Manchester United

Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist

After a three-week break, Manchester United will be looking to take another big step towards Champions League qualification when they host their rivals Leeds United on Monday in the Premier League (20:00 BST).

United have been left to stew on a controversial draw at Bournemouth, but slip-ups from their top-five rivals mean they remain in a strong position in third.

Leeds will be buoyed by their progress into the FA Cup semi-finals last weekend, but they will return to the cold reality of a relegation battle for their next couple of fixtures.

Fernandes' favourite opponents in town

A win on Monday could go a long way towards sealing a Champions League place for United. Manager Michael Carrick will be relieved to see the team back at Old Trafford too.

The Red Devils have taken just one point from their previous two away games, while Carrick has won all five of the home games he has been in charge of this season.

Despite those setbacks, United remain one of the best teams in the division on current form. Their haul of 29 points since Christmas Day can only be bettered by Arsenal's 31, and it is just one loss in 14 for the Red Devils in that time.

Bruno Fernandes has been key to the team's sparkling form and, worryingly for Leeds, they are one of the Portuguese midfielder's favourite opponents with six goals in six Premier League games.

Leeds lacking a spark

Daniel Farke faces a fine balancing act in the coming weeks, as excitement over a trip to Wembley and the focus on a relegation fight need to be juggled.

The big issue for Leeds in recent weeks has been goalscoring. They haven't netted in any of their past four Premier League games - the longest ongoing run in the competition this season. They have not scored with any of their past 64 shots.

Earlier in the campaign, Dominic Calvert-Lewin's clinical finishing was keeping the team clear of the bottom three. But since the goals have dried up for the England international - he has two in his past 12 Premier League games - Leeds have slowly slipped back towards the trapdoor.

What could eventually prove key is the team's robustness on the road. They have drawn seven of their past eight away games in the Premier League, meaning they have been able to pick up valuable points consistently.

That solidity appears to be founded on a shift to a more direct style of play in recent weeks. Since December, Leeds have comfortably contested more aerial duels than any other team.

Their record at Old Trafford leaves a lot to be desired, though. United are unbeaten in their past 18 home league games against Leeds - they have won 11 and drawn seven - and have only lost one of the past 20 against their Yorkshire rivals in the top-flight, either home or away.

Crucially for Leeds, this fixture is their toughest before the end of the season on paper. They face the four teams occupying the bottom four spots - Wolves, Burnley, West Ham and Tottenham - in their final six matches; the current highest-ranked team they will come up against is Brighton, who started the weekend in 10th.

Flora Snelson
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Leeds United at Old Trafford (kick-off 20:00).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Carrick said of the clubs' rivalry: "It's part of the game we love. It's why we're involved - for these types of games. Hopefully it cranks up [the atmosphere] and the stadium is alive."

• On whether he is having a say in longer-term decisions, such as Harry Maguire's new contract: "There's conversations and directions which I'm definitely part of. It should be like that - things need doing."

• On Mason Mount: "It's great to have him back. His versatility is a big strength. He's a player that I really like. There's loads to come from him, he just needs time to get fit."

• On Lisandro Martinez: "He wouldn't be pushed into anything. The bigger picture is more important than the next game. We've got to make the right decision and make sure he's ready."

• The club are working to get Matthijs de Ligt back; he is not quite on the grass yet.

• Patrick Dorgu is back on the grass but not training with the team yet.

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

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick says he won't be pushed into picking Lisandro Martinez against Leeds on Monday, even though the alternative is pairing two very young central defenders at Old Trafford.

Carrick knows Harry Maguire will miss the game with what could yet turn into a two-match ban, while Matthijs de Ligt remains absent with a back complaint that prevented him from being part of the squad that travelled to the Republic of Ireland earlier this week.

Martinez was in Maynooth as he closes in on a return after two months out with a calf complaint.

But, even though it would mean 19-year-old Ayden Heaven being paired with 20-year-old Leny Yoro to face Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Carrick refused to commit to starting Martinez.

"It's the call that we make," said Carrick. "We wouldn't be pushed into anything.

"He's back training, back on the grass, which is great. It's important the boys are ready.

"But as important as the next game always is, the most important thing is the bigger picture."

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter at Leigh Sports Village

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United's Premier League 2 clash with Newcastle at Leigh Sports Village was stopped for three minutes due to an unidentified drone flying over the stadium.

Referee Melissa Burgin stopped the game, which Newcastle won 3-1, in the second half, with the players going to the side of the pitch, before being told it was safe to continue.

She then briefly stopped the match again later in the contest but play quickly resumed.

Drones have been spotted above Leigh Sports Village previously when United's youngsters have been playing but this was the first instance of a match being stopped because of it.

Despite losing their final regular season game, Manchester United still finished second in the table, ensuring home matches up until the final, depending on how far they progress in the end of season play-offs.

It completed a bad week for Adam Lawrence's side, who were beaten by Real Madrid at Old Trafford in the quarter-finals of the Premier League International Cup.

Shea Lacey was not involved against Newcastle and midfielder Jack Fletcher was one of three players taken off at half-time after he needed treatment following a hefty collision into an advertising hoarding just before half-time.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It is three weeks since we were last talking about a Manchester United match on a Saturday, and that was the fall-out from the 2-2 defeat at Bournemouth and inconsistencies in the decisions of referee Stuart Attwell.

Now it is the fitness of Lisandro Martinez, given Harry Maguire is suspended for Monday's encounter with Leeds.

Martinez has been out for two months with a calf injury but was able to play a full part in training during this week's trip to the Republic of Ireland, which is important as, with Maguire out and Matthijs de Ligt still sidelined by a back problem, Michael Carrick's alternatives are youngsters Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro.

Any game against Leeds is bound to be fiercely contested – Carrick played in one, a League Cup tie at Elland Road in 2011 and was on the bench for the FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford in 2010 – but this is important at both ends of the table.

Leeds need points to stay away from relegation trouble, Manchester United need four wins and a draw from their final seven games to confirm a place in next season's Champions League.

Carrick is speaking to the media on a Saturday as he had given everyone a day off after four days in Maynooth. It will be good to have a match to focus on.

The latest news and views on the Red Devils in two minutes, every weekday afternoon.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United returned home from their four-day trip to the Republic of Ireland hoping the change of scenery can propel them into the Champions League.

A plan for a mid-season trip had been known for a long time. No-one was expecting it to be to Maynooth, 20 miles outside Dublin.

However, with lingering hopes of a trip to Saudi Arabia extinguished by the current conflict in the Middle East, Michael Carrick took his squad to the impressive Carton House complex, 20 miles outside Dublin.

The visit helped promote a planned pre-season game with Leeds on 12 August.

However, it also served to bring Carrick and his squad together in the final stages of a 24-day break between the 2-2 draw at Bournemouth and Monday's Premier League game with Leeds at Old Trafford.

Carrick presided over what sources say were "three big training sessions" and long stints in the gym.

The general mood, it is said, is upbeat, with the return from injury of Lisandro Martinez viewed as particularly important, both because of the intensity the Argentina defender brings to training, but also as Harry Maguire's absence from the Leeds game due to suspension coupled with Matthijs de Ligt's long-standing back problem, leaves Carrick short of experienced central defenders.

It hasn't all been about football though.

Players have enjoyed golf and clay-pigeon shooting on the thousand-acre site, while it is estimated at least 3,000 fans turned up on Wednesday to get autographs and selfies.

Possibly the most long-lasting element of the trip were the competitive head tennis sessions though.

The champions? Skipper Bruno and striker Matheus Cunha.

Wayne Rooney sits down with Luke Littler to discuss performing under pressure and the mentality required to reach the highest level.

On risk-taking in sport, Rooney said: "Of course you want big moments in whatever you're doing, that's normal but to achieve things you need to take risks. There's no point in being safe.

"How many times in football do you hear fans saying it's backwards or sideways?

"Bruno Fernandes is arguably the best player in the Premier League this season and he gives the ball away a lot, he takes risks but then the outcome of it is these moments we see from him."

Listen in full on BBC Sounds or watch on iPlayer

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Aston Villa and England midfielder Morgan Rogers looks likely to be at the centre of a transfer tug of war this summer after Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea renewed their interest in the 23-year-old. (Times - subscription required, external)

Nottingham Forest are yet to receive any formal bids for England midfielder Elliot Anderson, 23, but the club are braced for offers before the 2026 World Cup, with Manchester City and Manchester United both interested. (Talksport, external)

RB Leipzig and Castello Lukeba are in agreement that the France defender will leave the club this summer, with Manchester United along with Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool all assessing the 23-year-old. (Teamtalk, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

The Premier League's return this weekend brings trepidation for some and excitement for others.

Football's emotional rollercoaster becomes intense at this time of year, unless of course mid-table mediocrity has taken a grip of things in recent months.

So how are you feeling as a Manchester United fan with just a handful of weeks left to go?

The league form reads: DWWLWD

The next three league fixtures are: Leeds (h), Chelsea (a), Brentford (h)

Let us know how you're feeling here

Beth Tucker
Fan contributor

Manchester United supporter Beth Tucker has been digesting the news Harry Maguire has signed a new deal, keeping him at the club until at least 2027.

So is it a good move?

Find more from Beth Tucker at The United Stand, external

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Harry Maguire feels he has "performed really well" in six out of his seven seasons at Old Trafford.

"I still believe, even at my age, I'm arguably one of the best defenders in the world in both boxes," he said.

"I don't think that's in question really; that I can be really effective later on in games, whether you're holding on to a lead or trying to chase a game."

Yet the openness and the honesty with which he assessed his more difficult moments made it an obvious area to probe, 24 hours after it had been confirmed Maguire had signed a new deal that will give him an eighth campaign at the club, and potentially a ninth.

After all, this is someone who had the captaincy taken off him by then-manager Erik ten Hag and the club were prepared to sell to West Ham in the summer of 2023.

"I just kept my head down," he said.

"I have great self-belief, more importantly, that I'm a top player. That's what helps me when things are tough."

Clearly, strength of mind is a positive character trait.

Maguire accepts it has been bumpy at times.

He did not go as far as to say he benefited from having the captaincy taken away but did admit "the form came back" after it happened.

"I believe the form would have come back whether I was captain or not," he added.

However, he concedes not everyone would have the mental strength to navigate their way through his pathway.

"Yes probably," he said, when asked if it would have broken most players.

"I think there'll be a lot who want to just close the book, go elsewhere and restart their career. I think it's probably broken them a little bit earlier. It got to a point with the mocking and the abuse - if you want to call it abuse - there was only one way it could go."

Read more from Maguire here

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds here or by pressing play on the clip above

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United have announced four new pre-season fixtures to be played in Scandinavia this summer.

They will proceed the scheduled clash against Leeds in the Republic of Ireland in August, which may have to be against a different opponent, external should the Whites be relegated.

United's new permanent manager - whether Michael Carrick or someone else - looks set to begin life in the hotseat by facing Wrexham in Helsinki on 18 July.

The fixtures in full are:

Wrexham in Helsinki, Finland (18 July)

Rosenborg in Trondheim, Norway (24 July)

Atletico Madrid in Stockholm, Sweden (1 August)

Paris St-Germain in Gothenburg, Sweden (8 August)

Sporting Director Jason Wilcox said: "Following the announcement of our match against Leeds United in Dublin, we're excited to confirm four more pre-season fixtures in the Nordics.

"We're delighted to be playing in some fantastic cities, against opponents who will provide a strong test for us.

"We have the best fans in the world, and this schedule gives us a great opportunity to connect with our supporters across Europe. We're really looking forward to getting out there and putting in the hard work ahead of a big season."

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter in Dublin

Image source, Getty Images

Croke Park chief executive Peter McKenna says he will find a different opponent for Manchester United if Leeds are unable to face their old rivals in Dublin this summer.

United have travelled to the Republic of Ireland this week to promote a pre-season game against Leeds.

The clash between the Roses rivals is scheduled for 12 August and if it goes ahead will be the first time two English football clubs have played at the historic 82,000-capacity home of the Gaelic Athletic Association, which for decades banned soccer and rugby from being played there.

However, Leeds have said they will not be able to play the match if they either got relegated and dropped into the EFL or feature in next season's Community Shield, both of which are due to be played the weekend after the planned Manchester United encounter.

McKenna is confident the match will go ahead as planned but he is ready to find an alternative if required.

"That is the joy of sport, you never know what the result is going to be," McKenna told BBC Sport.

"It is very clear Manchester United will be here on 12th. The opposition is Leeds but there are a couple of concerns.

"Could Leeds be relegated? I think that is unlikely given their position in the table and some of the clubs below them, who are struggling. But you never know. That is an unpredictability.

"They could also win the FA Cup final and that would change things. That is more likely. They are a good team. That could happen.

"If it does, we will just have to chase different opposition."

Borussia Dortmund are weighing up a third move for winger Jadon Sancho, who is on loan at Aston Villa and is expected to leave Manchester United as a free agent this summer. (Telegraph - subscription required, external)

Meanwhile Nottingham Forest expect England midfielder Elliot Anderson to join either Manchester United or Manchester City if he leaves this summer, however, the club want a fee of £100m-£120m for the 23-year-old. (Florian Plettenberg, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter in Maynooth

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United fans were out early again at the Carton House Hotel in Maynooth this morning to catch a glimpse of their heroes when they went out to train.

United are in the middle of a three-night stay, partly to build-up to their Premier League game against Leeds at Old Trafford on Monday but also to promote a pre-season game against the same opposition in August.

Leeds have told their fans they will not fulfil the fixture if they have either been relegated or qualify for the Community Shield by winning the FA Cup. However, United are committed to making the trip and it is understood alternative opposition will be found if Leeds are unable to play the match at Croke Park, in Dublin.

Club officials have confirmed Michael Carrick has been putting his team through one session a day on the excellent training pitches at Carton House, and there has been an opportunity to play on the golf course, which is also part of the site.

"I think there is a little bit of freshness and a little bit of focus again, of getting everyone back together and spending some time here," Carrick told club media.

"Having a bit of lunch and dinner and a few activities where we can have that connection and spirit again between players and staff."

United are currently in a 24-day break between matches, since their 2-2 draw at Bournemouth on 20 March.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United's Premier League International Cup campaign came to a disappointing end at Old Trafford.

United were beaten 4-2 in extra time by Real Madrid's junior side, despite taking a two-goal lead in the first half through Jack Moorhouse and Shea Lacey.

It leaves Adam Lawrence's team with just the remainder of their PL2 campaign to deal with.

They face Newcastle at Leigh Sports Village in their final regular-season game on Friday, knowing they are already guaranteed a top-two spot in the table, which will ensure home advantage throughout the play-offs until they reach the final - if they get that far.