Manchester United

Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards speaking on Transfer Gossip Daily about whether Liverpool will pip Manchester United to sign Sofyan Amrabat: "Sofyan Amrabat has become a podcast favourite for us. He has been heavily linked with Manchester United given Erik ten Hag knows him from Utrecht. But United have a cash problem as they try to sell players to balance the books. They have been trying to low ball Fiorentina and bid £20m for him.

"Meanwhile, Liverpool have been in a mess this summer and it was embarassing for them to miss out so publicly on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. Can they salvage something? Having been gazumped by Chelsea, they have an opportunity to gazump United and Amrabat would be a decent player.

"They are also interested in Cheick Doucoure at Crystal Palace - but we can't pretend these are anything other than consolation prizes. Perhaps though, it would pacify supporters who are disgruntled and a manager who is agitated. They need to strengthen their midfield and it looks like they might do that by luring a player from United.

"A word of caution - Amrabat has been linked with a lot of clubs so somebody is obviously really good at getting his name out there. He is obviously after a move but those performances at the World Cup are an indication how good a player he is."

Listen to the rest of today's Transfer Gossip Daily

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A lack of communication on the future of Mason Greenwood at Manchester United has "created a vacuum" that has made the debate "more polarising", says The Athletic's Adam Crafton.

On Wednesday, United released a statement to say the club was still in "intensive internal deliberation" about the next steps for the 21-year-old, who had charges of attempted rape and assault dropped at the start of February.

Crafton told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast United's chief executive Richard Arnold communicated a plan with the club's executive leadership team in the first week of August to reintegrate Greenwood - but that it had been delayed.

"They even went to the extent of scheduling a date for the announcement," said Crafton. "That was the 4th of August, which clearly has passed us by.

"The main theory is that the decision has been made but delayed, although the statement yesterday denied that. We know, and the club did not deny to us, that Arnold communicated it to his leadership team.

"The vacuum has created a space that is being filled by people who feel passionately that he should not come back and on social media those who feel passionately that he should. Lack of clear communication has made the debate more polarising."

Crafton also suggested the plan to "bring Greenwood back into the fold" has the support of football director John Murtough and head coach Erik ten Hag, but suggested the delay in any announcement is down to wanting to brief key stakeholders.

"That could be club sponsors, the fans' advisory board or members of the women's team, with many of them currently doing fantastic things for England in Australia," he said.

"The club are insistent this is not a decision that will be delegated to stakeholders and it seems more to me that they do not want it to come as a shock to them by finding it out in the media."

Listen to the full discussion from 07'25 on BBC Sounds

Spain forward Ansu Fati, 20, has reportedly chosen to leave Barcelona, with Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham among the Premier League clubs interested. (AS - in Spanish), external

Ivory Coast defender Eric Bailly and Man Utd have reached an agreement for him to leave the club for free this summer, with Fulham reportedly interested. (RMC Sport, via Get Football News France), external

Spanish goalkeeper and free agent David de Gea is keen on a move to Bayern Munich following his exit from United this summer. (Mirror), external

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

Dale O'Donnell, Stetty News, external

Harry Maguire's intention has been to stay at Manchester United all summer. Neither West Ham or the prospect of playing regular football under David Moyes could change the centre-back's mind.

Fans received encouraging news last week when Manchester United agreed to sell Maguire to the Irons, but personal terms would ultimately prove to be a hurdle.

Maguire is now expected to remain at United - unless another club makes an appealing offer - which likely means another campaign spent looking bewildered on the bench, waiting for opportunities or cameos at the end of games.

There is genuine concern a repeat of last season could scupper any plans Maguire has to make Gareth Southgate's squad for the Euros.

However, I must stress that Maguire is a better defender than many give him credit for, and he doesn't deserve the abuse that has been levelled at him. But the bottom line is, he's not good enough for the level Erik ten Hag wants and needs United to be if we aim to get back to the top.

United should sign a younger defender with the required quality to play for a side determined to be successful in Europe.

A future replacement for Raphael Varane.

Image source, Getty Images

Simon Stone, BBC Sport

Never say never is an often repeated statement in football and it would be wise to bear this in mind around Harry Maguire.

Turning down West Ham, the club with the second biggest stadium in the Premier League and preparing for a third successive European campaign, would on the face of it not seem to make much sense.

However, for Maguire right now, it is easy to see why a move away from Manchester United doesn't appeal.

First, it is clearly a step down. Aged 30, Maguire might feel he is not ready to abandon the concept of playing for United - or, more importantly, a Champions League club.

A lot has been made of Maguire potentially being Erik ten Hag's fifth choice central defender, but we don't know if that is correct. If Raphael Varane, United's right-sided central defender, was missing, whether Maguire was introduced would tell us a lot about his status at Old Trafford.

Secondly - and let's be honest because finances on this scale cannot be ignored - West Ham simply do not pay their players as much as United do theirs. If the gap to Maguire's currently salary cannot be bridged, then what is the incentive to leave?

With all of that taken into account, Maguire has decided to stay where he is. There are still more than two weeks before the transfer window closes. There are more matches to be played, more team selections to be made and more injuries to occur.

Reflections on Maguire's decision and the impact on his career are probably best delayed until 2 September.

Despite making a winning start to the Premier League season, Manchester United's performance against Wolves was far from convincing.

Former United coach Rene Meulensteen tells The Football News Show what difference striker Rasmus Hojlund will make when he's fit and why the Old Trafford club should focus on strengthening the midfield in the rest of the transfer window...

Watch the full episode of The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Image source, Reuters

With summer signing Rasmus Hojlund not yet fully fit, Marcus Rashford was employed as a central striker in Manchester United's 1-0 win over Wolves on Monday.

Rashford had four efforts at goal, the joint-most in the United side along with Alejandro Garnacho. However, of the team that started, only Mason Mount (30) had fewer touches than Rashford's 38.

Speaking on BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast, United fan Jamie Blood said: "Rashford should not be the centre-forward, he should not be running the line. You're taking away the most prominent left-sided player and he's not as good up top.

"He's not going to run the line, he's not going to put the press on, he's not going to dictate play from a number nine position. Sancho probably would more, probably Garnacho would as well.

"I just feel like that isn't working. We're not the same team when he [Rashford] is up front. It's like when Luke Shaw is at centre-half [because] we miss him at left-back so much."

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A group of Manchester United fans protested against the club's owners, the Glazer family, and a perceived lack of new investment, before their opening Premier League win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Football News Show went to see why some are so unhappy that the club remains under the Glazers' control - and what they want to happen next...

Takeover, transfers... and titles? Watch a special edition of The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

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A "fresh start" at a new club may "revive" England defender Harry Maguire's career, says West Ham United striker Michail Antonio.

The Hammers have been attempting to complete a deal for Manchester United centre-back Maguire, who had the club captaincy at Old Trafford taken away from him before the start of the season.

Antonio told the Footballer's Football Podcast on BBC Sounds: "I don't feel a change of manager could change his situation. He needs a change of club because he's got that stigma now to his name at United.

"Managers have changed and they've still not really wanted to play him. That stigma of Maguire at United is kind of stuck with him, so I think him stepping away, doing something else and having a new, fresh start can revive him."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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West Ham United's deal to sign Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has collapsed because they are tired of waiting for him to agree his exit from Old Trafford. (Guardian), external

The collapse of the deal has reduced the chances of United being able to follow through on a deal for Bayern Munich's 27-year-old France defender Benjamin Pavard. (Sky Sports), external

The Red Devils could be on the brink of making an official offer for Fiorentina and Morocco midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, 26. (La Nazione - in Italian), external

Everton have not received an offer from Manchester United for 21-year-old Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana and only a large transfer fee will prise him from Goodison Park. (Liverpool Echo), external

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

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Former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel says he cannot "understand" why VAR is in use when controversial moments continue to be so prominent in the Premier League.

On Monday night, Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana clashed with Wolves forward Sasa Kalajdzic late in injury time, prompting several observers to state the visiting team should have been awarded a key penalty on their way to a 1-0 defeat.

The on-pitch official and VAR did not overturn Onana's apparent foul but on Tuesday, Wolves received an apology from referees' chief Howard Webb, who is head of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).

“With this many years into VAR, it still confuses me that we can get these situations," Schmeichel told BBC Radio 5 live. "VAR is there to correct the wrongs, and when something like that happens and it's not corrected, I don't understand why we have it.

"It takes up a lot of time, and takes the breath out of the game. When we have a situation like we did yesterday, it’s clearly the wrong decision and VAR doesn’t intervene.

"There are so many things in the game that aren’t for us fans it just annoys you. These little things are just taking up the narrative.

“I thought it was a penalty, I thought it was a rash decision by Onana, who by the way played a really good game. Even though I would have been annoyed at losing the lead in injury time, I would've accepted it because I thought it was a penalty."

Image source, Getty Images

Simon Stone, BBC Sport

Czech keeper Matej Kovar has joined Bayer Leverkusen from Manchester United.

Kovar joined United in 2018 but never made a first-team appearance for the Old Trafford outfit.

It is understood Leverkusen could pay up to £7.7m for Kovar, including add-ons, while United have also secured sell-on and buy-back options on the 23-year-old.

We asked for your views on Manchester United's win over Wolves on Monday.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Man Utd fans

Andy: Manchester United looked lethargic. Is the pre-season jaunt across the globe taking its toll? The build-up play was far too slow, with players static and a distinct lack of movement. Very frustrating to watch as a United fan.

Sean: Outpassed, outfought, outclassed and completely outplayed for large periods of the game by a side with no signings and tipped for the drop. If they had a finisher, it could have been a repeat of Brentford away last season.

Ian: Wolves are a bogey team (the last few games have been 1-0 or 0-0) and the team that played has actually only played together once before. Marcus isn't a striker, put him on the left and Hojlund is desperately needed in the XI. Onana was solid. We ground out the result like last year, but play like that against a team with a striker we will lose.

Wolves fans

Chris: Wolves were magnificent bar the final finish. After a summer of uncertainty and doom-mongering, Wolves played Manchester United off the park for large passages of play. On a different day, Wolves would have won comfortably or at least left with a point. Erik ten Hag has much to ponder and Gary O'Neil much to be delighted about.

Tom: Wolves looking a threat every time in attack. Players showing some real fight and determination. Unlucky not to take anything after having 23 shots on goal. Lots of positives to take from GazBall for the remainder of the season.

Tony: Same old story Wolves playing 12 men and missing open goals. At least they are getting there to miss them. Wishing O'Neil all the luck in the world as he needs it.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United great Peter Schmeichel talking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast about the side's performance in the 1-0 win over Wolves: "United didn't play well but, I have to be honest, I don't really care about that.

"What happened last season, and in many seasons since Sir Alex [Ferguson] left the club, is that we can't win ugly. In games like that we usually lose, but we won and I think that's a really big positive.

"You're always going to face teams that are going to come and make it difficult. If you want to win honours, you have to be able to win ugly."

On United's midfield display, former goalkeeper Schmeichel added: "It wasn't what I expected in midfield in terms of energy, pressure and driving the ball forward. I disagreed a little bit with narrowing the pitch, which is something Manchester United rarely do at Old Trafford.

“I think we have to give them [Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes] time. Bruno has been a fantastic player for us and Mason Mount is very experienced - England international and Chelsea. I believe he hasn’t started a Premier League game since February, so it’s a big call to jump in straight away at Old Trafford.

"I thought he looked a little bit tired. He tried, but he was a step behind everything I expected him to do - but it’s his first game, so I’d give him time. The two of them are very clever and experienced players and they will gel."

The Guardian's Jamie Jackson tells the Transfer Gossip Daily podcast that a stall in Harry Maguire's transfer to West Ham is a "negotiating tactic".

"I don't think West Ham have come this far down the road to want to pull out. My reading is that this is a tactical manoeuvre," said Jackson.

"What's holding it up is the shortfall between what Maguire has started earning at Manchester United this season now they are back in the Champions League, which I am reliably informed is about £190k a week, and what he will get at West Ham, about £100-110k.

"That works out at about £6-7m shortfall so they are haggling over it. I'd be surprised if it didn't happen."

Listen to the rest of today's gossip on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone, BBC Sport

The three Premier League officials at the centre of last night’s penalty controversy at Old Trafford that triggered apologies to Wolves from two senior refereeing officials have been overlooked for this weekend’s matches.

Referee Simon Hooper, VAR Michael Salisbury and assistant VAR Richard West are regarded as ‘not selected’ rather than ‘dropped’ as the appointments had not been made before the game at Old Trafford.

However, the move is as a direct result of the collective failure to award Wolves an injury-time penalty in their 1-0 defeat when United keeper Andre Onana caught striker Sasa Kalajdzic in the face and got nowhere near the ball as he attempted to punch clear.

Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) chief Howard Webb and Jon Moss, head of the elite group of Premier League referees, separately told Wolves last night the decision was wrong.

The move is part of Webb’s demand for enhanced accountability for mistakes that are made.

When Andre Onana clattered into a host of bodies deep in injury time during Manchester United's win over Wolves, BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club discussed the action live.

You can listen to the show - featuring a host of guests including Newcastle's Callum Wilson - here

Simon Stone, BBC Sport

Evidently, points are far more important than how you get them and given Manchester United lost their opening two games last season, this victory against Wolves will be welcomed by Erik ten Hag.

The Dutchman will be pleased at the genuine moment of quality from Bruno Fernandes that created Raphael Varane's winner - but he will also be concerned at how often Wolves got a sight of his side's goal.

United were porous in midfield and largely ineffective in attack.

That might be a problem at Tottenham next Saturday when United face a side committed to playing in an expansive style, who have better players than they encountered at Old Trafford.

For now Ten Hag can feel satisfaction at the win but no-one will be convinced by this.

Erik ten Hag speaking after Manchester United edged out Wolves on Monday: "It was a tough game. I think we can do much better on the ball. We proved that last season and also in pre-season but the pre-season is not the season and when the league starts opponents are more aggressive.

"Our decision-making could have been better and we were not aggressive enough from that point of view, but there are a lot of positives to take. We fought for our lives and we survived with three points so well done."

On the referee's decision not to award Wolves a late penalty: "When VAR looked at it and decided not to give it of course we are pleased.

"I think the two players come together and Andre [Onana] didn't interfere with the action from them because first was the touch on the ball and then came Andre."

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana said he was "confident" Wolves' late penalty appeal would be turned down, adding: "Goalkeepers make decisions, sometimes you are right, sometimes you are not. I made a decision and I am responsible for everything. For me it was contact between two big guys and nothing happened.

"But for us, the most important thing was to win and I am happy for the victory."

Did you know?

• Manchester United have won seven consecutive home Premier League games for the first time since November 2017 (a run of 8).

• Wolves directed six shots on target in the game, the most by a visiting side at Old Trafford in the Premier League without scoring since Chelsea in August 2019 (7 shots on target, 0 goals).

• Wolves' tally of 23 shots was the second most in a Premier League away game at Old Trafford in recorded history (since 2003-04). Only Chelsea (25) in November 2005 have attempted more in a Premier League game away against Man Utd.

Simon Stone, BBC Sport at Old Trafford

In the build-up to the game US broadcaster NBC was given a pitchside interview with Sir Alex Ferguson.

The legendary United boss praised the work Erik ten Hag is doing and said the situation for his old club would improve markedly once £72m forward Rasmus Hojlund has recovered from the back injury he arrived from Atalanta with.

Not long afterwards, Hojlund took his seat alongside Tom Heaton and Jonny Evans at the back of the directors' box.

Sir Alex's words were given added credence when the game with Wolves started as Marcus Rashford failed to make any impact as the main striker and Alejandro Garnacho and Antony were equally muted on the flanks.

Perhaps it should not have been a surprise given in 11 meetings over the past four years only twice have these two sides managed to produce more than a single goal between them.