Manchester United

George Booth
BBC Sport journalist

So far, Manchester United have signed a back-up goalkeeper, two midfielders and a young forward this summer, but former Red Devils defender Danny Simpson says they need fresh blood in another position.

"Lisandro Martinez is injured, Matthijs de Ligt gets injured a lot and Harry Maguire is 33 now, so I think we could do with a centre-back," Simpson told BBC Radio Manchester.

United currently have a wealth of experience in the centre-back department with Martinez, De Ligt and Maguire, but injuries halted their playing time together last season.

It is not yet known if Martinez will be ruled out of the start of the domestic campaign with the injury he picked up during Argentina's World Cup final defeat by Spain.

De Ligt last featured for United in November 2025 under Ruben Amorim.

The 26-year-old had "successful surgery to address a back injury" in May and the club expect him back in the early stages of 2026-27 season.

Although Maguire has featured in both United's pre-season friendlies, De Ligt is still based back at Carrington completing rehabilitation for his back injury.

Hit play below to hear more from Simpson or listen on BBC Sounds here

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Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount reflected on his side's 5-0 win in pre-season over Rosenborg last Friday and how he "loved" wearing the captain's armband.

On whether he has grown into a leadership role, Mount told BBC Radio Manchester: "You have different types of leaders, you have ones that are very vocal. I always want to see myself as one that leads by example and never stops working on the pitch.

"I've been captain previously years ago. I love the role especially with a lot of younger players on the pitch being able to speak to them and make them feel comfortable in the game and off the pitch as well. It's a role that I really like and loved having it [the captain's armband] in the second half."

Mount added he "feels brilliant" ahead of the new season.

He added: "It's been a good break but I was ready and raring to get back and get training again and get back into the flow of it. As players that's what you want. I feel strong and ready to go. I know we've got a few weeks more games left and a few more weeks to really work at stuff but I feel good."

• Listen to Mount on BBC Sounds

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Co-hosts Gaz Drinkwater and Joe McGrath discussed which players impressed them in Manchester United's comfortable pre-season win over Rosenborg in the latest episode of BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast.

Drinkwater was full of praise for Joshua Zirkzee, who scored a "Puskas award nominee" goal in the friendly, slaloming his way past defenders and goalkeeper before tapping into an empty net.

"It was a great goal and really nice to watch," he said.

"It did kind of look like United were playing on Fifa with the difficulty [level] set on amateur. It was so slow the way it happened and there's no way a goal like that would be scored in the Premier League, but I'm not saying that to discount Joshua Zirkzee or take anything away from him. It was a lovely goal."

On Zirkzee being linked with a move away from Old Trafford, Drinkwater added: "At times, he comes on and is the exact type of player you need in a game. I like a lot of his attributes and you can tell by the way he plays that he would do very well in the Italian league.

"He plays just a little bit slower but he is really, really good on the ball. He is so slick but he needs to play in a slower league.

"He's one of those players who is too good for the role we want him to play, which is very occasionally coming on and making an impact, and very rarely starting games. I wouldn't mind if we let him go."

Listen to the full episode of The Devils' Advocate on BBC Sounds

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English football is set to implement a trial to try to eradicate the goalkeeper tactical timeout this season, BBC Sport can reveal.

The Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, National League and Women's Super League have agreed on the measure, pending permission from the International Football Association Board (Ifab).

Earlier this year, Ifab decided against changing the law and invited leagues to volunteer for trials.

Pro Ref, led by chief refereeing officer Howard Webb, has been in discussions with the leagues to determine how to tackle the issue. It settled on a team having to remove an outfield player from the field.

If a referee signals that the physio can come on to treat a goalkeeper, the coach will have 10 seconds to nominate another player to leave the pitch for one minute, telling the fourth official of their choice.

If no player has been selected within 10 seconds, the captain must leave the field.

Read more on the trial

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We asked for your views on Mason Mount's role at Manchester United and how important he might be for Michael Carrick this season.

Here are some of your comments:

Mark: The ownership are hoping Mount's pre-season form and fitness continue to give them the excuse not to buy another midfielder. It's not like he is unknown but can he be trusted after all his injuries and can he continue in this role as one of two in a pivot? With Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans to come in, it may work with squad rotation.

Adam: No-one questions Mount's ability - but no manager would go into a season trusting him to remain fit.

Christine: The perfect partner for Andrey Santos is DEFINITELY NOT Mason Mount. As soon as he sees a blade of green grass he will be sitting on it injured. Mount has been injured for three years so why would anyone think he will play regularly, never mind play in a robust midfield? People must be deluded.

Mags: Keep him whatever. He'll be brilliant in that role.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Although he is not a veteran in any sense, Mason Mount has taken his responsibilities as a senior professional in this summer's opening pre-season games extremely seriously.

The 27-year-old midfielder has spent time with the younger players. It was noticeable before the Rosenborg match that he sought out Shea Lacey, whose fine opener in a 5-0 win must have nudged him closer to a permanent place in Michael Carrick's squad.

Speaking in April, Mount, whose contract runs to 2028, looked ahead to a campaign that would include a return to the Champions League and what contribution he could make.

"Next season we have a lot more games, which is what you want at a big club," he said at the time.

"Having the pressure of performing and winning games is what we love as players. If it's a start or coming off the bench, I'm ready.

"You have different types of leaders. You have ones that are very vocal, but I see myself as one who leads by example and never stops working.

"I've been captain previously, years ago, so I love the role.

"Especially with a lot of younger players on the pitch, and off it as well, being able to speak to them and make them feel comfortable, it's something I really like."

It is the kind of attitude managers adore.

Image source, Getty Images

The Devils' Advocate podcast touches on action on and off the field this week.

Co-hosts Joe McGrath and Gaz Drinkwater discuss Manchester United's pre-season win over Rosenborg and season-ticket restrictions.

There's chat on Joshua Zirkzee's display, while football finance expert Kieran Maguire offers insight on the season-ticket debate.

Listen 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

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United youngster Jaydan Kamason is hoping to stay injury free this season to give him a chance to push for a place in Michael Carrick's senior squad.

The 19-year-old England youth international had two extended periods on the sidelines last term, which prevented him making as much progress as he would have liked.

He has a lot of admirers at Old Trafford, though, and was one of the academy players who has excelled over the opening two games of United's pre-season, adding a well-taken fifth goal to the two assists in Friday's 5-0 win over Rosenborg.

Kamason is yet to discover whether he will remain at United this season or go out on loan. But, most importantly, the full-back is hoping to stay fit.

"Last season, unfortunately, I had two injuries," he said. "Hopefully this season will be more positive.

"I'm just trying to stay fit now and show my ability on the pitch.

"I'm always trying to aspire to get to that level. If I need a few loans or whatever, we'll have to see, but I'm trying to get to that top level - and that's Manchester United. You have to be ambitious."

Kamason was the first player to sign scholariship forms at United after coming through the club's Emerging Talent Programme, which he joined at 10, while playing for grassroots team Stockport Vikings.

His transition to the first team will be helped by Travis Binnion moving up from his position as head of United's Premier League 2 side to join Carrick's senior coaching group.

"Travis is a top person and top coach," said Kamason.

"He's a great link between the academy and the first team, so it is good to have him around and hopefully he can continue to help me."

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United's midfield has been the topic of intense discussion all summer.

Mason Mount, who has played most of his career as an attacking midfielder, joined United from Chelsea for £55m in 2023, his ability to play in central midfield was cited as one of the attractions.

Although too much time in his first two seasons at Old Trafford was spent dealing with injuries, the 27-year-old was able to make a consistent impact last term.

While it is still early days in this pre-season, from the evidence of the opening two games, there are definite signs Mount and Andrey Santos could form a very productive partnership.

It is already clear Santos is happy sitting deep, taking the ball off defenders, spotting gaps in passing lanes and pressurising opponents.

That allows Mount - who won the last of his 36 England caps four years ago - to use his undoubted abilities on the ball, helps him to find space and move United up the pitch. It is not something he is generally noted for, but Mount is also not scared to make a tackle.

"I've known Andre for a while," said Mount. "I've watched him from afar, since he broke into the first team at Chelsea. He's a really good player and reads the game very well.

"He's a little bit more defensive, so it allows me to push on a little bit more and work off him.

"Defensively as well, we're both players that want to get around it, put tackles in, win the ball back and be aggressive.

"I've really enjoyed it. It's a position I've played for many years from a young age. It's a position that I love and I see myself in."

Michael Carrick showed exactly what he thinks about Mount by making him captain for a short time in the second half in Norway, after Harry Maguire had gone off at the break before the bulk of changes just after the hour mark.

There is over five weeks yet before the transfer window closes and United will continue to be linked with big-money signings.

But Mount is certainly making a strong case to show they already have what they need in midfield.

How important a role do you think Mount could play for United this season? Where do you see him fitting into Carrick's system?

Get in touch with your thoughts here

Read more on Mount's potential role here

Serie A side Juventus are working on a deal to sign forward Joshua Zirkzee from Manchester United. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Patience will be a virtue for Manchester United's young defender Ayden Heaven this season.

The 19-year-old made a big impact at Old Trafford in 2025-26, making 18 first-team appearances, including 11 Premier League starts.

Heaven showed the promise that United felt was worth signing him from Arsenal, where he had already made his senior bow.

However, after a run of starts under Ruben Amorim, they dried up once Michael Carrick took charge, with Leny Yoro tending to be preferred if Harry Maguire or Lisandro Martinez weren't available given Matthijs de Ligt had already suffered the back problem that eventually ended his season.

Carrick did start Heaven in three games towards the end of the season though and rates the teenager highly.

With De Ligt still injured and Martinez now on a three-week break after reaching the World Cup final with Argentina, Heaven has started the opening two pre-season games in Helsinki and Trondheim alongside Maguire, with Yoro stepping in at right back.

"I know I'm young and I've got to be patient, especially in my position," said Heaven.

"You don't see a lot of 19-year-olds playing week in, week out. It's nothing personal. I'm just waiting for my opportunity."

Heaven was selected in the England Under-20 squad last season and it targeting further international honours this term.

"The sky's the limit," he said, mentioning the full England senior squad. "I've just got to keep working hard."

He couldn't have anyone better to learn from than Maguire.

The sound of the experienced defender's voice echoing round Rosenborg's Lerkendal Stadium on Friday as United won 5-0 was a reminder for Heaven the game is about more than simply playing.

"He's had over 20 years of experience playing," said Heaven.

"He speaks a lot and he always tells me to speak. I always work on that with him."

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

For Shea Lacey, Jacob Devaney and Harry Amass – all 19 – their time might be now.

All three were on target. All three are making a strong case to Michael Carrick about their presence in the months ahead.

The manner of Lacey's goal against Rosenborg certainly caught the eye.

He found space and ghosted in from the right – having spent most of the game in a hybrid number 10 role, with Bryan Mbeumo outside him – and the smooth nature of his shot that curled sweetly into the far corner had a stamp of class all over it.

Devaney was singled out for praise by Carrick after last week's defeat by Wrexham in Helsinki.

Again playing in central defence rather than his preferred midfield slot, Devaney was an assured presence once more in Norway. He also added a goal with an instinctive first-time finish after coming up for a corner.

Many thought Amass would have been given a chance to impress under Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman thought he wasn't big enough.

Two years on, he has noticeably filled out. After being edged out following Diego Leon's arrival last season, Amass impressed on loan at Sheffield Wednesday before getting injured shortly after joining Norwich.

He looks fully fit now and – sliding in at the far post to convert United's fourth goal on a day when Joshua Zirkzee scored a superb solo effort and Ethan Williams completed a rout – he offered another nudge to Carrick not to forget about him as a back-up to Luke Shaw.

Read more about United's pre-season win in Norway here

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Manchester United defender Sekou Kone has rejoined Swiss Super League side Lausanne on loan for the 2026-27 season.

Kone first joined Lausanne on loan in January 2026, but he only featured in five games because of injury.

The Red Devils signed the Mali defender in August 2024, but his progress with Michael Carrick's side has been severely impacted by an injury-hit 2025-26 campaign - including a fractured eye socket during a National League Cup tie at Tamworth in August - which effectively took a year out of his career.

Lausanne is owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos Group and they finished ninth last season.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter in Trondheim

Image source, BBC Sport

It sounds as though the crowd for Friday's pre-season game between Manchester United and Norwegian side Rosenborg in Trondheim may struggle to get into five figures.

Some Rosenborg fans are not happy with their team's performance this season - they are 10th in the 16-team Eliteserien - and that has been compounded by the United game meaning this weekend's league fixture against Fredrikstad has been moved to Monday.

Add in the fact United have just played in Finland and have games in Sweden on the next two weekends, it is easy to see why this match might not be a massive draw.

Nevertheless, there were plenty of fans welcoming United's arrival on Thursday.

From what I saw, all the players spent extended periods signing balls and shirts and posing for selfies, including 15-year-old JJ Gabriel.

Gabriel should make his senior bow at some stage later.

You will be able to follow live text commentary of Rosenborg v Manchester United here

As Manchester United prepare to take on Rosenberg in Trondheim, Norway later on Friday (17:00 BST), there is unrest back home at Old Trafford.

In an operation aimed at identifying potential ticket touts, the club has restricted the accounts of "thousands" of fans.

Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST) chief executive Duncan Drasdo told BBC Radio Manchester: "To have your season ticket cancelled is enormously emotionally impactful.

"It is their whole link to a network of friends. It has been hugely impactful."

Earlier this week, the club declined to comment on the process or supporter reaction when asked to do so.

Drasdo said MUST has been "inundated" with requests from fans asking for advice and that the organisation had "never had levels of contact like this".

"We are still struggling to get through a backlog of supporters," he added. "Our initial advice is to make sure you get any appeal in before any deadline you have been given. If you get rejected, you can send in a second appeal."

Hit play above to hear the full clip or listen here on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Barring 15-year-old JJ Gabriel coming in for England Under-20 striker Ethan Wheatley, who has a minor calf problem, Manchester United's 25-man squad for their first two pre-season games in Helsinki and Trondheim has stayed the same.

That surely means anyone from the academy who has a chance of breaking into Michael Carrick's senior squad consistently this season will come from that group.

It means the academy players not involved – including the likes of Gibraltar international James Scanlon, midfielder Jack Moorhouse, who spent the first half of last season at Leyton Orient, and Gabriele Biancheri, who was at Rotherham, will have to seriously consider their next moves.

Australia full-back James Overy also falls into that group.

Overy missed a lot of football with United last term after being picked for both the Under-20 World Cup and Under-23 Asian Cup.

However, the Perth-born youngster did come on as a second-half substitute in the FA Youth Cup final defeat by Manchester City in May.

He is coveted by plenty of A League sides, who are keen to sign Overy on loan, but there is also interest in the 18-year-old, who earned his first call-up to the senior Socceroos squad last season, in Europe.

Real Madrid are open to selling 26-year-old France defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni to Manchester United. (Sun), external

Roma and France midfielder Manu Kone, 25, and Brighton's 22-year-old Cameroon international Carlos Baleba are also being considered as United aim to strengthen their midfield. (Sky Sports), external

Bournemouth's 27-year-old United States midfielder Tyler Adams, who is valued at about £35m, is also an option for Michael Carrick's side. (Mail), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It had been expected 15-year-old JJ Gabriel would play some part in Manchester United's pre-season this summer given the progress he has made through the club's youth system.

But should the winger feature against Rosenborg in Norway to make his first senior appearance, it will be the latest milestone in the teenager's career.

Gabriel first came to notice outside United circles in April 2025. Striker Victor Musa scored six times in a lopsided 13-1 Premier Under 18 League win over Leeds.

But neither the score nor Musa's double hat-trick was the main talking point – it was a 25-minute cameo from Gabriel on his debut, then aged just 14.

Pace, balance and control were already evident - and he also scored twice to show he has an eye for goal.

He built on that early promise last season. For most of the campaign he seemed destined to finish as the league's top scorer, only for Manchester City's Teddie Lamb to pip him in the final couple of games.

Gabriel was a standout performer last term, scoring 29 times in 32 appearances, helping his team reach the FA Youth Cup and Premier League Under-18 Cup finals.

Because of his slight frame, United's coaching staff moved him inside from his preferred position cutting in from the left last season to keep him away from full-backs who were bigger and stronger and could try to muscle him out of the way.

There was a belief Gabriel would grow this summer and, judging by his social media feeds, he has been working on that.

Having decided to target the youth market to offer the best chance of future success, it would be counterproductive to hold back someone already in their ranks, so Gabriel's call-up for the trip to Norway makes perfect sense.

If Gabriel features against Rosenborg he will be one of the youngest players to play a senior game.

The youngest player to feature in a competitive match for United is David Gaskell, a goalkeeper who made his debut when he was 16 years and 19 days. Gabriel will not be 16 until 6 October.

Manchester United travelling squad: Tom Heaton, Radek Vitek, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Ayden Heaven, Mason Mount, Joshua Zirkzee, Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu, , Andrey Santos, Bryan Mbeumo, Chido Obi, Jack Fletcher, Tyler Fletcher, Harry Amass, Toby Collyer, Dan Gore, Dermot Mee, Shea Lacey, Ethan Williams, Jaydan Kamason, Jacob Devaney, Jim Thwaites, Dan Armer, JJ Gabriel.

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United and Newcastle United have both expressed an interest in Botafogo midfielder Danilo this summer.

The 25-year-old, who was part of Brazil's World Cup squad, is considering his next move after his club received offers of about £25m from Palmeiras and Zenit St Petersburg.

Manchester United are exploring multiple options, including not signing an additional midfielder this summer.

Newcastle were understood to have held an interest in Danilo earlier in the window, as one of a number of possible targets, but the club are now close to signing Aladji Bamba from Monaco in a deal worth up to £34m.

Newcastle have also signed fellow midfielder Sean Steur from Ajax for a fee of up to £23m.

Danilo is assessing his options, with Botafogo keen to sell him abroad despite Palmeiras, where he spent three years between 2020 and 2023, currently pushing hardest to complete a deal.

Nottingham Forest first brought Danilo to England from Palmeiras for £18m in 2023. After two seasons, he returned to Brazil to join Botafogo.

The midfielder appeared as a substitute in all but one of Brazil's matches at the World Cup, where they were eliminated by Norway in the last 16.