Manchester United Official Yearbook: A Review of the 2024/25 Season

OFFICIAL YEARBOOK A REVIEW OF THE 2024/25 SEASON

Manchester United Football Club

Official Manchester United Yearbook 2024/25

Editor Charlie Ghagan

Sub-editor Sean Mullan

Contributors Ben Ashby, Steve Bartram, Matthew Brown, Sam Carney, Paul Davies, Mark Froggatt, Joe Ganley, Ellen Hayward, Adam Higgins, Zoe Hodges, Matthew Holt, Adam Marshall, Joe Nelson, Mikey Partington, Harry Robinson, Helen Rowe-Willcocks, Isaac Stacey Stronge, Jamie Spencer, Nathan Thomas

Thanks to Colin Carter, Toby Craig, Ellie Decrop, Louis Ghagan, Michael Leneghan, George McCaffery, Clare Nicholas, Ian Nolan, Jen Smith, Andrew Ward, Nicola Wellington

Thanks also to all the clubs who kindly granted permission in allowing their official crests to be used in this publication.

Photography Zohaib Alam, Ash Donelon, Charlotte Tattersall, Poppy Townson (all Manchester United FC); Alamy, Getty Images

First published in 2025

Copyright © Manchester United 2025

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner and the publishers.

MEN’S TEAM HONOURS

FIFA Club World Cup 2008

Intercontinental Cup 1999

European Cup/UEFA Champions League 1968, 1999, 2008

European Cup Winners’ Cup 1991

UEFA Europa League 2017

Premier League

1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013

Football League Division One 1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965, 1967 Football League Division Two 1936, 1975

FA Challenge Cup

1909, 1948, 1963, 1977, 1983, 1985, 1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004, 2016, 2024

Football League Cup 1992, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2017, 2023

UEFA Super Cup 1991

FA Charity/Community Shield

1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1983, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016; Joint holders 1965, 1967, 1977, 1990

FA Youth Cup

1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1964, 1992, 1995, 2003, 2011, 2022

WOMEN’S TEAM HONOURS

Women’s FA Challenge Cup 2024

Women’s Championship 2019

Women’s Under-21s PGA Cup 2022

MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB LTD

Co-chairmen Joel Glazer, Avram Glazer

Directors Bryan Glazer, Kevin Glazer, Edward Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, Michael Edelson, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill CBE, Omar Berrada, Sir Dave Brailsford

Secretary Rebecca Britain Honorary president Martin Edwards

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Jason Wilcox

United’s Football Director on the clear vision for a much-improved ’25/26...

Every morning when I drive through the gates of Carrington, I feel honoured to be working for Manchester United, and a sense of responsibility to help get this great club back to the top. Most of all, I feel a sense of excitement about the opportunity in front of us. Because, seeing the support that this club receives from its magnificent fans, even during difficult times, I can only imagine what it will feel like if we can once again deliver consistent success, and that is our aim.

We all recognise that the men’s first team fell well short of expectations last season, and we know many of the reasons for that as we went through the difficult process of changing our head coach, our style of play, and many other things around the club.

We now feel in a much stronger position, with Ruben and our new football leadership team bedded in, to start moving in the right direction.

“ SEEING THE SUPPORT THIS CLUB RECEIVES, EVEN DURING DIFFICULT TIMES, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT IT WILL FEEL LIKE IF WE CAN ONCE AGAIN DELIVER CONSISTENT SUCCESS, AND THAT IS OUR AIM”

As always at this club, our Academy has an important role to play in building the foundations for future success, and I am excited by the talent we have coming through our ranks, supplemented by some outstanding young players we have been pleased

to attract to the club from elsewhere in the past year.

There is also lots to be optimistic about around our women’s team, after a strong third-placed finish in the WSL and a third consecutive FA Cup final appearance. Marc and the players can be proud of the progress they have made in the past year, with a young and developing squad with the potential to keep getting better.

Across all our teams, we have a clear vision for success and a huge determination to achieve it.

Thank you to all our fans for your unwavering support as we take the next steps on that journey.

Day one back at Carrington for Ruben’s Reds, including summer signing Matheus Cunha, as focus turns to next season

Our women’s team have much to look forward to in 2025/26

Old Trafford, new tunnel...

FRIDAY 09 AUGUST 2024

In the week before our men’s team kicked their 2024/25 home campaign, at home to Fulham, the summer refurbishment of the Old Trafford tunnel was officially completed. The modernised space features LED lights on the ceiling where the players stand, with the wall on the left adorned by a red devil silhouette, while the word ‘United’ dominates the wall on the right. The heritage area within the new tunnel includes repositioned plaques in tribute to former club president John Henry Davies and former owner James W Gibson (below). The eagle crest worn by United in the 1958 FA Cup final, inspired by the Manchester coat of arms, is also displayed (bottom). Combined with backlit club crests on the ceiling and wall, it made for quite the summer makeover!

“I FEEL A BIG

SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP PUT MANCHESTER UNITED BACK WHERE IT BELONGS AND, LIKE I SAID ON THE PITCH AT OLD TRAFFORD AFTER OUR FINAL GAME OF LAST SEASON, A STRONG BELIEF THAT MUCH BETTER DAYS LIE AHEAD”

Ruben Amorim

Fulfilling our immense potential on a consistent basis is the aim for next season, says the boss...

For everyone associated with football – players, staff and fans alike – the start of the new season is a time of excitement and optimism, and a time to look forward.

We should not completely ignore or forget what happened last season, because there are many lessons for us to learn from where things went badly, and also from the positive moments when we reminded ourselves of our potential to become so much better. All our energy is now focused on making sure we get closer to that potential, more often, and more consistently, this season.

We all suffered so much disappointment and pain together last season as we went through that process of changing the way we work in our club. However, we are now in a much better position than we would have been if I was only joining this summer, because of everything I have learned in the past eight months, and everything the players have learned about what I expect of them.

One of the main things I have learned is how magical this football club is, and how special its fans are.

I feel a big sense of responsibility to help put Manchester United back where it belongs, and, like I said on the pitch at Old Trafford after our final game of last season against Aston Villa, a strong belief that much better days lie ahead.

I cannot promise that we will reach all our long-term objectives this season, but I can promise that I will give everything to help put us firmly on that path.

United’s head coach knows what a special fan base this club has

Men’s team: Match reports

The competitive campaign began at Wembley and would take the Reds across six countries on the continent – here is a game-by-game recap of all 60 fixtures played in 2024/25...

August

Mixed fortunes for Reds as competitive campaign begins, while across the Premier League in its opening month there are new faces and much drama...

After pre-season games in Trondheim, Edinburgh, California and South Carolina (see right), the Reds’ competitive campaign began where our previous term had ended: a Wembley date with City, and silverware up for grabs. As was the case in May 2024’s memorable FA Cup triumph,

GOAL OF THE MONTH ALEJANDRO GARNACHO V MAN CITY

Having been introduced as a second-half substitute in the Community Shield, the forward fluidly took Bruno Fernandes’s outside-of-the-boot pass in his stride, drove inwards from the right flank and belted a low, left-footed strike back inside the near post. The 82nd-minute deadlock-breaker

Alejandro Garnacho opened the scoring, but the Reds this time suffered an unfortunate loss on penalties following a late City leveller.

Fulham then visited Old Trafford in the Premier League’s opening fixture, and it was a night to remember for debutant Joshua Zirkzee, who, after coming off the

PLAYER OF THE MONTH AMAD

The young Ivorian attacker had made some big strides forward during the calendar year of 2024, and after starting all three of United’s August games, he was named the Reds’ POTM for the first time in his career. Amad got his first goal of the campaign in our final game of the month, at

bench, connected with Garnacho’s cross from the right three minutes from time for the game’s only goal.

Zirkzee had been the first of several new arrivals, followed by Leny Yoro in July. Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui joined in time to face the Cottagers, with Manuel Ugarte checking in later in August.

unfortunately wasn’t enough for victory on the day at Wembley, after Bernardo Silva’s late leveller forced a penalty shoot-out that City triumphed in, but the goal was retrospectively appreciated by our fans as United’s best in the new season’s first month. A majority 46 per cent of votes opted for Garnacho’s effort, ahead of Joshua Zirkzee’s debut goal against Fulham, and Amad’s equaliser at Brighton.

Brighton, having previously impressed during the Community Shield against Manchester City and in our league opener against Fulham. Having been nominated alongside new signing Noussair Mazraoui and winger Alejandro Garnacho in the POTM shortlist, Amad was the clear favourite among fans, drawing more than half of all votes made on the club app and ManUtd.com.

More late drama followed in our first away day of the season, at Brighton. After Amad had cancelled out Danny Welbeck’s opener, and with a draw looking inevitable, the Reds were undone by a 95th-minute header from Joao Pedro, and therefore sat in 13th place when the month concluded.

With matchday three split over the end of August and the start of September, it was City who led the way come month’s end with a trio of victories, including back-to-back hat-tricks for Erling Haaland, against Ipswich and West Ham. Liverpool, under new manager Arne Slot, were the only other side with a 100 per cent winning record up until the same point, with two wins from two.

Led by Kieran McKenna, Ipswich were back in the top flight after a 22-year absence, joined in promotion by Leicester and Southampton. In an ominous sign of things to come, it was a tough start as the three teams managed just two points between them across the opening month.

The biggest win of August went to Chelsea and their new boss Enzo Maresca, as they secured a 6-2 success away to Wolves, while the most dramatic encounter had to be at Everton v Bournemouth.

Having already lost to Brighton and Spurs, the Toffees then became the first team in Premier League history to lose a game having been two goals ahead as late as the 87th minute, as Bournemouth battled back to stun the home crowd during a disappointing start to Goodison Park’s final season. It left Sean Dyche’s Toffees bottom of the pile as the calendar moved into September.

Back at the national stadium for the 2024/25 curtain-raiser –the 194th Manchester derby

Promoted Ipswich just about got off the mark in August

MANCHESTER CITY 1

Bernardo Silva 89

UNITED 1

Garnacho 82 (Manchester City win 7-6 on pens)

Late leveller denies Reds, as City win shoot-out

The Reds performed well in the 2024/25 curtain-raiser at Wembley, but narrowly lost the Community Shield on penalties, after a 1-1 draw in normal time.

City’s first meaningful opportunity came in the 22nd minute when tricky winger Oscar Bobb cut inside from the right to lash a left-footed high and wide of Andre Onana’s goal.

Moments later, James McAtee saw a shot bounce off the post after pouncing on a loose ball.

That sparked United into life and led to a first chance when Amad jinked between two markers and hit a shot just wide of the far post.

The Ivory Coast international then exchanged passes with Casemiro to run through on goal, before unselfishly squaring back inside. Unfortunately, the pass did not find Mason Mount and Amad perhaps should have shot instead.

The Reds finished the half in the ascendency, with one impressive move leading to Marcus Rashford shooting wide on 38 minutes.

DID YOU KNOW?

Second-half sub Toby Collyer was brought on for his Reds debut, becoming our 251st Academy graduate.

Joy quickly turned to frustration 10 minutes after the interval when Bruno Fernandes found the net –a delicious 25-yard strike into the top corner – only for it to be disallowed for an offside offence.

The game began to open up in the latter stages as tired legs appeared on both sides, leading to more spaces and opportunities to open the scoring.

Fernandes was again in the thick of it, latching on to a wonderful pass from the excellent Casemiro to see a first-time shot saved by Ederson.

Rashford hit the post with a left-footed shot and, moments later, the no.10’s downward header from a corner led to Scott McTominay stretching in vain to convert from close range.

United’s pressure eventually paid off when substitute Alejandro Garnacho broke the deadlock, dribbling past two defenders and drilling a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

Parity was unfortunately restored in the 89th minute as City replacement Bernardo Silva headed in at the back post, prompting a penalty shoot-out. City’s goalscorer saw his spot-kick saved by Andre Onana – the Blues’ opening effort – but after Ederson denied Jadon Sancho and Jonny Evans shot over, Manuel Akanji stepped up in sudden death to give City the win.

MAN OF THE MATCH ALEJANDRO GARNACHO

It was Garnacho who took the lion’s share of the fan vote –41 per cent. The winger only joined the action just before the hour mark, but made a key contribution with his goal before scoring in the penalty shoot-out.

UNITED 1

Zirkzee 87

FULHAM 0

Zirkzee’s the hero

in victorious league opener

Joshua Zirkzee scored a late debut winner as United beat Fulham 1-0 on the opening night of the Premier League season.

A frantic start almost saw Marcus Rashford through on goal inside 30 seconds, but the flag was up for offside to thwart him. It was Fulham who threatened next when the pacy Adama Traore cut the ball back towards Alex Iwobi in the area, but United newcomer Noussair Mazraoui heroically intervened to steal it from his path.

Amad had a penalty appeal waved away after being clipped by Antonee Robinson, before Andre Onana was alert to acrobatically tip behind Kenny Tete’s long-range curling attempt from the visitors.

Bernd Leno’s misplaced pass fell to Casemiro, who tried to play in Bruno Fernandes, but the Fulham no.1 made amends by racing off his line to charge down the shot.

Leno stood strong again soon afterwards when Casemiro and Fernandes combined for another United opening, before the Brazilian nodded wide from a corner. Another spot-kick appeal, this time from Harry Maguire, was dismissed as the

DID YOU KNOW?

Zirkzee is the 13th Red whose club debut came in the Premier League and with a goal – the previous being Antony in 2022.

sides went in goalless at half-time. The Reds survived a succession of Fulham corners early in the second half and almost broke the deadlock on 52 minutes when Leno denied Mason Mount after he’d been found by Rashford.

Kobbie Mainoo then dragged an effort wide before Alejandro Garnacho and debutant Zirkzee were introduced after an hour.

Former Reds midfielder Andreas Pereira fizzed a dangerous ball across the goalmouth, and it was fortunate that Martinez was on hand to clear for a corner.

A now end-to-end game saw Garnacho sprinting towards the opposite byline not long after, but Tete managed get just enough contact on the Argentina international’s driven cross to deny Rashford a simple tap-in.

As the contest entered its 87th minute, Garnacho found himself in possession down the right once again as United broke at speed.

He dispatched a quick cross into the box and Zirkzee connected with just enough contact to poke beyond the diving Leno, securing all three points for United in the process.

It was a substitute who look the prize, with our new Dutch forward making his presence felt after stepping off the bench with half-hour to play. The game’s only goalscorer would pick up 33 per cent of the fan vote.

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2

Welbeck 32, Joao Pedro 90+5

Amad 60

Late sting in the tail denies United at the Amex

Our first away game of the league campaign ended in agony as Brighton grabbed a last-gasp winner on the south coast.

The Reds almost struck first when Amad was unable to control his finish when Diogo Dalot’s inviting centre arrived at an awkward height, before Casemiro headed wide and Dalot went close from range.

When the opener did arrive, it was certainly against the run of play. Joao Pedro’s cross reached Kaoru Mitoma at the far post and his low ball was converted by ex-Red Danny Welbeck, at full stretch.

In response, Amad’s cross from the right found Marcus Rashford and, although Jason Steele saved the initial effort, the ball rebounded into the net off United’s no.10. However, he had just gone too early and was flagged offside.

The hosts almost doubled their lead after the break when James Milner’s effort trickled past Andre Onana, but Dalot was on hand to clear off the line. Welbeck then gave

DID YOU KNOW?

Noussair Mazraoui’s (Morocco) assist for Amad (Ivory Coast) was the first time two African players have combined for a United goal in Premier League history.

another scare when he headed against the bar from a corner.

However, United rallied and were level when Amad cut inside on to his left foot and had a drive helped into the net off Jan Paul van Hecke, with VAR confirming the Ivory Coast international was onside.

Casemiro steered an effort over the top and, on 70 minutes, it looked like the visitors had edged in front.

Alejandro Garnacho met Bruno Fernandes’s low ball to steer in at the back post, with his effort clearly hitting Zirkzee in an offside position as he slid in close to goal. The big question was whether the ball had already crossed the line at the time of the Dutchman’s contact, and VAR unfortunately ruled the effort out.

Onana kept out Pedro’s header and then slid in to tackle Yankuba Minteh. At the other end, Casemiro’s shot was easily saved by Steele.

But the final twist came when Simon Adingra floated a cross to the far post, where Pedro was waiting to nod past Onana into the corner.

September

While United get off the mark in the League Cup and in Europe, the Reds’ stuttering league form is cause for concern as we end the month in 13th...

September saw another mixed month for the Reds, with two wins, two draws and two defeats across three competitions.

A painful 3-0 loss at home to Liverpool in the league was followed with a morale-boosting success away to Southampton, by the same scoreline. Matthijs de Ligt got his first

GOAL OF THE MONTH CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN V TWENTE

As disappointed as Eriksen was with his role in the visitors’ equaliser on 68 minutes, it doesn’t take anything away from the quality of his first-half goal to give us an advantage against Twente in United’s opening Europa League fixture. The 35th-minute move began with Bruno Fernandes, whose

goal in a United shirt, with Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho also on target for Erik ten Hag’s side. Barnsley were then hit for seven at the Theatre of Dreams, as our Carabao Cup campaign got under way in emphatic fashion, including braces for Rashford, Garnacho and Christian Eriksen.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH ANDRE ONANA

Our Cameroonian keeper kept two clean sheets across the month – games in which his saves proved vitally important. Against Southampton, Onana made an excellent penalty save from Saints striker Cameron Archer when the game was still goalless. It seemed to spark the Reds into

A goalless Premier League trip to Crystal Palace preceded another stalemate, this time a 1-1 draw, as our Europa League campaign began at home to Dutch side Twente – a first outing in the tournament’s new look league phase, with Eriksen on target.

Sadly, the month ended with another 3-0 home reverse, this time

intelligent reverse ball found Diogo Dalot just inside the Twente area. Under pressure from a defender, Dalot did enough to free the ball up for the onrushing Eriksen, who confidently struck it high into the net from 15 yards out. Adding to the brace he bagged against Barnsley in our previous home game, this was the Dane’s first European goal for the club, and a reminder of his ability to strike a ball as cleanly as anyone.

life, as we went on to score three times without reply at St Mary’s. In our next Premier League away day, at Crystal Palace, Onana produced a superb double save to deny Eddie Nketiah and Ismaila Sarr, earning him plaudits from far and wide. Erik ten Hag’s side perhaps should have won that night, but Andre’s heroics certainly played a major part in us keeping a clean sheet at Selhurst Park.

against Tottenham. As a result, United finished September in 13th place in the Premier League, six points off a top-four spot.

Reigning league champions

Manchester City were dealt a huge blow during a 2-2 draw at home to fellow title hopefuls Arsenal, as key midfielder Rodri suffered an ACL injury that would rule him out for almost the entire season, just a month before he’d be named as winner of the 2024 Ballon d’Or City at least had the consolation of snatching a late, late equaliser, with John Stones denying Mikel Arteta’s men a famous win at the Etihad when the defender scored in the eighth minute of added time.

With both City and the Gunners having drawn two of their first six fixtures, it meant Liverpool topped the table, racking up five wins so far. They did, however, suffer their first loss, at home to Nottingham Forest – early evidence of what would be a much-improved term for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side after

finishing 17th in 2023/24. Chelsea and Aston Villa completed the top five, each two points behind Liverpool. The Blues’ Cole Palmer became the only player to score four times in a Premier League game in 2024/25 in a 4-2 win over Brighton.

In the bottom half of the table, the three promoted teams were all still awaiting a first league win, as were Crystal Palace and bottom-placed Wolves. As for Brentford, they made history as the first-ever team to score in the opening minute in three consecutive Premier League games.

The travelling Reds enjoy a dominant three-goal win at Southampton, while three days later we’d put seven past Barnsley in the cup

Nuno’s Forest picked up a massive win at Anfield

UNITED 0 LIVERPOOL 3

Diaz 35, 42, Salah 56

September starts with painful league loss in M16

Erik ten Hag’s side slipped to a frustrating 3-0 Premier League defeat to rivals Liverpool on a day to forget at Old Trafford.

On a day when new signing Manuel Ugarte was unveiled to the Old Trafford fans (right), United made a lively start, but without troubling Alisson in the visitors’ goal.

Out of nowhere, Liverpool’s first real attack seemed to have produced the opening goal. Ryan Gravenberch advanced into space to feed Luis Diaz and his cross flicked off Mohamed Salah before Trent Alexander-Arnold got his shot away, which crossed the line before Diogo Dalot’s intervention. However, Liverpool’s joy was short lived as VAR ruled Salah was offside in the build-up.

Liverpool did make a breakthrough on 35 minutes. Casemiro’s pass was intercepted by Gravenberch, who picked out Salah, and his cross on the run was nodded home by Diaz.

United’s only shot of the half was mishandled by Alisson, as Noussair Mazraoui’s strike went through Virgil van Dijk’s legs, but there were white shirts on hand to clear.

Just before the interval, referee Anthony Taylor waved play on when

DID YOU KNOW?

Toby Collyer became the first Red in nearly six years to make his Premier League debut in a meeting with Liverpool, since Brandon Williams in October 2019.

Casemiro was felled by Diaz, and Salah was again able to supply an assist with Diaz’s first-time finish swept past Andre Onana’s left hand. Replays showed the Colombian forward did get a touch on the ball in the earlier challenge with Casemiro and there was no suggestion VAR would intervene on this occasion.

Toby Collyer replaced Casemiro at the interval to make his Premier League debut and one of his first involvements was to nod down for Johsua Zirkzee to fire in a shot that was palmed away by Alisson.

Liverpool’s third goal came when Kobbie Mainoo was outmuscled by Alexis Mac Allister and Szoboszlai teed Salah up for a clinical swept finish beyond Onana’s dive.

Salah had two further chances, firing over the top before seeing a shot snake wide via a deflection off Dalot inside the area.

Zirkzee had a header saved by Alisson and then couldn’t find the target on the stretch, either side of Cody Gakpo heading wide and Lisandro Martinez going close with a hooked overhead effort, on what was ultimately a disappointing afternoon for the hosts in M16.

SOUTHAMPTON 0 UNITED 3

De Ligt 35, Rashford 41, Garnacho 90+6

De Ligt leads the way in successful St Mary’s trip

After surviving a first-half penalty scare, United powered to victory to see off Southampton 3-0 at St Mary’s Stadium.

Saints youngster Tyler Dibling ran clear down the right and curled a left-footed effort that looked bound to nestle in the net, only for Andre Onana to claw the ball clear as the hosts looked for a strong start.

Joshua Zirkzee then had a good chance but couldn’t generate enough contact on Christian Eriksen’s beautifully measured pass.

Noussair Mazraoui had a volley easily saved by Aaron Ramsdale, while Southampton full-back Yukinari Sugawara forced Matthijs de Ligt to hook away his seemingly goalbound strike.

Erik ten Hag’s side were under pressure and the tricky Dibling forced Diogo Dalot into a rash challenge on the edge of the box, with referee Stuart Attwell pointing to the spot. A 51-second wait for confirmation for VAR no doubt affected Cameron Archer, who saw his low kick stopped by Onana, along with the subsequent headed rebound.

It proved to be the wake-up call the Reds needed, and after good

DID YOU KNOW?

We recorded a 13th win in 19 visits to St Mary’s in all competitions and made it 16 consecutive trips to the stadium without defeat.

interplay between Marcus Rashford and Zirkzee led to a corner, De Ligt met Bruno Fernandes’s cross for his first goal in English football.

Six minutes later, it got even better for United. After Ramsdale denied Rashford, the latter isolated his man and finished superbly through a mass of red-and-white shirts to double our advantage.

De Ligt could have added a third just before the break after being fed by Dalot, but Ramsdale came out and smothered the attempt.

Mazraoui was foiled by Ramsdale early in the second half, before a sloppy pass allowed Fernandes to feed Rashford, whose powerful drive hit Saints defender Jan Bednarek and flew over the bar.

Ramsdale then produced the best save of the contest, leaping backwards to palm over another Rashford shot from distance.

Southampton’s Jack Stephens was given his marching orders following a nasty looking challenge on Alejandro Garnacho, and after Taylor Harwood-Bellis blocked Zirkzee’s shot, Garnacho found the roof of the net from Dalot’s centre to net with virtually the last kick.

MAN OF THE MATCH MATTHIJS DE LIGT

On a day when De Ligt scored his first Reds goal following his switch from Bayern Munich, he’d have been equally delighted with the clean sheet as we stifled out the Saints. The Dutch defender picked up almost half the fan vote.

SOUTHAMPTON UNITED

Alejandro Garnacho fires home United’s third goal past Aaron Ramsdale to round off a successful trip to the south coast

CARABAO CUP | THIRD ROUND TUE 17 SEP 2024 | OLD TRAFFORD | 8PM | ATT: 72,063

UNITED 7

Rashford 16, 57, Antony 35 pen, Garnacho 45+2, 49, Eriksen 81, 85

BARNSLEY 0

Tykes smashed for seven in emphatic cup win

United advanced to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a resounding 7-0 win over Barnsley.

Marcus Rashford struck United’s first shot on goal in the 10th minute, as his deflected effort cannoned behind off Marc Roberts, before Rashford had two more attempts blocked from the resulting corner.

Rashford was not to be denied in the 16th minute, however, when he collected Alejandro Garnacho’s cross-field pass, manoeuvred away from two defenders and rifled in a composed finish.

United were warded a penalty when Antony was sent sprawling by Tykes keeper Gabriel Slonina, and the Brazilian stepped up to confidently convert from the spot.

Casemiro tested Slonina again with a deflected shot before Garnacho picked up a fortunate ricochet and poked the loose ball into the bottom corner to put the Reds 3-0 up at the break.

Just four minutes after the restart, Garnacho was released by a lofted Christian Eriksen pass, after a lovely one-two, and the winger ran the entire length of the Barnsley half to calmly stroke home.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Reds’ recorded a club-record League Cup win and hit seven in the competition for the first time since a 7-2 triumph against Newcastle in 1976.

Slonina kept out Rashford’s powerful, low 22-yard free-kick but it was soon 5-0 when Rashford raced on to Garnacho’s ball and slotted in.

A rampant United kept pushing for more as Antony had a curled effort tipped over and Garnacho fired a hat-trick chance over from Bruno Fernandes’s deflected cross.

Claims for a second Reds penalty were waved away when Casemiro went down in the box under the challenge of Josh Earl.

But things got even better when Eriksen got in on the act and added his name to the scoresheet, converting a Fernandes pull-back from close range for 6-0.

The Dane made it a brace four minutes later, again assisted by Fernandes, this time stroking a delightful finish into the far corner to round off the scoring on a thoroughly satisfying evening for the hosts.

OTHER RESULTS

Stoke 1-1 Fleetwood (2-1pens)

Blackpool 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday

Brentford 3-1 Leyton Orient

Everton 1-1 Southampton (5-6pens)

Preston 1-1 Fulham (16-15pens)

Queens Park Rangers 1-2 Crystal Palace

Brighton 3-2 Wolves

Coventry 1-2 Tottenham

Chelsea 5-0 Barrow

Manchester City 2-1 Watford

Walsall 0-0 Leicester (0-3pens)

Wycombe 1-2 Aston Villa

Arsenal 5-1 Bolton

Liverpool 5-1 West Ham

Newcastle 1-0 AFC Wimbledon

MAN OF THE MATCH ALEJANDRO GARNACHO

On a night when three Reds each scored a brace, it was Garnacho who won the fan vote ahead of Rashford and Eriksen, with the winger’s second-half goal particularly enjoyed by the Old Trafford faithful under the floodlights.

CRYSTAL PALACE 0 UNITED 0

Selhurst stalemate as keepers come out on top

United missed a host of chances and had to settle for a 0-0 league draw away to Crystal Palace.

Matthijs de Ligt got his head to a Christian Eriksen corner after only three minutes as Dean Henderson made his first save, before Palace’s stopper spectacularly palmed away a shot from Alejandro Garnacho. Henderson continued to frustrate the Reds, getting in the way when De Ligt attacked a Bruno Fernandes corner, and the ex-United keeper was forced into another low stop by Lisandro Martinez.

Just before the half-hour mark, Garnacho hit Diogo Dalot’s fine pass first time and, when it came back off the bar, Fernandes smashed the rebound into the ground and it bounced up to clip the woodwork.

Joshua Zirkzee headed wide of the far post from another corner, before Fernandes had a drive blocked by Marc Guehi, then saw his cross come off Zirkzee before Henderson scrambled the ball clear.

A minute before half-time, Eberechi Eze found space for the

POST-MATCH LEAGUE TABLE

Eagles’ first shot, but sent his effort straight at Andre Onana.

After the break, Amad’s dipping left-footer appeared to take a deflection and worried Henderson a little before drifting wide, before Fernandes sent a shot wide with the outside of his boot. Henderson was called into action again when Garnacho’s whipped attempt was turned away by the home keeper.

Onana then kept the scores level with a superb double save, first going down low to parry an Eddie Nketiah shot and then springing up to divert substitute Ismaila Sarr’s flying effort on the rebound wide.

Soon after, the ball appeared to hit the outside of Onana’s post when De Ligt was involved in a scramble while appealing for a handball in the box, before Eze appeared certain to break the deadlock after cleverly working a clear shot on goal, but he guided the ball just wide.

Will Hughes had a shot for the hosts and Sarr was thwarted by Martinez’s block in the last highlights of a game which would end goalless.

DID YOU KNOW?

This was just United’s fourth goalless draw in the Premier League in 81 games under Ten Hag’s tenure, and the first since away to Liverpool in December 2023.

MAN OF THE MATCH ANDRE ONANA

For all of United’s attacking threat, the hosts had chances as the game progressed, and our Cameroonian keeper had to be alert to pull off some big saves. It led to him taking 36 per cent of the fan vote in selecting the game’s star man.

UNITED 1

TWENTE 1

Reds made to settle for point in Europa opener

Our opening match of the new-look UEFA Europa League saw the Reds draw at Old Trafford against Erik ten Hag’s former club FC Twente.

The visitors carved the first sighting of goal when Sam Lammers side-footed wide at the near post from Bart van Rooij’s low cross.

At the other end, Amad worked his way to the byline and his delivery led to Joshua Zirkzee, Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen all having shots that were frantically blocked by the Twente rearguard in quick succession.

Visiting keeper Lars Unnerstall was tested for the first time by one of his team-mates when Mees Hilgers unwittingly volleyed Lisandro Martinez’s knockdown towards goal, forcing an acrobatic stop.

Soon after, Rashford’s dazzling piece of skill deceived Ricky van Wolfswinkel before his cutback picked out an unmarked Martinez, who found Anass Salah-Eddine in the way of his attempt at goal.

Just when it was becoming frustrating for the Reds, Eriksen ensured a half-time lead when he fired a delightful first-time strike into

POST-MATCH UEL STANDINGS

the far corner, after the ball escaped the clutches of Diogo Dalot inside the box from Fernandes’s pass.

Harry Maguire had the first chance of the second period when his half-volley from Eriksen’s corner was denied by Unnerstall.

Andre Onana had little to do until he was called upon to tip Sem Steijn’s free-kick behind for a corner. But Joseph Oosting’s side levelled when Lammers stole possession from Eriksen and rifled a shot past Onana, after a lung-busting run from van Rooij had initially been halted.

Zirkzee came close as he exchanged passes with Dalot and forced a save from Unnerstall, before Maguire’s header from the resulting corner deflected wide.

As United dominated the closing stages, Fernandes saw his shot whistle inches wide and Alejandro Garnacho curled narrowly over from the edge of the box.

Then, in stoppage time, Maguire’s header clipped off the leg of Bruns and drew a last-gasp stop from Unnerstall, who also made a routine save from Fernandes’s distance effort, but the Reds ultimately could not find a winner.

YOU KNOW?

1 Christian Eriksen got his first European goal for United and his first in continental competition since scoring for Inter v Getafe in August 2020.

MAN OF THE MATCH CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN

It was a close contest, with the Dane edging it with 28 per cent of the vote. Eriksen would have been disappointed with how he lost possession in the build up to Twente’s goal, but he otherwise put in an assured display in midfield.

UNITED 0 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3

Johnson 3, Kulusevski 47, Solanke 77

Spurs take the spoils as Reds drop home points

It was a difficult afternoon at Old Trafford as United slipped to a 3-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

Following an intense start, and after a promising Reds counter broke down, Micky van der Ven surged forward for Spurs before his dangerous centre was tapped in by Brennan Johnson on three minutes.

Andre Onana was called into action to prevent a second, rushing out to close down James’s attempt after a quick one-two.

Johnson almost got another when he struck the base of the far post after the ball had been worked from left to right.

At the other end, it took a brilliant save from Guglielmo Vicario, throwing out a hand low to his right, to stop a stretching Joshua Zirkzee from making it 1-1.

In an increasingly end-to-end game, Cristian Romero’s ambitious volley was a whisker wide, before Alejandro Garnacho’s attempt hit the woodwork. Onana then had more work to do when he denied

DID YOU KNOW?

This was the 100th meeting between the teams at Old Trafford, dating back to a 3-2 Reds win in March 1911.

Timo Werner one-on-one, before Bruno Fernandes slipped while trying to tackle Maddison. Chris Kavanagh ruled Fernandes to have caught the Spurs man high on the shin and showed a straight red card.

With Kobbie Mainoo forced off through injury, it was a huge double blow before half-time.

Things got even worse when Tottenham got a second goal almost immediately after the restart. Johnson’s deflected cross popped up off Matthijs de Ligt and Dejan Kulusevski was there to flick in.

Onana parried from Werner, before two home penalty appeals were waved away and Casemiro almost reduced the deficit.

But it was Spurs again who struck next through Solanke, who poked in from close range after Pape Matar Sarr flicked a corner into his path.

Tottenham nearly got a fourth when Onana stuck out an instinctive leg to deny Solanke and Sarr headed the rebound wide, while De Ligt prodded a late consolation attempt off target on an afternoon to forget.

MONTH IN FOCUS:

October

Disheartening defeat at West Ham leads to a managerial change at Old Trafford, in a month that also sees a new figure take charge of England...

The first managerial departure of the Premier League season came late in October, when Erik ten Hag left United following our 2-1 defeat to West Ham.

The Reds had experienced another up-and-down month, coming from behind to beat Brentford but drawing with Aston

GOAL OF THE MONTH CASEMIRO V LEICESTER CITY (1ST)

The Brazilian maestro scored a marvellous opener as part of a strong team display in the 5-2 victory in the Carabao Cup. With 15 minutes on the clock, Garnacho’s pass inside was dummied by Bruno Fernandes and, encouraged to shoot by the fans, Casemiro duly obliged with a

Villa in the Premier League and away to both Porto and Fenerbache in the Europa League, including a reunion with Jose Mourinho in Turkey.

It meant that, at the time of Ten Hag’s exit, United were 14th in the league, with 11 points from nine games.

Former Reds frontman Ruud van Nistelrooy stepped in to lead the

PLAYER OF THE MONTH ALEJANDRO GARNACHO

The Argentina international become the third player to claim the award in 2024/25, emerging victorious ahead of team-mates Casemiro and Andre Onana. Garna featured in all six of our games during the month, starting five of them and coming on as a second-half substitute in the 3-3

side on an interim basis and got off to a fine start, with a lively 5-2 triumph against Leicester in the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford.

Doubles for Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, along with a strike from Alejandro Garnacho, gave the home fans a lift and set up a quarter-final meeting with Tottenham.

25-yard rocket that flew in off the underside of the crossbar. Our no.18 would go on to score a second against the Foxes at Old Trafford, but it was the midfielder’s unstoppable opener which was most appreciated by United fans. It took 68 per cent of the vote, way ahead of Garnacho’s strike against Brentford in second place (11 per cent), and Rasmus Hojlund’s winner against the Bees (six per cent).

draw at Porto. He scored twice and registered an assist in those six games, with his effervescent display against Brentford seeing him named the Reds’ Player of the Match. He was also one of our standout performers in the League Cup win against Leicester, setting up Casemiro’s opener (see below) before doubling the lead when smashing in from Diogo Dalot’s cross to make it 2-0.

Elsewhere in the English game, Manchester City won all three of their games to wrestle back top spot in the league from Liverpool, albeit by a single point. The latter drew away to Arsenal, who were now third, with the Gunners narrowly ahead of Aston Villa, Chelsea, Brighton and Nottingham Forest.

Leicester and Crystal Palace both finally ended the wait for their first league wins, leaving the bottom three of Ipswich, Wolves and Southampton as the only remaining teams yet to taste such success.

Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium was the place to be for entertainment in October, with the Bees’ two home outings producing an incredible 15 goals, as they won 5-3 v Wolves, then 4-3 v Ipswich.

In the Europa League, United sat in 21st out of 36 teams in the league table after opening with three draws.

Lazio, Spurs and Anderlecht all had the maximum nine points, with the top eight qualifying automatically for the last 16, and teams in ninth to 24th playing an additional two-legged round as part of the new format.

While the Reds were still awaiting a first European win, there was still time to get back in contention, with Harry Maguire’s dramatic stoppage-time leveller in a 3-3 draw at Porto providing real drama.

October saw a managerial change at international level, too, as former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel was confirmed as England’s first foreign manager since Sven-Goran Eriksson between 2001-06. Tuchel took over as Lee

Carsley’s interim spell ended, after the departure of Gareth Southgate following a runners-up finish for the Three Lions at Euro 2024.

Supporters make their way down Sir Matt Busby Way towards Old Trafford, on a sunny Saturday that would see us battle back to beat Thomas Frank’s Brentford

Goals galore at Gtech Community Stadium

PORTO 3

Pepe 27, Aghehowa 34, 50

UNITED 3

Rashford 7, Hojlund 20, Maguire 90+1

End-to-end clash in Porto ends with point apiece

Harry Maguire’s stoppage-time header rescued a Europa League point for United in a thrilling encounter with Porto.

Andre Onana denied Galeno early on before Christian Eriksen fed Marcus Rashford, who danced into the box and fired in a drive that was too hot for Diogo Costa to handle: 1-0.

Porto then twice almost put through their own net in quick succession. Ze Pedro’s touch to a Rashford cross looked like going in and, from the corner, a clearance hit a defender and landed off target.

It was 2-0 a few minutes later when Eriksen and Rashford combined to set up Rasmus Hojlund, whose shot was again ineffectively handled by Costa as the ball crept over the line.

Costa thwarted Rashford before the mood turned, as Noussair Mazraoui headed towards his own goal. Onana kept it out, but Pepe was there to halve the deficit.

Seven minutes later, Samu Aghehowa met Joao Mario’s centre and planted a stooping header high into the net to make it 2-2.

Despite the momentum shift, Amad had a shot deflected behind and Costa smuggled a Casemiro

effort behind as the sides went in level at the interval.

There was an early second-half scare when Onana saved from Francisco Moura but, soon afterwards, Pepe crossed for to Aghehowa fire in emphatically for his second goal and Porto’s third.

Alejandro Garnacho and Mazroaui were kept out by Costa, with Garnacho on to the follow-up for the second effort but unable to convert from a tight angle.

Porto retained a threat and Aghehowa had a chance for a hat-trick, only for Onana to push it away, while headers from Matthijs de Ligt and Casemiro came close.

All looked lost when Fernandes tried to reach a cross with a raised boot as Nehuen Perez went down. It was ruled as dangerous play and the skipper received a second yellow.

Onana made a vital stop from Deniz Gul and Garnacho forced a brilliant save from Costa before the Reds’ dramatic late leveller.

After another Garnacho shot won a corner, Eriksen’s injury-time set-piece was headed home by substitute Harry Maguire in a breathless finale.

MAN OF THE MATCH MARCUS RASHFORD

This six-goal thriller became United’s highest-scoring away game in the competition since it was rebranded as the UEFA Europa League in 2009.

With 40 per cent of the vote, Rashford was the overwhelming choice as the star man. Despite only playing the first half, he scored the game’s opening goal, which he took with aplomb, before teeing up Hojlund for 2-0.

Maguire times his run perfectly to power home our third goal, scored in the closing moments at Porto’s Estadio do Dragao

ASTON VILLA 0 UNITED 0

Teams cancel each other in battling stalemate

Erik ten Hag’s side played out a goalless draw away to Aston Villa in our final fixture before the October international break.

Marcus Rashford had an early chance when he raced down the touchline, and all the way into the Villa area, with the ball. The forward got a shot away, but it was batted clear from danger by Villans’ goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

At the other end, some in the crowd thought Morgan Rogers had opened the scoring when he let fly from the edge of the area, but instead he saw his shot land just wide of Andre Onana’s post

In a half of few clear openings, Jaden Philogene’s strike sailed wide of the far post before Alejandro Garnacho drew a near-post stop from Martinez.

The Reds started the second half well and it took a magnificent fingertip intervention from Martinez to send Rashford’s shot on to the crossbar and behind, with Garnacho firing wide of the target from the resulting corner.

For Aston Villa, Matty Cash shot well wide after Youri Tielemans found him from a corner and the

DID YOU KNOW?

This latest shutout made it four clean sheets in the first seven Premier League games for United – double the amount managed by the same point last season.

latter had a chance himself when his curling first-time effort forced Onana into his best save of the afternoon.

Ollie Watkins fired a shot over from the angle not long afterwards, before the much-heralded arrival of fellow attacker Jhon Duran, but United’s defence remained solid in the face of the challenge posed by Villa’s in-form substitute.

Ten Hag’s side mustered a couple of efforts thereafter. Bruno Fernandes went closest of all, almost silencing Villa Park with a marvellous, dipping free-kick which looked destined for the top corner, but it agonisingly rebounded off the crossbar.

Antony then took aim from distance, curling an effort expertly towards the top corner of the net, but Martinez was again in the way.

There was still drama to come in stoppage time. First, United had Diogo Dalot to thank for a heroic block as he stood in the way of Philogene’s effort in the box.

A subsequent break up the field almost led to a winner for the visiting Reds, but Garnacho couldn’t quite find Fernandes with his pass, as a fiery contest finished level.

MAN OF THE MATCH JONNY EVANS

On a day when the defenders and goalkeepers came out on top for both teams, it was our Belfast-born centre-back who finished highest in the fan vote to name the Reds’ star player, with Evans claiming 57 per cent in the poll.

VILLA SUBS USED: Carlos for Konsa 12 • Duran for Bailey 63 • Maatsen for Digne 85 YELLOW CARDS: Barkley UNITED SUBS USED: De Ligt for Maguire 46 • Lindelof for Mazraoui 46 • Antony for Rashford 64 • Zirkzee for Hojlund 64 • Casemiro for Mainoo 85 YELLOW CARDS: Eriksen, Maguire, Mainoo, Rashford, Lindelof

Lindelof gets ahead of Villa’s Rogers to win the ball in a tight contest in the West Midlands

UNITED 2

Garnacho 47, Hojlund 62

BRENTFORD 1

Pinnock 45+5

Second-half turnaround sees United to victory

United came from behind against Brentford at Old Trafford, securing maximum points with a 2-1 win in the Premier League.

Kevin Schade nearly connected with a threatening cross from the left and Bryan Mbeumo blazed high and wide as the visitors tried to start on the front foot.

Lisandro Martinez very nearly broke the deadlock when his near-post header was fumbled by visiting goalkeeper Mark Flekken, who breathed a huge sigh of relief when he scooped the loose ball off the line after it hit Rasmus Hojlund.

Flekken then parried from Alejandro Garnacho, before Andre Onana flew to his right to deny Christian Norgaard’s curler as both keepers were called into action.

Christian Eriksen skied from close range, Hojlund was just off target with a low shot from outside the box and Flekken did well to parry a deflected shot from Garnacho as the chances continued.

Brentford got the breakthrough against the run of play. Matthijs de Ligt was ordered from the field of play for treatment and, with United down to 10 men and defending a

DID YOU KNOW?

Garnacho scored United’s fastest PL second-half goal (89 seconds) since Fred v Tottenham in October 2022 (76 seconds).

corner, Ethan Pinnock leapt unchallenged to head home for the Bees in first-half stoppage time.

Thankfully, United made the perfect response just two minutes after the restart. Marcus Rashford’s exquisite diagonal ball found Garnacho, who met it sweetly on the volley to fire past Flekken.

There was no let-up from the Reds as Flekken pushed Garnacho’s next attempt wide and just about kept out Casemiro’s effort.

Flekken then held on to an attempt from Bruno Fernandes, but our captain soon turned creator for his side to take the lead shortly after the hour. Bruno’s wonderfully clever flick moved the ball into the path of Hojlund, who carefully lifted it over the onrushing Bees’ keeper.

Dutch stopper Flekken prevented any further scoring as he denied Diogo Dalot, pinched the ball off Joshua Zirkzee’s toe, and then gathered from Garnacho, who failed to fully connect with a first-time shot after De Ligt had burst forward.

There was potential late danger from Brentford but Fabio Carvalho dragged a first-time shot wide as the Reds held out for the victory.

The Argentina international’s goal immediately after the break provided the shot in the arm the Reds needed to turn this league contest around, and Garnacho was rewarded with the star player prize, taking 56 per cent of the vote.

MAN OF THE MATCH ALEJANDRO GARNACHO

FENERBAHCE 1

En-Nesyri 49

UNITED 1

Eriksen 15

Third UEL draw on the spin after hosts hit back

United made it three draws in three games in the UEFA Europa League with a 1-1 draw against Fenerbahce.

Bright Osayi-Samuel was almost an early scorer for the hosts, doing well down the right before dragging his shot into the side-netting from an almost impossible angle, with better options in the middle.

Ex-Reds midfielder Fred fired way off target as he looked to make an impact before United took the lead on 15 minutes.

Noussair Mazraoui nudged the ball to Joshua Zirkzee, whose lay-off invited Christian Eriksen to expertly find the target with minimum fuss.

Quick feet from Eriksen allowed Marcus Rashford to attack the goal with purpose, as United pushed for a second. Rashford cut in from the right and fired just past the far post.

Seconds later, Manuel Ugarte was required to make an amazing block to thwart Dusan Tadic, when Sebastian Szymanski’s cross was pushed out by Andre Onana.

The Reds keeper then showed his agility with two quickfire saves – the first a one-handed stop from Youssef En-Nesyri. When Tadic helped the

rebound back into the danger area, En-Nesyri’s second effort was tipped over the bar by the no.24, ensuring we went in ahead at the break.

Fenerbahce got back on level terms four minutes after the restart. Allan Saint-Maximin drifted a cross into the six-yard box, where En-Nesyri nodded it past Onana.

When Ugarte challenged Osayi-Samuel in the box, there were screams for a penalty. After a VAR check confirmed it wasn’t a foul, Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho was sent off for his protests.

Lisandro Martinez had a shot blocked at source before a flurry of efforts. Mazraoui then forced a save out of Dominik Livakovic, as did Matthijs de Ligt from the resulting corner. Alejandro Garnacho blazed over from distance and Rasmus Hojlund sent in a tame shot that Livakovic comfortably fielded.

With six minutes of normal time left, Garnacho produced a better effort that forced another good save out of Livakovic.

The match then fizzled out somewhat, leaving United unbeaten, but on three points after three games in the competition so far.

KNOW?

The Reds drew three straight European games for the first time since a run of four consecutive stalemates in the 2008/09 UEFA Champions League.

MAN

OF THE MATCH ANDRE ONANA

Onana edged Eriksen and Ugarte in the voting, following a stellar display. After making two brilliant saves in quick succession to deny En-Nesyri in the first half, he remained solid after the break, despite the hosts levelling the score.

Onana’s team-mates

to praise him following his first-half heroics, as he twice denied En-Nesyri

WEST HAM UNITED 2

Summerville 74, Bowen 90+2 pen

UNITED 1

Casemiro 81

Sting in the tail sees Hammers take the spoils

A controversial late penalty consigned United to a 2-1 defeat to West Ham at London Stadium – a result that would lead to Erik ten Hag leaving his role as United manager the following day.

Alejandro Garnacho twice went close in the first 10 minutes, rattling the crossbar and shooting just wide.

Rasmus Hojlund then drew a close-range save from Hammers keeper Lukasz Fabianski, before Bruno Fernandes header over.

West Ham started to establish themselves in the contest, although Lucas Paqueta’s looping header failed to trouble Andre Onana.

But United were still on top and Diogo Dalot missed a great opportunity when he evaded the onrushing Fabianski but lifted his shot over the bar of an empty net.

More chances came before the break as Edson Alvarez nodded on to his own crossbar and Fabianski kept out Casemiro’s header.

Heading into the second half, Garnacho hit the side-netting and Fabianski parried away Hojlund’s

DID YOU KNOW?

Garnacho played his 100th game, two-and-a-half years after his debut v Chelsea in April 2022.

effort. For West Ham, Michail Antonio curled wide of Onana’s far past before Noussair Mazraoui had to stretch to prevent Jarrod Bowen finding Crysencio Summerville.

Emerson passed up an opening after clever work from Aaron Wan-Bissaka but their opener did arrive when Summerville was on hand to poke home from a mishit by fellow substitute Danny Ings.

In response, Amad tested Fabianski, moments after the Pole punched clear with Hojlund lurking. Joshua Zirkzee came off the bench and made an instant impact, nodding Dalot’s flick on to the forehead of Casemiro, who levelled with his first goal of the campaign.

More drama followed, when referee David Coote was asked to go to the VAR screen to review De Ligt’s coming-together with Ings in the box.

After a long delay, a penalty was given, and Bowen tucked it away.

There was still time for Emerson to shoot straight at Onana, while Zirkzee had an effort blocked on another disappointing afternoon.

WEST HAM UNITED

WEST HAM SUBS USED: Todibo for Mavropanos 46 • Summerville for Soler 46 • Soucek for Paqueta 46 • Cresswell for Rodriguez 90+4 YELLOW CARDS: Paqueta, Mavropanos, Summerville, Emerson, Cresswell UNITED SUBS USED: Amad for Rashford 59 • Zirkzee for Eriksen 79 • Lindelof for

Our ninth visit to London Stadium would sadly end in defeat, with it being Erik ten Hag’s 128th and final game in charge of the Reds

UNITED 5

Casemiro 15, 39, Garnacho 28, Fernandes 36, 59

LEICESTER CITY 2

El Khannouss 33, Coady 45+3

Casemiro and Fernandes lead the five-star show

The Reds put on a real show on the night Ruud van Nistelrooy led the team out as interim head coach, brushing aside Leicester in the Carabao Cup. It took 15 minutes for the Reds’ first shot but it was well worth the wait. Alejandro Garnacho’s pass was dummied by Bruno Fernandes before Casemiro scored with a 25-yard rocket that flew in off the underside of the bar.

The lead was doubled on 28 minutes when Diogo Dalot tore down the right to cross for Garnacho to slam high into the net at the far post.

The Foxes did not lose their composure, with Bilal El Khannouss halving the deficit by pouncing on Altay Bayindir’s punch-out with a superb drilled finish.

After Marcus Rashford’s instant response was repelled by Danny Ward, Fernandes’s free-kick deflected in off James Justin to wrongfoot Ward and make it 3-1.

Number four soon followed. Garnacho tested an overworked Ward and, from the corner, Rashford crossed for Casemiro head goalwards. The effort hit both posts before the Brazilian gleefully reacted

DID YOU KNOW?

The first two League Cup games ever in which at least two United players have scored braces both came in 2024/25 – against Barnsley and Leicester.

quickest to the rebound, to bag his second goal of the night.

Casemiro then headed wide from an offside position and Garnacho flashed one narrowly over before Leicester got another back, when a Luke Thomas free-kick bounced off Dalot and into the path of Conor Coady for a gift of a goal.

After the break, Ward was busy again, denying Joshua Zirkzee, but a fifth Reds goal was incoming.

Fernandes punished Caleb Okoli’s sloppy backpass, waltzing past Ward and rapping the ball into the net at the near post.

Substitute Amad was denied a spectacular goal when his acrobatic overhead kick flew narrowly wide of Ward’s right-hand post.

Bayindir had to be alert to thwart Boubakary Soumare’s attempt, while Amad again went close when his shot on the turn was saved by Ward.

The tie remained open: Fernandes hooked a hat-trick chance into the Stretford End, Will Alves and Stephy Mavididi forced more stops out of Bayindir, and Casemiro blazed over.

There would be no further goals, but this was very much a night to enjoy for all those of a United persuasion.

OTHER RESULTS

The Brazilian was in the thick of the action for the full 90, with two well-taken goals – one from distance, one from close range – being rich reward for his efforts. With 68 per cent of the vote, he beat fellow double scorer Fernandes to the award.

MONTH IN FOCUS: UNITED MATCHDAYS 16-20

November

Our new boss arrives, with United ending November unbeaten after picking up much-needed victories across the month in the league and in Europe...

Ruben Amorim was confirmed as the Reds’ new head coach on the first day of the month, agreeing to take over from 11 November.

Prior to his arrival from Sporting CP, Ruud van Nistelrooy continued his interim spell, following on from the Carabao Cup win over Leicester with a 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea

GOAL OF THE MONTH RASMUS HOJLUND V BODO/GLIMT (1ST)

The Danish frontman played a leading role in our comeback victory over the Norwegians in the Europa League, scoring twice, either side of half-time, as United prevailed 3-2 at Old Trafford in Ruben Amorim’s first home game. It was Hojlund’s opening goal that proved the most popular though, with United’s no.9

– Bruno Fernandes on target for United before the Blues levelled. Amad hit a double against PAOK to secure a first Europa League win of 2024/25, before van Nistelrooy signed off unbeaten in four with a 3-0 league win v Leicester. Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho scored either side of a Victor Kristiansen

PLAYER OF THE MONTH NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI

The Morocco international was named in the starting XI for all five of our November games, but he played in three different positions, showcasing his dependability and versatility. After a Man of the Match performance at left-back in the draw with Chelsea, he occupied a more familiar

superbly controlling Mazraoui’s cross with a left-footed first touch, and then using his right boot to confidently dispatch the ball past Glimt goalkeeper Nikita Haikin.

A move of real quality, Rasmus narrowly edged out another European effort in the seven-strong poll for Goal of the Month, with Amad’s second against PAOK in the Reds’ previous continental contest coming up just short in the voting.

own goal against the Foxes, who had been both Ruud’s first and last opponents (and he’d soon be their manager following Steve Cooper’s dismissal later in the month).

After Amorim had concluded his duties with Sporting – including a 4-1 Champions League success against Manchester City – he began

right-back slot for the win over PAOK in the Europa League. Nous then switched back to the left and helped create our second –Victor Kristiansen’s own goal –in the 3-0 victory over Leicester. What’s more, he’d go on to set up the first of Rasmus Hojlund’s double against Bodo/Glimt (below), and Mazraoui’s efforts were recognised by the fans as he claimed his first POTM prize.

life at Old Trafford following the international break, away to Ipswich.

Marcus Rashford was on target in a 1-1 draw, before the Portuguese got his first win in charge in a topsy-turvy 3-2 Europa League encounter against Bodo/Glimt, with Rashford and a Rasmus Hojlund brace sealing victory in Amorim’s first home game.

Liverpool were the big beneficiaries in the Premier League in November, ending the month six points clear of second-place Arsenal and with a game in hand after winning three out of three in the

league. Brighton were also flying high, in third. Pep Guardiola’s City, however, were enduring a nightmare period, losing 2-1 away to both Bournemouth and Brighton before a 4-0 dismantling at home to Tottenham. Alongside defeats in the cups, City lost five games in a row for the first time since 2006, and they were now eight points off top spot in the league, in fourth place.

Chelsea and Nottingham Forest were a point behind in fifth and sixth, two ahead of Brentford, and even Spurs, Aston Villa and Newcastle in eighth, ninth and 10th were only six points off second place.

Ipswich, Wolves and Southampton all finally recorded their first wins, but all three ended the month still in the relegation zone, with Crystal Palace, Everton and Leicester not too far above them.

The Foxes were two points above the bottom three when they relieved Cooper of his duties, after a 2-1 loss to Chelsea, with van Nistelrooy succeeding him as of 1 December.

Ruben Amorim is greeted by chief executive officer Omar Berrada at Carrington on our new manager’s first day in charge of the Reds

Bournemouth were one of a few teams to stun champions City in November

UNITED 1

Fernandes 70 pen

CHELSEA 1

Caicedo 74

Blues hit back after Bruno penalty to pinch point

An entertaining and end-to-end Premier League clash ended all square at Old Trafford as United drew 1-1 with Chelsea.

Moises Caicedo won possession and set up Cole Palmer, whose effort was diverted behind by Matthijs de Ligt for a corner as the visitors pushed for a goal early on.

Noni Madueke went closer to breaking the deadlock, nodding a Palmer corner on to the post from the front of a crowded six-yard box.

The early warning seemed to shake up the Reds, as Bruno Fernandes whipped a ball from the right towards Rasmus Hojlund, only for Robert Sanchez to intercept.

Marcus Rashford bewildered Malo Gusto with a piece of skill but Sanchez got in the way when the Reds no.10 tried to flash it across goal, before Fernandes put the rebound over.

Before the first half was out, a close-range free-kick from Fernandes hit the wall, before a first-time hit by Rashford at the back post clipped the Chelsea bar, but it remained goalless at the interval.

Pedro Neto had the first chance of the second period when he

flashed a shot wide of Andre Onana’s post 10 minutes after the restart.

Rashford continued to threaten, sweeping a dangerous ball across the penalty area before shooting from the edge of the box, with Sanchez there to gratefully clutch it.

The next opening fell the way of Alejandro Garnacho, who was found unmarked from Fernandes’s cutback, but he couldn’t get his feet sorted in time and his effort fell to Sanchez.

Five minutes later, Casemiro lifted a pass over the Chelsea defence that was expertly controlled by Hojlund, drawing the attention of Sanchez, who ultimately tripped the Dane in the box.

The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, and Fernandes sent Sanchez the wrong way as he rolled in his attempt – much to the delight of our interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy (above right).

But just four minutes after that, it was level pegging again, as Caicedo levelled the game with a first-time hit off the back of a corner, that just evaded the grasp of Onana.

Garnacho and Fernandes shots sailed over the bar late on but there was to be no winning goal.

DID YOU KNOW?

This was the 27th Premier League draw between United and Chelsea – more than any other fixture in the competition’s history.

The Morocco international had one of his best performances yet for the Reds, with his tireless running down the left, while keeping close tabs on dangerous winger Noni Madueke, seeing him pick up 37 per cent of the vote.

MAN OF THE MATCH NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI

UNITED 2

PAOK 0

After three draws, Reds finally secure UEL victory

Under interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy United earned Europa League win of the season with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Greek champions PAOK.

Our Thessaloniki-based opponents had the first attempts at goal – first as Mady Camara met Andrija Zivkovic’s pull-back and his shot deflected off Casemiro towards goal, with Jonny Evans there to clear.

Soon after, Zivkovic curled a left-footed effort of his own wide from the corner of the penalty area.

The Reds began to assert some influence as Alejandro Garnacho’s back-post header from Casemiro’s cross was blocked by PAOK’s Jonny.

Amad and Casemiro had penalty appeals turned down either side of Amad delivering a delightful cross for Rasmus Hojlund, whose header was straight at keeper Dominik Kotarski.

A vital back-post intervention from Baba Rahman then prevented Amad from a tap-in from Garnacho’s low ball, at the end of a flowing move.

The warning signs were evident at the other end, however, as Zivkovic held the ball up before smashing his shot wide of the target. Onana then showed his concentration levels

were high with an athletic save after Camara was afforded space to unleash a half-volley.

Five minutes before the break, Amad pulled away at the back post from a pinpoint Bruno Fernandes cross to direct a looping header back across goal and into the far corner via the post for 1-0.

Zivkovic snatched at a poked effort and the Reds were let off when Tarik Tissoudali found space 12 yards out, but he struck a tame shot which Onana saved low to his left.

Diogo Dalot rifled over from Garnacho’s cutback before Amad found onrushing keeper Kotarski in his way after being played in.

Garnacho had another penalty shout waved away when he went down under Jonny’s challenge before Amad doubled the lead.

The forward’s perseverance paid off as he pressed and won possession, advanced towards goal and curled a left-footed effort from the edge of the area into the corner via a slight deflection.

Marcus Rashford went close to a third in stoppage time, prodding just wide, but it mattered not as the Reds saw out the win.

MAN OF THE MATCH AMAD

PAOK no.47 Shola Shoretire, a late substitute, remains United’s youngest player to appear

The brightest spark of a goalless first half, the Ivorian really brought the contest to life after the break, scoring two goals, including a wondrous second with 13 minutes left. It was enough to win him 93 per cent of the fan vote.

3

Fernandes 17, Kristiansen 38 og, Garnacho 82

LEICESTER CITY 0

Foxes outfought as Reds return to winning ways

United emerged the victors with a convincing 3-0 win over Leicester City in the Premier League in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s final game as interim boss.

The hosts were keen to establish themselves early in the game, made clear by Rasmus Hojlund in the first few seconds, when he charged Mads Hermansen down, forcing his fellow countryman into turning the ball over to Marcus Rashford.

Amad’s work led to the Reds’ first big opportunity in the game and our first goal. Bruno Fernandes exchanged a quick one-two with the Ivory Coast international –the return ball an effortlessly cool backheel – before our captain wrapped the ball perfectly around Hermansen’s reach from the edge of the box.

United capped a strong half with a second goal, scored seven minutes before the interval. Noussair Mazraoui picked up the ball on the left flank – having started on that side for this game – and whipped in a ball to the centre of the six-yard box that the Foxes struggled to deal with. Fernandes got a touch to it but the decisive flick was off Kristiansen’s

POST-MATCH LEAGUE TABLE

thigh that diverted it on target, and it would be awarded as an own goal by the defender.

Two goals up, Amad then collected a Casemiro pass and brilliantly drove through the defence to force a save out of Kristiansen as the first half came to a close.

A quieter second half saw fewer chances of note, until substitute Alejandro Garnacho rounded off the scoring with eight minutes remaining. The winger received the ball just outside the penalty area on the end of a driving midfield run from Fernandes. Garnacho got the ball out of his feet and curled it faultlessly into the top right corner, leaving a diving Hermansen hopeless.

United were in consistent control of the visitors and calmly saw out the victory in a professional manner, with Amad having a late shot that cleared the bar.

Three goals, three points and a clean sheet at Old Trafford –Ruud van Nistelrooy could scarcely have hoped for a better note to sign off his short stint in charge, as he saluted the adoring Stretford End after the full-time whistle in a prolonged exit from the pitch.

DID YOU KNOW?

Bruno Fernandes reached 100 goal involvements for us in the Premier League, with 56 goals, 44 assists.

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES

As well as his goal involvement milestone (see left), this was also a landmark appearance for the Reds’ captain, as he registered his 250th game for the club. Always in the thick of the action, the Foxes couldn’t contain him.

IPSWICH TOWN 1

Hutchinson 43

1

Rashford 2

Amorim’s first game as boss takes Reds to Suffolk

The Reds were denied victory in Ruben Amorim’s first game as head coach as Ipswich Town fought back to earn a 1-1 draw at Portman Road.

Had Amorim dreamed of the perfect start, he could scarcely have conceived of anything better than the move which led to Marcus Rashford’s opening goal in just the second minute.

Amad ran the ball from well inside the United half, eventually creating enough space to cross with his right. Rashford snuck in ahead of opposition goalkeeper Arijanet Muric to stab home.

Ipswich slowly worked their way back into the contest and drew a strong save from Andre Onana when Sammie Szmodics took aim with a drive from distance.

Alejandro Garnacho swerved one wide shortly after, but the Tractor Boys should really have levelled five minutes before half- time.

Smart work from Leif Davis down the left carved open what seemed a gimme to level for in-form striker Liam Delap.

Thankfully, Onana produced a remarkable stop with his

outstretched right hand to keep United’s lead intact.

Kieran McKenna’s side were level at 1-1 soon enough, however, when Omari Hutchinson cut in from the right and launched an excellent left-footed strike towards Onana’s top right-hand corner which crashed in via an unfortunate deflection from the top of Noussair Mazraoui’s head.

When the teams restarted, United almost reproduced the start to the beginning of the match, when Garnacho had the chance to score within seconds. Unfortunately, Muric was down well to parry his low effort from a narrow angle.

Ipswich almost took the lead when Delap flicked a low cross towards goal from inside the six-yard box. Fortunately, Onana was again alert.

Joshua Zirkzee blasted over from the edge of the area, and Bruno Fernandes’s low free-kick whistled just by Muric’s right-hand post, but Ipswich had chances of their own.

Conor Chaplin didn’t quite connect with Jack Clarke’s cutback with just minutes remaining, while Amad’s enterprising dribble and shot in added time was stifled by a mass of opposition bodies.

POST-MATCH LEAGUE TABLE DID YOU KNOW?

Ruben Amorim became United’s youngest manager (39y 302d) since Wilf McGuinness in 1969 (31y 288d).

OF THE MATCH ANDRE ONANA

A commanding display from the goalkeeper helped keep the Tractor Boys at bay – most notably his stunning stop with his right arm to deny Liam Delap. In the fan vote to name our star performer, Onana picked up 60 per cent.

UNITED 3

Garnacho 1, Hojlund 45, 50

BODO/GLIMT 2

Evjen 19, Zinckernagel 23

Hojlund at the double as Reds battle back to win

Ruben Amorim enjoyed a victory in his first home game as United head coach as his side came from behind to beat Bodo/Glimt in the UEFA Europa League.

Inside the opening minute, the ball was played back to Nikita Haikin and Rasmus Hojlund charged down the goalkeeper, catching him unawares and leaving the goal wide open for Alejandro Garnacho to score.

Both Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes then got shots off at goal – the latter even attempting a scorpion kick at one point which sailed over the bar.

Midway through the first half, after the visitors had won possession and advanced with a passing move, Sondre Brunstad Fet squared for Hakon Evjen to curl a 20-yard effort beyond the grasp of Andre Onana.

Four minutes later, Patrick Berg played a sweeping through ball from deep in midfield, setting Tyrell Malacia and Philip Zinckernagel off on a foot race which the Dane won, slotting the resulting finish through the legs of Onana to score.

But it was all square again before half-time when Hojlund plucked Noussair Mazraoui’s delivery out

of the air with his left foot, before expertly volleying home the leveller with his right boot.

United were almost rewarded with a goal early in the second half when Mount picked up the ball in a crowded box and clattered a curling shot off the crossbar.

The third soon arrived, however, just before 50 minutes had been played. Mazraoui’s threaded ball was helped on by a deft Mount flick to Manuel Ugarte, who zipped across an inviting low ball for Hojlund to slide in and get his brace.

A mix-up at the back with 15 minutes to go required heroics from Onana, who dealt with a loose pass at the second time of asking, some distance away from his own net.

That slipped straight into a chance at the other end, as the ball ended up in the penalty area with Garnacho, who placed his effort marginally too high.

Onana was called upon once again in stoppage time, producing a strong punch to firmly clear away a promising-looking free-kick from just outside the box, which proved to be the final big chance of this rollercoaster European clash.

POST-MATCH UEL STANDINGS DID YOU KNOW?

1

Garnacho became the first Red to score in the opening minute of a European game since Brian McClair in the Cup Winners’ Cup v Montpellier in 1991.

MAN OF THE MATCH RASMUS HOJLUND

After creating the opener and collecting two goals of his own later in the game, no wonder you selected Hojlund as your Man of the Match. The Danish forward took 63 per cent of the vote, ahead of Mazraoui, who earned 21 per cent.

MONTH IN FOCUS: UNITED MATCHDAYS 21-29

December

Away wins in Plzen and at City are to be savoured as Amorim’s Reds find their feet, but as the festive period approaches our home form falters...

December was a packed month for United – our busiest of the season, with nine games played across three competitions.

Things got off to a flying start, as Ruben Amorim’s first Premier League outing at Old Trafford ended in a stylish 4-0 win against Everton, thanks to a brace each from Marcus

GOAL OF THE MONTH AMAD V MANCHESTER CITY

Amad’s success in the Goal of the Month running, courtesy of his 90th-minute winner at the Etihad, saw him become the first Red to claim both of the men’s team’s prizes for a single month in 2024/25. Shortly after being fouled for the penalty that saw us level up the clash with City on 15 December

Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee. Domestic defeats to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest followed, before a vital Europa League win was clinched away to Czech side Viktoria Plzen, as Rasmus Hojlund netted twice to seal a comeback triumph. The result also moved the Reds into the automatic qualifying spots.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH AMAD

While it was a difficult ending to the calendar year for Ruben Amorim’s squad, the Ivorian forward’s contributions over the course of the month were a positive, with December being one of his best months yet on a personal level since he joined the club in January 2021. Our

That was followed by another impressive turnaround, away in the Manchester derby. After City had taken a first-half lead, late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad led to a memorable three points at the Etihad. It continued City’s dismal run, in which they had incredibly lost eight games out of 11 across all

in the 88th minute, the Abidjan-born attacker latched on to Lisandro Martinez’s aerial ball over the Blues’ defence, before rounding goalkeeper Ederson and finishing from an acute angle to ensure we would take all three points back across town. The effort’s significance always meant it was a favourite for this prize, and so it proved, topping the poll with a resounding 85 per cent.

dangerous no.16 featured in all nine games across December, scoring against Manchester City (below) and at Tottenham in the League Cup quarter-final. Amad’s efforts were clearly recognised by supporters as he accumulated a majority 78 per cent of votes – comfortably enough to see him finish ahead of fellow nominees Manuel Ugarte (15 per cent) and Harry Maguire (seven per cent).

competitions. It’d get even worse, with a defeat at Aston Villa and more dropped points at home to Everton.

United, though, would also endure a tough end to the year, as 2024 concluded with four straight defeats.

After going out of the Carabao Cup in a chaotic 4-3 reverse away to Tottenham, league losses followed against Bournemouth, Wolves and Newcastle, meaning the Reds would start 2025 in 14th place.

Liverpool still led the way in the league, in spite of their Merseyside derby away to Everton having been postponed due to adverse weather conditions, and they finished 2024 eight points ahead of surprise second-place package Forest, who had played a game more. Arsenal were sitting in third place – also with a game in hand – ahead of Chelsea, Newcastle, City and Bournemouth.

This month did see two sides make managerial changes on the same day, 15 December. Southampton sacked Russell Martin and replaced him with Ivan Juric after they were

beaten 5-0 at home by Tottenham. Things were looking particularly bleak for the Saints, who at this points were 10 points adrift of safety. That position just above the drop zone was occupied by Wolves, who themselves dismissed Gary O’Neil to bring in Vitor Pereira. He had an immediate impact, with seven points in three games, beating Leicester and United and drawing with Spurs. Ange Postecoglou’s team were involved in the two highest-scoring games of December, losing both, 4-3 and 6-3 at home to Chelsea and Liverpool.

It was an excellent start to the month for the Reds, as Everton were beaten 4-0 at Old Trafford

Wolves’ new Portuguese boss Pereira helped lift his side out of the bottom three

Rashford 34, 46, Zirkzee 41, 64

4

EVERTON 0

Perfect start to December with emphatic win

The Reds enjoyed a thumping win over Everton at Old Trafford to secure Ruben Amorim’s first Premier League win.

Only a couple of minutes had passed before Jordan Pickford was tested for the first time, getting his body behind Kobbie Mainoo’s powerful low strike from the edge of the box after some promising build-up play.

There was a comfortable early test for Andre Onana after Jesper Lindstrom shot from distance, but United continued to threaten when Joshua Zirkzee opened up the pitch for Amad, who unfortunately got his angles wrong and struck wide from a good position.

In a rare Everton attack midway through the half, a combination of Onana and Matthijs de Ligt did enough to push Beto wide to narrow his angle, forcing the striker to send a shot into the side-netting.

The breakthrough came on 34 minutes, when Bruno Fernandes picked out Marcus Rashford –completely unmarked at the edge of the box – and his half-volley took a wicked deflection off Jarrad Branthwaite to wrongfoot the

POST-MATCH

diving Pickford and find the middle of the Everton net.

The second goal followed in the closing stages before the interval. Amad nicked possession off Branthwaite, allowing Fernandes to race on to the ball and square for Zirkzee, who got there ahead of Ashley Young and smashed past Pickford, on the slide.

A third goal came just 20 seconds after the interval. Zirkzee played a clever ball around the corner for Amad, who, in turn, fed Rashford with a through ball to collect and fire between Pickford’s legs.

Pickford snuffed out another potential chance, but it was 4-0 when Amad again won the ball and drove towards goal, before squaring unselfishly for Zirkzee to stroke into the far corner.

In the final stages, Rashford’s eyes lit up for a hat-trick when the ball dropped invitingly for him inside the box, but he missed his cue.

Onana kept alert to keep out a Dominic Calvert-Lewin header as Everton searched for a consolation. Amad had a penalty shout rejected in stoppage time as the Reds finished in complete control.

DID YOU KNOW?

Amorim secured the biggest winning margin ever for a permanent United manager in their first PL home game.

OF THE MATCH AMAD

The livewire winger wasn’t on the scoresheet, but he more than played his part in the win with two assists – one for Rashford, one for Zirkzee. His efforts were appreciated by the fans, with 70 per cent of the vote going to the Ivorian.

ARSENAL 2

Timber 54, Saliba 73

UNITED 0

Corners prove costly for Reds in Emirates defeat

United slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal in a game decided by two set-pieces.

The hosts had the ball in the net early on when Andre Onana’s misplaced pass was punished by Gabriel Martinelli, but Kai Havertz was clearly offside and it was rightly chalked off.

There was another escape when Thomas Partey got his header all wrong from a corner, as the Gunners were a constant threat from set-pieces.

From a fist away by the Onana, Oleksandr Zinchenko’s shot fell to Martinelli, who fired wastefully wide.

United’s first shot on goal, a couple of minutes before the break, was slashed at by Mason Mount and ended up being kept in play by Harry Maguire. His centre was only cleared to Diogo Dalot, who whistled his shot past David Raya’s far post.

In the second half, a Martinelli shot had the sting taken out of it by Maguire before Onana dived to save and Declan Rice saw an effort from the edge of the box deflected behind for a corner.

There was a feeling of inevitability when Rice’s set-piece evaded Bruno

Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund and was glanced in by Jurrien Timber to give Arsenal the lead on 54 minutes.

As the game started to open up, Dalot’s positive run led to a shot that drifted wide. Soon after, Joshua Zirkzee almost scored an own goal, rescued by Manuel Ugarte.

Fernandes’s free-kick was later headed goalwards by Matthijs de Ligt, with Raya flinging himself across to his left to pull off a magnificent save.

Six minutes later, more damage was done by the hosts when Bukayo Saka’s corner from the right was met by Partey and went in off William Saliba’s back. The goal survived a VAR check for offside and this was destined to be another unhappy visit to the Emirates.

Only Onana’s reflexes denied Havertz an instant third at his near post and yet another chance from a corner was spurned when Mikel Merino nodded off target.

A clever free-kick by Fernandes led to Antony forcing a save out of Raya before yet another scare from a corner at the other end, when Onana just about did enough to get the ball away from danger.

DID YOU KNOW?

Wearing no.15, Leny Yoro coincidentally became the 15th French player to make a competitive United appearance.

Malacia

UNITED 2

Hojlund 18, Fernandes 61

NOTTINGHAM FOREST 3

Milenkovic 2, Gibbs-White 47, Wood 54

Forest edge five-goal encounter at Old Trafford

An eventful encounter at Old Trafford ended in defeat for the hosts, as United were beaten 3-2 by Nottingham Forest.

The visitors took an early lead when Nikola Milenkovic got on the end of Elliot Anderson’s corner to steer a header past Andre Onana.

United responded as Rasmus Hojlund almost connected with Alejandro Garnacho’s floated pass into the box, before Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes sent shots wide.

There was mayhem from a free-kick when the unmarked Amad’s shot was blocked and, as the ball rebounded into the air, Lisandro Martinez had a looping header tipped over by goalkeeper Matz Sels.

It was soon 1-1. Sels rushed out to charge down Garnacho’s attempt, but Hojlund was there to put the rebound into an open net.

Jota Silva’s header then hit the woodwork, before his fierce shot was diverted over the bar.

Fernandes rattled the crossbar with a stunning free-kick in the

DID YOU KNOW?

Fernandes’s fine finish meant he had either scored or assisted in five consecutive home Premier League games for the first time.

closing stages of the opening 45 as the sides went in level.

As in the first half, Forest took an early lead when the action resumed. Callum Hudson-Odoi laid the ball off to Morgan Gibbs-White, whose low shot swerved at the last second to wrongfoot Onana.

Chris Wood missed a close-range chance but soon after nodded Gibbs-White’s searching deep delivery back across goal and into the net off the post: 3-1 Forest.

A few moments later, Amad cut in from the right and found Fernandes on the edge of the box, with the skipper’s first-time strike proving unstoppable as it flew into the net.

Martinez had a shot blocked as the Reds chased a leveller, while Sels held a back-post header from Dalot and Amad’s volley was also blocked.

Into seven minutes of additional time, and Marcus Rashford’s volley was deflected wide, while Martinez’s acrobatic attempt cleared the goal from a corner, as the game ended in defeat for Ruben Amorim’s side.

VIKTORIA PLZEN 1

Vydra 48

UNITED 2

Hojlund 62, 88

Czech trip sees substitute Rasmus strike twice

United battled back to beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in the Europa League thanks to a second-half brace from Rasmus Hojlund.

There was little by way of goalmouth action during a cagey first half, as Joshua Zirkzee’s cross-cum-shot was diverted away for a corner. Marcus Rashford, meanwhile, couldn’t make the most of an opening on the counterattack, having been fed by Amad.

There was little else to report until the 31st minute, when Bruno Fernandes saw his long-range effort handily dealt with by Martin Jedlicka.

As the interval approached, Cheick Souare bent a shot wide of Andre Onana’s post, with the teams going in goalless.

Three minutes after the break, Pavel Sulc cut out a pass and quickly squared to Matej Vydra to get the opening goal for the hosts.

Hojlund got the equaliser just after the hour mark. Amad nutmegged Lukas Kalvach before his pass his pass was deflected on to Rasmus’s toe and into the net.

The Dane had a penalty claim waved away before he went close to scoring again, just failing to extend

POST-MATCH UEL STANDINGS

his leg the extra inch required to convert Fernandes’s cross.

Vydra fired wide in a rare forward foray for the Czechs, but more Mancunian pressure was building as Mason Mount was kept at bay by Jedlicka’s stop.

Another quick break led to Mount testing Jedlicka again, but the game was ebbing towards a conclusion before intelligent play by Fernandes led to the winning goal.

The captain’s swift thinking at a free-kick gave Hojlund the time and space to peel off the shoulder of a Plzen defender and find the bottom corner on 88 minutes.

The impressive Jedlicka kept out Antony, as the Brazilian looked to settle it on the counter, with the hosts throwing the kitchen sink at United in a fraught finale that was ended by the ref’s whistle following Sampson Dweh’s wayward attempt.

It hadn’t been plain sailing by any means, but the 900-odd fans occupying the away end at Doosan Arena had reason to celebrate after another three European points for the Reds, and a win that moved United into the Europa League’s automatic qualifying spots.

2

DID YOU KNOW?

Hojlund became the first United player to score braces in back-to-back European games since Edinson Cavani (home and away against Roma) in 2021.

MAN OF THE MATCH RASMUS HOJLUND

Our no.9’s brace off the bench made it difficult for anyone else to compete, and he earned a seismic 65 per cent of the fan vote. “I think the game suited me well, as the opponent was brave to play man-to-man,” he said post-match of his impact.

Closely flanked by team-mate Martinez, Hojlund wheels away in celebration after scoring our decisive goal in Plzen

VIKTORIA PLZEN SUBS USED: Adu for Vasulin 71

Havel for Cadu 78

Sojka for Vydra 86

MANCHESTER CITY 1

Gvardiol 36

UNITED 2

Fernandes 88 pen, Amad 90

Amad steals show in thrilling derby comeback

Ruben Amorim’s first Manchester derby ended in a sweet success as United produced a stunning late comeback to beat City 2-1.

It took 20 minutes for the first notable effort at goal, as Phil Foden volleyed inches wide for City.

Soon after, Ruben Dias rose highest from Foden’s corner but his header sailed harmlessly over.

At the other end, Amad screwed an effort wide, albeit from an offside position, before Manuel Ugarte fired off target from distance.

City took the lead in the 37th minute when Josko Gvardiol climbed inside the box to plant a header past Andre Onana from a Kevin De Bruyne cross which looped into the area off Amad.

The Reds survived a scare just before the interval when Foden’s shot deflected off Harry Maguire, forcing Onana to tip around the post.

Just after the hour mark, Bruno Fernandes delivered a cross which was glanced on by the head of Amad, drawing a big save from Ederson.

DID YOU KNOW?

This derby win saw United become the first

The Reds looked to ref Anthony Taylor when Rasmus Hojlund controlled the ball well inside the area and went to ground under contact from Dias, but no VAR intervention, or penalty award, was forthcoming.

At the other end, De Bruyne rifled a shot off target from outside the box, before Hojlund played in Fernandes, who sat Ederson down but his clipped effort dropped agonisingly inches wide of the post.

But the Reds did draw level with two minutes to go, when Amad latched on to Matheus Nunes’s careless backpass before being felled in the area by the City man.

A penalty was awarded and Fernandes stepped up to stroke the ball past Ederson and send the travelling United fans into raptures.

It soon got even better: Amad was picked out by a raking Lisandro Martinez pass and took a glorious first touch to take it away from the advancing Ederson and slot the ball into the far corner from a tight angle, to earn United a victory to savour.

MAN OF THE MATCH AMAD

The Ivorian had to be patient to make his mark, but how he stole the show in the closing minutes. First he showed great tenacity to win the penalty that would bring us level, and moments later he’d keep his cool to turn one point into three.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 4

Solanke 15, 54, Kulusevski 46, Son 88

UNITED 3

Zirkzee 63, Amad 70, Evans 90+4

Seven goals in north London, but Reds edged out

United exited the Carabao Cup after a chaotic quarter-final clash under the floodlights at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Rasmus Hojlund and Bruno Fernandes combined to almost create United’s first opening, but Radu Dragusin dealt with the danger.

Heung-min Son shot off target at the other end after 14 minutes but, 60 seconds later, Dominic Solanke made no mistake, firing in off the post after Altay Bayindir had only palmed Pedro Porro’s long-range effort half-clear.

There was still plenty to encourage the Reds, as Yves Bissouma blocked from Christian Eriksen, who then hit the top of the Spurs net with a free-kick that briefly looked to be looping goalwards.

Bayindir was then called into action to stop Dejan Kulusevski’s strike, Fernandes and Hojlund were just off the mark in trying to test Fraser Forster, and Eriksen had another effort thwarted before half-time.

Unfortunately, the task was made more difficult immediately after the

DID YOU KNOW?

Jonny Evans scored his first Reds goal for nearly 11 years, last doing so against Sunderland in the League Cup on 22 January 2014.

break, when Kulusevski lifted the ball into the net after Lisandro Martinez had diverted James Maddison’s centre into his path: 2-0. And the hosts got a third when Solanke beat the offside trap and held off Martinez before firing low past Bayindir.

Amad came on and forced a save from Forster with a header but the Reds got one back when the Spurs goalkeeper’s pass fell short of Porro and Fernandes nipped in, squaring for Joshua Zirkzee to convert.

The deficit was cut to just one goal when Amad closed down an Archie Gray backpass to Foster, whose attempted clearance hit the Ivorian and nestled in the net.

Noussair Mazraoui went so close to completing the turnaround, curling wide when played through by Fernandes, while Forster repelled Amad’s speculative 25-yard shot with an unorthodox kick.

But, as the clock ticked towards injury-time, Son’s corner avoided everyone – including Bayindir and the jumping Lucas Bergvall – and found the net for Spurs’ fourth.

There was still time for Jonny Evans to nod in and make it 4-3 but the home side held on to reach the semi-finals.

OTHER RESULTS

UNITED 0 BOURNEMOUTH 3

Huijsen 29, Kluivert 61 pen, Semenyo 63

Cherries stun Reds to take three festive points

United’s final match before Christmas ended with a disappointing league loss to Bournemouth at Old Trafford.

The Reds created the first opening in the sixth minute as Amad’s low shot tested keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, after Kobbie Mainoo’s pass was inadvertently helped into his path by Adam Smith.

At the other end, Andre Onana was worked for the first time by Antoine Semenyo’s left-footed strike from 20 yards.

Bruno Fernandes then took aim from 25 yards and his swerving shot stung the palms of Kepa.

The visitors went in front in the 29th minute. After Tyrell Malacia was harshly adjudged to have fouled Smith near the touchline, Dean Huijsen glanced on Ryan Christie’s free-kick from the right and the Dutch defender’s header found the far corner of the Reds’ net.

With the Cherries’ tails up, Onana was forced into a low save after Evanilson chested down a forward pass and unleashed a fierce volley.

Fernandes came close to finding the net on three separate occasions, curling a shot inches wide from

DID YOU KNOW?

This was our 24th meeting with the Cherries dating back to game no.1 in 1949 – 16 of which have come since 2015/16.

Amad’s cutback, then being denied by Kepa when played in by Mainoo, before arrowing a powerful drive narrowly past the post.

Amad weaved his way between the Cherries’ defenders to find space in the box before miscuing his shot beyond the far post, as United headed into the dressing room a goal down at the break.

Bournemouth were awarded a penalty just after the hour when Noussair Mazraoui was adjudged to have tripped Justin Kluivert, who sent Onana the wrong way from the spot to double their advantage. It got worse two minutes later when Semenyo converted Dango Ouattara’s cutback.

In response, Rasmus Hojlund played in Alejandro Garnacho, who raced through the middle but found Kepa in his way, before the no.11 brought a smart low save from the Cherries keeper with a drilled effort.

In the closing stages, Amad was left completely free on the edge of the box to meet Fernandes’s pullback but shot off target, before Hojlund dragged a shot inches wide and Amad brought another stop from Kepa in the closing seconds.

Mainoo battles for possession with Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams in the middle of the park at Old Trafford

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 2

Cunha 58, Hwang 90+9

It’s Molineux misery for United on Boxing Day

Wolverhampton Wanderers delivered a second successive Premier League defeat for Manchester United on Boxing Day, as the 10-man Reds were beaten 2-0 at Molineux.

Chances were elusive for both sides in the first period. Kobbie Mainoo almost found Rasmus Hojlund’s run into the six-yard box in the 17th minute and there was a great Diogo Dalot curler which seemed destined for the top corner, until Jose Sa sprung a classic, sprawling, photo-ready save.

Wolves probably created the best opening when a slow, but accurate, downwards header from striker Jorgen Strand Larsen forced Andre Onana to tip over, but the hosts were largely restricted to shots from distance in other passages.

Goncalo Guedes shot over midway through the half, and then Nelson Semedo’s deflected effort from range was parried by Onana.

Any fears of a dull climax to the game evaporated within seconds of the restart, however, when Bruno

DID YOU KNOW?

This was our 58th game against Wolves at their home stadium – and an identical scoreline to our first trip there in 1892.

Fernandes was shown a second yellow for a late tackle on Semedo.

Before the Reds had time to even catch breath, the ball was in the net, when Larsen headed home Semedo’s clever cross. Thankfully, a lengthy VAR check confirmed the linesman’s decision that the striker had stepped into an offside position as the centre was delivered.

Just before the hour, Wolves’ industry delivered something tangible, when Matheus Cunha’s inswinging corner from the left flank flew straight into the net.

A header and a low strike from distance by substitutes Antony and Casemiro provided a welcome jolt of confidence to the depleted Reds.

Despite plenty of bustle, Harry Maguire’s late header and a VAR check for a potential penalty were as close as United came to a leveller.

The home side found a points-sealing second in the last seconds, as the Reds pushed almost everyone but Onana up the field, and after Cunha broke clear he provided a tap-in for sub Hee-chan Hwang.

WOLVES SUBS USED: Doyle for J Gomes

• Hwang for Guedes 74 • R Gomes for Ait-Nouri

• Bellegarde for Semedo 90+2 • Dawson for Strand Larsen 90+2 YELLOW CARDS: J Gomes, Doherty

SUBS USED: Antony for Yoro 63 • Casemiro for Mainoo 63 • Eriksen for Ugarte

UNITED 0 NEWCASTLE UNITED 2

Isak 4, Joelinton 19

Reds’ losing run goes on as Magpies strike early

The visiting Magpies emerged victorious in our final game of 2024, played under the Old Trafford floodlights.

Newcastle landed the first blow on four minutes. Lewis Hall picked up the ball on the left and whipped in a cross, finding the head of Alexander Isak, who nodded the header down into the net before Andre Onana could meet it.

The Magpies made their promising spell pay with another goal after 19 minutes. This time, Joelinton was on the end of an Anthony Gordon cross in similar circumstances to their opener.

Shots from Hall and Sandro Tonali, along with a couple of wicked corner deliveries from Kieran Trippier, provoked some nerves of a third, which only intensified when Isak correctly had a goal ruled out for offside and Tonali hit a post from close range – both chances coming within minute of each other.

The Reds almost nicked one back against the run of play when Rasmus Hojlund breached the

DID YOU KNOW?

This fixture was being played in M16 for the 80th time – we’ve also hosted the Magpies at Bank Street (x 8) and Maine Road (once).

Newcastle backline and poked a finish inches wide of the far post.

Another chance came in stoppage time when Kobbie Mainoo seized the ball high up the pitch. He quickly laid it off to Casemiro, who was free, but the Brazilian curled his effort wide of the post.

United emerged from the dressing room with a renewed fighting spirit, and went agonisingly close to scoring just shy of the hour mark, when Harry Maguire dived to meet a Diogo Dalot cross which rattled the post.

Leny Yoro earned an opportunity of his own with some smart movement in the box from a corner but could only direct his effort wide.

The Reds were throwing everything at getting a goal back. At one stage in the final 10 minutes, Hojlund, Amad and Christian Eriksen all had chances inside the box in quick succession, but none of the trio could get a true grip on the ball.

Sadly, however, there was to be no route to goal for the Reds, meaning we ended 2024 with a loss.

January

An emotive month for the Reds includes positive trips to Anfield and the Emirates, while Amad’s quickfire treble is an Old Trafford highlight...

United mourned the loss of a true footballing legend on 17 January, as Denis Law passed away at the age of 84. Scarves and wreaths were laid outside Old Trafford in tribute to one of our greatest players, who scored 237 goals in 404 games, ahead of the meeting with Brighton two days later.

GOAL OF THE MONTH LISANDRO MARTINEZ V LIVERPOOL

With United struggling to score at Anfield in recent years – Jesse Lingard being the last Red to net there, in 2018/19 – Martinez’s 52nd-minute goal to give us the lead was always going to be a special one for those packed into the away end. But such was the quality of the

On the pitch, 2025 started with an encouraging result – a league point at Anfield. Lisandro Martinez put United in front, and although Liverpool hit back to take a 2-1 lead, a late Amad leveller earned a share of the spoils, with United coming closest to finding a winner late on. The following weekend, the Reds

PLAYER OF THE MONTH AMAD

Our Ivorian wideman had quite the month, and it ended with his third POTM prize of the 2024/25 campaign. His Old Trafford hat-trick against Southampton was undoubtedly the highlight, but the 22-year-old impressed in each of his seven January outings, with the Brighton game

knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup, in spite of seeing Bruno Fernandes’s opener cancelled out and playing for nearly an hour with 10 men.

Diogo Dalot’s second yellow card put the holders’ defence in jeopardy, but some stalwart defending and shoot-out heroics from Altay Bayindir earned us a place in round four.

goal – a powerful, left-footed drive from a wide position that opposition goalkeeper Alisson could do nothing about – it sparked wild scenes of celebration that Licha absolutely revelled in, sticking the ball up his shirt and kissing it for good measure! The Argentinian defender’s corker topped the poll with an impressive 37 per cent of the vote, with his winner at Fulham second on the list (18 per cent).

being the only blip within an otherwise encouraging month for the team in league and cup. Amad’s strong individual displays were enough to earn him a majority 56 per cent of all votes cast from supporters via the club app and ManUtd.com, and our no.16 finished ahead of fellow nominees Lisandro Martinez (32 per cent) and Bruno Fernandes (12 per cent) in the POTM stakes.

Four days later and back on home soil, it looked like a league defeat was on the cards with 81 minutes played and United 1-0 down to Southampton, before Amad’s stunning late treble clinched three welcome Premier League points.

Brighton then left Old Trafford with a 3-1 win, but it was our only defeat of the month, and followed by three consecutive triumphs.

Martinez scored again to earn a 1-0 victory at Fulham, sandwiched between two European successes.

A stoppage-time strike from Fernandes helped down Rangers 2-1, before Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo netted to beat FCSB and earn us a spot in the top eight, ensuring direct progress to the Europa League’s round of 16.

Back in the Premier League, Liverpool’s lead over Arsenal at the top was now six points, though the Merseysiders still had a game in hand on those below them.

Nottingham Forest continued to upset the odds in third, while

Manchester City in fourth had at last managed to turn around their poor run of form.

Southampton’s difficult season only got worse as they lost all four of their January league outings. Now sat on six points after 23 games, they were in danger of failing to reach Derby’s all-time record low of 11 from 2007/08.

In the dugout, West Ham replaced Julen Lopetegui with Graham Potter, while David Moyes returned to Everton after nearly 12 years following Sean Dyche’s dismissal.

Fans pass by a mural of Denis Law as they make their way to the Europa League game against Rangers at Old Trafford

The Saints found themselves 11 points adrift of safety come the end of January

LIVERPOOL 2

Gakpo 59, Salah 70 pen

UNITED 2

Martinez 52, Amad 80

United impress at Anfield, and nearly claim a win

A hard-fought display by Ruben Amorim’s side earned a deserved point away to Liverpool.

The hosts had first chances of the leagie contest, with Lisandro Martinez blocking a Trent Alexander-Arnold strike before Cody Gakpo sent the half’s best opportunity wide of the far post.

Andre Onana was then called into action as the ball bounced up invitingly for Alexis Mac Allister, whose shot drew a fine stop from the feet of United’s keeper.

At the other end, Diogo Dalot’s cross from the left found Amad, who flung himself at the ball but unfortunately mistimed his attempt at getting a decisive touch.

United’s best opening of the half came when Martinez hooked over the top with perfect timing to find Hojlund bearing down on goal, but his shot was well stopped by Alisson.

The encouraging play continued after the break, as Dalot had a shot diverted behind by Virgil van Dijk before Harry Maguire almost connected with a corner delivery from Bruno Fernandes.

Then came jubilant scenes when Fernandes played a cute reverse

pass to Martinez, who struck home from a tight angle right in front of the travelling fans, with the help of the underside of the crossbar.

The lead didn’t last long, however, as Gakpo cut inside from the left, and swept his shot into the far-right corner of the net, just before the hour mark. VAR investigated a possible offside, but the goal was given.

Liverpool were ahead within 10 minutes. VAR was at play again in awarding the hosts a penalty, for handball against De Ligt. Onana dived the right way but couldn’t keep out Mohamed Salah’s spot-kick.

But with 10 minutes left, parity was restored. Alejandro Garnacho’s low cross was swept home low by Amad, wide of Alisson, to ignite more jubilant scenes in the away end.

With both teams pushing for the win, Fernandes almost caught Alisson out with a shot from a quickly taken corner, and van Dijk drew a reaction stop from Onana.

The decisive say could have been had by United in the 97th minute, when Joshua Zirkzee squared for Maguire, who shot over from inside the area as the ball bobbled up in front of him.

DID YOU KNOW?

Amad became the third Red to score away to Liverpool and Man City in the same Premier League season, after Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES

With Mainoo and Ugarte providing solidity beside him, the skipper was at his probing best in the attacking third, teeing up Martinez to give United the lead, while Bruno was unfortunate not to find the target himself.

LIVERPOOL SUBS USED: Nunez for Diaz 60

Jota for Jones

CARDS: Nunez,

ARSENAL 1

Gabriel 63

UNITED 1

Fernandes 52

(Manchester United win 5-3 on penalties)

Big day for Bayindir as we stun Gunners in Cup

In a dramatic FA Cup tie in north London, holders United kicked off our defence of the trophy by beating Arsenal on penalties.

Both teams started well. Gabriel Martinelli’s finish was chalked off for offside before Kobbie Mainoo’s curler from outside the box was collected by David Raya. Alejandro Garnacho then produced a promising shot but it remained 0-0 at the break.

The opener came seven minutes into the second half when Garnacho cut the ball back for Bruno Fernandes to curl a shot beyond Raya’s grasp.

The game turned on its head in an instant when Diogo Dalot arrived marginally too late in a challenge on Mikel Merino and was dismissed following his second yellow.

Things went from bad to worse as Arsenal equalised when Gabriel volleyed home a loose ball.

Harry Maguire was then adjudged to have pulled down Kai Havertz in the box, but Altay Bayindir dived low to save Martin Odegaard’s penalty.

Bayindir was the hero once more when he kept out Declan Rice.

Joshua Zirkzee was denied by a deflection, Havertz fired off target

DID YOU KNOW?

United have now played Arsenal 17 times in the FA Cup, only facing Liverpool (19) more often in the competition’s history.

inches from goal, while Rice, Leandro Trossard, Zirkzee (again) and Amad also went close.

It went to penalties and Bayindir made the difference, tipping Havertz’s spot-kick behind before Zirkzee slotted in our winner.

OTHER RESULTS

Sheffield United 0-1 Cardiff

Everton 2-0 Peterborough

Fulham 4-1 Watford

Wycombe 2-0 Portsmouth

Aston Villa 2-1 West Ham

Birmingham 2-1 Lincoln

Bristol City 1-2 Wolves

Middlesbrough 0-1 Blackburn

Liverpool 4-0 Accrington Stanley

Leicester 6-2 Queens Park Rangers

Bournemouth 5-1 West Bromwich Albion

Brentford 0-1 Plymouth

Chelsea 5-0 Morecambe

Exeter 3-1 Oxford

Norwich 0-4 Brighton

Nottingham Forest 2-0 Luton

Reading 1-3 Burnley

Sunderland 1-2 Stoke

Leeds 1-0 Harrogate

Manchester City 8-0 Salford

Coventry 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday (4-3pens)

Hull 1-1 Doncaster (4-5pens)

Tamworth 0-3 Tottenham

Crystal Palace 1-0 Stockport

Ipswich 3-0 Bristol Rovers

Newcastle 3-1 Bromley

Southampton 3-0 Swansea

Millwall 3-0 Dagenham & Redbridge

Leyton Orient 1-1 Derby (6-5pens)

Mansfield 0-2 Wigan

Preston 2-1 Charlton

MAN OF THE MATCH ALTAY BAYINDIR

The Turkish international was making his fifth appearance for the Reds, and it was his best performance yet, as his agile saves kept us in the contest, then helped win us the shoot-out. He won 76 per cent of the fan vote.

Incredible treble from Amad sinks sorry Saints

Amad was the hat-trick hero as United sealed a first Premier League win of 2025 with a dramatic late recovery against Southampton.

The Saints showed they weren’t to be disregarded as an attacking force, with efforts from Kamaldeen Sulemana and Mateus Fernandes requiring action from Andre Onana.

The Reds also had plenty to offer going forward, with strong claims of handball by Kyle Walker-Peters inside his own penalty area waved away by referee John Brooks.

Rasmus Hojlund then charged down the left wing and found Alejandro Garnacho in space in the centre, but the latter’s effort was unfortunately always curling away from goal.

Not long after, Onana was required to make a quickfire double save, the second of which – a point-blank rebound that fell to Mateus Fernandes on the edge of the six-yard box – looked an almost certain goal before the keeper’s vital intervention.

The first half was fizzling out when United conceded an unfortunate opener, a Saints corner ricocheting

off the shoulder of Manuel Ugarte and across the goalline before Onana could adjust.

Things almost got worse moments later when Tyler Dibling went close with a curled effort from outside the box, but thankfully Onana was equal to it.

After the interval, United substitute Antony got an early shot away and almost levelled 10 minutes later, when he couldn’t quite put the finishing touch on Garnacho’s driven cross to the back post.

The equaliser came from Amad on 82 minutes. Zipping down the right, his shot was blocked by Kyle Walker-Peters, but he quickly recollected possession and powered in another effort that flew past Aaron Ramsdale.

United took the lead for the first time in the 90th minute. It was Amad on target again, poking home an expertly lofted Christian Eriksen ball, stretching to hit it on the volley.

And Amad wasn’t done yet. Four minutes into added time, the Ivorian seized possession from Taylor Harwood-Bellis right in front of goal and knocked his third into an empty net, sealing a remarkable treble.

POST-MATCH LEAGUE TABLE DID YOU KNOW?

Amad became the youngest player ever to score a Premier League hat-trick for United at Old Trafford (22y 189d).

MAN OF THE MATCH AMAD

No surprises here, as our hat-trick hero garnered 94 per cent of the fan vote. It was the first senior hat-trick of the Ivorian’s career, coming just seven days on from agreeing a deal which keeps him at United until 2030.

Fernandes 23 pen

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 3

Minteh 5, Mitoma 60, Rutter 76

Seagulls seize the initiative in the second half

United suffered a frustrating first defeat of the new year as Brighton left Old Trafford with three Premier League points.

Less than two minutes were on the clock when Brighton threatened, as Joao Pedro winning the ball high up the pitch and forced Andre Onana to parry the ball away.

Brighton got an early lead when Kaoru Mitoma raced on to a lofted pass over the top before squaring to Yankuba Minteh for a simple finish.

United had moments of attacking promise, although Manuel Ugarte’s shot was well charged down and Bruno Fernandes didn’t fully connect with a square ball into the box.

The equaliser came when Amad forced a mistake in the Brighton defence before Joshua Zirkzee was grabbed by the back of his neck by a desperate Carlos Baleba in the box.

A penalty was awarded and Fernandes confidently stepped up to send Bart Verbruggen the wrong way from 12 yards.

Both sides had a further glimpses of goal shortly before the break, with

Amad being forced wide by Verbruggen, albeit from an offside position, and Diogo Dalot doing well to block Danny Welbeck’s attempt.

United began the second period brightly, as Amad’s powerful strike was well blocked by Brighton captain Lewis Dunk.

The Seagulls then looked to have retaken the lead when Pedro squirmed free and fired into the net, but VAR highlighted a Jan Paul van Hecke foul on Dalot in the build-up and the effort was ruled out.

On the hour mark, Brighton found the net again and this time it stood, when Minteh’s swinging clipped ball towards the far post was met by the stretching Mitoma just ahead of United’s Noussair Mazraoui.

The visitors then had van Hecke to thank when he blocked a goalbound effort from Zirkzee with 15 minutes remaining.

Mere moments later, Onana was unable to keep hold of Yasin Ayari’s low cross, and Georginio Rutter kept his composure to sidestep the United keeper and score.

POST-MATCH LEAGUE TABLE DID YOU KNOW?

Following this game, only Mohamed Salah (23) had scored more PL penalties since Bruno Fernandes’s competition debut.

players and supporters from both teams pay their respects to Denis

UNITED 2

Butland 52 og, Fernandes 90+2

RANGERS 1

Dessers 88

Bruno brings the late drama in ‘Battle of Britain’

The Reds took a huge step towards confirming an automatic place in the last 16 of the Europa League after a dramatic late winner against Rangers.

Alejandro Garnacho cut inside from the left and brought a routine save from ex-Red Jack Butland inside the opening two minutes as United made a dominant start.

At the other end, Altay Bayindir was called upon twice in quick succession to rush out to the feet of Nico Raskin before parrying away Ridvan Yilmaz’s volley.

Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes fired off target from distance and the latter thought his next attempt was goalbound but it flicked behind off the head of Raskin.

Matthijs de Ligt had a header ruled out from the resulting corner before Amad latched on to a superb Fernandes pass but an advancing Butland sprawled to make the block.

The visitors’ stopper was forced to paw away a rising drive by Lisandro Martinez, while Bayindir had to be alert to tip Hamza Igamane’s deflected strike behind.

In the second half, Bailey Rice ballooned a shot over for Rangers

POST-MATCH UEL STANDINGS

and Vaclav Cerny’s shot brought a low save from Bayindir.

Butland had a moment to forget when the first goal came on 52 minutes, as he punched the ball into his own net from Christian Eriksen’s corner.

That lead was nearly doubled on the hour mark when Garnacho brought Amad’s cutback under control but saw his attempt blocked by Robin Propper. From another pinpoint Eriksen delivery from the left, Harry Maguire headed just wide.

The Reds looked to increase the advantage as Butland saved well from a Manuel Ugarte header and a Garnacho strike from 20 yards.

Rangers kept their belief, with Jefte volleying straight at Bayindir and substitute Cyriel Dessers being denied by the woodwork.

But after that warning sign, Dessers made no mistake when he controlled James Tavernier’s raking ball forward and fired low into the bottom corner.

The Reds had the final say, however, as Fernandes stole in to meet Martinez’s chipped ball first time and thump it through Butland’s legs for the winner.

DID YOU KNOW?

After this game, United were unbeaten in 12 meetings with British clubs across European competitions, winning eight and drawing four.

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES

Fernandes’s stunning volley surely went a long way in deciding his place on top of the MOTM podium, as he romped home with 65 per cent of the vote. In second place was Garnacho, with Martinez, Amad and Collyer in joint third.

FULHAM 0 UNITED 1

Martinez 78

Licha’s late cracker proves decisive for Reds

Lisandro Martinez’s deflected strike was the difference as United bounced back to winning ways in the Premier League at Craven Cottage.

It was Fulham who saw more of the goal in the opening stages, with Alex Iwobi driving forward, switching on to his left foot and testing Andre Onana with a low shot towards the bottom-right corner.

Iwobi went even closer soon after as Raul Jimenez squeezed through a gap between Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte, but Matthijs de Ligt was alert to clear before Iwobi could pounce.

De Ligt then combined with Martinez to deny space to Emile Smith-Rowe as the Fulham man bore down on Onana’s goal.

Noussair Mazraoui tried to engineer the Reds’ first chance, but his floated delivery was cleared by defender Antonee Robinson.

Jimenez’s right-footed curler went well wide, and the Mexican then shot beyond the left post a minute later. Fulham keeper Bernd Leno then denied De Ligt’s header from a Fernandes free-kick and Mazraoui cleared at the far post

to deny Fulham in the closing stages of the first half.

Neither team could carve opportunities of great note in the second half: Fernandes’s right-footed free-kick was drilled towards the bottom-left corner, but Leno was equal to it.

Fulham substitute Adama Traore brought pace and intensity to their attacks down the left wing without great efficiency, blazing his one real sight of goal over the crossbar.

The decisive moment came when Toby Collyer, who had been introduced from the bench, was beaten to the ball, only for Martinez to step up out of defence confidently and strike, with the shot helped into the top-right corner via a deflection.

Fulham came agonisingly close to a late equaliser when Joachim Andersen flicked on Andreas Pereira’s left-sided corner as Collyer saved United with a fantastic goal-line clearance.

Rodrigo Muniz struck over when free in the area with just two minutes remaining before Amad netted from a late United counterattack, only for VAR to rule the goal out for offside, but United held on for the points.

POST-MATCH LEAGUE TABLE DID YOU KNOW?

Victory for United made it eight consecutive Premier League wins at Craven Cottage, a run that started back in December 2011.

MAN OF THE MATCH LISANDRO MARTINEZ

With a clean sheet and a rare goal – a match-winning one at that – no wonder the Argentinian defender was all smiles at full-time in south-west London. With 66 of the fan vote, he was a comfortable MOTM winner.

winner – scored right in front of the jubilant away supporters – led to one of the more memorable goal celebrations of the

FCSB 0 UNITED 2

Dalot 60, Mainoo 68

Strong second-half showing takes us into last 16

United booked a place in the Europa League’s last 16 following a 2-0 win away to FCSB on the eighth and final matchday of the competition’s league phase.

It was FCSB who had the game’s first scoring chance when Mihai Popescu stretched to meet Risto Radunovic’s dangerous ball but he poked his effort wide.

Popescu was back to get his leg between the ball and Kobbie Mainoo’s attempt at a close-range volley before Christian Eriksen’s fierce left-footed strike was beaten away by Stefan Tarnovanu.

Mainoo would have been wondering how he didn’t score on 19 minutes, timing his run into the box well but sending his first-time connection with a Rasmus Hojlund cutback over the bar.

Hojlund then connected with Lisandro Martinez’s floated ball over the top of the defence but couldn’t quite generate enough power on his header to steer it away from the grasp of the goalkeeper.

Alejandro Garnacho almost opened the scoring immediately after half-time when he pounced on a loose back-pass and raced

POST-MATCH UEL STANDINGS

through on goal but rolled his left-footed shot on to the post.

Daniel Birligea’s strike wide from long range was perhaps a sign of frustration beginning to creep in for the home side.

United struck the woodwork again out of nowhere when Bruno Fernandes let fly from 25 yards and his powerful drive rattled off the bar.

The opening goal deservedly arrived on the hour. Eriksen slipped Mainoo into the inside channel and he belted an inviting low ball across the six-yard area for Diogo Dalot to convert into an empty net.

That strike was almost instantly pegged back, with Altay Bayindir’s bar struck by Birligea’s attempt from a way out, before an offside Florin Tanase headed the rebound wide.

It meant that Mainoo’s doubler was all the more welcome shortly after, as he received the ball from Garnacho’s cutback and made no mistake with a low finish.

FCSB kept pressing and Bayindir had to push behind a goalbound attempt from Alexandru Baluta.

Fernandes prodded wide and Casemiro headed over late on, but it was job done for the Reds.

DID YOU KNOW?

United were the only side out of the 24 involved to avoid defeat during the revamped league phase of the UEFA Europa League (five wins, three draws).

MAN OF THE MATCH KOBBIE MAINOO

Often deployed in one of Amorim’s deeper midfield roles, here Mainoo was given licence to attack. As the creator of our first goal and scorer of the second, he was a clear MOTM winner, taking 68 per cent of the fan vote.

FCSB SUBS USED: Alhassan for Edjouma 46 • Baluta for Cretu

Musi for Miculescu

MONTH IN FOCUS: UNITED MATCHDAYS 37-41

February

The second month of the year sees domestic fixtures all the way, with FA Cup progression sitting alongside a quartet of Premier League encounters...

Two young new defensive recruits arrived at Old Trafford ahead of the transfer window closing at the start of February.

English centre-back Ayden Heaven joined from Arsenal before Denmark international Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu, a wing-back, was brought in from Serie A club Lecce.

GOAL OF THE MONTH BRUNO FERNANDES V EVERTON

His delicious set-piece at Goodison Park ignited a fire within United as we came back from 2-0 down to earn a spirited point at Everton. Whizzing an effort that flew past Toffees keeper Jordan Pickford, Bruno’s goal was soon followed by an another impressive strike from Manuel Ugarte in the 2-2 draw, but

It was another up-and-down month in terms of results. A 2-0 home loss to Crystal Palace preceded a dramatic, late FA Cup win against Leicester, as the Reds once again battled from behind with Joshua Zirkzee and Harry Maguire hitting the net – the latter doing so in stoppage time against his old club.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH BRUNO FERNANDES

In another rocky month for the Reds, Fernandes epitomised what it means to lead United on and off the field, as he picked up the POTM prize for the first time in ’24/25. He scored a stunning goal at Goodison Park (below) where he was named Man of the Match as we fought back to draw. Bruno

A 1-0 league defeat at Tottenham followed, before the Reds showed great resilience to fight back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Everton on the club’s final visit to Goodison Park; Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte with the all-important efforts. There was further reason for positivity in February’s final game,

the captain’s goal just won the GOTM prize, with 43 per cent of the fan vote compared to 40 per cent for Ugarte. “I think in the second half, obviously you’re 2-0 down, you have more freedom because you are already losing, so you have nothing to lose more,” Bruno said after the game of his ambitious set-piece. “You get more of a try [opportunity] to do something else, and that’s why we got the result.”

was also in inspired form against Ipswich a few days later, grabbing a vital assist for Harry Maguire’s powerful header that eventually won the game. The skipper also provided another peach of a delivery for Maguire to head in our winner in the 2-1 FA Cup success over Leicester at the start of the month. Fernandes gained 69 per cent of the fan vote, ahead of Maguire on 22 per cent.

which was another back-and-forth battle. Visitors Ipswich had their early lead overturned by an own goal and a Matthijs de Ligt finish, before they got it back to 2-2, just after Dorgu had been sent off – all before half-time.

But Maguire stepped up again to head home our winner in another example of the no-surrender attitude so often associated with United.

At the table’s summit, Arsenal’s hopes of catching Liverpool seemed to be fading fast. After opening February with a stunning 5-1 win over Manchester City, the Gunners closed it with a loss to West Ham and a draw at Nottingham Forest, and the title race was starting to look like a foregone conclusion.

That was despite Liverpool twice dropping points with 2-2 draws at Everton and Aston Villa, the first of which saw some memorable scenes when James Tarkowski smashed in the final Goodison goal in a Merseyside derby on 98 minutes, resulting in clashes on the pitch and sidelines and multiple red cards.

With a fifth Champions League spot for English clubs looking likely on account of the projected UEFA coefficients, the race for European places was looking very intriguing.

There were six points between Arsenal in second and Forest in third, and as many as between the latter and Aston Villa in 10th.

The bottom three now comprised of the three promoted sides and, with a five-point gap to safety now having opened up, things were starting to look very ominous for Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton.

The United fans savour our 107th and final visit to Goodison Park to see our men’s team in action ahead of the Toffees’ move to Hill Dickinson Stadium

Tarkowski’s late goal would spark chaos in the Merseyside derby

UNITED 0 CRYSTAL PALACE 2

Mateta 64, 89

Mateta’s second-half double leads to home loss

Ruben Amorim’s side were beaten 2-0 by Crystal Palace at Old Trafford after a second-half brace from Jean-Philippe Mateta.

United had the first big chance when Kobbie Mainoo squared for Alejandro Garnacho, whose point-blank range effort was deflected wide.

Mainoo then took aim himself, shooting low for the far corner and striking the left-hand post, with the help of a vital deflection from Eagles’ defender Maxence Lacroix.

At the other end, Daniel Munoz rose above Diogo Dalot at the back post to meet a Tyrick Mitchell delivery from the left-hand side, which he nodded just over the bar.

United continued to apply pressure, as Lisandro Martinez had a volley blocked and Leny Yoro’s deft header was diverted behind.

Andre Onana was called into action for the first time to palm away Lacroix’s testing low effort from distance after Mateta had surged past a series of red shirts.

The best opening so far came when Ismaila Sarr glanced a header across goal and just wide from Mitchell’s delivery, with Mateta

lurking dangerously at the back post for the visitors.

United forged two good early openings in the second half. First, Bruno Fernandes was kept at bay by sprawling ex-Red Dean Henderson in the Palace goal.

Henderson was down crucially again moments later, denying Manuel Ugarte a first goal in a Red as the Uruguayan produced a wonderful acrobatic effort from Maguire’s headed knock-down.

The away side broke the deadlock just after the hour mark. Eberechi Eze curled a free-kick from deep to Lacroix at the back post. The French defender’s header looped on to the crossbar, but landed kindly for Mateta to tuck it home.

Amad fired over from the edge of the box but it was Palace who would strike again two minutes from time.

Munoz broke the offside trap, latching on to Sarr’s threaded ball down the right and squaring for Mateta, who beat Onana with another clinical close-range finish.

Rasmus Hojlund went closest to halving the deficit with a glancing effort just past Henderson’s post on another frustrating afternoon.

POST-MATCH LEAGUE TABLE DID YOU KNOW?

Christian Eriksen became the third Dane to reach 300 PL games, after keepers Thomas Sorensen and Peter Schmeichel.

UNITED 2

Zirkzee 68, Maguire 90+3

LEICESTER CITY 1

De Cordova-Reid 42

Late drama in M16 swings the tie United’s way

A last-gasp goal from Harry Maguire against his old club took us into the fifth round of the Cup.

Opponents Leicester sent an early warning shot through Jordan Ayew, well held by Andre Onana, but the two teams were otherwise locked in a midfield battle for the opening quarter of an hour.

Amad and Patrick Dorgu got shots off from the edge of the box in quick succession but neither troubled keeper Mads Hermansen.

Amad asked the next big question of Hermansen, delivering his corner kick right on top of the keeper. The Dane almost spilled the ball on the line, but was able to gather it before United could pounce.

The Reds were left to regret not taking advantage when Leicester found the net moments later, as Bobby De Cordova-Reid popped up on the scene to nod the opener in from point-blank range after Wilfred Ndidi’s shot was blocked by Onana.

Into the second half, and Alejandro Garnacho nearly equalised when he chipped over Hermansen but, seemingly out of nowhere, defender Caleb Okoli

DID YOU KNOW?

We made it 19 FA Cup home games unbeaten in normal time, dating back to 2015 (the only loss being on penalties, to Middlesbrough in 2022).

got enough on the ball to send it crashing into the crossbar and away.

The leveller came when Garnacho found Rasmus Hojlund in the centre and, although the latter’s improvised flick was blocked, it didn’t matter as substitute Joshua Zirkzee was there to prod home.

The contest was now end-to-end, with Garnacho looking dangerous down the left and Noussair Mazraoui needed at the other end to perfectly time a tackle as the last man.

Extra-time was on the cards until Bruno Fernandes delivered a free-kick towards the back post, where Maguire was arriving to prod home the all-important winner. Despite strong appeals for offside, with no video assistant referee used at this stage of the competition the goal stood and United were through.

OTHER RESULTS

Leeds 0-2 Millwall

Leyton Orient 1-2 Manchester City

Coventry 1-4 Ipswich

Everton 0-2 Bournemouth

Preston 0-0 Wycombe (4-2pens)

Southampton 0-1 Burnley

Stoke City 3-3 Cardiff (2-4pens)

Wigan 1-2 Fulham

Birmingham 2-3 Newcastle

Brighton 2-1 Chelsea

Blackburn 0-2 Wolves

Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool

Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham

Doncaster 0-2 Crystal Palace

Exeter 2-2 Nottingham Forest (2-4pens)

MAN OF THE MATCH ALEJANDRO GARNACHO

Introduced at half-time in place of debutant Dorgu, the Argentina international was a regular threat out wide, as Leicester’s full-backs struggled to contain him. Our no.17 won 48 per cent of the Man-of-the-Match fan vote.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1

Maddison 13

UNITED 0

Spurs see out league victory after striking early

The Reds fell to an agonisingly narrow defeat against Tottenham, as James Maddison’s first-half goal settled the league contest in north London.

United threatened early on when Rasmus Hojlund shot straight at Guglielmo Vicario before Alejandro Garnacho tested the Tottenham keeper again with a curler and Ben Davies cleared Diogo Dalot’s resulting cross from just in front of the goal line.

But it was the hosts who took the lead in the 13th minute, when Lucas Bergvall’s low left-footed drive was palmed away by Andre Onana. Maddison reacted quickest, and was rewarded with a simple finish.

In response, Joshua Zirkzee narrowly failed to find the bottom corner from distance, before Garnacho skied a shot from 10 yards out when most inside the stadium expected an equaliser.

The final opening of the first half fell to Mathys Tel, whose effort was saved comfortably by Onana.

Tel then also had the first chance after the interval, but once again was

denied by Onana after a tame effort. Soon after, Garnacho was sent clear behind Spurs’ high line, but was denied by Vicario and then, off balance, unable to turn the rebound towards Hojlund.

Minutes later, the same player had a low drive which was again well repelled by the Spurs stopper, despite his sight line possibly being obscured by Zirkzee.

The Dutchman had the Reds’ best chance of the second half when he got on the end of Noussair Mazraoui’s cross, but he couldn’t angle the ball inside the far corner.

A couple of chances then fell to Hojlund. The first was low and hard but straight at Vicario, while the next was blocked by Djed Spence.

Casemiro headed straight at Vicario from a corner in the dying minutes, but it sadly proved to be one of those days for United.

Nevertheless, there was a proud moment for the club in injury time, when teenager Chido Obi came on to make his debut but, sadly, there was little time for him to impress in the frantic final seconds.

DID YOU KNOW?

Chido Obi (17y 79d) became United’s third-youngest PL player, behind Angel Gomes (16y 263d) and Shola Shoretire (17y 19d).

EVERTON 2

Beto 19, Doucoure 33

UNITED 2

Fernandes 72, Ugarte 80

Final visit to Goodison provides plenty of drama

A spirited second-half comeback saw United take a Premier League point from the Reds’ final visit to Goodison Park, in an eventful 2-2 draw with Everton.

There were early chances as Andre Onana was forced into a sixth-minute save to keep out Beto’s header and Jordan Pickford had to intervene to stop Rasmus Hojlund tapping in.

Everton took the lead on 19 minutes when a Toffees’ corner was cleared as far as Abdoulaye Doucoure, whose header into the mix was fired into the ground by Beto, over Onana and into the net.

It was 2-0 just after the half-hour mark. Beto fed Jack Harrison, who had an attempt palmed high by Onana, but Doucoure was there to meet the loose ball and head in.

As United chased a way back, Manuel Ugarte curled a long-range strike off target, while at the other end Noussair Mazraoui had to prevent Beto from converting Doucoure’s low pass across the face of goal ahead of the interval.

The end-to-end action continued in the second half, as Onana saved from Jarrad Branthwaite and

Doucoure either side of a rejected Harry Maguire penalty appeal. But the Reds did get a lifeline moments later. Bruno Fernandes’s free-kick was blocked by an arm in the Everton wall, and from the second set-piece, the midfielder powered the ball across the goal and into the far corner of the net.

With 10 minutes left, it was all square, with a Fernandes delivery into the box cleared out as far as Ugarte, who teed up the ball with his midriff before thrashing home with his left foot from 20 yards out.

The chances continued. A Joshua Zirkzee header struck Branthwaite, before Pickford tipped over a looping effort from Fernandes. Onana also kept out Beto’s nodded attempt from point-blank range.

After the Reds goalkeeper saved Idrissa Gueye’s low shot in stoppage time, the ball broke the way of Ashley Young, who was adjudged to have been brought down under contact from Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire.

Everton were awarded a penalty, but referee Andy Madley overturned the decision following a VAR check, ensuring the points were shared.

DID YOU KNOW?

United made 107 visits to Goodison Park, facing Everton (x 103), Liverpool (x 3) and Wolves (x 1).

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES

Two goals down and facing defeat, the skipper stepped up to get us back in it – first throwing the Reds a lifeline with his clever free-kick, before he played a role in our equaliser and then nearly scored a late winner.

Fernandes strikes his free-kick into the Everton net, sparking the visitors into a late comeback that nearly ended in victory

EVERTON SUBS USED: Young for Lindstrom

UNITED 3

Morsy 22 og, De Ligt 26, Maguire 47

IPSWICH TOWN 2

Philogene 4, 45+2

Maguire uses his head as the Reds battle back

United came out on top of a frenetic Premier League contest against Ipswich, emerging as 3-2 winners, despite playing more than half of the game with 10 men.

The first chance fell to opposition forward Liam Delap, who dragged a shot wide before a United defensive mix-up allowed the visitors to score.

Patrick Dorgu attempted to shepherd a ball over the top back to Andre Onana, but the pass was instead knocked beyond the keeper and Jaden Philogene raced through to convert into an empty net.

Ipswich keeper Alex Palmer dived to save Harry Maguire’s header but the Reds were level when Bruno Fernandes’s free-kick was nodded into his own net by Sam Morsy.

The turnaround was complete three minutes later. After a corner was cleared, Diogo Dalot’s low show was stopped by Palmer, but Matthijs De Ligt pounced on the rebound to make it 2-1.

Alejandro Garnacho felt he should have had a penalty when knocked off his stride by ex-Red Axel Tuanzebe, as Dorgu drew a diving save from Palmer from the subsequent loose ball.

DID YOU KNOW?

United have now won 110 PL games after conceding the first goal – more than any other club.

United were reduced to 10 men before the interval, with a VAR consultation resulting in Dorgu receiving a red card following a challenge on Omari Hutchinson. There was more drama to come before half-time, as Ipswich levelled when Philogene’s low, searching cross from the right-hand side trickled inside the bottom corner.

The Reds started the second half in perfect fashion when Fernandes floated in another inviting set-piece delivery and Maguire met it with a thumping header to restore the lead.

It was nearly 4-2 when Rasmus Hojlund feigned to shoot but unfortunately had no-one behind him, before Mazraoui went close as the ball rebounded off him.

Chasing an equaliser, Ipswich substitute Jack Taylor took aim from the edge of the box but cut across his shot and it swerved wide.

United held firm and restricted the chances as the visitors sought to snatch a late leveller. The closest they came late on was from the hat-trick chasing Philogene, whose driven shot was well held by Onana as the Reds claimed a first home league win in three attempts.

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES

Once again it was the captain who led the way, with his assist for Maguire’s winner being just one of many moments of real quality shown across the 90 minutes. The Portuguese picked up 59 per cent of the vote to crown the MOTM.

March

With United marooned in mid-table in the Premier League, the cup competitions took on extra importance as the season edged closer to its conclusion.

It meant that a penalty shoot-out defeat to Fulham in the FA Cup fifth round was a little tougher to take, as the Reds’ defence of the trophy came to an end in our opening March game.

But progress to the Europa League quarter-finals was secured with an impressive 5-2 aggregate win over Real Sociedad. After

GOAL OF THE MONTH BRUNO FERNANDES V ARSENAL

Of the seven efforts nominated in the GOTM poll for March, Fernandes contributed four. Old Trafford goals against Fulham, Arsenal and Real Sociedad made it onto the shortlist, as did his late strike at Leicester – all excellent goals, but the free-kick that befuddled the Gunners was the

Joshua Zirkzee earned a useful 1-1 draw in Spain, qualification was confirmed with a 4-1 home victory that included a hat-trick for captain Bruno Fernandes.

English clubs were still going strong in continental competition, with five clubs reaching the quarter-finals of the various cups: Arsenal and Aston Villa in the Champions League, United and Tottenham in the Europa League, and Chelsea in the Conference League.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH BRUNO FERNANDES

Our captain won February’s club prize by a landslide but stepped things up even further in March, scoring six goals and providing two assists across five games. He started the month with the equaliser against Fulham in the FA Cup, and against Arsenal fired home a memorable free-kick.

Bruno inspires Reds on the European stage, while his class is also recognised with a Premier League award...

clear winner. Leicester and Everton had already been on the end of Bruno’s supreme dead-ball ability in 2024/25, and this free-kick against Mikel Arteta’s side made it three for the season. There was plenty of post-match punditry about the distance between the ball and the Arsenal wall, not to mention keeper David Raya’s positioning, but there was no doubting the quality of the curled strike from 25 yards out.

Domestically, Fernandes was again on target in a 1-1 draw against the Gunners, whose title hopes continued to fade, and Bruno also scored to round off a 3-0 success at Leicester, after Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho had netted.

The win moved United up to 13th, just above Spurs, Everton and West Ham, who were all tied on 34 points.

After registering two goals and two assists in our two league outings, Fernandes’s fine form was recognised as he was crowned

Bruno then produced a virtuoso display in the home leg of the Europa League last 16, bagging his second hat-trick for the Reds.

And finally, in the 3-0 win at Leicester, he supplied assists for Hojlund and Garnacho before providing the coupdegrace with a thumping drive for the late third.

As such, it was no surprise to see him gain 89 per cent of the vote, ahead of Matthijs de Ligt.

Premier League Player of the Month for the fifth time, with Cristiano Ronaldo (six times) the only Red to have won the award more often. Indeed, Bruno was now just two behind the all-time record, at this time jointly held by Sergio Aguero, Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah.

With the month’s schedule shortened by an international break, table-toppers Liverpool finished March a dozen points clear of closest challengers Arsenal, with just nine matches remaining.

While their march to the title looked increasingly likely, Arne Slot’s team did miss out on the first major silverware of the season, losing 2-1 to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.

It was the Magpies’ first trophy since the 1968/69 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, and their first domestic honour since the 1954/55 FA Cup, prompting wild scenes of celebration on Tyneside that would last for days.

Nottingham Forest still held third in the Premier League, four points off Arsenal, with Chelsea in fourth and

Manchester City fifth. In the rest of the top half, Newcastle, Brighton, Fulham, Aston Villa and Bournemouth all still retained realistic hopes of Champions League qualification.

The gap between Wolves in 17th and the bottom three – of Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton – was now up to nine points (the same tally the Saints had so far managed across the entire campaign), after the trio lost all six of their combined league games in March.

A springtime training session at Carrington, two days after our March fixtures had ended with a comfortable win away to Leicester

The long wait was finally over for the Magpies

UNITED 1

Fernandes 71

FULHAM 1

Bassey 45+1 (Fulham win 4-3 on penalties)

Agonising exit in Cup, as Fulham win shoot-out

Two spot-kick saves from Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno would see FA Cup holders United exit the competition in the fifth round following a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

The first real opportunity fell to Bruno Fernandes with 10 minutes on the clock, as he struck a powerful effort from the edge of the box that was parried behind by Leno.

Christian Eriksen was next to go close, curling a goalbound effort from the left wing with his right foot, but Leno was there to beat it away.

Sasa Lukic looked as if he could benefit from the game’s now chaotic nature, arriving to meet Alex Iwobi’s cross, but he could only head over.

But the visitors did take the lead when, following a corner, Rodrigo Muniz headed the ball into the six-yard box and Calvin Bassey was there to nod beyond Andre Onana.

The Reds emerged for the second half pushing to equalise, as Noussair Mazraoui got on the end of Diogo Dalot’s whipped ball, but Leno held the Moroccan’s header. Fernandes drew another stop from Leno from distance, and at the other end Emile Smith Rowe was

DID YOU KNOW?

Bruno Fernandes moved into double figures for FA Cup goals for United, notching his 10th in 23 appearances.

denied by the fingertips of Onana. But soon it was all square when Dalot picked out Fernandes after some strong running and the latter handled the rest, rolling his finish neatly beyond the grasp of Leno.

Muniz, Alejandro Garnacho and Andreas Pereira then all exchanged inviting opportunities.

Harry Maguire and Smith Rowe were next to have chances, before a penalty shout for Bassey’s challenge on Chido Obi and a one-on-one chance for Garnacho.

But the biggest moment fell to Obi, who clipped narrowly wide at the death, for what would have been the stuff of dreams for the teenager.

Obi almost curled in from an almost identical position in extra-time, but Leno sent it behind. Onana did well to stop shots from Willian and Ryan Sessegnon but penalties would be required to separate the sides.

Leno kept out Victor Lindelof’s attempt with United’s fourth kick, and after Antonee Robinson converted for the visitors, Joshua Zirkzee was also denied from the spot to give the Cottagers victory.

REAL SOCIEDAD 1

Oyarzabal 70 pen

UNITED 1

Zirkzee 57

Honours even in Spain as UEL campaign resumes

United were made to settle for a 1-1 draw from the first leg of the UEFA Europa League last-16 tie away to Real Sociedad, despite a largely dominant display in Spain.

The Reds twice sprang numbers forward in the opening 20 minutes, as Rasmus Hojlund’s cross came to nothing before Alejandro Garnacho curled into the arms of Alex Remiro.

Patrick Dorgu shot high and wide and Diogo Dalot then set up Bruno Fernandes, who was only denied by a goal-line diversion from Aritz Elustondo, with the defender also in the way of Joshua Zirkzee’s follow-up before the Dutchman shot wide.

The roles were reversed when Fernandes sent a long diagonal ball over the top to pick out Dalot’s run, but the glancing header that followed was collected by Remiro.

Into the second period and Leny Yoro had to make an almost-immediate clearance to make sure Mikel Oyarzabal didn’t get on the end of Takefusa Kubo’s dangerous cross from the right.

Garnacho twice went closer to the opener, striking the outside of the netting shortly before having

OTHER RESULTS

Viktoria Plzen 1-2 Lazio

Bodo/Glimt 3-0 Olympiacos

Ajax 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt

AZ Alkmaar 1-0 Tottenham

Roma 2-1 Athletic Club

Fenerbahce 1-3 Rangers

FCSB 1-3 Lyon

another low first-time effort tamed by goalkeeper Remiro. But it was Alejandro who set up the first goal on 57 minutes. From the right flank, he rolled the ball to the edge of the area where Zirkzee met it with a low, firm strike that beat Remiro.

Garnacho hit the side-netting again almost straight after and, in response, Brais Mendez had Andre Onana scrambling with a long-range curler that whistled past the post.

It wasn’t long, however, before the lead was wiped out, as referee Ivan Kruzliak paused the game for a VAR check after United had seemingly cleared a corner successfully.

Footage showed Fernandes had unintentionally diverted the delivery away with his arm and the hosts were awarded a penalty which Oyarzabal stepped up to convert.

It was La Real who had the better late chances, with Sheraldo Becker and Orri Oskarsson combining and the latter unable to finish the former’s centre from close range.

A strong left glove from Onana was then required to stop Oskarsson’s fierce goalbound effort in stoppage time, and United would take a 1-1 draw back to Manchester.

8

DID YOU KNOW?

The Reds opened the scoring for the eighth time in nine UEFA Europa League games this season, so far only failing to do so away to Viktoria Plzen (won 2-1).

MAN OF THE MATCH JOSHUA ZIRKZEE

Our scorer received a majority 44 per cent of the vote after putting the Reds ahead with a low strike from the edge of the box for his sixth United goal. Zirkzee had 45 touches of the ball and also went close to scoring in the first half.

Smiles all round in San Sebastian after Zirkzee gives United the lead in the first leg of this last-16 tie

REAL SOCIEDAD SUBS USED: Aramburu for Elustondo 63 • Marin for Turrientes

Barrenetxea

UNITED 1

ARSENAL 1

Reds and Gunners can’t be separated in M16

United were held to a 1-1 draw in Arsenal’s Premier League visit to Old Trafford.

The Gunners raced out of the blocks from kick-off, although Declan Rice, Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard were only able to create little more than half chances.

United posed a threat too, though, with Alejandro Garnacho running on to a Bruno Fernandes pass but flashing his shot just wide of David Raya’s goal.

On the whole, it was a quiet half for Andre Onana in terms of shot stopping, though the United keeper did have to deal with Rice’s inswinging corners, with a strong punch and later a catch.

There was time for one more big chance for United when Leandro Trossard dragged down Garnacho outside of the box in the final minute of the first half.

Bruno Fernandes didn’t need asking twice, curling his free-kick perfectly above the top of the wall and beyond the reach of Raya to break the deadlock.

After the break, Diogo Dalot found Noussair Mazraoui free in the middle, and the Moroccan’s sweetly

DID YOU KNOW?

After this game, Fernandes now had 12 goals and 13 assists for the season – a third straight term of 25+ goal involvements.

hit volley was just about turned behind by a wonderful Raya save. Joshua Zirkzee then almost created a magical moment, feeding off a deflection in the Arsenal box and attempting an audacious, no-look, first-time flick, but once again Raya kept it out to keep the score at 1-0.

The missed chances proved costly as Rice received a pass on the edge of the box from Jurrien Timber and the England man curled in a leveller via the inside of Onana’s post.

That sparked an end-to-end conclusion, with Gabriel Martinelli drawing a strong save from Onana and Rasmus Hojlund thwarted by tackles from Rice and Gabriel.

Either side could have won in stoppage time, with Onana denying a Odegaard effort, and seeing Martinelli smash the rebound off target, although the latter was offside in any case.

Fernandes then went even closer, having an attempt desperately clawed off the line by Raya as the ball bounced towards goal.

Ultimately, there was to be no separating the teams, and both were made to settle for a point after a breathless finale.

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES

With over two-thirds of the vote, the fans were in no doubt as to which Red had the biggest impact against the Gunners. As well as his long-range free-kick, our no.8 came desperately close to scoring a late winner.

UNITED 4

Fernandes 16 pen, 50 pen, 87, Dalot 90+1

REAL SOCIEDAD 1

Oyarzabal 10 pen

(United win 5-2 on aggregate)

What a

night as Bruno fires us into the quarters

The Reds surged into the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals with a resounding 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad – United triumphing 5-2 on aggregate.

It was the worst possible start during a chaotic opening at Old Trafford, as referee Benoit Bastien awarded the visitors a penalty for Matthijs de Ligt’s challenge on Mikel Oyarzabal, after a VAR check.

Oyarzabal sent Andre Onana the wrong way from the spot but it wasn’t long before the Reds were level, also with a penalty.

Bruno Fernandes switched the ball across to Rasmus Hojlund, who looked set to score before Igor Zubeldia brought him down. Fernandes stepped up and passed the ball home from 12 yards for 1-1.

Patrick Dorgu had a go with a well-caught volley in what was becoming a highly eventful encounter but there were no further goals in the opening half.

It took just three minutes of second-half action for United to go in front, as Aritz Elustondo felled Dorgu in the box and Fernandes

OTHER RESULTS

Lazio 1-1 Viktoria Plzen (3-2agg)

Olympiacos 2-1 Bodo/Glimt (2-4agg)

Eintracht Frankfurt 4-1 Ajax (6-2agg)

Tottenham 3-1 AZ Alkmaar (3-2agg)

Athletic Club 3-1 Roma (4-3agg)

Rangers 0-2 Fenerbahce (3-3agg;3-2pens)

Lyon 4-0 FCSB (7-1agg)

converted his second spot-kick of the night. When Joshua Zirkzee found Dorgu on the wing with a threaded pass, the Dane was clumsily brought to ground by Jon Aramburu, who, as the last man, was shown a straight red card.

Incredibly, the Reds almost had a third penalty when Dorgu was again sent tumbling in the area, before it was chalked off by VAR, with the wing-back himself appearing to tell the referee it was not a foul.

It mattered not, however. Minutes later, Alejandro Garnacho set off down the pitch and fed in a tireless Fernandes, who dispatched his shot neatly into the bottom left corner and celebrated his hat-trick.

There was still no let up from the Reds as a fourth and final goal duly arrived to put the seal on matters in stoppage time. Hojlund twisted and turned inside the box to square a ball to Diogo Dalot, who smashed into the roof of the net to round off a hugely satisfying win.

Mission accomplished: United were heading into the last eight of the Europa League in style, and ready for a meeting with Lyon.

2

DID YOU KNOW?

Fernandes bagged his second Reds hat-trick and his first since hitting three against Leeds on the opening day of the 2021/22 Premier League season.

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES

With a performance like Bruno’s, there was only ever going to be one winner of our fan poll – the hat-trick hero earning a resounding 79 per cent of your votes. Second place in the vote was Patrick Dorgu with nine per cent.

LEICESTER CITY 0 UNITED 3

Hojlund 28, Garnacho 67, Fernandes 90

Hojlund leads the way in dominant away display

Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho both scored for the first time in 2025 and Bruno Fernandes continued his fine run of form as United eased to a 3-0 victory at Leicester City. The Foxes had the opening chance of the night when Andre Onana used both hands to prevent Jamie Vardy poking home.

Manuel Ugarte’s two early sighters cleared the crossbar on his return to the starting line-up, while keeper Mads Hermansen easily gathered Garnacho’s effort.

Christian Eriksen then went close to his first league goal of the season, having his short corner returned by Fernandes before whipping a shot that rebounded back off the upright.

But moments later, it was 1-0. Fernandes clipped a pass to release Hojlund into space, and the United no.9 let fly beyond Hermansen to open the scoring.

Leicester could have levelled prior to the break, but Ayden Heaven did well to read Patson Daka’s movements and block the Zambian’s goalbound strike.

In the second half, United appeared to have doubled the lead

when Garnacho converted from Hojlund’s through ball, but the Argentina winger had gone just a split-second too early – offside.

He didn’t have to wait long to get on the scoresheet, though. Leicester failed to clear a further attack and, after Fernandes had poked the ball back into the box, Garnacho swivelled and powered a shot past Hermansen for 2-0.

The Reds were in a comfortable position now and Ruben Amorim took the opportunity to hand Harry Amass a senior debut on the defender’s 18th birthday.

With pride at stake, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Foxes were still a threat and Matthijs de Ligt had to stretch every inch of his considerable frame to divert Facundo Buonanotte’s effort away to safety.

Leicester, though, had scored just four goals in their last 13 outings and, as they pushed to mount an unlikely comeback, they were always susceptible to more pain.

And Fernandes was inevitably the man to mete it out, whipping a pass from Diogo Dalot into the far corner to round off a convincing and deserved Reds triumph.

POST-MATCH LEAGUE TABLE DID YOU KNOW?

Fernandes followed Giggs, Beckham, Rooney, Scholes and Cantona in reaching 50 Premier League assists for

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO

FERNANDES

One of the standout displays of the entire season from our influential no.8, with his last-minute goal well deserved following his constant hard work in the previous 89 minutes. In the MOTM vote, he won a huge 78 per cent.

A winless run in the Premier League throughout April was offset by qualification for the Europa League semi-finals, including one of Old Trafford’s greatest-ever European nights.

On the back of being denied a first-leg victory by a 95th-minute leveller in a 2-2 draw in France –including a first goal for Leny Yoro – the Reds resumed the battle with Lyon a week later at Old Trafford.

At 4-2 down with just six minutes of extra-time remaining, United’s European run looked all but over. But

GOAL OF THE MONTH KOBBIE MAINOO V LYON

Understandably it was Maguire who grabbed the headlines for his winner moments later, but Mainoo’s leveller against Lyon was deemed the best goal of the night – and indeed the month – in our fan vote. With the Old Trafford clock having just ticked past the 119-minute mark, Fernandes drove forward to pick out Casemiro

While the title and relegation places are all wrapped up this month, the cups and European places maintain the interest...

an extraordinary fightback followed as Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire scored to overhaul the deficit. For everyone of a United persuasion inside our stadium, it sparked scenes of pandemonium that will live long in the memory.

The win went some way to making up for the Reds’ Premier League form, with April consisting of defeats to Nottingham Forest, Newcastle and Wolves, alongside draws with Manchester City and Bournemouth.

At the start of the month, Southampton were relegated after

PLAYER OF THE MONTH BRUNO FERNANDES

The captain followed up his POTM successes in February and March with his third award of 2024/25 – a testament to his consistency and influence as the business end of the campaign nears. Considering Fernandes was Man of the Match in the games against Manchester City

near the edge of the box. The Brazilian’s neat flick saw the ball fall to Mainoo, positioned 10 yards out and wide of goal. Considering our urgent need to score, a quickfire shot might have been expected, but Kobbie had the coolest head in M16 as he took a touch, opened up hs body and curled a finish beyond keeper Lucas Perri. A beautiful moment – and one that floored our stunned opponents from France.

losing to Tottenham, becoming the first side in Premier League history to go down with as many as seven games remaining. Ivan Juric became the final manager in the regular season to lose his job as a result.

Two weeks later, Leicester joined the Saints in making a swift return to the Championship as they were beaten 1-0 at home to Liverpool.

The following weekend, Ipswich took the final relegation spot following a 3-0 loss to Newcastle. It meant that, for the second year in succession, the three promoted

and Bournemouth, and provided a gorgeous assist for Joshua Zirkzee in the away game in Lyon, it’s easy to see why he came out on top of the poll again. Maguire, scorer of the unforgettable headed winner against Lyon, finished in second spot, with his 27 per cent a little way off the 39 per cent Bruno logged. Casemiro – another hero of the Lyon win – finished in third.

clubs all had the misfortune of going straight back down.

As well as the fight for survival being wrapped up in April, the champions were confirmed, as Liverpool won 5-1 against Spurs at Anfield to secure a 20th league title – a record they shared with United.

It meant that heading into May, the only remaining interest surrounded the battle for European spots, with a fifth Champions League place confirmed for 2025/26 – based on the best-performing nations in the

competition – as Arsenal reached the last four of the competition.

Beneath the top two, just five points separated Newcastle in third and Aston Villa in seventh, with Manchester City, Chelsea and Forest sandwiched between them.

With United and Spurs still going strong in the Europa League – for which the winners were guaranteed a Champions League berth – there was a very real chance that England could have as many as six clubs competing in the 2025/26 edition.

Diogo Dalot puts us two goals up on the night – and in the tie – against Lyon at Old Trafford, but the real drama had yet to begin

Juric departed after the Saints were relegated

Liverpool’s win against Spurs confirmed the title

NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1

Elanga 5

No way back for Reds as Forest dig deep for win

United’s encouraging run that saw us end March in winning fashion came to a halt as April began, in a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

The first opening arrived when Alejandro Garnacho released the ball to Bruno Fernandes, whose drive from the edge of the area was parried wide by Matz Sels.

The corner led to the opening goal, but unfortunately for the hosts.

Anthony Elanga pounced as Fernandes’s set-piece delivery was headed clear, racing away from the edge of his own box to the other, where he arrowed a composed finish into the bottom corner.

The Reds responded with Casemiro nodding wide and Diogo Dalot heading against the crossbar.

Patrick Dorgu couldn’t quite connect with Dalot’s right-flank delivery, while Morato also nodded goalwards in first-half stoppagetime, forcing Andre Onana to save.

Casemiro looked to equalise on the stroke of half-time, following patient build-up down our left as

DID YOU KNOW?

This was our 55th trip to Forest’s City Ground (including a 1964/65 FA Cup semi v Leeds). We have won 20, drawn 12 and lost 23 of the games.

he was teed up by Fernandes just outside the box, but fired wide. Substitute Rasmus Hojlund then made his presence felt, running in behind on to Garnacho’s pass and having a shot deflected behind.

Onana had to heroically palm clear Ryan Yates’s close-range header, even if the keeper wasn’t to know that it would almost certainly have been ruled out for offside.

Garnacho also had a shot turned behind and then fired narrowly off target from the corner that followed. He then fired a frustrated effort over, Dorgu headed straight at Sels and Mason Mount shot agonisingly wide from the edge of the box.

There were rare opportunities for the hosts when Taiwo Awoniyi had a shot blocked by Noussair Mazraoui and Neco Williams sent a difficult volleyed chance off target.

Harry Maguire diverted Dorgu’s delivery back across goal and wide and our defender then looked to have prodded home Mazraoui’s cross, but a heroic clearance off the line from Murillo denied us again.

UNITED 0 MANCHESTER CITY 0

Local rivals cancel each other out in 196th derby

The Reds earned a Manchester derby point from a 0-0 draw rivals City at Old Trafford, in a largely forgettable contest.

An early foul on Alejandro Garnacho was inches away from being a United penalty, with Bruno Fernandes instead firing the free-kick into the wall.

Despite that rapid start, the game settled into a calmer pattern for the first portion of the opening half, with neither goalkeeper tested until the first shot on target courtesy of a tame Kevin De Bruyne effort.

Moments later, Diogo Dalot lifted an inch-perfect cross to the head of Garnacho, but he couldn’t direct it towards City’s goal.

Garnacho was involved again when he squared to Patrick Dorgu in the penalty area, but the Dane didn’t quite have time to sort out his feet for the shot.

City had seen more of the ball, United more of the chances – but overall, it had been a fairly tepid start to the 196th Manchester derby.

The visitors asked a big question in the early moments of this half – a

DID YOU KNOW?

Ruben Amorim was unbeaten in three games v City in 2024/25, with two wins and a draw, including a victory with former club Sporting CP.

Phil Foden one-on-one that required a challenge from Noussair Mazraoui.

A penalty shout for handball kicked Old Trafford into life not long after, but replays showed the cross Dorgu fizzed in had collided with Ruben Dias’s chest as the centre-back slipped to the ground.

At the other end, Andre Onana, with the sun in his eyes, did well to deny two powerful Omar Marmoush efforts within a few minutes of each other – the first a free-kick and the latter from open play.

Nico O’Reilly looked certain to poke in the rebound from the second attempt, but he couldn’t get the ball under his spell before being ruled offside in any case.

Joshua Zirkzee went close after coming off the bench, hitting a Garnacho cross first time that almost caught Ederson by surprise, but the Brazilian goalkeeper managed to palm it away.

But, in truth, from the early moments in the game, this looked like a meeting destined for a stalemate, and so it proved as the points were shared.

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES

Ahead of kick-off, Bruno accompanied seven-year-old Bobby Moore, who become our first wheelchair mascot (top image). A heartwarming moment, and Bruno did his best to inspire in the game, winning 63 per cent of the vote.

OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS 2

Almada 25, Cherki 90+5

UNITED 2

Yoro 45+5, Zirkzee 88

Lyon level late, but it’s still a good result for Reds

Rayan Cherki scored with virtually the last kick of the game to prevent United leaving Lyon with a lead after the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final.

Bruno Fernandes provided the first moment of note when his wide free-kick had to be hooked behind by Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso.

The Reds were managing the contest well, as Patrick Dorgu won possession and teed up Rasmus Hojlund, who scooped his effort clear of Lucas Perri’s post.

On the opposite flank, Alejandro Garnacho found Fernandes with his cross, but Moussa Niakhate managed a key touch to deflect a seemingly goalbound shot out for a corner.

Lyon took the lead when Thiago Almada’s free-kick evaded everyone, bouncing in front of Andre Onana and into the net.

United equalised in first-half stoppage time, as a Fernandes free-kick was punched only half clear by Perri before Manuel Ugarte diverted it back towards goal and Leny Yoro cleverly nodded in.

Alexandre Lacazette really should have found the net after the

OTHER RESULTS

break for the hosts, but instead his volley flew harmlessly wide.

Tolisso swerved the attentions of Noussair Mazraoui with a delicious dummy on the edge of the box but could only pick out the welcoming arms of Onana with his effort.

Mazraoui snuffed out a Georges Mikautadze opening and Garnacho couldn’t find the telling pass when sprinting into the final third.

One of the United’s more enterprising moves saw Garnacho test Perri’s reflexes when he met Dorgu’s centre at the back post.

With time running out, it looked like substitute Joshua Zirkzee had netted a priceless winner, getting into the right place at the right time to head Fernandes’s cross over Perri with 88 minutes on the clock.

That seemed as if it would be enough to give United a lead to take back to Old Trafford – but there was more drama to come. After Onana parried Mikautadze’s fierce attempt, Cherki was there to stab the ball in and ensure the first leg ended level.

DID YOU KNOW?

This was the 6,000th competitive game in United history –a record reading 2,972 wins, 1,411 draws and 1,617 defeats.

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES

Another energetic and industrious display from our skipper gained him 42 per cent of our fan vote. Bruno delivered the wicked free-kick that led to Yoro’s first-half header and picked out Zirkzee with a superb cross for his goal.

Yoro beats Lyon’s no.4 Akouokou to the ball to head home his first goal in a United shirt

LYON SUBS USED: Lacazette for Akouokou 51

CARDS: Tagliafico

Tonali 24, Barnes 49, 64, Guimaraes 77

Garnacho 37

Hosts hit their stride in second half to take points

Ruben Amorim’s United endured a tough afternoon on Tyneside, losing 4-1 to Newcastle.

The revved-up Magpies had the ball in the net very early on but Kieran Trippier knew he was offside when crossing for Joelinton to beat Altay Bayindir.

That didn’t stem the tide of Newcastle attacks, however, with Jacob Murphy flashing a drive wide.

Murphy then survived a penalty appeal for handball and Joshua Zirkzee almost converted after quick interplay with Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes, but Nick Pope tipped the ball over.

Alexander Isak headed wide but then set up the hosts’ opener, sending an assist over the top to be buried by Sandro Tonali .

Spurred on by the goal, Tonali then drilled wide, Bayindir miraculously denied Isak, who then almost found the net from a near-impossible angle, and Dan Burn headed on to the top of the net.

Despite those chances, it was United who struck next. Diogo Dalot

DID YOU KNOW?

Harry Amass (18y 28d) became the second-youngest defender to start a PL game for United, after Phil Neville (18y 21d).

charged forward and timed his pass to perfection to find Alejandro Garnacho, who stroked past Pope.

Garnacho tested Pope again before the break, with the keeper awkwardly pushing away the shot.

The threat carried over into the second half as Dalot had a penalty shout waved away following a push from Tonali, and Harry Amass had a shot that flew over from distance.

However, Newcastle restored their lead when Tino Livramento’s seemingly overhit cross was turned back in by Murphy for Harvey Barnes to tap the ball home.

Burn headed another chance over the top but, soon after, Barnes scored again, pouncing on a slip to dart through the middle and deliver a clinical finish past Bayindir.

Manuel Ugarte had a shot easily dealt with by Pope, before Bayindir’s pass out failed to clear Joelinton’s head and Bruno Guimaraes had a simple task to slip the ball home.

Mason Mount had a tame shot saved and Rasmus Hojlund was off target, as the Reds fell to a defeat.

Hojlund goes up against Newcastle defender Fabian Schar in the second half as the visitors attempt to reduce the deficit at St James’ Park

UNITED 5

OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS 4

Night of utter, unadulterated chaos ends in victory

With two goals scored in the final minute of extra-time, the Reds completed an astonishing comeback from 4-2 down against 10-man Lyon, securing us a place in the Europa League semi-finals.

With the aggregate score 2-2, our opener came on 10 minutes when Alejandro Garnacho’s cutback allowed Manuel Ugarte to drill home.

Harry Maguire was soon required to put his body on the line twice to keep out efforts from Rayan Cherki and Thiago Almada.

Andre Onana was also called upon on a few occasions before Bruno Fernandes rattled the Lyon bar, then swerved a shot just wide.

Just before half-time, Diogo Dalot got on the end of a Maguire switch, muscled off Nicolas Tagliafico and nestled a neat finish into the corner.

Two goals up, Patrick Dorgu and Garnacho had chances early in the second period while Onana pushed Corentin Tolisso’s attempt clear.

But when United struggled to clear a free-kick in the 71st minute, Tolisso nodded in from point-blank range. And less than 10 minutes later, the ball pinged across United’s box

OTHER RESULTS

Lazio 3-1 Bodo/Glimt (3-3agg;2-3onpens)

Eintracht Frankfurt 0-1 Tottenham (1-2agg)

Athletic Club 2-0 Rangers (2-0agg)

before Tagliafico fired it just beyond the goal line – Alexandre Lacazette ramming it home for good measure.

With the tie all square, Tolisso was shown a second yellow for a trip on Leny Yoro and Fernandes almost audaciously poked in the free-kick, but extra-time was beckoning.

Midway through the first period of the additional 30 minutes, Malick Fofana’s run was halted but the ball sipped to Cherki, who drilled in low to put the away side ahead.

It got worse after the short break, when the visitors were awarded a penalty for a Luke Shaw trip on Fofana, which Lacazette converted.

We were given a glimmer of hope when Fernandes scored from a penalty after a foul on Casemiro. Six minutes later, Casemiro then flicked the ball on to Kobbie Mainoo, who curled the ball expertly round Perri.

Incredibly, we were level. But it was about to get even better as, seconds after the restart, Casemiro’s pinpoint ball found Maguire in the box, and Harry headed us into the semis.

DID YOU KNOW?

Bruno Fernandes’s extra-time penalty was United’s 5,000th competitive goal at Old Trafford since its first game, in 1910.

MAN OF THE MATCH HARRY MAGUIRE

There were sizeable votes for Fernandes and Casemiro, but our match-winner topped the poll with 39 per cent of the vote. While his goal will live longest in the memory, Harry also picked out Dalot for our second just before half-time.

Ugarte 10, Dalot 45+1, Fernandes 114 pen, Mainoo 120, Maguire 120+1

Tolisso 71, Tagliafico 77, Cherki 104, Lacazette 109 pen

(after extra-time; United win 7-6 on aggregate)

SUBS USED: Shaw for Mazraoui 46 • Mount for Ugarte

• Mainoo for Hojlund 87 • Amass for Dorgu 100 • Eriksen for Garnacho

YELLOW CARDS: Garnacho, Maguire, Yoro LYON SUBS USED: Tessmann for Akouokou 55 • Lacazette for Veretout

• Abner for Cherki

• Caleta-Car for Tagliafico 115 YELLOW CARDS: Veretout, Tolisso, Tagliafico, Abner

CARDS: Tolisso

UNITED 0 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 1

Sarabia 77

Wolves win close contest with Sarabia set-piece

A rotated United XI was beaten 1-0 by Wolves as Pablo Sarabia’s free-kick settled a tight contest.

The home crowd roared for a penalty when Kobbie Mainoo went down in the box under pressure from Emmanuel Agbadou early on, but referee Robert Jones was unmoved.

Wolves goalkeeper Dan Bentley had to cut off a short backpass that Rasmus Hojlund was chasing down, before the visitors had the first actual attempt on goal when Nelson Semedo blazed over from distance.

The first shot on target came just over half-an-hour in, when a dipping Christian Eriksen free-kick was palmed over by Bentley.

Then, just before the interval, the Wolves stopper was nearly called into action by Mainoo’s measured low curler, but the shot flew wide.

United began the second period brightly, with Hojlund denied by an inch-perfect tackle after he’d initially used superb strength and skill to break into space.

There was also a moment of worry for Wolves when Semedo’s strongly hit backpass briefly looked

United gave PL debuts to four English U21 players (Collyer, Heaven, Amass, Fredricson) in a single season for the second time, after 1994/95.

like it might nestle in the goal, but instead landed in a safe position.

Alejandro Garnacho created the next chance, delivering a teasing low cross to the far post that Hojlund was just unable to reach.

Into the final 20 minutes and, as United pushed for a breakthrough, Chido Obi’s attempted cutback was intercepted when a shot might have been the better option.

When Garnacho’s cutback from the other side did reach Bruno Fernandes, the captain was agonisingly unable to wrap his left foot around the ball and fired wide.

Wolves then took the lead with their first shot on target. After Matheus Cunha had been fouled by Eriksen, there was nothing Andre Onana could do about Sarabia’s curling set piece from 25 yards.

United pushed for an equaliser as Mason Mount fired too high and, shortly afterwards, he was just unable to direct Eriksen’s exquisite cross into the net on the stretch.

Finally, Fernandes couldn’t trouble Bentley with a free-kick in stoppage time as Wolves held on.

Teenage defender Amass tackles Wolves’ Semedo in the sunshine at Old Trafford

BOURNEMOUTH 1

Semenyo

A 96th-minute equaliser from Rasmus Hojlund ensured United earned a point at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium.

Kobbie Mainoo carved out the first real chance, nutmegging Adam Smith as part of a slaloming run before striking into the grateful grasp of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Next, it was Alejandro Garnacho to go close, dragging a right-footed effort across the target and wide from just outside the 18-yard box.

Garnacho was then caught by a high challenge from Tyler Adams, who was perhaps lucky to receive only a yellow card, with the incident having gone to a VAR review.

Bournemouth then took the lead, as a clever flick from Evanilson opened up a chance for Antoine Semenyo to plant an effort low and hard beyond Andre Onana.

Noussair Mazraoui and Garnacho had shots blocked, before Bruno Fernandes brilliantly picked out the latter, only for Kepa to keep out a lobbed effort.

Less than two minutes after the interval, Semenyo went close to a second, curling his attempt narrowly wide of Onana’s right-hand post.

POST-MATCH LEAGUE TABLE

At the other end, Fernandes skewed a shot wide before Kepa thwarted Harry Maguire’s header.

Dango Ouattara then hit the United woodwork from a free-kick and Illya Zabarnyi put the rebound wide, shortly before the hosts were reduced to 10 men. Evanilson was booked initially when he slipped into a high foul on Mazraoui, but sent off after ref Peter Bankes watched the incident again via VAR.

That boosted the visitors as we searched for an equaliser, and Luke Shaw’s low ball from the left looked to be goalbound after it was met by Chido Obi, but for a diversion from a Bournemouth defender.

Mason Mount was twice denied by Bournemouth interventions – the second off Lewis Cook’s left knee denying a seemingly certain goal.

Christian Eriksen and Garnacho had efforts blocked, moments before Fernandes grazed the wrong side of the side-netting with an audacious long-range attempt.

But that persistence paid off deep into stoppage time, as Manuel Ugarte’s goalbound strike was diverted out of Kepa’s reach by Hojlund’s touch at close range.

DID YOU KNOW?

Hojlund’s goal (95:36) was United’s latest equaliser away from home in the Premier League on record (since

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES

The midfielder didn’t have a direct involvement in our late leveller, but he was key to so much of our play in the preceding 95 minutes. Only the excellence of Kepa in the Cherries’ goal denied our no.8 an 18th goal of the season.

Hojlund celebrates after finding the Bournemouth net, alongside Ugarte, who assisted the Dane’s injury-time goal

May

The 2024/25 season ended in heartbreak for United with defeat in the Europa League final. With silverware and a Champions League spot on the line, the Reds were defeated by Tottenham in Bilbao, via a first-half Brennan Johnson goal. Having finished 15th in the Premier League, it meant there would be no European football next term for the Reds for just the second time since 1990.

A 2-0 win in our final outing of the campaign, at home in the league against Aston Villa, at least gave the

GOAL OF THE MONTH MASON MOUNT V ATHLETIC CLUB (2ND)

The final goal of our 4-1 Europa League semi-final second-leg win left the Stretford End in awe, as Mount lofted a delightful effort over opponents Unai Nunez and Julen Agirrezabala to round off a brilliant display in M16. Having been handed possession by Agirrezabala, our no.7 needed only one touch to set

As the 2024/25 prizes are confirmed, the Reds miss out after an agonising night in northern Spain, but a final-day boost points to better days ahead...

fans one final win to cheer, but Ruben Amorim reflected on the need for improvement in 2025/26 and beyond.

“Now we have to make a choice or we stay stuck in the past,” he said as he addressed the Old Trafford crowd following the Villa win. “We either fight each other or we stick together and move forward.”

The Reds had returned to Bilbao after a resounding 7-1 win over Athletic Club, triumphing 3-0 away and 4-1 at home – the latter meeting including a stunning long-range effort from Mason Mount to round

PLAYER OF THE MONTH BRUNO FERNANDES

Our captain won the club award for the fourth consecutive month, beating off competition from second-placed Mason Mount, Casemiro and Leny Yoro. Bruno scored twice and also registered a further two assists in May, as he started six out of seven games across the month, only missing

off the scoring. With players rested for those games, the league once again took somewhat of a back seat, leading to losses against Brentford, West Ham and Chelsea before Villa were beaten on the last day.

While that final-day fixture was somewhat inconsequential to the Reds, it meant that Villa missed out on Champions League football, with Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle finishing in the top five to ensure qualification.

The Villans instead had to make do with the Europa League, while

himself, before launching a drive from 40 yards that dropped into the back of the net. Mount was the clear winner in our fan poll, ahead of his first goal in the same game. “When I saw him [the goalkeeper] come out, I had it in my head if it comes to me, ‘first touch and shoot’,” said Mason of his second goal in his post-match interview. “Then I was just trying to get it on target.” It was the crowning moment of a fantastic night in M16.

the away defeat at Brentford. He began May with two goals in our 3-0 Europa League win away to Athletic Club. An assist followed for Casemiro in the 4-1 second-leg victory, before Bruno was named Man of the Match against Aston Villa, setting up Amad’s header in the 2-0 win. Fernandes’s fourth win of the individual prize edges him ahead of Amad’s three POTM awards for the campaign.

Nottingham Forest settled for a Conference League spot after a late-season downturn in form.

Tottenham also secured entry to the Champions League with their Europa League win, ending a 17-year trophy drought in the process, but still chose to part company with Ange Postecoglou in June, with Spurs having also endured a tough year domestically as they finished 17th. He’d be replaced by Thomas Frank.

The FA Cup went to Crystal Palace, who won the first major honour in their history by beating

Manchester City 1-0 at Wembley, in no small part through former United goalkeeper Dean Henderson’s penalty save from Omar Marmoush.

There was also a moment of history as Everton bade farewell to Goodison Park after 133 years, signing off with a 2-0 win against bottom club Southampton, who at least managed to avoid equalling Derby’s record lowest points total.

Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland won promotion from the Championship, having been through two, one and eight-year spells out

of the top flight respectively. Chelsea beat Real Betis to win the Conference League and make it an English double in Europe, while PSG won 5-0 against Inter to claim their first Champions League trophy.

Amorim addresses his squad and the crowd at Old Trafford following our two-goal win against Unai Emery’s side

Our final-day opponents Aston Villa would take a Europa League spot

In their third FA Cup final – and first against a team other than United – Palace claimed the trophy

ATHLETIC CLUB 0

UNITED 3

Casemiro 30, Fernandes 37 pen, 45

First-half blitz by Reds leaves Athletic stunned

The Reds took control in the UEFA Europa League semi-final at the halfway stage, beating Athletic Club 3-0 in Bilbao.

With United making a fast start, Manuel Ugarte threaded a pass through for Alejandro Garnacho to find the bottom corner after five minutes, but unfortunately the flag was up for offside.

A slip in possession allowed Alex Berenguer to bear down on United’s goal, but Andre Onana did well to deny him. Soon afterwards, Inaki Williams should perhaps have done better when his header cleared the bar from Berenguer’s cross.

Victor Lindelof produced a timely block to deny Berenguer after the Swede had only half cleared the initial danger.

That was followed by some extraordinary wing play from Harry Maguire on the right, as he shimmied past Yuri Berchiche before delivering a pinpoint cross for a Ugarte header that was turned into the net by Casemiro.

Moments later, Rasmus Hojlund was pulled back in the box by Dani Vivian, who was sent off ahead of Bruno Fernandes casually sending Julen Agirrezabala the wrong way from the penalty spot.

The lead was extended to three on the stroke of half-time, with Fernandes keeping his cool to lift the

OTHER RESULT

Tottenham 3-1 Bodo/Glimt

ball over Agirrezabala and bag his second following Ugarte’s clever flick.

Things nearly got even better just before the whistle blew as Noussair Mazraoui rattled the bar, but United were firmly in command at the break against the shellshocked hosts.

Garnacho had a further penalty shout waved away by referee Espen Eskas, while San Mames was clearly aggrieved when Maguire escaped censure following a coming together with Maroan Sannadi that was more of a 50-50 tussle.

United rode the storm as the Basque crowd briefly bristled against the officials and we had the next big chances, when Casemiro forced Agirrezabala to palm over from long range. The Brazilian then nodded against the post from the subsequent corner.

Agirrezabala prevented the night becoming any worse for Athletic when palming away drives from Fernandes and Garnacho.

In injury-time, the hosts pushed for a late strike to reduce their task ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford, but United held firm to maintain the three-goal advantage and put one foot in the final.

DID YOU KNOW?

Fernandes’s 16 UEFA Europa League goals made him United’s all-time top scorer in any iteration of this competition.

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES

It was a brilliant team performance from the Reds, with the goalscorers receiving the vast majority of the votes cast by fans. Top the list was our no.8, who was at his brilliant, creative best, with Casemiro not far behind him.

BRENTFORD 4

Shaw 27 og, Schade 33, 70, Wissa 74

UNITED 3

Mount 14, Garnacho 82, Amad 90+5

Goals galore in the capital, but the Bees nick it

A youthful Reds side slipped to a slender 4-3 defeat away to Brentford in a back-and-forth Premier League encounter.

It was almost the worst possible start when Luke Shaw appeared to head the ball towards his own goal in the opening few minutes, to a chorus of shrieks around the Gtech Community Stadium, but thankfully it didn’t find the net.

United took the lead just before the quarter-hour mark, as Alejandro Garnacho broke down the left and found Mason Mount, who tucked the ball home.

The travelling United faithful made themselves heard following the opener, vociferously supporting the young side through every tackle, duel and pass. But the Bees equalised when a long throw on the right dropped to Mikkel Damsgaard, whose shot from a tight angle took a touch off Shaw to send it beyond Altay Bayindir’s outstretched arm.

The hosts went ahead just past the half-hour, as Christian picked out Kevin Schade from the right to head into the far corner.

Christian Eriksen came off the bench and instantly gave the Reds

DID YOU KNOW?

Chido Obi became the youngest player to start a Premier League game for United, at the age of 17 years and 156 days.

a different edge, using his passing range to go direct and managing, on a couple of occasions, to seek out Garnacho, who looked the Reds’ most dangerous player in the early parts of the second 45 minutes.

However, a third Brentford goal arrived with 20 minutes remaining, in an attack almost identical to their second, but this time it was Bryan Mbeumo who floated the ball into the box for Schade to nod in.

Their tails up, Yoane Wissa and Michael Kayode broke free from United’s backline to make it 4-1 less than five minutes afterwards, the latter feeding the former with a square pass for a simple finish.

A late Reds rally began when Alejandro Garnacho curled an effort into the top-right corner of Mark Flekken’s goal from outside the box.

Amad then reduced the arrears further in stoppage time, cutting in from the right before drilling a shot through Flekken’s legs to put United back within a goal of the home side.

Unfortunately, the two goals came too late to salvage a point and the muted celebrations following Amad’s goal reflected this as Brentford claimed all the points.

Delight in west London after Mount’s opening goal, but the hosts would rally to take the points in an open, seven-goal league contest

UNITED 4

Mount 72, 90+1, Casemiro 79, Hojlund 85

ATHLETIC CLUB 1

Jauregizar 31

(United win 7-1 on aggregate)

Mount is magic as Reds ease through second leg

United confirmed a place in the UEFA Europa League final with a 7-1 aggregate victory against Athletic Club, winning 4-1 on the night, as Mason Mount had his best night yet in a United shirt.

There were few clear-cut chances carved out in the opening 20 minutes, thanks in part to some inspired defensive work from Leny Yoro and Patrick Dorgu – the latter also looking electric going forward on the break on a few occasions.

Indeed, Dorgu appeared to be dragged down in the box by Andoni Gorosabel, but it was waved away, and even a VAR check failed to overturn the decision, even though there clearly appeared to be a clip.

Then, from almost nothing, the away side struck. Alvaro Djalo’s strike was blocked by Leny Yoro, but Mikel Jauregizar picked up the second ball and hit an effort from distance sweetly into Andre Onana’s top-left corner.

There was a huge chance for Alejandro Garnacho, who dinked a finish just wide of the post after breaking free thanks to a Dorgu pass, but the remainder of the half passed without any other incidents.

The visitors piled on the pressure on the other side of the interval, but the hour mark came and went without a notable effort to record.

OTHER RESULT

Bodo/Glimt 0-2 Tottenham (1-5agg)

Luke Shaw and Amad came off the bench and both played a part in our equaliser, but it was another substitute, Mason Mount, who applied the finishing touch. The no.7 received a short pass from Yoro before spinning and tucking his effort perfectly into the bottom corner.

Any remaining edge to the game was completely dissipated when Casemiro got enough on a whipped Bruno Fernandes free-kick to send it looping over Julen Agirrezabala and into the net.

The Reds were in dreamland and racing forward at any opportunity. Amad reached the byline and threaded a pass for Rasmus Hojlund to tap in our third goal of the night.

And then, a poor clearance from Agirrezabala gave Mount the opportunity to end the night in the most perfect way – a faded shot from just inside the visitors’ half to add the Reds’ fourth.

‘United Road’ rang out around Old Trafford as the boisterous Reds support celebrated confirmation of a trip back to Bilbao for the final, and an all-English affair against Tottenham Hotspur.

DID YOU KNOW?

United extended a new club record for most goals in a single season within this competition, with 10 more goals than our previous best tally.

MAN OF THE MATCH MASON MOUNT

There was a clear winner in our Man of the Match poll, as one Red made it a night to remember in M16. Our no.7 scored the opening goal with a Federico Macheda-esque finish, then added a long-range second in the closing minutes.

UNITED 0 WEST HAM UNITED 2

Soucek 26, Bowen 57

Goal in either half takes Potter’s Irons to victory

The penultimate home game of the season ended in defeat as United lost 2-0 to West Ham.

Bruno Fernandes twice shot over from the edge of the box in the opening 10 minutes, his first causing Alphonse Areola some concern in the Hammers’ goal.

The second was a more wayward follow-up, after the West Ham keeper had saved well from Amad.

West Ham’s first sight of goal came when Max Kilman glanced a header over from a James Ward-Prowse free-kick.

The visitors broke the deadlock on 26 minutes. Aaron Wan-Bissaka played a reverse pass to Mohammed Kudus, who fired across the face of goal for Tomas Soucek to bundle the ball home.

Kudus then drove a strike from distance just over the crossbar, while Rasmus Hojlund had a couple of efforts that went off target.

The Hammers were looking for a second goal soon after the restart, with Altay Bayindir called upon for a low stop to keep out Ward-Prowse’s

strike. Amad then had a penalty appeal denied after gliding into the box and going to ground, with Mason Mount then having a shot saved.

There was another moment to rue for the Reds when Kudus’s shot deflected into Wan-Bissaka’s path, and he picked out Jarrod Bowen for a simple finish to make it 2-0.

Substitute Alejandro Garnacho was unfortunate not to score with his first touch when he volleyed into the side-netting, while Hojlund glanced a Bruno Fernandes free-kick wide.

The Dane was then denied when Areola kept out his side-footed shot and Maguire nodded wide from a corner before forcing the West Ham stopper to save a powerful header.

Areola was the Hammers’ hero again when he somehow kept out Hojlund’s seemingly goalbound effort from minimal distance with a sprawling save, before denying Victor Lindelof on the follow-up.

Kobbie Mainoo poked a snapshot wide with United’s final chance, and West Ham, too, went close, as Bayindir saved from Ward-Prowse.

DID YOU KNOW?

Amorim became the 20th man to manage a United team against West Ham – the first being Ernest Mangnall in February 1911.

Kobbie Mainoo goes up against West Ham full-back Aaron Cresswell during our penultimate home game of the campaign

CHELSEA 1

Cucurella 71

UNITED 0

Blues get crucial breakthrough in SW6 contest

The Reds’ last league away day of the campaign ended in a 1-0 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The opening chance fell to the hosts, when Cole Palmer carved out an opening for Noni Madueke, who could only fire over, off his shin.

The Reds then looked to have taken the lead, as Harry Maguire produced an expert finish from Bruno Fernandes’s cross, but VAR showed the scorer was just offside.

Mason Mount couldn’t divert Patrick Dorgu’s cross goalwards and from then the openings began to dry up for Ruben Amorim’s side.

Chelsea skipper Reece James produced a 24th-minute strike of outrageous quality, from the edge of the box, that flew past Andre Onana but clipped the post.

Rasmus Hojlund survived a handball shout before Palmer’s deflected attempt was palmed down by Onana, only for Enzo Fernandez to miss the rebound, albeit from an offside position.

United created a decent opportunity seven minutes into the second half, when Mount and Amad linked up to give the former a chance which he screwed wide.

The same pair led another break shortly afterwards, which ended with Fernandes having a shot at goal that sailed off target, when a cross to an unmarked Casemiro at the far post might have been the better option.

A major talking point came just after the hour when Chelsea’s Tyrique George tumbled under Onana’s challenge and a penalty was awarded by referee Chris Kavanagh.

However, United breathed a collective sigh of relief as VAR showed the Reds keeper had touched the ball, and the decision was overturned.

The only goal came when James span to evade Alejandro Garnacho and delivered an inviting centre that was headed in by Marc Cucurella.

Madueke should have put the seal on it soon afterwards, racing on to Palmer’s through ball but missing the target with the net gaping.

Pedro Neto had a shot comfortably saved by Onana and Amad’s attempt forced a stop at the near post from Robert Sanchez.

Despite nearly nine minutes of stoppage time, there were no further goals, and United unfortunately left the capital empty handed.

Andre Onana reached a century of United games – his first coming in August 2023 v Wolves.

CHELSEA SUBS USED: Lavia for George 81 • Gusto for Neto 90+1 YELLOW CARDS:

Mount competes with Tosin Adarabioyo in the Friday-night fixture at Stamford Bridge

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1

UNITED 0

Heartbreak for Reds as Spurs take the trophy

Brennan Johnson’s first-half goal condemned United to a 1-0 defeat in the UEFA Europa League final, as Spurs ended their 17-year wait for a trophy.

The Reds mustered the first opportunity when Rasmus Hojlund rolled a heavy through ball away from keeper Guglielmo Vicario and set it back for Bruno Fernandes, whose shot inadvertently hit Mason Mount.

Spurs’ first chance saw Johnson win the ball back and force Andre Onana into a save from a tight angle, with Harry Maguire blocking Pape Sarr’s follow-up.

Fernandes then got in the way of a close-range attempt from Richarlison before a United corner found Maguire, who laid it back for Amad to shimmy away from a defender and shoot just wide.

The Ivory Coast international then drove forward and turned Destiny Udogie inside-out before lifting in a cross that Johnson looked grateful to clear.

Spurs took the lead when Sarr’s cross was initially missed by Johnson, but he poked the ball inside the near post with his second attempt.

Fernandes had an instant attempt at an equaliser redirected from goal by a covering Micky van de Ven in the last chance before half-time.

Into the second half, and Amad was the provider of the Reds’ first opening, curling a cross in from the

right for Hojlund, who couldn’t quite adjust to keep his aerial effort down.

Fernandes whipped a dangerous free-kick delivery into a crowded penalty area, where Leny Yoro’s attempted diversion was only slight and tamed by Vicario’s diving punch.

Moments later, the Spurs keeper fumbled a seemingly simple delivery on to the head of Hojlund, whose goalbound effort was acrobatically cleared off the line by van de Ven, before Yoro’s rebound was blocked.

Noussair Mazraoui crossed for Fernandes, who dived to head just wide, before Alejandro Garnacho made Vicario get down low to keep a shot out of his bottom-left corner.

The Reds still had to be alert, with a last-ditch tackle from Mazraoui preventing Heung-min Son from doubling Spurs’ lead.

As the clock ticked down, a final chance came when Shaw headed a cross from the right towards goal, but Vicario’s save would ultimately prove enough to engrave the capital club’s name on the trophy.

9

DID YOU KNOW?

This was United’s ninth European final (excluding Super Cup): five European Cup/Champions League, one Cup Winners’ Cup and three Europa League.

TOTTENHAM

UNITED 2

Amad 76, Eriksen 87 pen

ASTON VILLA 0

Final-day win ends campaign on positive

Our final game of the 2024/25 season ended in a deserved 2-0 win over Aston Villa, a result that denied Unai Emery’s side a Champions League place.

Mason Mount hat two attempts early on, with a volley palmed clear by Emiliano Martinez, before a header went straight at the Villa stopper.

Martinez then saved Bruno Fernandes’s stinging low strike, before also preventing Casemiro’s 20-yard effort from sneaking in.

Amad sidefooted just beyond the bottom corner while the visitors then had their first chance, but Noussair Mazraoui courageously blocked a Morgan Rogers shot.

Diogo Dalot soon replaced the injured Mazraoui, and Dalot was unlucky not to open the scoring as he swept an attempt against the post after Harry Maguire teed him up.

Just before the interval, Rasmus Hojlund latched on to Matty Cash’s backpass and was through on goal, only to be barged to the ground by Martinez, who sent off.

A man up, United were on the front foot again in the second half as Fernandes nearly nestled an effort into the top corner from distance.

note

Hojlund then nodded past replacement keeper Robin Olsen but was denied by the offside flag and Casemiro’s shot clipped the post.

The Brazilian flashed another attempt just over before a rare Villa attack saw John McGinn drag wide.

The visitors thought they should have had the advantage when Rogers was deemed to have kicked the ball out of Altay Bayindir’s hands before slotting home.

With referee Thomas Bramall having blown before his whistle before the ball entered the net, VAR could not intervene, so the game remained goalless. But not for long, as the Reds took the lead shortly afterwards, as Fernandes swung in a cross which Amad met to head beyond Olsen into the top corner.

That advantage was doubled with three minutes of normal time remaining. Amad was brought down in the box by Ian Maatsen, and Christian Eriksen stepped up to sign off his last appearance with a goal.

Cash was denied by Bayindir before sub Jonny Evans nearly got a memorable farewell of his own, with his header kept out by a sprawling Olsen save.

DID YOU KNOW?

This was United’s third consecutive final-day Premier League win, and the Reds’ 23rd overall across all 33 PL seasons.

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES

It was a close call in the star player vote, with Fernandes winning 39 per cent, ahead of Amad on 38 per cent. This was Bruno’s 13th MOTM success of the campaign – one in which he’d also be named United’s Player of the Year.

Post-season tour

Tour 2025, presented by Snapdragon, kicks off with two games played in Asia following the conclusion of United’s 2024/25 league campaign...

United visited our huge fan base in Asia following the conclusion of the 2024/25 Premier League season, playing fixtures in both Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong.

The two-match visit, presented by Snapdragon, marked the first post-season tour in the modern era of the club. United last visited Kuala Lumpur in 2009, and Hong Kong in 2013, but the bond between United and the club’s millions of loyal fans across Asia remains as strong as ever.

Reds manager Ruben Amorim named a 32-man squad for the trip, and over 100,000 fans were in attendance across the two fixtures.

The first of those, against ASEAN All-Stars in the Maybank Challenge Cup friendly game in Malaysia’s capital city, saw United lose 1-0.

Amorim gave time on the pitch to all of his matchday squad, bar goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, ensuring a blend of youth and experience got minutes in front of 72,550 fans.

In sweltering conditions, this was never going to be a high-octane clash, but there would have been frustration with the failure to reward those present with at least a goal for their favourites in the Bukit Jalil Stadium, as Maung Maung Lwin’s 71st-minute strike proved decisive.

United created a number of half-chances, including a long shot from Kobbie Mainoo that was palmed wide for a corner by goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai, while Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu’s shot was deflected into Khammai’s arms. Late on, Alejandro Garnacho

“ FOR US, IT’S AMAZING TO SEE, EVEN IN A DIFFICULT SEASON, HOW MANY FANS THIS CLUB HAS. IT’S OUR DUTY TO BE HERE, IT’S A PLEASURE” –– RUBEN AMORIM

hammered a drive over the top before he had another shot blocked.

Two days later, United had more joy in front of goal, coming from behind to win 3-1 against Hong Kong, China – a game played in driving rain at the Hong Kong Stadium. United looked capable of quickly breaking through, only for the opening goal to fail to materialise. Rasmus Hojlund took only four minutes to scrap his way into a

shooting position, but fired too close to goalkeeper Tse Ka-wing.

Out of nowhere, Hong Kong, China took the lead with their first real attack. Juninho collected a through ball, shifted it past Godwill Kukonki and drilled a shot under Tom Heaton to open the scoring.

It took only five minutes for the Reds – with a completely changed XI from the game in Malaysia – to get back on level terms, as Chido

This was the Reds’ first game in Asia since victory over Liverpool in Bangkok in July 2022

Obi scored with a slick finish. Mainoo worked the ball towards Manuel Ugarte and he touched it into the youngster’s path, with Obi displaying neat footwork before firing home a low drive.

The young centre-forward then produced a similar effort to his goal, only to be thwarted on this occasion by a decent stop, and Mason Mount’s penalty appeals were turned away when he was

brought down inside the box, as United looked for a winner. With only eight minutes of normal time remaining. Mount’s clever chip was met by Obi, whose glancing header found the bottom corner of the net for his second of the game.

Ayden Heaven then got on the end of an Amad centre to nod in a third in the dying seconds, to provide a 3-1 scoreline United’s performance merited.

It ensured a winning end to the post-season tour and signed off the 2024/25 campaign on a positive note for the teenage defender. Tour 2025 recommences in July with a friendly against Leeds in Sweden, before three games in the USA as part of the latest Premier League Summer Series. United then play at Old Trafford on 9 August, against Fiorentina in the Snapdragon Cup friendly fixture.

Obi’s goals and general play were a big plus-point from the Reds

Lining up ahead of the Maybank Challenge Cup friendly game, played in Kuala Lumpur

Young midfielder Tyler Fletcher goes up against three opponents in Hong Kong, China

The iconic Petronas towers light up during United’s visit to Kuala Lumpur

Heaven celebrates his goal after wrapping up the win in Hong Kong, China

Men’s team: Profiles & statistics

A player-by-player focus on the Reds throughout the 2024/25 campaign, alongside a statistical view of every fixture played by the team in the Premier League and other domestic competitions, as well as the Europa League...

Position Goalkeeper

Born Nkol Ngok, Cameroon, 02.04.96

Signed from Internazionale, 20.07.23

United debut v Wolves, 14.08.23

Previous clubs Ajax, Internazionale

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 72(0) games, 0 goals

FA Cup 7(0) games, 0 goals

League Cup 2(0) games, 0 goals

Europe 19(0) games, 0 goals

Other 1(0) games, 0 goals

Total 101(0) games, 0 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

48 caps for Cameroon, 0 goals

24 Andre Onana

Club legend and esteemed football analyst Gary Neville has repeatedly described the job of United keeper as being the most scrutinised role in football. And in the club’s most difficult campaign since the relegation season of 1973/74, Onana had a thankless task.

The Cameroonian started the campaign well, however, and even led the race for the Premier League’s Golden Glove for the first few months, with six clean sheets in his first 13 games. A remarkable penalty save at Southampton denied Cameron Archer and laid the platform for a 3-0 win in September, and the following weekend Onana was named Man of the Match after the goalless draw away to Crystal Palace, thanks to a stunning double save that thwarted Eddie Nketiah and Ismaila Sarr.

But following the mid-season change in the dugout – and the

1 Altay Bayindir

After making just a single appearance in his debut season of 2023/24 for the Reds, the following one was certainly a busier one for our Turkish goalkeeper, who reached double figures on the final day of the campaign as we beat Aston Villa.

Three of Bayindir’s 2024/25 appearances came in the Carabao Cup, two were in the Europa League, with another four in the Premier League, but his undoubted highlight came in his solitary FA Cup start, away to Arsenal in the third round.

After denying Martin Odegaard from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute, Altay was our shoot-out hero as the tie finished 1-1 after extra-time, superbly saving Kai Havertz’s attempt as we progressed to the fourth round.

With Altay’s previous appearance – away to Spurs in the Carabao Cup – seeing him punished for some costly errors as we lost 4-3, no wonder

Bayindir revelled in his return to north London, and he was named Man of the Match at the Emirates.

As manager Ruben Amorim said of the 6ft 6in stopper following that win: “Your life as a footballer has cycles, moments. Sometimes in one week, your life can change. You can see it with Altay – against Tottenham, everybody was pointing the finger at him. Today he was our hero.”

Bayindir would share duties between the sticks with Andre Onana throughout our Premier League run-in, with Altay lining up away to Newcastle and Brentford, as well as at home to West Ham. With three defeats and 10 goals conceded across those three fixtures, it was a particularly chastening time for the entire team, so the 27-year-old keeper would have enjoyed the season-ending win and clean sheet against Villa as much as anyone.

departure of goalkeeping coach Jelle ten Rouwelaar, who was replaced by Jorge Vital – a period of adaptation began for Onana and the whole United squad.

There were difficult moments in games for Andre, such as during the home defeat to Nottingham Forest and the win at Viktoria Plzen, but also crucial interventions: critical saves in the 2-2 draw at Anfield and then the home game against Southampton – the latter a contest which might have moved beyond United’s reach if not for Onana’s defiance.

It was undoubtedly a mixed season for the 29-year-old, but the fact that Onana kept nine clean sheets in the Premier League and conceded fewer goals than in 2023/24 suggested that the Reds’ lack of profitability at the other end of the pitch might have been the bigger problem.

UNITED

Position Defender

Born Vasteras, Sweden, 17.07.94

Signed from Benfica, 01.07.17

United debut v Real Madrid, 08.08.17

Previous clubs Vasteras SK, Benfica

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 166(28) games, 4 goals

FA Cup 21(2) games, 0 goals

League Cup 15(2) games, 0 goals

Europe 44(5) games, 0 goals

Other 1(0) games, 0 goals

Total 247(37) games, 4 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

71 caps for Sweden, 3 goals

2 Victor Lindelof

A toe problem delayed Lindelof’s start to the season until October, but when he did get going it was in typically selfless fashion, playing out of position as a right-back while helping United keep a clean sheet in a tough fixture away at Aston Villa.

The Swedish stalwart returned to a more familiar centre-back berth in his top-flight sub appearances and cup starts over the subsequent weeks, and he’d have been as frustrated as anyone to have picked up a groin injury in November’s international break that ruled him out of Ruben Amorim’s first matches in charge.

Victor’s comeback was a brief cameo to assist in seeing out December’s magnificent late derby comeback at the Etihad but he was left visibly upset after being forced off with an injury problem in his first start under Amorim four days later, at Spurs in the Carabao Cup. It meant

3 Noussair Mazraoui

One of the few realistic candidates for the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award, the Netherlands-born Morocco international delivered a highly accomplished first season at Old Trafford, following a summer move from Bayern Munich.

Fans expressed some worries when Mazraoui arrived from the iconic German club – given the physical decline of former players that had made the same switch in previous years, such as Owen Hargreaves and Bastian Schweinsteiger – but Nous’s physical durability was arguably the biggest plus-point from his maiden campaign in Manchester.

Mazraoui featured in 57 matches for his club across the season – a tally only bettered by Alejandro Garnacho – which was nine more than his previous best campaign as a professional (the 2018/19 season,

with Ajax). Noussair offered great tactical flexibility, too, playing in both full-back positions, both wing-back spots, at centre-half, and even as an attacking playmaker in the 1-1 draw away to Fenerbahce.

Mazraoui is unlikely to go viral too many times during his career – goals and assists are not his speciality – but, like previous United defensive greats Gary Neville and Denis Irwin, his consistency and reliability endear him to supporters. His best performance arguably came in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea in November, after which he was voted Man of the Match, but throughout the overwhelming majority of the season, Mazraoui could be trusted to take care of the ball in any area of the pitch and win almost all of his duels.

Aggressive, committed and unrelenting, he has seamlessly settled into life as a United player.

our no.2’s next appearance would have to wait until February, but from there he began to build up rhythm and featured regularly as the business end of the campaign approached.

Lindelof was involved in 11 of our last 12 Premier League matches, which included the honour of captaining the team in April’s Old Trafford clash with Wolves. The following month, he started both legs of the memorable Europa League semi-final triumph over Athletic Club, before it was announced that he’d be bidding farewell to the club upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season, after eight proud years.

It meant our final-day win – which he started as we shut out Villa again – was his 284th and last game for the Reds, after which he stated: “I’m leaving as a player, but will always be a fan. I wish nothing but the best for the guys and everyone at the club.”

Position Defender

Born Leiderdorp, Netherlands, 12.08.99

Signed from Bayern Munich, 13.08.24

United debut v Fulham, 16.08.24

Previous clubs Ajax, Juventus, Bayern Munich

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 25(4) games, 2 goals

FA Cup 2(0) games, 0 goals

League Cup 1(1) games, 0 goals

Europe 8(1) games, 0 goals

Total 36(6) games, 2 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

50 caps for Netherlands, 2 goals

4 Matthijs de Ligt

The Netherlands international enjoyed a promising debut season for the Reds, after joining from Bayern Munich in summer 2024. Like the man he was unveiled alongside, fellow defender Noussair Mazraoui, he produced a solid first campaign that suggests he is a player still very much on the rise with his best years ahead.

De Ligt made his debut in our Premier League opener against Fulham, scored his first goal in our 3-0 win at Southampton, and soon became a regular in the heart of our defence. It was quickly clear to see why many Bayern fans had been disappointed to see him leave their club, with his well-timed tackling, vocal leadership and aerial ability all to the fore. Like all players new to the English top flight, he needed time to adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League – first as one of a central defensive pair, then as part of

5 Harry Maguire

Maguire stood up to be counted in 2024/25, reinforcing his status as one of the squad’s primary leaders. The centre-back put the injury that had seen him miss the latter end of the previous season – and the Euros with England – behind him and made his presence felt at both ends of the pitch after making his return to competitive action in the Community Shield.

A headed equaliser in stoppage time in October’s Europa League draw away to Porto was his first of four goals across the term and an effort that would foreshadow further key contributions later in the campaign.

Our no.5’s commanding style and ability to dictate play from deep on the ball made him an ideal candidate for the central role in Ruben Amorim’s back three, a position which ‘H’ started from as he produced arguably his best performance of the season in the FA Cup win at Arsenal, battling for every

ball in a helter-skelter Cup classic despite a bout of illness. “He was sick before the game and was dead at the end,” Amorim revealed afterwards. “That is what I want from every player.”

While setting an example at the back, Maguire also proved a menace in attack, nodding home Old Trafford winners against Ipswich and Leicester in the Premier League and FA Cup respectively, before popping up with a heroic 121st-minute Europa League quarter-final decider against Lyon that was one of the all-time great Theatre of Dreams moments.

The defender’s aerial prowess was so significant that he started to be deployed up front as a ‘plan B’ when United were chasing a goal late in matches, while his all-round contributions saw him end the term as the supporters’ third-place finisher in the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year poll.

a trio in new boss Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation. It’s in this system that he has demonstrated his adaptability by playing in all three central defensive positions. Although the team’s form remained patchy as the season progressed, De Ligt’s own displays continued to improve. He scored his second goal of the season in our dramatic 3-2 home win against Ipswich, produced several impressive showings in our Europa League run, and was enjoying his finest form when injury struck in early April.

Matthijs returned briefly at the start of May, featuring as a substitute in our stunning 3-0 semi-final win at Athletic Club, but then limped out of the Reds’ 4-3 defeat at Brentford. Although that meant he had to sit out the final in Bilbao and our last league game against Aston Villa, he still managed 42 appearances and left fans excited for what is still to come.

FA Cup 16(4) games, 4 goals

League Cup 11(2) games, 0 goals

Europe 39(6) games, 4 goals

Other 1(0) games, 0 goals

Total 212(34) games, 15 goals INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 64 caps for England, 7 goals

Position Defender

Born Gualeguay, Argentina, 18.01.98

Signed from Ajax, 27.07.22

United debut v Brighton, 07.08.22

Previous clubs Newell’s Old Boys, Defensa y Justicia, Ajax

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 52(6) games, 3 goals

FA Cup 4(2) games, 0 goals

League Cup 6(1) games, 0 goals

Europe 17(2) games, 0 goals

Other 1(0) games, 0 goals

Total 80(11) games, 3 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

26 caps for Argentina, 1 goal

6 Lisandro Martinez

It was a shame for the centre-back that his season was curtailed just as he was best demonstrating how important he could be in Ruben Amorim’s system. ‘Licha’ began ’24/25 as a first-choice under Erik ten Hag, and after the Dutchman’s departure he continued to be a regular pick, first under interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy and then with Amorim. Indeed, Lisandro looked a natural fit on the left of Ruben’s back three, especially with his passing ability.

That ball-playing capability was something Amorim highlighted in January: “Sometimes [defenders] are the midfielders, because you don’t have a lot of space between the lines. They have the game in front of them. When the central defenders play well with the ball, we play well. It’s something Licha does really well.”

The stats backed up Lisandro’s role as a key ball-carrier and passer.

13 Patrick Dorgu

After joining United from Lecce on 2 February, Patrick spoke enthusiastically about the road ahead of him, saying in an official statement: “There is a clear plan set out for my development, and I feel that Manchester United is the perfect place to fulfil my potential and complete my huge ambitions.”

That word ‘development’ was also referenced by the club’s football director, Jason Wilcox, who explained his belief that the new recruit has “world-class potential and the ability to play a key role in achieving the success that everyone at Manchester United is striving for.”

Dorgu’s debut arrived against Leicester City in the FA Cup and, in a surprise move, the Denmark international started as our right wing-back, underlining his versatility on the flanks. A move to his more natural left wing soon followed and

fans were quickly impressed by his relentless, infectious work ethic.

A harsh red card, picked up in the win against Ipswich in late February, halted his momentum and prompted a three-match ban, but it’s fair to say our mid-season signing has made a promising start to life at Old Trafford, making 20 appearances across all competitions, including a start in the Europa League final in Bilbao.

A natural athlete, Patrick’s physicality up and down the left flank has provided greater balance to our play under Amorim. And while his United career is still in its infancy, he has showcased all the attributes that have made him such an exciting prospect in European football. Now officially known – when space allows! – as Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu on team lists at the request of his Nigeria-born family, his name is one to watch out for in 2025/26.

In the 20 Premier League games he played in during 2024/25, he made more passes per 90 minutes than any team-mate, and had more touches per 90 than all except Bruno Fernandes, highlighting his importance in building play – qualities beyond the highly charged defending we know him for.

When injury struck against Crystal Palace in February – ending Licha’s season having featured in 32 of 37 matches by then – he was enjoying perhaps his best form, having just been voted runner-up in the Player of the Month reckoning for January, a month during which he scored a Goal of the Season shortlistee against Liverpool and a winner at Fulham.

“I like the intensity and the energy,” Lisandro said about Ruben’s style. “I feel great in this system.” He will be working hard over the summer to restore himself to an important place in that system next term.

Position Defender

Born Saint-Maurice, France, 13.11.05

Signed from Lille, 18.07.24

United debut v Arsenal, 04.12.24

Previous clubs Lille

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 12(9) games, 0 goals

FA Cup 2(1) games, 0 goals

League Cup 1(0) games, 0 goals

Europe 7(1) games, 1 goal

Total 22(11) games, 1 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

France U17/U18/U19/U21/Olympic team

15 Leny Yoro

“A modern defender” was Ruben Amorim’s concise assessment of Yoro, after our head coach had given the 19-year-old his long-awaited debut away to Arsenal in December. “He is fast, really good with the ball –that’s good when you want to press high and leave strikers one on one.”

Paris-born Leny arrived from Lille four months before Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag as boss, but a pre-season foot injury stalled our new no.15’s start to life on the pitch in England.

Patience would be required, but once back to full fitness three months later and finally given his chance, the teenager would begin to show the qualities that saw him named in the Ligue1 Team of the Year for 2023/24.

A composed presence at the back, Yoro’s speed and anticipation to step into a tackle with his rangy legs would seem to make him the ideal fit for the manager’s back-three system.

20 Diogo Dalot

The 2024/25 season was another in which Diogo displayed his renowned availability, consistency and versatility for United.

Prior to a late-season calf issue that saw him miss six matches, Dalot had remarkably started 49 of our first 52 games across all competitions of an action-packed term, including March’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal which saw him bring up 200 appearances as a Red. “I am extremely proud, to be honest,” he said pridefully at the time. “It is something that is a great milestone for me as an individual and for my career. To play that amount of games for such a big club is something that is hard to explain.”

The Portugal international was able to make an impact at both right and left-back in the early months of the campaign, before Ruben Amorim came in and implemented a back-three system, tasking the

26-year-old with flanking both sides of the defence as a wing-back.

Our no.20 was up and down the touchline in that role and netted all three of his goals – matching his best seasonal tally for the club – by arriving in the penalty area to finish coolly in Europa League wins over FCSB, Real Sociedad and Lyon.

Having had a marked influence on our progress in the continental competition, and as someone who has always given everything for the United cause, it was no surprise to see Dalot put in his all to get back from the aforementioned calf issue in time for the Europa League final.

He came on as a late substitute in Bilbao and while that clash with Spurs ultimately ended in defeat, he was able to end the season with a trophy, having been part of the Portugal squad that lifted their second Nations League title in June.

In the closing minutes of January’s draw at Anfield, Yoro’s sprint-and-slide to prevent Darwin Nunez getting a shot away close to goal was as important as the two we scored that day, while Leny’s alertness would play an important role in our Europa League quarter-final and semi-final wins, in which he played every minute across the four enthralling games.

It was in the first of that quartet, the 2-2 draw at Lyon, where the 6ft 3in defender showcased his attacking ability, reacting quickest to Manuel Ugarte’s volley to net his first Reds goal. That was one of Yoro’s three attempts on goal that night in France – more than any team-mate.

While Yoro’s age would suggest he’s still got much room to develop, to see his confidence and leadership come to the fore alongside his undoubted ability as 2024/25 progressed, hints at a very bright future for the defender.

games, 0 goals

Europe 31(8) games, 4 goals

Other 1(0) games, 0 goals Total 184(26) games, 9 goals

RECORD: 29 caps for Portugal, 3 goals

Position Defender

Born Kingston-upon-Thames, 12.07.95

Signed from Southampton, 27.06.14

United debut v West Ham United, 27.09.14

Previous clubs Southampton

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 181(17) games, 3 goals

FA Cup 22(3) games, 1 goal

League Cup 8(4) games, 0 goals

Europe 41(10) games, 0 goals

Other 1(0) games, 0 goals

Total 253(34) games, 4 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

34 caps for England, 3 goals

23 Luke Shaw

The injury issues that curtailed Shaw’s 2023/24 unfortunately affected his following term, with the left-back suffering a setback in August that kept him out until the winter.

He appeared as a substitute in each of Ruben Amorim’s first three games in charge before a further problem saw him sidelined yet again. It was a bitter pill to swallow for Shaw, who shared his disappointment via social media. ‘I’ve been through a lot and had a lot of ups and downs but this has definitely been my toughest period,’ he wrote. ‘I’m absolutely devastated and it’s extremely tough to come to terms with reality at this moment in time.’

It would be April before we saw our no.23 in action again, with Amorim emphasising that care needed to be taken in managing Shaw’s fitness. As Ruben rotated his side in the league towards the end of the season, Luke

26 Ayden Heaven

The young defender’s first involvement in United’s 2024/25 campaign came as an Arsenal player, when he faced the Reds in a Stateside pre-season friendly, before moving between the clubs in the winter transfer window.

Heaven became Ruben Amorim’s first singing when he was announced in early February and, despite only playing 10 minutes of senior football before putting pen to paper, he went straight into the first-team squad.

That was a show of the talent and potential he was already valued with at Old Trafford, which would soon come to the fore as he made his bow as an extra-time substitute in March’s FA Cup tie at home to Fulham.

Unnerved by the tension of a nerve-shredder that went all the way to penalties, he was a natural pick to step into the side when further defensive injuries depleted United’s ranks in the following weeks.

On as a half-time substitute to make his Premier League bow against former club Arsenal, the 18-year-old excelled in another high-pressure contest and was rewarded with his inaugural start next time out, as we swept aside Real Sociedad in the Europa League last-16 second leg.

Heaven was impressive again and retained his place in the XI for the trip to Leicester that followed, where he enjoyed a near-flawless first half before suffering an injury that saw him stretchered from the field and sidelined for exactly two months.

But true to the character that was clear in his early appearances, he returned like he’d never been away and impressed again when starting at home to Villa on the final day, before ending his first half-season as a Red in fitting fashion by scoring on the post-season tour to Asia, in the friendly win over Hong Kong, China.

was almost exclusively fielded as a left-sided centre-back, although he did push forward and was virtually an auxiliary winger at the end of our dramatic 5-4 extra-time victory over Lyon in the Europa League.

Shaw made his first United start in 14 months at Bournemouth in late April and captained a youthful side at Brentford the following week as he carefully went about building his minutes back up. A big-game player, Luke was then selected to start the Europa League final. Although he was beaten by Spurs’ Brennan Johnson for the decisive goal, he played the full game and his late attempt at goal almost forced extra-time, with Guglielmo Vicario doing well to save.

Luke ended the season as United’s longest-serving first-team player, and his aim for ‘25/26 will be to find greater consistency in terms of availability for his club.

Position Defender

Born Belfast, 03.01.88

Signed from Trainee; unattached

United debut v Coventry City, 26.09.07

Previous clubs Manchester United, Royal Antwerp (loan), Sunderland (loan), West Bromwich Albion, Leicester City

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 141(20) games, 4 goals

FA Cup 11(5) games, 0 goals

League Cup 20(3) games, 2 goals

Europe 27(8) games, 2 goals

Other 3(3) games, 0 goals

Total 202(39) games, 8 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

107 caps for Northern Ireland, 6 goals

35 Jonny Evans

The popular Academy graduate endured a frustrating final season of his second spell as a Red, with injuries sadly limiting the contribution he was able to make in 2024/25. Not that he should have felt disappointed about his contribution in his two-year swansong in M16. Evans had been brought back to the club in summer 2023 as a support figure – an experienced, calm centre-half who could step in whenever required.

Though not always in the matchday squad, his professionalism, leadership and nous undoubtedly added value behind the scenes. Having gone over and above in the first season of his return stint – playing in 30 matches as United won the FA Cup – he reverted to more of an expected role in his follow-up campaign. He made 13 appearances, with all but one of his outings coming in the first half of the season: seven under Erik ten Hag,

41 Harry Amass

Building on a highly impressive debut season with United’s Academy, Amass experienced his first-team breakthrough and quickly transitioned from youthful prospect into first-team contributor in ’24/25.

As a standout player in the U18s’ treble-winning term of ’23/24, Amass had already enjoyed significant time around the club’s senior set-up before he travelled on Tour 2024.

In our competitive games, he was an unused sub on nine occasions under Erik ten Hag and had to show patience after the arrival of Ruben Amorim. Harry reflected that the time “helped me grow as a person and a player”.

While first-team chances took some time to come, Amass played regularly for the club’s U18s and U21s, helping the former to reach the FA Youth Cup semi-final and the latter progress in the National League Cup.

He returned to the matchday squad for February’s Premier League defeat at Tottenham. Exactly one month on, coinciding with Harry’s 18th birthday, he became the club’s 253rd Academy graduate when coming off the bench in a 3-0 league victory over Leicester City.

A start away to Newcastle demonstrated Amorim’s increased faith in the youngster, and another followed immediately after, at home to Wolves. While both games ended in defeat, the left wing-back’s displays were widely seen as a bright spark. And little better demonstrated Ruben’s trust of Amass than his arrival off the bench at a crucial juncture in our extra-time win against Lyon.

Ending the season with seven appearances, Amass now knows it was the worth the wait, and will no doubt have his sights set on greater involvement going forward.

three under Ruud van Nistelrooy, and the final three for Ruben Amorim. Whether making one of his six starts or seven sub appearances, Evans always received a warm reception due to his clear love of the club and dedication to the cause. He was a late sub in our Community Shield and Premier League openers, started in our most high-scoring win of the campaign, against Barnsley, featured twice against his former club Leicester, and played three times in our Europa League run, with his best display coming in our resilient goalless away draw at Aston Villa. Evans featured again against the Villans in what was to be his curtain call for the Reds – saying farewell as a late substitute in our season-ending 2-0 victory at Old Trafford. He exited stage left with much affection and with an extensive medal collection he can be proud of.

Position Midfielder

Born Portsmouth, 10.01.99

Signed from Chelsea, 05.07.23

United debut v Wolves, 14.08.23

Previous clubs Chelsea, Vitesse Arnhem (loan), Derby County (loan)

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 13(18) games, 2 goals

FA Cup 0(2) games, 0 goals

League Cup 2(0) games, 0 goals

Europe 3(8) games, 2 goals

Other 1(0) games, 0 goals

Total 19(28) games, 4 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

36 caps for England, 5 goals

7 Mason Mount

If first on Mason’s wishlist going into 2024/25 was simply to enjoy more game time than he did in a debut season hit by injury, the midfielder was again unfortunate to have his ambitions dented by some frustrating periods on the sidelines. But the strong way in which he finished the campaign will have been a huge positive – and a platform from which to build into 2025/26.

When Ruben Amorim took up his role as head coach in November, he singled Mount out for praise, saying: “I have to tell you, I love that kid. You can look in his eyes that he wants this so bad. And this is the most important thing for me. He’s played in this system [before], so it’s perfect for him. I have two positions for Mason Mount, so he should be very happy!”

Unfortunately for Mason there was a setback around the corner, just as he was finding his place within that

8 Bruno Fernandes

Only a truly special footballer could enhance their reputation as a United hero in such a poor season for the team, but that’s what Bruno Fernandes managed during 2024/25. Through defeat after defeat, amid oceanic amounts of scrutiny and criticism, the Reds’ skipper delivered 19 goals and 18 assists, earning him both the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year and the Players’ Player of the Year awards, confirming the affection felt towards him by both fans and team-mates.

Remarkably, Fernandes produced all this after a relatively quiet start. He failed to score in the first 14 games of the campaign and was sent off against both Tottenham and Porto, though the first of those dismissals was later rescinded. But after that lull, the deluge. Bruno scored four in four under interim head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy, and barely let

up thereafter. A hat-trick in the Europa League last-16 tie against Real Sociedad was a clear personal highlight, while he was also sublime in the 2-2 draw at Anfield. But there was plenty more: our captain was named United’s Man of the Match on an astonishing 13 occasions, and won the final four Player of the Month awards consecutively. In May, he picked up the Sir Matt Busby trophy for a record-equalling fourth time (joining David De Gea and his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo on that exalted plateau).

A team player to the core, the Reds’ no.8 clearly took little joy in his outstanding individual performance, given the club’s overall results, but when his United career is eventually appraised in its fullness, fans will not quickly forget his valiant efforts to rescue this most disappointing of seasons.

system, forced off early in the Manchester derby on 15 December.

With a lot of hard work, diligence and a positive attitude, however, Mason worked his way back to fitness and got his first minutes of 2025 as a substitute on 1 April, against Nottingham Forest. From that moment on, he featured in every game until the end of the season, a run of 14 consecutive matches – just the sort of momentum and rhythm that Mason had been denied thus far in his United career.

The rewards came most abundantly in the two goals he scored against Athletic Club in the Europa League second leg tie at Old Trafford on 8 May, an undoubted highlight of his season, and indeed his time as a Red so far. The second goal, driven in brilliantly from long range, came second in the club’s Goal of the Season poll.

games, 22 goals

Other 1(0) games, 0 goals

Total 275(15) games, 98 goals

Position Midfielder

Born Middelfart, Denmark, 14.02.92

Signed from Brentford, 15.07.22

United debut v Brighton, 07.08.22

Previous clubs Ajax, Tottenham, Internazionale, Brentford

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 48(25) games, 3 goals

FA Cup 5(2) games, 0 goals

League Cup 4(2) games, 3 goals

Europe 13(8) games, 2 goals

Total 70(37) games, 8 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

144 caps for Denmark, 46 goals

18 Casemiro

Casemiro’s third Reds season was, by his own evaluation, a success –in a different way to his many other trophy-tinged terms. The satisfaction the Brazilian gained from what was of course a difficult ’24/25 overall was in knuckling down and convincing Ruben Amorim of his worth.

Casemiro had begun 2024/25 as a regular under Erik ten Hag, featuring in all but two of the early season matches overseen by the Dutchman. After Ten Hag’s departure, the Brazilian initially remained key, producing a top showing in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first match in interim charge, against Leicester, with a star display and a sublime goal shortlisted for the end-of-season prize.

Though he started in incoming head coach Amorim’s first game, against Ipswich (Casemiro’s 100th United appearance) and featured in the new man’s first three matches,

14 Christian Eriksen

The popular Dane enjoyed his best goalscoring season since joining the club, netting five times in 35 appearances, but waved farewell to Old Trafford at the end of the campaign after three solid years.

When Eriksen joined in the summer of 2022, little more than a year after suffering a cardiac arrest in Denmark’s Euro 2020 game against Finland, it began another remarkable chapter in a remarkable football story. And Eriksen was an integral part of the United team that finished third in the Premier League in his first term, but found his starts less frequent during 2024/25.

Whenever he did make it onto the field, his velvet touch and eye for creativity were always in evidence – a lovely scooped pass for Amad’s second in the 3-1 win over Southampton being a fine example – and his double against Barnsley

and a blitzer against Twente were memorable contributions. However, in an interview during the autumn international break, Christian admitted he wanted to play more, but found it tough to break into the starting XI against fierce midfield competition in the ensuing months.

He managed a pleasant send-off in the 2-0 win over Aston Villa that concluded the season. When the Reds won a penalty in the final 10 minutes, skipper Bruno Fernandes offered the ball to Eriksen – a kind gesture, given United’s advantage was only one goal at the time – and the playmaker’s technical quality did not let the team down.

Christian thundered the ball past Robin Olsen to seal the victory, and drew warm applause from the M16 loyalists after the full-time whistle. “It’s been a special three years,” he told the BBC afterwards.

an unfamiliarly lean patch followed during the rest of December, January and into the start of February, amid which our no.18 featured in just four of 16 games, often unused on the bench.

His enduring qualities, however, shone through and from then onwards he became increasingly involved, proving his worth by featuring on the club’s three-man Player of the Month shortlists in March, April and May as he finished 2024/25 commandingly.

“I think I’m learning how to use players like Casemiro,” Amorim admitted in March. “This year has been one of the most important years of my career,” was Casemiro’s post-season verdict. “I was left out, but I never stopped working. That’s my great success. When you don’t play and you manage to change the mind of a coach who arrives and doesn’t play you... it was one of my most successful years.”

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 66(11) games, 6 goals

FA Cup 7(3) games, 3 goals

League Cup 8(2) games, 4 goals

Europe 23(4) games, 4 goals

Other 1(0) games, 0 goals

Total 105(20) games, 17 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 77 caps for Brazil, 7 goals

Position Midfielder

Position Midfielder

Born Montevideo, Uruguay, 11.04.01

Signed from Paris Saint-Germain, 30.08.24

United debut v Southampton, 14.09.24

Previous clubs Fenix, Famalicao, Sporting CP, Paris Saint-Germain

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 22(7) games, 1 goal

FA Cup 3(0) games, 0 goals

League Cup 3(0) games, 0 goals

Europe 8(2) games, 1 goal

Total 36(9) games, 2 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

31 caps for Uruguay, 1 goal

25 Manuel Ugarte

United’s fifth and final senior summer signing arrived from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day but had to wait a fortnight to make his bow, following the international break.

An energetic cameo in the 3-0 win at Southampton provided promise but it wasn’t until the late autumn when the Uruguay international really became part of United’s first-choice midfield, initially under caretaker boss Ruud van Nistelrooy and then Ruben Amorim.

Ugarte had arrived in England with a reputation as a tough tackler in the middle of the park: “It’s about fighting for every ball like it’s your last,” he told us, in his maiden interview. A total of 11 Premier League yellow cards was therefore no surprise, but the former Sporting and PSG man also showed his attacking capabilities, especially during United’s run to a European

37 Kobbie Mainoo

Players go through whole careers without experiencing the highs of Mainoo’s debut campaign for club and country, so it was perhaps unfair to expect more of the same in ’24/25, especially considering the Academy graduate only turned 20 in April.

A difficult start to the season, with United winning just two of our opening seven league encounters, was then followed by a muscle injury that kept Kobbie sidelined until early December. He featured regularly during Ruben Amorim’s first three months in charge, the highlight coming in late January as a superbly taken goal and an assist in Bucharest vanquished FCSB and ensured the Reds qualified automatically for the last 16 of the Europa League.

But a further setback the following month meant the midfielder missed both meetings with Real Sociedad and it was April before he was able to

return to action. He soon showed supporters what they’d been missing, keeping a calm head while others lost theirs by bending home the equaliser to make it 4-4 in the improbable comeback against Lyon at Old Trafford. It was a sign of Kobbie’s quality and undoubtedly one of the moments of the campaign.

Our no.37 has sometimes found a spot in Amorim’s system difficult to come by, playing deeper, as one of the attacking midfielders and even as a false nine at times. But the manager clearly recognises that he has one of the country’s best young talents at his disposal, reminding journalists in Romania that what we saw in ’23/24 probably won’t be the pinnacle.

“I think he is improving a lot during the last matches,” said Amorim. “I think you guys feel like Kobbie is the finished product – he is not, he has so much potential to grow even more.”

final in the spring months. He scored the opening goal in that now-famous 5-4 quarter-final ding-dong with Lyon – only his second for the Reds, after an impressive volley had completed a February comeback at Everton.

Two assists followed in the semi-final first-leg success over Athletic Club – arguably the Reds’ best performance of the campaign – and Ugarte ended the term having set up six goals for his team-mates from his deep anchor position.

The Montevideo-born midfielder will have been as disappointed as anyone with how our return to Bilbao mapped out, particularly as he remained on the bench throughout the agonising defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. But, as the embodiment of Uruguay’s famed ‘garracharrúa’ spirit, Manuel will no doubt be up for the battle again as the Reds go about rebuilding under Ruben in 2025/26.

United debut v Charlton Athletic, 10.01.23

Previous clubs None

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 43(7) games, 3 goals

FA Cup 7(2) games, 2 goals

League Cup 1(1) games, 0 goals

Europe 1(9) games, 2 goals

Other 1(0) games, 0 goals

Total 53(19) games, 7 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 10 caps for England, 0 goals

Position Midfielder

Born Stockport, 19.04.05

Signed from Trainee

Born Worthing, 03.01.04

Signed from Brighton & Hove Albion, 01.03.22

United debut v Manchester City, 10.08.24

Previous clubs Brighton & Hove Albion

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 0(6) games, 0 goals

FA Cup 0(1) games, 0 goals

League Cup 1(0) games, 0 goals

Europe 2(2) games, 0 goals

Other 0(1) games, 0 goals

Total 3(10) games, 0 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: England U16/U20

43 Toby Collyer

Collyer’s season began with perhaps the proudest moment of his career so far, by making his senior debut for the Reds in front of over 78,000 fans at the Community Shield at Wembley.

There, the young midfielder caught the eye as a second-half substitute against Manchester City and, following another spirited cameo against Liverpool a few weeks later, the West Sussex-born no.43 made a deserved first start in September’s emphatic 7-0 Carabao Cup win over Barnsley at Old Trafford.

Changes in management and competition for places meant Collyer had to be patient as the season progressed, but his first opportunity under Ruben Amorim arrived in early January and he grasped it with both hands, appearing in six matches across all competitions that month.

Memorably, the youngster made a last-gasp clearance to secure a 1-0

9 Rasmus Hojlund

Much like the previous campaign, Hojlund ended 2024/25 with a double-figure goal tally for the Reds, but it would be fair to say that his sophomore season was far more challenging for the Danish forward.

Assigned the no.9 shirt last summer, Rasmus had to wait until late September to wear it for the first time, on account of a muscle injury.

For all his endeavour in leading the line, goal involvements proved hard to come by over the next two months, with just the two goals in 12 games leading up to Ruben Amorim’s arrival: a tidy finish to complete a swift attack in Porto as we drew 3-3, and a league winner at home to Brentford. Rasmus would also win the penalty – converted by Bruno Fernandes – in November’s 1-1 league draw against Chelsea.

Amorim’s appointment seemed to ignite Hojlund’s season, with him netting five in his first five games under

the Portuguese, including Europa League doubles against Bodo/Glimt and Viktoria Plzen. This saw him become just the third player to score nine goals for United at the major stage of a European competition while aged 21 or younger, after Wayne Rooney and Marcus Rashford.

Promising signs, but from there the goals would dry up again, across 21 games. When he finally returned to the scoresheet, away to Leicester in March, the relief was tangible. “It is really important for him,” said Amorim. “He scored a very good goal and he deserved it more than anybody.”

Further late-season strikes came in the 1-1 draw at Bournemouth – a last-minute leveller – and at home to Athletic Club to round off an aggregate rout. That was his 11th goal in 21 European games for the Reds, a strong return which he’ll be keen to start carrying into domestic games.

Premier League win at Fulham that prompted words of high praise from team-mate Lisandro Martinez. “This guy honestly is a big example for the young generation,” said Licha. “I’m really happy for him because he is working so hard every day and he is so humble. He deserves it all.”

A couple of unfortunate injuries halted Toby’s momentum throughout the final months of the campaign, limiting him to just four outings in March, but that does not take away from a highly encouraging and educational breakthrough term for the former Brighton & Hove Albion talent, who celebrated his 21st birthday in January 2025.

Collyer’s energetic, efficient style of play and willingness to learn makes him a valued member of Amorim’s squad, and the 2025/26 season represents another chance for him to kick on.

Position Forward

Born Copenhagen, Denmark, 04.02.03

Signed from Atalanta, 05.08.23

United debut v Arsenal, 03.09.23

Previous clubs Copenhagen, Sturm Graz, Atalanta

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 48(14) games, 14 goals

FA Cup 7(1) games, 1 goal

League Cup 1(3) games, 0 goals

Europe 17(4) games, 11 goals

Total 73(22) games, 26 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 26 caps for Denmark, 8 goals

Position Midfielder

Position Forward

Born Schiedam, Netherlands, 22.05.01

Signed from Bologna, 14.07.24

United debut v Fulham, 16.08.24

Previous clubs Bayern Munich, Parma (loan), Anderlecht (loan), Bologna

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 14(18) games, 3 goals

FA Cup 1(2) games, 1 goal

League Cup 1(2) games, 1 goal

Europe 6(5) games, 2 goals

Total 22(27) games, 7 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 6 caps for Netherlands, 1 goal

16 Amad

The Ivorian was arguably United’s standout performer in pre-season and carried the confidence from those summer showings into the new term. He scored his first away goal for the club in our third outing, against Brighton, and was named in the XI for 17 of our first 24 top-flight fixtures, having only started five league games prior to the opening weekend.

Amad was not only carving out a regular place in the side but making a real impression, winning our Player of the Month awards for August, December and January, as fans recognised his efforts despite the difficult season that was unfolding for the team. His double in a 2-0 win over Greek side PAOK and hat-trick in a 3-1 victory at home to Southampton were shows of his ability to almost single-handedly inspire the Reds to triumph, while his 90th-minute points-clincher away to Manchester

11 Joshua Zirkzee

As one of the summer arrivals ahead of ‘24/25 things could not have started much better for the Dutchman, as he stepped off the bench to score an instinctive late winner in our Premier League opener against Fulham.

That victory, and his decisive contribution to it, suggested that his assimilation to English football would be smooth and rapid; instead, he had to endure some tough moments before demonstrating his undoubted ability. By season’s end, Zirkzee had showcased enough of his unique blend of strength and finesse to leave fans feeling that there’s real potential for him to grow into a class performer. His graceful footwork and sharp dribbling are particularly easy on the eye, while his determination and strength of character were also impressive – not least the way he recovered from the ignominy of being substituted in the first half of our

home defeat by Newcastle, and the accompanying crowd reaction, to become an increasingly impressive contributor in the weeks that followed. It was under Amorim that Zirkzee shifted into a no.10-style role and was able to show off his ability to link play and create space. Reds fans soon began to see the best of him: he scored a brace in our 4-0 defeat of Everton and struck important goals against Real Sociedad and Lyon.

His total of seven strikes in 49 appearances might not sound huge, but there was real disappointment when a hamstring injury in early April effectively ended his campaign – he briefly featured as a late substitute in our bitter final defeat in Bilbao.

It had not been quite the season he’d hoped for, but there was enough from the Dutchman to suggest he can grow into a more consistent threat in the years ahead.

City and late equaliser at Liverpool were the latest examples of his capacity to come up with big moments in big matches – just as he’d famously done against the latter in the FA Cup the previous season.

The winger commendably adapted to produce consistently high-level performances as both a wing-back and a central-attacking midfielder in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system after our head coach’s mid-season arrival, and he would surely have been a closer to competitor to Bruno Fernandes in the Player of the Year stakes but for the ankle injury that sidelined him from February to May.

Amad was able to return before season’s end, looking one of our main scoring threats in the Europa League final. He then netted on the top-flight’s last day against Villa to finish another foundational campaign with 11 goals and eight assists in all competitions.

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 25(13) games, 9 goals

FA Cup 1(5) games, 1 goal

League Cup 0(3) games, 1 goal

Europe 7(9) games, 3 goals

Other 1(0) games, 0 goals

Total 34(30) games, 14 goals

INTERNATIONAL

Position Forward

Born Manchester, 31.10.97

Signed from Trainee

United debut v Midtjylland, 25.02.16

Previous clubs Aston Villa (loan)

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 217(70) games, 87 goals

FA Cup 27(9) games, 9 goals

League Cup 16(9) games, 16 goals

Europe 52(23) games, 26 goals

Other 1(2) games, 0 goals

Total 313(113) games, 138 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

62 caps for England, 17 goals

10 Marcus Rashford

The forward’s 10th term as part of United’s first-team squad saw him in the headlines as much as any previous campaign since his 2015/16 breakthrough, but more often than not those stories speculated on his future in the club game rather than his achievements on a football pitch.

As such, it would be easy to forget his successes in a red shirt across 24 appearances in ’24/25, starting with a neat low finish at Southampton in September; a goal that was swiftly followed by a League Cup double at home to Barnsley three days later.

Rashford also started October strongly, scoring our opener in the Europa League draw in Porto, before a barren run of eight games without a goal leading up to the appointment of Ruben Amorim as boss in November.

The Wythenshawe-raised forward made a very fast start under Amorim, netting just 80 seconds into the new

17 Alejandro Garnacho

Garnacho began the season where he left the previous campaign, by scoring against rivals Manchester City at Wembley Stadium, this time in the Community Shield. That second-half finish in the capital was later voted our official Goal of the Month for August, and another individual award followed with the October Player of the Month prize, making it a bright start on a personal level for Alejandro during what was otherwise a challenging period for the team.

Ruben Amorim’s appointment in November ushered in a new formation and, in Alejandro’s case, a different position, operating as one of two no.10s behind the striker. It was a period of adaptation for the entire team and one with speed bumps on an individual basis –Garnacho was omitted from the squad that beat Manchester City

at the Etihad in December – but the young forward eventually earned his place in the side and was virtually ever-present throughout the remainder of the season, either as a starter or substitute.

In fact, the Madrid-born Argentina international finished 2024/25 with 58 appearances to his name (36 as a starter, 22 as a substitute) –a tally that was more than any other member of the United squad. Alejandro also accrued 21 goal involvements across all competitions – 11 goals, 10 assists – underlining his development in the final third.

Garna’s finishes against Leicester City and Brentford were both nominated for the Reds’ coveted Goal of the Season award, though he ultimately could not retain the fan-voted prize that he won in 2023/24 with his memorable overhead kick against Everton.

manager’s first game in charge, the 1-1 draw at Ipswich on 24 November. A week later, Amorim’s first league home fixture saw Rashford bag a brace as we beat Everton 4-0. But with the boss, in his words, “evaluating everything” as he looked to build his favoured team heading into the new year, Rashford found himself either on the bench or out of the squad, and as the winter transfer window drew to a close, a loan move away seemed the best option for all parties.

On 2 February, Marcus made a temporary switch to Aston Villa, with him scoring four goals in 17 games for them before the close of the season.

Who knows what 2025/26 holds for Rashford, but wherever he’s playing his football he’ll surely be hoping for a more settled campaign, especially with the World Cup finals starting hot on the heels of the club season’s conclusion.

Position Forward

Born Madrid, Spain 01.07.04

Signed from Atletico Madrid, 11.09.20

United debut v Chelsea, 28.04.22

Previous clubs Atletico Madrid

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 58(35) games, 16 goals

FA Cup 8(5) games, 2 goals

League Cup 7(3) games, 4 goals

Europe 15(12) games, 3 goals

Other 0(1) games, 1 goal

Total 88(56) games, 26 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 8 caps for Argentina, 0 goals

Position Forward

Born Osasco, Brazil, 24.02.00

Signed from Ajax, 01.09.22

United debut v Arsenal, 04.09.22

Previous clubs Sao Paulo, Ajax, Real Betis (loan)

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 38(24) games, 5 goals

FA Cup 6(3) games, 3 goals

League Cup 7(1) games, 2 goals

Europe 12(5) games, 2 goals

Total 63(33) games, 12 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

16 caps for Brazil, 2 goals

56 Chido Obi

Few United fans had heard of Chido Obi at the season’s start, but the prodigious 17-year-old soon drew headlines for his move north from Arsenal. With the transfer receiving Premier League ratification in October, Obi made an instant impact with our Under-18s, scoring a mere 13 seconds into his full debut, at home to Nottingham Forest. By the 14th minute, he’d completed a hat-trick. Such prodigious scoring talents had made his name at Arsenal, and the goals became something of a regularity as he settled into life with our youth sides. Two doubles in the FA Youth Cup, against Coventry and Preston, preceded another treble in quarter-final demolition of Chelsea. That latter performance was enough to convince Ruben Amorim of Obi’s readiness for a first-team opportunity, which followed just four days later in the Premier League

21 Antony

Few players in world football experienced a season of two such contrasting halves as Brazilian wide forward Antony, who struggled for minutes and momentum at Old Trafford before a January loan move to Spanish side Real Betis, which revived his campaign.

The winger did not start a Premier League match in 2024/25, and was limited to 14 appearances for the Reds, which took him to 96 games overall for the club since his arrival from Ajax three years ago.

Antony’s three ’24/25 starts came in the Europa League (two) and during a 7-0 romp past Barnsley in the third round of the Carabao Cup, during which he scored his only Reds goal of the season, from the penalty spot.

But his struggle for opportunities continued after Ruben Amorim’s arrival as head coach, and in January, Betis swooped to take him on loan

until the end of the season. The change inspired Antony and his new team almost immediately: he helped lift Los Verdiblancos from ninth in LaLiga up to sixth, earning the club qualification for next season’s Europa League.

Antony was arguably the key figure for Betis in their impressive second half to the season, posting nine goals and five assists – including two strikes in the two-legged Conference League semi-final against Fiorentina. Betis prevailed in that one, and Antony started the subsequent final, where his adopted club led Chelsea at half-time but were unable to quell a Cole Palmer-inspired comeback.

Nevertheless, Antony could reflect with satisfaction on a really positive back end to 2024/25, which will give him confidence for the next phase of his club career.

defeat to Tottenham on 16 February. More significant introductions off the bench followed in our final match at Everton’s Goodison Park (a 2-2 draw) and the FA Cup defeat to Fulham, where Obi offered a real threat and forced Cottagers keeper Bernd Leno into a fantastic save. He ended the season with a total of eight appearances, and while he didn’t find the net in those games, he did set a record, becoming the youngest player to start a Premier League game for United, when in action at Brentford.

His first senior United goals came on our post-season tour in Asia, with one clinical finish and a smart header in the 3-1 victory over Hong Kong, China. The composure and quality on show there was of little surprise to those who had watched him in our Academy teams, and is hopefully a sign of things to come as he continues his United career.

Squad members

Other players involved with the men’s

team...

A handful of first-team squad members were restricted to peripheral roles during 2024/25, as some departed on permanent transfers shortly after the season had started, while others stepped up from the club’s youth ranks to take a place on the fringe of the senior set-up.

For Tyrell Malacia, a total of eight outings before a mid-season loan to PSV Eindhoven may not have seemed like a vast sum, but they represented long-awaited progress for the Netherlands international. Having missed the entirety of 2023/24 through injury, Malacia made his comeback against Bodo/Glimt in Ruben Amorim’s first home game as head coach, going on to notch five starts and three substitute outings before a temporary relocation to Eindhoven.

Amorim’s structural preference for wing-backs over full-backs compromised Malacia’s hopes of regular involvement at Old Trafford, prompting the sanctioning of his loan exit. “What I know is that it’s really hard on Malacia,” admitted the Portuguese. “It is a long time without playing, and then it’s hard to play a lot of games. He can play as one of the three defenders, if we have more possession and more control of the games. It’s a really difficult context for him. But he’s our player and we are going to help him.”

A loan deal was also decided as the best solution for Jadon Sancho’s future. The winger had spent time at former club Borussia Dortmund in the second half of 2023/24 and, after a late cameo from the bench in the Reds’ 2024 Community Shield defeat to Manchester City, Sancho was given the opportunity to rack up more playing time in a season-long arrangement with Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea. Uruguayan winger Facundo Pellistri also made his solitary outing of the season for United in the Wembley shoot-out loss before agreeing a permanent transfer to Panathinaikos in Greece. While that curtailed the youngster’s four-year stay at the club, fellow departee Scott McTominay left after a staggering 22 years in the United system. The Scotland international

McTominay’s final Reds outing came against Brighton in August 2024

Mee was part of the goalkeepers’ group

Pellistri featured in the Community Shield

The experienced Heaton is a much-respected squad member

joined Napoli after substitute appearances in the opening three games of the Reds’ season, coming off the bench against City, Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion.

As the cycles of football rolled on, there were customary openings for new homegrown talents in the Reds’ ranks. Ethan Wheatley made a solitary substitute appearance under interim head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy in United’s Carabao Cup win over Leicester, before departing to Walsall on loan, while homegrown defender Tyler Fredricson stepped up under Ruben Amorim to make impressive defensive starts against Wolves and Brentford towards the end of the campaign, announcing himself as a talent to watch over the coming years.

For others, there was no senior playing time, but invaluable experience garnered on the training pitches at Carrington and in watching briefs as unused substitutes during first-team fixtures.

Tom Heaton was the most senior squad member to partake in matchday squads without clocking up playing time, alongside fellow Academy graduates Sekou Kone, Dermot Mee, Hubert Graczyk, Elyh Harrison, Jack Fletcher, Jack Moorhouse, Godwill

Kukonki, Jayce Fitzgerald, Dan Gore, Jaydan Kamason, Bendito Mantato, William Murdock, Habeeb Ogunneye and James Scanlon, who were all part of at least one matchday squad.

As Bruno Fernandes reflected at the end of the season, such call-ups can prove priceless for the future in each individual’s development. “A lot of young players got their chance, and that’s a good experience for them, too,” said the captain. “They’ve been training with us, so we know what to expect from them. We know

that the Academy always brings young, exciting players, and they all have their opportunities to do well.”

Amorim took the same view, stressing that homegrown talent will always have a place in his plans as he looks to maintain one of the club’s great traditions. Discussing his close-season recruitment, the Reds’ head coach said: “We have a plan, that is to bring in some new players, but our big plan is to improve the team we have, to improve the Academy. It was the past, so it can be the future.”

“A LOT OF YOUNG PLAYERS GOT THEIR CHANCE, AND THAT’S A GOOD EXPERIENCE FOR THEM, TOO. THEY’VE BEEN TRAINING WITH US, SO WE KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THEM. THE ACADEMY ALWAYS BRINGS EXCITING PLAYERS AND THEY HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO DO WELL”–– BRUNO FERNANDES

Young striker Wheatley stepped off the bench in the Carabao Cup

Fredricson’s first-team bow would come in the Premier League

Malian midfielder Kone was signed in pre-season

Loanees

The Reds to play elsewhere during the season...

During the course of 2024/25, United once again utilised the loan market as a means of providing much-needed action and experience for players who were either on the fringes of the first-team set-up or ready for a new challenge in their ongoing development.

At the start of the campaign, a season-long deal with Chelsea for Jadon Sancho represented the highest-profile loan of a senior player but, following the mid-season arrival of Ruben Amorim as head coach, alterations to the Reds’ playing style meant that more first-team squad members temporarily departed during the winter transfer window in search of regular playing time.

Academy product Marcus Rashford joined Unai Emery’s Aston Villa between February and May, notching four goals and six assists across the course of 17 appearances for the Villans, earning a recall to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad in the process. “An incredible few months,” was Rashford’s take on the spell, while his 24 outings for United in the first half of the season took his all-time appearances haul to 426 for his boyhood club.

While Marcus’s spell in the Midlands caught the collective eye, fellow forward Antony also had a succesful loan during five months with Real Betis, bagging nine goals and five assists as he inspired the Seville-based club to a runners-up finish in the UEFA Conference League. The Brazilian and his colleagues were beaten by Chelsea in the final, with on-loan United winger Sancho among the goals in his farewell appearance for the Blues.

There was also tangible success for Tyrell Malacia, as the Dutch international left-back returned to his homeland to join PSV Eindhoven for the second half of the season. Having fought his way back from a long-term injury at Old Trafford, Malacia maintained his return to sustained fitness as Peter Bosz’s side stunned long-time leaders Ajax to claim the Eredivisie title on the final day of the season.

Asked if he was pleased by his senior players’ exploits on loan, Amorim stressed: “Of course. The

Sancho made 41 appearances for Chelsea throughout his season-long loan in London, scoring five goals

Defender Bennett was a regular starter in League Two for Fleetwood Town

talent of Rashford, the talent of Antony, all these players, they have to put that on the team. So, we are really happy because if you put a player on loan, the best thing for us is for them to perform and they are performing.”

While loans for a quartet of established senior squad members represented a departure from the norm for United, more customary was the Reds’ utilisation of loans for youth team players. Ahead of the campaign, season-long deals were agreed for Joe Hugill (Wigan Athletic), Radek Vitek (BW Linz), Rhys Bennett (Fleetwood Town), James Nolan (Inverness Caledonian Thistle), Elyh Harrison (Chester), Sonny Aljofree (Accrington Stanley), Tom Myles (Runcorn Linnets) and Tom Wooster (Farsley Celtic), with all eight youngsters picking up a range of invaluable experiences.

Goalkeeper Vitek made 28 appearances as Linz made an unexpectedly high sixth-placed finish in the Austrian Bundesliga, while Youth Cup-winning skipper Bennett thrived in League Two, establishing himself at the heart of→

Malacia was an Eredivisie winner upon his return to the Netherlands

Hugill (right) split his campaign into two loan spells, at Wigan Athletic and Carlisle United

Keeper Vitek continued his development between the sticks in Austria’s top flight

the Fleetwood defence and reflecting post-season: “It’s been such a beneficial experience that I’ve really enjoyed. I much prefer to play in front of crowds; it’s given me plenty of adrenaline this season. I’ve given myself a good platform for next year. I want to build on it and strive for bigger and better things.”

Fellow defender Aljofree also acquitted himself at League Two level, while full-back Nolan thrived all term in Scotland’s second tier. For some, loans were cut short for various reasons. Goalkeeper Harrison was brought back to Old Trafford midway through the season to provide first-team cover, having shone during his curtailed stint at Chester.

Manager Calum McIntyre said: “Elyh has been superb for us, and we are really thankful for all his efforts over this first half of the season. He has shown his immense ability and

has a hugely bright future in the game ahead of him. We can be really proud that we were his first taste of senior football.”

Fellow stoppers Myles and Wooster also returned in January, with the latter heading back out to Leek Town, while Hugill returned from Wigan before departing again to work under the management of Reds legend Mark Hughes at Carlisle United. Hugill and Myles were joined by seven fellow Reds in embarking on winter loans elsewhere throughout the English football pyramid, with Ethan Ennis (Doncaster Rovers), Dan Gore (Rotherham United), Louis Jackson, Sam Mather (both Tranmere Rovers), Jack Kingdon (Rochdale), Ethan Wheatley (Walsall) and Ethan Williams (Cheltenham Town) all furthering their education with spells elsewhere.

Winger Ennis goes up against Hull City while playing for League Two Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup third round

Midfielder Gore headed to Rotherham United in League One

Jackson made the short trip to Tranmere for his loan, which began in February

Departures

Players to leave United on a permanent basis...

Manchester United said farewell to a number of players during the course of the 2024/25 campaign.

Before pre-season had even begun, homegrown products Omari Forson, Mason Greenwood and Willy Kambwala had joined Monza, Marseille and Villarreal respectively, soon followed by fellow Academy alumni Maxi Oyedele (Legia Warsaw), Will Fish (Cardiff City), and Hannibal Mejbri (Burnley).

The highest profile departure of the 2024 summer transfer window, however, was Scott McTominay, whose lengthy association with the club came to an end with his departure to Napoli. Then-head coach Erik ten Hag conceded that he was sad to see the all-action midfielder go, despite his sale generating funds for new signings.

“It is a little bit mixed,” said the Dutchman. “I am very happy for him, but it is mixed because I wouldn’t prefer to lose him. He is Manchester United in everything, he was so important for Manchester United. He was here for over 22 years but unfortunately it is the rules. Homegrown players bring more value and that is not the right thing to do but for everyone, for all parts, it is a good deal. Scott is happy with it, and Napoli and us.”

McTominay wasn’t the only first team squad member to depart Old Trafford. Donny van de Beek joined Girona in LaLiga, Uruguayan winger Facundo Pellistri moved to Greek giants Panathinaikos and full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka remained in the Premier League with West Ham United.

Once the season had ended, further departures were also confirmed as the club issued its released list, on which were Academy players Hubert Graczyk, Jack Kingdon, Sam Murray, Tom

Myles, James Nolan and Tom Wooster, who all departed to continue their stories elsewhere, as well as some of Ruben Amorim’s senior squad.

Danish international midfielder Christian Eriksen signed off after three seasons at Old Trafford, saying: “There’s been a lot of good memories, a lot of special games, a lot of special people I’ve met in my time here. Two trophies and, in between that, a few finals as well. I’ve really enjoyed my time and a huge thank you to the club, to the fans, to my team-mates. I’ve really felt at home from day one, me and my family, so it’s going to be a special place in my heart, leaving here.”

Defender Victor Lindelof shared those sentiments on his own departure. The Sweden captain arrived from Benfica in 2017 and left in the summer of 2025 after racking up 284 appearances and winner’s medals in both the 2022/23 Carabao Cup and 2023/24 FA Cup.

“For me to be able to represent this club for eight years, it’s been an honour and a privilege, and a dream come true,” said Lindelof, who also took the time out to thank United supporters for their years of backing. “It doesn’t matter the result, every single week, they come here and they support us and they sing their souls out,” he

marvelled. “I just want to say thank you so much for taking me in.”

The two experienced Scandinavians bowed out with appearances against Aston Villa on the final day of the Premier League season, as did cult hero Jonny Evans. The Ulsterman entered the fray as a second half substitute to ring up 241 senior appearances for the Reds, amassed over two stints.

The first 198 came between 2007 and 2015, following Evans’s graduation from the club’s Academy, before a further 43 came after a shock return to the club ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. In addition to eight United goals, the 37-year-old centre-back called time on his career with eight major honours for his boyhood club: three Premier League titles, one Champions League, one Club World Cup and two League Cups, followed by the 2024 FA Cup.

An immensely popular and respected figure inside Carrington, the club sought to preserve Jonny’s influence by retaining him as a member of staff, quickly installing him as the new loans manager overseeing the progress of Academy players at key points in their individual journeys.

McTominay’s Napoli move ended his long association with the Reds

Evans will remain at the club as part of the backroom staff

Londoner Wan-Bissaka returned to the capital ahead of the season, joining West Ham

MEN’S TEAM: RESULTS & LINE-UPS, 2024/25 SEASON

Appearances, goals & ’24/25 PL statistics

Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts

1 Liverpool 38 25 9 4 86 41 +45 84

2 Arsenal 38 20 14 4 69 34 +35 74

3 Man City 38 21 8 9 72 44 +28 71

4 Chelsea 38 20 9 9 64 43 +21 69

5 Newcastle 38 20 6 12 68 47 +21 66

6 Aston Villa 38 19 9 10 58 51 +7 66

7 Nott’m Forest 38 19 8 11 58 46 +12 65

8 Brighton 38 16 13 9 66 59 +7 61

9 Bournemouth 38 15 11 12 58 46 +12 56

10 Brentford 38 16 8 14 66 57 +9 56

11 Fulham 38 15 9 14 54 54 0 54

12 Crystal Palace 38 13 14 11 51 51 0 53

13 Everton 38 11 15 12 42 44 -2 48

14 West Ham 38 11 10 17 46 62 -16 43

15 UNITED 38 11 9 18 44 54 -10 42

16 Wolves 38 12 6 20 54 69 -15 42

17 Tottenham 38 11 5 22 64 65 -1 38

18 Leicester (R) 38 6 7 25 33 80 -47 25

19 Ipswich (R) 38 4 10 24 36 82 -46 22

20 Southampton (R) 38 2 6 30 26 86 -60 12

PREMIER LEAGUE, TOP GOALSCORERS

Player Club Gls

Mohamed Salah Liverpool 29

Alexander Isak Newcastle United 23

Erling Haaland Manchester City 22

Bryan Mbeumo Brentford 20

Chris Wood Nott’m Forest 20

Yoane Wissa Brentford 19

Ollie Watkins Aston Villa 16

Cole Palmer Chelsea 15

Matheus Cunha Wolves 15

Jorgen Strand Larsen Wolves 14

Jean-Philippe Mateta Crystal Palace 14

PREMIER LEAGUE, MOST ASSISTS

Mohamed Salah Liverpool 18

Jacob Murphy Newcastle United 12

Anthony Elanga Nott’m Forest 11

Bruno Fernandes United 10

Morgan Rogers Aston Villa 10

Bukayo Saka Arsenal 10

Mikkel Damsgaard Brentford 10

Antonee Robinson Fulham 10

Heung-min Son Tottenham Hotspur 9

UNITED MEN’S TEAM, 2024/25 APPEARANCES & GOALS

Played: 60

Wins: 24 (including one win after extra-time and one win after a shoot-out)

Draws: 14

Losses: 22 (including two after a shoot-out)

Dorgu

Biggest win: 7-0 v Barnsley (H, 17.09.24) ↑ Biggest crowd (home): 73,839 v Aston Villa (25.05.25)

Biggest crowd (away, not inc. neutral):

UNITED MEN’S TEAM, ALL-TIME APPEARANCES & GOALS

Total goals scored: 99

Average goals scored/game: 1.65

Total goals conceded: 83

Average goals conceded/game: 1.38

Clean sheets: 14 (Bayindir 3, Onana 11)

Hat-tricks: 2 (Amad ↓, Fernandes)

Doubles: 12 (Amad, Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes (2), Garnacho, Hojlund (2), Mount, Rashford (2), Zirkzee)

Penalties scored (not inc shoot-outs): 9 (Fernandes 7, Antony 1, Eriksen 1)

Penalties missed (not inc shoot-outs): 0

Amad claims the match ball after his treble against Southampton

Bruno would net two penalties in one game as Real Sociedad were beaten at Old Trafford

United Women

From Old Trafford to Wembley via 14 fixtures in Leigh, here’s the complete story of 2024/25 for Marc Skinner’s Reds, as well as detailed player profiles and statistics covering every game...

“ WE’RE BETTER PREPARED THAN WE HAVE EVER BEEN AND IT’S IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO BE EXCITED ABOUT WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS”

Marc Skinner

United Women’s head coach reflects on a season of positives, before looking ahead to the future...

Overall, I have to say that I’m really happy and proud of the work our team did in 2024/25.

I’ve now completed four seasons as head coach at Manchester United. There have been a lot of changes since I first arrived, but I’m happy with where we are right now. There is so much to like about

this group of players and I’m very satisfied with the progress we’ve made; we’re better prepared than we’ve ever been and it’s impossible not to be excited about what the future holds.

Not everybody outside the club would have predicted that back at the start of the season because we’d said goodbye to some big, experienced players and we’d gone about our transfer business without a lot of fanfare. But, let me tell you, watching this group gel and grow together into one of the most exciting young teams around has been absolutely thrilling.

A lot of the good about our team is encapsulated by our skipper, Maya Le Tissier. When she was appointed captain at the start of the season, she immediately stepped up and took to the role like she was born to do it. By the end of the season, watching her leadership in action and seeing the impact she has on those around her, there was no question that she was the right choice. Maya’s still young, but she has a huge amount of experience and presence already, and she’s the embodiment of that strength, ↑

fearlessness and expression that we want as our team’s identity. In previous years, there have been games where we’ve been the best footballing team on the pitch, but have lost out purely because of the opposition’s superior physicality, so it was fantastic to see us develop into a team that can’t be beaten on physical grounds alone. We have a real presence about us now. We won’t be bullied off the park, we’re not just a possession-based team; we’re about pressing, invasion and going full throttle. That balance is the result of sticking together, working hard and growing as a group.

When you’re on a journey together over time, relationships really do build and you become even stronger as a collective. This squad now has so much trust and belief in one another. That showed itself constantly over the course of last season, but the example that comes back to me the most was our home game against Manchester City at Old Trafford, right at the end of the season.

Beforehand, we knew that a win or a draw would put us in the 2025/26 Women’s Champions

League, so it was a high-stakes game. We conceded two goals late in the first half, then pulled one back right on half-time, but when I looked around the dressing room during the break I could see how calm and focused the players were. It was in their eyes and their body language that they knew what they had to do and how to do it, and they went out

in the second half, got the job done and secured European football.

As well as a very positive WSL campaign, we reached our third successive Women’s FA Cup final and, although we ultimately lost out to Chelsea, we went into that game with no fear and approached it as equals even though we were facing a team going for a domestic treble. We know now that we can beat

The United fans did the club proud on our latest Wembley trip in May

Win, lose or draw, the huddle involving the squad and backroom staff remains a key part of the boss’s post-match debrief, as seen here at Leigh Sports Village following the 3-0 win against Spurs in October

anybody when we play on the edge, with fearlessness, so we don’t feel any inferiority when we go into any game. Fine margins ultimately made the difference at Wembley that day, particularly when the game was goalless, and on another day the outcome could have gone our way. Over time, we not only want to become the best in the country, we also want to become a powerhouse

“THIS TEAM STILL HAS A WAY TO GO IN ITS EVOLUTION, BUT SO MUCH IS ALREADY IN PLACE. WE HAVE A LOT OF YOUNG PLAYERS, A LOT OF ABILITY, THE BEST TEAM SPIRIT I’VE SEEN AND, OF COURSE, THE BEST SUPPORTERS IN THE WORLD”

in European football, so it was an invaluable test for us to finish off our season with the inaugural World Sevens tournament in Portugal. It was a small-sided format with shorter games, but facing different challenges in a new environment, while buying into the fun element of the tournament and enjoying ourselves, made it a priceless experience for us all. The girls were brilliant on and off the pitch, narrowly losing to Bayern Munich in the final but having such an amazing time overall. They lit up the whole tournament with their football and their demeanour, and they somehow grew even tighter as a group. I was so proud watching them, as I had been all season.

This team still has a way to go in its evolution, but so much is already in place. We have a lot of young players, a lot of ability, the best team spirit I’ve seen and, of course, the best supporters in the world.

When you put all those factors together and keep on pulling together in the same direction, you really do have the capacity to become an unstoppable force, sooner rather than later. It has been a pleasure to watch this team grow and I can’t wait to see what the

The blue skies and some big performances ensured the Sevens tournament in Portugal was the perfect way to round off 2024/25

Stepping out for the second of two games played at Old Trafford during the campaign

Back on the big stage...

The Reds are in the Women’s Champions League again after finishing among the WSL’s top three, while coming close to defending the FA Cup

The 2024/25 season was unlike any of the six that had gone before it for United Women, who started the campaign as major-trophy holders for the first time after lifting the FA Cup in the previous term.

The goal was to try and emulate that inaugural trophy success, while restoring our place among the sides battling at the top of the Women’s Super League after finishing outside the European places in 2023/24.

Work to achieve those aims had publicly began before the prior campaign had even finished, as head coach Marc Skinner signed a contract extension just five days after May’s FA Cup final victory over Spurs, and continued right into a busy summer of incomings and outgoings.

A fond farewell was bid to Mary Earps, holder of The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper award at the time, FA Cup final brace scorer Lucia Garcia and long-serving captain Katie Zelem, who left the club when their contracts expired in June, while last season’s top scorer, Nikita Parris, was among

the cohort of players to depart later in the transfer window.

It meant there were big boots to fill, but the arrival of WSL winner Dominique Janssen two days into July reinforced the experience in the squad, before Melvine Malard completed a permanent move from Lyon after her successful seasonlong loan, just under a fortnight later. Elisabeth Terland, Brighton’s top scorer in the prior two WSL terms, was also welcomed to Manchester before the month was out.

The additions of Malard and Terland proved to be the beginning of a trend that would see Janssen being the only pre-season signing over the age of 24, as a cast of youthful recruits was assembled to build on past achievements – a fresh-faced squad of high potential.

Budding BK Hacken full-back Anna Sandberg and midfielder Simi Awujo – transferring from the University of Southern California’s soccer programme – followed in putting pen to paper during August, before Spurs winger Celin Bizet made the move north in September.

“We have a young, exciting squad filled with energy and our new signings have bedded in like they have always been here,” Skinner said ahead of the season. “With our changes over the summer, I have described us as ‘the same but different’ and we want to push ourselves to new heights.”

PREPARATIONS IN SPAIN

Bizet joined the group in time for a week at the Marbella Football Center, after pre-season work had begun using the elite facilities at Carrington and England’s St George’s Park base, while development work was carried out at the former. Wins over second-tier opponents Durham and Newcastle ensured

Malard’s impressive 2023/24 loan led to a permanent switch from Lyon

Summer signing Awujo trains alongside new skipper Maya Le Tissier and Millie Turner at the pre-season camp in Marbella, Spain

a positive start to our summer schedule, while tests against top-tier opponents Leicester (2-0 triumph) and Spurs (0-1 loss) were also important runouts following the Marbella trip.

It was during those matches that centre-back Maya Le Tissier first got a taste for being the full-time successor to the departed Zelem as our new captain, a role the 23-year-old from Guernsey would emblazon proudly across 2024/25.

“It’s an honour to be named captain of this great club and I will wear the armband with real pride, to help drive this team to success on and off the field,” Maya promised upon assuming her new duty.

STRONG START IN WSL

The defender’s first opportunity to lead the team out in an official capacity came at Old Trafford, as United kicked off the competitive season by beating West Ham 3-0 towards the end of September.

Geyse opened our account with a smart near-post finish before Leah Galton made it two and debutant Grace Clinton completed the scoring in the M16 sunshine.

“It’s a dream come true, debuts don’t get better than that for me,” Grace joked post-match, with a beaming smile on her face, after

glancing home Lisa Naalsund’s cross at the Stretford End. Attack-minded midfielder Clinton wasn’t a summer arrival, having first made the switch from Everton in 2022. But, on the back of formative loan spells at Bristol City and Spurs, she felt very much like a new signing, particularly after haunting her old club on Merseyside in game two with the only goal of a United win that ensured we ended the month with maximum points in the league.

That form carried over into October and our League Cup campaign, which started with a 2-0 triumph over Everton’s crosstown rivals, Liverpool, as now-permanent signing Malard and Rachel Williams notched for the first time in ’24/25.

That tie was the team’s first outing back at our primary home of Leigh Sports Village in nearly six months, and by the time the next one came around 11 days later – a gap that included a trip to Chelsea being postponed due to the Blues’ Champions League involvement – that winning feeling was present again.

United repeated our FA Cup heroics of five months earlier by overcoming Spurs once more, this time by three goals to nil, with summer signing Terland announcing herself as our frontline’s new leader

with two brilliant goals that were both set up by Bizet, making her first league start for the club in an unfamiliar right-back role.

Le Tissier then answered the question of who would take on penalty duties following the summer departure of regular taker Zelem by slotting home our third from the spot, making sure of a result that would move us level on points at the top of the league table with Chelsea – who we would now face in a rearranged Kingsmeadow meeting in November.

FINDING OUR FEET

Before then were five more big games – first up a trip to the south coast to duel with an improved Brighton side, who were flying high under their new boss, Dario Vidosic.

It was very much an encounter of two halves and after United’s first-half dominance yielded an opener off the right boot of in-form Clinton, ex-Red Parris became the first player to breach our defence in the season, with an equaliser that would ensure a halt to our fast-paced start to the WSL season. The 1-1 draw was not a bad result all

The LSV attendance record was broken for Arsenal’s visit, with the game finishing all square

Terland’s strength in the opposition box proved to be a valuable asset all season long

UNITED WOMEN: SEASON REVIEW

things considered, but the term’s first international break meant there was a wait to begin our pursuit of getting back to winning ways when Arsenal came to Leigh on the first weekend of November.

A record United Women crowd at LSV (8,348) watched former Reds striker Alessia Russo open the scoring for the Gunners upon the ending of that hiatus, before a late Malard leveller maintained our unbeaten start, on a day that centre-back Millie Turner played her 150th game for the club and

Skinner brought up a century of matches as United boss.

A third successive draw followed as we were frustrated in a goalless stalemate at home to Aston Villa a week later but United soon got back to winning ways at the expense of Villa’s Midlands rivals Leicester.

Our 2-0 triumph at the Foxes’ King Power Stadium – on a historic weekend for English women’s football in which all 12 games across the top two divisions were played at clubs’ main stadiums – saw Terland head home with one of the last

touches of the first half, before Bizet opened her account to the delight of our travelling supporters. From there, attentions quickly turned to the League Cup and a midweek visit to Everton.

Youngsters Jess Simpson and Emma Watson both marked their competitive returns from long-term ACL injuries by making their Reds debuts (after Gabby George had done the same on the season’s opening weekend) in the two-goal victory, remembered best for Le Tissier’s sumptuous volley that made sure of the points. That aforementioned clash at Kingsmeadow then followed, where the Reds were unlucky to suffer a first defeat of the season.

Guro Reiten’s penalty proved to be the only goal of a tense clash that could have been looked back on differently had Malard’s late attempt at a leveller not crashed away off the woodwork.

WINNING END TO 2024

Nevertheless, Skinner’s side had laid down a solid foundation for success in 2024/25 and returned from the last international window →

George’s return to action on the opening weekend would be the start of a strong season for the full-back

of the year to win 11 of our next 12 matches across all competitions.

The first three of those came in December, before the mid-season winter break, with victory over Liverpool in Leigh getting the ball rolling and proving the Reds’ character in bouncing back from a first loss of the campaign.

Two goals in as many first-half minutes, from Terland (United Women’s 250th at home) and then Galton, swung the WSL contest in our favour, before further net-bulgers from Janssen and Malard made for a satisfying day.

Skinner noticed the Reds had rediscovered a bit of our “identity” in that high-scoring triumph, and five more goals followed three days later against Newcastle, as we progressed to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2022, with a perfect group-stage record.

Our Championship visitors didn’t make life easy though, twice pegging us back after a Lia Cataldo own goal and Watson’s first United strike had put us ahead, before George also opened her Reds account. That was either side of Williams and Terland finding the

“I HAVEN’T SCORED AGAINST CITY BEFORE, SO IT WAS NICE TO GET A HAT-TRICK... I’M BUZZING!”

– ELLA TOONE ON

HER

DERBY TREBLE

net, prior to a late consolation at the other end. It finished 5-3.

Goals may not have been as forthcoming in our final outing of 2024 on the following weekend, but the same outcome was achieved, as Clinton’s deadlock-breaker in first-half stoppage time was the sole score in a tight top-flight game away to newly promoted Crystal Palace – our first league meeting with the Eagles since 2018/19.

The value of three points on a weekend in which fellow high-flyers Chelsea and Manchester City both failed to win wasn’t understated

by Skinner post-match, as United went into the Christmas period only behind third-placed Arsenal on goal difference and a point adrift of City in second. Chelsea, meanwhile, were seven clear at the top.

“The win is huge at the end of a three-game week,” stated Marc. “It’s a great way to leave ourselves poised to attack the start of the new year. If you look at this calendar year, we’ve won the FA Cup, we’re now sitting in joint-third, a point off second and we’re through to the quarter-finals of the League Cup. So, it’s not a bad way to end the year

but there’s also things we want to improve on and be better at.”

NEW YEAR KICK-ON

United couldn’t have made a much better start to 2025 and certainly attacked the fresh platform that January offered, with a thumping 7-0 win over West Brom making for a resounding start to our defence of the FA Cup in the fourth round.

The scoreline perhaps doesn’t tell the full story, with Malard’s first-half opener the only goal before the 77th minute, but the other six swiftly followed, including three for Bizet and two for Williams, alongside our eventual Goal of the Season winner from Ella Toone – a curling effort that dipped in off the crossbar following a neat short-corner routine.

That strike was an emphatic way for Toone to announce her comeback from a two-month spell on the sidelines, but it turns out our all-time leading appearance maker and goalscorer was only warming herself up for a starring role in the following weekend’s derby success as our WSL term resumed.

A memorable 4-2 victory at Etihad Stadium saw United leapfrog the Blues and go second, with a performance that very much set the tempo for the second half of our season. The Reds’ notable high press yielded a three-goal lead just over half an hour in, with Galton netting from close range either side of Toone wheeling away in celebration twice. Despite City getting two back before the break,

Toone’s third of the evening stunned the Etihad almost instantly after the restart and set us on the way to a result that heightened belief in the possibility of a top-three finish.

“To score against City as a United fan means a lot,” said a happy Toone at full-time. “I haven’t scored against City before, so it was nice to get a hat-trick – I’m buzzing and want to continue performing like this with that positivity and that freedom.”

Ella’s minutes were managed following her injury by starting on the bench as City got revenge by knocking us out of the League Cup quarter-finals three days later, but our no.7 was back in the XI for the visit of Brighton as we rounded out the month with a comprehensive 3-0 league victory against the side that had been the surprise package of the season’s first half.

Another goal for Toone, inside the opening two minutes, gave us an early advantage, before Hinata Miyazawa’s growing influence on the team was displayed on the scoresheet for the first time in the campaign, with the game’s second goal. Bizet completed the scoring with a long-range effort, after a delightful nutmeg on Seagulls midfielder Maisie Symonds.

MAINTAINING MOMENTUM

Another WSL win and clean sheet followed away to Spurs at the start of February, when United were fast out of the blocks again, with Terland successfully pulling off a van Basten-like volley after six

Miyazawa – pictured scoring against Brighton – had an influential campaign in midfield throughout her second term at United

The 4-2 victory at the Etihad was one of three highly enjoyable derby days for the Reds, alongside the FA Cup semi-final and the crunch WSL clash at Old Trafford

RIVIERE, HAVING SIGNED A NEW CONTRACT EARLIER IN THE YEAR, EMBODIED THE ATTACK-MINDED, DEFENSIVELY SOLID SIDE THAT SKINNER HAD ASSEMBLED

minutes, to successfully convert a Jayde Riviere cross from the right. Riviere, having signed a new contract earlier in the year, was a player who perfectly embodied the attack-minded, defensively solid side that Skinner had assembled, and while the full-back was a constant threat going forward, she also played her part in getting us over the line at the other end as the Reds’ strong defence – a fundamental feature of the season – registered its latest shutout.

There was no way past United’s rearguard again as our FA Cup defence continued with a

fifth-round victory at Wolves on the following weekend, with Terland again on target, Galton marking her 150th appearance for the club with the second, Aoife Mannion netting her first in red to make it three, and the fourth coming from in-form Toone before Academy graduate Mared Griffiths made her debut day even more special with a late brace to cap a high-scoring 6-0 triumph. By this point, the Reds were on a roll and cashed in the momentum for three more WSL points before February’s internationals, this time by sweeping Palace aside at LSV, although the Eagles were again a

sterner test than their low league position suggested. Terland made it four goals in three games either side of the visitors’ against-the-run-of-play equaliser, while Clinton scored a brave header with five minutes to go, easing any nerves of the winning streak coming to an end.

Six straight WSL triumphs then became seven on the other side of the break, as we matched our best-ever run in the competition by downing Leicester despite several injury absences on the back of a tiring international programme.

Malard, deputising up front in place of Terland, who sustained a small break to her wrist while away with Norway, grabbed her opportunity with both hands, opening the scoring with a brilliant dink before setting up the contest’s only other goal, for Galton.

The latter enjoyed a real purple patch in a busy March and struck again as second-tier Sunderland were our visitors six days on, netting the first of three headers –Le Tissier and Toone followed suit by nodding home – to confirm our place in the FA Cup semi-finals.

With a last-four derby away to Manchester City scheduled for April, it was back to the league for a Friday-night clash on Merseyside, although our triumphant streak was brought to an end on the team’s first visit to Anfield. Le Tissier’s second goal in two games was a consolation after three for Liverpool delighted their home crowd in a 3-1 success. It was a result – combined with Arsenal’s win at Everton on the same night – that saw us drop to third, but still in the European places and four points ahead of City.

A PERFECT RESPONSE

It was a first loss since November in the WSL, but an emphatic response on the following weekend at another historic arena, Villa Park, maintained our strong position in the race for Champions League football on what felt like a defining Sunday.

Fellow challengers City had lost at home to Chelsea just minutes before we got under way in the Midlands, and United took full advantage with a 4-0 victory that saw us stretch the gap to seven

points with five games to play. Villa had frustrated us in the reverse fixture, but an ultra-controlled first-half showing was key this time and arguably one of our best of the campaign. It featured two swift team moves finished by a fit-again Terland, and Clinton producing one of the goals of the season with a long-range lob, before Galton poached our fourth from close range in a more settled second half.

There was time before the month was out – and our squad dispersed for April’s internationals – for another clean sheet and three points, too, as efforts from Janssen and Clinton saw Everton beaten 2-0 in Leigh, leaving the Reds only needing two wins from our final four WSL outings to secure a top-three spot.

TWO DERBIES TO SAVOUR

The small matter of that FA Cup semi-final away to our crosstown rivals was first on the agenda once United had reassembled, however. Fresh from putting pen to paper on a new deal to 2027, Skinner guided his troops back to Wembley with a brilliant 2-0 triumph on City’s turf, in which Bizet and Clinton’s first-half goals were reward for another well-executed derby game plan.

A fine double save from Phallon Tullis-Joyce to tip a Yui Hasegawa free-kick on to the bar before denying Lily Murphy’s follow-up with an outstretched left leg – one of the real highlights of the American’s impactful maiden season as our first-choice goalkeeper – helped in ensuring it was the Reds celebrating with our fans on the Joie Stadium pitch at full-time.

“I knew it [the free-kick] was one of Hasegawa’s specialities, but I was just happy I could step up in that

moment for my team,” said a delighted PTJ in her joyous after-match interview with MUTV.

Our no.91 kept her 13th clean sheet of the WSL term next time out in a 0-0 draw at West Ham – a tally that would later see her share the division’s Golden Glove award – while a terrific triple stop was unfortunately not quite enough to keep Chelsea off the board as we were narrowly beaten by a Lucy Bronze goal in the last of our three April fixtures.

The 1-0 win saw Sonia Bompastor’s Blues clinch their sixth successive title and, while the reverse result would have seen us confirm our place in the top three, the Reds still had two games to make sure of that berth, so it was on to a highly anticipated Old Trafford derby against Manchester City that weekend. Our fourth-placed neighbours were the only team that could overtake us in our pursuit of Champions League football, so the maths indicated that a point would be enough to complete the job – and that was exactly what we got from a special Sunday in M16. Desperate to keep their own

continental hopes alive heading into the final day, Nick Cushing’s team took a 2-0 lead at the Stretford End, but Clinton’s bullet header right before half-time changed the complexion of things, before Malard completed our comeback with a cool one-on-one finish just over 20 minutes from the end.

Mannion’s red card almost instantly after the decisive equaliser meant it was backs against the wall for the closing stages, but the Reds got over the line to fittingly mark our 200th competitive fixture by securing a top-three position with a game to spare.

That final-day fixture was far from a traditional ‘dead rubber’ however, although Arsenal winning 4-3 in an eventful Emirates Stadium encounter meant United’s hopes of leapfrogging our hosts for second place at the final hurdle were only brief, confirming our entrance into the 2025/26 Champions League at the second qualifying stage, rather than a round later.

EDGED OUT AT WEMBLEY

With European football acquired and the league season complete, Skinner’s squad looked to end the term by completing a proud defence of the FA Cup in our campaign-concluder. United would fall just short though, with Chelsea our scourge once more on their way to completing a commendable domestic treble.

Both teams enjoyed encouraging moments in the first half under the arch, but Sandy Baltimore’s 45thminute penalty appeared to come at just the right time for the Blues, who managed to hold off our efforts for an equaliser before sealing victory late on, with goals two and three through Catarina Macario and Baltimore again.

“Obviously, it’s disappointing to lose the final, which can colour the rest,” said striker Terland post-match, finishing her first campaign at United as our top scorer with 12 goals. “But we’ve got Champions League, we were third in the league and got to an FA Cup final. I think it’s a lot to build on and we just want to come back stronger next season.” Here’s to that, Teri!

Celebrations as the Reds secure a Wembley return in the FA Cup

We competed well in the FA Cup final, only for two late Chelsea goals to rub salt into the wounds

Sevens heaven!

We relive the ‘grand slam’ tournament that delivered an end to United Women’s season like no other – and so nearly saw us claim silverware...

Cartwheels on to the pitch, music booming out during games and seven-a-side battles with some of the biggest clubs in Europe… it’s fair to say United Women’s end to the 2024/25 campaign was far different from any other in the team’s seven-year history.

Marc Skinner’s Reds had a blast at the inaugural World Sevens tournament in Portugal, which was a welcome season-concluder in the week after losing May’s FA Cup final.

Unlimited rolling substitutions, no offsides, a smaller pitch and 30-minute matches were further factors that gave the three-day competition a totally unique feel compared to everything in the nine months prior, but United were able to carry over the free-flowing and winning football that had ensured a successful term in the regular 11-a-side format.

Starting out in Group 2, as one of eight sides from the best leagues across Europe that were split into two sections of four, United had Benfica, PSG and Roma to go up against as we pursued a spot in the semi-finals that would be granted by finishing in the top two. Our pursuit began well with a 3-2 victory over Roma, as Grace Clinton’s brilliant dink upon sitting down the goalkeeper ensured the Italian giants’ two-goal comeback was in vain, after Celin Bizet and Ella Toone had struck to get us off to a fast start on day one.

By day two, United had embraced the fun vibe of the tournament and the unique player-by-player

introductions at the start of matches, cartwheeling onto the pitch before beating Benfica 3-1.

Bizet opened the scoring for the second game in a row with a cracking long-range strike, before Simi Awujo announced herself at the tournament with a delicate finish and an impressive solo effort either side of half-time, that ensured the Portuguese champions’ later goal was only a consolation.

That win ensured progression to the last four, but with PSG also triumphing in each of their first two outings, a straight shoot-out for the group’s summit awaited in our third and final fixture.

This time, we had to come from behind on two occasions after the

French outfit had twice nudged ahead, but levellers from Maya Le Tissier and Jess Simpson –plus a string of important stops from Kayla Rendell in our goal – meant a that 2-2 draw was followed by a fascinating penalty shoot-out, which ended 7-6 to the Reds after Paris’ Grace Geyoro crashed a decisive kick on to the crossbar.

“You can see that from our season, we’re so together. We’ve brought that to this tournament and brought the fun as well,” said Rendell to official broadcaster DAZN, as she was presented with the Player of the Match trophy for her role in the PSG encounter.

That fun was a fully integrated facet of our brand at the

The Reds take the lead in the final, with Bayern Munich our opponents

“ I WANT US TO BE IN THIS TOURNAMENT NEXT YEAR BECAUSE IT CREATES GREAT TEAM SPIRIT” –– M ARC SKINNER

tournament by the time the knockouts arrived on day three, which began with an all-Manchester semi-final against City.

United limboed out on to the field before getting one over on the Blues for the third time this season, with a 2-0 victory clinched by strikes from Melvine Malard and Gabby George.

Malard, who netted against the same opposition earlier in the month to secure our place in next season’s Champions League, produced one of the goals of the tournament by taking down Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s long kick with a touch on the turn that she followed up with an emphatic half-volley into the top corner, before George got the second by squeezing the

ball inside the near post at the end of a determined run.

That set up a final versus Group 1 winners and German champs Bayern in the evening, and although Awujo rifled home the opener – before later receiving the tournament’s Breakout Star award – it was our opponents who claimed the trophy and the largest share of the sizeable prize pot after turning the contest on its head to win 2-1.

True to the competition’s spirit, United bowed out by Conga dancing on the field with our triumphant opponents, before bringing home nearly £750,000 as runners-up – an amount significant for being more than each of the respective sums awarded to 2024/25’s winners of

the Women’s Super League, FA Cup and Champions League.

While those earnings are a welcome boost for the future, the tournament was about more than that for boss Skinner, who relished the environment every bit as much as his squad. “[My favourite part] was just the players enjoying it,” he reflected afterwards. “I want us to be in this tournament next year because I think it creates great team spirit and a great team bond.”

No date for a following edition had been confirmed as we went to print, but our experience at the successful inaugural iteration means there’s every chance it will become a more regular end-of-term feature on the United calendar.

A derby day with a difference as City are beaten in the semi-finals – soon followed by a group celebration (below)

The pre-match team introductions became an eye-catching theme

Bizet takes aim in the final on the artificial pitch in Estoril

Awujo receives the competition’s Breakout Star award

Women’s team: Profiles and stats

Player-by-player accounts of the campaign for Marc Skinner’s squad...

United Women’s 2024/25 saw 24 players used across 31 fixtures, and while the nine cup ties allowed for rotation – certainly in the earlier rounds – a core of Reds were regular starters, with 12 being in the starting line-up for at least 20 games across the term. Of those, Maya Le Tissier, Millie Turner and Phallon Tullis-Joyce each hit the 30-game mark, with Maya leading the way by starting all 31 fixtures.

Season 2024/25 also saw us play more big-stadium games than ever before, as Marc Skinner’s side lined up at Old Trafford (twice), the Amex, King Power Stadium, the Etihad, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Anfield, Villa Park, the Emirates and Wembley. The last two names on that list were our final two outings, and while neither trip to the capital went our way, when the curtain came down on ’24/25, the Reds could still reflect on a positive nine months as a return to the Champions League was secured, while we could also take pride in reaching a third successive FA Cup final. Here are the players who made it happen...

All set for the ’24/25 kick-off, against West Ham at Old Trafford on 21 September

Thirty fixtures on, United end the season at Wembley, with Chelsea the opposition

91 Phallon TullisJoyce

Phallon made the step up to first-choice keeper following Mary Earps’s departure last summer, and her transition was so seamless she ended the campaign with a mightily impressive haul of awards and achievements. The New Yorker was named our Players’ Player of the Year and in the WSL Team of the Season, while her 13 league clean sheets were enough to share the Golden Glove award with Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton. April also saw Phallon earn her first cap for the USA – she kept a clean sheet against Brazil.

2 Anna Sandberg

Injury meant Anna didn’t get the start to life at United that she wanted after her summer arrival, but she made her debut at Leicester in November and didn’t look back. A first start soon followed in a League Cup win at Everton, where fans got a first real flavour for the attacking intent she offers from left-back. Anna registered assists in further cup wins over Newcastle and West Brom, and while four of her six starts came in the cup, her front-footed impetus meant she was frequently one of the first subs on from our bench in the WSL.

Position Goalkeeper

DOB 19/10/1996

Previous clubs

Miami Hurricanes (college), Reims, OL Reign

United record

34 apps/0 goals

International career

3 caps/0 goals for United States

Position Defender

DOB 23/05/2003

Previous clubs

Orebro SK Soder, KIF Orebro, BK Hacken

United record

6(16) apps/0 goals

International career

6 caps/0 goals for Sweden

3 Gabby George 39 Safia Middleton -Patel

Safia will always be able to look back on 2024/25 as the season she made her first-team debut for the Reds, a result of all the hard work she’s put in since joining our Academy in 2020. She was rewarded with the opportunity by starting December’s League Cup win over Newcastle, the personal highlight of a club campaign in which she ably backed up Tullis-Joyce alongside winter arrival Kayla Rendell. Safia’s efforts also meant she spent the international breaks in the senior ranks of her beloved Wales, as they qualified for the Euros.

Position Goalkeeper

DOB 21/09/2004

Previous clubs

Blackburn Rovers (loan), Leicester City (loan), Coventry United (loan), Watford (loan)

United record

1 app/0 goals

International career

4 caps/0 goals for Wales

Our opening-weekend win over West Ham will be remembered as more than just three points to Gabby, as it was the game in which the ex-Everton defender made her return to competitive action after nearly a year out with an ACL injury. A childhood United fan who developed in our youth ranks, George ticked off several firsts that she missed out on in 2023/24, including scoring her maiden goal against Newcastle in December. That strike came a month after the left-back proudly earned a first England call-up in two years.

Position Defender

DOB 02/02/1997

Previous clubs

Everton

United record

27(3) apps/1 goal

International career

3 caps/0 goals for England

4 Maya Le Tissier

Our young skipper showed remarkable consistency and durability while being the only Red to play every minute of every game for a second successive term. The WSL Player of the Year nominee’s almost ever-present centre-back partnership with Millie Turner was a cornerstone of our joint league-leading clean-sheet tally for 2024/25. But her displays weren’t all about defending – Maya also tallied up the best scoring return of her career to date, netting five, including a Goal-of-the-Season shortlisted volley at Everton and two perfectly struck spot-kicks.

14 Jayde Riviere

Riviere’s rapid progress continued into her second full term at United, so much so that by January she was penning a new deal. Jayde’s attack-meets-defence displays were a highlight of the campaign, particularly after the turn of the year when she set the tempo for the second half of her term with a run of fine all-round displays in our first three WSL games of 2025. If the Canadian right-back wasn’t crunching into tackles or blocking crosses, she was whipping in inch-perfect deliveries, such as the sublime curler that teed up Elisabeth Terland’s header at Villa Park in March.

Position Defender

DOB 18/04/2002

Previous clubs

Brighton & Hove Albion

United record

93(2) apps/9 goals

International career

8 caps/0 goals for England

5 Aoife Mannion

The first three seasons of Aoife’s Reds career were a whirlwind due to a series of injuries, so it was great to see the resilient no.5 play regularly for club and country in 2024/25. She featured more times for the Reds than in any other season, scored her first goal for the club in our FA Cup win at Wolves, and, in May, superbly crossed for Grace Clinton to begin the derby comeback that secured our UWCL spot. That was all while Mannion continued her adaptation to an unfamiliar right-back role, and she now leaves upon the expiry of her contract with our very best wishes for the future.

Position Defender

DOB 22/01/2001

Previous clubs

Michigan Wolverines (college), AFC Ann Arbor

United record

39(6) apps/0 goals

International career

50 caps/1 goal for Canada

21 Millie Turner

One of three remaining ‘Originals’ from our first professional squad, the homegrown centre-back became just the third Red to reach 150 appearances in November. Only the slight knock that ruled her out of March’s home win over Everton prevented her from starting every game of ’24/25 at centre-back alongside Le Tissier, who’d have been as pleased as anyone with the springtime news of Turner extending her contract to 2028. Our no.21 ended the season with a foot fracture but will be hoping for a recovery speedy enough to play a vital role again in 2025/26.

Position Defender

DOB 24/09/1995

Previous clubs

Aston Villa, Birmingham City,

Manchester City

United record

31(24) apps/1 goal

International career

16 caps/1 goal for Republic of Ireland

Position Defender

DOB 07/07/1996

Previous clubs

Everton, Bristol City

United record

172(2) apps/11 goals

International career

2 caps/0 goals for England

Toone

Ella ended the campaign as she did in 2022 and 2024, by claiming United Women’s Player of the Year award, as voted by the fans. In truth though, this was a term like no other for Ella, who suffered the loss of her dad in September before sustaining the first serious injury of her career towards the end of 2024. She showed admirable resilience to overcome her adversity and was on top form when she returned in January, pitching in with eight goals and four assists before May’s close, including a Goal of the Season winner v West Brom and a legendary hat-trick in the derby win at the Etihad.

13 Simi Awujo

Fresh from representing Canada at the Olympics, the box-to-box midfielder arrived to begin her transition from collegiate soccer to professional football at United. It’s the club the 21-year-old had followed growing up, so naturally she was filled with pride to make her debut at Old Trafford, the first of 17 appearances in a formative maiden season that featured five starts, including November’s key clash at Chelsea. Those outings will have helped Simi excel at May’s World Sevens tournament, where she won the Breakout Star award.

Position Midfielder

DOB 02/09/1999

Previous clubs

Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City

United record

151(37) apps/61 goals

International career

58 caps/19 goals for England

8 Grace Clinton

After strong loan spells at Bristol City and Spurs, Grace wasted no time establishing herself in our team this season, nodding in a debut goal v West Ham before netting away to former club Everton. Those September efforts were enough to see Grace rewarded with the first of three club Player of Month trophies across 2024/25. Clinton finished the term with nine goals from midfield – including a long-range lob at Villa and a header in each of our run-in meetings with Man City – while our no.8’s form saw her selected in the WSL Team of the Season and England’s Euros squad.

Position Midfielder

DOB 23/09/2003

Previous clubs

USC Trojans (college),

FC Premier Women

United record

5(12) apps/0 goals

International career

24 caps/1 goal for Canada

16 Lisa Naalsund

At the start of 2024/25, Naalsund picked up where she’d left off in her first full season as a Red, with a run of all-action displays that saw her nominated for our September Player of the Month award. Her cross for Clinton’s goal v West Ham was a highlight, but our no.16 was soon sidelined with injury from November to March. She made a comeback cameo in the win over Everton, the first of five outings at the latter end of the term that saw her get enough minutes under the belt to earn a place at her first senior major tournament as part of Norway’s Euros squad.

Position Midfielder

DOB 31/03/2003

Previous clubs

Everton, Bristol City (loan), Tottenham Hotspur (loan)

United record

24(4) apps/9 goals

International career

10 apps/3 goals for England

Position Midfielder

DOB 11/06/1995

Previous clubs

Arna-Bjornar, Brann

United record

26(14) apps/5 goals

International career

24 caps/1 goal for Norway

17 Dominique Janssen

The highly experienced Netherlands international had become most familiar with the centre-back role before joining United but rose to the challenge of adding further intelligence, organisation and steel to our midfield. True to the fan chant, Janssen helped take us to the Champions League with her efforts operating as a ‘six’ for most of her 29 appearances, anchoring play from deep and providing cover for the back four. A stellar showing against Liverpool in December, featuring her first Reds goal and two assists, was a standout display, while she also netted against Everton.

9 Melvine Malard

Melvine’s infectious personality and hunger for goals made her popular during her loan from Lyon in ’23/24, so there was much excitement when the French forward signed permanently in July 2024. Our no.9 added to her legend with strikes against Arsenal, Liverpool (two) and Man City, the latter being an Old Trafford equaliser that secured our UWCL place, a competition she’s already won with Lyon. The tricky attacker most often played out wide in 2024/25 but was also effective as a central striker, when deputising for Elisabeth Terland.

Position Midfielder/defender

DOB 17/01/1995

Previous clubs

SGS Essen, Arsenal, Wolfsburg

United record

22(7) apps/2 goals

International career

124 caps/6 goals for Netherlands

20 Hinata Miyazawa

The World Cup Golden Boot winner had much of her 2023/24 campaign interrupted by an ankle injury but she was able to establish herself as an important member of our engine room during her second term. Hini’s hard-working output and all-round quality was frequently highlighted by team-mates, including Le Tissier, who called the Japan international “a mini [Luka] Modric” after her standout, goalscoring showing v Brighton in January. Hini also had a strong ’24/25 with Japan, helping them upset the USA on their own turf and win the SheBelieves Cup.

Position Forward

DOB 28/06/2000

Previous clubs

Lyon, Fleury (loan)

United record

25(30) apps/13 goals

International career

28 caps/9 goals for France

11 Leah Galton

One of three remaining ‘Originals’ from our 2018/19 squad, Leah finished ’24/25 as one of only two outfield Reds to be named in Marc Skinner’s XI for all 18 fixtures after the turn of the year. Galton marked her 150th appearance by scoring at Wolves in February and is now six off 50 United goals, after adding seven across the term. Each of those came from within the area – even if her September Goal of the Month winner v West Ham was hit from the edge of the box – underlining the poaching prowess that has become a huge facet of her game off the left wing.

Position Midfielder

DOB 28/11/1999

Previous clubs

Tokyo Verdy Beleza, Mynavi Sendai

United record

29(16) apps/2 goals

International career

47 caps/9 goals for Japan

Position Forward

DOB 24/05/1994

Previous clubs

Leeds United, Hofstra Pride (college), Sky Blue FC, Bayern Munich

United record

135(27) apps/44 goals

International career

England U15/U17/U19/U23

15 Celin Bizet

An airport selfie with a supporter and close friend Grace Clinton unofficially announced Bizet’s transfer from Spurs in pre-season, and her first year in the north was a positive one. The Norwegian winger’s total of eight assists across all competitions was a team high, with her devastating deliveries from the right key to the top-scoring tally that compatriot Terland accrued. Bizet added six goals of her own, too, for good measure, including a hat-trick against West Brom in the FA Cup and two stunning finishes in victories over Brighton and Manchester City.

23 Geyse

The Brazilian forward kicked off her second season in Manchester with our first goal of the campaign, a smart near-post finish against West Ham at Old Trafford. Geyse continued to make an impact in the early months of the term and was chosen by fans as our Player of the Month for November, following a series of impressive showings that included a brilliant assist for Terland’s opener at Leicester. Our no.23 played 13 times before joining Stateside outfit Gotham FC on loan for their National Women’s Soccer League campaign, which started in March and runs until November.

Position Forward

DOB 24/10/2001

Previous clubs

Skedsmo, Valerenga, Grei (loan), Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham Hotspur

United record

21(8) apps/6 goals

International career

26 caps/7 goals for Norway

Position Forward

DOB 27/03/1998

Previous clubs

Centro Olimpico, Corinthians, Madrid CFF, Benfica, Barcelona

United record

25(14) apps/3 goals

International career

56 caps/8 goals for Brazil

19 Elisabeth Terland

No player was involved in more WSL goals than Terland (15 – 10 goals, five assists) during her first season as a Red, in which she wore the jersey with real pride. She made her bow at Old Trafford, later opening her account with a superb volley v Spurs – a type of goal she’d wow us with again in the reverse fixture. Across 27 games, ‘Teri’ proved we’ve not only acquired a ruthless finisher and a willing creator, but a tireless team player whose work to lead our off-the-ball pressing from the front shouldn’t be underestimated when considering the team’s strong defensive record.

28

Rachel Williams

The experienced striker cemented her cult-hero status with key goals on our road to lifting the FA Cup in 2023/24, so it was no surprise to see her on the scoresheet twice as we began our trophy defence v West Brom. Williams contributed as a sub in that game –something she’s built a prolific reputation for doing across three years here. No Red was tasked with making an impact from the bench more often in ’24/25, but Rach also netted as a starter against Liverpool and Newcastle in the League Cup victories.

Position Forward

DOB 28/06/2001

Previous clubs

Bryne, Klepp, Brann, Brighton & Hove Albion

United record

22(5) apps/12 goals

International career

37 caps/10 goals for Norway

Position Forward

DOB 10/01/1988

Previous clubs

Leicester City, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Leicester City, Birmingham City, Chelsea, Notts County, Birmingham City, Tottenham Hotspur

United record

17(62) apps/21 goals

International career

13 caps/4 goals for England

Squad members

Others involved within MUW’s first-team squad

Griffiths enjoyed a two-goal debut

Away from the 20 players featured on the preceding pages, many others were part of the first-team set-up during 2024/25.

Having recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament injury that saw her miss her entire first season in Manchester, Scottish midfielder Emma Watson made debut on 20 November, playing the full game as we beat Everton in the League Cup.

Defender Jess Simpson – who also had to overcome an ACL injury throughout 2023/24 – was another to join the action in the second half of the 2-0 win, with her senior bow.

As for Watson, three weeks later she scored her first United goal, in

the 5-3 League Cup win against Newcastle – another proud night for the talented and tenacious teenager.

Another young midfielder, Mared Griffiths, had a dream debut in February, stepping off the bench for the last 10 minutes of our FA Cup tie at Wolves and promptly scoring twice in the 6-0 rout. Having made her senior international debut for Wales in November, it made it a landmark season for Mared, who didn’t turn 18 until March this year.

Griffiths’ compatriot and fellow midfielder Hayley Ladd featured six times for the Reds in the first half of the season, prior to her departure from the club in early January. Three

of those games came as starts – all in the League Cup as we sealed top spot in the group stage – with three runouts from the bench in the WSL.

Kayla Rendell – the official incumbent of the no.1 shirt – became part of our goalkeepers’ union following her January signing from Southampton. Although she awaits her senior debut on the big pitch, Kayla certainly impressed at the World Sevens in Portugal in late May.

(May also saw our girls in the gloves bid farewell to goalkeeping coach Ian Willcock, who left United to take up the corresponding position with the Canada Women’s national team. A much-loved figure around the club since the team was formed in 2018, we all wish him well.)

Others to have been part of our matchday squads were defenders Lucy Newell and Scarlett Hill; midfielder Tamira Livingston; and forwards Alyssa Aherne and Jessica Anderson Evie Rabjohn missed the campaign after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury with England Under-19s last July.

And finally, defender and our 2022/23 Players’ Player of the Year Hannah Blundell shared the special news in pre-season that she was pregnant. Hannah remained part of the group leading up to the birth of daughter Romi in March, and the pair even attended the Old Trafford derby together in May.

Blundell was back on the team bus for the Cup final

Teenage talents Watson and Simpson were proud debutants in the League Cup

Loanees and departures

Those to play elsewhere, and those who moved on

United Women arranged loan spells for numerous players throughout 2024/25 –a few of whom made a standard temporary switch to another club, while many others were loaned out on a dual-registration basis, enabling them to continue to train with the Reds while competing for senior game-time elsewhere.

Dual registrations can be highly beneficial for Academy talents looking to supplement their ongoing development at United, with the FA Women’s National League the most regular destination for such loans. Defender Lucy Crook, midfielder Holly Deering and forward Olivia Francis all joined third-tier Liverpool Feds on such an agreement, with midfielder Amelia Oldroyd heading to Burnley. Dual registrations need to be reasonably local to limit travel time, with other teenage talents making such switches to teams further down the league pyramid, namely AFC Fylde, Cheadle Town, Stockport County, Halifax and Huddersfield Town.

As for the standard loans, Emma Watson headed to fellow WSL side Everton in January, weeks after impressing on her United debut against the Toffees. She’d play eight games for Brian Sorensen’s side –two starts in the FA Cup, alongside six substitute appearances in the WSL.

Alyssa Aherne meanwhile, spent the season at second-tier Sheffield United, with Jess Simpson joining

Bristol City days before her 20th birthday in January. Jess’s second loan spell with the Robins enabled the defender to gain some further experience within the competitive enviornment of the Championship. January also saw fellow defender Lucy Newell head to the second tier, joining Blackburn Rovers until the end of the season.

The final loan of the campaign, announced on 24 March, saw experienced Brazilian international Geyse head to Gotham FC. This switch was agreed for the full duration of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), which runs from March until November.

Moving on to permanent transfers, high-profile trio Mary Earps, Katie Zelem and Lucia Garcia were all categorised as 2023/24 departures on account of their contracts expiring on 30 June 2024, but they weren’t the only Reds to leave United during that summer.

Spanish midfielder Irene Guerrero was a July exit (to Mexican side Club America), while August saw defender Gemma Evans join local WSL rivals Liverpool. September would see our top 2023/24 scorer Nikita Parris (below) move to Brighton, with Welsh midfielder Hayley Ladd joining Everton in January after six seasons and 110 games for us. The list of others to leave throughout the course of the campaign includes Mayzee Davies (Manchester City), Megan Sofield (Arizona State Sun Devils), Layla Proctor (Lewes) and Bella Reidford (Burnley).

Guerrero departed for Mexico in July 2024

Ladd made the short move to Everton

Evans moved to Liverpool in August

Welsh defender Davies joined Manchester City

Appearances, goals & ’24/25 WSL statistics

WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE, FINAL TABLE

1

6 Aston Villa 22 7 4 11 -12 25

7 Liverpool 22 7 4 11 -15 25

8 Everton 22 6 6 10 -8 24

9 West Ham 22 6 5 11 -5 23

10 Leicester 22 5 5 12 -16 20

11 Tottenham 22 5 5 12 -18 20

12 Crystal Palace (R) 22 2 4 16 -45 10

UNITED WOMEN, 2024/25 APPEARANCES & GOALS

Record appearance maker Toone ended the season just a dozen games short of playing

United’s biggest win of the campaign, against West Brom in the fourth round of the Women’s FA Cup.

United goals across 31 games (scored by 16 Reds plus two own goals) – an average of 2.22 goals per game.

Phallon Tullis-Joyce kept 13 clean sheets in the WSL campaign. The American goalkeeper shared the top-flight’s Golden Glove award – previously won by United’s Mary Earps in the 2022/23 season – with Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton.

The Reds’ highest home attendance came in early May, in the crunch Manchester derby at at Old Trafford. At Leigh Sports Village, the November draw against Arsenal saw 8,348 in attendance – a club record crowd for a United game at LSV.

Number of hat-tricks scored, with both coming in January 2025: Ella Toone v Man City (a) and Celin Bizet v West Brom (h).

Terland’s 10 league strikes saw her equal the Reds’ record for WSL goals in a season (level with Galton/Russo in 2022/23).

Bizet’s creativity on the ball proved a rich source of goals in 2024/25

WOMEN’S TEAM: RESULTS & LINE-UPS, 2024/25 SEASON

Player of the Year awards

Highlighting the Reds who earned individual awards for their efforts across the season – including double recognition for our Portuguese captain...

Men’s team

Bruno bags a brace for his tireless efforts across a challenging campaign, while Amad’s memorable derby winner is voted United’s Goal of the Season...

Bruno Fernandes won the fans’ and Players’ Player of the Year awards to secure an impressive double that underlines his standout efforts in a difficult season.

The skipper claimed the supporter-voted Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year prize, presented by adidas, for a record-equalling fourth time to join ex-team-mates David De Gea and Cristiano Ronaldo in an exclusive club of Reds to achieve the prestigious quadruple.

Fernandes topped the poll by a massive 82-per-cent margin after a term that he finished with a highly commendable 37 direct goal involvements (19 goals, 18 assists) in 57 games, his second-best seasonal tally after totalling 52 in 2020/21.

Seven of his strikes came on our run to the Europa League final in Bilbao, as our no.8 took on a leading role in that journey, with a late league-phase winner against Rangers preceding a last-16 treble that downed Real Sociedad, the comeback-sparking penalty in Old Trafford’s quarter-final thriller with Lyon and a semi-final double at Athletic Club’s hostile home arena.

Masterful free-kicks against Everton and Arsenal also helped Fernandes to notch eight times in the Premier League campaign, the latter a highlight moment on the way to emerging as the division’s Player of the Month for March.

“When we need him, he’s always there,” remarked head coach Ruben Amorim during the season. “He can change position. He can bring the ball forward. He can score goals. He

can make transitions. In the last 10 minutes of the game, he can defend. He’s a perfect captain for our team. We need to help him to win titles because he’s a legend.”

His numbers are eye-catching, but some of Bruno’s valued qualities that Amorim references are intangible and cannot be quantified with his dazzling data. The midfielder’s effortless work for the team, both on and off the ball, his leadership in the dressing room and the way he adapted his game to both deeper and advanced midfield roles in our 3-4-2-1 system were all arguably just as important in 2024/25 as his celebrated contributions in the final third.

That all-round output proved more than enough for our captain to retain the award that he won 12 months earlier, having previously received it in 2020 and 2021, too.

It was the first time, meanwhile, that Bruno won the Players’ Player of the Year prize, despite his consistently incredible form and talismanic contributions across six years at United. This accolade, presented by Snapdragon, was distinguished recognition from inside the dressing room, after he received the most nominations in a confidential ballot at Carrington.

Fernandes has now collected all the end-of-season trophies on offer to our men’s players, having previously triumphed in the Goal of the Season stakes in 2020/21.

“Bruno is the heartbeat of the team,” explained his midfield colleague Casemiro. “The team plays how he plays and how he

wants. If he wants the team to play further forward, the team plays further forward. If he wants the team to keep possession, the team keeps possession.

“He is the player that scores the most, gets the most assists and takes the most risks. I think Bruno is the most important player we have.”

Noussair Mazraoui finished second in the internal poll to wrap up his debut season at the club, while Amad came third to ensure another top-three appearance, having been runner-up to Bruno in the fan vote ahead of Harry Maguire, who took the bronze-medal spot.

Amad may have come closer to both prizes but for the injury that kept him sidelined for a large chunk of the season’s second half, so it was good to see him honoured with our Goal of the Season, presented by

Tezos, for his last-gasp winner away to Manchester City in December.

The Ivorian showed brilliant composure to control a raking ball over the top of City’s defence from Lisandro Martinez, before rounding Ederson and finding the net from

a tight angle. It was a strike that completed an epic late turnaround after Fernandes had netted from the spot moments earlier, cancelling out Josko Gvardiol’s first-half opener that put the Blues in front.

Our no.16’s effort – chosen ahead of nine other nominees by the fans – was one of his 11 goals across a breakout first-team campaign, as he became the 15th recipient of the honour, won only on multiple occasions by Wayne Rooney and Ronaldo (three times each).

Amad and Bruno would no doubt trade their awards for the UEFA Europa League trophy that we just missed out on in the Bilbao final against Spurs, but are both deserving victors and will be hoping to translate their individual efforts into team success as we move ahead to 2025/26.

Amad nets his winning strike (above) and here shows off his personal prize

Hall of fame

Every

previous Player of the Year winner for our men’s side

UNITED SUPPORTERS’ CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR

1971/72 Willie Morgan

1972/73 Willie Morgan

1973/74 Jim Holton

1974/75 Lou Macari

1975/76 Lou Macari

1976/77 Brian Greenhoff

1977/78 Steve Coppell

1978/79 Jimmy Greenhoff

1979/80 Joe Jordan

1980/81 Joe Jordan

1981/82 Ray Wilkins

1982/83 Bryan Robson

1983/84 Ray Wilkins

1984/85 Mark Hughes

SHARP/UNITED PLAYER OF THE YEAR

1985/86 Paul McGrath

1986/87 Paul McGrath

1987/88 Brian McClair

1988/89 Bryan Robson

1989/90 Gary Pallister

1990/91 Mark Hughes

1991/92 Brian McClair

1992/93 Paul Ince

1993/94 Eric Cantona

SIR MATT BUSBY PLAYER OF THE YEAR

1994/95 Andrei Kanchelskis

1995/96 Eric Cantona

1996/97 David Beckham

1997/98 Ryan Giggs

1998/99 Roy Keane

1999/00 Roy Keane

2000/01 Teddy Sheringham

2001/02 Ruud van Nistelrooy

2002/03 Ruud van Nistelrooy

2003/04 Cristiano Ronaldo

2004/05 Gabriel Heinze

2005/06 Wayne Rooney

2006/07 Cristiano Ronaldo

2007/08 Cristiano Ronaldo

2008/09 Nemanja Vidic

2009/10 Wayne Rooney

2010/11 Javier Hernandez

2011/12 Antonio Valencia

2012/13 Robin van Persie

2013/14 David De Gea

2014/15 David De Gea

2015/16 David De Gea

2016/17 Ander Herrera

2017/18 David De Gea

2018/19 Luke Shaw

2019/20 Bruno Fernandes

2020/21 Bruno Fernandes

2021/22 Cristiano Ronaldo

2022/23 Marcus Rashford

2023/24 Bruno Fernandes

UNITED PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR

2005/06 Ryan Giggs

2006/07 Cristiano Ronaldo

2007/08 Cristiano Ronaldo

2008/09 Nemanja Vidic

2009/10 Wayne Rooney

2010/11 Nani

2011/12 Antonio Valencia

2012/13 Michael Carrick

2013/14 David De Gea

2014/15 David De Gea

2015/16 Chris Smalling

2016/17 Antonio Valencia

2017/18 David De Gea

2018/19 Luke Shaw

2019/20 Anthony Martial

2020/21 Luke Shaw

2021/22 David De Gea

2022/23 Marcus Rashford

2023/24 Diogo Dalot

De Gea and Herrera, 2017

Valencia, 2012

Fernandes and Dalot, 2024

Women’s team

Another

two awards for Toone, while TullisJoyce’s breakthrough season is commended...

United Women finishing in the WSL’s top three, securing European qualification and reaching a third consecutive FA Cup final was a true team effort, and two of the squad’s standout performers were saluted for their contributions with end-of-season awards.

Midfielder Ella Toone picked up the Player of the Year prize from the fans for the second year in a row, and third time overall after first winning it in 2022.

Ella’s success was testament to the love our fans have for her and the way she has overcome adversity during a difficult time, having tragically lost her father, Nick, just weeks before our campaign started at home to West Ham in September.

Our leading all-time appearancemaker and goalscorer bravely started that opening game but her record-breaking run of consecutive WSL appearances was ended in November due to a long-term injury

that would keep her out for the rest of 2024. Lesser players would have struggled to respond to such hardship, but Tooney – true to her character – returned with a bang in January, netting the Goal of the Season winner on her comeback appearance (her second successive GOTS), a dipping long-range shot against West Brom in the FA Cup.

Toone became the first player to net a hat-trick in the women’s Manchester derby one weekend

PREVIOUS WINNERS:

UNITED WOMEN PLAYER OF THE YEAR

2018/19 Katie Zelem

2019/20 Hayley Ladd

2020/21 Ona Batlle

2021/22 Ella Toone

2022/23 Alessia Russo

2023/24 Ella Toone

UNITED WOMEN PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR

2021/22 Alessia Russo

2022/23 Hannah Blundell

2023/24 Ella Toone/Maya Le Tissier (shared)

later, on the way to tallying up 12 direct goal involvements in the time after the turn of the year – jointmost for the Reds alongside top scorer Elisabeth Terland.

Toone overcame stiff competition from Phallon Tullis-Joyce (second place) and Maya Le Tissier (third) to claim the fans’ award, but Tullis-Joyce was rewarded for her excellent season between the sticks by winning the Players’ Player prize.

The American’s infectious personality means she’s been a popular member of the dressing room since she first arrived in 2023, but those qualities came to the fore while proving an instant success in the team’s primary shot-stopper role.

Phallon was an ever-present in our Champions League-clinching WSL campaign, keeping 13 clean sheets and conceding just 16 across 22 games, numbers that saw her secure a share of the division’s Golden Glove and earn a place in the Team of the Season.

Our no.91 also registered five shutouts in the cup competitions. A jaw-dropping double save in the FA Cup semi-final triumph at Man City came after a full-stretch tip around the post to deny Brighton’s Madison Haley in October and before a stunning triple stop at home to Chelsea as Tullis-Joyce’s real highlights of the campaign, one which has provided her with a real formative foundation to build a successful United career on.

The 28-year-old, whose form was rewarded with a first senior cap for the USA in April, signed a new contract with United later that month, so – like Toone – is expected to be an important player again as Skinner’s squad seek to build on this season’s achievements next term.

Toone’s incredible resilience helped her get back to top form

Ella takes aim for our Goal of the Season

Tullis-Joyce missed just one of the Reds’ 31 games in ‘24/25

Academy

The young Reds who earned top honours after a campaign of notable progress...

A standout 2024/25 campaign saw left-back Harry Amass named our Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year.

Amass joined the club from Watford in 2023 and having helped the Under-18s to win three trophies during a stellar debut season, balanced patience and hard work to break into the senior side under Ruben Amorim this term.

The defender was included in the first-team matchday squad on five occasions before earning his debut as a substitute in the Premier League win at Leicester in March.

Harry went on to start four more top-flight fixtures after that and played his part in the Europa League wins over Lyon and Athletic Club at Old Trafford – a series of invaluable experiences for a budding Academy prospect who is keen to keep elevating his progress.

“When I first signed, it was about developing as a player, which I think I’ve done, and it was about enjoying my football, which I think I’ve done with all the experiences and the trophies, and then it was about getting first-team football. And that’s come as well,” the 18-year-old told us upon succeeding our 250th Academy graduate Ethan Wheatley in receiving the award, while joining an honourable list of the prize’s

recipients which also includes Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Kobbie Mainoo, among other notable names.

“All the reasons I’ve signed have happened. Next is to keep working hard, to show that people can trust me and that I’m a good person off the pitch as well as a good player. I’ll keep giving my best and hopefully get more minutes,” he added.

Amass (below) became our 253rd graduate and was swiftly followed in making a first-team bow by homegrown debutant 254, Tyler Fredricson, our Denzil Haroun Reserve-Team Player of the Year.

The Manchesterborn centre-back showed great development across the season, regularly captaining our youth sides before his consistent displays and professional attitude in training saw him rewarded with

his senior debut in our league fixture against Wolves in April.

Fredricson didn’t look out of place as a starter on that occasion and later got the opportunity to build on his inaugural top-flight experience, when he was picked in Amorim’s XI for May’s trip to Brentford, showing how he had quickly earned the manager’s trust.

On the women’s side, Lucy Crook’s excellent season made her the choice for the U21s Player of the Year, while Millie Crook was voted Players’ Player in what is always an honourable mark of respect from the dressing room.

The two U16 awards, were both allocated to Lucy R, and the Emma Fletcher Academy Player of the Year prize – launched in 2023 to recognise the achievements of girls from across the Regional Talent Club – was given to U14s player Grace T, s a reward for her positive attitude and performances.

Fredricson collects his prize

Millie Crook was rewarded by her peers

Amass added his award to first-team action

The Academy

United’s youth teams can all be proud of their various achievements over the course of the campaign –here’s an in-depth season review...

Positive steps for Under-18s

The story of the season for our teenage Reds, whose campaign was punctuated with some remarkable victories...

Fine margins defined the Under-18s’ campaign under Adam Lawrence, who once again led the side, seeking to build on last season’s three trophy-winning foundations.

The season began with the presentation of the official club suit to 10 new first-year scholars. In a special ceremony at Old Trafford, players and their families celebrated the beginning of their journeys as full-time footballers, listening to talks from Nick Cox (Director of Academy), coaches Travis Binnion and Lawrence, and Tony Whelan, who explained the historical significance of the suits, having had the honour to wear it himself as a player under Sir Matt Busby in 1968. Tournaments in Cork, Zagreb and Eindhoven – against opposition including PSG and Benfica –mirrored last year’s formula, again proving valuable and allowing the team to hit our stride early. The U18s scored 22 goals in the opening five league games, conceding only one,

Our U18s get set for an enthralling night in the FA Youth Cup in late February – a quarter-final win away to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium

with Gabriele Biancheri leading the way with seven himself, and James Scanlon netting four in a 9-0 late September demolition of Blackburn.

That league form remained unerringly excellent up until Christmas, with Jim Thwaites’s late goal in a 4-3 away victory at Sunderland maintaining the winning streak to allow focus to turn primarily to the cup competitions.

United faced an early defeat in the U18 Premier League Cup group stages – 4-3 at Tottenham Hotspur – but did enough to progress in the groups, while the UEFA Youth

League took centre stage for much of autumn, and rightly so. The Under-19s became the first United side to play a competitive fixture in Lithuania, and embraced their history-making status.

“The travel is part of the experience,” says Steve Higham, Academy secretary. “We flew from Luton on a very early morning flight, so it tests the resolve of the lads. In this particular competition, it’s not only what you see on the grass, it’s everything that goes on around that. It’s the boys’ understanding that travel is part of this life they’ve

got now. They’ve got to prepare properly and understand that travel is tiring, so they need to rest suitably when they arrive. It’s all part of the education.”

The Academy doctor gave tips on keeping a cool room, staying off electronics, having warm milky drinks before bed. That’s how to sleep well, but then there’s the challenge of dealing with the attention. Travelling with a United badge on your chest tends to draw stares. Coping with that is part of being a United player. →

With all these potential distractions, Lawrence’s side performed admirably in an intense, party-like atmosphere in Vilnius. United were dominant for 85 minutes, with doubles from Biancheri and Ethan Williams establishing a 4-0 lead. A frenetic finale ensued, with two Zalgiris goals sandwiching one from Scanlon to leave the final score 5-2. United’s players were furious to give up the clean sheet but a three-goal advantage after a long journey was positive. Back home, they showed lessons learned, with a 6-0 rout at Leigh Sports Village. That secured a spot in the next round against AZ Alkmaar, the Dutch side whose consistent quality at this level was defined by their 2023 Youth League success. The fixture presented two challenges: a well-organised and compact AZ side, happy to sit back for much

of the game, and an artificial pitch. Despite hitting the woodwork many times across both legs, United were edged out by AZ, whose defensive resilience proved decisive.

Thankfully, the FA Youth Cup presented the perfect opportunity to move on. Coventry City felt the full force of United’s desire to right a wrong, with Lawrence’s side 5-0 winners in round three.

“It’s the one everyone looks forward to,” said hat-trick scorer Biancheri. “Wearing the blazer, going out there, you feel it when you touch the grass. The message before was to play the game, not the occasion.”

More overseas trips followed a well-earned Christmas break, with two groups simultaneously competing at the small-sided Rewe Junior Cup and Mercedes-Benz Junior Cup in Germany. They kept momentum up ahead of the Youth Cup fourth round, where Preston North End were the challengers, fresh off a shock victory over Liverpool. United started quickly

again and led 4-0 by the half-hour mark, before surviving a temporary North End onslaught and adding a fifth late on to progress 5-2 winners.

“The boys got into a rhythm well,” Lawrence said. “With a four-goal half-time lead you want to maintain that, but there are lessons for our lads because Preston tested us.”

An 11th consecutive league win followed, before a three-match slipup which would end up defining the team’s season: a 4-0 home defeat to City, a shoot-out quarter-final loss to eventual PL Cup winners West Ham, and a 2-2 draw at Liverpool when we had led by two.

None of those results were the ideal warm-up for the Youth Cup fifth round against Chelsea, but United showed resilience. Trailing against the run of play, the young Reds came from behind. Jaydan Kamason spotted Chido Obi’s run off the shoulder and the Danish striker, whose summer arrival from Arsenal drew many headlines, finished clinically. Obi completed

“I’LL ALWAYS CHERISH THE MEMORIES MADE AT THIS GREAT CLUB AND CAN’T WAIT TO SEE WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR THE PLAYERS I’VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH” –– DEPARTING COACH ADAM LAWRENCE

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE U18s ’ INCREDIBLE WIN AGAINST LEEDS

October’s UEFA Youth League trip to Lithuania was a rewarding experience on and off the pitch for the youngsters

his hat-trick in a 5-1 win, with Scanlon getting the other two.

It was the stand-out week of a strong debut campaign for Chido, who marked his first U18s start in the league with a 14-minute treble against Nottingham Forest in October. His Youth Cup display against Chelsea earned him a first-team debut just four days later, coming off the bench away to Tottenham to become our 252nd Academy graduate.

That first-team involvement meant he was absent for the Youth Cup quarter-final, at his former club, Arsenal. A classic tie followed. Jack Fletcher’s 36th-minute curler set the tone, before the Gunners’ young starlet Max Dowman showed his class to drag them ahead, assisting the first and netting the second. Kamason thrashed home a late equaliser before Bendito Mantato’s tap-in extra-time winner.

Before the subsequent semi-final, another of the team’s members made a senior bow, as Harry Amass celebrated his 18th birthday by debuting away at Leicester City.

U18 PREMIER LEAGUE NORTH TABLE

With Sir Alex Ferguson watching on at the Villa Park semi-final, as were more than 1,000 travelling Reds, United were beaten 3-1 on penalties. “We probably win that on points over the 120 minutes,” Lawrence said, using a boxing analogy. “But we didn’t do enough to knock the opposition out.”

That left United with only one objective remaining: push Manchester City as far as possible in the title race. In the end, we lost out by only two points, despite a run of highly impressive wins, including 3-2 and 4-3 over a strong third-placed Derby side, and a 13-1 thrashing of Leeds United.

Lawrence departed at the season’s end after two strong campaigns as lead coach. He described his time at United as a “privilege,” stating: “I’ll always cherish the memories made at this great club and can’t wait to see what the future holds for the players I’ve had the pleasure of working with.”

Lawrence’s departure was followed in mid-June by Nick Cox stepping down in order to take up

the role of technical director at Everton. Cox joined United in 2016 and was promoted to director of Academy in 2019. During this time, 35 players achieved first-team debuts and the Academy’s reputation as one of the most productive youth development systems in the world was further enhanced. Cox – much like Lawrence –departs with the appreciation of everyone at United for the valuable contribution made in supporting the succession of players who graduated from the Academy. ●

Lawrence leaves his lead-coach role with real pride after four years at the club

The 18-year-old Fletcher twins continued their impressive development in 2024/25

Obi’s strong season included a February hat-trick v Chelsea

Line-ups:

U18 PREMIER LEAGUE

MANCHESTER CITY 0

UNITED 2 (Biancheri50,Mantato58)

24 August 2024

United: Murdock; Kamason, Kukonki (Plunkett 89), Fitzgerald, Armer; Devaney, T Fletcher (Thwaites 71), Mantato; Baumann, Scanlon (Ibragimov 78), Biancheri

UNITED 2 (Biancheri44,TFletcher64)

LIVERPOOL 0

31 August 2024

United: Murdock; Kamason, Fitzgerald (Bailey 69), Armer, Kukonki; Devaney (Thwaites 69), T Fletcher (Mills 75), Baumann; Scanlon, Biancheri (Ibragimov 75), Mantato

NEWCASTLE UNITED 1 (Bloomer 57)

UNITED 5 (Biancheri17,27, Scanlon42,Ibragimov65pen, Thwaites 85)

14 September 2024

United: Murdock; Kamason, Kukonki (Plunkett 69), Fitzgerald, Armer; T Fletcher, Devaney (Ibragimov 62), Baumann (Bailey 69); Mantato, Biancheri (Thwaites 61), Scanlon

MIDDLESBROUGH 0

UNITED 4 (Biancheri7,53pen, Musa79,Mantato90)

21 September 2024

United: Byrne-Hughes; Kamason, Armer, Kukonki, Plunkett (Bailey 62); Baumann, T Fletcher (Thwaites 66); Mantato, Fitzgerald, Scanlon (Ibragimov 62); Biancheri (Musa 66)

UNITED 9 (Biancheri5,31, Baumann 30, Scanlon 36, 63, 76, 84, Plunkett44,Kukonki66)

BLACKBURN ROVERS 0

28 September 2024

United: Murdock; Devaney, Armer, Kukonki, Plunkett (Munro, 61); T Fletcher, Baumann (Ibragimov, 52); Mantato (Thwaites, 52), Fitzgerald (Lacey 77), Scanlon; Biancheri

SUNDERLAND

3 (Geragusian42,59,Kindon54)

UNITED 4 (Mantato18,25, Holcroft48og,Thwaites87)

19 October 2024

United: Murdock; Kamason, Armer, Munro (Mills 63), Kukonki; Baumann, Fitzgerald; Mantato, Ibragimov (Thwaites 70), Lusale (Lacey 46); Musa (Obi 63)

UNITED 6 (Obi1,5,14,Scanlon40, Ibragimov45,Thwaites86)

NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0

26 October 2024

United: Byrne-Hughes; Fitzgerald (Mills 46), Munro, Armer, Plunkett; Thwaites, T Fletcher (Bailey 46); Lacey (Lusale 56), Ibragimov, Scanlon; Obi (Musa 46)

LEEDS UNITED 0

UNITED 8 (Scanlon10,47,75,Mantato30, Musa37pen,Ibragimov41,68,74)

2 November 2024

United: Byrne-Hughes; Munro (Plunkett 75), Mills, Armer, Kukonki; Thwaites (Bailey 61), T Fletcher; Mantato (Lusale 61), Ibragimov, Scanlon; Musa (Obi 61)

UNITED 3 (Obi6,Thwaites54,Mantato90+2)

EVERTON 0

9 November 2024

United: Murdock; Munro, Mills, Armer, Kukonki; Thwaites, T Fletcher (Devaney 71); Mantato, Ibragimov (Bailey 76), Scanlon (Lusale 63); Obi (Biancheri 71)

STOKE CITY 0

UNITED 3 (Obi71,Scanlon83,Plunkett89)

30 November 2024

United: Byrne-Hughes; Plunkett, Mills, Munro, Kukonki; Baumann (Ibragimov 61) T Fletcher; Lusale (Mantato 61), Thwaites (Bailey 76), Scanlon (Kaba 89); Obi (Musa 76)

WOLVES 0

UNITED 1 (Kamason 51)

25 January 2025

United: Murdock; Kamason, Munro, Armer, Plunkett (Mills 69); T Fletcher, Fitzgerald; Thwaites, J Fletcher (Bailey 39), Ibragimov (Bradbury 88); Musa

UNITED 0

MANCHESTER CITY 4 (McAidoo21, RHeskey46,Mfuni65,LFletcher75)

1 February 2025

United: Murdock; Kamason, Munro, Armer, Amass; T Fletcher; Fitzgerald, Thwaites (Bailey 81); Musa, Obi, Scanlon (Kukonki 69)

LIVERPOOL 2 (Sonni-Lambie43,Martin89)

UNITED 2 (Musa17,28)

8 February 2025

United: Byrne-Hughes; Munro (Overy 71), Mills, Armer, Kukonki (Lacey 71); T Fletcher, Fitzgerald (Devaney 60), Bailey (Plunkett 71); Scanlon, Musa, Thwaites

UNITED 0

NEWCASTLE UNITED 0

15 February 2025

United: Byrne-Hughes, Kamason (Overy, 62), Kukonki, Plunkett (Armer, 62), Mills, T Fletcher, Bailey (Lacey, 62), Ibragimov, Thwaites, Biancheri (Lusale, 77), Musa

UNITED 2 (Bradbury39,Olagunju81og)

WOLVES 1 (Wilcox 41)

18 February 2025

United: Byrne-Hughes; Kamason, Mills, Armer, Plunkett; T Fletcher, Shah (Lusale 61), Bailey; Ibragimov, Bradbury (Musa 61), Biancheri (Thwaites 72)

BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 (Davies 52)

UNITED 2 (Musa47,Ibragimov56)

22 February 2025

United: Byrne-Hughes; Kamason, Armer, Plunkett, Mills; Devaney (Overy 46), Bailey, Thwaites; Lacey (Ibragimov 46), Bradbury (Lusale 46), Musa

UNITED 3 (Scanlon71,90+3, Thwaites81pen)

MIDDLESBROUGH 1 (James 12)

3 March 2025

United: Byrne-Hughes; Overy (Kukonki 62), Ngwashi, Mills, Plunkett; Devaney (T Fletcher 62), Bailey, Thwaites; Lusale (Scanlon 62), Musa (Biancheri 62), Ibragimov

DERBY COUNTY 2 (Hodges6,Oguntolu28)

UNITED 3 (Armer9,Biancheri67, Scanlon73pen)

1 April 2025

United: Murdock; Kamason, Munro, Armer, Kukonki; T Fletcher, Devaney (Musa 62); Mantato (Ibragimov 62), Thwaites, Scanlon; Biancheri

UNITED 13 (Musa2,7,14,17,25,45+2, Thwaites30,40,41,Bailey51, Armer79,Gabriel89,90+1)

LEEDS UNITED 1 (Mensah 55)

5 April 2025

United: Byrne-Hughes; Overy (Kamason 71), Armer, Ngwashi, Plunkett; Baumann (Devaney 71), Bailey, Ibragimov (J Fletcher 71); Lusale, Musa, Thwaites (Gabriel 63)

NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0

UNITED 3 (Ibragimov61,Overy68, Bailey90+1)

12 April 2025

United: Murdock; Overy, Ngwashi (Mills 70), Armer, Plunkett; Devaney, Baumann (Bailey 73); Lusale (Ajayi 84), Ibragimov (Lacey 74), Thwaites; Musa

UNITED 4 (Mantato37,Scanlon72, Lacey76,Musa90+2)

DERBY COUNTY 3 (Allen9, Agbawodikeizu33,Gill82)

18 April 2025

United: Murdock; Devaney, Munro, Armer, Plunkett (Lacey 67); T Fletcher, Ibragimov (Lusale 67), Baumann (Thwaites 61); Mantato, Biancheri (Musa 61), Scanlon (Mills 90+3)

EVERTON 4 (Robert23,Mills43og, Olayiwola65,68)

UNITED 4 (Thwaites35,Musa42, Biancheri59,Lusale90+6)

26 April 2025

United: Murdock; Munro, Mills, Armer, Overy; Devaney (Lusale 34), Baumann (Bailey 71); Musa, Ibragimov, Thwaites; Biancheri (Lacey 61)

UNITED 4 (Musa16,57, Baumann84,Gabriel90+1)

STOKE CITY 0

2 May 2025

United: Byrne-Hughes; Overy, Mills (Armer 64), Munro (Ngwashi 61), Plunkett; Baumann; Ibragimov (Gabriel 72), Bailey; Lacey (Lusale 46), Musa, Thwaites (Fitzgerald 72)

UNITED 3 (Ibragimov35,Mills41, Musa 90+2)

SUNDERLAND 1 (Scott 2)

10 May 2025

United: Byrne-Hughes; Overy, Mills, Armer (Ngwashi 62), Plunkett; Baumann, Ibragimov (Bailey 62), Thwaites; Lacey (Gabriel 62), Musa, Lusale (Ibrovic-Fletcher 71)

U18 PREMIER LEAGUE CUP

LEICESTER CITY 1 (Aluko57pen)

UNITED 2 (Biancheri79,90+7pen)

27 August 2024

United: Murdock; Kamason, Fitzgerald (Armer 46), Mills, Plunkett (Kukonki 46), Bailey (Baumann 72), Devaney, Thwaites, Ibragimov (Kaba 46), Biancheri, Scanlon

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 4 (Lehane5, Williams-Barnett19,26,52)

UNITED 3 (Lacey78,79,Biancheri86pen)

5 October 2024

United: Murdock; Plunkett (Ibragimov 46), Armer, Munro (Musa 46), Kukonki; T Fletcher (Thwaites 66), Baumann; Mantato, Fitzgerald, Scanlon (Lacey 60); Biancheri

UNITED 3 (Kamason2,Scanlon40,Obi44) LEEDS UNITED 0

23 November 2024

United: Byrne-Hughes; Kamason, Munro, Armer, Amass (Lusale 72); Baumann, Devaney (Thwaites 62); Mantato, Ibragimov, Scanlon; Obi (Biancheri 72)

WEST

HAM UNITED 2 (Ajala42,Caliste46)

UNITED 2 (TFletcher,11,Scanlon51)

United lose 5-4 on penalties

4 February 2025

United: Murdock; Kamason, Mills (Armer 90), Munro, Kukonki (Plunkett 90); T Fletcher, Fitzgerald; Scanlon, Thwaites, Bailey (Bradbury 99); Musa

FA YOUTH CUP

UNITED 5 (Biancheri3,10,79,Obi13,53)

COVENTRY CITY 0

18 December 2024

United: Murdock; Kamason, Munro, Armer (Mills 65), Amass (Kukonki 72); Devaney (Thwaites 66), T Fletcher; Scanlon (Musa 60), Fitzgerald (Baumann 60), Biancheri; Obi (Ibragimov 72)

UNITED 5 (JFletcher7,Munro12, Obi24,31,Ibragimov90pen)

PRESTON NORTH END 2 (Rodriguez-Gentile49,56)

17 January 2025

United: Murdock; Kamason, Munro, Armer, Amass; T Fletcher, J Fletcher (Thwaites 79), Fitzgerald (Bailey 90+1); Musa (Ibragimov 64), Obi (Bradbury 90+1), Scanlon

UNITED 5 (Obi26,50,64,Scanlon34,38)

CHELSEA 1 (Walsh 21)

12 February 2025

United: Murdock; Kamason, Munro, Armer, Amass; Devaney (Thwaites 79), T Fletcher; Scanlon (Ibragimov 79), J Fletcher (Fitzgerald 74), Biancheri (Musa 62); Obi

ARSENAL 2 (Copley43,Dowman56pen)

UNITED 3 (JFletcher37, Kamason84,Mantato103)

28 February 2025

United: Murdock; Kamason, Munro, Armer (Kukonki 91), Amass; Devaney (Ibragimov 53), T Fletcher (Thwaites 82); Scanlon, J Fletcher (Lusale 90+1), Biancheri; Musa (Mantato 71)

ASTON VILLA 1 (Mulley4)

UNITED 1 (Scanlon 23)

31 March 2025

United lose 3-1 on penalties

United: Murdock; Kamason, Munro, Armer, Kukonki (Lusale 90); Devaney (Baumann 56), T Fletcher (Ibragimov 103), J Fletcher (Thwaites 72); Scanlon, Obi, Biancheri (Mantato 61)

UEFA YOUTH LEAGUE (U19)

ZALGIRIS 2 (Kondrotas90, Jansonas 90+4)

UNITED 5 (Biancheri33,54, Williams51,77,Scanlon90+2)

23 October 2024

United: Murdock; Kamason, Jackson, Fredricson, Kukonki; Devaney (McAllister 61), Fitzgerald (Baumann 75); Missin (Scanlon 61), J Fletcher (Lacey 67), Williams; Biancheri (Musa 67)

UNITED 6 (Williams8,Fredricson17, Wheatley37,Missin57, Biancheri78,Scanlon89)

ZALGIRIS 0

6 November 2024

United: Murdock; Kamason, Jackson (Munro 68), Fredricson, Amass (Mantato 61); Devaney, Fitzgerald (Kone 45); Missin, J Fletcher, Williams (Scanlon 68); Wheatley (Biancheri 61)

AZ ALKMAAR 2 (vandenBan43, Boogaard67)

UNITED 1 (Esajas19og)

26 November 2024

United: Murdock; Ogunneye (Kamason 30), Armer (Munro 46), Jackson, Amass; Fitzgerald, Devaney, Missin (Mantato 59), J Fletcher, Williams (Ibragimov 72); Wheatley (Biancheri 72)

UNITED 0

AZ ALKMAAR 0

10 December 2024

United: Murdock; Kamason (Obi 80), Jackson, Fredricson, Amass; Fitzgerald, Devaney, Ibragimov (Thwaites 58); Scanlon (T Fletcher 84), Wheatley (Biancheri 80), Williams (Missin 58)

2025/26 roll call

Introducing the scholars set to represent our U18s in the season ahead...

SECOND YEARS

NAME POSITION

Daniel Armer Defender

DATE OF BIRTH

23/10/2007

James Bailey Midfielder 29/12/2007

Cameron Byrne-Hughes Goalkeeper 02/11/2007

Frederick Heath Goalkeeper 25/09/2007

Amir Ibragimov Forward 02/04/2008

July 2024

July 2024

Russia July 2024

Godwill Kukonki Defender 06/02/2008 Stoke-on-Trent July 2024

Samuel Lusale Forward 07/09/2007

Bendito Mantato Forward 25/01/2008

Albert Mills Defender 28/02/2008

July 2024

July 2024

2024

Chido Obi Forward 29/11/2007 Glostrup, Denmark July 2024

James Overy Defender 09/11/2007

Dante Plunkett Defender 09/10/2007

Jim Thwaites Midfielder

Australia July 2024

July 2024

• Albert Mills

• James Overy

• Jim Thwaites

• Bendito Mantato

• Samuel Lusale

FIRST YEARS

Noah Ajayi Forward 23/11/2008

Neithan Barbosa Forward 06/12/2008

Nathaniel-Junior Brown Forward 18/12/2008

Yuel Helafu Defender 02/09/2008

Eddie Ibrovic-Fletcher Midfielder 26/09/2008

Louie Bradbury Forward

Rafe McCormack Defender

Jay McEvoy Midfielder

Jayden Ngwashi Defender

Jariyah Shah Midfielder 25/05/2009

Jacob Watson Defender 16/05/2009

Zachary Watson Goalkeeper 19/09/2008

Germany July 2025

Portugal July 2025

July 2025

July 2025

Australia July 2025

July 2025

July 2025

• Frederick Heath

• Jariyah Shah

• Noah Ajayi

• Jayden Ngwashi

Under-21s hit the high notes

Our most senior Academy side certainly saw plenty of goals in ’24/25, with some standout displays, alongside support for the first team

Travis Binnion’s Under-21s found greater consistency in 2024/25 than in the prior season, and not only improved their league standing, but acted as a crucial support to the Manchester United first team.

There were moments during the season when that senior involvement led to notably youthful U21 starting line-ups. These provided great opportunities for the less experienced members of the group, but may have prevented the Reds from progressing further in certain competitions.

In Premier League 2 – a 26-team division in which each side plays 20 unique opponents in one-off games, home or away – United were involved in a series of high-scoring games before Christmas. The young Reds demonstrated goalscoring prowess regularly, but were too open at the back. Few games evidenced that better than a 5-3 triumph at Norwich’s Carrow Road in September. Binnion’s side trailed early on, restored parity before the break and then established a 4-1 lead, only to be pegged back to 4-3 in injury-time before Ethan

Wheatley completed a hat-trick on the break to secure victory.

At Sunderland in November, the points went the other way, with the hosts 5-2 winners. There were some quieter matches interspersed in the pre-Christmas league schedule –although Ethan Ennis’s 96th-minute free-kick winner at home to West Ham also stood out – but the 10-game run averaged 4.3 goals per match.

The EFL Trophy mirrored the nature of these games, to create some truly memorable evenings. Previous editions of the competition, which has included Category One

September’s league win at Norwich was a rollercoaster 90 minutes

academy sides since 2016, have delivered several notable occasions for United. Many of those have featured sizeable away followings across the north-west, with a shootout triumph at Stockport County in 2023/24 particularly enduring.

The ’24/25 highlights came in the opening two group-stage games as the U21s showed traditional Reds spirit to twice come from behind. At Barnsley, Ennis sparked a late comeback when we trailed by two goals at Oakwell. A brace from substitute Jack Fletcher followed, one of them a stunning outsideof-the-box volley, completing an

eight-minute, three-goal turnaround against the League One side.

United then took an early lead at Doncaster, only to concede three. But when the game seemed gone, Ennis once again inspired a dramatic turning of the tables. This time, Louis Jackson scrambled in a late leveller to send the game to penalties, to determine the recipient of a bonus point. United triumphed 5-3 there. Despite such positive moments, a chastening defeat to Huddersfield prevented further progress.

The Reds responded well to that 4-1 loss, however, in the inaugural National League Cup. Another

adapted tournament providing opportunities to face senior players, this pitted Category One academies against fifth-tier senior sides. United excelled in the group stage.

Having already beaten Forest Green Rovers 3-2 (Sharpe, Ennis and Musa the scorers), United travelled to Altrincham a week on from the EFL Trophy defeat at Huddersfield.

Playing with real intensity, Binnion’s side were deserved winners in front of a 3,663-strong crowd, with Ennis hitting a fine hat-trick and 16-year-old Amir→

ACADEMY:

UNDER-21s him to thrive in this campaign. His ball-carrying qualities continually made him a standout player, and as his impact in games grew after New Year, Ruben Amorim took notice and included Moorhouse in several senior matchday squads.

Ibragimov netting his first goal at U21s level. He followed it up with the only strike of the game in victory at Rochdale a fortnight later. Performances in these two senior competitions earned several players January loan moves. Ennis, for example, headed to Doncaster, having scored against them in autumn. He was perhaps the pick of United’s forwards in the first half of the season, although the combative displays of Ibragimov were to be admired against far older opponents. Ethan pair Wheatley (Walsall) and Williams (Cheltenham) also secured loans. That meant all were absent for our final National League Cup group-stage game, but United played with fluency once more, netting five against Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park. Jack Moorhouse scored his first in the competition to start off the 5-0 win in January. With distinctive low socks and an ability to glide across the pitch, Moorhouse put past injury struggles behind

However, he was played in an unfamiliar striker’s position when United took on Sutton United in the National League Cup quarterfinals. With several players out on loan, Chido Obi enjoying first-team involvement and the U18s preparing for their own cup quarter-final in the same week, the U21s were without a natural striker. The Reds showed moments of real promise, but the hosts were more clinical and finished 3-0 victors to end our campaign.

“That’s why we play these games,” reflected Binnion. “We’ve had four really good games. We’ve been younger tonight, and not quite as cohesive. We were stretched across the club this week and it told. But we should have scored three or four goals tonight. Are individuals getting really good development from here? Yes, absolutely, but I can’t hide my disappointment.”

It was a similar story in the Premier League International Cup, where United drew against Hertha Berlin and PSV Eindhoven before defeats against Sparta Prague and Nordsjaelland, who were a touch more clinical. But that, too, was seen as a positive experience.

“These games are a great education for the lads,” Binnion said. “The games programme is giving us what we need and we’re taking a lot from it. All the games in this competition have been among our best and toughest ones of the season. They’re different in terms of physicality, intensity, intent and time on the ball.”

That left all attention on the league, and supporting Amorim’s senior squad, for the remaining months. And United put together an impressive run of results to finish seven points better off than the previous year, with three more victories. A fifth-placed finish qualified us comfortably for the endof-season knockout competition, where we first welcomed Everton – coming from behind to win 4-2 – and then West Ham, where we

“THESE GAMES ARE A GREAT EDUCATION THEY’RE DIFFERENT IN TERMS OF PHYSICALITY, INTENSITY, INTENT AND TIME ON THE BALL” –– BINNION ON THE PREMIER LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL CUP

PREMIER LEAGUE 2 TABLE

recovered from conceding early to win 4-1. At Manchester City in the semi-finals, however, the hosting Blues deserved their 2-0 victory, leaving Binnion asking his players to learn from defeat again.

The late-season performances of Sekou Kone were noteworthy. Signed from Guidars FC in Mali, his homeland, the French-speaking Kone worked hard to settle into a new country, and was supported by the Academy staff taking French lessons to communicate more easily with him. Building fitness and learning the pace of the English game, Kone’s performances steadily grew. He netted his first goal in a league draw at Leeds – and with fine technique, too – and was then taken on the post-season tour of Asia by Amorim.

Joining him there were Moorhouse, as well as Jaydan Kamason, Godwill Kukonki, Tyler Fredricson, Reece Munro, Tyler Fletcher, Jim Thwaites and Shea Lacey, helping to cap off an overwhelmingly

Kone’s progress would see him join up with the senior squad

Mather and Ennis both reached double figures for goals

The opening Premier League International Cup game took the Under-21s to Salford City’s Peninsula Stadium, where the Reds hosted Hertha Berlin, drawing 1-1

Line-ups:

PREMIER LEAGUE 2

ARSENAL 4 (Edwards12,43, Rosiak35,Butler-Oyedeji37)

UNITED 2 (Ennis46,Wheatley87)

16 August 2024

United: Harrison; Nolan (McAllister 74), Fredricson, Aljofree, Amass; Rowe, Curley (Jackson 82); Williams, Mather (Ogunneye 64), Ennis (Sharpe 64); Wheatley

UNITED 4 (JFletcher10, Sharpe39,64,Mather67)

STOKE 1 (Adekoya22)

23 August 2024

United: Harrison; Nolan, Aljofree, Kingdon (Ogunneye 61), Amass; McAllister (Curley 61), Rowe; Sharpe (Ennis 69), J Fletcher, Mather; Wheatley

BLACKBURN 1 (Tyjon52)

UNITED 3 (Ennis12,Mather78,Biancheri83)

30 August 2024

United: Mee; Ogunneye (Kamason 90+3), Kingdon (Jackson 90+3), Fredricson, Rowe; McAllister (Devaney 71), Curley; Sharpe, J Fletcher, Mather (Biancheri 82); Ennis

UNITED 1 (Wheatley56)

MAN CITY 3 (Alfa-Ruprecht45+3, Heskey68,Dickson77)

21 September 2024

United: Graczyk; Ogunneye (Missin 87), Jackson, Kingdon, Amass; Devaney (Curley 64), Collyer; Ennis (Sharpe 64), J Fletcher (Rowe 64), Mather; Wheatley

NORWICH 3 (Mundle-Smith6, Ogwuru88,Welch90+4)

UNITED 5 (Williams21,Wheatley49, 71,90+9,Sharpe50)

27 September 2024

United: Graczyk; Kamason, Fredrikson, Jackson, Amass; Curley, McAllister (Rowe 79); Sharpe (Missin 72), Gore (Moorhouse 66), Williams; Ennis (Wheatley 46)

UNITED 0

LIVERPOOL 1 (Morton 67)

6 October 2024

United: Mee; Ogunneye (Kamason 76), Kingdon, Fredricson, Amass (Rowe 88); Collyer, Gore; Ennis, J Fletcher, Williams (Mather 70); Wheatley

NEWCASTLE 0

UNITED 2 (Mather16,Ennis86)

26 October 2024

United: Mee; Kamason, Kingdon, Jackson, Rowe; McAllister, Baumann, Devaney; Sharpe (Missin 62), Biancheri (Ennis 68), Mather (Moorhouse 79)

SUNDERLAND 5 (Aouchiche3, Ogunneye23og,Ogunsuyi43,45+2, Tutierov 48)

UNITED 2 (JFletcher8,Biancheri45)

2 November 2024

United: Graczyk; Kamason, Ogunneye, Kingdon, Amass (Fredricson 45); McAllister (Kone 71), Baumann; Sharpe, J Fletcher (Wheatley 45), Mather (Devaney 60); Biancheri

UNITED 1 (Ennis 90+3)

WEST HAM 0

29 November 2024

United: Mee; Kamason, Jackson, Kingdon, Murray (Devaney 46); Amass (Missin 64), Sharpe (Biancheri 80); Rowe, Gore (Moorhouse 46), Ennis; Wheatley

UNITED 5 (TFletcher15,Gore32, Moorhouse53,90+2,Wheatley57)

SOUTHAMPTON 1 (Dipepa62)

14 December 2024

United: Mee; Ogunneye (Kamason 72), Jackson, Kingdon, Murray; Gore; Moorhouse, T Fletcher (McAllister 62); Sharpe (Ennis 62), Wheatley (Biancheri 72), Missin

← UNITED 2 (Mather24,65pen)

ASTON VILLA 1 (Burrowes 52)

18 January 2025

United: Harrison; Ogunneye, Fredricson, Kukonki (Jackson 79), Murray; Gore,

Kone (McAllister 79); Sharpe, Moorhouse (Missin 66), Mather (Curley 66); Wheatley

BRIGHTON 0

UNITED 1 (Mather5pen)

26 January 2025

United: Harrison; Ogunneye, Fredricson, Jackson, Amass; Kone (McAllister 68), Gore; Sharpe (Scanlon 86), Moorhouse (Curley 68), Mather (Murray 90); Obi

UNITED 2 (Sharpe37,Moorhouse73)

SPURS 0

7 February 2025

United: Harrison; Kamason (Munro 62), Fredricson, Murray, Amass; Kone, McAllister; Sharpe, Rowe (Scanlon 71), Moorhouse (J Fletcher 79), Obi

UNITED 0

FULHAM 1 (Osmand 55)

17 February 2025

United: Murdock; Ogunneye, Munro, Heaven (Fredricson 46), Murray; McAllister, Thwaites (Kamason 65), Rowe; Sharpe, Musa (Biancheri 72), Scanlon

CHELSEA 2 (Kavuma-McQueen15, Ampah44)

UNITED 0

21 February 2025

United: Murdock; Ogunneye, Munro (Murray 76), Fredricson, Amass; McAllister, J Fletcher, T Fletcher (Rowe 76); Scanlon, Biancheri, Moorhouse (Ibragimov 59)

UNITED 5 (Biancheri19,Scanlon21, Mantato28,JFletcher41,44)

WEST BROM 1 (Whitwell64pen)

14 March 2025

United: Murdock; Ogunneye, Munro, Kukonki (Ngwashi 61), Murray; Kone, T Fletcher (Rowe 81), J Fletcher; Mantato (Musa 61), Biancheri, Scanlon (Kamason 81)

LEEDS 2 (Cresswell28,Gray32)

UNITED 2 (Kone66,Mather70pen)

28 March 2025

United: Byrne-Hughes; Ogunneye, Mills, Fredricson, Murray; Ibragimov, Kone, Moorhouse (Bailey 84); Overy (Baumann 60), Musa, Mather (Ngwashi 73)

UNITED 3 (Mantato3,Obi43,49)

NOTTM FOREST 3 (Blake26, McAdam82,Berry88)

7 April 2025

United: Harrison; Ogunneye, Munro,

Fredricson, Murray; Kone; T Fletcher, Moorhouse (J Fletcher 62); Mantato (Biancheri 62), Obi, Scanlon

READING 1 (Osho 73)

UNITED 4 (Mather10,Biancheri39,53, Scanlon 90+1)

11 April 2025

United: Harrison, Ogunneye (Mantato 38), Jackson (Munro 69), Fredricson, Murray, Kone, Rowe, T Fletcher (Ibragimov 84), Scanlon, Biancheri, Mather (Ajayi 84)

WOLVES 1 (Edozie 44)

UNITED 1 (T Fletcher 52)

14 April 2025

United: Harrison; Murray (Fredricson 61), Munro, Kukonki, Rowe; Kone, T Fletcher (Ibragimov 61), Scanlon (Thwaites 73); Mantato (Musa 73), Obi, Biancheri (Ajayi 73)

UNITED 4 (Wheatley11,51, TFletcher71,Kone84)

EVERTON 2 (Sherif1,33)

25 April 2025

United: Harrison; Ogunneye, Jackson, Kukonki, Murray; Kone, T Fletcher, Moorhouse; Mantato (Devaney 68), Wheatley (Biancheri 76), Scanlon

UNITED 4 (Scanlon51,Wheatley60, Murray78,Mather90+2)

WEST HAM 1 (Adiele 30)

5 May 2025

United: Harrison; Ogunneye, Jackson, Kukonki, Murray; Devaney (Rowe 79), Kone (J Fletcher 90+3); Scanlon, T Fletcher, Mather; Wheatley (Biancheri 88)

MAN CITY 2 (Mubama66,90)

UNITED 0

9 May 2025

United: Harrison; Ogunneye (Rowe 86), Jackson, Kukonki, Murray; Devaney (J Fletcher 70), T Fletcher, Kone; Scanlon, Wheatley, Williams (Biancheri 60)

PREMIER LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL CUP

UNITED 1 (Baumann 64)

HERTHA BSC 1 (Aksakal90+3pen)

1 October 2024

United: Graczyk; Kamason, Kingdon, Jackson, Amass; Fitzgerald (Moorhouse 60), Gore (T Fletcher 60); Missin (Mantato 71), Scanlon (Baumann 60), Mather; Wheatley (Biancheri 78)

↑ UNITED 1 (Biancheri90pen)

PSV 1 (Babadi 14)

30 October 2024

United: Mee; Ogunneye, Fredricson, Kingdon (Biancheri 46), Rowe (Kamason 72); McAllister (Scanlon 69), Devaney, Ennis (Sharpe 69); Moorhouse (Baumann 57), Williams, Obi

UNITED 1 (Wheatley8)

SPARTA PRAGUE 3 (HHruska38,40,Siler38)

7 December 2024

United: Graczyk; Fredricson (Munro 46), Kukonki (Obi 75), Kingdon; Missin, T Fletcher (Devaney 75), Gore, Murray; Scanlon (Sharpe 63), Wheatley, Williams (Ennis 63)

UNITED 1 (Obi 77) NORDSJAELLAND 3

(Araphat28,Nene30,51)

21 January 2025

United: Myles; Ogunneye, Jackson, Kukonki (Kingdon 45), Amass; Kone (McAllister 62), Moorhouse (Ibragimov 62); Missin (Sharpe 70), Curley (Fitzgerald 62), Mather; Obi

EFL TROPHY

BARNSLEY 2 (Yoganathan10,37)

UNITED 3 (Ennis81,JFletcher84,87)

20 August 2024

United: Heaton; Ogunneye (Nolan 74), Jackson (Aljofree 46), Fredricson, Amass; Collyer, Devaney; Curley (J Fletcher 57), Mather (Williams 73), Ennis; Wheatley

DONCASTER 3 (Sbarra24, Yeboah50,Broadbent65)

UNITED 3 (Mather11,Ennis72, Jackson 90+6)

24 September 2024

United: Mee; Ogunneye (McAllister 64), Kingdon, Rowe, Amass; Gore (Jackson

61), Devaney (Missin 85); Ennis (Biancheri 85), J Fletcher, Mather; Wheatley

HUDDERSFIELD 4 (Wiles29,Healey67, Kasumu90,Lees90+7)

UNITED 1 (Musa 43)

12 November 2024

United: Mee; Ogunneye (Moorhouse 76), Kingdon, Fredricson, Malacia (Amass 46); Kone (McAllister 41), Fitzgerald (Mather 76), Rowe; Ennis, Musa, Williams (Missin 65)

NATIONAL LEAGUE CUP

FOREST GREEN 2 (Doidge3,Bunker35)

UNITED 3 (Sharpe29,Ennis33,Musa77)

9 October 2024

United: Mee; Ogunneye (Fredricson 63), Jackson, Kingdon, Rowe; McAllister (Moorhouse 68), Gore (Kukonki 76); Sharpe, Baumann, Mather (Williams 68); Ennis (Musa 68)

ALTRINCHAM 0

UNITED 4 (Ennis17,26,90+1,Ibragimov 70)

19 November 2024

United: Mee; Ogunneye, Jackson, Kingdon, Amass; Rowe, Moorhouse (McAllister 58), Ibragimov (Thwaites 84); Mather (Missin 71), Musa (Bradbury 84), Ennis

ROCHDALE 0

UNITED 1 (Ibragimov82)

3 December 2024

United: Mee; Kamason, Kingdon, Jackson, Murray (Rowe 69); Gore (Devaney 69), Moorhouse (Mantato 69); Ibragimov, J Fletcher, Ennis; Wheatley (Obi 80)

OLDHAM 0

UNITED 5 (Moorhouse63,Obi70, Sharpe72,Mather83,Musa90+2)

29 January 2025

United: Harrison; Ogunneye, Fredricson, Kukonki, Murray; Kone, McAllister (Curley 60); Sharpe (Scanlon 78), Moorhouse, Mather; Obi (Musa 84)

SUTTON 3 (Barbrook27, Boateng66,Wadham69)

UNITED 0

25 February 2025

United: Murdock; Ogunneye, Fredricson, Kukonki (Plunkett 70), Murray; McAllister (Lusale 58), Kone, Rowe; Thwaites (Mills 70), Moorhouse, Ibragimov

MUW starlets raise the bar

Partaking in the league’s new nationalised format, our U21s show they can compete with the best, helping to inspire the younger Academy group...

Following on from their 2023/24 national title, Melissa Brown’s Under-21s set the pace once again, in the former-Preston North End coach’s first full season in charge of the Reds.

Having contested several friendly fixtures against senior third-tier sides, the youngsters put six past Durham on the opening day before recovering from a setback away at Birmingham City (a 4-2 defeat) to win six of our first seven games.

That strong record – ending with mid-October’s 4-0 win over Leicester, inspired by an Olivia Francis double – earned United top spot in the Women’s PGA Northern League, which comfortably qualified us for Division One in the league’s new nationalised format.

Goals from Mared Griffiths, Sienna Wareing, Jess Anderson and Emma Watson gave United a 4-1 victory in the second phase’s opener, at home to Sunderland, preceding a 3-2 win over Durham.

In the FA Youth Cup, we thrashed rivals Liverpool 9-0, with Griffiths scoring a hat-trick and Francis a double. That satisfying scoreline set up a December double-header against Arsenal, with a Youth Cup quarter-final and crucial league clash played in consecutive weeks.

Doubles from Francis and Aoife Farrall helped a creative and clinical United side to a 5-2 league win over the Gunners, but Arsenal strengthened to triumph 3-2 in a hard-fought cup match a week on.

We reached the same stage in the Women’s National League Plate, with victories over Aston Villa (3-1) and Loughborough Lightning (3-0), a senior side whose physicality and organisation provided a real test.

page

However, an in-form Bournemouth knocked us out of the next round (3-2) and two more significant defeats followed, away at Aston Villa (4-3) and Arsenal (3-1), for whom three points took them top in mid-February.

“That was one of the season’s biggest challenges,” said Amanda Goodwin, Academy manager. “But it also gave us a lot of learning. The girls battled with WSL first-team players [dropping down to Arsenal’s U21s] and so saw first-hand the level they’re aiming to get to.”

It was a proud month for the Academy, nevertheless, thanks to Mared Griffiths’s debut double in the Women’s FA Cup fifth-round victory over Wolves. That was representative of continued senior integration across the campaign, with many players regularly training with Marc Skinner’s first-team squad as part of a transition group.

Others gained senior experience away from United, with Lucy Newell on loan at Blackburn, and a collection of players on dual-registration, meaning they benefited from training and playing time at other clubs.

As for Griffiths, her senior Wales bow followed, with fellow young Red Scarlett Hill also involved with the squad. In that time, the players not with their national sides engaged in

a ‘duty’ of another kind, attending the Army School of Physical Training to focus on team building and leadership activities. That was one of the season’s many off-the-pitch activities, with the girls’ academic schedules – including A-levels, BTECs and university or US college applications – balanced with football and personal development sessions, focusing, for example, on CV writing or nutritional cooking. In addition, this was the first year where the Girls’ Academy teams represented the club at the Old Trafford Munich Memorial service.

Back on the pitch, it was a tale of ups and downs in the league’s final stages. Hill and Amelia Oldroyd netted to down Durham 2-0 in March, before 10-player United lost at Sunderland. That provided the impetus to thrash Charlton, with Griffiths shining in the 8-1 victory.

Two draws, a loss and an automatic win due to the opposition forfeiting left United two points off champions Arsenal in the final standings (below).

SILVERWARE FOR UNDER-16s

As for our Under-16s, their season started in fine fashion with two cup triumphs. The Girls’ Academy marked its first appearance in SuperCupNI by winning the historic competition, defeating the Northern Ireland side in the final.

Victory in the twice-a-season Junior Premier League Peer-to-Peer Championship Cup followed, with a semi-final win over Manchester City and a final triumph against Arsenal.

After quarter-final defeats to Bristol City (Youth Cup) and Chelsea (JPL Cup) amid some strong league performances –including against boys’ sides to improve certain aspects of the girls’ game – United were also victorious in the spring edition of the JPL Peer-to-Peer Championship Cup. That showed the team’s consistent quality, and added an extra touch of silverware to a strong season across the Academy.

Opposite

(clockwise from top-left around the squad photo (centre): Hill continues to impress with her development; Brown [left], Goodwin [second from right] and the rest of the U21s’ backroom staff have been delighted with the girls’ progress; Attacking talent Aoife Farrall has been among the goals; Pre-season silverware for the younger Academy group in the JPL tournament; the SuperCupNI is a competition with plenty of prestige; Olivia Francis has shown her eye for goal

Griffiths alongside first-team squad member Safia Middleton-Patel with the Wales senior side

All-time records

The official club lists of player records and team honours, covering our men’s side – including the remarkable goals return of Denis Law (pictured), who sadly passed away in January 2025, aged 84 – United Women and the Academy teams’ haul of silverware...

Men’s team honours board

Every trophy lifted by the mighty Reds...

Reds skipper Martin Buchan lifts the Division Two trophy aloft in April 1975

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP WINNERS

2008 United 1 LDU Quito 0

INTERCONTINENTAL CUP WINNERS

1999 United 1 Palmeiras 0

EUROPEAN CUP/UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WINNERS

1968 United 4 Benfica 1 (aet)

1999 United 2 Bayern Munich 1 2008 United 1 Chelsea 1 (wononpens)

EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS’ CUP WINNERS

1991 United 2 Barcelona 1

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE WINNERS

2017 United 2 Ajax 0

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE WINNERS

1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965, 1967

PREMIER LEAGUE WINNERS

1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION TWO WINNERS 1936, 1975

(continued >)

Above: United captain Roger Byrne raises the First Division trophy at Old Trafford at the end of the 1955/56 campaign – the full-back was one of eight United players who would tragically lose their life in the Munich Air Disaster less than two years later

Top: Celebrating our most recent major silverware: the 2023/24 FA Cup, following a 2-1 victory against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium

Below: Completing the club’s ultimate success, the Treble season of 1998/99, with a dramatic late comeback against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final, played in front of 90,245 supporters in Barcelona

Academy cup wins

FOOTBALL LEAGUE CUP WINNERS

FA CHARITY/COMMUNITY SHIELD WINNERS

1908 United 4 QPR 0 (replay) 1911 United 8 Swindon Town 4 1952 United 4 Newcastle United 2

1956 United 1 Manchester City 0

1957 United 4 Aston Villa 0

1965 United 2 Liverpool 2 (shared)

1967 United 3 Tottenham 3 (shared)

United 0 Liverpool 0 (shared)

United 2 Liverpool 0 1990 United 1 Liverpool 1 (shared) 1993

1 Arsenal 1 (wononpens) 1994 United 2 Blackburn Rovers 0 1996 United 4 Newcastle United 0

1997 United 1 Chelsea 1 (wononpens)

2003 United 1 Arsenal 1 (wononpens)

2007 United 1 Chelsea 1 (wononpens)

2008 United 0 Portsmouth 0 (wononpens) 2010 United 3 Chelsea 1 2011 United 3 Manchester City 2

2013 United 2 Wigan Athletic 0 2016 United 2 Leicester City 1

United’s teenage talents celebrate with the Youth Cup trophy after a 6-3 aggregate victory over Crystal Palace in 1992 We’ve won the FA Youth Cup more times than any club, with our most recent triumph coming in 2022

Our 1955 Youth Cup winners included many young stars, including Duncan Edwards, Shay Brennan, Eddie Colman, Wilf McGuinness and Bobby Charlton

Most appearances

The top 100 list of games played for Manchester United’s men’s team...

Clockwise from top-left: Denis Irwin rounds off our all-time top 10 for appearances, with 529 games played across a dozen campaigns; Cristiano Ronaldo is just inside the top 50, with 292 of his 346 games coming during his first spell with the club (2003-09); Wide attacker Joe Spence was a star performer between the wars, with fans cheering ‘Give it to Joe!’ from the terraces across his 14 years at Old Trafford; Centre-half Charlie Roberts captained United to our first two league titles, plus our maiden FA Cup triumph

52. Charlie Moore 1919-21, 1922-30 328

53. Alfred Steward 1920-32 326

54. Chris Smalling 2010-19 323

55. Lal Hilditch 1919-32 322

56. George Wall 1906-15 319

57. Anthony Martial 2015-24 317

58. Fred Erentz 1892-1902 310

59. Alex Bell 1903-13 309

60. Charlie Roberts 1904-13 302

61. Ray Bennion 1921-32 301

62. Nemanja Vidic 2006-14 300

63. Willie Morgan 1968-75 296

64. Dennis Viollet 1953-61 293

65. Bruno Fernandes 2020- 290

66. Kevin Moran 1979-88 289

67. Frank Stapleton 1981-87 288

68. Luke Shaw 2014- 287

Above: Giggs, while player-manager, joins the action from the bench for his 963rd and final appearance for United, against Hull City on 6 May 2014

Left: De Gea holds the record for most appearances in goal, the Spaniard having played six more games than Alex Stepney

Right: Evans salutes the fans in May after his 241st and final game

69. Juan Mata 2014-22 285

70= John Aston Snr 1946-54 284

70= Victor Lindelof 2017-25 284

72. Paul Ince 1989-95 281

73. Roger Byrne 1951-58 280

74. Johnny Berry 1951-57 276

75= Henry Cockburn 1946-54 275

75= Andy Cole 1995-2001 275

77. Norman Whiteside 1982-89 274

78. Brian Greenhoff 1973-79 271

79. George Stacey 1907-15 270

80= Harry Moger 1903-12 266

80= Brian Kidd 1967-74 266

80= Edwin van der Sar 2005-11 266

83. David Herd 1961-68 265

84. Lee Sharpe 1988-96 263

85. Ashley Young 2011-20 261

86. Walter Cartwright 1895-1904 257

87. Scott McTominay 2017-24 255

88. Dick Duckworth 1903-13 254

89. Stewart Houston 1974-80 250

90. Jimmy Nicholl 1975-81 248

91= Sandy Turnbull 1907-15 247

91= Harry Gregg 1957-66 247

93. Harry Maguire 2019- 246

94. Clayton Blackmore 1984-93 245

95. Jonny Evans 2007-15, ’23-25 241

96. Paul Pogba 2011-12, 2016-22 233

97. Jesse Lingard 2014-22 232

98. Nani 2007-14 230

99= Gordon McQueen 1978-85 229

99= Phil Jones 2011-23 229

Most goals scored

NAME YEARS GOALS

1. Wayne Rooney 2004-17 253

2. Sir Bobby Charlton 1956-73 249

3. Denis Law 1962-73 237

4. Jack Rowley 1937-55 211

5= Dennis Viollet 1953-61 179

5= George Best 1963-74 179

7= Joe Spence 1919-33 168

7= Ryan Giggs 1991-2014 168

9. Mark Hughes 1983-86, 1988-95 163

10. Paul Scholes 1994-2011, 2012-13 155

11. Ruud van Nistelrooy 2001-06 150

12. Stan Pearson 1937-53 148

13= David Herd 1961-68 145

13= Cristiano Ronaldo’03-09, ’21-22 145

15. Marcus Rashford 2016- 138

16. Tommy Taylor 1953-58 131

17. Brian McClair 1987-98 127

18. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 1996-’07 126

19. Andy Cole 1995-2001 121

20. Sandy Turnbull 1907-15 101

21= Joe Cassidy 1893, 1895-1900 100

21= George Wall 1906-15 100

23. Bryan Robson 1981-94 99

24. Bruno Fernandes 2020- 98

25. Lou Macari 1973-84 97

26. Anthony Martial 2015-24 90

27. David Beckham 1992-2003 85

28. Eric Cantona 1992-97 82

29. Enoch West 1910-15 80

30. Frank Stapleton 1981-87 78

31. Sammy McIlroy 1971-82 71

32= Brian Kidd 1967-74 70

32= Steve Coppell 1975-83 70

34= Tommy Reid 1929-33 67

34= Norman Whiteside 1982-89 67

36= Bob Donaldson 1892-97 66

36= Stuart Pearson 1974-79 66

36= Dwight Yorke 1998-2002 66

39. Charlie Mitten 1946-50 61

40. Javier Hernandez 2010-15 59

41= Jack Peddie 1902-03, 1904-07 58

41= Robin van Persie 2012-15 58

43. Tommy Bamford 1934-38 57

44= Harold Halse 1908-12 56

Highbury Stadium, December 1964: Denis Law celebrates one of his 237 United goals, with fellow Ballon d’Or winner George Best running to greet him. Poignant tributes were seen across the club following Law’s passing in January, with the match programme for the visit of Rangers the following week dedicated to the legendary Red (right)

Clockwise from top-left: Keane, Cantona and Scholes are all present in our top 100 scorers list; Rooney’s debut hat-trick v Fenerbahce would kick-start his march to the top; Fernandes was the big climber throughout 2024/25; Bryan Robson was one goal short of a century; George Wall is one of two Reds to have scored exactly 100 times for the club – the other being another pre-First World War attacker, Joe Cassidy

68= Paul Pogba 2011-12, 2016-22 39

70. Gordon Strachan 1984-89 38

71= Dick Smith 1894-98, 1900 37

71= John Downie 1949-53 37

73= Billy Meredith 1907-21 36

73= Jimmy Greenhoff 1976-80 36

73= Lee Sharpe 1988-96 36

73= Andrei Kanchelskis 1991-95 36

77= Henry Boyd 1897-99 35

77= Alfred Schofield 1900-06 35

77= Johnny Morris 1946-49 35

77= Albert Scanlon 1954-60 35

Carlos Tevez

34 86= Willie Bryant 1896-1900 33 86= Tommy Arkesden 1903-06 33

Denis Irwin 1990-2002 33

David Sadler 1963-73

John Aston Jnr 1965-72

Biggest victories

times the men’s team have won by seven goals or more, with a recent addition...

Victory over Anderlecht in our first European Cup home fixture remains the club’s all-time record win

Edinson Cavani scores the Reds’ fourth goal as the Saints are put to the sword in a 9-0 rout behind closed doors in 2021

Rowley scored 211 times for United, including five in one game against Yeovil Best’s half-dozen at

Berbatov takes home the match ball after his five goals against Rovers

Other records

From hat-tricks to penalties to clean sheets, here are some lesser-known feats...

HAT-TRICKS, MEN’S TEAM

1. Denis Law 1962-73 18 (three goals x14, four goals x4)

2. Jack Rowley 1937-55 12 (three goals x8, four goals x3, five goals x1)

3. Dennis Viollet 1953-61 9 (three goals x8, four goals x1)

4. Wayne Rooney 2004-17 8 (three goals x7, four goals x1)

5. Sir Bobby Charlton 1956-73 7 (three goals x7)

6= Joe Cassidy 1893, 1895-1900 6 (three goals x6)

6= Tommy Reid 1929-33 6 (three goals x6)

6= Stan Pearson 1937-53 6 (three goals x6)

6= David Herd 1961-68 6 (three goals x5, four goals x1)

6= Ruud van Nistelrooy 2001-06 6 (three goals x5, four goals x1)

Only four players have scored more

for

Our all-time record penalty taker lets Christian Eriksen have the honours from the spot in the Dane’s final game

PENALTIES SCORED,

Schmeichel kept 180 shut-outs for the Reds during his eight seasons between the sticks

than

Law completes his treble in the 6-1 win over Willem II at Old Trafford in 1963 – one of 18 hat-tricks from the lethal Scot

Dutch forward van Nistelrooy shows off his goal haul after completing a league hat-trick against Fulham in March 2003

hat-tricks

United

Sir Bobby Charlton

Women’s team honours board

WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS 2019

APPEARANCES, WOMEN’S TEAM

1. Ella Toone 2018- 188

2. Millie Turner 2018- 174

3. Leah Galton 2018- 162

4. Katie Zelem 2018-24 161

5. Mary Earps 2019-24 125

6. Hayley Ladd 2019-24 110

7. Maya Le Tissier 2022- 95

8. Hannah Blundell 2021- 91

9. Kirsty Hanson 2018-22 90

10. Rachel Williams 2022- 79

Top: Toone tops the chart, for both games and goals – our no.7 found the net eight times in 24 appearances throughout 2024/25

Above: Amy Turner and Alex Greenwood hold trophy no.1 for the Reds – the 2018/19 Championship, as United reached the WSL

Experienced forward Williams has 21 goals from 79 games, mostly as an impact substitute

Defender Turner moved into second place on our all-time appearances list during the 2024/25 campaign

Inspired by the ethos of Sir Matt Busby and Jimmy Murphy, the club’s associated charity continues to positively impact the lives of young people across Greater Manchester and beyond...

Manchester United Foundation

Making an impact

We look back at the Foundation’s 18th year – one in which it inspired and engaged so many participants – from Cyprus, to Tanzania, to Old Trafford...

United’s long and proud history of developing and supporting young local talent needs little explanation. Middleton’s Paul Scholes, Bury’s Gary Neville and Collyhurst’s Nobby Stiles are just a few of the well-known names plucked from the playing fields of Manchester and given the opportunity to shine under the limelight of Old Trafford.

More recently, since 2007 to be precise, the club’s influence on local young people has gone far beyond the pitches of The Cliff and Carrington, through the work of Manchester United Foundation. The club’s associated charity

works with thousands of youngsters in Greater Manchester and beyond, with outreach projects also running in Derbyshire, Carlisle, London and Northern Ireland.

With 124 projects running all year round, the Foundation takes on life-changing work aiming to provide the support and enrichment needed for young people – many hailing from some of the most socially deprived areas in the UK – and the opportunity to build a better life for themselves.

Through the work of dedicated coaches, the Foundation aims to use the power of Manchester United and work closely with participants to improve their physical and mental

health, their social wellbeing and their employability, making happier, healthier and more connected young people.

In 2024/25, the Foundation impacted over 39,000 young people with its work, through over 29,000 sessions and a presence of a coach in 77 partner schools and colleges (all figures correct as of 31 May 2025), all with the aim of supporting our young people to feel empowered, just as Sir Matt and Jimmy did all those years ago.

Community is at the heart of everything the Foundation does, and those that follow the club will recognise the strong community

The September Legends game against Celtic raised almost £1m

Bruno pays a Christmas visit to Francis House Children’s Hospice

The matchday coat appeal had well over 2,000 donations

SINCE 2007 THE CLUB’S INFLUENCE ON LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE HAS GONE FAR BEYOND THE PITCHES OF THE CLIFF AND CARRINGTON

Foundation CEO John Shiels and club legend Bryan Robson were among those to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro in October, raising vital funds

that exists among its supporters. A community that is, of course, enormously invested in success on the pitch, but also off it, too. As ever, United fans from near and far supported the work of the Foundation passionately throughtout the 2024/25 season.

Funds raised from the Supporters’ Club Warm Up events enabled the Foundation to link up with one of the attending groups, the Cyprus Reds, and take 12 young people from Foundation partner high schools for a trip of a lifetime to the Mediterranean island.

In many cases, the youngsters were experiencing not only their first time on a plane, but their first time out of Manchester, as they headed away on an action-packed five-day trip to a new country, which included a rope adventure park activity and a visit to a camel park!

“United is my life, my passion,” said Charalambos Loizou, the Cyprus supporters’ club secretary.

“I live in Cyprus now, but I was born in Whitefield, and so I have a special connection to Manchester and recognise the huge impact United can have on local young people.

“After a conversation with [Foundation CEO] John Shiels about how we could help the Foundation, it was agreed we would host a deserving group from Manchester and give them a true Cypriot experience. It just goes to show the amazing things we can do when we come together as a club.”

IN MANY CASES, THE YOUNGSTERS WERE EXPERIENCING NOT ONLY THEIR FIRST TIME ON A PLANE, BUT THEIR FIRST TIME OUT OF MANCHESTER

As well as the aforementioned activities, the Cyprus Reds also gave the young people their first experience of playing padel, co-ordinated a private screening of a film at a local cinema, and treated the group to an amazing Cypriot banquet. Experiences that some of our young people are seldom afforded, which will no doubt leave a lasting positive impression.

Layton and Kaydi, two of the participants on the trip – who attend Dean Trust Rose Bridge in Wigan and Whalley Range High School, respectively – illustrated exactly that as they reflected on their trip.

“We’ve done so many different things this week, I’ve loved it all and I’m really happy that I was able to come – it means a lot to have been picked,” Kaydi said. “I found the animals at the camel park very cute and it was really fun to ride a camel.”

“I just can’t choose!” laughed Layton, when pushed to pick his favourite activity. “I think I’ll say

The Cyprus trip created memories to last a lifetime for the young travellers

padel! But I did love the rope park because I was nervous at first and I still did it. I still can’t believe that I am here, really. I love the Foundation because it wants to let kids like me have fun.”

The desire from United supporters to ensure that the Foundation can continue to provide opportunities like this, and continue the valuable community work it undertakes, appears never to have been more prevalent. There was no better illustration of this than when 24 intrepid and inspirational trekkers set off to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, back in October.

For the extraordinary challenge, the group of Reds were joined by club legend Bryan Robson; Foundation CEO, John Shiels; and editor of fanzine United We Stand, Andy Mitten, with the group raising more than £140,000.

Conquering Kili was no mean feat, even for the notoriously robust

Captain Marvel, who first scaled the mountain back in 2013, again in aid of the Foundation.

“It’s been a fantastic experience with an absolutely brilliant group of people,” Robbo said. “When you’re on the top of that mountain and you see the glacier and blue skies, it is just amazing – the views that you see from the summit are incredible.

“I found it was agony coming back down because of my ankle, but that was no matter, as the most important thing is we’ve raised unbelievable funds for the Foundation and the children they support, to give them a better life; that’s what it’s all about.”

Back on home turf, local Reds again came out in numbers to support the Foundation’s winter effort, contributing 2,250 coats as part of a coat appeal that were then distributed around the charity’s partner school network, along with £100,000 worth of warm items

donated by the Foundation.

A further 120 supporters, including former Red and local lad Danny Simpson, were also in attendance for the annual Old Trafford Sleep Out in November, which raised £30,000 in aid of the Foundation and youth homelessness charity Centrepoint.

“It means a lot to help my community,” Danny told us.

“Homelessness is getting worse in the city and people are struggling, so it’s important that United and the Foundation help out and it’s great to see so many fans coming down to brave the cold and get involved.” ●

The Cyprus Red Army even arranged padel training with some pros

Over 120 participants joined the Old Trafford Sleep Out to support the plight of so many vulnerable young people across Greater Manchester

All smiles as steady progress is made on the Mount Kilimanjaro climb

“I HONESTLY COULD NOT BELIEVE IT WHEN I FOUND OUT WE WERE GOING TO MEET HIM!”

– STUDENT JACK

Sir Alex inspires students

The Foundation’s Sport and Youth Leadership degree is supported by our legendary ex-boss

“Origins should never be a barrier to success,” – a line from the great Sir Alex Ferguson and the ethos which Manchester United Foundation applies to all of its community work.

This is, of course, extended to the Foundation’s Sport and Youth Leadership degree, delivered in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University, where two

scholarship places – funded by the Foundation and named after Sir Alex Ferguson and fellow United icon Sir Bobby Charlton – are afforded to students each year.

On the course, students are given the tools and the real-world experience to become the next generation of youth leaders. The youngsters get the opportunity to work at a variety of different

You can stay up-to-date with all the Foundation’s incredible work, and opportunities to get involved, by visiting mufoundation.org

Foundation projects in order to gauge the type of youth work they might like to pursue and develop their skills as they do so.

This year’s scholarship students, Jack and Charley, have both demonstrated great resilience in their lives – a trait Sir Alex always admired in his players – and as a reward for what they have achieved, and their effort and application on their course, they enjoyed a special meet and greet with the man himself.

“Come on in,” said Sir Alex, as he ushered the duo into a private room at Old Trafford. “Take a seat and tell me about yourselves; I want to know more about what you’ve achieved.”

“I honestly could not believe it when I found out we were going to meet him!” Jack enthused.

“I mentioned Sir Alex’s quote about origins and success in my application for the Sport and Youth Leadership degree; he’s a hero of mine, so this was a dream come true.

“He was so lovely, so welcoming and very interested in how we’re doing on our course. Sir Alex also

told us some great stories... I could have stayed there all day listening!”

Sir Alex encouraged both with tales from his days in charge, including dealing with setbacks and how to maintain belief in yourself.

“I’ve only ever had one opportunity in my whole life,” Jack said to him, to which Sir Alex replied in a flash: “You only need one!”

If that wasn’t enough, the students were taken pitchside for a photo opportunity with Sir Alex’s first club captain, and longstanding Foundation supporter, Bryan Robson, before watching United’s Premier League match against West Ham from the directors’ box.

Charley echoed Jack’s positive words and also spoke of how the meeting had inspired her to continue to push herself.

“It was an unreal experience and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she told us. “It was amazing to meet Sir Alex and it shows you what you can achieve if you apply yourself and work really hard, no matter where you come from.”

Street Reds at Old Trafford

It’s the ultimate dream of any Red, and as a reward for their hard work and positive attitudes, girls and boys from across Street Reds projects got to live it by playing a game at the Theatre Of Dreams.

Street Reds is the Foundation’s adaptation of the Premier League Kicks programme and offers free football sessions to local youngsters aged 8-18 across Greater Manchester, and in outreach projects in Derbyshire, Carlisle and Northern Ireland.

The two groups were given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to emulate their heroes, taking part in small-sided games, soaking up the experience and, in participant Bella’s case, bagging a couple of goals for good measure. “It was so special to score in this magical

place and I even got to do my celebration!” she enthused. “I can’t believe how good the grass is to play on; I loved it and I can’t wait to tell all my friends at school.”

Mason, another participant who laced up his boots for the second of the two pitch days – this one kindly donated to the Foundation by club partner Snapdragon – attends Street Reds at Platt Lane and was buzzing about his experience. He also spoke of how important attending his local session is to him.

“It’s not every day you get to play on a pitch like this; it feels absolutely unbelievable,” he said. “Street Reds means everything to me and I’ve been going for the past four years, I get loads of opportunities there and I have the best time with my mates. I love it.”

Sir Alex shares one of his many stories!

Charley and Jack were in the directors’ box for the West Ham game

The youngsters savoured every moment of their game on the grand stage

Supporters’ clubs

It’s time to celebrate United’s global army of more than 300 supporters’ clubs (such as Iveagh Youth in Belfast, pictured), where like-minded fans come together to share their love for the mighty Reds...

The MUSC map

NORTHERN IRELAND

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

1

WALES

SCOTLAND

ENGLAND

ISLANDS

NORTH AMERICA

AFRICA

SUPPORTERS’ CLUBS

• USA

• Phoenix, USA

• Ghana

• Stalybridge, Greater Manchester

• Taughmonagh, South Belfast

• Red Devils DC, USA

• South Down, Northern Ireland

• Kildare, Ireland

• Mumbai, India

• Philadelphia, USA

• Dallas, USA

• South Elmsall, West Yorkshire

• Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association (MUDSA)

• Kolkata, India

• Brisbane, Australia

• Ballyfermot, Republic of Ireland

• Singapore

• Barnsley, South Yorkshire

• Manchester United Women Supporters’ Club

• Romania

• Manchester United Muslim Supporters’ Club

• Red Devils, Bulgaria

• Tunisia

• South Carolina Red Army, USA

• Dungannon, County Tyrone

• Qatar

• Rainbow Devils

• Clare, Republic of Ireland

• San Francisco, USA

• Pune, India

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Malta

• Toronto, Canada

• Thailand

• Laois, Republic of Ireland