchester.

"Probably an indication of that is the fact that he seems to have agreed personal terms a long time ago. It's more a case of coming up with the right fee. It did feel like his form dropped a little bit when the interest came in and maybe his head was distracted, he is still quite a young man so that may have been inevitable.

"It's all about whether the price is right when it comes to Brighton and selling their best assets.

"£70m would probably be where they are looking for. Brighton never actually name a figure at all. They will have a figure in mind but they will not divulge it. Until that figure is met, they will not sell. That price may have dropped over the last year or so depending on his form but I think they will be looking for something around the £70m mark."

Cantor provided an update on Baleba saying his ankle ligament injury is "not too serious" so Manchester United shouldn't "be unduly concerned about his availability".

Cantor added: "He's an undoubted talent, people always talk about him as this sitting midfielder and I don't necessarily see him as that. He is actually very powerful, he likes to drive forward. The only question marks over him is his mentality. It's such a huge move. The question is, will he be able to handle that - the weight of the Manchester United shirt?

"I don't think all three parties will want this one to go on because they were pushing for it a good eight months ago so it will be interesting to see whether it finally gets over the line."

Hit play below to listen to the full chat or listen here on BBC Sounds

Last season: 3rd.

This season: 5th.

This is the first full season under Michael Carrick, who did so well to guide Manchester United back into the Champions League last season following the sacking of Ruben Amorim.

A Champions League place and a trophy must be the aim for this season and I fully expect United to meet that challenge.

Youri Tielemans is a smart, streetwise signing from Aston Villa while Andrey Santos is a player of promise from Chelsea - but United and Carrick still need more if their ultimate ambitions are to be fulfilled.

There is no chance of a title challenge, but I expect United to be in the upper reaches of the Premier League.

• Read more of Phil's predictions

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

Teams in the bottom half of the Premier League in 2025-26 finished with more points than they had in years, meaning that judging them simply by their position in the table is perhaps a little harsh.

Everton may have been underwhelmed with their 13th-place finish but it was the most points a team in that position had finished with since the Toffees themselves in 1999-2000.

The points of the four places below them were all the highest they have been in the Premier League for 23 years and West Ham can consider themselves unlucky to have gone down with the highest points total for an 18th-placed side since 2010-11.

However, competition has come at a cost.

One place where the Premier League has become less competitive - because it has become more fiercely-contested overall - is at the very bottom.

While it is almost expected for one side to be cut adrift long before the end of the season, nowadays two sides are getting left behind.

The average points tally of the second-bottom side in a 38-game season is 31, meaning teams that finish there have usually competed in a relegation battle for most of the season before ultimately falling short.

After the Premier League was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, only two 19th-placed sides failed to reach 30 points in the first 21 seasons. But in the past decade, seven of the 10 sides to finish in that position have failed to do so.

In the past two seasons, promoted sides Ipswich and Burnley have both finished there with just 22 points - the fewest ever taken by a second-bottom side.

Relegation battles are now mostly a fight to see who takes the final spot in the bottom three, with the other two accounted for long before the final day - often by promoted sides.

But inspired by the survival of Sunderland and Leeds, promoted trio Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City will all be hoping they have what it takes to match the competitiveness of the Premier League this season.

Read more on the Premier League's competitive numbers

Juventus have joined Napoli in holding an interest in Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee, but both clubs must sell before being able to make a move for the Netherlands forward. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

Atletico Madrid are looking to beat Manchester United to the signing of Spanish defender Jorge Salinas, 19, from Racing Santander. (Teamtalk), external

Arsenal are working on deals to sign Gibraltar winger James Scanlon and English right-back Habeeb Ogunneye from Manchester United. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Manchester City have identified Roma's Manu Kone as a potential signing, with the France midfielder, 25, having already been linked with rivals Manchester United this summer. (Mail), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Former Manchester United defender Wes Brown thinks Carlos Baleba represents a "good signing".

Brown was speaking on a special BBC Radio Manchester live stream.

Watch a clip below or in full here

Listen to debate on Baleba on BBC Sounds

Manchester United's midfield reconstruction is nearing completion.

After signing Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa in the space of 24 hours of each other last month, there has been an element of 'will-they, won't-they' about the past five weeks.

At times, it felt the 'third midfielder' search has taken on a life of its own.

Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni was heavily touted, so too Bournemouth's Alex Scott and Roma's Manu Kone. In more recent days, the name of Fulham's Sander Berge has become more prominent. That of Bournemouth's Tyler Adams has never gone away.

United privately played down potential interest in Brighton's Carlos Baleba.

But in a sense, they didn't need to be actively interested in him. Most of the work was done 12 months ago, when United made a play for him but backed off when they discovered the asking price would be in excess of £100m.

Now the first offer has gone in; £60m, plus an additional £5m. It won't be enough.

Talks are continuing though and the expectation is the transfer will get done.

If the deal goes through, and when Baleba has recovered from an ankle injury sustained in pre-season that is expected to keep him out for another couple of weeks, Michael Carrick will have variety and options, which also include Mason Mount, Scotland World Cup squad member Tyler Fletcher and, in extremis, Fernandes.

• Read more on the Baleba pursuit

Some of you have been sending your questions in to BBC Sport, including this one on Ollie Watkins.

Manchester United thought about trying to sign Watkins last summer but went for Benjamin Sesko instead.

The link has never truly gone away, although I think further attacking reinforcements depend on Marcus Rashford.

At the moment, it seems as though Rashford will remain at United beyond the transfer window.

So, although Sesko would be the only orthodox striker in Michael Carrick's squad, he would have four players - Rashford, Bryan Mbeumo, Joshua Zirkzee and Matheus Cunha - who could fit in, and has alternative attackers to cover them.

If Rashford left, it would make sense to bring in a forward, and the age profile might be attractive given Sesko's relative inexperience. Whether the price would be is another matter.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Manchester United reigniting their interest in Brighton's Carlos Baleba, having already pursued a deal for the midfielder 12 months ago.

Here are some of your comments:

Dave: That's the last-minute decision! I know it has been talked about for a year or so, but in that year he has been non-existent. It seems a bad choice to me. Myles Lewis-Skelly surely outshines Baleba in all aspects football-related and money-related? And, more importantly, he is fit. Baleba is an Andrey Santos inferior and he is more expensive.

Howard: I'm happy with this. We need some strength in midfield and he can provide that. Also, he wants Manchester United which is great. We shouldn't pay too much attention to his poor season last time out, he was unsettled and he will be good for us. Let's hope this happens, we need a good strong defensive midfielder like him.

Thomas: There are far more talented players that have failed at United, and far worse ones that have excelled. We need players with elite mentalities. If he has that, then he has my full support.

Mark: My biggest concern over Baleba is whether he will cope with the higher pressure at United. His form fell off last season - if it was because the move fell through then it would be a concern over his mental strength, if not it is a question over why it happened and whether he can regain that form.

Coops: I'm absolutely baffled by this one. Another bang average midfielder when we desperately need a defensive rebuild. Maxence Lacroix, Ezri Konsa, Jan Paul van Hecke all gone to our rivals. A bad transfer window, despite all the promises, again!

This is an interesting move by Manchester United.

On one side, it makes perfect sense. They tried to sign Carlos Baleba 12 months ago, so are fully aware of his abilities.

He is the kind of box-to-box player United do not have in their midfield despite the arrivals of Santos and Tielemans.

• Send your views on the Baleba deal

Baleba wants to make the move and the fee, whatever it ends up as, will be much less than the £100m they were quoted previously.

However, the reason the fee has gone down is the underwhelming form he showed for Brighton last season.

Thirty-one starts and three substitute appearances in the Premier League in 2024-25 became 23 starts and eight substitute appearances in 2025-26, highlighting a dip in form and value to Fabian Hurzeler in a campaign when Brighton secured European football for only the second time in their history.

There was a belief Baleba's head had been turned by Manchester United's interest, but Brighton sources last season said they didn't think that was right.

With the transfer deadline approaching, Old Trafford chiefs have made their move.

Carrick must hope he gets the 2024-25 version.

It is not clear yet when Baleba will be fit to play as he sustained an ankle ligament injury during pre-season that made him a doubt for Brighton's early season games.

He is expected to be out for another two to three weeks, which will rule him out of United's Premier League opener against Hull on Saturday, but he could be involved for the league fixture against Everton on 6 September.