Manchester United

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Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has been ruled out "for the next few weeks" with a muscle injury.

The 30-year-old picked up the issue in the Red Devils' 4-3 defeat by Chelsea last Thursday.

In a statement the club said Varane is "aiming to be back before the end of the season in May".

United also confirmed that centre-back Jonny Evans will also miss the side's match against Bournemouth on Saturday with a "shorter-term muscle issue".

It leaves Erik ten Hag with a selection headache in defence with Harry Maguire the only fit senior player in that position following injuries to Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof.

The United boss played teenager Willy Kambwala alongside Maguire in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool and the 19-year-old could be set to keep his place for the trip to Vitality stadium.

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Manchester United have written to the Premier League to express their concern at the Premier League fixture with Crystal Palace being moved to Monday, 6 May, with a 20:00 BST kick-off.

The game was switched for television broadcasting last week.

It is a bank holiday and there is no option to return to Manchester by rail after the full-time whistle.

United have offered free coach travel with the club's official coach partner for fans going to watch their team at Selhurst Park.

However, the club is unhappy at the situation and said in an open message to supporters that it "shared frustrations and appreciated the logistical difficulties that have been created for our fans".

The club added: "We want to inform you that we are writing to the Premier League to this effect and will be asking for greater consideration to be given to match-going fans when agreeing fixture schedules with broadcasters."

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I am told there is no rush from either Manchester United or the player's side to get a new contract for young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo pushed through.

The 18-year-old signed a long-term contract 12 months ago.

However, since then he has become a first-team regular and earned England recognition.

United are looking to improve his current terms considerably and it seems the Stockport-born youngster is keen to remain at Old Trafford, so there is no panic about getting an agreement.

All sides remain quite calm.

Here are the key facts and figures before Saturday's game between Bournemouth and Manchester United in the Premier League.

• Bournemouth are looking to complete their first league double over Manchester United, following their 3-0 win at Old Trafford in December.

• Manchester United have won four of their six Premier League away games against Bournemouth, losing the other two in December 2015 (1-2) and November 2019 (0-1).

• Bournemouth have won each of their last three Premier League home games – they have never won four in a row at home in the top-flight before.

• Despite coming into this round of games in sixth place in the Premier League table, only bottom side Sheffield United (560) have faced more shots than Manchester United in the Premier League this season (554), while the Red Devils also have the third highest expected goals against figure (58.2).

• Dominic Solanke, Philip Billing and Marcos Senesi were on target for Bournemouth in their 3-0 win over Manchester United in the reverse fixture. Only Joshua King in 2019-20 has scored home and away for the Cherries against the Red Devils in a single campaign.

• Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie (33) and Manchester United’s Antony (31) are the two players to have had the most shots without scoring a single goal so far in the Premier League this season.

Manchester United are to let 12 of their first-team squad leave Old Trafford in what will be a huge rebuild at the club this summer. (FourFourTwo), external

Manchester United have set their sights on AC Milan and Portugal forward Rafael Leao, but the 24-year-old is valued at 145m euros (£124m) by the Italian club. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Former Chelsea and Brighton boss Graham Potter is in line to take over from Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag - who reportedly expects to be sacked this summer - following a meeting with the club's minority stakeholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe. (Sun), external

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

Erik ten Hag is likely get the third and final year of his contract at Manchester United because of a lack of convincing candidates to replace him.

However, the Dutchman's insistence that his style of play is "clear" is a significant worry that intensifies after every underwhelming performance.

United would have had mixed emotions after Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool.

On one hand, a late lead was surrendered for a third game in nine days.

But they should have been relieved to take a point, having been outclassed. The first half, in particular, was lifeless.

Liverpool walked all over United, who once again had no identity and a severe lack of cohesion.

Ten Hag's midfield set-up is the greatest concern. Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes look like three players told to cater for three different styles.

Casemiro is no longer of the quality worthy of starting regularly, treating the ball like a ticking time bomb.

Fernandes' goal was a moment of magic but his risk-taking mentality is messy when it does not pay off.

Mainoo displayed his stardom again with a magnificent strike but needs a functional team around him to reach new heights.

Ten Hag must identify and fix the problem.

Alex Turk can be found at Stretford Paddock, external

If Manchester United finish outside of the top six, will it prove the key thing when assessing Erik ten Hag's future?

Ten Hag's side are sixth, one point above West Ham United in seventh and two clear of Newcastle United in eighth.

The team at BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast have pondered what slipping out of the 'big six' would mean.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds here

Defender Raphael Varane, 30, and midfielder Casemiro, 32, are expected to head the list of players Manchester United offload in the summer. (Talksport, external)

Arsenal will compete with Manchester United to sign 23-year-old Wolves and Brazil midfielder Joao Gomes this summer. (O Dia - in Portuguese, external)

United striker Mason Greenwood, who is on loan at Getafe, is one of Juventus' summer transfer targets. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian, external)

Meanwhile, Manchester United are yet to agree a compensation deal with Newcastle United for Dan Ashworth and may have to wait some months before they can appoint him as their sporting director. (Guardian, external)

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

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Manchester United have confirmed the departure of football director John Murtough by mutual agreement after 11 years at Old Trafford.

Murtough joined the club from the Premier League in 2013 and went on to become head of football development, before being promoted to football director in March 2021.

That role meant he had "overall leadership and responsibility for operations and strategy across all football functions".

United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said on Tuesday: "We want to thank John for his loyal service over many years, and for his support and integrity during this period of transition.

"He leaves with our best wishes for the future."

Co-chairman Joel Glazer added: "After 11 years of tiresome work for the club, John has mutually agreed with us that now is the right time to step aside and allow the new football leadership structure to be put in place.

"He will always be welcome back at Manchester United as a friend of the club."

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Manchester United football director John Murtough is set to leave the club.

United are set to make an official announcement, with Murtough - who came to Old Trafford in 2013 - to depart this week.

Murtough was particularly trusted by former executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

Despite being criticised by many supporters for the club's poor recruitment in recent years, Murtough had a good reputation inside Old Trafford and it is thought new co-owners Ineos were keen for him to stay until the end of the season.

However, it has been decided now is a better time for Murtough to go as new director Sir Dave Brailsford leads an overhaul of the club.

That is set to see the arrival of Jason Wilcox as technical director, with Dan Ashworth moving into the sporting director role, although the release of either man is yet to be agreed with Southampton and Newcastle United respectively.

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Former Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has been appointed to the board of trustees for Bloomsbury Football Foundation.

The London-based charity was founded in 2018 and works with young people from diverse backgrounds to improve their mental and physical health and teach them valuable life skills.

It is Woodward's first football-related job since he left United in January 2022, having made the decision to stand down in the wake of the European Super League debacle.

Woodward will support the charity in its efforts to engage with 20,000 young people by 2028.

"I am thrilled," said Woodward. "This is an exciting opportunity to join a charity that is already having a significant impact on the lives of young Londoners using the power of football."

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Luton winger Andros Townsend believes Manchester United "are not as bad as everyone is making out".

The Red Devils have faced more than 20 shots in eight of their past nine Premier League games - and have won just one of their last six in the league.

"I don't think Manchester United are as bad as the general public and pundits are making out," Townsend told the Monday Night Club.

"I don't think they're a shambles. I think Manchester United are a team in transition.

"There are big spaces because [Erik] Ten Hag's philosophy is to press high up the pitch. He presses high with Bruno [Fernandes], with [Rasmus] Hojlund and his attacking players.

"Does he have the defensive players to then press high with the attackers? Probably not. So the attackers press and the defenders drop and it leaves big space.

"It doesn't make them a shambles it just makes them a work in progress.

"Three or four years ago you'd have probably said Mikel Arteta's Arsenal is a shambles but it was a work in progress.

"Do we not need to give Manchester United a little bit of credit for taking two points from Liverpool and knocking them out of the FA Cup? There's so much negativity around United. You switch on the TV and it's all ex-Man Utd players just battering them.

"When they press high it's 12-year-old football, when they defend deep it's not the Man Utd way.

"They just need a bit of reality. United are not as bad as everyone is making out."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

Paul asked: In the last five games, the opposition have had 135 goal attempts. Compare with Sheffield United, who had 113 attempts against them. It is clear the midfield simply isn't good enough. Fernandes (excused a little) plays further forward, but Casemiro and Mainoo aren't doing the jobs. They have to give the defence and keeper more protection. What can they do?

Phil answered: United faced 28 shots against Liverpool, their most on record in a Premier League game at Old Trafford, and 62 in all over the two league meetings. And yet they have not lost in three games, the FA Cup tie included.

The overall statistics paint an even grimmer picture, with United facing more than 20 shots in eight of their past nine Premier League games, the other being 17 against Fulham. This is an average of 24.6 shots faced in each game - 221 in all.

That tells you it all, doesn’t it? I wouldn’t necessarily blame Mainoo, but Casemiro’s lack of mobility is a huge problem. He has been a great player but now struggles very badly with the pace of the game.

This is an area that must be addressed in time, although it must be a concern that Erik ten Hag has not found any way to stem the flow of shots against United yet.

Ryan asked: Why are Erik ten Hag and the players so blind to what is going on? They don't see how terrible they play and rely on the opponent to mess up and use that as a way of saying they compete!

Phil answered: What would concern me if I was a Manchester United fan is their lack of a clear strategy and identity. They are so easy to play against and create chances against.

This is down to the manager because he is the one who puts the strategy and tactics in place.

Was Aaron Wan-Bissaka's challenge on Liverpool's Harvey Elliott worthy of a penalty being awarded to Jurgen Klopp's side.

Fans have questioned the decision based on a lack of contact, though the defender also fails to win the ball.

Hear what the team at The Devils' Advocate podcast thought below and listen to a new episode in full here

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Former Liverpool and Tottenham keeper Brad Friedel feels Andre Onana has found his debut Premier League season "pretty unforgiving".

The Manchester United goalkeeper was a high-profile replacement for the long-serving David de Gea last summer and has mixed some fine performances with some errors during his first campaign in English football.

Friedel endured his own difficulties when first arriving in this country and believes Onana can show his worth next season.

"He's had a tough old season since coming in," Friedel told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast. "Even against Chelsea [on Thursday], the first goal they scored was not tremendous goalkeeping.

"He will be one of those goalkeepers who would like the summer to come along, get a pre-season under his belt and start again.

"The start to Premier League life was pretty unforgiving for him and even though he has put in some decent performances, he is still getting used to it.

"His signing had an amount of notoriety and he will be happy to put this season behind him."

Listen to more from 02'20'00 on BBC Sounds

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Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo says the draw against Liverpool "doesn't leave the best taste in my mouth" despite scoring his first senior Old Trafford goal.

The Red Devils were 1-0 down and faced an onslaught of chances from Liverpool, but two spectacular goals from Bruno Fernandes and Mainoo saw them take the lead in the second half, before a late Mohamed Salah penalty resulted in a 2-2 draw.

United have now dropped seven points from winning positions in their past three league games, putting more pressure on boss Erik ten Hag's position.

Speaking after the match, 18-year-old Mainoo said: "To score my first goal at Old Trafford, it's unbelievable.

"Ultimately we didn't come away with the three points, so it doesn't leave the best taste in my mouth.

"We pulled together in the second half and we figured things out. We were much, much better.

"But seeing out games is what's going to get us points and get us higher in the table. That's what's going to win us games, so these are things that matter.

"It's just the little things that we need to iron out."

Manchester United may have stunned even themselves by how they came away from Old Trafford with a draw after being outclassed by Liverpool.

The Reds will want to kick themselves after having to rely on a late Mohamed Salah penalty to make it 2-2 - although on the evidence of this match they would probably miss.

United fans celebrated making a dent in the old enemy's title aspirations but when this dies down they must accept they witnessed another demonstration of what a poor side they are watching under Erik ten Hag.

Liverpool had 28 shots overall, confirming the recent statistics that United are simply too easy to over-run and get at.

The Red Devils have faced more than 20 shots in eight of their past nine Premier League games, the other being 17 against Fulham. This is an average of 24.6 shots faced in each game - 221 in all.

They have no visible identity, relying on two flashes of individual brilliance from Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo, plus the work of keeper Andre Onana, to get a point.

So much of this falls at the door of Ten Hag, who has a brittle, vulnerable team with no discernible style whatsoever.

It was certainly food for thought for United's new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe as he watched on from his seat in the Old Trafford directors' box while he ponders the future of manager Ten Hag.

Read more of Phil's analysis here

We asked for your thoughts on Sunday's Premier League game between Manchester United and Liverpool.

Here are some of your responses:

United fans

Josh: On the face of it, the result is good, but it only papers over the cracks Erik ten Hag must sort out. We are far too easy to play against and we only had the chance to get back into the game because of their wastefulness, individual brilliance from Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo, and the Old Trafford atmosphere pulling them through. I do think Sir Jim Ratcliffe has seen enough and will make a change.

Tom: United were very wasteful again and were repeatedly giving the ball away in their own half. Basic, wayward passing at this level isn't good enough. Only the eradication of this fundamental problem will improve the team's current poor performances and lessen the attacking pressure.

Martin: We are still playing injured players. This gets Manchester United nowhere in the long run, as these players are out for a longer period. Why play Wan-Bissaka at left-back when we know Dalot plays well there. Fernandes needs to play further back in midfield and allow Mainoo to play in the number 10. This would increase our goal chances hugely.

Andy: We are chaotic. There is no structure, no composure and seemingly no plan. Teams are getting 20 to 30 shots a game against us, which is appalling. Our only rays of hope in a terrible season have been Mainoo and Garnacho. We were lucky to get a point. I don't know what Ten Hag is doing - I wonder if he does?

Liverpool fans

Ken: Liverpool learned nothing from the chastening defeat in the cup a few weeks ago. The same lack of care in and out of possession against a woeful United team who should have been buried out of sight. The entire frontline, plus Szoboszlai, need to work on taking responsibility and being clinical. I hope Jota is fit soon. Liverpool are now third favourites.

Jimbo: You just can't be that profligate in front of goal if you want to win a league title. We were lacking calmness in front of goal and leading up to chances. We just needed to slow it down at the crucial times and select the right pass. I felt we got drawn into chaos football and only the most biased United fan wouldn’t acknowledge that they were gifted a point.

Lynne: I normally don't criticise Klopp's substitutions, but I wouldn't have taken off either 'captain chaos' Nunez or Endo, as by doing that we moved our most creative player, in Mac Allister, further back. Salah should have been taken off again, as he has lost his shooting boots of late. I just hope that our season hasn't been derailed by Manchester United.

Ste: At the end of the season, this will be an important point. So many times going behind at Old Trafford, you don't recover. Seven games left and this was always the banana skin. It also says a lot that a lot of Liverpool fans now see not beating United, and drawing, as a loss.

Watch the best of the action from Man Utd v Liverpool on Match of the Day 2 on BBC iPlayer

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Former West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker is refusing to write off Liverpool's title chances despite their slip-up at Manchester United on Sunday.

The Reds had 28 shots on goal but needed a late Mohamed Salah penalty to rescue a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.

That result enabled Arsenal to leapfrog Jurgen Klopp's side at the top of the Premier League on goal difference with seven games remaining.

"This is when the whole experience factor comes into play," Reo-Coker told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"It depends on the club and the manager in the dugout. Liverpool have such a good squad of players and they are used to winning. Arsenal are still the new kids on the block and they have got to play Bayern Munich in the Champions League. If they lose that, how will it affect their mentality for the Premier League?

"I am more worried for Arsenal than I am for Liverpool or Manchester City."

The Reds have their own midweek fixture in the Europa League but ESPN's Mark Ogden feels they can afford to have a very different attitude to that tie with Atalanta than their title rivals.

"All Liverpool care about is the Premier League," he said. "If they have a bad result against Atalanta, they have four days rest and can put it right.

"But the Europa League does not carry the same weight either and they can put it to one side. City and Arsenal cannot dismiss the Champions League to focus on the Premier League."

Listen to full reaction on BBC Sounds

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Manchester United have a duty to shape their side around young stars Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnarcho so as not to waste their potential.

That is the view of ESPN's senior writer Mark Ogden as he reflected on another chaotic game against title-chasing Liverpool on Sunday.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast that the next round of recruitment needed to prioritise developing their talented youngsters.

"They owe it to Mainoo and Garnacho to build their team around them," said Ogden. "They need to get the right players in.

"At the moment, Mainoo is having to do his own job plus those of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes. He is being asked to do too much.

"Look at Marcus Rashford. He has let himself down at times in his seven or eight years in the team but the club have let him down too. They have never surrounded him with the players or coaches to take him to the next level.

"United have to get out of this malaise. If they constantly surround their next group of players with those at the wrong end of their careers, they will waste this generation of players."

Listen to more United chat from 13'25 on BBC Sounds

Mark Chapman introduces highlights and analysis from Sunday's three Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to Sunday's BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra match commentary in full:

Manchester United v Liverpool

Sheffield United v Chelsea

Inter Milan could move for France forward Anthony Martial when the 28-year-old's Manchester United contract expires this summer - if they fail to sign Iceland forward Albert Gudmundsson, 26, from Genoa. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian, external)

English defender Jarrad Branthwaite, 21, insists his focus is on winning games for Everton and that he is blocking out all the speculation about his long-term future, having been linked with Manchester United. (Liverpool Echo, external)

Manchester United have firmed up their interest in Girona's Miguel Gutierrez and are looking to beat Arsenal to the signing of the Spanish left-back, 22, this summer. (Mirror, via TeamTalk, external)

United have approached Palmeiras over 19-year-old Brazilian forward Thalys, who is yet to make his first-team debut. (TeamTalk, external)

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