Rashford hoping for return at Liverpoolpublished at 17:07 GMT
17:07 GMT
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is hoping to be available for the Premier League clash at Liverpool on 22 November.
Rashford has missed United's past six games after a hip injury he initially sustained at the World Cup was aggravated in the opening weeks of the season and spread to his groin.
The 29-year-old saw a specialist in Dublin with a member of United's medical staff last week and a new recovery programme has now been put in place.
Rashford had wanted to play some role over the past few weeks to try and help head coach Michael Carrick. However, the injury had been getting worse and although the England forward offered to go on the bench for last month's defeat at Chelsea, the club decided it was not worth the risk of further damage.
The England international is yet to score for United since his summer return from a season on loan at Barcelona. However, he has scored seven goals in 20 games for United against their next opponents Liverpool.
There are a lot of gaps to fill in yetpublished at 16:32 GMT
16:32 GMT
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
While it may seem a touch immoral for Manchester United to be talking to a potential new manager before they have decided if their current one is staying or not, this kind of situation is not uncommon in football.
Jose Mourinho had agreed a contract with United in 2016 before Louis van Gaal was sacked, which is how stories - including from BBC Sport - came out that the Dutchman would be dismissed as he was celebrating the FA Cup final triumph over Crystal Palace.
Going further back, Mark Hughes was replaced immediately by Roberto Mancini at Manchester City in 2009. Hughes' imminent dismissal was reported on the morning of his final game in charge.
It is impossible to reach that situation without talks taking place beforehand, and it would be naive to think they do not go on in a world in which agents are pushing clients for jobs that either do, or do not, exist or clubs are trying to gauge interest before making a decision.
I have been told by one source the Mauricio Pochettino terms to join United are more or less agreed. I have also been told if they decide to push on, United can decide whether the former Tottenham and Chelsea boss remains with the USA team for their matches against Haiti.
If he did stay, it would mean a sharp turnaround from a Tuesday night match - which finishes in the early hours of next Wednesday - to be at Carrington for preparations before United's game against Liverpool at Anfield on 22 November.
There are a lot of gaps to fill in yet, not least whether Carrick will be dismissed or not.
But it seems more likely there will be clarity on that soon, and from that the rest of the jigsaw pieces should start to slot into place.
'Who do you trust' without Casemiro?published at 15:59 GMT
15:59 GMT
Media caption,
Manchester United's defensive performances since the summer departure of midfielder Casemiro was a topic of discussion on this week's edition of BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton said the Brazilian was the "leader and organiser" of Michael Carrick's side and United have failed to replace these qualities.
He added: "Unless there are major personnel changes in that backline, are things really going to change? Who is leading at the back? Who do you trust?"
Pochettino a 'very good appointment' or shows 'board has zero ambition'?published at 11:48 GMT
11:48 GMT
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Manchester United speaking to USA boss Mauricio Pochettino about replacing Michael Carrick if the club hierarchy decides to sack the head coach.
MHW: Having managed a top club and top personalities at Paris St-Germain along with Premier League experience of being the manager to galvanise Spurs into a top-two finish, Pochettino seems the right man for United.
Terry: A very good appointment that should been made after Jose Mourinho left. Unfortunately, unless he is allowed to be a manager and not just a coach, it may not work for him. The management team, including the owners, will need to change before we see a significant upturn in our fortunes. Why are Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada still in a job? Good luck, Poch.
Tochukwu: Pochettino would be a very good appointment. His experience in the Premier League, ability to develop young players, attacking philosophy, and man-management skills make him a strong candidate. He transformed Tottenham into title contenders and could bring the tactical identity and renewed belief that United desperately need. Pochettino deserves another opportunity at a big club and Old Trafford could be the perfect stage for him to prove his worth.
Gareth: Pochettino is the best and most realistic option, but he mustn't fall for the usual trap. The senior players will put in a shift for a few months, then let him down. He needs to break the doom cycle and build a young and energetic team.
The case against
Isaac: Pochettino was an OK appointment about three seasons ago. If it is true United looked at him and did not go for him before, why is he ideal now? Julian Nagelsmann was the better option - a reset to the whole system. But, again, United will appoint someone and we will be back in the same spot after 18 months.
Christopher: Pointless to keep changing the manager without changing the underlying problems, which start at the top with the Glazers and filter down to the mediocre directors and players that they've bought. The structure needs changing. Directors and owners need to go, not the manager.
Phillip: I don't understand why Pochettino has the reputation he does. He won nothing with either Spurs or Chelsea. He won trophies with PSG but even I could have done that with the team they had. Good to see the board has zero ambition.
Nigel: He wouldn't be my first choice. I'd much rather see Unai Emery or Antonio Conte at Old Trafford - strong characters with more proven experience. However, if Pochettino is the board's choice then it needs to back him financially in the transfer market to overhaul our underachieving squad and get the right calibre of player in to get the club on the right track again.
'Every Man Utd defender has a flaw'published at 11:35 GMT
11:35 GMT
Image source, Getty Images
Most of Manchester United's defenders have had "games or moments that have left you scratching your head" this season, according to Jay Motty from The Stretford Paddock.
Michael Carrick's side, who are 18th in the Premier League, have already shipped 19 goals across 10 league games.
"It is a shame because you look at our defenders and you don't see too much of a problem on paper," Motty told BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast.
"Matthijs de Ligt, when he is fit, and Lisandro Martinez are probably your first-choice centre-back pairing. Then you have Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven as back-up, so that looks decent.
"Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot, Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui can play at full-back, so there are decent options there as well.
"But when you watch our performances this season, all of those defenders have had games and moments that have left you scratching your head. They haven't really stepped up.
"Martinez has fallen off a cliff - he is having a very poor season. Obviously he has spoken out about the ownership, and I agree with what he said about our transfer window, but that doesn't excuse some of the performances we've seen from him.
"Maguire is 33 years old now and age is catching up with him a little bit. De Ligt has been injured for practically the whole season, but we know he has injury issues.
"Yoro and Heaven are still young and learning, but they are being thrown in, whether that is at right-back, left-back, in different centre-back pairings, starting on the bench or actually starting games. It isn't an ideal environment for them.
"Dalot and Mazraoui have both been poor. Shaw has been injured for practically half of this season already.
"Every Manchester United defender has a flaw. When you throw it all together, there is no surprise that we are consistently conceding avoidable goals."
Man Utd move for Pochettino - what do you think?published at 09:18 GMT
09:18 GMT
Image source, Getty Images
So, Manchester United have opened talks with United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino about replacing Michael Carrick - and we want your views.
It would be Pochettino's fourth time managing in the Premier League after spells at Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea. He has also been in charge at Espanyol and Paris St-Germain, clubs he represented in his playing days.
The 54-year-old former Argentina international has a $10m (£7.5m) release clause with the USA.
What do you make of this development? Would a Pochettino appointment excite you? Do you think he can take the club back in the right direction? Or would you have gone in a different direction?
Why is Ratcliffe-Berrada-Wilcox meeting happening in Monaco?published at 08:28 GMT
08:28 GMT
Image source, Getty Images
Michael Carrick's future as Manchester United head coach will be determined 800 miles away from Old Trafford in Monaco on Wednesday.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are flying out for one of their regular pre-planned meetings to discuss strategy around the football club.
On this occasion, the main issue to be decided is Carrick's future and it is expected that their recommendation will be for the head coach to go.
It is not a situation Sir Jim Ratcliffe would have expected to find himself in again, less than three years after purchasing a minority stake in United.
Ratcliffe has been criticised for many decisions since he bought his 28.94% stake for just over £1bn, but this is one he really needs to get right.
Ratcliffe's home is in Monaco and his company, Ineos, has offices in the principality. The meeting had also been in the diary for some time as a regular catch-up between senior executives and their boss.
Sources have stressed that the choice of location was not influenced by the debate around Carrick's future - it just happens to now be the most important item for discussion.
There is daily contact between senior executives so if the meeting was purely to decide Carrick's fate, it could have been done by video conference. The need to travel to Monaco is not the reason why there is yet to be a decision.
However, it does add a complication given Berrada and Wilcox's preference is to inform Carrick of any decision face to face.
Why has 'uncertainty' crept into Lammens' mind?published at 08:14 GMT
08:14 GMT
In this week's episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, the panel discussed Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens after the Belgian was arguably at fault for one, if not two, goals in Sunday's match against Aston Villa.
Host Mark Chapman said Lammens' handling was "amazing" and "so secure" in his first season at Old Trafford compared with now.
Former Premier League goalkeeper Joe Hart added: "He just needs one of those steady games but, from his point of view, it will feel so noisy. The uncertainty is definitely there."
'Poch ticks all the boxes', 'get Emery, whatever it costs', 'Conte for a quick fix'published at 17:21 GMT 10 November
17:21 GMT 10 November
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on who you want in charge next at Old Trafford if Michael Carrick is sacked.
Here are some of your comments:
Martin: Keep Carrick. At some point, the club needs to stick with someone for the longer term. Swapping and changing constantly with the requisite differing squad requirements has led to this uncoordinated approach. Why not Carrick? None of the other suggestions, with the exception of Eddie Howe, stay long anywhere.
Oscar: For a quick fix, I would choose Antonio Conte. Manchester United don't need to build. We need to be winning. How we win doesn't matter at this particular level.
Nigel: Time for the hierarchy to stand up and be counted. Get Uni Emery - whatever it takes, whatever it costs. He fits the profile of the type of manager United need right now.
Joe: Mauricio Pochettino ticks all the boxes. Premier League and Champions League experience, been at big clubs, plays attacking football, promotes youth, likes to unify the dressing room and, above all, can work with an existing group rather than relying on star players being bought for him.
Saheed: I would want Julian Nagelsmann, irrespective of how it ended for him at Bayern Munich and with Germany at the World Cup. One spell, even two, doesn't define someone's managerial status. He's a young, up and coming manager full of talent and potential. He plays an attractive and appealing style of football. He is also adaptable and flexible within a formation, and would be able to promote the DNA of the club by bringing and developing youth while also getting the best out of them.
Tom: If we get to the new year and we are still in danger of relegation, then yes, a change is needed. Why aren't we giving managers time? We cannot keep going through a cycle of backing a manager, then sacking him and backing the next one. Let Carrick learn and grow. I'd much rather slower progress over a few years to get to the top, rather than aiming for immediate success and changing the manager when it doesn't happen. Just look at Mikel Arteta and Arsenal.
Andrew: Sadly inevitable. Carrick is a very decent man let down by senior players and unfortunate injuries. Hopefully Howe can be given the job and supported as a long-term project.
David: Perhaps Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada should be joint managers as they seem to know what is best! I wonder if they'd buy a left-back as their first signing. I would seriously go for Conte and sack the two directors, so he'd have complete control.
Fascinating to see what Sir Jim doespublished at 14:24 GMT 10 November
14:24 GMT 10 November
Dan Roan Sports editor on BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, Getty Images
One thing is for sure, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is his own man and not afraid to make difficult decisions - and there are some who will feel that he should scrutinise the positions of Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox as well.
There is no doubt they will be aware of the level of anger that surrounds Manchester United at the moment and they will be sensitive to the suggestion that you can just chop and change managers, as has been the case at Old Trafford in recent years, because the situation doesn't seem to improve.
They will also be mindful of the fact they did have a relatively successful transfer window last year, and that Michael Carrick had a successful season and got them into the Champions League again.
On the other hand, nobody can deny the predicament they are in right now is very concerning. Therefore, the expectation is that they will recommend a change.
They helped Ratcliffe decide to back Erik ten Hag and then to sack him, to relieve former director of football Dan Ashworth of his duties, to hire and then fire previous manager Ruben Amorim, and then make Carrick a permanent manager - so it may be that Ratcliffe has lost a little bit of faith in the decisions they have made and thinks there needs to be more of a structural change as well.
There is some scrutiny on Wilcox, as the director of football, in terms of some of the recruitment calls that have been made.
It will be fascinating to see what Sir Jim does. The other thing to bear in mind is that whatever is discussed on Wednesday will then have to also be put to the Glazer family, who are still the majority owners of Manchester United.
I wouldn't expect a decision to be made public until Thursday.
Image source, Getty Images
